We’ve put together additional information about the things people most commonly ask us about. If you have further questions, please contact us.
Does the British Council offer or assist with document certification?
The British Council document certification service in the US has been temporarily suspended. At present, the British Council does not currently validate or authenticate degrees, transcripts or other educational documents at our US offices.
For information on legalisation certificates, contact the Legalisation Office of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Does the British Council administer exams in the US?
Unlike other British Council offices around the world, we regret that we do not offer nor invigilate examinations at our US offices. For test center information, we recommend you consult the Consortium for College Testing for participants in your area. You will find contact details, fees and test centre information on their website.
Studying in the UK
I want to study in the UK. Where do I start?
For the most current information, check out the Education UK website as well as the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website for comprehensive information on undergraduate and graduate study, searchable databases of taught, research, and study abroad programs, and information on funding and student life. You should also visit the websites of the institutions that interest you to learn more about their specific programs, entry requirements, student life, and course fees.
How do I apply to UK universities?
The Education UK website provides detailed information on the application process for both undergraduate and graduate candidates.
Undergraduates and Candidates for Higher National Diplomas/Certificates or Diplomas/Certificates in Higher Education:
You will apply through the UK centralized application system “UCAS,” an acronym for the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. It is used by all UK institutions to handle their undergraduate applications for both international and domestic students. You can find information by visiting the UCAS website.
Can I transfer from a US university to a UK university?
Transfers are not impossible, but they can be complicated. This is because the two education systems are very different, and the UK does not offer a general credit transfer system. The best thing to do is directly contact the institutions that interest you in order to discuss your particular situation and whether or not a transfer is possible.
You should contact both the admissions officer and the head of department at your chosen UK university. Include full information on the degree program you wish to follow, along with details of your studies so far (ie, your transcript).
Will my US qualifications be accepted at UK institutions?
UK institutions are accustomed to reviewing US applications and will make offers to candidates based on their qualifications. There is no universal entry requirement for UK institutions as each institution will set its own standards. Detailed questions on admission requirements vary and can be answered by the Admissions Officer at your chosen institution(s).
What advice is offered to “non-traditional” students (students over 21)?
Read the UCAS guide for mature students, and be sure to check with the UK Border Agency for information on working abroad and bringing family members to the UK during your studies.
Grants and Funding
I am a British citizen living in the USA. Do I qualify for “home” fees?
UK citizens are not automatically entitled to home student status. Home fees generally apply to European Union (EU) nationals who have lived within the EU for the three years immediately before the start of their course in the UK.
Additional information on the home rate versus the overseas rate is available on the UK Council for International Student Affairs website.
Are scholarships available for international students?
University-sponsored scholarships for international students are often limited, and offered at a departmental or course-level instead of university-wide. There are, however, many additional third-party organizations that will offer full or partial scholarships to qualifying students. Personal research into funding opportunities may be time-consuming but can be highly rewarding. Be sure to start researching early as deadlines to apply will vary by institution.
Can I use a federal loan to study abroad?
Students can use their federal (Stafford) loans at UK institutions as long as the UK institution is registered with the US Department of Education as an eligible, participating institution.
Federal student loan application packs are free and available in three different forms. To find out how to receive a FAFSA application, visit their website.
Student Visas
How do I start the visa process?
The Education UK website offers a general summary and breakdown of student visa requirements by visa type and point requirement.
The UK Border Agency website also provides more detailed answers for many of your most frequently asked questions on visas.
How do I find information regarding my tier 4 student visa?
For students planning to study in the UK long-term, the UK Border Agency provides information on how to apply for and operate within the terms of your Tier 4 Visa. To view information about working, taking extra courses, and travel while abroad read the UKBA’s conditions of the Tier 4 visa.
Can the British Council support a specific project?
In the arts, the British Council works to highlight excellence in contemporary British creativity around the world. All of our work involves contemporary UK artists living and making their work in Britain and our remit to work in this country means we cannot support events happening outside of the United States.
Our main cultural work in the United States involves providing advice and information on contemporary practice for arts professionals and facilitating arts projects and partnerships in their initial stages. We also collaborate on a limited number of cultural projects with US organizations, but these are planned a minimum of 9-18 months in advance. They are developed in close partnership with specific objectives and are usually multi-city and often multi-national.
Arts Education, Training, and Funding
Can I apply for funding from the British Council?
We do not operate grant programs and it is not possibly to formally apply to us for funding. For links to country specific resources please see our Working with US arts organizations and Working with UK arts organizations pages.
Where can I search for arts residency programs or other opportunities in the US?
The Alliance of Artists Communities is a nationwide consortium for professionally-run artist communities and a resource for non-profit organizations that support artists in the development of their work. It publishes a directory of residency opportunities in the US and features a searchable database of artist communities on its website.
In addition, the New York Foundation for the Arts has developed a continually updated database of funding opportunities and residency programs, ranging throughout the US and across artistic disciplines.
Where can I research UK training courses and university programs in the arts?
For more information on UK arts training and programs please see the education pages of our website, which contain general information about British higher education (from information on courses to financial aid to the application process) as well as information on schools and programs in particular artistic disciplines.
Work, Visas, and Partnership Opportunities
I’m planning to work in the UK and am looking for information on the visa and work permit process. Can you advise me?
For more information on specific visa related questions, please see the UK Border Agency website. Additional information can be found through Visiting Arts, a British organization which offers guidance on permits, visas and taxes along with other information for international artists.
Where can I find information on the process for obtaining a visa to work or perform in the US?
Information about obtaining the necessary visa for artists travelling to the US can be found at the website for the US Embassy in London.
Where can I search for an arts-related job or internship in the UK?
As a start we suggest the following web listings:
Arts Professional Online: Lists arts administrative and other vacancies in its Arts Job Finder.
a•n: A not-for-profit, artist-run company that provides information on opportunities for visual and applied artists.
The Guardian: Offers job listings in the area of Arts & Heritage.
