Questions & answers

Below is a selection of questions and answers often asked by students that are interested in studying in the UK.

How do I find out more about your study programmes?
What is the advantage of enrolling for study through Intercambio?
I would like to apply for a place, what do I do next?
What does it cost to study in Sheffield?
What level of English is required to be able to enrol at the university?
Is there a deadline for enrolling on any of the university programmes?
Are there any scholarships available for international students?
Can I work in the UK as a student?
Do I need a student visa?
How is the weather in the UK?
Can I work in the UK after I have graduated from a UK university?
How do I find accommodation in the UK as a student?
Can I bring my family with me to the UK?
What are the various stages of the application process?

1. How do I find out more about your study programmes?

If you have specific queries about a course, would like to order a course brochure or have any other further queries about studying at any of the institutions we represent, or our services, please use our contact form to get in touch.

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2. What is the advantage of enrolling for my study programme through Intercambio?

You can apply and enrol for a course independently from anyone but you may find that applying for study overseas is not always as straightforward as it sounds.

If you apply through Intercambio you will receive useful help, guidance and advice in finding the course that best suits your personal needs and requirement from an impartial point of view. You may find that there are many study options available in the UK and sometimes it is difficult to know where and how to start. We aim to help you throughout the whole long process from identifying the course right for you, help you throughout the application process, help find and apply for appropriate accommodation, guide you through the visa application process and can give you lots of general advice on how to best prepare yourself for your study abroad through a highly personalised service in your own language.

Enrolling through Intercambio means that you are entitled to a whole range of services free of charge prior to and after arrival in the UK. Staff at Intercambio have been international students themselves and have lived, studied and worked in the UK and therefore we know through personal experience what is required before you can study abroad and help identify the best course that suits your personal requirements. Please note that all the institutions we represent have formally appointed Intercambio as their representative.

Please click here for a complete overview of the services we offer to international students.

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3. I would like to apply for a place, what do I do next?

If you would like to apply for a study place please contact us.
We will then discuss all options available to you and that match your personal or professional requirements and help you through the application process.

We would like to emphasize:

There is no application deadline for postgraduate courses or English language courses. You can apply for a place as long as there are places available.
However, the exception to this are undergraduate Bachelors courses and the application process for undergraduate study is a little different from postgraduate students. Please contact us should you wish to apply for an undergraduate course.
You can apply for a study place at a UK university even if you are staill awaiting your final examination or have to take an IELTS or TOEFL English language exam. International students can be made so called conditional offers meaning that you can secure a conditional place whilst working on any outstanding conditions such as achieving a certain IELTS or TOEFL score before you start your studies.
You can apply for a study place in advance. For example, if you want to start your studies in the next academic year (i.e. January or September 2010) you can submit your application well in advance even though your proposed start date is more than a year away.

Due to the high number of applications UK educational institutions receive from international students we advise you to submit your application as early as possible.

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4. What does it cost to study in the UK?

You will need around £7,500 - £8,500 to cover your living expenses for 12 months, depending on where you will live. Studying in the London metropolitan area is more expensive than studying in the north of England. Tuition fees for undergraduate or postgraduate courses can range from £8,000 to £15,000 depending on the programme and the university you've applied for. This means that the combined costs of academic fees, accommodation costs and living costs ranges from £15,500 to £22,500 per student year (USD 22,000 - 33,000*), depending on the course chosen and your lifestyle. Below is a typical breakdown of costs for each year of your studies.

Undergraduate or Postgraduate tuition fees	£8,000-15,000
Books and stationary	£200-400
Accommodation/electricity/gas/water	£2,000-4,000
Food	£1,500-2,000
Public Transport	£300-400
Clothing	£400-500
Telephone/Post	£200-250
Leisure/Entertainment	£500-700

In order to obtain a study visa and gain entry clearance to the UK you must be able to prove you have sufficient funds to pay your tuition fees and support yourself throughout the duration of your studies in the UK.

* As per June 2010 exchange rates

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5. What level of English is required to be able to enroll at a university course?

