UK

    As a rough estimation, live in London costs around GBP 1,265 per month; while for the other cities in the UK it costs approximately GBP 1,015 per month. Fees mentioned above already include accommodations, meals, transportation, telecommunications, and other daily necessities. Of course, these costs will vary according to the lifestyle of each individual.

1. Student Visa & Health Insurance

After getting the Full Acceptance Letter from the institution, students can apply for student visas which can only be administered by a particular agent education course, where SUN Education Group is one of them. After completing the required visa documents, visa applicants are required to be fingerprinted and photographed directly at the British embassy representative offices (VFS).

Once students get visas to come to the UK for more than six (6) months, they will receive an entry clearance in the form of vignette / sticker in their passport that is valid for 30 days from the date of departure. Furthermore, students will get a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) on arrival in the UK. BRP indicates that a student has the right to live, work, or study in the UK.

In addition to the application for Student Visa, students must undergo a TB Screening medical test to detect tuberculosis by taking chest X-Ray. And also there is Credibility Check Interview at the time of applying for the visa. UK also requires health insurance (National Health Service) of GBP 150 per year. This fee policy applies to international students since April 6, 2015.

2. Accommodation

There are many good choice of accommodation for international students in the UK which can be arranged after you are accepted in schools or universities in the UK.

• • Accommodation School or University (University Residence)

Usually schools and universities provide accommodation for their students. Facilities include a bed, a storage closet for clothes, a desk and study lamp, chairs, heaters, and bookshelves. Some are also equipped with a bathroom in the room and 24-hour internet access. This accommodation costs an average of GBP 150 – GBP 300 per week.

• • Rent Apartment or House

A popular choice for more than two (2) students who want to share the cost of accommodation is renting an apartment (flat) or a home with a minimum contract for one (1) year. The cost of renting an apartment or a house is about GBP 200 – GBP 400 per week. Of course, the cost of rent depends on the size of the apartment or house and its location. You also likely have to pay the cost of electricity, heating and telephone charges.

3. Part Time Work

Students who study more than six (6) months in the UK will be granted permission to seek part-time job for maximum of 20 hours per week during the school term and full time during holiday periods for the Bachelor or Master program.

The salary earned during part time work is around GBP 6 per hour; for the evening working hours (night shift) will get more than GBP 8 per hour.

Here’s a more detailed explanation of the stages of the UK education system :

1. Basic Education (Primary Education)

Basic education in the UK begins at the age of five (5) until the age of 11, comprising the step of key stage one (1) and two (2) under the UK education system.

2. Secondary Education

From age 11 to 16, high school students will get to the key stage three (3) and four (4) to start taking GCSE. Primary and secondary educations are compulsory in the UK; after age 16, a higher education is optional for students. Students usually take about ten (10) subjects that are assessed (depending on the subjects taken) through a combination of written assignments and tests.

3. Further Education

After students finish secondary education, they have the option to extend for further education to take the Advanced Level (‘A’ Level), GNVQ’s, BTEC’s or other qualifications such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the Cambridge Pre-U.

Education Advanced ‘A’ Level is also commonly referred to as the Sixth Form lasted for two (2) years, ‘A’ Level is usually followed by students aged 16 years or after they gained GCSEs. Students typically take two (2) to five (5) subjects ‘A’ Level which is a requirement for university admission. Each subject is assessed through written examinations, assignments or both.

With the certificate GCE ‘A’ Level, students can continue their studies to university or college which offers vocational programs. Fees for ‘A’ Level averaged around GBP 45,000 – GBP 50,000 for two (2) years.

IB is equivalent to GCE ‘A’ Level and it is more required today as a qualification to enroll in UK universities. Exam for this qualification can be done in private or public schools that exist in the UK.

For students who plan to go to college or university, they must complete the higher education first.

4. Advanced Program (HND) and Pre-University (Foundation Studies)

Advanced Program (HND or Higher National Diploma) program offers technical and expertise, usually around 1-2 years depending on the subject and the selected certification. Qualifications obtained Certificate of Higher National Diploma or Higher National Certificate.

For class XII students of high school graduates in Indonesia, mostly in the UK universities require entrance program A ‘Level or Pre-University (Foundation) before proceeding to the first year at university (Undergraduate degree). For difficult majors such as Medicine and Law, especially for the top university in the UK, international students are required to enter the program ‘A’ Level two (2) years prior to the Undergraduate program.

Fees for Pre-University Program (Foundation) in average are about GBP 13,000-GBP 20,000 per year.

5. Professional Degree Program (Undergraduate Degree)

The first university in the UK was found approximately 800 years ago, so the universities in the UK already have experience and a very deep knowledge in the field of education.

In England, Northern Ireland and Wales, Bachelor program is settled within three (3) years. The term ‘sandwich courses’ where students complete a study of two (2) years at the university, and the third year they do research or internship outside of school, and then in the fourth year they return to the university to complete their S-1. In Scotland program S-1 generally lasts longer, i.e. for four (4) years. As for professions such as medicine program lasts approximately five (5) to (6) years.

Assessment is done through a combination of assignments, participation in seminars, written exams and thesis. After completing the Undergraduate course, students receive a Bachelor degree such as BA (Bachelor of Arts), BEng (Bachelor of Engineering), and BSc (Bachelor of Science).

Students who want to register Bachelor program must apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions System (UCAS) online.

Tuition at the university ranges from GBP 12,000 – GBP 20,000 per year; while for the medicine, tuition around GBP 15,000 – GBP 40,000 per year.

6. Professional Graduate Program (Postgraduate Degree)

Postgraduate program in the UK usually takes a short period of only one (1) year, including Master of Business Administration (MBA). This makes Postgraduate program in the UK to be very competitive compared to other countries which may take two (2) years.

For the Doctoral (PhD) program, the study time required is three (3) years.

The MBA program is designed to improve managerial ability, the ability to analyze complex issues and ability to make strategic decisions. There are several MBA programs designed specifically for certain industries (finance or retail) or sector (insurance and loss of defense, e-business, public sector, etc.).

One of the entry requirements for the MBA program is to have a working experience in a managerial position for minimum of three (3) years. Thus the cost of the MBA program is higher than the other Masters programs, ranging from GBP 15,000 – GBP 30,000 per year. The Master’s program is generally divided into two (2) kinds of learning systems, namely:

1. Classroom (Taught Program)

This is a more detailed academic program, designed to give depth to your knowledge of the field of study you took earlier in the Undergraduate level. Some programs also serve as ‘conversion courses’ which will introduce you to the new field of study that you take, if the field of study is different from the field of study of Undergraduate program previously.

Taught course is divided into two (2) the Master’s program – usually lasts for one (1) year and consists of classroom learning, seminars, and thesis; and the Diploma Program – lasted nine (9) months consists of elements with the same teaching as Master Program but WITHOUT thesis.

2. Research Program

For Research Program, the average study duration is two (2) years. This is a program where 70% of learning is a research outside of school such as in laboratory, field or company; as well as 30% more students were asked to formulate a hypothesis of the research conducted.

The research program gives you the opportunity to conduct research in the areas of special interest. You will develop a research topic under the supervision of one (1) or two (2) counselor who specializes in your chosen field. To succeed, you must be able to show the intellectual ability to be independent, have good time management and discipline as well as your own set schedule of time and research you do.

Fees for Master by Research Program average between GBP 12,000 and GBP 20,000 per year.

• • DISTANCE LEARNING

Students can choose various types of educational pathways and training system, combining a variety of fields according to their needs and abilities. Many fields are also taken by distance learning in their respective countries. With a diverse selection of this specialized field, students have the convenience to choose the appropriate field with the desire, ambition and enthusiasm in taking a science.

• • ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSE

UK has a very good tradition in teaching English. English teaching is given at all educational levels ranging from beginner to expert, and is designed for all ages from young to old. Some courses prepare students to study in specific areas such as Medicine, Law or Business.

Teaching system is usually more in the form of practice, where you are expected to actively communicate in English since you first sign in, get involved in the game, problem solving and discussion to practice your English skills.

English Language Course fees are around GBP 150 per week for a large class and GBP 400 per week for smaller classes and intensive.

• • STANDARD OF EDUCATION QUALITY & ACCREDITATION IN THE UK

Standard quality of education in the UK is highly guaranteed by the government; therefore, the UK qualifications are recognized and valued all over the world with high quality.

All levels of education, particularly undergraduate and postgraduate degree had to go through the authorization of the Department of Education & Skills (DfES) and the Royal Charter of Act of Parliament.

Some quality assurance i.e. Teaching Quality Assurance (TQA) is held every four (4) years, to assess the quality of teaching on specific subjects; also the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) to assess the quality of a university research. RAE is an important reference for consideration at the Postgraduate studies in the UK. Scale ranging from 1-5, the higher the scale means that the higher the university’s funding to certain of educational research on the subject.