Studying in UK is the dream of many young Brazilians. Whether you want to do an exchange program and learn English or join the best universities in the world, it is certainly an investment that is well worth making.
In addition to excellent education, the cultural life of English cities is a learning experience in itself. Gastronomy from various countries, good music, architecture and a lot of history. The list is almost endless. Feel like it? So follow me to learn a little more about studying in England.
Can Brazilians study in England?
Brazilian students can study in England without any problems, but of course they need to meet some requirements demanded by the British government. Nothing too complicated, however, you have to be aware of what they ask for.
The England is a world reference in education and is among the 15 countries where students have the best rates in mathematics, science and reading (PISA – 2018). Furthermore, the best university in the world is in England and is the University of Oxford, according to the 2020 Times Higher Education ranking .
What does it take to study in England?
To study in uk, students need to meet some basic prerequisites such as:
- Apply to University or enroll in an English course;
- Take a Brazilian or European passport;
- Apply for a student visa;
- Have at least a basic level of English;
- Organize yourself financially.
So, let’s talk about studying in England, course prices, admissions and all the important information.
University graduate
To study in England, know that there is a difference between UK citizens and foreigners from 2021 onwards. Therefore, the values will always be different. For UK students, the tuition fee for an undergraduate is £9,250.
For Brazilian students with or without European citizenship, the tuition fee varies between £10,000 and £26,000. Below are the annual fees charged at the University of Manchester for different degree courses.
| Course | UK students | Foreign students |
| Accounting | £9,250 | £25,000 |
| computer science | £9,250 | £25,000 |
| Genetics | £9,250 | £25,000 |
However, if you have dual nationality (Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, etc.) you can choose to study in Wales or Northern Ireland (UK countries) and the average annual graduation fee is £25,000. Scottish universities do not charge graduation fees for Scottish or UK students.
It is important to remember that costs vary from university to university and from course to course.
Postgraduate studies
Studying in England at a postgraduate level has an estimated initial annual cost of around £12 thousand. However, if you wish to pursue a postgraduate degree in Medicine in England, the fees can be as high as £58,000 per year. See below the amounts of annual fees charged by the University of Manchester in 2021.
| Course | UK students | Foreign students |
| Medicine | £9,000 to £21,000 | £24,500 to £37,500 |
| education | £6,000 | £19,000 |
| Economy | £9,000 | £19,500 |
Master’s degree
If you plan to study in England, you need to know that the average cost of a Masters degree taught in the UK is £8,407. However, postgraduate rates can vary widely between different areas, universities and countries.
In the case of international students, the values are practically double. Check below the average values of some courses at the University of Manchester:
| Course | UK students | Foreign students |
| Arts or Social Sciences | £8,407 | £16,082 |
| Science and Engineering | £9,647 | £18,613 |
| Science and Engineering | £9,647 | £18,613 |
| Research and Philosophy | From £4,000 | From £10,000 |
| MBA | £19,647 | £21,754 |
Doctorate degree
Obviously, studying in England, especially for a doctorate, can make all the difference in a student’s career. However, the values are high and differ greatly for international students.
For example, tuition fees for a PhD at the University of Leicester are £4,195 per year for UK students ranging from £13,600 to £29,465 for international students. Also see below for the annual fees charged by the University of Manchester.
| Course | UK students | Foreign students |
| Chemical Biology | £9,000 to £21,000 | £24,000 to £36,000 |
| Management | £9,000 | £19,500 |
| Clinical psychology | £9,000 to £21,000 | £24,500 to £37,500 |
How to get a scholarship in England
There are hundreds of scholarships available for students who need support to pay for their tuition at an English university. But everything will also depend on a number of factors and your nationality is one of them. Visit the government website for more details.
Many institutions also offer their own financial assistance, so you need to take a good look at all the information for each university. Graduate scholarships can be found on many websites. You need to take the time to find the one that best fits your profile and needs.
Major Scholarships in England
English universities offer scholarships to UK and foreign students, this also includes Brazilians. There are financing options that cover all student costs, as well as those that cover only partial expenses. To win a scholarship in England, you must participate in a selection process at an educational institution or international organization.
