If it had not been for You Lord on our side The heathen would have raged And reigned over us Evil and works of unrighteousness Would have been the order of the day In Your name oh Lord Jesus The “I AM” With groanings that cannot be uttered We crushed all the works of unrighteousness And continue in the paths of righteousness
CHORUS Forever, oh Lord We are grateful, oh Lord For the victories, oh Lord Your truth prevails evermore
BRIDGE (Like the tower of Babel) They gathered and scattered in pieces (Like at the red sea) Swallowed, washed away (Great God Almighty) Your truth prevails evermore
The internet is a great place to look for a variety of international scholarships. Many of these international students’ scholarships allow you to apply immediately online, which means you may potentially apply for dozens of scholarships including but not limited to adopted children, fellowships, and grants as an international student in only a few hours. However, a larger application pool reduces your chances of receiving financial help, but to win, you must take part.
1. Scholarship for Emerging Global Leaders from American University (AU EGLS)
In general, the AU EGL scholarship covers all billable AU costs (full tuition, housing, and board) for one international student who will need a visa to study in the United States (ideally, an F-1 or J-1 student visa). Costs other than tuition and fees (such as required health insurance, books, plane tickets, and other expenses, which total about US$4,000 per year) will not be covered by the scholarship.
2. Masters Scholarships for African Students at Georgetown University
About the Scholarship: The Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS) is a two-year, full-time graduate degree program in international affairs. Among the topics covered by the courses are international relations, global commerce and finance, statistics and analytical tools, and historical perspectives on the world. Aside from that, students choose a specialization, such as International Relations and Security, International Development, or International Business, to further their education.
3. AAUW International Fellowship in 2022/2023. (Masters & Doctoral program in USA)
Regarding the Award: Women who are neither citizens nor permanent residents of the United States are eligible to apply for AAUW International Fellowships, which are granted for full-time study or research in the United States. Graduate and postgraduate study at recognized universities in the United States are encouraged.
Awards are worth a certain amount of money.
4. Scholarships award by Clark University
Undergraduate students can apply for Clark University Presidential Scholarships as part of the University’s ground-breaking Liberal Education and Effective Practice (LEEP) education model, which combines a rigorous liberal arts education with authentic engagement in the world and the workplace for undergraduate students.
If you are an overseas student applying to Clark University for your first year of undergraduate study, you may be eligible for one of the University’s merit-based scholarships.
How to Submit an Application
If you are interested in the Presidential Scholarship, you may indicate your interest by checking the appropriate box on the Common Application (available after Aug. 1).
You will then get full instructions on applying for the scholarship, including the subjects for the two short essays. Candidates who applied for Early Action, Early Decision, or Regular Decision must submit their essays by the first of February to be considered.
5. Obama Foundation’s Emerging Leaders Program to study at the University of Columbia.
The award has a monetary value of:
monthly stipend to help with living costs in the city of New York
A fully furnished studio apartment in the heart of Columbia University’s campus.
Tuition and expenses for up to four courses at Columbia University are covered by this offer.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and life insurance coverage for the length of the program.
Air transportation to and from the home country, as well as any program-related activities
Leadership development programs, coordinated by the Obama Foundation, that will assist scholars in gaining real-world skills, techniques, and experiences that will allow them to extend the impact of their work when they return to their home countries.
Moving to the UK comes with a lot of appeal; from exploring the country’s rich history to enjoying pub culture or exploring Europe on your 28 days of paid vacation, there’s no wonder so many permanent residents hope to make their ties with the country more official.
Regardless of whether you’re moving to the UK for a job, if you’re hoping to start a UK business, looking into a future with a UK citizen or if you’re just hoping for a change of pace, it’s important to understand the nuances of becoming a UK citizen.
This guide outlines all of the most important points and steps to keep in mind as you undertake the process of obtaining your UK citizenship.
Why become a UK citizen?
Being a UK citizen comes with a ton of excellent benefits. For one, it means free access to the National Health Service (NHS). This cost-free health care system means you and your family are well protected in case of sickness or injury.
UK citizens also have full rights to voting in parliamentary and local elections, meaning they have some sway in the country’s general direction.
Most importantly, and unlike UK residents, UK citizens are allowed to hold UK passports, which means unrestricted travel between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The Effect of Brexit
With just over 4.5 million Brits living abroad, and a reported 1.3 million of them residing in Europe, many UK citizens will be affected by the upcoming Brexit changes for British expats.
