How to be conversation ready for your US student visa interview

Ramesh Thapa works in a language school in Kathmandu, Nepal. As an English language teacher, he does more than teach grammar and vocabulary – he helps people change their lives.

Four years ago, Ramesh began teaching preparation classes for students who want to take PTE Academic. It’s no small challenge: His students need a good PTE score so they can study and live abroad – or to get the English-speaking jobs they want at home.

People come to Ramesh because they know they can rely on him to help them prepare for the test. They have big dreams – so the stakes are high.

We spoke to Ramesh to find out more about his experience of preparing students for PTE. He told us all about the challenges, the successes, and shared advice with the teaching community around the world.  

How Ramesh teaches PTE preparation   

With a maximum of ten people per class, students in Ramesh’s classes get a lot of personal attention and support. He explains that he uses a computer with a projector in the main classroom to share examples of PTE activities. Students get to try each task type themselves –  and Ramesh shares with them tips and strategies for maximizing their score.

For Ramesh, the students are the most important part of the equation. As such, peer-to-peer learning and home study are key parts of his preparation course.“I’ll have my students take turns reading aloud and commenting on one another’s speaking,” he explains. “At the end of the class, I’ll give them an assignment so they can keep practicing at home.”

Ramesh is no stranger to technology either. When it comes to PTE, he knows how important it is for students to feel comfortable with the technology. “It is a computer-based exam, so all teachers should make sure that their students are practicing on a computer,” he says. “We have a separate computer lab where students can get unlimited lab access – and this is a big part of helping students get their desired scores.” 

In this way, not only do students get a better feel for the exam, but they also get to practice their typing skills. 

Helping students to overcome their challenges 

Ramesh finds that his students struggle with the Repeat sentence task in the Speaking part of the exam. “They have trouble with the accent when listening and pronouncing the words,” he says.

For the same reason, his students often find the Listening part of PTE the most challenging. “Most of my students find difficulty in listening because our accents differ from the American and British accents,” Ramesh explains.

And of course, as any language teacher knows, practice makes perfect. “The main solution is practice,” he says, “so I ask them to listen to more audio recordings which will ultimately help them be successful.”  

Advice for other teachers 

“Personally,” Ramesh says, “I think students should get all of the required details, materials, tips, and tricks from their PTE tutors.” So, a robust understanding of the exam is crucial for teachers. “It’s helpful to access the free training that is available from Pearson,” Ramesh advises. And, for the best chance of success, students need to do a practice test. “After they have completed a course, students should be provided with several mock tests,” he says.

This builds students’ confidence and helps to reduce test-day nerves.

What about his other students? 

Many of Ramesh’s former students have gone on to achieve their goals and are now studying thousands of miles away, in Australia and Canada. It’s been hard work for them, but with thorough preparation with the help of an inspiring teacher, it’s been a great journey.

Learn more 

We’d like to shine a spotlight on the work of our teachers so that we can learn from one another. Each month we’ll be showcasing the work of one PTE Academic teacher from around the globe.

Are you a PTE Academic teacher who has advice and teaching tips to share with the Teacher Community? We’d like to hear from you! Fill out this brief form to express your interest in being featured in an upcoming teacher profile and we’ll be in touch shortly. And for more insights into teaching PTE, sign up for our teacher newsletter. 

Are you interested in studying medicine in the UK?  You’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’ll learn about some of the best medical schools in the UK and what you need to apply. We’ll also explore tuition costs, visa requirements, and more. Ready? Let’s take a look:  

Why study medicine in the UK 

Medicine can be a competitive degree. But, studying it in the UK can prepare you to work and practice in one of the best healthcare systems in the world. According to a 2017 study by The Commonwealth Fund, the UK and its healthcare system ranked number one in overall performance, compared to 10 other high-income countries – including in things like care process and equity. The UK’s health service, called the NHS, is publicly funded.  

The UK also boasts world-class Research and Development (R&D), which the government actively invests in. For example, the UK hopes to raise funding for R&D to £22 billion a year by 2025. This means studying medicine in the UK can provide you with the opportunity to learn at state-of-the-art facilities, as well as help give you more access to research support and funding.   