In order to succeed in your studies you need to have a very good command of the English language. Therefore international students that apply for undergraduate or postgraduate courses must be able to prove they have a sufficient level of competence in English and you often have to prove this with a recognised English language qualification.

Most universities require certification in either IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or TOEFL (Teaching of English as a Foreign Language) although the Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE), Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) and Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) are often considered as well. Different universities and courses require different scores but on average a good university would require a minimum of IELTS 6.0 or above with at least 5 in each component, or 6.5 to 7.0 with at least 6 in each component when a higher standard of English is required. This is roughly the equivalent of 550 - 600 TOEFL score (250 points for the computer based test) or 100 TOEFL iBT score.

If you apply for a course and you do not have the required English qualification you can often still apply and may receive a conditional offer. A conditional offer secures you a provisional place provided that you then make efforts to obtain the required English qualification before you are allowed to start your studies. Many international students prepare for their English qualification in their home country but others choose to study English in the UK during the months prior to their course startdate and take an examination in the UK.

Intercambio can help you secure a place on a wide range of academic preparatory courses for international students. Courses vary in length from a few weeks to an entire year, depending on your current level of English. You can read more about our English language programmes by clicking here. If you have any specific queries about academic preparatory courses please contact us.

If you do not yet have a recognised English language qualification we advise you to test your currrent English level by taking an IELTS or TOEFL examination. In Mexico these are organised through the British Council and tests are regularly conducted in Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Xalapa, Merida, Chihuahua, Queretaro and Puebla.

An IELTS exam will cost you about £100 (USD 200). If you'd like to receive more information on the IELTS exam please contact your local British Council office or get in touch with us.

Mexican students can arrange an IELTS test by contacting the British Council on tel. 5263 1900/1930, fax. 5263 1910 or by e-mail at bcmexico@britishcouncil.org.mx. The British Council office is located at Lope de Vega No. 316, Fracc. Chapultepec Morales, Delegación Miguel Hidalgo, Apartado Postal 30-588, C.P. 11570, Mexico City. Alternatively please visit the British Council IELTS website

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6. Is there a deadline for enrolling on any of the university programmes?

Most courses start in September each year although some courses have a second intake, starting in January each year. In theory you can enrol up to a few weeks before the start of the study semester as long as there are places available and as long as you leave enough time to make all the necessary arrangements required to be able to actually start your studies such as accommodation, finances, visa and travel arrangements.

Please bear in mind that numbers are restricted and places can fill rather quickly depending on the popularity of the course you apply for. You also need to give yourself enough time to make all necessary arrangements such as obtaining a visa, sort out your finances and organise accommodation. Therefore we advise you to start the application procedure as soon as possible, ideally about 6 - 8 months in advance of your study start date in order to avoid disappointment.

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7. Are there any scholarships available for international students?

Many universities will offer some type of scholarships to international students, some are automatic ones, others will be competitive. Scholarships tend to change every year so it is best to check with us if there are any scholarships for the programme you are interested in. Often you will find that scholarships in the UK are partial scholarships or bursaries, ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand pounds. It is very difficult to find universities that offer full scholarships to overseas students unless you apply for Research/PhD study. Please note that in order to apply for a scholarships it is expected that you first apply and secure a study place.

Students may also look for study loans in their home country. It is not possible to secure study loans from banks in the UK when you are a foreign national that does not work or live in the UK.

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8. Can I work in the UK as a student?

Yes, if you are an international student and are enrolled on a full-time course of more than 6 months in duration, you are allowed to work part-time during your studies, up to a maximum of 20 hours per week, and full time during the holidays. However, students that are enrolled on courses less than 6 months are not entitled to work during their studies.

When considering the option of looking for employment during your studies you have to bear in mind that your main aim is to study in the UK and we know from experience that many international students often do not have enough time to work next to their studies as courses can be intensive. In addition you need to be aware that there will be many more students chasing part-time work opportunities and therefore you will face stiff competition. Most universities recommend that students do not work for more than 12 hours per week as otherwise your studies will suffer.

In accordance with European employment law employers have to pay you a minimum wage which is £4,92 for workers aged 18-20 and £5.93 for workers aged 21 and above* In practice wages will be different, depending on the type of work.

