A: There are over 120 universities in the UK all of which are assessed by the Quality Assurance Agency and regulated by the Higher Education Funding Council(HEFC) meaning you are guaranteed a top degree if you study in the UK. The UK has two of the most iconic Universities in the world, Oxford and Cambridge and they continue to set the pace for others to follow. Tutors in the UK are world class which makes learning from such tutors invaluable. You are taught what you need to know in order to stand out in today’s business world characterized by globalization and information technology.

A: A big concern for many of our students is whether they will ‘survive’ the culture and lack of their traditional food availability in the UK. Rest assured that the UK is a very diverse country and you are bound to find restaurants that cater for your local cuisine and/or get together with others from your countries and cook together. However, a big part of studying in the UK is all about learning the culture and joining into the British way of life. British cuisine is very diverse; ranging from Chinese, Indian, Italian and French and well as your traditional roast beef, Shepherd’s pie, Haggis, afternoon teas or the world famous fish and chips.

Supermarkets sell a whole range of fruit and vegetables from all over the world; you can also find numerous specialists shops stocking international foods.

In the UK meals reflect the changing season of the year. In winter, soup, casseroles and roasts are popular. In summer lighter meals and salads are eaten more often.

Although we do not advocate it most cities have a large selection of your main fast food outlets like McDonald’s, KFC, Burger King and Pizza Hut.

In cities and larger towns you can find restaurants serving almost any kind of food when eating out in the UK. Most restaurants display their menu outside so that you can check what they have to offer before you go in.

Most students learn to get together and cook in their years at university. This is by far the cheapest and most economical way to get through your studies. The universities we work with have a diverse range of nationalities and as such you are bound to find others from your country or region that you can get together with. Larger cities like London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester have a good selection of Kenyan, Nigeria, Ghanaian and Pakistani food outlets and restaurants

A: The climate of the UK is generally mild, contrary to popular belief it’s not all about rain and fog.

Our advice to students is that you must dress up warmly. Bring plenty of warm clothing and get used to the idea of wearing several layers at a go. A winter coat is a must and so are several sweaters. It may be best to do most of your shopping once you get to the UK as you may struggle to find suitable clothing in your home countries. Shoes suitable for winter must be used i.e. big boots. Please do not come in flip flops as you will almost certainly regret it.

For more information on the weather refer to http://www.metoffice.gov.uk

A: The UK offers a wide variety of transport:
Taxi – can be very costly to use. In London there is a minimum fare of £2.40 at all times. The fare is based on time of day, distance travelled and time taken. Fares elsewhere will vary from place to place; a typical price per mile is about £1.25. Fares and any extra charges are always displayed on the meter next to the driver. Fares are more expensive in the evenings, at weekends and during public holidays
Coaches- there are coaches that are quite cheap if you decide to travel within the UK for more information please visit http://uk.megabus.com/BusStops.aspx
Buses – convenient way of getting around. Public transport can be inexpensive if used with student discounts on offer. The cost of travelling on London’s iconic red buses is £2.40 per journey. If you going to travel on the buses or underground frequently then buying an Oyster Card may be a more cost effective option.

 
London bus information can be found at: www.tfl.gov.uk/modalpages/2605.aspx
Outside of London check your local country council’s website for details of buses in your area
Trains – UK’s train networks are vast and fairly inexpensive.

If you are able to plan your journey in advance and book online it is generally cheaper than buying a ticket at the station.

For details of tickets, train times, and journey planners contact National Rail Enquiries or the train company.
National Rail Enquiries: Tel: 0845 748 4950
http://www.networkrail.co.uk
Different train operators cover different routes.
For a list of UK train operators follow the following link: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/contact/train-operator
Megatrain offers low cost intercity train travel in some of the major cities across the UK and offers cheap fare for just £1 plus 50p booking fee.
http://uk.megabus.com/megatrain.aspx
For discounted travel visit: www.16-25railcard.co.uk
A 16-25 Railcard costs £28 and will save you 1/3 on rail fares throughout the UK. You are eligible for this if you are aged between 16 and 25 and in full-time education.

