New here...probably don't belong, but here I am.

Hello!  I am a 33 year old woman from Oklahoma.  I am single with no children, and have recently returned to university.  I will be graduating with my bachelor's degree in English in May 2014 and have been looking into my options for after school.  I plan on going to grad school and then hopefully someday to get a doctorate.  I have been looking at different grad programs around the US, and am very interested in possibly going to grad school in the UK.  

My question is, is it worth it?  I have no idea on schools as of yet, just that I want a degree in literature, but what would the process be to applying for a student visa?  Complete novice here...

Again, it is a year and a half before I even graduate, but I am wanting to start saving money now, and just beginning to look at my options.  I have not informed my family that this is something I want to do.  I just hope that it is not a pipe dream.

Thank you for getting through my long and rambling message!

katiescarlett

Hi and welcome!
I don't have any first hand knowledge of your specific questions but take a look here and see if that will give you a start. http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/
I also wanted to comment on your comment of hoping it's not just a pipe dream, and I wanted to say if you want it bad enough to actually do it then it's certainly not a pipe dream.

Best of luck to you!

I agree! no such thing as a pipe dream. If you gave it some thought and considered UK, it means something. And to me, it sounds like a great choice.
Had a friend that studied in London for years. She is a psichologist now, different field but of it helps to find things out, let me know.
Regards,
Chris

Thanks everyone!

I just recently spoke with my advisor, and I really think this is something that I want to do.  Just got to keep my 4.0 until I graduate!

I am particularly interested in going to school in Scotland.

Hiya! I'm in a similar situation, actually. I'm 32, single (for two more weeks), childless but not dogless, and I've been here for two years finishing my bachelor's degree.

I started out studying English and Drama together, but switched to Drama when I realised the culture of education in English wasn't for me. It was especially disappointing because I had always got on so well with HE English in the states.

I recommend strongly that you ask lots of questions about the university's history with mature students. Consider the grading culture, it's incredibly different (and I've found it hugely frustrating): 100% is only a mark only God could get, the scale is based on all human capability, rather than the course expectations. Consider the differences in British and American literary criticism, you will have to adapt to the UK style/state of mind. Ask if your department contact is willing to share some of their recent top marked assessments for you to look at. Consider that UK instutions are obsessed with objectivity; deadlines are hard and fast, all work is submitted anonymously and often marked by a second marker who is external if it's an exam, and much assessment is done in controlled environments such as exam halls where you write your essays within a time limit.

Some days, I wish I went to uni for a science degree, to be honest, and I know the above sounds gloomy, but I wouldn't change my choices for the world. Going to uni for English, as an American, is tough, but there's a lot more you gain for it than the degree (which is no more valuable than a US MA in English).