My Parents’ Dream Came True

I Am a Master’s Student in the UK and This is How I Made It Alone

I’ve landed in my dream country today. And this story is to share how it all happened.

It was 2019 when I got the first chance to visit the UK to do an internship in my favorite machine, the UAV, and the application of Image Processing, and Machine Learning in UAV-involved missions.

Due to the lack of support, I had to give up an incredible opportunity that could open a door once again for my postgraduate studies in the same lab with the same supervisor after my undergraduate studies.

Years passed and once again, my parents asked me about my idea of doing postgraduate studies abroad, especially in the UK.

I was working in Virtusa Corporation, one of the leading companies in Sri Lanka. I started to look for Consultant Firms that do the business of guiding students to pursue academics outside of Sri Lanka.

To be honest, I didn’t feel impressed with all the famous consultation firms as their responses didn’t give me a good sense. And some small firms were money motive and their websites even had fake testimonials which I figured through contacting them whether their testimonials were genuine or fake.

Unfortunately, most of them were fake and the people who were mentioned on the websites complained about the firms’ services and showed me the emails they’ve sent to remove the testimonials. Some were totally fake.

I had to miss the January 2022 intake due to this search for a good firm and later I decided to go on with the processes by myself.

I started by searching “MSc Computer Science in the UK”.

Google gave more than 40Mn in total within just 0.5 seconds.

Then, I focussed my search within London. Yeah, it is the heart of the UK, isn’t it?

Since my major is Computer Science, my search preference started to rotate around it.

With the results populated, I’ve gone through each university's websites to get to know the following essential information.

1. Entry Requirements
2. Starting date/month
3. Fee (International)
4. Scholarships (if any)
5. Modules

I finally settled with the University of Westminster as I was able to obtain an unconditional offer in just 8 days. It is in the heart of London City. Although I didn’t have time to apply for the available Scholarships, I was able to pay 50% of the total fee and started my process with the University.

Now, it is time to focus on the VISA process.

I will not say lie as I’ve gone through thousands of websites to gather the information. Because that would be the biggest lie if I do so.

I visited the gov.uk website which is the United Kingdom public sector information website, created by the Government Digital Service to provide a single point of access to HM Government services. It consisted of all the information I wanted to know.

As Sri Lankan student who is applying for a Student Visa to pursue our educational goal in the UK, we should consider the following important requirements.

1. Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) letter
   We will get this letter when we pay the required deposit amount/ fee in total after getting an unconditional offer from a university.
   Usually, the deposit will start from 2000£ to 50% of the total fee.
   Make sure to check the installment plan as some universities will ask to pay 50% — 75% before the end of the first month. My university expects 50% of the fee to be settled before the end of September 2022 and that’s why I paid the 50% as the initial deposit even though it asked for 4000£.
2. Financial documents
   This is an important document that the visa officer will look for. This is to ensure that you can pay the remaining fee (if any) and will look after yourself during your stay in the UK.
   As a student, we can’t convince a visa officer that I’ll earn and pay as we will be allowed to work only for 20 hours per week and the rest is illegal. And with that income, we can’t support ourselves there.
   You should show £1,334 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London which is £12,006 as the maintenance fund to be in London.
   You should show £1,023 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London which is £9,207 as the maintenance fund to be in the UK except for London. London means the City of London and the 32 London boroughs.
   Also, you should have the remaining fee (if any). Let’s see a working example for this.
   Your tuition for a one-year Master’s program is £14,000, and you have already paid your £4,000 deposit and an additional £2,000 toward your tuition.
   You must provide proof of £12,006 in living expenses (1334 x 9 months) and £8,000 (£14,000 — £4000 — £2000) for your tuition. You must demonstrate a total maintenance payment of £20,006 (£8,000 + £12,006).
   If your parents are funding your studies and stay, you’ve to provide proof of relationship (birth certificates in English) and a concern letter from them.
3. The 28-day rule for the bank balance
   Any funds used for maintenance (course fees and living expenses) must have been kept in your account or the account of your parent(s) for a minimum of 28 days (finishing on the date of the closing balance).
   This money must fall below the necessary amount for even one day throughout the 28-day period; otherwise, you will not meet the Home Office requirements and your application will be rejected.
   The closing balance will be deducted 28 days from the application date, although it cannot be older than 31 days at that time.
   Make sure to have an important clause in the letter that the fund is available for withdrawal at any time.
4. TB Certificate
   If you plan to stay in the UK for more than six months and are a resident of Sri Lanka or a select few other countries, you must have tuberculosis (TB) test.
   Make an appointment through the phone (preferable) or email. It may take a few days to get an appointment.
   To check for TB, a chest x-ray will be performed. You can also be requested to provide a sputum sample if the x-ray results are unclear (phlegm coughed up from your lungs). So take the test as soon as possible but within 6 months from the intended VISA application date/ date of entry into the UK.
   A certificate that is good for six months from the date of your x-ray will be supplied to you if your test results indicate that you do not have tuberculosis. This certificate should be submitted with your UK visa application.
   In case of address, you can provide the University address. You can change it if needed by paying $10.
5. Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
   All international students and researchers who are subject to UK immigration control and who wish to study or conduct postgraduate research in particular sensitive fields are affected by this (except exempt nations).
   The topics and research fields are those in which information may be applied to projects that aim to create advanced conventional military technology (ACMT), weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), or their delivery systems. Before they can study or conduct research in the UK, researchers and students in these delicate fields must apply for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) accreditation.
6. IELTS
   Yes, some universities are not bothering if your previous studies are in English or your GCE results in English are much better. For a safe zone, take IELTS (UKVI) and try to score more than the required. The validity of the exam only lasts for 2 years.
7. Educational Qualification
   Literally, your GCE O/L, A/L, and other HND or Degree or PGD or MSc or whatever you’ve used to get the university offer must be given to the UKVI during the Visa processes. You can apply online to get it.
   No need to go for the Document Attestation at the Foreign Ministry.
   IT IS NOT REQUIRED UNLESS ASKED SPECIFICALLY.
   I also applied for the attestation but I decided not to collect it due to my time issue. But I’ve seen hundreds (maybe 1000s) of people waiting at that building from the early morning to night and many have left without collecting after waiting such a long time.

You can access the case worker documentation for further information.

Passport? Yes, you must provide it at the VFS on your biometrics day.

For the address in the UK during the application, you can provide your university address if you’ve not finalised the room or apartment yet.

Don’t forget, never make intentional fraud in any of the processes which can bring more bitter news including the ban to entering ever again. Respect their laws and be genuine with the entire system.

Don’t make the application more complicated. Provide what is needed and they’ll ask for additional documents if needed. Be calm.

Timeline of my personal experience

1. Application made — 11 July 2022
2. Reference received confirmation — 18 July 2022
3. Unconditional offer received — 18 July 2022Accepted the offer — 19 July 2022
4. TB appointment at IOM Sri Lanka — 10 August 2022
5. 50% Paid — 24 August 2022
6. Bank balance in one single account — 26 August 2022
7. Visa application made — 1 September 2022
8. VFS Appointment/Biometrics (PV)— 7 September 2022
9. Case transferred to UKVI SMS — 7 September 2022
10. Paid inquiry — 12 September 2022
11. Decision-made email (for the paid inquiry) — 13 September 2022
12. Passport collection email from VFS — 16 September 2022
13. Passport collected — 17 September 2022 (I was flying in the sky after seeing the Visa letter and the Vignette)
14. Flight booked — 17 September 2022
15. Flight date — 28 September 2022
16. Arrival in the UK — 28 September 2022

Thank you to all those who’ve helped me by giving me valuable information whenever I asked for it.

The only sadness I have is I wanted to be on this soil while the Queen of our time is alive. But I’m too late.

Anyhow, I’ve made it at last. I feel it is a historic event for me that I’m visiting the UK under the new monarchy, the KING.

I reached Heathrow Airport today at around 1410H London time.

GOD SAVE THE KING.

Finally, I would like to tell you all this. I did all the A-Z by myself with the information I’ve gathered on the UK Home Office website and from the friends and seniors who’re already there.

Share your thoughts and experiences that you had when you planned your UK Visas. All the best to those who are planning to do so.

Reach out to me, I can share the detailed things if needed. All the best!