It is said that the cost of studying in the UK is hundreds of thousands, but is it really that expensive? In fact, this is also a very common misunderstanding about the cost of studying abroad.Common misunderstandings about the cost of studying in the UKCost of studying in the UK, ,Cost of studying in central England、2023 UK study costsThe problem.
Common misunderstandings about the cost of studying in the UK
1. The UK is a country with extremely high tuition fees
Actual situation: Each country has developed and developing cities, so tuition fees for different schools and majors vary. Living expenses in different regions vary, which leads to a wide range of study abroad costs.
We should measure the cost of studying abroad from a country's macro perspective. In many cases, this does not have actual reference value, and we should make accurate judgments based on specific cities, schools, and majors.
According to the introduction, British universities offer generous scholarships, the most famous of which is Chevening, with a very high amount. Students with good grades can work harder and get scholarships easily. At the same time, there are many opportunities for part-time jobs around, and students with spare time can work and study. Because the UK is leaving the EU, a large number of talents are lost, which also increases more job opportunities. Part-time work and study can completely cover living expenses.
2. As long as you have money, you can go abroad
The actual situation: This is a common mistake that the deposit period does not meet the requirements. Some parents think that having money is enough when they plan to send their children to study abroad, but they do not make the necessary financial preparations, resulting in the deposit period being too short to meet the requirements, thus causing some unnecessary trouble for the UK visa.
Therefore, when parents decide to send their children to study abroad, they must understand the relevant regulations of the country where they want to study about a year in advance to ensure that the time of the guarantee deposit meets the requirements.
3. The preparation of study abroad funds is too hasty
Actual situation: One characteristic of studying abroad is that a large amount of money is required in a short period of time. Therefore, the funds for studying abroad should be prepared one to two years in advance, especially the savings account for studying abroad should be saved one year before the application.
Experts say that some students may have enough money from their families to support their study abroad, but for some reasons they cannot raise all the expenses at once. In this case, students can apply for a study abroad loan from a bank, which can cover the cost of studying and living abroad.
4. The deposit has been kept for too long
Actual situation: The time for the deposit should be based on the different regulations of the country where you are studying abroad, whether it is 3 months, 6 months, 1 year or 1.5 years. You should consult in advance and then apply for a deposit certificate of the corresponding period.
During the certification period, the bank will freeze the deposit. Experts remind that the certificate issued by the bank should be kept well. If you fail to report to the school due to visa rejection, the bank can still unfreeze the deposit at any time for easy use
5. Get proof of funds as soon as possible
Actual situation: Although the bank certificate is an important reference for visa officers to judge the family's financial ability, the time of issuance is very particular. Experts say that the bank's certificate is a time period certificate, and the bank will freeze the deposit during the time period.
This certificate is issued by the bank when the visa is needed. If the certificate is issued too early, the visa officer may question whether the money can support the study abroad expenses because the funds are about to be unfrozen, which will affect the visa application.
6. Remittance by cash
Actual situation: my country has strict regulations on the amount of foreign currency that can be carried in and out of the country. Any amount exceeding the limit can only be remitted by remittance. If you are caught carrying a large amount of cash out of the country, your money will be confiscated at the least, or you will be held accountable for the violation.
Experts point out that it is simpler and less expensive to remit money abroad by purchasing foreign exchange directly from the bank. If you withdraw cash and then remit, the cost will be higher because there is a buying and selling difference when converting cash into foreign exchange. At the same time, if the cash deposited exceeds US$5,000, you must explain the source of the cash to the bank.
7. The exchange channels are irregular
Actual situation: The country has very strict management on foreign exchange, but it is relatively easy for international students to exchange and remit money. Experts said that many banks have opened foreign exchange and remittance services. Through normal channels, each person can exchange foreign exchange within 50,000 US dollars per year, which can meet the normal needs of studying and living abroad. However, the cost and handling fee of exchanging foreign exchange through other channels will be much higher.
Although remitting money through informal channels may seem simple on the surface, it is actually illegal. Once discovered by the relevant authorities, the funds will be seized and confiscated, and all funds will be lost.
Recommended cities in the UK with relatively low cost of studying
1. Liverpool
Liverpool is a very literary city. Liverpool has a number of high-quality cultures, whether in music, painting, architecture, etc. In 2003, Liverpool was selected as the European Capital of Culture, which also confirmed Liverpool's status as a cultural capital. The annual living expenses at the University of Liverpool are about 6,000-8,000 pounds, including food, clothing, housing and transportation. Accommodation: 75-135 rooms per week.
Representative institutions: University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool Hope University, etc.
2. Belfast
Belfast is located at the mouth of the River Lagan on the northeast coast of the island of Ireland. It is the largest seaport in Northern Ireland, located in the southwest of Belfast Bay. The cost of living in Belfast is £5,500-7,500 per year, making it one of the most expensive cities in the UK.
Representative institutions: Queen's University Belfast, University of Ulster.
3. York
York is a city in the northeast of England. It is the capital of North Yorkshire and has the status of a self-governing city. Although York is a city with a developed tourism industry, its cost of living is not high. Tuition fees and living expenses are relatively low. The cost of living in York is 6,000-7,000 pounds per year.
Representative institutions: York University, York St John University.
4. Northampton
Northampton is located in the middle of England. Although it is not far from London and Birmingham, the living standard in Northampton is much lower than them. It costs about 6000-8000 pounds per year to study at the University of Northampton. It is a comfortable town and very convenient.
Representative institution: University of Northampton
5. Lincoln
Lincoln is located in the east of England and is one of the most beautiful and comfortable cities in England. The majestic Lincoln Cathedral (the symbol of Lincoln City with a history of more than 900 years) and the ancient castle are world-famous for their 2,000-year-old history and rich cultural heritage. In this area, there are many archaeological sites from the Roman and Norman periods. Studying at the University of Lincoln costs about £6,000-8,000 per year.
Representative institution: University of Lincoln, UK.
Further reading: Safety warning for studying in the UK
1. Pay attention to the choice of living environment
If you want to have more protection for your personal property, you must carefully choose your residence. Generally speaking, the safest place is to live in a student dormitory. School dormitories are managed by dedicated personnel, and in case of accidents, there is usually an emergency notification system.
If you can apply for a school dormitory, don't give up easily. In addition to saving a lot of time commuting to school, it is usually safer. For those who rent a house outside, the security situation in the area near the house should be specially considered.
When looking for accommodation on your own, try to give priority to finding a house near the school. If you have to, live farther away from the school.
2. Pay attention to home safety
Although living in a school dormitory is relatively safe, you still need to be careful with your personal belongings. Once you leave the room, whether going to the bathroom or answering the phone, you must carry your keys with you and lock the door.
Before moving into a new home, renters should check the surrounding environment and safety measures. After moving, they can change all door locks or reset passwords.
When you return home, if you find anything unusual with the doors or windows, do not enter without permission and call the police immediately. Do not let strangers in. Install an eagle eye on the front door to check on the other party. If a repairman wants to enter, first check his ID card and check his company phone number and call to verify. Indoor and outdoor lights can be equipped with timers to adjust the opening and closing time from time to time. When working outside the house, also lock the doors and windows.
3. Pay attention to outdoor safety
For drivers, if you get lost, do not drive blindly to avoid entering a "restricted area". Be sure to find someone to check first, do not get off the car at will, and have a map or mobile phone in the car. Remember your parking space and pay attention to the safety conditions around the parking space. If it is a place you often go, park in a fixed place.
Do not leave anything in your car that could attract attention, such as purses or bags. Do not handle or organize items in the parking lot. Do not hitchhike or give hitchhikers a ride. If the gas tank is below the warning line, refill it immediately to avoid running out of gas and being stranded.
When going out for a walk, it is advisable to walk in a bright place, do not take shortcuts, and walk briskly and confidently. Do not carry too much cash when going out, and keep the money in multiple places. When traveling, put cash in a waist bag close to your body and add a coat. If you are used to carrying a handbag, do not put cash, passport or important documents in the bag. When getting on and off public transportation, be alert and carry the bag with the opening facing inward.
4. Pay attention to traffic safety
Cars in the UK drive on the left side of the road, which is very different from our habit of driving on the right side. This is where drivers who are new to the UK must be particularly careful.
Generally speaking, the driving habits of domestic drivers often do not conform to UK requirements and standards. Those who are confident in their previous driving experience or years of experience and think that they have no problems with their driving skills are often the most likely to get into trouble.
Do not speed while driving, do not drink and drive, do a vehicle safety check and study the route and road conditions before driving, obey traffic rules and develop good driving habits. These are the only ways to keep yourself and your passengers safe.
