The British Council is the place to start if you are considering studying in the UK. We provide impartial information regarding academic studies, English language learning, British qualifications and examinations.

The Education UK website has ample information about studying in the UK and includes a course search for all types of studies.

The British Council information handouts include subject sheets and general information.

You can also search for undergraduate courses on UCAS and postgraduate studies on Prospects and Hobsons.

Institutions set their own fees and publish them on their websites.

The Guardian newspaper publishes a detailed fee guide for international students.

The following is an estimate of average cost per year.

			Classroom based courses		£7,000 - £12,000
			Laboratory courses		£7,500 - £11,500
			Pre-clinical courses		£8,000 - £18,000
			Clinical courses		£7,500 - £21,000
			MBA		£7,000 - £21,500

In addition to fees, you need to consider the cost of living. Universities often provide prospective students with estimated costs The Student Life website publishes estimated costs.

Education UK has a budget planner to help you estimate your costs. in the Living the UK section.

Institutions publish application details on their websites.  

Undergraduate applications are made on-line through UCAS (University and College Admission Service). UCAS publishes dates and deadlines

The British Council runs UCAS workshops to assist undergraduate applicants with the forms and process.

Some conservatoires use the Conservatoires Admissions Services UK application system.

Applications to private institutions are made directly to the institution.

Postgraduate applications are usually made directly to the institution. Some universities accept applications through a central application system called UKPASS. Application details are available on university websites and prospectuses.

Applications to Postgraduate Clinical Psychology are made through Clearing House for Postgraduate Courses in Clinical Psychology. Non-European Economic Area applicants are not usually considered for this qualification.  Refer to the funding section of the website for further information.

Graduate Entry to Medicine applications are made through UCAS.

Most postgraduate professional social work applications are made through UCAS.

You can apply directly to English language schools. Application forms are available on their websites, from local agents, or in their brochures.

There is no UK government or British Council list that ranks UK institutions; however there are quality assurance mechanisms which ensure institutions meet set standards.  

Only authorised institutions can teach or award degrees.  You can find a complete list of institutions authorised to award degrees (recognised bodies) and institutions authorised to provide courses which lead to a degree of a recognised body (listed bodies) on the Department of Education and Skills website

The Teaching Quality Information (TQI) website publishes official information about the quality of higher education in UK universities and colleges.

The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) carried out ‘Teaching Quality Assessments’ (TQA) until 2002, grading university departments’ degrees and teaching standards. TQA results are available on Education UK search results.  The maximum TQA is 24/ excellent.

Quality assessment of postgraduate research is carried out by a Research Assessment Exercise (RAE).  The results are given on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 5 and 5* (research considered to be world class). The most recent RAE was carried out in 2001 and the next one is likely to take place in 2008.

For some subjects, e.g. MBAs and other business courses, some institutions seek accreditation from specialist bodies such as the Association of MBAs or EQUIS.

Some newspapers publish their own university guides. These newspapers include the Times, the Guardian and the Independent.

Most importantly, find a course which suits your needs. Find out about teaching methods, assessments, study options, student support and wider issues such as where you may enjoy living.

Visa application requests are made directly to the British Embassy Consular Service using an on-line application sysem.  Deails of this system are available on the Consulate website which also contains details of where you can receive further information.

UK Visas provides information about which visa you need to enter the UK. Visas will only be issued for institutions listed on the Department for Children, Schools and Families Register of Education and Training Providers.

Non EU/ EEA nationals planning to undertake postgraduate research or study in certain science, engineering or technology subjects will need to acquire an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before applying for a student visa. Information about who is required to receive ATAS and for application forms is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth website.

Even though your passport will be stamped with a student visa you must travel to the UK with all your documents to present to the immigration officer upon arrival.

Further visa information is available from UKCOSA , Education UK and the Home Office.

Yes, your student visa allows you to work.  You can work up to 20 hours a week as long as you do not open your own business, are not self employed and do not work as a professional sports person or entertainer.

You are allowed to work full time during the holidays.  If you embark on a 'sandwich course' you are allowed to work full time on your sandwich (work experience) year.

If you are planning to study for less than 6 months you will need to receive a student visa if you wish to work whilst in the UK.

Informationon employment regulations is available from UKCOSA The Council for International Education and the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).

You are only entitled to a reduction in student fees if you are a EU national who has been resident in the EEA for 3 years before your studies commence.  The main purpose of your residency must not be to study.  It is up to the univiersities to decide which fees they will charge you.  If you are unsure of your status you should seek direct advice from the universities in which you are interested.

