STUDY IN UNITED KINGDOM

 

A great international reputation

1. The quality of UK education is recognised by employers, universities and governments worldwide.
2. The UK is a popular destination for international students, and well respected for world-class standards of teaching – four of the top six universities in the world are in the UK (2012 QS World University Rankings).
3. UK research is 'world leading' and 'internationally excellent' – according the most recent Research Assessment Exercise in 2008, which produces quality profiles for course providers by assessing research activity against agreed quality standards.

An interesting place to live

• The UK is really diverse and full of different cultures – for example schoolchildren in London speak over 300 languages between them.
• A mix of cosmopolitan cities and rural villages, with strong transport links, exciting sporting events and both historical structures and modern architecture.
• You can develop a range of skills needed in today's global workforce, including refining your English language skills with new friends and in lectures and seminars.

A range of useful benefits

• Courses in the UK are generally shorter than many other countries, helping to reduce tuition fees and accommodation costs.
• You might be able to work while you study – find further information at the UK Border Agency (UKBA) and The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) on working during and after your studies.
• There is a lot of a support for international students in the UK. Many course providers have international offices and student societies, activities and academic guidance, plus counsellors and advisers to help you feel welcome and supported throughout your time in UK higher education.

Want to study in the UK? Our guide has all the information you'll need to get started at a university in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
In terms of popularity with international students, the UK lags only behind the considerably larger US. So: what exactly is the appeal of studying in the UK?

UK universities

 

An obvious starting point would be the universities, one of which – the University of Cambridge – you may just have heard of, seeing as it is currently ranked the second best university in the world, according to the 2012/13 QS World University Rankings (it was first in 2010 and 11). You'll also probably know of Cambridge's historic rival, the University of Oxford.
But there’s a lot more to UK universities than just Oxford or Cambridge. Four UK universities currently rank among the world's top 10. There are a total of 30 institutions in the top 200, and 55 in the top 700. A shortage of options, then, will not be an issue for the UK-bound international student.

Living in the UK

But while finding the right university should be very high up on an international student’s checklist, it will not be the only consideration. So what is living in the UK really like?
All four of the UK's constituent states (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) enjoy areas of outstanding natural beauty, and the nation’s storied and colorful past means that there’s no shortage of history – also evidenced in the idiosyncratic customs and traditions you’ll almost definitely encounter. And wherever you’re stationed, the country’s relatively diminutive dimensions mean you can easily hop on a train or in a car (just remember to drive on the left…) and be somewhere completely different in less than an hour.
There’s plenty going on culturally too: the contemporary live music scene is vibrant and varied, London is one of the world’s fashion capitals, and there’s no shortage of higher cultural activities should that be more up your alley.
If you fancy something a little less taxing on the mind, you can embrace the national passion for sport (football, rugby, cricket, boxing, motorsport, and tennis amongst others) or the classic British pastime of just going to the pub. And even the traditionally questionable British cuisine has undergone something of a renaissance in recent years, so you need no longer fear the tough meat and boiled vegetables of yesteryear.