From USA to UK advise please!

[tessaguerra0]

Hello, Im new to this forum so Im not to sure how this works but here it goes.

I'm interested in moving to the UK, preferably Oxford. Im from San Antonio, Tx, USA. I'm only 18 years old, I have absolutely no family/friends over there, and to top it all off, I have no college credits.

Heres where the questions come in.. I don't even know where to start.
Should I take some college classes here in the US before moving? (Will it even transfer over)
How would I get a job to pay for my apartment?
What's all this i hear about getting a VISA?

I just need some advise on what and how to do it.

Thanks so much. Tessa.

[Annaka]

Hi, I would probably start with checking out UK Border Agency Visa Services Home Page (no idea if this is the best bet or if there is another better site to check out, I am sure someone will chime in here) and have a look for student visas. The talk about visas is you need to have some sort of residency permit/visa to be able to legally live in the UK. Or anywhere for that matter. Each countries requirements are different, so have a look on that site and do a search on this site for students living in the UK, I am sure you will come across a lot of information.

I could be flat wrong, but I believe you will be able to work if you have a student visa.
Lots of luck to you!

[tessaguerra0]

Okay thank you so much!! any info appreciated!

[Joanne_Manchester]

Studying in the UK does not come cheap (for international students).
College fees varies from £5000 - £8000 a year.
University fees from £8000 - £15 000 a year.
You will also need around £8000 /year for living expenses.
You will need demontrate that you have the necessary funds when you apply for your visa.
On a student visa you are only allowed to work a certain amount of hours (I think it's 20 hours max a week) because you are supposed to be studying full time.

[nat21]

How about looking into an American university in the UK? Not sure if they have any in Oxford, but you can do a search. You may have to show proof that you can afford to pay for you time in the UK. You might be able to get financial aid and/or a scholarship. If you decide to attend university in the US, you can do a semester or year in the UK (as most schools have a study abroad program).

When studying in the UK, you are only allowed to work 20 hours per week during the semester as Joanne_Manchester pointed out. When I was there (2004-2005), the international students were required to log 20 hours a week of study time outside of the classroom and submit it at the end of each semester.

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by nat21

How about looking into an American university in the UK? Not sure if they have any in Oxford, but you can do a search. You may have to show proof that you can afford to pay for you time in the UK. You might be able to get financial aid and/or a scholarship. If you decide to attend university in the US, you can do a semester or year in the UK (as most schools have a study abroad program).

When studying in the UK, you are only allowed to work 20 hours per week during the semester as Joanne_Manchester pointed out. When I was there (2004-2005), the international students were required to log 20 hours a week of study time outside of the classroom and submit it at the end of each semester.

Regarding working as a student.
You must have funds in place to pay for ALL your expenses as student: tuition fees, accommdation, travel, food, books etc. Any money you hope to earn is on top of this (i.e. pocket money only), and cannot be used to prove your financial ability in order to get a student visa.
So you cannot say: I need £20,000 to study in UK for a year. I have £15,000 in savings and hope to earn £5,000 working in spare time. You must have £20,000 now.

[tessaguerra0]

Wow, this is a lot to take in. I actually do not have that money.. So my best bet would be to get a college degree here in Texas then move over to Oxford?
And is there any way to move over to Oxford, but not as a student? because i don't have the money for college

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by tessaguerra0

Wow, this is a lot to take in. I actually do not have that money.. So my best bet would be to get a college degree here in Texas then move over to Oxford?
And is there any way to move over to Oxford, but not as a student? because i don't have the money for college

As an American your choice is quite limited. You can study for a further degree such as Masters but this will cost you. Best way is to go to a college/uni in the US that has a study abroad program in UK lasting up to a year. This way they will see to your visa, accommodation and tuition, though you or your parents still need to pay towards it. Scholarships may be available in deserving cases. Or if you are particularly academic, you may win a Rhodes scholarship to study at Oxford, like Bill Clinton. The Rhodes Scholarships

Other than study, you can only get a work visa if a company is willing to sponsor you and you have a qualification and experience in a shortage occupation, if you work for a US company that transfers you to its UK operations (intra-company transfer), or marriage or unmarried partnership with a British or EEA citizen. Otherwise you are limited to being a visitor, up to 6 months and no work allowed.

[lys]

Hi Tessa,

I don't quite understand - so do you want to move to Oxford to work or to study? or you're just weighing up your options?

Like Joanne's already said, international student fees are really expensive here plus our home student fees have gone up this year and this may have applied to international fees too. You say you don't have college credits so I'm guessing that you haven't started uni in the US yet.

If that's the case, I agree with studying in the US and do a year's exchange so that you'll have people looking after you.

If you want to work here, make sure you get a job offer before making any plans to move - the worst thing is to come here and facing unemployment for the first few months with little money to tie you by and worst of all - not having the support of friends and family. Of course there's the visa admin etc to take care of.

Moving abroad is a really big step especially at your age and not knowing anyone when you arrive - I admire you for it (I've gone through it and it is tough especially in foreign speaking countries) - and it's wise of you to have chosen a country where you know the language

use forums like these to meet people or ask your friends and family back home for contacts - it's better to have the contact of at least one acquaintance than without.

just make sure you plan everything ahead of time before you get on that plane.

Good luck!!

lys xx