Frequently asked questions for life in the UK and new arrivals, plus trusted links
Short, sourced answers to the questions our community asks most. Newest first.
15 posts
Clear filtersGOV.UK says the Child Student visa is for ages 4 to 17. You need an unconditional offer from a licensed sponsor school, suitable accommodation, enough money and parental consent. The fee is £558, plus the healthcare surcharge. The child cannot claim benefits or bring dependants.
UCAS says applications for 2027 entry opened on 12 May 2026; the date is 15 October 2026 for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine courses and 13 January 2027 (18:00) for most courses. The fee of £34.50 covers five choices. One reference is needed; the personal statement is at most 4,000 characters.
Universities set their own requirements. Sheffield accepts the Turkish diploma from schools verified on MEB e-Okul and converts the final-year percentage to A levels (85% = AAA). A foundation year is the alternative. IELTS 6.0 or equivalent is asked.
The university decides fee status. UKCISA says the 'settled' category needs 3 years' UK residence. For a 'child of a Turkish worker', GOV.UK requires parent and child to have lived in the UK by 31 December 2020; later arrivals get no home fee for courses from 1 August 2021.
GOV.UK says there are two main loans: a Tuition Fee Loan (up to £9,790 in 2026-27, paid to the university) and a Maintenance Loan for living costs. UK nationals, Irish citizens and people with settled status and 3 years' UK residence can apply; others use the checker.
GOV.UK says repayment depends on your income: on Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above a £25,000 yearly threshold. English undergraduate courses starting on or after 1 August 2023 are Plan 5. If you move abroad for more than 3 months you must tell the Student Loans Company.
Universities set master's requirements. In the Sheffield example a four-year bachelor's and usually a UK 2:1 equivalent are needed (Turkish GPA 2.8-3.0/4). A Student visa needs a licensed sponsor, £558 and proof of money; ATAS may apply and Türkiye is not exempt.
In Türkiye the process is YÖK's online pre-application plus documents (2026 fee 1,250 TL); YÖK assesses after graduation and school recognition is not equivalence. In the UK a UK ENIC Statement of Comparability compares a qualification with UK levels; no grades or English level.
UKCISA says you usually apply for university housing before arriving and often find private housing after you arrive; arrange temporary stay for the first nights. A deposit is usually one month's rent; get proof of payment. Private renting: at most one month's rent in advance.
GOV.UK says that after 16, until 18, a young person must be in full-time education, an apprenticeship, or work or volunteer 20 hours a week alongside part-time education. A levels and T Levels are Level 3. UCAS says regulated Level 3 BTECs earn A level Tariff points.