Why to study in the UK as an international student is one of the questions thousands of undergrads and graduate students ask every year. Studying as an international student in the UK can be a worthwhile and incredible experience and continues to be a popular choice among students for years. Each year thousands of students from all over the world study in the UK, making studying in UK the number one choice for international students in Europe and number two in worldwide.For those who are ready to take the plunge, or are still unsure, talking to an international student advisor can be a wise first step on your journey. In this blog, you’ll learn more about the advantages of studying in the UK as an international student. There are a whole range of reasons why studying in the UK is a great choice for international students, from the incredible student lifestyle to the historic universities, and lots more!
Study in UK can be a global platform for education
1. World renowned education
The UK has a long history of providing world-class education and UK universities generally rank high in international university league tables and attract some of the world’s best academics. Holding a British degree will set you apart in today’s competitive job market, regardless of which country you are in. Not surprisingly, the UK is a center for international students being the second most popular study destination for overseas students, with over a million of international students.
British higher education providers are recognized internationally for their creative and challenging environments, that help push students to be their best. Their standards are highly regarded, with experts on many academic topics, and they're generally high in internationally university rankings. The British higher education system has been the basis for higher education standards around the world for a long time, with revolutionary teaching styles and modern facilities.
Furthermore, UK universities offer specialised degrees, even at an undergraduate level. This is ideal if you don’t want to wait until postgraduate level before specializing in a field of study.
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Study in UK can be as interesting as its iconic spots!
Diverse and welcoming culture for students
UK is a multicultural country - you’ll find people from every culture of the world and learn so much more than just what you are studying on your degree. Probably that’s why UK is the second most popular destination for overseas students in the world. It has very tolerant culture so you can be sure you’ll receive a warm welcome.
The UK has an interesting history, the landscape is beautiful. The nightlife is varied and there is always something to do. No matter where you study in the UK, you will find something to do. Pubs, restaurants, sports venues, markets, and art galleries are just some of the places you can visit when you are not studying.
If that doesn’t excite you, the UK also has world-class concert venues like the Alexandra Palace in London and Birmingham’s Symphony Hall, and some of the best-known music festivals in the world.
3. Broad choice of degrees
UK universities are known for the wide range of degrees they offer in subjects as diverse as Art and Design, Business and Management and Media Studies.
You’ll have access to over 3,000 UK university degrees, so no matter what subject you’re interested in, you’re certain to find something that suits you. You might even discover a degree you didn’t even know existed!
4. Shorter degrees
In the UK, you can usually complete an undergraduate degree in 3 years if you study full time. A master’s degree usually takes 1 year.
This is in contrast to other countries such as the USA, where undergraduate degrees take at least 4 years to complete, and a master’s degree takes 2 years to finish.
So, if you choose to study in the UK, you’ll be able to graduate sooner, and save money on fees and accommodation too — what a great reason why you should study in the UK!
5. Cost
UK degrees take 3 or 4 years to complete depending on where you study in the UK. Degrees from English/NI and Wales generally take 3 years and from Scotland, they take 4 years. However Scottish students domiciled in Scotland and going to a Scottish university have their fees paid. A postgraduate degree takes only one year. This means you will spend less on tuition fees. On top of that, there are lots of scholarships, grants, and bursaries available from institutions and the universities themselves.
Living costs are also much lower in the UK on cities and area basis compared to other countries around the world, such as the USA, Canada. Plus, there are many discounts available to students starting from Food & drinks, clothes, health & fitness to electronics.
6. Brilliant work opportunities
Generally, an international student can work up to 20 hours a week during term-time, and ten hours when school is out. This allows students to take on a part-time job or an internship, to learn new skills and earn money while studying.
Your university may even help you secure an internship as part of your course, which will most certainly give you a competitive edge when you graduate.
The UK Government has also announced post-study work visa that will allow international students who graduate from the summer of 2021 to stay and work in the UK for a further two years.
7. Cultural attractions
The UK has a lot of history. From the Tower of London, British museum, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Buckingham Palace to Stonehenge and Edinburgh Castle, there is endless things to see and do.
8. Travel connections
Getting to mainland Europe from the UK is easier than ever before. Whether it’s by plane or train, studying in the UK allows you to reach other parts of Europe in a matter of hours.
Take advantage of studying in the UK and explore different countries and cultures. Plus with summer breaks of between 12 and 14 weeks, you’ll have plenty of time!
9. Largest library in the world
London is home to the largest library in the world by the number of items categorized — the British Library has more than 170 million items in its catalogue!
Located close to King’s Cross train station, the British Library is also home to the famous Reading Room, and is a popular place to come for quiet study. So, if your university library doesn’t have something you need, you can almost guarantee the British Library can help you.
10 Safe and secured country
UK has lots of student-friendly cities. Student bring their own culture and tradition to this already diverse cities. International students aren’t seen as visitors, instead they’re considered as part of the family. UK is by far the safest continent with many European countries ranking highly on global league tables. Always try to keep your phone with you in case you need to make an emergency call. 999 is the UK’s emergency number and 101 is the number for less serious situations. It’s very unlikely you’ll need to call either number but it’s still important to be prepared. Most UK universities have student support systems in place to offer help and guidance in a variety of areas. If you’re ever feeling uncomfortable or unsafe while in the UK, you can speak to a specialist member of the team who’ll be able to help.
Eight things you need to know about studying in the UK
- There are more than 395 universities and colleges, offering over 50,000 undergraduate-level higher education courses across the UK.
- UK higher education applications are made through UCAS.
- There are different deadlines for applying for different courses, and to different universities – take a look at the key dates and deadlines relevant to courses you’re interested in.
- You will need to pay tuition fees these vary depending on the university or college and course you choose. You may be able to get financial help with your tuition fees, or a scholarship. However, EU students are not subject to tuition fees in Scotland.
- The amount of money you will need to cover living costs will vary based on where you study. London and other large cities tend to be more expensive.
- Many international students need to apply for a visa to study in the UK, and there are work permit restrictions and some English language qualifications you may need.
- Universities advise all applicants what standard of English is required for their courses. Most course providers will ask you to demonstrate proficiency in English, or to take an approved English language test if English is not your first language.
- First year students tend to live in university halls of residence (university accommodation) – but there are lots of other accommodation option.
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