A successful journey of affordable education, vibrant campus life and diverse opportunities

Brunel University

7.1(8 Reviews)

Edinburgh Napier University

5.8(1 Reviews)

University of Bedfordshire

7.2(4 Reviews)

University of Hertfordshire

7.4(24 Reviews)

Reason for choosing my college

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) stands out as an excellent choice for students based on the following factors.

• Affordability- UCLan offers a wide range of courses that are priced within an affordable price range, In other words, they are budget-friendly to students. They even offer flexible tuition payment options.
• Location - The main campus is located in Preston, which is a well-connected and easily accessible city in the north, ensuring easy access and travel for students.
• Part-Time Opportunities- Preston and nearby areas provide ample opportunities for students.
• Cost of Living- Compared to many other cities in the UK, Preston and nearby areas have a lower cost of living.
• Student reviews and alumni feedback- UCLan has positive reviews from current and alumni students, highlighting the university's commitment to providing equality, diversity and inclusivity,

The University of Manchester

7.8(38 Reviews)

Cranfield School of Management

7.2(1 Reviews)

Reason for Rejection

I was not selected for an MBA at the University of Manchester and the Cranfield School of Management because of my previous academic and professional background. Both institutions had a strong preference for candidates with more advanced and specified experience in the field of management which at that time was not my strongest area.

In terms of SOP make sure you write the purpose of studying at UK and especially prefer to write that you are planning to come back after completing your studies .

• I Chose the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), Preston, for several compelling reasons, and my overall experience has been truly rewarding. Why the UK? - The UK has always been my preferred destination for pursuing my Master's due to its globally recognised academic standards, diverse cultural environments and ample opportunities.
• Above all there was an option for a two-year stay back after completing the course, which in a way is a great help for the students in expanding their career.
• Academic Reputation - UCLan has an excellent reputation for providing excellent support to their students, Its programs are well structured to meet the industrial needs. MBA- The specific course I enrolled in aligned perfectly with my career aspirations.
• The curriculum was designed to offer a combination of theoretical and more practical project management, HRM, Entrepreneurship and Consultancy experiences.
• Location- UCLan main campus is located in Preston, which is a student-friendly city and has a history of welcoming foreign students to its beautiful society.
• Career Opportunities - Preston offers a good mix of part-time job opportunities, which is crucial for students supporting their studies

• Usually, in a week, there are about 4-6 sessions, which normally get done in 2-3 days One session is 2 hours long, and normally, there will be a break in between the sessions. The most common class timings for an MBA are either from 9:00 am to 11:00 am or 12:00 to 14:00. At times, it might be from 15:00-17:00 to 18:00 to 20:00 pm.
• In courses like MBA the entire cohort is normally split into various batches of 30 students and in each batch, you may find around 70-90% Indian students and in some cases it will be 100% Indian natives in a session.
• In terms of self-assignments, reflections and dissertations- Normally an additional 2 hours will be required every day to follow up with the studies.

• UCLan has some of the best faculties; the tutors are friendly and are always welcoming for a one-to-one session, and they can spend hours explaining and listening to you.
• UCLan has also assigned personal tutors to all the students so that when the student is in need they can reach out to their tutor at first instance before it goes to the academic level.
• The Registry team has also a well-mannered student-centric approach, all the office work is dealt with confidentially and quickly.
• In terms of part-time jobs, I felt that there is a little bit of a gap between the international students and the student careers team, I have often found out that the faculties are not well trained about international students’ visa complications and their restrictions to work in the UK.

• The UCLan has a very calm, inclusive but, diverse campus environment that offers students numerous opportunities to learn and grow.
• In terms of facilities, the Preston campus is well equipped with 24X7 access to the library, state-of-the-art sports facilities at Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre including a massive gym, badminton court, tennis court and much more and an exciting football ground.
• The Student Centre building offers quiet private pods with wireless chargers and an ambience light. In terms of Clubs and Societies- the UCLan Students Union offers a wide range of diverse clubs/societies, from arts and media, fashion and sports and business management to religious and atheist groups.
• They have a wide variety of clubs, and I was actively part of many of these societies, including business and management, film society, Indian society and a lot more. I was also the chair and treasurer at some point. and I was also holding the elected position of student union open councillor.

Most Indian students prefer working at care homes as it aligns with their academic timings and can be flexible as this role is often been done in shifts and most students prefer night shifts. It was easy to get such part-time jobs however recently it has been found out that it is no longer easy to get enough shifts to meet the monthly needs of international students.

• Part-time opportunities both on and off campus vary from time to time and may not be the same. Here are some details of part-time roles that I was either part of or am aware of: On Campus Student Ambassador role (Home and international)
• The role may vary but primarily involves assisting campus tours, open days, graduation shifts, and event coordination. Catering and Hospitality role - Coordinating in various university-led events, crowd management, catering arrangements, and running the SU food hub.
• Please note that TA/RA/DA roles are not very common at UCLan. Off-campus roles: Retail, Hospitality, Customer Service, Carer, warehouse Operator, Forklift operator, Uber driver, takeaway coordinator/helper.

• Full-Time Job Opportunities - Honestly saying, as per the new set of UK GOV guidelines, it has become extremely difficult to secure a job with sponsorship.
• In every batch, almost 90 per cent of the students failed to secure a job with sponsorship, and those who have secured one are mostly working as a carers/support worker.
• As per the new rule, to secure a sponsorship, an international candidate must meet the gov requirements, including the minimum annual salary threshold of £39000 approx for some of the jobs.
• While the student is on a study Work Visa, they may end up finding a fixed-term contract with a basic salary of around £10/hr to a maximum of £15/hour

• I managed to find accommodation on Openrent.co.uk There are a set of websites that can help in finding suitable accommodation, such as Spareroom, Rightmove, and Facebook marketplace.
• The main challenge I faced was to find a local guarantor for the accommodation, most of the landlords prefer to give rooms to those students who have a local guarantor or to someone who can give a reference and take the responsibility of the student.