As the separation is made official, those citizens will no longer have the unhindered right to live in EU countries. Equally importantly, it means that when you become a UK citizen your passport won't serve as automatic access to Europe - you’ll be forced to undergo the same tourism procedures as other non-UK passport holders.
Ways to obtain UK citizenship
There are numerous ways to become a British citizen if you’re not born as one. The most common way is called naturalization.
You’re eligible to apply for naturalization if you’re 18 years of age or older, you’re of good character, have no serious criminal record and you’ll continue to live in the UK for a requisite period of time. You must also have met the knowledge requirements of the English language during the application process, including the ‘Life in the UK’ test requirements. Language learning apps like busuu can help you improve your skills in English.
In most cases, you must also have lived in the UK for at least five years prior to your date of application, and have spent no more than 450 days outside of the UK during these five years. It’s also required that you’ll not have spent more than 90 days outside of the UK in the 12 months prior to your application.
If you’re a citizen of an EEA country, you must hold permanent residence status for the last 12 months and be able to provide a permanent residence documentalongside your citizenship application.
Finally, you must never have broken any immigration laws within the UK.
Children under 18
If you’re planning to move your family to the UK with you, you may apply on behalf of a child under 18, assuming they meet the other eligibility criteria. Children who are under 18 aren’t required to pass the Life in the UK exam.
Become a citizen by marriage
Marrying a UK citizen does not automatically make you a citizen yourself. You’ll need to apply as the spouse of a British citizen, a process that does require some time and documentation to push through.
In order to meet the requirements, you must be 18 years of age or older, and be of “sound mind and good character.” You must also have met the residency requirement and met the English knowledge requirements, and you’re still required to take (and pass) the life in the UK exam.
Unless your spouse or civil partner works abroad for the UK government or an organization closely aligned to government, typically you must also have lived in the UK for at least three years prior to the date your application is received. During that time, you must have spent no more than 270 days outside of the UK in those three years and spent no more than 90 days outside of the UK in the past 12 months.
You must also not have broken any immigration laws while in the United Kingdom to be eligible.
What’s the application process?
There are three ways to apply for British citizenship by naturalization.
Note: you must also provide your fingerprints and a photo as part of your application. This is known as biometric information and has a cost of £19.20.
As mentioned above, application for citizenship in the UK does require you to take and pass an exam, known as the “Life in the UK” test. The approval of your citizenship is contingent on completing the exam successfully.
Exams can be booked online, and must be scheduled at least three days in advance of the date you wish to take the test. Taking the test comes with a fee of £50.
All you need to make your exam booking is an email address, debit or credit card and an accepted form of ID (such as a passport or UK driver’s license).
If you need help with your booking, contact the Life in the UK Test Helpline at 0800 015 4245 between Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm.
Note: the name you give on your test booking must be an exact match with the name on the ID you use to book the test. You must also include any middle names on the booking form or your test will be rejected and you won't be issued a refund.
Citizenship Test Exceptions
You don’t need to take the test if you’re under the age of 18 or over the age of 65. If you’ve passed the test before when completing your settlement application, there’s no need to take the test again. Finally, if you have a long-term physical or mental condition, you're exempt from needing to take the test, however, you must provide either a form or letter from a doctor confirming your physical or mental condition.
The UK permits dual citizenship (or dual nationality). This means that if you're applying for citizenship in the UK, you don't necessarily have to give up your home country's citizenship, or the citizenship of another country.
Although the UK may allow this, many other countries don't allow their citizens to have more than one citizenship. So in order to make sure what the situation is with other countries, you can check with their consulate or embassy in the UKbefore you apply for citizenship in the UK.
Where can I apply for citizenship?
You can apply for a UK citizenship at your local UK consulate, or alternatively, you may send the application form, fees and necessary supporting documents to the following address:
UKVI Department 1 The Capital Liverpool L3 9PP
What’s the process of applying for citizenship?
After you’ve applied for citizenship, you’ll get a letter confirming your application. The letter can take up to four weeks to arrive. A decision about your application will typically take six months, but can take longer.
Should you need to provide additional information to support your application, you’ll be notified and told where to send the necessary documents. In some cases, you may be asked to attend an interview. It’s possible to speak with an interpreter if necessary, however, inability to speak fluent English may affect your eligibility.
