Help!!!

I live in the US and have been attending university for about a year. I spent a month this summer in England. Since I’ve been back, I’ve decided I want to put uni on hold and live and work over there for two or three years. I don’t even know where to start. I’ve been looking at the uk visa web site. Since I don’t have my degree, would I even have a chance of getting a job and being allowed to live in England?

<<modified because sometimes life changes>>

Would you be willing/able to attend University over in England?  I think you're allowed to work up to 20 hours a week... If so, a student visa might be the way to go. 

I would be more that willing to, but I can't afford it.

It will likely be very hard for you to get a work permit, since the number of employers willing to sponsor people is low.  You can try BUNAC, which allows you to work, but I believe it is only for 6 months.

Do you know that you can use US Federal Student loans while you attend school in the UK?  This may be one option to be able to afford university.

Sara is spot on with this.  It's not as easy as just picking up and moving over to live and work.  Your best best might be to try to attend university over here instead and there are student loans available to help make it happen. 

All the best in whatever you decide.

Just an idea- check with the University you were attending if they have any exchange programs in the UK.  Or maybe look around for a University that has an exchange program to Manchester and see what it entails to apply.  That way, at leat you'd be paying US tuition. 

Just an idea- check with the University you were attending if they have any exchange programs in the UK.  Or maybe look around for a University that has an exchange program to Manchester and see what it entails to apply.  That way, at leat you'd be paying US tuition. 

Actually US tuition is probably a lot more than the UK tuition even as a non-resident.

It will likely be very hard for you to get a work permit, since the number of employers willing to sponsor people is low.  You can try BUNAC, which allows you to work, but I believe it is only for 6 months.

Do you know that you can use US Federal Student loans while you attend school in the UK?  This may be one option to be able to afford university.

I think I'm going to do the BUNAC program. Does anyone know anything about it?

Yes, I worked for BUNAC temporarily, but on the "export" side rather than the "import". Check out the website for full programme details
www.bunac.org [nofollow]

I went to the bunca web site yesterday and requested information. I guess what I want to know is if they are a trust worthy organization.

Definitely trustworthy.  I've used them 3 times - twice to the UK and once to Australia.  My British boyfriend also came to the US through them.  They are an extremely helpful organization, and are more than worth what they charge!

I'm sure many other people on this forum will vouch for them as well!

They are a not for profit organisation, and everyone who works there has been on one of the programmes so they know exactly what you are going through! Another good thing is that they will help you set up a bank account in England (something which can otherwise be quite difficult). In fact, I think it might be worth mentioning that they usually, from what I remember, send people to the Natwest on Holborn Circus, so even if you're not with BUNAC, and you're looking to set up a bank account, that branch should know what they're doing.