Study in the UK

The UK has become one of the top destinations to study around the world. With traditions of excellence dating back hundreds of years, high class institutions in every corner and much more flexibility than many other countries, the United Kingdom has much to offer international students that other English-speaking countries cannot offer.

Growing Destination

International students have always been an important presence in the UK, and their numbers have been growing steadily over the years. In fact, the UK is now the second most popular destination for international students, behind the US.

Worldwide Recognition

Degrees and qualifications from UK higher education institutions are known around the world as high quality and world class. This standard of excellence is set by some of the older universities with recognizable names, such as Oxford and Cambridge, but the tradition carries through to many of the universities and colleges throughout the UK. When looking for work in the future, this can be a great selling point in your favour!

World’s greatest thinkers

Due to the critical and creative nature of higher education in the UK, it is no surprise that many of the world’s greatest thinkers and leaders have studied in the UK, including Mahatma Gandhi, Desmond Tutu, George Soros, and John F. Kennedy. It is estimated that one in seven world leaders studied in the UK, and UK universities and research institutions have produced over 100 Nobel Prize winners.

Multiculturalism

The UK is culturally one of the most diverse countries in the world, and this cultural diversity is also apparent in its higher education institutions.

Britain is multi-cultural, multi-faith, and multi-lingual, and has a long and successful history of attracting and welcoming visitors, especially students, from all parts of the world. Living in the UK exposes you to a variety of cultures, opinions, and experiences that would be hard to find elsewhere. Because it’s so diverse, wherever you end up in the UK, it probably won’t be long before you find people who also come from your part of the world, or who have at least travelled to your part of the world! If you are open to meeting people from other cultures, you will leave the UK having met and made friends with people from places you didn’t even know existed!

All year round, and all over the UK, there are opportunities to immerse yourself in cultural celebrations like the Notting Hill Carnival (London), Lunar New Year celebrations (Liverpool), Diwali celebrations (Leicester), and Hogmanay (Edinburgh).

Education Costs are Lower

The cost of education for an international student in the UK can beis generally lower compared to the USA and other countries. Programs in the USA can be $25,000 or more a year in tuition alone. Tuition for the majority of UK higher education institutions generally £7,000 to £8,000 a year – considerably less!

Because your degree will generally take less time to complete in the UK than in other countries, this will also save you money. Although four-year programs are increasing in popularity, most degree programs in the UK are three years, and a Masters program is typically between one and two years.

Work Opportunities

An international student in the UK is typically allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during school term, and up to full-time when school is out of term. Of course, you should always check with your international advisor at your school before starting any work – you do not want to be in violation of your visa, and rules change frequently.

Gateway to Europes

With the addition of the Channel Tunnel and low cost airlines such as EasyJet and Ryan Air, Europe is easier to access than ever. You can reach most areas of Europe from the UK within a few hours by train or direct flight. For example, if you are studying in London or Manchester and you want a weekend away in Italy, you can fly Ryan Air direct to Rome, Milan, and Pisa, Venice or several other cities in Italy. The direct flight would take around two hours and cost anywhere from 30 to 100 pounds, depending on when you travel and when you book.