Below is a list of the main scholarships available for Brazilians:
- Cambridge Trust ;
- Gates Cambridge Scholarships ;
- Brazil Chevening Scholarships ;
- IOE-ISH Centenary Doctoral Scholarship .
- Ways to enter universities in England
If you plan to study in England, check out below some very common student questions.
Can you use ENEM?
The ENEM (National High School Examination) is accepted in the UK at only three universities. Are they:
- Oxford University;
- Kingston University;
- Bristol University.
However, it is noteworthy that the aforementioned educational institutions may ask for the local entrance exam. At English universities that accept the ENEM for student admission, the National Secondary Exam grade is added to other necessary averages such as fluency in English, high school transcripts and extracurricular activities.
Documents needed to study in England
Check out the list of documents needed to study in England below:
University student: copy of passport / visa (if available), academic transcript, high school graduation certificate, certificate of English proficiency – IELTS / TOEFL / PTE Test / Others, motivational letter, reference letters and Curriculum Vitae (if applicable );
Graduate Student: Copy of Passport / Visa (if available), Academic Transcript, Graduate Certificate / Bachelor’s Degree, Certificate of Proficiency in English – IELTS / TOEFL / PTE Test / Others, motivational letter, letters of reference and Curriculum Vitae ( if applicable);
Doctoral Student (PhD / Research): copy of passport / visa (if available), academic transcript, Bachelor’s / Master’s certificate, research proposal, certificate of English proficiency – IELTS / TOEFL / PTE Test / Others, motivational letter, reference letters and Curriculum Vitae (if applicable).
Letter of interest
A personal statement is required when applying to UK universities. In the motivation letter, students are tasked with writing about what they hope to do in the course, what they hope to do after the course, and why they are applying.
In the letter, you can tell a little about your academic trajectory and explain why you deserve to enter a particular program of study.
About Reference Letters
Letters of reference are usually written by someone who knows you academically or professionally.
Most references talk about you from the perspective of a teacher or supervisor, addressing how you interact with other students and how you perform in classes and seminars.
Your reference does not have to be academic, but if you are studying or have recently graduated from high school or college, an academic reference is required. Choosing the right professor is crucial to your university application.
Things to consider when choosing a teacher should be done such as: print on official company or university letterhead, explain the relationship between you and the professional, express confidence in completing the course, and don’t forget the person’s signature.
The reference letter for studying in England must be written in English and the ideal is to have one page.
How to choose the ideal university?
The ideal university does not exist, what exists is your will to make that institution ideal for you. Look for the course you want to take, see the syllabus, what the requirements are, scholarship possibilities and thus build the ideal university.
How to choose the ideal university
Best Universities to Study in England
Did you know that 3 of the 10 best universities in the world are in England? This is what the 2020 ranking of The World Ranking Universities proves , which evaluated the best educational institutions in the world. Check out.
- Oxford University – 1st place;
- Cambridge University – 3rd place;
- Imperial College London – 9th place.
Why are they the best?
The result, of course, doesn’t come without effort. These universities stand out for their excellence in teaching, strong commitment from the academic team, investment in impactful research and quality of professors.
Studying in England is breathing history. Did you know that Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin graduated from Cambridge University? Oxford passed by names like Oscar Wilde and former US president Bill Clinton. Another very interesting fact.
The UK is the second country (or rather group of countries) with the highest number of Nobel Prize winners in Science and Technology with a total of 85 awards. And many of the Nobel Prize winners for Literature and Peace also passed through the halls of English universities.
Best cities to study in England
English cities, in general, are usually very good and provide great opportunities for students.
If you want to study in England, consider the cost of living. In London, for example, the cost of living is high and this can result in financial difficulties during your stay in the Queen’s land. However, cities like Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham, Nottingham, York, Edinburgh (Scotland – UK), among others, are great and can have a lower cost of living.
Visa to study in England
general student visa
If you are over 16 years old you can apply for the general student visa , called Tier 4, but you need to fulfill some requirements:
- Be enrolled in a course licensed for this type of visa;
- Have a certain basic level of English;
- Proof that you have enough money to support yourself in the country and pay for your course;
- Do not belong to any country in the European Union or Switzerland.
- On the official government website you will find all the necessary information about the requirements for obtaining a student visa.
where can it be done
Student visas can be made online. As part of the application, you will need to provide your fingerprints and upload photos – taken from a visa application center to obtain a biometric residence permit.
