Frequently Asked Questions

What factors should I consider when making a choice of course?

Select the courses according to the area you are interested in studying and discuss with your IDP counselor. Look carefully at the content of each course in the individual university website or brochure.

Apart from the course, it is very important that you should think of other factors as well : Location, Ranking and Cost.

Your counselor will be able to advise you about the relevant Institutions who meet with your requirements.

Are the courses and institutions that I have chosen of a high standard?

All universities and colleges that provide higher education in the UK are autonomous. These institutions are not owned by the state, but most receive government funding distributed by the separate higher education funding councils for England, Scotland and Wales, and the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland.

Each university and college of higher education is responsible for the standards of the awards it makes and the quality of the education it provides to its students. Each has its own internal quality assurance procedures.

QAA checks how well they meet their responsibilities, identifying good practice and making recommendations for improvement. They also publish guidelines to help institutions develop effective systems to ensure students have high quality experiences.

For research courses, the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) (conducted every five years), reviews the research activity of institutions and the quality profile determines the grants received for research from various funding bodies.

What financial support is available for international students?

There are a limited number of awards available for international students. The amount varies from level of study as well as the institutions. The scholarships are competitive and you need to demonstrate exceptional academic achievements. The British Government and other organizations also provide a number of scholarships and awards to help international students study in the UK.

Your IDP counselor will have details of various scholarship schemes.

What opportunities are there for working and studying at the same time?

Many universities have a dedicated job centre on-campus for students that offer or advertise a range of job opportunities to help students develop skills. The university Careers Advisory Service is also a useful source of information and advice. If you pursue a course at degree level or above you are permitted to work for 20 hours a week during the term and full time during the vacations.

How can I find accommodation?

Most UK universities and colleges will guarantee accommodation to international students if they have accepted the offer and applied for the accommodation within the deadline. Your IDP counselor will be able to offer advice and guidance on finding suitable accommodation at the Institution.

Private accommodation outside of the University or college will be cheaper if you are prepared to share the facilities with another student and are more suitable to postgraduate or mature students. If you are looking at this option, you should get some temporary accommodation booked and plan to travel to UK 1-2 weeks before your course starts. The accommodation officer can provide you the list of private accommodation available in the surrounding areas and advise you on other formalities such as signings the lease document, etc.

Undergraduate students in their first year of the course are recommended to stay in the halls of residence on-campus. A number of universities and colleges now manage their accommodation in line with government-approved codes of practice.

When should I begin the application process for September intake?

It is recommended that you begin you application process at least a year in advance to give enough time to the institutions to process your applications.

Does IDP have any special relationship with UK institutions?

Yes, IDP has signed up with specific UK institutions which will certainly give you the benefit of better turnaround time for application assessment.

Will IDP help me with the pre departure formalities?

Yes, IDP will organize a pre-departure orientation program which will help you transition to life as a student in the UK.