Erin Said:

Help please! I need insight on living expenses and benefits of a full time foundation degree student in the UK?

We Answered:

apply for your loan ASAP because you will not be entitled to any benefits.

How much you get depends on your circumstances and accommodation can cost a lot or not very much depending on where you live and who you are prepared to share with.

Albert Said:

Is a UK student loan paid in one lump sum or installments?

We Answered:

Installments.

You will get one in September, one in January and one in April.

Diane Said:

UK student wishing to study in the US? Help?

We Answered:

I started my undergraduate course in London but was offered the opportunity to study abroad on a one year exchange at UC San Diego. UCSD is fantastic great city, great school.
I don't think there is much funding available for UK students in the US. I think that you can get loans (perhaps from the UK) but financial aid is restricted to US citizens. Also, you have to pay out of state tuition fees which are astronomical. Mine would have been $30,000 per year plus accommodation, health insurance, car, travel etc etc. After my year abroad I wanted to transfer to UCSD to finish my degree, but was unable to because I just didn't have that kind of money.
You can get accommodation but it isn't guaranteed. They do offer accommodation for grad students. However, student accommodation is very different in the US and you should expect to share a room with another person, or even two other people. I lived off campus with some people I found on craigslist.com (American gumtree) and it was great.
You do need a visa but that is pretty straightforward. You have to go to the embassy in London or Belfast with your machine readable passport and pay a couple of hundred dollars. It's a hassle but as long as you have your acceptance letter and paperwork from the school you shouldn't have a problem.
Careers may be a little harder, especially with the economy the way it is at the moment. You will most likely need a green card, which means finding an employer to sponsor you or getting married! This is quite complicated and I am still looking into it for myself as I think about going back to UCSD to do a masters.
It's never too soon to start thinking about it. If you were studying in the UK then you would be doing ucas in September so I would certainly start looking at schools and talking to them about fees and so on now. Good luck! I hope it all works out for you.

Tracey Said:

Best time to rent a studio for a student coming to uk reading berkshire area?

We Answered:

Unless you are dealing with a reputable estate agent, do not do anything until you arrive. There are way too many scams online and most of the flats listed on sites like Gumtree now seem to be Nigerian scams wanting advance payment. If you find something a month in advance, then you'll be paying rent on an empty flat. I would arrange for temporary accommodation (hotel/hostel) for your first 1-2 weeks and look for a place. Any place I've found was available to move into within that week