Want to study in the UK?

While various reports show that the number of Indian students applying to the UK universities has continued to fall, Hannah Cockburn, head, political & bilateral affairs, begs to differ.

While various reports show that the number of Indian students applying to the UK universities has continued to fall, Hannah Cockburn, head, political & bilateral affairs, begs to differ. Cockburn, who was in India to witness the Great Debate, busts a few myths related to the UK as a study abroad destination:

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It is difficult to get a UK student visa: 84% of student visa applicants were successful in 2013. “Legitimate students will get their visa and can be confident of studying at a high quality educational institution,” she assures.

Indians can no longer work after studies: Students can stay on to work after study in graduate level employment paying at least £20,500, without their employer needing to carry out a Resident Labour Market Test and with no limit on their numbers, or on UK schemes for doctoral graduates, graduate entrepreneurs and corporate interns.

Higher education in the UK is prohibitively expensive: UK degrees are normally shorter in duration than degrees offered in other countries. Therefore, as compared to the countries such as US and Australia, the fees are generally less in the UK. Graduates from UK universities who return to India achieve an average starting salary of £13,214 as opposed to £4,394. (Source: Tracking International Graduate Outcomes. BIS. 2012).

UK master’s degree not recognised in India: Postgraduate qualification from UK will be widely recognised for private ­sector employment in India. “We are working with the Indian Government to give recognition to UK’s one year masters degree by the Indian public sector and universities,” says Cockburn.