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.
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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.
Pearson Edexcel offers a GCSE (9-1) in Turkish, taught since 2018 with exams since 2020, and publishes an A level Turkish specification too. GCSE grades 9-4 are Level 2. Whether a university counts it in its own requirements depends on the course; UCAS asks you to list all qualifications.
GOV.UK says GCSEs are taken in Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11); most pupils take them in Year 11. Grades 9 to 4 (formerly A* to C) are Level 2 and grades 3 to 1 are Level 1. GCSEs are the base qualification for A levels, T Levels and other routes after 16.
GOV.UK suggests visiting the school, reading the latest Ofsted report, checking performance tables and talking to parents. Types: community, academy, grammar (by test), independent. Distance and catchment rules can make your address affect ranking.
GOV.UK says state schools must not refuse a child over nationality or immigration status or ask for a passport or visa. You apply through the local council, also from abroad. A child on a visitor visa cannot enrol. Main dates: 15 January (primary), 31 October (secondary).