Citizenship ceremony
Upon receiving approval for citizenship, if you’re over the age of 18, you’ll be invited to book a place at a citizenship ceremony. Typically you’re allowed to invite two guests to attend the ceremony with you, and there’s a ceremony fee of £80. Your local council organizes citizenship ceremonies, and you can ask for a private ceremony if you wish. You can book your citizenship ceremony with your council close to where you live. During the ceremony itself, you’ll make an oath of allegiance and pledge promising to respect the rights, freedoms and laws of the United Kingdom.
At the end of the ceremony, you’ll be presented with your certificate of British citizenship and a welcome package. You may also have the opportunity to purchase photographs or videos of the event, which are sold at certain local councils. If you’re not living in the UK, you can ask to have your ceremony at the embassy or consulate of the country you're currently living in. However, if you’ll be returning to the UK within a few months, you may be asked to postpone your ceremony until your return.
Next Steps
After you’ve received your certificate of British citizenship, you must send your biometric residence permit back to the Home Office within five working days of attending your citizenship ceremony or physically receiving your certificate.
Proper procedure involves cutting your biometric residence permit (BRP) into four pieces and sealing it in a windowless envelope. Include a note indicating that you’re returning your permit because you’ve become a citizen. The note needs to include your name, date of birth and the document number (located on the front of the card).
Note: you’ll be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t return your permit within five working days.
Application Fees
The application fees vary greatly depending on the application type. For standard naturalization applications, the cost is £1282. For a complete list of types of applications with associated fees, consult the gov.uk website. In most cases, you can pay the fee for your visa application online.
How can I apply for a UK passport?
You can apply for a British passport if you have British nationality. However, there are some extenuating circumstances where your application can be refused or your existing passport can be retained.
Note:****** Having British nationality doesn’t guarantee you a passport.
Your eligibility and entitlement to a British passport will be considered when you apply. Passports belong to the government and can be cancelled or withdrawn at any time.
Other relevant information
If you’re not already familiar with money and banks in the UK you’ll want to do a bit of research or, if you haven’t already, make sure to open a bank account to help cut down on costs.
The moment you decide you want to pursue a career in Medicine, you know you are expected to go through a lot of hard work and inevitably many hours of study. However, all your efforts will be worth it in the end. After all, being a doctor is one of the noblest and most rewarding professions in the world.
Applying to med school is not something you should do superficially. You have to choose your medical school wisely. To make your mission easier, we'll present the most common entry requirements to medical schools from Europe, the US and UK.
We’ll also throw in extra information like what GPA you’ll need to apply, what undergraduate degrees are accepted, and if you need an entry exam to get into medical school.
So, what does it take to get into a medical school?
1. Admission requirements for medical school studies in Europe
These are some of the most common admission criteria for Medicine degrees offered by European universities:
High school diploma (certificate)
Good marks in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math
Letters of recommendation
Letter of motivation
Voluntary or work experience related to healthcare
Candidates taking the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) must offer three subjects including Chemistry and Biology at Higher Level, plus three subjects at Standard Level. Not all universities require an International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB).
Minimum TOEFL and IELTS results
The requirements we’ve listed above are the most common, but Europe is a large continent, and some countries have different admission criteria or systems. Here are several examples:
Medical school admission and becoming a doctor in France
In France, each academic institution can have different admission criteria, and Medical studies are divided into 3 cycles.
The first cycle (PCEM) lasts 2 years. At the end of the first year, there’s a difficult examination which determines who goes into the second year. Usually, only 15-20% of Medicine students pass.
The second cycle (DCEM) lasts 4 years. It includes theoretical classes and exams, as well as training periods in healthcare institutions. In the last year, med students take a national examination and the grade determines their specialisation.
The third cycle is split into General Medicine and Specialised Medicine. The internships for General Medicine usually last 3 years. For Specialised Medicine, an internship can take 4-5 years to complete. At the end of the third cycle, all students receive a Specialised Studies Diploma (in French, DES: Diplôme d’Études Spécialisées).
The last step is writing and successfully defending a thesis before a jury, after which graduates receive their diplomas in Medicine.
Medical school admission and becoming a doctor in Germany
In Germany, you’ll encounter the Numerus Clausus (NC), which stands for Limited Number in Latin. It is a system used to determine the number of available Medicine places for students. The number of available places varies from one semester/year to another and you must have a certain overall grade to be admitted.