We are unable to advise what your fee status is, the EEA students handout available from UKCOSA provides more detailed information.

Yes.  Each university sets its own entry requirements.  You normally need full Bagrut to be accepted onto an undergraduate (first) degree.  It is unlikely you will see on the universities websites exactly what they require from Israeli students.  It is a good idea to contact the international offices of the universities you want to apply to and ask whether your bagrut meet the requirements of the course you want to study.

The UCAS website lists all undergraduate courses which require entrance examinations.  This information is also available from the universities.  Applicants to law and medicine as well as some Oxford and Cambridge subjects may have to sit entrance exams. More universities are introducing entrance exams for a variety of subjects. Please check UCAS to see whether any of your choices require you sit an exam.

For postgraduate studies entry requirements are usually 'a good first degree'. Some institutions request the GMAT for acceptance onto MBA programmes.  

Sometimes if you have experience in your field you can be accepted for studies without formal qualifications.

Degrees awarded by institutions which have been granted degree awarding powers by a Royal Charter or an Act of Parliament are recognised.  These insitutions are usually universities and they are known as recognised bodies.

Institutions which do not have degree awarding powers can offer degree courses as long as they are validated by a recognised body.  These institutions are usually colleges and they are known as listed bodies.

Only recognised and listed bodies can offer recognised British Degrees.  More information is available from the Department of Education and Skills (DfES).

The Ministry of Education Division for Evaluation of Foreign Academic Degrees evaluates overseas qualifications for salary purposes.  You can check with them whether your degree will be recognised for salary purposes.

If you want to know whether your degree will be accepted by Israeli universities, you should contact the university where you wish to continue your studies, provide them with details of the course you intend to study and and ask whether it meets their entry requirments.  This is particularly important if you are going to study for a BEng or MEng.

If you are studying for a professional qualification it is vital that you contact the relevant Israeli professional body in order to find out whether your degree will be recognised for professional puposes.

Education UK is the official website for international students who want to study in the UK.  This website, created by the British Council , has a search option for all levels of study, including English language courses, information about universities, their locations, how to apply and quality ratings.

If you are looking for undergraduate studies UCAS has a course search as well as the application form you will need to complete to apply,

Prospects and Hobsons Graduate Career websites include search options for postgraduate studies.

Education UK has a search for English language courses accredited by the British Council.

This depends on whether you meet the requirements for any of the schemes that the UK Government operates.

At the moment, the schemes that are most significant for students who have finished their studies are:

.Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) for those who have obtained a UK degree or postgraduate certificate or diploma (or HND from a Scottish institution). This replaces the International Graduates Scheme and the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme from 30 June 2008

.Work Permit Scheme (for jobs where no one in the resident labour market can be recruited, and occupations where there is a shortage of qualified workers)

.Training and Work Experience Scheme (for work-based training for a professional or specialist qualification, or work experience)

·Tier 1 (General) for those with degrees and work experience and prior earnings at a certain level. This replaces the Highly Skilled Migrants Programme

There is an additional category called Tier 4, which will enable students to transfer to a 2 year work visa on completion of their studies. Biometric identity cards for international students will be introduced later this year, providing a single card for any purpose, including getting employment.

Further information can be found on the UK Border Agency website: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier1/poststudy/

·If you want to stay in the UK to work on completion of your studies you must make your application before your visa runs out.  

·Please note - the recipients of certain scholarships, including Chevening, commit to returning to their country of origin on completion of study and therefore cannot apply for the post-study worker category (Tier 1 Post-study work) of the points-based system for working in the UK.  

UKCISA also has information for international students about working in the UK after your studies http://www.ukcosa.org.uk/student/working_after.php

Not usually.  For most British institutions the IELTS and good bagrut/ relevant degree are enough.  There are some exceptions however.

For information about admissions tests for undergraduate studies you can refer to UCAS, the National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT) or BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT).

Some instutitions which offer Graduate entry into Medicine require an entrance exam either the Graduate Medical Schools Admission Test (GAMSAT) or the Medical Schools Admission Test.

Some graduate psychology applicants, although not expected to sit an exam, are required to obtain Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) from the British Psyhcological Society (BPS).

Yes. Institutions in the UK encourage and support students with learning difficulties and other disabilities. Most universities and colleges have disability coordinators or advisers. You can look up their contact details on the Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities website. Ensure that if you are asked about disabilities or learning difficulties on your application form that you answer honestly.