The United Kingdom represents a particularly attractive study destination, combining globally recognised academic prestige and innovative teaching methods. Nevertheless, gaining admission to British universities requires taking a decisive and often little-known step: the UCAS procedure and the writing of the Personal Statement.
Few families without British roots manage to anticipate and handle this complexity on their own. Expat Student puts its expertise at your disposal to secure every step of this project, from strategic guidance right through to your child's settling in the UK.
A bespoke 100 % support programme involving face-to-face meetings with the student.
A comprehensive assessment of admissions and the deadlines to be met.
Comprehensive support to guide you step-by-step, right up to the first day of term!
Choosing the UK for a Bachelor's degree offers multiple advantages. The destination offers unparalleled academic excellence, with numerous universities ranking among the world's best, such as Oxford, Cambridge or Russell Group institutions. This reputation guarantees international recognition of the qualification and high employability.
Furthermore, the geographical proximity to Europe allows for short travel times, thus facilitating family visits while offering total immersion in an English-speaking environment.
The British education system is particularly formative, favouring active learning, small-group seminars and independent study. The Bachelor's degree cycle generally lasts three years, which allows for rapid specialization or the pursuit of Master's degrees in the UK or elsewhere, as well as earlier entry into the job market.
Campus life there is exceptional, offering a multitude of student society and sports activities, fostering personal development and the creation of a strong international network.
Your extensive on-the-ground expertise and knowledge of the Anglo-Saxon university system greatly helped us in choosing our courses and universities. Your advice, your help with writing the personal statement, and your encouragement throughout the process, delivered with kindness and professionalism, were reassuring for us as parents and highly motivating for Joanne. A huge thank you to both of you!
The British university system revolves around the centralised UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions System) platform, which is essential for all Bachelor's applications. This system allows candidates to apply to a maximum of five courses simultaneously with a single application.
Admission is based primarily on academic results (predicted A-level or equivalent grades), English language proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL), a teacher's reference, and the cornerstone of the application, the Personal Statement. Universities review the application and, if they are interested in the candidate, generally make conditional offers, subject to achieving specific final exam results. It is crucial to respect strict deadlines: mid-October for Oxford, Cambridge and medical courses, and mid-January for the majority of other programmes.
It is important to note that in the UK, the Bachelor’s degree cycle generally lasts for three years, compared to four in France and North America. This difference in duration, combined with early specialisation, is an essential factor to take into account when planning your project and family budget.
Expat Student's support is designed to offer a smooth and tailored journey, guaranteeing the best chances of success. Our involvement begins with an in-depth guidance assessment. This initial step makes it possible to evaluate the student's academic and linguistic level, and to clarify their plans in order to select the universities and courses best suited to their profile.
We pay very close attention to the preparation of the application via the UCAS platform, a crucial step for admission. Our team supports the student methodically with the drafting of the Personal Statement, a vital motivational letter, and ensures strict adherence to the timetable.
We also assist with obtaining predicted grades and the reference letter from the school, and prepare the student for any admissions interviews.
For international students, we provide comprehensive support, including advice on student visa applications, which have now been compulsory since Brexit. Expat Student also facilitates final decision-making regarding offers received and provides practical recommendations for accommodation hunting.
Finally, our support continues to assist the student with their settling-in procedures and provide a reassuring point of contact during the first few weeks.
For the academic year, tuition fees vary significantly depending on the university and the course of study. Since Brexit, European students are subject to international fees.
At British universities, these fees generally range between £15,000 and £30,000 per year, with science, engineering, or medicine courses often being more expensive than humanities.
The monthly cost of living is estimated between £1,000 and £1,500, depending on the city of residence. London is the most expensive city, whilst destinations such as the north of England, Scotland or Wales are more affordable. The overall annual budget (tuition fees and daily living) realistically sits between £25,000 and £45,000.
Regarding administrative procedures, EU citizen students must now obtain a student visa to study in the UK. Obtaining this requires proof of sufficient financial resources and an unconditional offer from a university. Students must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge to access the public healthcare system (NHS). The student residence permit generally allows them to work up to 20 hours a week during term time.
My daughter Poppy worked with Tania from Expat Student and I was delighted with both the process and the result. From start to finish, Tania worked diligently with Poppy, first to help her figure out which country she wanted to study in (the UK, we live in Spain), then they carefully looked into courses that matched her skills and abilities, and finally the university itself. In the end, Poppy secured a place at Exeter for a joint honours degree, which turned out to be perfect in every way. I cannot thank the Expat Student team enough for everything they did. We could never have got to this point without you. I thoroughly recommend them to anyone in a similar situation!
We would like to sincerely thank you for your attentiveness, availability and professionalism throughout every stage of the support. A huge thank you for the personalised follow-up; these very personal choices require a lot of humanity, and you certainly have it!
Your extensive on-the-ground expertise and knowledge of the Anglo-Saxon university system greatly helped us in choosing our courses and universities. Your advice, your help with writing the personal statement, and your encouragement throughout the process, delivered with kindness and professionalism, were reassuring for us as parents and highly motivating for Joanne. A huge thank you to both of you!
The Personal Statement is a detailed cover letter of approximately 4,000 characters, essential for any application via UCAS. It must demonstrate your passion for your chosen subject, your commitment and your suitability for the programme, according to precise Anglo-Saxon standards.
A total annual budget of between £25,000 and £45,000 should be allowed for, including tuition fees (which vary depending on the course) and the cost of living, the latter being significantly higher in London than elsewhere in the country.
Expat Student offers comprehensive and bespoke support for students wishing to enter a prestigious university, guiding them through every stage of their academic project.
From defining the ideal path to final admission, the team provides personalised expertise to help each student enhance their profile, choose the institutions best suited to their ambitions and maximise their chances of success.
Obtaining a Bachelor's degree in the UK opens up great prospects. International graduates have the opportunity to apply for a specific visa (the Graduate Route) lasting two years, allowing them to look for a job or work in the UK without needing to be sponsored by a company.
This opportunity is an excellent stepping stone to gain significant initial professional experience in a dynamic, English-speaking environment. It can lead to a high-level international career or facilitate a return to France, particularly in thriving sectors such as finance, technology, consulting or international trade, where British degrees are highly valued.
Expat Student's expertise is not limited to the United Kingdom; we also offer bachelor's degree support in other countries:
