Our Partner Universities in the UK
Tuition from £13,500 per year and scholarships of up to £3,000. Direct-admission requirements: min. 2.00 GPA and min. IELTS 5.5.
Universities
- Bournemouth University
- City, University of London
- Cranfield University
- Nottingham Trent University
- Queen Mary University of London
- UWE Bristol
- University of Birmingham
- University of Brighton
- University of Bristol
- University of Essex
- University of Glasgow (Scotland)
- University of Liverpool
- University of Nottingham
- University of Westminster
- University of York
Main subjects for direct admission
- Art and Design
- Construction and Architecture
- Business and Finance
- Computing
- Education
- Engineering
- Environment and Agriculture
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Law
- Marketing and Media
- Mathematics
- Music and Performing Arts
- STEM, Science and Health
- Social Sciences
Study in the UK Guide
Entry requirements for high school, bachelor's, master's and PhD, the student visa, work rights and living in the UK — all on one page.
- The post-study Graduate visa is 2 years for applications made up to 31 December 2026, and 18 months from 1 January 2027 (3 years for PhD graduates).
- Since 1 January 2024, taught master's students cannot bring a spouse and children on their visa; this is only possible on PhD and research programs.
The UK Education System
| Level | Typical age | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| GCSE (Year 10–11) | 14–16 | 2 years | End-of-secondary-school exams |
| A-Level / IB (Sixth Form, Year 12–13) | 16–18 | 2 years | The final two years of school, used for university entry |
| Foundation (preparation year) | 17+ | Usually 1 year | Bachelor's preparation for international students whose diploma does not grant direct admission |
| Bachelor's | 18+ | 3 years (usually 4 in Scotland) | Programs with a placement or year abroad may take 4 years |
| Master's | 21+ | Mostly 1 year | Taught (MA, MSc, MBA) or research-focused (MRes) |
| PhD | 22+ | Usually 3–4 years | Research project and dissertation |
High School in the UK
International students usually complete high school in the UK at boarding schools or private sixth form colleges.
You cannot study at state schools (academies and local-authority schools) on a student visa. The student must get admission from a private school that can act as a visa sponsor.
- Which program? GCSE for ages 14–16, A-Level or IB for ages 16–18. For those aiming at university, the most common entry point is the two-year A-Level or IB program that starts in Year 12 (age 16).
- Application: Varies by school; usually recent report cards, English level, the school's own test and an interview are required.
- Visa: Students aged 4–17 studying at a private school get a Child Student visa (£558); parental consent must be documented in the application.
- Visa length: For under-16s, the program length (up to 6 years) + 4 months; for ages 16–17, the program length (up to 3 years) + 4 months.
- Work: Child Student visa holders aged 16–17 may work a maximum of 10 hours per week during term time.
- Guardian: Schools usually require a guardian in the UK to be appointed for international students under 18.
You can view the programs on our program search page.
ContentsBachelor's in the UK
Bachelor's programs usually last 3 years, and students start subject courses directly from the first year. Applications are made through UCAS.
How do you apply?
- With a single UCAS application you can apply to up to 5 programs.
- A transcript, a personal statement, a teacher reference and proof of English proficiency are required.
- Medicine, dentistry and some Oxford and Cambridge programs may require an additional test or interview.
- Universities usually give a conditional offer; admission is confirmed once the conditions are met.
UCAS dates for 2027 entry
- 1 September 2026Applications can be submitted to UCAS.
- 15 October 2026, 18:00 (UK time)Deadline for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary programs.
- 13 January 2027, 18:00 (UK time)"Equal consideration" deadline for all other undergraduate programs.
Entry routes for Turkish students
Turkish high school diploma
Some universities admit directly with a high grade average. For example, the University of Birmingham requires roughly 72–88/100 depending on the subject for students from certain schools. Many universities, however, do not consider it sufficient on its own.
Foundation year
Students whose diploma does not grant direct admission progress to a bachelor's through a one-year preparation program.
A-Level, IB or AP
International programs and AP exams strengthen the application and open the door to competitive universities.
Bachelor's programs usually require IELTS Academic 6.0–7.0 (IELTS private lessons). International student fees vary greatly by university and subject; clinical subjects such as medicine are in the most expensive group. Check the current fee on the program's own page.
Master's in the UK
Most taught master's programs last 12 months; this is a major advantage in terms of both time and total cost.
- Program types: MA, MSc, LLM (taught), MRes (research-focused), MBA (usually requires work experience).
- Degree grade: Varies by university. The University of Birmingham, for example, looks for at least a 3.0/4.0 average; the most competitive universities may require higher.
- English: Usually IELTS Academic 6.5 or above.
- Application file: Diploma and transcript, a statement of purpose, usually 1–2 references and a CV.
- Timing: Applications are made directly to the university and are assessed on a rolling basis in most programs; popular programs can fill early.
PhD in the UK
- Duration: Usually 3–4 years full-time.
- Requirements: Usually a master's in the relevant field (a strong bachelor's may be enough for some programs), a research proposal, references and English proficiency.
- Supervisor: Contacting a faculty member suited to your research topic before applying can improve your chances of admission.