Medicine degrees in Germany take at least 6 years and 3 months to complete, and they are not divided into Bachelor’s and Master’s courses. In order to graduate you will have to take a state examination.
The path to becoming a doctor in Germany can be split into several main stages:
Stage I studies – 4 semesters followed by the first 3 sections of the state examination
Stage II studies – 6 semesters
Completion of a practical year (PJ) at a hospital or clinic
The second and final state examination after which you receive your licence to practise Medicine in Germany
It’s very important to develop good German language skills, because most lectures and examinations are in German.
Medical school admission and becoming a doctor in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, if you cannot prove you’ve studied Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Maths, you’ll need to take an exam that will test your competence in these subjects. You’ll also need to learn Dutch. This is necessary to complete your postgraduate studies and to communicate with your future patients.
Dutch Medicine degrees fall in the category of Numerus Fixus or Decentralised Selection programmes. This means the number of places is limited and you can only apply for two Numerus Fixus programmes.
These are the stages you go through to become a qualified doctor in the Netherlands:
Graduate a Bachelor’s in Medicine – 3 years. You’ll attend lectures and prepare assignments.
Finish a Master’s in Medicine – another 3 years, during which you take part in different internships. You also need to write a Master’s thesis.
Here are a few medical schools in the Netherlands:
Radboud University
University of Twente (UT)
Wageningen University and Research
Medical school admission and becoming a doctor in Italy
Italian universities use the Numerus Clausus system for both Medicine degree places and the professional training that takes place after graduation.
Some med schools in Italy require that students pass the IMAT (International Medical Admissions Test) or a similar admission exam, which tests the applicants’ logical skills and their knowledge of English, Biology, Chemistry, and other Science-related subjects.
The Medicine degree takes 6 years to complete and is followed by a 6-month clinical placement. You must then pass a national exam to become a registered physician. After passing that examination, you can start the specialisation training, which takes between 3-6 years, depending on your area of expertise.
Here are a few medical schools we recommend in Italy:
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Humanitas University
Medical school admission and becoming a doctor in Finland
In Finland, you need to know Finnish for both basic studies and postgraduate training.
The only way to enrol in a medical school is to pass the entrance examination, which is held every year in May. The exam is in Finnish or Swedish.
The medical degree is a 6-year programme, which combines Bachelor’s and Master’s courses into a Licentiate degree. After graduation, med students can continue their education with postgraduate specialisation programmes.
Here are a few medical schools we recommend in Finland:
University of Turku
University of Oulu
Tampere University
2. Admission requirements for medical school studies in the U.S.
In the US, Medical degrees are considered second entry degrees, meaning you cannot enrol directly in a Medicine Bachelor's. You first need to do a Bachelor's (undergraduate) degree in a related Science subject (popular choices are Biology and Chemistry) before you apply to a medical school. Then, you can enrol in a Medicine degree that usually lasts 4 years.
Here are the general med school requirements for the US:
High school diploma
Undergraduate degree in the field of Sciences (3-4 years)
Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
Good TOEFL language scores
Letters of recommendation
Extracurricular activities
Minimum MCAT exam result (set by each university individually)
Some American med schools have additional requirements, like completing premedical courses, such as:
College Biology with laboratory, one year
General college Chemistry with laboratory, one year
Biology, Chemistry – minimum of 24 semester hours in areas of Humanities
Mathematics (Calculus and/or Statistics, one year (6-8 semester hours)
General college Physics with laboratory, one year (8 semester hours)
Here are a few medical schools we recommend in the US:
University of South Dakota
Liberty University
School for International Training
What is the MCAT?
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a multi-choice exam created by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Almost all US medical schools require applicants to submit MCAT exam scores during their university application.
The MCAT exam takes approximately 7 hours and a half to complete and it is comprised of 4 main parts:
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behaviour
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
Becoming a doctor in the US
Throughout the Medical degree, students develop their soft skills (communication, empathy, cooperation, etc.) and advance their medical knowledge.
During the last year, students choose a specialisation based on their interests and other factors and apply to residency programmes. The vast majority are matched through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).
During residency, medical graduates train in hospitals with other healthcare practitioners. The residency can take between 3-7 years to complete depending on their specialisation. After completing this stage, residents can undertake a fellowship, which lasts 1-2 years and focuses on a sub-specialisation.