You will need to have your fingerprints and photos taken at a visa application center (to obtain a biometric residence permit) as part of your application. You must withdraw this authorization within 10 days of the date you arrive in England.
How long it takes
It takes about three weeks to get done. Don’t forget to apply at least three months in advance before starting your course. If your course lasts up to six months, you can travel up to a week before starting your studies.
If the course is longer than six months, it is possible to come here one month in advance. The length of stay in the country will depend on the type of course chosen.
Costs
You will need to pay out £348 in addition to health insurance costs. For example: if you are 29 years old and are going to study for up to one year at Cambridge University, you will need to pay £150 in health surcharge. If the course lasts longer than one year the value rises to £300.
Documents
Some of the documents you will need to provide to study in England are listed below, but depending on your circumstances the government will ask for additional documents.
- Valid passport or other travel document;
- Proof that you have enough money to support yourself in the country and pay for your course;
- Proof of consent from a parent or other legal guardian for anyone under 18;
- Proof of your relationship with your parents or guardians;
- Tuberculosis test results if you are from a country where you have to get tested.
- Student visa (includes under 16 years old)
You can apply for this student visa if you are between 4 and 17 years old and interested in studying at independent schools in England. In addition, you need to:
- Be enrolled in a course offered by licensed institutions ;
- Have parental or legal guardian consent;
- Have enough money to cover your personal expenses and school fees;
- Do not belong to any country in the European Union or Switzerland.
- On the official government website you will find all the necessary information about the requirements for obtaining a student visa.
How long it takes
It takes about three weeks to get done. Don’t forget to apply at least three months in advance before starting your course.
If you are under 16, you can stay for up to six years (length of one course) plus four months thereafter. If you are between 16 and 17 years old, the course must have a maximum duration of three years and you can stay for up to four months after finishing your studies.
Costs
You will need to pay £348 plus health insurance costs depending on your age and course type. For example, if you are 16 years old and are going to study English for six months, you will not need to pay any health surcharge amount.
Student visa (short term)
You can apply for this type of visa if you intend to take a short-term course in England – be it a language course or training, as well as being from outside the European Union.
It is also possible to take a short period of research as part of your degree. In addition, you will also need to prove:
A place was offered on a course in England;
Have enough money to support yourself without work or help from public funds, or have relatives and friends who can support and house you;
You can pay for your return journey.
If you are under 18, you will also need your parent’s or guardian’s permission to study in England.
How long it takes
It takes about three weeks to get done. Don’t forget to apply at least three months in advance before starting your course.
You can stay for up to six months: for any course, including English courses, and short research period if you are over 16 years old. It is also possible to stay up to 11 months if you are over 16 and studying an English course.
Costs
You will need to shell out £97 for a six month visa and £186 for an 11 month visa.
Studying and working in England
The British government also allows foreign students to work legally in the country with the general “Tier 4” visa if their course lasts longer than six months – be it undergraduate, graduate or a language course.
If you apply for the “Tier 4 – child” visa, it is possible to work if you are over 16, but with some caveats:
- Part time during classes for up to 10 hours per week;
- Full time while on vacation;
- On an internship as part of your course (but not for more than 50% of your course time).
- On the other hand, you cannot legally work in England if your course lasts for less than six months. Do you also want to work in England? See our article how to get your work visa .
Study English in England
By far the best way to learn a language is to live in the native country of the language. Only then is it possible to immerse yourself in the culture and, through daily contact with other people, you can really learn and improve your conversation.
So you want something better than studying English in England? You will find great options for courses with different values, characteristics and duration.
general english course
The general English course is more traditional and also the most popular because it does not have prerequisites. It’s the best option if you need to learn to speak from scratch or improve your language.
Schools typically divide courses into levels: beginner, Elementary, pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper-Intermediate and Advance. The minimum duration is two weeks.
English for business
Ideal for anyone looking to improve vocabulary and conversation in business-related areas, eg administration or marketing. Here the language level needs to be good enough to guarantee a conversation with some fluency.
Preparatory course for the IELTS and TOEFL test
These two exams are the main English language proficiency tests if you want to enter a university in England, in particular IELTS. The preparation for this exam usually takes about 10 weeks.
