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'Do I need work experience for an MBA in the UK?'

Last updated on: August 11, 2010 16:32 IST

Are you thinking about applying for an undergrad or postgraduate course in the UK?

Do you need more information on what the living expenses are for a student?

How should you go about applying for a UK study visa?

To answer these and other related questions, EdUK advisors from the British Council hosted a chat with readers on August 10. For those of you who missed the chat, here's the unedited transcript:


 EdUK advisor says, Hi good evening. We are ready to take your questions


ds asked, hi, can u tell me what documents we have to submit for UK study visa. I have got admission to northumbria

EdUK advisor answers, Hi ds, UK student visa is now issued under the Tier 4 of the Point Based System. You have to score 40 points. 30 Points for CAS (Confirmation for Acceptance for Studies) and 10 points for Finance. More details is available on http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/adult-students/


lalit asked, hi, which are the good colleges for studying biomedical?

EdUK advisor answers, Hi, I would recommend you to go through the websites www.rae.ac.uk for comparative research ratings and also www.unistats.com to get access to information of quality of higher education in the UK institutions.


sasa asked, hi, i wanted to kno what is the procedure to apply for MSc in computer science?

EdUK advisor answers, Hi sasa, you need to identify the institutions which are offering the courses by visiting websites such as www.educationuk-in.org or www.prospects.ac.uk or www.postgrad.hobsons.com. Once you have identified you could directly apply to the institutions of your choice.


preeti asked, helo, i am working in PR for 3 yrs and want to study MBA in UK. does work exp help get admission?

EdUK advisor answers, Hi preeti, most of the UK business schools expect students to have atleast 3 to 5 years of work experience. You could do your initial research for courses on www.educationuk-in.org (for all UK courses), www.prospects.ac.uk, www.postgraduate.hobsons.com and www.mbaworld.com (for courses accredited by the AMBA).


neha kapor asked, hello, i am going to university of glasgow this september fo MS, how the recession affecting jobs in US for MS students?????

EdUK advisor answers, Hi neha, the recession has definitely affected the UK but this is not the first time this has happened. I am sure depending on the your capability you should be able get job (part time upto 20 hrs) and Post Study work for 2 years after completion of your studies. There are various categories of working visas, more info is available on http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/. The institution definitely helps students in developing their skills which is required for today's workforce. I am sure you could 'Think Global' while looking for a job as you will be getting a globally recognised qualification.


geometrix asked, Hi EdUK advision: I have about seven years of corporate experience in different verticals in different roles. I have an unfinished PhD from TIFR, and I want to go for an MBA or an MS in financial engineering or a related subject. Could you please suggest a school that has a good placement record.

EdUK advisor answers, Hi geometrix, you could do your initial research in identifying the institution by visiting www.educationuk-in.org, www.prospects.ac.uk, www.postgraduate.hobsons.com and www.mbaworld.com (for courses accredited by the AMBA). In the UK, the institutions does not place students but will definitely help students in their overall development which will help you to get a better job and it also depends on your talent on how you are able to sell yourself to the prospective employer.


milkysingh asked, is it neccessary to have a work ex for Phd in Marketing??

EdUK advisor answers, Hi milkysingh, for your PhD from the UK, you need to identify your future supervisor, who is working in the same area of your interest and also develop and build contact with him/her. Research courses involve the in-depth study of a specific field, usually related to your first-degree subject. Most research degrees involve working closely with one or more experienced researchers who supervise your study. To be successful you will need to demonstrate intellectual independence and, as you have to set and keep to your own schedule, time-management skills and self-discipline.


rikesh asked, Hi, What would be typical cost of living in London??

EdUK advisor answers, Hi rikesh, 800 per month and for visa purposes you have show 7200 (for courses lasting 9 months or more). More information is available at https://www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa


How to apply for an undergrad degree

Last updated on: August 11, 2010 16:32 IST

mau asked, Is LSE good for other subjects than economics ? Such as psychology ?

EdUK advisor answers, Hi mau, you could check their comparative research ratings by discipline of research at www.rae.ac.uk


mathews asked, How would you rank Cranfield University MBA, what are the job prospects afterwards

EdUK advisor answers, 
Hi mathews, it is defintely a good institution. You could check their research rankings by visiting www.rae.ac.uk or www.unistats.com to know about their quality.


reddy asked, hi,can you tell me which universities are best for it

EdUK advisor answers, 
Hi reddy, to find more information about studying in the UK and to know more about the UK institutions, please visit www.educationuk-in.org


bekki asked, Anybody for university of Liverpool this Sep?

EdUK advisor answers, Hi bekki, you could check with the institution directly and try and network. University of Liverpool conducted their pre-departure briefings recently in India and more informaton is available at http://www.liv.ac.uk/study/international/events/20629


SAMIR asked, How is doing MBA in oil and gas field in UK. What about job prospects of this course?

EdUK advisor answers, 
Hi SAMIR, you could certainly do the course and I would suggest to check with your peers, academic staff and prospective employer as you are planning to pursue a specialised MBA programme.


kvr asked, Does UK universities allow one to study MS in computer science if he is a B Tech Graduate in Electrical engineering from an NIT

EdUK advisor answers, 
Hi kvr, yes you could do the course but need to check with the UK institution. If you are not eligible you could do an bridging course in order to be eligible. More information available on www.educationuk-in.org, www.prospects.ac.uk


Here asked, Hi .. I am looking for some options on specialization course in Branding. Can you please help me with it?

EdUK advisor answers, 
Hi Here, if you are looking for specalisation at PG level then you could visit www.educationuk-in.org which provides an online guide for students interested to studying in the UK featuring a searchable course database, institution profiles etc. Other websites which you may find useful are www.prospects.ac.uk and www.postgrad.hobsons.com. If you are looking at UG level, then you could visit www.ucas.com


Dinesh asked, How the education system works in UK?