5. Respect the etiquette, customs and religious culture of the area where you live, and don't cause yourself unnecessary trouble.
No matter which region you go to, you should respect the local etiquette, customs and religious culture.
For example, don't cut in line. Queuing is one of the cultural characteristics of the British. No matter how many people there are, they will queue up. Just queue up honestly and don't piss people off!
For example, in the UK, many people believe in Christianity. Don't try to preach so-called atheism in front of them, let alone question or ridicule their beliefs.
6. Special reminder for girls
Do not take a black car without a driver's license. If you are unlucky enough to get into a traffic accident on the road, it will be very troublesome to claim compensation. In addition, the identity of the black car driver is difficult to identify. If he is of low quality or has bad intentions, it may cause serious consequences. If you are alone in a car at night and need to walk for a while to reach your destination after getting off the car, for safety reasons, you must arrange for someone else to wait for you to pick you up.
Before taking a taxi, you must first write down the driver's identity information and the license plate number. Girls should not choose to sit in the front passenger seat when taking a taxi. On the one hand, it is too close to the driver. On the other hand, sitting on the front passenger seat can only drive on one side, and the chance of escape is reduced by half in the event of an accident.
After getting in the car, remember to lock both doors to prevent people from opening the door to rob or leaving personal belongings outside the car. If the taxi does not have a meter, you can also negotiate the fare with the driver before getting in the car to avoid disputes after arriving at the destination. You can talk to the driver while the car is moving, but be careful not to reveal personal information.
Further reading: Overview of benefits for students studying in the UK
1. Free medical care
NHS (National Health Service) public health system, international students can get a number of free services including prescription drugs, dentistry, eye care, travel medical care, etc. In fact, these fees have been paid when applying.
2. International Student Card
In the UK, if students apply for an international student card, they can enjoy considerable discounts when buying train tickets, plane tickets, visiting museums, etc.
3. Shopping tax refund
You can enjoy the tax refund policy three months before your study visa expires. The store will ask for your passport number and domestic address. Keep the receipts and items so that you can get a tax refund when you leave the country within three months.
If you have many receipts from a store, you can get a master receipt from the store before you leave to ensure that the tax refund is made within three months before your departure. Please fill in the purchase amount, items and signature at the store to make it a valid tax refund form.
When you arrive at the airport customs, hand the tax refund form to the customs staff and you can choose to get cash or have it deposited into your card.
4. Work
The British government currently allows international students to work. The specific regulations are: a maximum of 20 hours per week during the semester, and full-time work during holidays. Most British institutions have dedicated staff to help students find jobs.
5. Transportation card discounts
Overseas students aged between 16 and 25 can apply for a visa at any major train station with their passport and bareheaded photo.
Young Person Rail Card, enjoy a 1/3 discount on train fares. Overseas students aged 25 and over,
You can apply for it with an International Student Identity Card (ISIC). The card fee is 27 pounds.
In addition, students in London can apply online for a 30% discount on the Oyster Card on Transport for London, which will allow them to enjoy discounted fares on the London Underground and buses.
6. Family members accompanying students
If the spouse and children under the age of 18 of international students obtain visas as family members to study in the UK, they can also enjoy many benefits: they can enjoy the same medical benefits as the international students themselves; if the international students hold a visa of more than 12 months, the spouse and children can generally work or study full-time in the UK without the need for additional permits.
7. International Students Office on Campus
British institutions generally have a special office for international students, which is responsible for providing guidance to international students in all aspects of study and life, such as visas, free medical care, housing, work, etc. Some also include psychological counseling.
Common misunderstandings about the cost of studying in the UK
Summary of common misunderstandings about the cost of studying in the UK
After understanding the common misunderstandings about the cost of studying in the UK, you will also need to prepare a VPN tool to bypass the firewall and return to China when studying in the United States.For many Chinese who go to the US to study and work, they still like to watch some Chinese TV series and programs in China, and they are more accustomed to use some domestic native apps to listen to music, watch videos, play games and so on. However, due to copyright reasons, most of the popular programs are only allowed to be accessed by mainland IPs. In such a big background, theVPN back over the wallQuickFox is an accelerator for overseas Chinese who want to return to China by circumventing the firewall. It mainly supports circumventing the firewall to return to mainland China, and has a Beta function for circumventing the firewall to return to Taiwan. Unlike other VPNs for returning to China, QuickFox uses "intelligent acceleration mode" and "global return line".