Best medical schools in the UK  

The UK is home to some of the best universities in the world. In fact, according to the QS World University Rankins 2021, the UK boasts four of the top 10 best universities to study medicine worldwide – including University of Oxford (2), University of Cambridge (4), University College London (9) and Imperial College London (10).

There’s also University of Glasgow, University of Dundee, University of Edinburgh, and University of St Andrews in Scotland, as well as Queen Mary University of London in England, and Swansea University in Wales. All of these are listed within the top universities for medicine in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2021 rankings.

Of course, the best university for study will come down to one very important aspect: you. Be sure to do your research on each university, try to speak to current students, and discover what career options the choice will give you in the future. 

Types of medicine degrees 

Medicine degrees in the UK can take between 4-6 years to complete. Students applying to study medicine in the UK have four types of courses to choose from:  

• Standard Entry Medicine– a bachelor’s degree in medicine 

• Graduate Entry Medicine – a graduate degree in medicine

• Medicine with a Preliminary Year – a bachelor’s degree in medicine that includes an extra first year, for students who didn’t take the necessary science courses in school

• Medicine with a Gateway Year– similar to the course above, this is made for students who’ve had barriers to education and offers different entry requirements 

No matter which degree you choose, you’ll have to sit an admissions test. There are three different admissions tests in the UK, and which ones you take will depend on what institution you apply for. The tests are:   

• The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) 

• The BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test)

• The GAMSAT (Graduate Medical School Admissions Test) 

In addition to these tests, you’ll need to look at the admission requirements for each medical school you intend to apply for. These might include mandatory school courses, personal statements, or an interview to talk about work experience.  

The Medical Schools Council of the UK has an excellent in-depth guide to entry requirements for dozens of universities across the UK, as well as more information on the courses and tests we list above. You can also learn more on their website. 

Visas 

If you’re coming to the UK to study medicine, you’ll need a Student visa. To apply, you’ll need to be offered a spot at a university, have sufficient funds to support yourself, and prove you’re proficient in English. And, our computer-based English language test at PTE Academic is approved by the UK Home Office for all Student visas. You’ll have to demonstrate you’re at a B2 level or higher, depending on your university. 

After graduating, you might be able to apply for the Graduate route to stay in the UK to work (or look for work) for 2-3 years, depending on your degree.

Keep in mind: We aren’t immigration agents. For the latest information and official updates, please visit the GOV UK website. 

Costs 

Studying medicine in the UK for international students can be expensive. According to Save the Student, medical degrees in the UK can cost up to £64,652 per year – which is a lot more expensive than other degrees. On average, students spend about £795 on living costs each month in the UK. However, the average salary for nurses in the UK is over £35,000 per year. Doctors who are general practitioners can make between £60,455 to £91,228 per year.  

Learn more on our blog: Living expenses in the UK for international students 

Studying medicine in the UK can be incredibly rewarding. You’ll have the opportunity to learn at a world-class university, and perhaps even contribute to cutting-edge research. On top of this, you’ll get to explore the UK’s beautiful landscapes, history, culture – and immerse yourself in all the great things it has to offer.  

Learn more about PTE Academic UKVI, our English test recognized by the UK’s Home Office.

Have you been accepted to study in Australia? Looking for a place to live can be one of the most enjoyable parts of planning your move abroad. There are lots of housing opportunities for international students – and in this blog, we’ll take you through a few options.

We’ll explore accommodation around two popular universities – The University of Adelaide and The University of Melbourne to help you begin your search. We’ll also give you an idea about where you might look for housing in other cities around the country. 

What’s important to you? 

There are a number of things you should consider when deciding on a place to live. We recommend making a list of everything you want in a home. Having a clear idea about what kind of place you want to live in will help you to narrow down your housing options – and ensure you have the best possible experience abroad. Ask yourself:  

• Do you want to live close to campus? 

• Do you want to live in a house or an apartment?

