Travel to Reading as a Student
If you love to travel to places with lots of history, Reading, Berkshire in England is a choice destination. The town is famous for being the largest town without city recognition in the UK. A search through Britannica will quickly let you know that it is reputable for 3 Bs (beer, biscuits and bulbs). That tells you a lot about the lifestyle of its locals.
But that’s not all about this town. Besides its rich culture, Reading is also a desirable place for those seeking to study abroad. The metropolis hosts Reading University, a reputable University in the UK. Talk of research in agriculture, horticulture, and dairy, and you’ll find the institution popping up in your searches.
If you want to travel to Reading as a student, this article will be of help. You’ll learn of the perks of studying at the university and how to get there.
Why Should You Travel To Reading As A Student?
There are several destinations for studies if you’re looking to study overseas. But choosing Reading has its perks. Here are some of them.
1. Rich History
Although Reading has modern facilities, much of its historical buildings remain which are worthy of a tour. The town also features a museum which would take you back in time. That’s fun!
2. Proximity to Major Cities
Reading has an efficient rail system that connects it to other towns and cities. In just thirty minutes, you can get to London and some other interesting cities. Talking about London, there is no arguing that it is one of the choicest places for students with lots of fun places to go.
3. Job opportunities
There are lots of job opportunities available in diverse categories. From tech-savvy jobs to simple ones for students, you’ll find them in Reading. Therefore, when you finish studying, there are high-paying jobs to make you stay back.
What do you need to Study in Reading?
The very first thing you should do is to check the requirements for admission in any of the institutes of learning. These requirements vary with countries and regions. If you meet the requirements, then the following steps follow:
1. Apply For Admission
To travel to Reading as a student, it is essential to first apply for admission. This is because Reading University is in the UK; the application must be through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website.
You would have to register on the website and provide some information. Besides, you’ll indicate when you wish to start your program. Application commences after you’ve successfully registered on the UCAS website. Then, you can choose between an undergraduate or postgraduate program.
When choosing the University of Choice, ensure you select the University of Reading. You must state the course you intend to study too. Ensure you check the list of programs offered before deciding. You’ll also need to write a personal statement to complement your application. The write-up contains information about you, your study background, and the reason for your choice of course of study. The documentation should also include previous study experiences you have concerning the program you chose.
The last thing is to pay your application fees. After this, you have to wait for a reply to your application.
2. Receive an Offer
An offer from the university is a criterion for your next step of preparation. The offer can be conditional or unconditional. A conditional offer may require you to take some examinations, such as an English proficiency test. You may also have to take a pre-sessional English program to enable you to meet the requirements. The result of the tests will determine if the proposition stands or not. Meanwhile, an unconditional offer means you are all cleared to start other preparations.
At this point, you may want to start looking out for possible scholarships and other methods of funding your program.
3. Apply For a Student Visa
You can only begin applying for a visa when you have an offer. The visa type you’ll need is the Tier 4 visa or student visa. As a non-UK citizen, your application should be at least six months before the course would commence. If everything works fine, you should get an answer to your request in not more than three weeks from the application.
There are creditable immigration lawyers in Reading to help you walk through the visa application process.
When applying for the student visa, bear in mind that you would have to provide the following documents:
- Current passport
- A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the University of Reading
- Financial records to prove that you can support yourself and pay for your course
- Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS). This depends on the program of study and country of origin.
- Results of some health tests such as tuberculosis.
- Consent letter from parent or guardian for those less than 18 years.
Meanwhile, there are other documents you may have to provide as the immigration office deems necessary.
Preparing to Live in Reading
There are vital issues such as transportation and accommodation to sort out. Besides, you’ll have to pay for utilities and other essentials. Depending on your budget, there are several provisions to meet your needs. Also, the University of Reading even goes the extra mile to proffer traveling solutions for you as their student.
Conclusion
If you’re feeling excited about going to Reading to study, it might interest you to know the feeling is mutual. The excitement of your host is evident by the preparations of the university for international students. You don’t even have to worry about how to get there.
Moreover, the International Foundation Program would help you assuage the fear of settling down in a foreign nation. These features, among others, are why Reading remains a choice destination for foreign scholars.