A transcript is the marks list, originally issued by the university or institution. A transcript contains your academic grades, the marks you have obtained, the maximum marks along with an explanation of the grading system (if any) that your college follows. Please note that photocopies of the student's marks sheet is not treated as a transcript.

Most of the universities offer scholarships to international students. The basic criterion of availing a scholarship is your good test scores and fair academics. Scholarships (when granted) generally start from $500 to full fee waiver and even a stipend to cover living expenses. It depends upon the university to provide you with the same.

Unconditional Offer: If the university is offering an Unconditional Offer to the applicant, he will not have to meet any further academic or English language requirements.

Conditional Offer: If the University is offering a Conditional Offer to the applicant, any conditions applying to your offer would be stated in your offer letter. These are usually a requirement for completion of studies at a particular level, e.g. obtaining your First Class in your graduation, or English Language requirements, e.g. IELTS or TOEFL. When you have met the conditions at a level described in your original offer, applicants are required to provide transcripts and other official documentation so, that the University is able to issue applicant an Unconditional Offer Letter.

Because of world-class technology that's being taught there and also because of the flexibility in enrolling, transferring and continuing in different programs at various levels.

Not necessarily, since universities may offer admission even without aid too, based on the interest and financial situation of the department concerned.

Fall semester, starting in August/September of every year may be considered as the 'right semester' since by that time, most students will get their results (in qualifying exams)

Fall and Spring are the main semesters in which most universities offer admission. In many others, admissions are given even during Winter and Summer semesters too.

Yes, some universities are flexible and may allow students to apply even two months before start of semester. At Impel, we have many universities that allows late application.

Universities generally require transcripts up to the end of third year and even up to end of the 7th semester (Ist half of 4th year). If a student has not sent his/her transcripts accordingly, these have to be sent after applying.

Name must be given exactly as in the passport. The family name or last name must be definitely included in the applications and must be indicated within the Passport of applicants.

SOP is a Statement of Purpose, which is meant for admission at the MS level. Essays are multiple in number, on specific situations and required for MBA admissions in many universities.

Some universities always request recommenders to send their recos. directly. Most accept the recommendations inclusion along with other application material. However, they must be in sealed envelopes, with the signature of the recommender across the flap of the same, confirming that it was not tampered with.

For international students, aid is always offered based on merit and academic performance only. In exceptional cases, very few may be considered for need-based aid, very rarely.

Excellent academic performance  to be in the top 2-3 of the class and pre-requisite test scores for aid before enrolling.

Scholarship does not require any compensatory work, whereas Assistantship (Research, Teaching or Administrative) require work contribution.

In Teaching Assistantship, a student is expected to teach students at a lower level and help with assignments/evaluation of student's grades etc. A Research Assistant helps his guide in research work.

Yes. At the undergraduate level, this normally means at least 12 credit hours per semester. Graduate level full time is 9 credit hours per semester, in order to maintain Full-time status.

SEVIS is Student Exchange Visitor Information System, of the US Government, to keep track of international students arriving in the USA. To administer this service, a fee of US $ 200 has to be paid by each student, who enrolls in a university.

Yes, he/she can defer admission to another semester and use the same visa, if there is no change in the university or the program.

With thorough guidance about documentation, mock interview sessions, do's and don'ts and with tips & tricks to make sure that a student gets his/her visa.

This requires detailed explanation. Please see 'Visa Guidelines' section under USA or click on the following link: http://www.impeloverseas.com/StudyAbroad/USA/USA-Visa-Guidelines.aspx

UK universities offer a huge range of degree courses both at undergraduate (Bachelors) and postgraduate (Masters) and doctoral level (PhDs). Universities also offer a range of access, diploma and other courses, including the new two-year Foundation Degrees. For more information about the different types of qualification contact the Quality Assurance Agency.

It is advisable to take University accommodation as a new student you don''t have to hunt much for accommodation, don't have to worry about landlords & contracts, no extra bills and mostly university accommodations are close in proximity to the place of study. How ever university accommodation has its own limitations the accommodation is slightly expensive, less space, limits things you do (throw parties and make noise) etc.

All UK universities undertake research and teaching, although the mission focus and balance of activities varies. Some institutions concentrate primarily on teaching while others are more research intensive. Universities also increasingly transfer knowledge out to businesses and other organizations. This process is known as knowledge transfer.

• There are 114 university institutions in the UK, counting separately the colleges of Wales and London.If Wales and London are counted as single institutions, the total is 89.

• There are also higher education students studying at a number of further education colleges

• Currently, several university colleges have applied for university status to the Privy Council.

• This list excludes providers of foreign providers of higher education operating in the UK.

The Open University operates in all countries of the UK; its headquarters is based in England however. (Source: Universities UK)

UK is the favorite destination for students from all around the world; with students from various nationalities coming into the UK the law is very stringent in ensuring that no one adapts any sort of discriminatory activities. Added to this the rich cultural heritage of UK has been built on many centuries of relationship with India, which gives a perfect understanding of Indian cultural values and customs.

UK Pounds 145, equivalent amount of which is payable in Indian Rupees (presently, at Rs. 80 per Pound, the visa fee is Rs. 11,600 as on 1st July 2009)

As proficiency in English is one aspect that affects the outcome of the visa application, IELTS sometimes does have a bearing on the visa prospects of the student. In the absence of an IELTS score the visa officer would base his conclusions regarding your English proficiency on the limited conversation he engages you in and also on your SSLC and HSLC English scores. As these could sometimes portray a picture different from the real one it is strongly advisable for the student to have an IELTS score at least from the visa perspective.