• Do you want to live in a social setting with roommates?

• What amenities can’t you live without? (like air conditioning or high-speed internet)

• And, of course, what is your budget? 

You might be interested in our blog: Australian loans for international students 

On-campus housing 

Nearly all major institutions in Australia offer on-campus accommodation for international students. Lots of people choose to live in these residences because they’re convenient and it’s really easy to get to class. University residences also provide international students with a supportive place to call home right upon arriving from abroad.

Living on-campus is a great opportunity to meet fellow students, too, because there are usually lots of social events planned throughout the semester. Accommodation can range from shared dorm rooms, single rooms, or private studio apartments, and can cost between $110-$280 AUD a week.

So, what do The University of Adelaide and The University of Melbourne offer?

• The University of Adelaide has a few different housing options. These include The University of Adelaide Village, Mattanya Student Residences, and Roseworthy Residential College for students at the university’s rural campus. These consist of 4-5 bedroom residences, apartments, and townhouses, as well as furnished houses.

• At The University of Melbourne, there are 4 student residences, with a new one set to open later in 2021. These consist of private studio apartments, as well as hundreds of shared and dorm-style rooms. The newest, called Little Hall, has more than 20 shared spaces – and even has a cinema! 

   

Off-campus housing 

There is a whole range of housing options off-campus, too. Let’s explore:  

Student accommodation 

There are lots of private student accommodation options located close to universities. They are usually not managed by universities themselves. But they are designed specifically for students and usually have many of the same facilities as a student residence – such as food halls or study rooms.

Remember, even if you don’t live in a university residence, you can still have a full social life and take part in activities with fellow students.

Check out these resources to help find off-campus student accommodation in Melbourne and Adelaide: 

• Adelaide Student Housing is a website made to help international students look for accommodation in the city. It’s run by the Government of South Australia and features more than two dozen student housing options – including places like UniLodge, Y Suites, and Atira Student Living. The website also lists weekly prices for each property, making it easy for international students to compare. Prices range between $105-$690 AUD a week.

• Close to the University of Melbourne, you can also find places like UniLodge and Infinity Place. Prices for these two options range between $173-$589 AUD a week. If you want to look for more student housing locations check out the website University Living, which lists accommodation for students in hundreds of cities around the world.

Private rentals  

When you finally arrive in Australia, you might also decide to live on your own in an apartment. There are definitely some benefits to living in a private rental. You get more independence and privacy. You can also choose to live anywhere you like in your new city or town.

According to the government website Study Australia, rent can cost between $185-$440 AUD a week. You might also be asked to sign a lease for an extended period, which could give you less flexibility during your time abroad.

You can look for private rentals in Melbourne, Adelaide, and across Australia using websites like Domain, Gumtree, or realestate.com.au. 

Living with roommates  

Sharing a house or apartment is a popular option for local and international students alike. It’s common for three or more people to share the same living space.

Overall, this arrangement gives you a great chance to meet other students or young professionals – and perhaps even form lasting friendships. Shared accommodation can cost between $95-$215 AUD a week. Just make sure to sign a contract so everyone is aware of their rights and responsibilities.

You can search for roommates on websites like flatmates.com.au or Flatmate Finders. Also check out university-specific community Facebook groups, where students often post rooms for rent.  

Homestays 

You might choose a homestay option, which means you’ll live with a local family. This might help you feel more supported and less isolated. You’ll also get the chance to practice your English skills in a home environment and possibly go on trips to visit local attractions, celebrate holidays, and experience your host family’s culture.

Homestays usually include meals, which can be a big plus for busy students. They can be arranged by an education agent in Australia, but there are a range of organizations you can look into for more information, as well – including  Australia Home Stay Network, and Study Vision.

As you can see, there are lots of accommodation options for international students across Australia. And the best part? Many are designed to support students’ needs and make them feel at home while abroad.

At PTE Academic, we’re also committed to helping students succeed. We have tons of resources for international students moving across borders – including articles on Australian student visas, the benefits and costs of studying in Australia, and scholarships around the world. Check them out!