- Funding: University scholarships, research grants and official scholarship programs from Turkey; scholarship deadlines are often earlier than program applications.
- Family: PhD and research-focused postgraduate students can bring a spouse and children if they meet the conditions.
In some science, engineering and technology fields, postgraduate study requires an ATAS certificate before the visa. Turkish citizens are not exempt from this requirement; whether it is needed is stated in the offer letter.
The UK Student Visa
Students aged 16 and over get a Student visa to study at a school that is a visa sponsor, and students aged 4–17 at a private school get a Child Student visa. Parental consent is mandatory for under-18s.
| Admission document (CAS) | A firm offer and a CAS number from a school that is a visa sponsor |
|---|---|
| Visa application fee | £558 (applying from Turkey) |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | £776 per year for students — paid with the visa, gives access to NHS services |
| Proof of funds | £1,529 per month in London, £1,171 per month outside London (up to 9 months) + the unpaid first-year tuition |
| Holding the money in the account | At least 28 consecutive days; the last day of that period must be no more than 31 days before the application. Turkey is not exempt from showing documents. |
| English | CEFR B2 for degree level and above, B1 for below degree level |
| When to apply? | At the earliest 6 months before the program start |
| Decision time | Usually 3 weeks from outside the UK |
| TB test | Not required for applicants from Turkey |
| Visa document | An online eVisa instead of a physical card |
Official source: GOV.UK Student visa · Child Student visa
ContentsWork Rights While Studying
Degree level and above
A maximum of 20 hours per week during term time.
Below degree level
A maximum of 10 hours per week during term time for foundation, language school, etc.
Holiday periods
You can work full-time during official holidays.
You cannot be self-employed, work as a professional sportsperson or coach, or claim state benefits.
ContentsAfter Graduation: The Graduate Visa
Students who complete a bachelor's, master's or PhD in the UK can switch to the Graduate visa while in the UK to work and look for a job without a job offer.
| Bachelor's and master's | 2 years (applications up to 31 December 2026) · 18 months (1 January 2027 and after) |
|---|---|
| PhD | 3 years |
| Application fee | £937 |
| Health surcharge | Usually £1,035 per year |
| Extension | Cannot be extended; those who meet the requirements can switch to another visa such as Skilled Worker |
Official source: GOV.UK Graduate visa
ContentsLiving and Costs in the UK
- Living costs: The monthly amounts used for the visa (London £1,529, outside London £1,171) are a good starting point for your budget. London is the most expensive city; cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Nottingham are usually more affordable.
- Accommodation: Most first-year students live in university halls; apply for halls right after you get your offer.
- Health: The IHS gives access to NHS services; register with a GP after you arrive.
- Transport: There are discounted rail cards for students and student travel discounts in London.
- Bank account: Usually a passport, eVisa details and a student letter from the university are required.
- Academic culture: Independent study, research and written assignments are important; adapting early to academic English and citation rules affects your success.
Sample Timeline: September 2027 Bachelor's Entry
- Spring – Summer 2026Research into country, city and subject; IELTS preparation and exam; AP preparation if needed.
- Summer – Autumn 2026Preparing the personal statement, reference letter and UCAS application.
- 15 October 2026Deadline for Oxford, Cambridge, medicine, dentistry and veterinary.
- 13 January 2027Equal-consideration deadline for other undergraduate programs.
- January – May 2027Offers; firm and insurance choices; halls application.
- June – July 2027Meeting the diploma and IELTS conditions, firm admission and CAS.
- July – August 2027Holding the money in the account for 28 days and the visa application.
- September 2027Arrival in the UK and the start of studies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start a bachelor's directly in the UK with a Turkish high school diploma?
Some universities admit a Turkish high school diploma directly with a high grade average; many others require a foundation year, A-Level, IB or additional exams. Because the requirements vary by university and subject, you need to check the entry requirements of your target programs one by one.
How long does a master's take in the UK?
Most taught master's programs last 12 months. Research-focused programs and some specialist fields can be longer.
How much money do I need to show for a UK student visa?
For living costs you must show £1,529 per month in London and £1,171 per month outside London (up to 9 months), plus the unpaid first-year tuition. This amount must be held in the account for at least 28 days.
Can I work while studying?
You can work up to 20 hours per week during term time on degree-level and above programs, and up to 10 hours on below-degree programs. You can work full-time during official holidays.
Can I work in the UK after graduating?
Yes. With the Graduate visa, bachelor's and master's graduates can stay and work for 2 years for applications made up to 31 December 2026 and 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027; PhD graduates can stay for 3 years.
Can I bring my family with me?
For programs starting after 1 January 2024, only PhD and research-focused postgraduate students (and government-sponsored students on courses longer than 6 months) can bring a spouse and children. Bachelor's and taught master's students cannot.
We're With You for Your Education in the UK
From choosing a country, city and program to the application file and IELTS and AP preparation, we have supported students since 2009.
Visa fees, proof-of-funds amounts and UCAS dates were verified on 17 September 2026 from GOV.UK, UCAS and UKCISA. This information may change; confirm the current situation from official sources before applying.