If you are unable to submit the score card at the time of application, you would be offered a Conditional Offer of satisfactorily completing the IELTS / TOEFL requirement.

The UK student visa is commonly termed as a student friendly visa. The major criteria for the issuance of Student Visa are:

• Financial credibility of the student or his sponsor in supporting UK education

• Overall Academic record of the student

• English Proficiency

• Post study plans of the student

The security deposit is refunded only if the student shows the letter of rejection of student visa issued by the British High Commission. In most cases the University refunds the deposit within a period of 1-2 months upon the University receiving the formal letter for refund along with the letter of visa rejection.

Primarily, the candidate is expected to have all the required documents in order. Presentation of self is also very important. As the student is going to be tested for his English language skills in a very crisp way his answers need to be precise and to the point. Knowledge of course and University the student is going to is very essential as the student would be questioned on this. General information on UK education, lifestyles etc would be an added advantage. Finally the student is expected to have a clear plan of action regarding his post study plans.

The entry requirement for Masters programme at any University in U.K is a good First Class Degree (60% and above) in graduation, in a related stream.

Applicants with a minimum of 70% in English in Class 12th would not be required to appear for IELTS / TOEFL. However, those with less than 70% would be required to score min of 6.0 in IELTS / 213 (CBT) in TOEFL/79 (IBT) in TOEFL.

• Minimum 2- 3 year's Full Time work experience after graduation.
• First class degree in graduation.
• Age of Boys should be minimum 25 years and that for Girls should be minimum 24 years.

For Fresher's, there are some universities which would give the admissions. For MBA who are from different stream, admission into MS programs is possible.

Most of the departments offer scholarships for postgraduate programme that depends on Universities.

Eligible Criteria for getting scholarships is that, ?the applicant should have 65% marks in his graduation and IELTS-6.5 / TOEFL -230 & above?.

British banks, in common with their counterparts across the globe, have introduced the regulations about opening new bank accounts. Security procedures have been implemented which can lead to delays for overseas students who try to open an account on arrival. It is almost impossible to open a UK bank account whilst you are overseas.

As it is very difficult to open a bank account in the UK, its recommended that students have bank account in their home country that has a UK branch or keep their existing accounts at home until they are able to open a bank account here. This way you will still have access to funds.

Independent and privately-funded colleges and institutions must accredit themselves to the British Accreditation Council www.the-bac.org. Till end 2008, visas were granted to those students who obtained admission in properly accredited universities. Quality Assessment Authority (QAA) Checks, controls and plans the academic standards and quality of universities in UK.

In the UK, universities are subject to strict quality control. As such, there are no official rankings given either by the Government or private bodies, since all the universities are considered good for education.

However, rankings are given by publications like the Times Education Supplement, The Guardian etc. subjective and are neither endorsed by the university or Government. If you wish to know more about the ranks, please see the following links:

Most or all of the UK Universities offer admission to students on a first-come-first-serve, provided the student fulfill the entry requirements, hence there is no official closing date for application filing with most of the Universities. As the student is required to get his visa, which might add some more time to the process it is recommended that the student file his application at the earliest by February or at the latest by early July for the September intake and by November for the February intake.

An early application apart from enhancing the student chances of getting a successful offer would also give the student the added advantage of applying for scholarships and ensuring the best of accommodation.

Most Universities collect their fees in installments. For a one year PG program the student could pay the fees in 2 installments the first being paid at the start of his course and the second installment at the beginning of the second term. Understanding the earning potential in India most Universities offer this sort of Flexible fee payment options

Security deposit is collected from intending students as Universities have come to face a problem with many students not reporting to the Universities after entering UK. This has been an issue of great concern for the institutions as well as the immigration authorities as most of such students have an high potential of becoming illegal full-time workers. In order to overcome this hurdle recent years have seen the implementation of the security deposit scheme by most of the Universities. This has become the most effective way to judge the genuineness of the intending student and also partial payment of fees and the security deposit go a long way in proving the financial status of the student for visa purposes.

Apart from self savings and family sponsorship from India & Abroad the student could also avail the following options to finance his studies in the UK Scholarships-University Scholarships, International Scholarships, regional awards and other scholarships.

Bank Loans-many nationalized banks are offering student loans for students undertaking studies in foreign countries. These have low interest rates and flexible repayment options and are mostly sanctioned with a few days on producing convincing collateral properties.

Part-time Work- As an international student studying in the UK you are entitled to work part-time for 20 hours in a week and full-time that is 40hrs in a week during vacation. With salaries ranging from £4-£6. Thus, enabling the student to cover a considerable amount of his living expenses through this.

Universities & Colleges Admission Services (UCAS) is the central organization that processes applications for full-time undergraduate courses at UK universities and colleges.

UCAS gives the applying student the advantage of applying to 6 different Universities on one form for a small fee. The student could also add to the 6 Universities through the clearing scheme.

Some Universities do take applications directly for UG programs but this happens mostly when the deadlines have lapsed and spot admissions are underway. Though the University might take an application directly from the student it still sends the application to UCAS to get the approval.

Scholarship assistance is a very essential part of our service. We would give in depth advice on applying to scholarships like Chevening Scholarship, Rhodes Scholarships etc and also provide you with information on regional scholarships, institution based scholarships and scholarships offered by Multi-national companies.

Each University course has different entrance requirements and you should your counselor at Impel for information on the entry requirements for their courses. You will be able to find the entry requirements for undergraduate level courses at www.ucas.com. Individual university websites also provide information on entry requirements for each course. If the course does not list information about requirements for international students, Impel will do the needful for you.