Education in the UK is internationally recognised for its quality and variety. With a history dating back almost 800 years, the British way of learning has inspired education systems the world over and is still among the most valued and successful. Overseas students from all over world come to the UK for a first-class education where they receive a warm welcome, experience the culture and the experiences that come from living in the UK. This all is an education in itself. The UK has two distinct systems of courses and qualifications: one for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and one for Scotland, each compatible with the other. Having completed a compulsory education from the age of five, 16 year-olds may start work, remain at school or study at a Further Education (FE) college or undertake Work-Based Training such as General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs), which provide skills and knowledge required in vocational areas such as business, engineering or health and social care.

The academic qualifications on offer alone involve thousands of courses at more than a 180 higher education institutions. Hundreds of vocational qualifications also offer specialist skills in every sector of commerce and industry. The degrees and qualifications from UK higher education institutions are known around the world as high quality and world class. The standard of excellence is set by some of the older universities with recognizable names, like Oxford and Cambridge, but the tradition carries through to many of the universities and colleges throughout the UK. When looking for work in the future, this is a great selling point in your favour! The cost of education for an international student in the UK can be lower when compared with USA and other countries. Some courses in the USA can be $25,000 plus a year in tuition alone. Tuition for the majority of UK higher education institutions is in the region of ?,000 to ?,000 a year - considerably less! You can also save a lot of money because your degree will generally take less time to complete in the UK than in other countries. Most degree programs in the UK require a three-year course and a masters program is typically between one and two years.

Learning here isn't a one-way process in which you simply receive information from your teachers. Instead, you'll be encouraged to read widely, to research thoroughly and to question what you learn at every opportunity. Classes and lectures are often supplemented by small, informal group tutorials in which you will be free to exchange ideas and opinions with your teachers, a process which, in turn, stimulates new ideas and new avenues for discussion. The result is that you emerge from a UK education not only with a thorough understanding of your subject but also with analytical abilities and problem-solving skills that are much prized by employers in later life. The UK operates a unique quality assurance system that ensures accountability in all areas. From student support services to the quality of the teaching staff, every school, further education and higher education establishment is subject to rigorous scrutiny by government.

Culture & Heritage

The UK has an extraordinarily rich and diverse artistic heritage. British poets, playwrights, musicians, painters and filmmakers have left works that continue to be enjoyed and admired all over the world. Royal palaces, abbeys, museums and cathedrals, wonderful castles; fine country houses; Roman and Saxon ruins, maritime vessels, ancient sites; whisky distilleries; tin and underground mines, are all waiting to be discovered and explored by you. Saxon invasions, Arthurian legends, Elizabethan explorers, Welsh dragons and the battles of Brave heart - the UK can certainly boast a vibrant and colourful past. Today, this legacy reveals itself in an exciting treasure trove of historical attractions which inspire millions of visitors each year.

Everyone in Britain has the right to religious freedom. In the 2001 Census, 72 per cent of people said their religion was Christian. Britain has one of the largest Muslim communities in Western Europe, with nearly 1.6 million people and over 1,000 mosques and prayer centres. One of the most important Muslim institutions in the Western world is the Central Mosque in London and its associated Islamic Cultural Centre. The Sikh community in the UK comprises 336,000 people, with the largest groups of Sikhs concentrated in Greater London, Manchester and Birmingham. The oldest Sikh temple was established in London in 1908. The Hindu community in the UK accounts for a further 559,000 people. The first Hindu temple was opened in London in 1962, and there are now over 140 throughout Britain. About 267,000 members of the Jewish faith also live in the UK. The largest ethnic minorities in Britain are those of Caribbean, African or other black descent (1,149,000 people). The next largest ethnic groups are Indians (1,053,000 people), and Pakistanis and Bangladeshis (1,030,000 people).

Britain ranks 20th in the world in terms of population size. In mid-2003, the population of the UK was 59.6 million, an increase of 3.7 million since mid-1971. The total population of England is estimated at 49.9 million; Wales is estimated at 2.9 million; Scotland at 5.1 million and Northern Ireland at 1.7 million people. England has the highest population density and Scotland has the lowest. The population of some of Britain’s major cities according to the 2001 census are as follows: London 7,172,091; Birmingham 977,087; Manchester 392,819; Glasgow 77,869; Edinburgh 448,624; Cardiff 305,353. The population of Belfast was estimated at 271,596 in 2003.

Technology and Leisure

The UK is a powerhouse of knowledge and innovation, and is internationally renowned for its excellence in scientific research and development (R&D). British scientists have won more Nobel Prizes (over 70) than any other country except the USA. The UK is an R&D world leader in life sciences, materials and physical sciences, chemicals, electronics and aerospace. One third of the mapping of the human genome was carried out in the UK and thousands of scientists access this data every day. Protecting global biodiversity, the UK’s Millennium Seed Bank is one of the largest international conservation projects ever undertaken. More than ?6 billion each year is spent on R&D, a third of this by the Government. Ensuring good health in the population is a top priority in the UK which is a centre of excellence in health-related research and development, clinical training and health education. In particular, the UK has a large and successful pharmaceutical industry based on industrial and academic research. British corporations such as Glaxo Wellcome commit massive resources to the development of new drugs and treatments. The NHS has long been both a training ground and a place of work for doctors, dentists, nurses, paramedics and other health professionals from all over the world.

