1: Courses and Qualifications

• What courses are there in the United Kingdom?
• What is a Bachelor’s Degree?
• What is a Foundation Degree?  
• What is a Higher National Diploma – HND?
• What is a Higher National Certificate – HNC?
• What is a Diploma of Higher Education - DipHE?
• What is a Foundation course, Foundation year, Access or Bridging course?
• What is a sandwich course?
• Can I obtain a British qualification via Distance Learning?

2: How to choose a course and an institution

• What are the teaching and learning methods like in the United Kingdom?
• What areas can I study in the United Kingdom? And at what institutions?
• Where are the institutions located?
• What factors should I consider when making a choice?
• Are the courses and institutions that I have chosen of a high standard?

3: Understanding British qualifications and classifications, and comparing them with Portuguese ones

• What are GCSEs and ’A’ levels? How do they compare with my qualifications from Portuguese secondary school?
• How do British classifications compare with Portuguese classifications?
• What is equivalent to British qualifications in Portugal?
• Does the British Council translate academic certificates?
• When should I send the authenticated translations of the academic certificates to the institutions?

4: General entry and English language requirements

• I have finished the 12th year. Do I have enough qualifications and are they the right ones to apply for the course that I want to study?
• I am in the 12th year. Are my qualifications enough and are they the right ones to apply for the area I want to study?
• I haven’t completed upper-secondary school. Can I apply for the course I wish to study with the qualifications I have?
• I am currently studying in higher education in Portugal. Can I apply for the course I wish to study with the qualifications I have?
• I have completed a higher education course in Portugal. Can I apply for the course I wish to study with the qualifications I have?
• Will I have to do an English exam?

5: Additional entry requirements for specific areas

• What are the additional entry requirements for higher education courses in Art and Design?
• What are the additional entry requirements that some universities demand for courses in Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Science?
• What are the additional entry requirements that some universities demand for courses in Law, Modern History, Modern and Medieval Languages, Maths, Computer Science, Natural Science, Engineering and Economics?

6: Selection Criteria for applicants

• Apart from my grades, what other factors are important for British institutions?
• The text that you will have to include in your application – Personal statement
• The letter of recommendation that you will have to include in your application - Reference

7: How and when to apply

• What is the application process?
• Do I fill in the form for each course or just one for all the courses? What about Oxford and Cambridge?
• How do I fill in the form?
• How do I apply for a part-time course?
• How do I apply for a full-time ‘Foundation year/course’ in areas excluding Art and Design?
• How do I apply for a Foundation course in Art and Design?
• Are the deadlines the same for all courses? What about Oxford and Cambridge?
• What is the deadline for courses in the area of Art and Design?
• What is the deadline for courses in the areas of Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Science?
• Can I apply after the stipulated deadlines?
• How do I apply after 01 July for a course starting in the same calendar year? What is 'Clearing'?
• When can I apply for part-time courses?
• When can I apply for a full-time foundation year/course (excluding Art and Design)?

8: Fees, accommodation and other expenses

• How much is the annual fee for EU students that attend full-time, sandwich and part-time courses?
• How much is the annual fee for international students (non-EU)?
• Are there grants for EU students?
• As an EU student, can I apply for funding for full-time and part-time course?
• Do I have to complete a form to request the student loan for EU students?
• Are there grants for international students (non-EU)?
• How much will it cost to live in the UK, per month?
• Some sites dealing with student budgets, including accommodation, in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales