Open World UK's service includes:

- advice and information about choosing the course which is right for you
- ensuring your application is completed to maximise acceptance
- editing and correcting of the application by a native speaker (Member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists)
- monitoring of the application during consideration by the University
- liaison with the University if any problems arise
- if an offer of acceptance is given - advice regarding visas, accommodation, travel and living in the UK

Our service is free for non-EU applicants

Working with international students in the UK and overseas, it has always been interesting to see how they have made this journey from different parts of the world and ended up in one particular school or university in Britain. The courage, determination and sometimes tenacity in achieving their goal which, it has to be said, is not easy to achieve, by any means deserve some respect. The journey can be hard, demoralising and extremely expensive. People of all ages leave their jobs, their families and friends to start a new life in a foreign country, often without any clear picture of where this is leading them. It has often surprising how little research has gone into making this enormously important decision. Some students have in fact just made the decision in a few weeks on the basis of extremely limited information, committing their time, energy and resources for at least a year (and often more) without having really thought about the possibilities, the consequences of their choice and the suitability of a course, institution or location for their personal and professional needs and goals. It is essential that people take the time to carefully consider all the options before they make that important decision.

If you are thinking of making this journey you may find it useful to read through the following steps before making your decision.

There is a huge variety of courses you can choose from, different subjects and combinations of subjects, different levels, different modes of study, part-time, full-time, distance, on-line. Some courses are more traditional, academic, others are more vocational i.e. geared towards specific jobs. Some courses are purely academic while others include work placements which can be useful for the international student in terms of making work contacts.

If you have a specific career path in mind how do you think this qualification will help you. Are you hoping that it will lead to a better job in your country or are you more interested in developing your career in another country. Do you want to change career? In this case make sure this particular course is relevant. Will this really enable you to get the kind of work you want in the place that you want to be? Get advice if you can. Talk to employers about their view of this particular qualification. Have they heard of it? Do they know the university? All of this can be done before you even think about booking your ticket.

Location

This unique university personality is greatly affected by its socio-cultural/geographical location. Think about whether you prefer an urban or more rural location, whether you prefer to be in the south or the North or England. Don't forget there are many good universities in Wales and Scotland which have a slightly different character and cultural context.

Can I work while I study?

If you have a student visa (for more than 6 mongth of length) you are entitled to work for up to 20 hours a week. It is extremely difficult for the student to get work which is above the minimum wage (4.77 GBP for workers aged 18-21 inclusive and 5.73 GBP for workers aged 22 and over) despite all your previous experience and working history. You are considered as a student in the UK and do not expect to get highly payed job which you probably deserved.

How can I get help?

There are many agents, mostly located in your own country, that are offering services which promise help in getting you to the right place for you. Unfortunately a lot of these do not have the in-country experience or knowledge of UK academic life to really help you make the right choice.

Open World UK has the expertise and the experience to give information and advice about a course for study which will suit you as an individual. We can help you make a wise decision which suits your particular needs and aspirations. We will also make you aware of the pitfalls. There is no guarantee that a UK qualification will open up the future you desire, but we can make sure you optimise your potential and that you get the most from your investment.

It is ultimately your responsibility to make sure you are as well informed as possible before you decide.

Before you consider the different options open to you try to focus on what you want achieve. What do you want to get out of this learning/study experience ? Think about your goals in terms of study, work, life, family and personal needs. This decision will affect all of these areas. Your goals will quite possible change but try to make sure you are clear about why you are doing this and if it will really help you achieve your objectives. Make sure the course you choose fits in with your personal and professional goals.

The Institution

British universities vary considerably in terms of what they can offer International students. Each university has its own unique personality which is often very difficult to gauge from looking at a brochure. Consider the location and type of university, historical development, orientation in terms of work or academic specialisations. Some universities are campus based while others are located indifferent buildings within a city. This affects considerably the nature of university life. Campus universities tend to be more intense, you are immersed in academic life, you live, eat, sleep within the university. This has many advantages because of easy access to all facilities such as library, sport, launderette and cafeterias., surrounded by other students. Non-campus universities give you perhaps a more realistic experience in terms of living in the community (although you still may be in university accommodation) , travelling to lectures and back and so on.

Help with English Language

Most universities require at least IELTS 6.0 to do both an under-graduate degree (BSc or BA) or a post-graduate degree, Masters (MSc, MA ). However, this depends on the nature of the course. Under-graduate degrees in Law and MBA's often require 6.5 or even 7.0. Other examinations such as TOEFL and Cambridge Advanced English are also often accepted as proof of your English Language level, depending on which university or department you are applying to. When you apply for a course you may be given a "conditional" offer - this means that you can do the course if you meet the English language requirement (e.g. obtain an IELTS 6.0). If you do not meet this requirement you may be advised to undertake a course in English (pre-sessional) or to take a foundation year (IELTS 5.5) which is an introductory year which prepares you for your degree.

You can start improving your English now by reviewing your grammar, reading regularly and practising writing. If you are not sure what the IELTS examination entails have a look at the IELTS website www.ielts.org You will probably need to improve your English before you start studying in the UK, so you also have to think about where you want to study. Again the choice is immense, ranging from private language schools to Language Centres attached to universities. The British government is clamping down on bogus schools, but still you need to be wary of schools that are extremely cheap. Even schools which are accredited will vary considerably in terms of their flavour, some target younger students and are of a more touristy nature, while others offer more academically linked programmes of study with a strong IELTS focus. Again your choice of location will affect price and where you are going to study later.