London Underground – Known as ‘The Tube’ and is a cheap and convenient way to get around London.
If you are studying London an Oyster Card offers large discounts. One day travel cards are also a cost effective way to visit the city. Visit the website for details: www.tfl.gov.uk.
The following link will give you to a printable version of the underground map: www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/14091.aspx

A: Where you decide to live is a very important decision as you will be living here for the duration of your course. Choose somewhere where you are going to be happy.

HallsofResidence
Most universities provide their own accommodation for students. These are usually based on campus or very close by. These can be en-suite rooms or a room with shared facilities. Some universities can offer meals. They are usually overseen by a resident member of the university to ensure the welfare and safety of the students. We recommend that at least for the first year you consider staying in this type of accommodation. It would have easy access to the university and allow you to settle into the country much better. It would also allow you to meet with a variety of other students and cultures.

House-share
Many students resided in properties owned by private landlords. You will have your own room, but will be sharing the kitchen and, usually, bathroom. You will usually split all bills with the other students. You will be responsible for your own cooking. The universities usually have a list of approved properties and can help you find somewhere to live.

Homestay
Homestay allows you to rent a room from a local family near to where you are studying. This helps you learn the local lifestyle and language. You would normally live, eat and share the majority of your time with your host family. Usually all meals, bills and laundry are included. Your university will have a list of approved families.

Make sure for apply for your accommodation as soon as you have chosen your university. Demand for accommodation is also very high and availability of on-campus accommodation, (if available) can not be guaranteed.

UK STUDENTS VISA
The immigration system in the UK is quite simple and straightforward however some students come short of the requirements before of improper planning. Our advice to students is to plan well ahead to be sure they meet the financial requirements.

The Tier 4 Visa system is quite easy as it is a point based system. Your confirmation of study letter (CAS) from your University sponsor carries 30 points while your financial back statement carries 10points to make a total of 40 points to secure a tier 4 visa. Students are expected to have in their bank account their full tuition fees and living expense for at least 28 days before they make their visa application. It is possible to use your parents’ bank statement but this requires few supporting documents which we can provide advice on.

A: The cost of living will depend on whether you live in or outside London.
THE new UKBA requirement for international students living in London is £1200 per month while the living cost outside London is £ 1020 per month.

The following is a guide for the things you need to budget for:
Accommodation; will vary depending on the type of accommodation you depend (private rental exclude heating, lighting, electricity and, in some cases, water rates)
Food
Books and photocopying
Clothes and toiletries can be a large expense
Entertainment and sports will vary depending on your interests
Travel expenses, phone calls, birthday presents and additional course costs
When you first arrive in the UK it is advisable to take some money in the form of currency notes and some Traveller’scheques. Make arrangements to have your money transferred to your account in a bank in your home country, which can later be transferred to your new bank account in the UK.

Make sure you apply for your Student ID card as many local shops, theatres, cinemas, museums and special fare prices are available on buses and trains.

A: Our wealth of experience over the years in the industry makes us your ideal representative in securing admission to any of our UK partners. We ensure the process is as easy as possible for each of our clients. Upon sending us your documents, we let you know your chances of securing an offer to study any course of your choice and we keep you updated throughout the process. We provide offers to our students within 72 working hours and we advise you on what next to do upon receiving an offer. We also provide you with numerous options to meet your desired accommodation while studying in the UK to ensure you are comfortable during your time in the UK. We provide airport pickup services to students to make your transit to the city where your university is much more easy.
Our employees are top professionals and they understand your language and your needs. We at EK Consulting are all UK university graduates which means we understand the Education system and also understand what it feels like to be an international student. Therefore, you can be rest assured of the best services from us.

A: We make students’ satisfaction our priority which makes us stand out in the industry. We are always available to answer any query from our students and as a result we’ re always available to communicate with you. hence the reason why our slogan is “your success is our success”.