So, you want to study in the UK. Where do you even start? What school should you even choose? What if you miss something crucial along your journey?
Before you spiral into a Google rabbit hole, breathe. We sat down with Prabha Sundram, Head of Education in Malaysia at the British Council. Here’s her roadmap to getting it right at every stage.
1. Do your research (like, seriously)
Here’s the thing: that Top 10 university everyone’s talking about? It might not actually be the best choice for your field.
“It’s not just about university rankings — it’s also about subject rankings,” Sundram explains.
A university might be ranked top 10 in the world, but it might not be top 10 in the subject you’re interested in.
So what statistics should you be looking at when choosing a university?
- Subject-specific rankings – Not just the overall university prestige
- Location – City life in London versus a quieter campus in Scotland will feel completely different
- Industry connections – Which universities have strong links to employers in your field?
- Graduate employability rates – Where do their alumni actually end up?
The British Council website is an excellent starting point for this research, offering detailed breakdowns of subject rankings and industry partnerships.
2. Be cost conscious (your wallet will thank you)
We know that education is something worth investing in. But that shouldn’t mean dropping more money than you need to on a degree. With the current exchange rate, studying in the UK isn’t cheap for Malaysians. But here’s what many students don’t realise: there’s often money on the table that goes unclaimed.
When we talk about scholarships, you might immediately think full rides such as the Chevening Scholarship and Commonwealth Scholarship, which are some great scholarships, but often require rounds of applications and interviews. If you’re not cut out for that, there’s actually other kinds of scholarships on the table. For instance, you might find partial waivers available — perhaps 1,500 pound sterling (approximately US$2,008 and 8,212 Malaysian ringgit at the time of writing) for dean’s list scholars, or other merit-based reductions.
Such info are often buried deep in university websites, so you’ll need to do some detective work. Sundram’s advice? Write to universities and find out if there are stipends, waivers, bursaries — anything that can help you study in the UK.
Every pound counts, and universities are often more flexible than you’d think. Don’t leave money unclaimed simply because you didn’t know it existed.
The British Council office in Kuala Lumpur often hosts informational sessions. Source: British Council
3. Get all the support that you can
Similar to the other points above, you need to take the initiative to research and reach out to people for help, especially when you’re in the midst of completing your applications.
Your personal statement can make or break your application, and trying to write it in isolation is like trying to cut your own hair — technically possible, but probably not your best idea.
Here’s who you can reach out to for help on your university application:
- School counselors – They’ve seen successful applications before
- Education agents – Ask exactly how much support they can provide
- University admissions offices – Many offer feedback on draft statements
- The British Council – They provide application guidance workshops
You can also look on platforms like LinkedIn and reach out to alumni — you never know who will respond if you never try.
No resource is too small. This isn’t the time to be shy or go it alone. The application process is competitive, and students who seek guidance consistently perform better than those who don’t.
Malaysian scholars heading off to study in the UK with support from the GREAT Scholarship, British Council Women in STEM Scholarship, and the ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarship. Source: British Council.
4. Remember you need a visa to study in the UK
Congratulations, you’ve been accepted! But don’t celebrate too soon, the work isn’t over yet.
Here’s a story Sundram hears too often: Students book their flights, pack their bags, say goodbye to family — and then realise paperwork such as their visa hasn’t been approved yet.
She warns never to put off the process of your visa application. While Malaysia generally has a smooth visa approval process with the UK, that doesn’t mean you can procrastinate.
Before you can study in the UK, make sure your checklist includes not just your shoes and coats, but also all the right paperwork.
Start this process the moment you receive your acceptance letter. The peace of mind alone is worth it, and you’ll avoid that last-minute panic when everyone else is excited about their upcoming adventure while you’re stuck in bureaucratic limbo.