To practise Medicine, physicians or doctors have to be licensed by the state in which they want to work. The criteria for certification are established by 24 Specialty Boards. These boards require regular recertification due to the fast changes that occur in Medicine and Healthcare.
3. Admission requirements for medical school studies in the UK
We’ve listed below some of the most common requirements for applicants to medical schools in Britain. Be aware that each university is free to set its own criteria, which is why we encourage you to check the admission details on the webpage of the study programme.
Bachelor's degree in Medicine (MBBS) in the UK
Previous (high school) studies it at least two Science subjects. Usually, Chemistry and Biology or Physics/Maths are mandatory.
Proof of English language proficiency: IELTS – average score of 6.0 or 6.5, or PTE Academic
UCAT test score. Each university can use it differently. Some establish a minimum UCAT score they’ll accept. Other universities use a “points system” for evaluating applications and will offer you more points for a higher UCAT result.
International Baccalaureate, with at least 36 points overall, including three higher level subjects (including Chemistry and Biology), and three standard level subjects. Each subject must be passed with a minimum of six points. International Baccalaureate is not required by all universities from the UK.
Successfully passing the interview(s)
Evidence of voluntary or work experience related to medicine and healthcare
Reference letter from teachers/academic supervisors
Here are a few medical schools we recommend in the UK:
The UCAT helps universities select applicants with the right abilities to pursue careers in the healthcare field. The UCAT test is not based on a science-related curriculum. The format of the test covers questions that assess logical skills, such as decision making, quantitative reasoning, and situational judgement.
Becoming a doctor in the UK
After completing the 4 or 5-year degree in Medicine, you get a provisional license.
The next step is the Foundation Programme, which involves different practical placements and training in healthcare institutions. The Foundation programme provides salaries, and it takes 2 years to complete (F1 – first year and F2 – second year). At the end of F1, you can apply for a licence and receive full registration from the GMC (General Medical Council).
You can then start General Practice or Specialty training, which can take between 3-8 years depending on what you want to focus on.
Top questions about medical school application answered
What degree do I need to graduate before applying for medical school?
It depends. The US is the only country where you need to have a Bachelor’s and/or premedical courses to apply for a Medical degree. This is not the case in the UK or other European countries, although you are required to have studied Biology, Chemistry, and other related subjects during high school and/or pass an admission exam proving your logical skills and knowledge in Science-related subjects.
What are the most common names for Medical degrees?
The name of your Medical degree can vary greatly depending on where you study. In the UK and countries that follow the British system, it’s common to encounter the abbreviations MBBS, MB ChB, MB BCh, BMBS. They all refer to the Bachelor of Medicine, which is awarded to medical graduates.
Other European countries can use different names, like Licentiate degree in Finland or DES (Diplôme d’Études Spécialisées) in France.
In the United States and countries that follow its model, the medical degree is called Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). The DO is only awarded in the US.
Do I need to take an exam to get into medical school?
In the United States, yes. Almost all medical schools require applicants to pass the MCAT exam.
In the UK, many but not all universities require you to pass the UCAT examination.
Other European universities might ask you to pass their own admission exams, a national test, or other international exams, like the IMAT.
What subjects are accepted when applying to med school?
Most universities worldwide require that you have prior studies in Biology, Chemistry, and other Science subjects, like Physics or Maths.
How many years do I need to study to become a doctor?
It varies from one country to another. It generally takes 6-7 years to graduate with a Medicine degree. In most countries, med students will then start the internship or residency period, which can take between 3-8 years, depending on your specialisation.
What grades do I need to get into medical school?
Most universities will pay close attention to the grades you took in Biology, Chemistry, and other Science subjects. They want to see if you have the capacity to understand complex notions and memorise a lot of information, which is essential for all medical students.
If the university requires an exam, like the MCAT or UCAT, each institution decides how the examination impacts the students’ applications. For example, some universities have a minimum score, while others allow all students to apply and only accept the top students with the highest results. Other med schools give students with great results at the exam more points, which makes their application stand out and increases their chances of being admitted. So, there’s no universal formula.
We encounter a similar situation with the GPA (Grade Point Average). You’ll find study programmes mentioning a minimum GPA, while others accept all students, select the best ones, and then draw the line.
Ready to become the next big-shot doctor?
Now, what are you waiting for? There are over 7,000 Medicine degrees waiting for you on our portals. Take advantage of the comparison tool and choose the best medical school for you. Studying abroad is a great experience and we hope you’ll make the best out of it.
