How To Get A U.K Scholarship

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U.K. universities have long been a Mecca for international students looking to study in the U.K. U.K.-based schools offer exciting and varied studies programs, allowing students of many backgrounds and skill levels to learn at the same time. In fact, the number of international students studying in the U.K. has grown by more than 300 percent in the past five years alone, according to research from the University of Westminster (UWE). So it can be no surprise that U.K.-based education has become a popular destination for foreign students looking to study abroad. The best way to get the U.S. or U.S.-based scholarship is to apply early, as most opportunities are available on a first-come, first-served basis rather than through an application process that can take up to two years to complete. However, if you’d prefer to go it alone and not search too aggressively, here’s how you can get a UK scholarship on your first attempt:

Apply early

Most U.S. and U.K. scholarships are open to students who have taken U.S. or U.K. pre-health or pre-calculus classes, and will also consider scores from other countries’ pre-calculus programs. Apply early to avoid having to pay more fees if you’re interested in one of these subjects. Contact your college office if you have questions about the availability of specific programs. All the better to start the process of applying earlier and to the best of your ability.

Find a school that’s already started accepting students

Some U.S. schools have begun offering international courses, while others have offered a hybrid version that includes English as a second language as well. While many international students will choose a hybrid version over the full-blown course because it allows them to take international exams, many U.S. students are also more interested in taking a traditional foreign language test than they are in a science or math test. So find a school that is already accepting international students and is not afraid to let you test out whatever level of proficiency you’re interested in. There are a few easy ways to do this, such as contacting the school directly and asking if they’re willing to provide you with a score on an international exam. If they don’t know how to offer an international exam, they may be able to help or offer to build a working relationship with a domestic organization that offers one. You can also email your college office to negotiate access to an international program at another university.

Apply for the U.S. or U.S.-based scholarship

Now that you’re familiar with the process of getting the U.S. or U.S.-based scholarship, it’s time to apply for specific programs. The first step is to find a school that you’d like to attend and that you’re interested in taking. Some applicants will apply to multiple programs and even email their offers to all of them, trying to get one or all of them to offer special consideration. Some programs will charge a fee for the privilege of receiving the U.S. or U.S.-based scholarship, but many will waive the fee once you’ve applied. Contact your college office if you’re interested in applying to a specific program without having to pay the fee upfront.

Apply for international permission to teach at your chosen institution

It’s not uncommon for international students to apply to more than one program at a time, and often to multiple programs at once. If you’re applying to a U.S. university, or if you’re a U.K. student, you may be able to negotiate an exemption from the school’s policies that govern international students. Contact your college office to discuss what happens if you don’t qualify for the special permission to teach that’s available to international students. Some universities will waive the requirement for you to take a specific course in order to offer an exemption.

Get an education abroad

If you want to learn a foreign language or extracurricular, or are interested in taking up a career in a field that requires a lot of flexibility, traveling can be an excellent way to explore different cultures and enliven your experience abroad. It’s also a great way to get a head start on your career since you’ll still be able to work toward your bachelor’s degree while in a different country. While it’s easy to get excited about traveling and learning new languages, it’s also important to keep your options open if you’re interested in extra-curricular or extra-