You do not require official permission to work up to the permitted hours, provided you are not engaging in business, self employment or the provision of services as a sports person or entertainer. You can also undertake work placements which are part of your course or undertake internship placements with an employer whilst studying in the UK.

Whatever your plans, please ensure that you never depend on income received through work to pay for your studies. In order to obtain a study visa and gain entry clearance to the UK you must be able to prove you have sufficient funds to pay your tuition fees and living expenses for the full duration of your stay in the UK.

* From 1st of October 2010 onwards

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9. Do I need a student visa?

Yes, most students from outside the European Union that want to study a full-time course for 6 months or more need to apply for a student visa under the Tier 4 of the points-based visa system. Before you can submit a study visa application you need to obtain a so called 'Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies' letter or CAS certificate/number. The CAS will not be issued until you have secured an unconditional study place at an eduational institution that is recognised by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) and that holds a sponsor license, you have paid a deposit and are able to prove that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself during your studies in the UK.

Students from some countries that want to come to the UK for a short course for 6 months or less (such as an English language course) have to apply for a visa that allows them entry on a Student Visitor visa. If you are younger than 18 years of age the visa you may have to apply for is called a Child Visitor visa.

Intercambio will help and advise you if you require a visa and we can advise you on how to prepare your visa documents. Please note that you may have to pay a small fee to your local British Embassy for the visa application and biometric enrolment process.

For more information on arranging entry clearance for Mexican students please contact us or contact your local British Embassy. The British Embassy in Mexico is located at Rio Lerma 71, Col. Cuauhtemoc, Mexico DF, 06500, Apdo 96 bis, telephone 5207 2449/2089/2593, fax 5 242 8517. For more information you can also visit the British Embassy Mexico Website or the UKBA website.

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10. What is the weather like in the UK?

The UK has a moderate climate with an average summer temperature of around 16 degrees Celsius and average winter temperature of around 3-6 degrees Celsius. Winters in the UK and Western Europe over the past decade or so have become relatively mild with temperatures rarely dropping below zero degrees Celsius during the day.

However, for students coming from warmer countries, the climate in the UK is something you will have to get used to, especially during the winter when it can get cold. In return for any hardship endured during winter you will enjoy the mild to warm spring and summer period in the UK with the additional benefit of long daylight hours.

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11. Can I work in the UK after I have graduated from a UK university?

All international students who successfully graduate from a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate course (Masters or PhD) are allowed to work in the UK for up to 2 years after successful completion of their studies under the Post Study Work Scheme.

At the end of the 2 years you are eligible to apply to stay in the UK through other work visa programmes that fall under the Tier 2 Scheme with help of your UK employer.

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12. How do I find accommodation in the UK as a student?

Universities and language schools in the UK offer accommodation for international students. In fact, most undergraduate and postgraduate students will find that an offer of a study place will often come with a guarantee for a room in university accommodation. There are various types of accommodation ranging from university owned Halls of Residence, which have restaurants, to self-catered private sector apartments and student houses. In addition most UK cities have a good supply of rooms in private sector student Halls of Residence. There are many different options to suit different budgets. Here at Intercambio we will be able to advise you on what options are available to you and how to apply for them. In addition there will be private sector lettings agencies in every city that can help you find accommodation in the private sector. In some cases we can arrange accommodation with a British family which is particularly popular amongst students that are here for an English language course over the summer.

International undergraduate and postgraduate students are often guaranteed a place in university accommodation, provided you meet certain conditions and deadlines.

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13. Can I bring my family with me to the UK?

Your spouse and children (under 18 years old) can join you in the UK provided that every member of the family has obtained a valid visa. You must be able to prove that you can financially support your dependents. Your spouse will be able to work in the UK only if you have been granted more than 12 months’ leave to remain.

14. What are the various stages of the application process?

If you click the below link we will take you through the various stages of the application process so you know exactly what happens at what stage. The whole period from submitting your study application to applying for your visa can take several months. When you apply through Intercambio we will guide you through all the stages from your initial application to your visa application.

Please have a look at our Application Road Map.

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