Sport is central to life in the UK. Some 36 million people - well over half the British population - take part in a sport or physical recreation at least once a month. UK sportsmen and women hold over 50 world titles in a variety of sports, including professional boxing, rowing, snooker, squash and motorcycle sports. A number of major international sports started in the UK, at least in their modern form, including rugby, football (soccer), cricket, golf, tennis and boxing. They all have a big following, particularly football which is the national game. UK music industry is built on talent. London leads the world for the range of music available throughout the year. In classical music alone London has four symphony orchestras, as well as two major international opera houses. The UK is also home to international events such as the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition and the biennial Cardiff Singer of the World Competition. The UK continues its leading status in pop and rock music, from long-established musicians, such as the Rolling Stones and Elton John, to younger artists in genres such as rap and Asian fusion. UK music festivals, such as Glastonbury and WOMAD, bring together the best new music and draw large international crowds. The British film industry has always been able to entertain the world with a classic movie the Bond films, Get Carter, Rebecca, Richard III, Chariots of Fire. Today, the UK provides the industry worldwide with cinematographers, costume and production designers, stylists, technical specialists and producers.

WWISO Educational Services ensures that every single student has a peaceful mind which comes from knowing that their requirements and their ambitions are in safe hands. You can be rest assured that the education you would receive will live up to your expectations. We have a comprehensive range of services starting from the selection of the courses to living in London.

Educational Counselling.

Choosing the right course at the right time is always a big decision to make in every student’s life. We at westbound, provide you with a perfect overview of what the job market ?world wide has in offer. We have at all our offices worldwide, well trained counsellors who will thoroughly access your educational qualifications, your interests, talent, competence and your future prospects before offering you the most suitable course and institution. Our counselling session is more of a friendly talk where your views, queries and anxieties are answered pleasingly.

Offers & Admissions in Universities/Colleges.

Our efficient career and educational counselling is followed by one of the most well organized admissions procedures. After you decide on the course and the institution, it mostly takes only a week’s time to confirm the admissions. All you need is to just fill out the relevant application forms and hand it over to our officer together with your educational certificates and other needed documents.

Entry Clearance / Visas.

A visa is a certificate stamped into your passport by the British Embassy which gives you the permission to enter the United Kingdom. All visa decisions are taken by the British Overseas Mission in the country. We have more than 12 years of expertise in dealing with British Student Visas. Our officers are trained and guided according to the latest visa requirements and procedures of the British Embassy. We have been focussed on British Visas alone for these 12 + years and that is what makes us unique from others.

Pre Departure and Post Arrival Services.

Whether you are going to the U.K for a short training program or a longer one, we want your stay there to be a valuable and an exciting experience both educationally and culturally. For many of you, this will be a first time living away experience from your home in an unfamiliar country. Our counsellors will guide and help you prepare better for your stay by offering you practical advises most of which is nothing but Common- Sense.

Pre Departure Briefings.

Our counsellors are well equipped with knowledge and expertise in briefing you about all that you need to do just before you leave for UK to start your new career path. We brief you about Arriving in UK ?the UK Customs and Excise, The Cultural Differences, Taking Care of your Health, The Study Methodology, Working during Studies, Working after Studies, The Council Tax, Driving in the UK, Bringing in your Dependents and much more

Airport Assistance.

Arriving at the airport for the first time on your own might sound a daunting task, but do not worry as westbound is there to help you at every stage of the process. Our Airport Meet and Greet Service is part of a whole package that we offer to you. You can be rest assured that once you have landed in the airport there will be someone waiting for you outside the Airport with your name on display.

Accommodation Services.

In many cases, the institutions in which you enrol do provide you with temporary accommodation arrangements in their student halls. However these may turnout to be expensive for you. We have tailor made solutions available for you with a range of accommodations available to suit your requirements and your finances.

Part Time Job Guidance.

Education may be the prime reason for you to be in the UK. British education is designed with great importance on the ability of the students to work independently and to develop your own thinking and understanding from real life situations. After your regular lectures, you may still have some extra time at your hand and it is a good idea to get a part time job. It may give you insight to the current market trends and will also pay your little extra expenses. You should although never depend on this part time income to maintain yourself in the UK. We guide you on how to get a part time job once you have arrived in the UK The immigration rules from the Border & Immigration agency says.. As a student who enters the UK for a course of duration 6 months? you can work for up to 20 hours a week during term-time. can work any number of hours during vacations. However, you must not: engage in business, be self-employed, or provide services as a professional sportsperson or entertainer. pursue a career by filling a permanent full-time vacancy.

Banking in London.

There is no restriction on the amount of money that you can bring into the UK, nor on its form (cash, traveller's cheques, banker's drafts etc), and you should not have any problems changing money in the UK. There are exchange facilities at airports and major railway stations, and banks and building societies will also change currency.

We from London, help you to open an account by guiding you to complete the application form, collecting your proof of identity, your UK residential address proofs and student status letter from the institution. You may also be needed to make an initial deposit into the account.

Travelling in London.

The London Underground, or 'tube' as it is popularly known, is the oldest underground train system in the world. With 275 stations dotted around the city (63 in central London alone), you are never far from a station. Another way of travelling is the London's famous red double-decker buses. Over 6,500 buses in London operate 700 routes every day.

Overland trains are also a vital part of London life and are a popular way to get around many parts of London. There are also 3 tram routes in London. Trams run about every 10 minutes during the day. Although not directly through central London, you can stop at Wimbledon and easily take a tube or bus from there to your destination.