EdUK advisor answers, 
Hi Dinesh, you could visit www.educationuk-in.org, the British Council's one-stop-shop website for advice on studying in the UK. The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) has conducted Subject Review Reports on postgraduate study at UK universities. You can find this at www.qaa.ac.uk/reviews/default.asp If you are interested in doing a research degree you may also like to look at the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) which grades the quality of research in each subject at postgraduate level at universities in the UK. You can find this at www.rae.ac.uk For further information about quality issues, you can refer to our information sheet: http://www.britishcouncil.org/learning-infosheets-quality-issues.pdf


paul asked, my daughter wants to do electronic engineering. at present studying in 12th std science which are the best univerisities for such courses

EdUK advisor answers, Hi Mr Paul, you could visit www.ucas.com or www.ucas.ac.uk (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) for information about the courses and the applicaton process for applying for the undergraduate programmes. We have produced an education information sheet on studying for an undergraduate course or degree in the UK. You can find advice here on choosing a suitable course and on how to apply for an undergraduate degree at http://www.britishcouncil.org/learning-infosheets-choosing-your-degree-course.pdf A full range of education information sheets are available at:


How much does a PG course cost?

Last updated on: August 11, 2010 16:32 IST

deep asked, Hi, My wife is graduating soon and planning to do MBA from UK. I am a Software professional having 5yrs of exp. Can i travel with her on dependent visa and work there. (dependent visa holder are allowed to work?)

EdUK advisor answers, Hi deep, yes you could accompany her as a dependent and work. More information on this available at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/adult-students/family/


vibhor asked, hello, i want to do a footwear cource frm liecester univercity but i dont have funds for the same. kindly guide me the ways to get the fees scholar ship

EdUK advisor answers, Hi vibhor, you could look out for scholarships information at www.britishcouncil.org.in/scholarships. If you are looking for funding or planning to apply for scholarships, it is better to plan atleast a year or 15 months in advance so that there would more scholarships opportunities available at PG and at research level.


bekki asked, What are the chances of getting scholarships while studying in UK?

EdUK advisor answers, Hi bekki, very rare and competitive to get scholarships while studying in the UK. For visa purposes, you have to show funds in advance. More information on visa guidelines is available at https://www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa


sabarish asked,  hello, i am going to glasgow caledonian univ. this september fo MS(mechanical engg), how abt the job oppurtunities in uk???

EdUK advisor answers, Hi sabarish, you could check with the institution and or any alumni of the university or students who are currently studying there. Getting job is very competitive. You are allowed to work part time 20 hrs per week and full time during vacation. After completion you are allowed to stay in the UK for up to two years to take employment without needing a work permit, or to be self employed or set up business under Tier 1 Post Study Work visa.


suhail asked, i want to pursue Ph.d in civil engineering..what is the best option for that in UK??

EdUK advisor answers, Hi suhail, you need to identify a potential supervisor and you could visit www.educationuk-in.org to identify institutions offering courses in the area of your interest. You could visit www.rae.ac.uk for research ratings of institutions


ODAK asked, Which universities offer postgraduate courses in phramacy, biotechnology and genetics? what are teh requirements? How to apply?

EdUK advisor answers, Hi ODAK, there are many institutions which offer these courses. You could identify them by visiting the websites suggested earlier.


zozoo asked, After doing PG from UK, can I apply for job in Europe/USA? If so how would I face an interview?

EdUK advisor answers, Hi zozoo, yes you could apply for job elsewhere. You need to check with the employer what the mode of interview will be. There are various technology available such as videoconference, web technology now which could be used.


merlyn87 asked, i am going to university of sheffield this september for M.Arch(Sustainable architectural studies), can i know the mail id of students who are going to university of sheffield, so that i can contact them in india

EdUK advisor answers, Hi merlyn87, you could contact the institution directly for this.


Mayur asked, Sir, My VISA is pending at UK emabassy from more than 20 days. I am apprehensive about it as my future decision largely depends on it.. please guide me in case if its get rejected?

EdUK advisor answers, Hi Mayur, if you have applied based on the visa requirements, you need not worry. You could go through the guidance available at https://www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa or http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/


candy asked, If my tier 4 visa got rejected due to lack of funds 1 month back, can it be done on reapplying with increased funds?

EdUK advisor answers, Hi candy, you can reapply and should meet all the visa requirements. You could check the UK Border Agency website and go through the guidance carefully before applying.


Victor asked, Approximately, What are the total expenses for a complete post-graduate course in IT / Electronics field?

EdUK advisor answers, Hi Victor, the total expenses depends on your tuition fees (which varies between institutions) and the living expenses are 800 per month for London based institutions and 600 for outside London institutions.


Nagappan asked, Hi My son is presently in tenth standard. He wants to do his graduation in UK. Where I can find the details / information. Since I dont have any friends in UK. Is it safe for him to stay alone there

EdUK advisor answers, Hi Mr Nagappan, you could visit www.ucas.com to find more information on courses and to apply. We have produced a booklet called 'Comfort zone' to make sure that the students time in the UK is safe and enjoyable. It is available at http://www.britishcouncil.org/eduk-comfort-zone.pdf


lyle asked, How much does a PG course cost.....including stay

EdUK advisor answers, Hi Iyle, the total cost will be the tuition fees and living expenses ( 7200 per annum for London and 5400 for outside London). The PG course fees ranges between GBP 8000 to GBP 12000 (approx).


EdUK advisor says, This is all we have time for, today. Until next time, goodbye. For any unanswered queries, you could write to us at chennai.enquiry@in.britishcouncil.org