With a broad range of choice, excellent facilities, and the opportunity to mix with students from lots of countries, the UK will provide you with an experience of studying that you will never forget.
The UK is one of the world’s most popular destinations for international students, second only to the US. The latest figures (for 2003/04) show there were 213,000 international students studying at UK higher education institutions, making up 11% of all full-time undergraduate students and 32% of all postgraduates in the UK. There are many good reasons for this high level of popularity.
World-class opportunities
You can be sure that a UK qualification will be of the highest quality and it will be accepted around the world.
This quality is assured by close monitoring by UK government-appointed agencies: the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, which produces a series of subject reviews that assess the quality of teaching by subject; and the Research Assessment Exercise, which monitors the quality of research carried out by institutions on a regular basis.
It offers choice and flexibility
The thousands of courses on offer and the number of institutions you can study them at can be bewildering. The UK has over 330 higher education institutions, each with their own character and strengths, where you can study a wide variety of programmes – Bachelor’s degrees, postgraduate certificates and diplomas, Master’s degrees, MBAs, PhDs and post-Doctoral research. Many different study routes are open to you in the UK. The system is highly flexible, and you can combine different types of course according to your needs and abilities. Many courses can also be taken through distance learning in your home country. This means that you will easily be able to find something in the UK that’s right for you.
It’s cutting-edge
UK education is also innovative and up to date, and you will have access to good computing facilities, language laboratories and libraries. Students are not simply taught a subject, they learn to think independently. The approach is also personalised. Class sizes are usually fairly small and, in many institutions, students are assigned a personal tutor, who provides tailored academic guidance. A UK qualification shows employers that you will have the ‘soft skills’ that they are increasingly looking for, including having confidence and being able to think effectively, creatively and for yourself.
It’s the home of English
By studying in the UK, you will have the opportunity to truly immerse yourself in the English language. This will give you a depth and confidence in speaking English, as well as exposure to UK industry and culture, and give you an advantage when it comes to job-hunting back home.
It’s cost-effective
Fees for students from all European Union (EU) Member States are the same in the UK, currently set at up to £1,175 a year. They are higher for students from outside the EU, ranging from £6,250 to £20,000 a year, depending on the type of course. Average living costs for an international student are typically £768 per month in London (the most expensive part of the UK) and £600 per month elsewhere.
This represents good value for money, as it only takes a minimum of three years to complete a UK first degree and a minimum of one year to complete a Master’s programme – compared with four years and two years respectively in most other countries. This means that you will be able to save more on both tuition fees and living costs by studying in the UK. Often, if you have completed a BTEC Higher National Diploma, you may only need to complete one year of study to complete your degree.
You will also be able to save some money as a student: you will probably be eligible for free UK National Health Service treatment and for discounts on travel, entertainment, books, study equipment and many other things through your Students’ Union.
You should be able to get help with your finances, as both the UK government and UK institutions are keen to attract international students. UK institutions offer many scholarships and bursaries to international students. You can also earn some supplementary income: international students in the UK can now work up to 20 hours a week when studying, and full time during vacations. However, this can be subject to certain conditions, so it is best that you check with the institution that you are applying to that part-time work while you're studying will be ok.
Taking care of your needs
UK institutions are very experienced in looking after the needs of international students. Many institutions have built up an elaborate support network, including arranging for you to be collected from the airport on arrival, offering you guaranteed accommodation in your first year, dedicated international offices, international student societies, planned social activities, academic support, counsellors and advisers. The system works: the UK has one of the lowest ‘drop-out’ rates (the number of students who leave before the end of their course) in the world.
You’ll have a great time
You will discover that many UK institutions have social and recreational, as well as academic, facilities for their students, including restaurants/cafés, pubs/bars, lounges and sports facilities. On top of this, a huge variety of events take place on campus. Many activities are arranged by the Students’ Union and are arranged by student clubs and societies. Work is very much balanced at UK institutions by play and extra-curricular activities, making it one of the most enjoyable experiences of your life.
Lots to see and do
The UK is made up of three different nations and a province: England, Scotland, Wales and the province of Northern Ireland, each with their own distinctive cultures and histories.
The national air, rail, coach and bus networks will get you almost anywhere in the UK, so a car will not be needed, and there’s a lot to see and explore, including beautiful historic cities, hundreds of national parks, historical sites, stately homes and other attractions.
The UK is a tolerant and multicultural society, thanks to its global links that have resulted in many diverse groups of people deciding to live there. There is always something going on, as UK people like to get together and enjoy themselves. All large towns and cities have theatres and art galleries, and big sports events that take place regularly. You will find pubs and restaurants everywhere.
Look out for annual events such as the Notting Hill Carnival, the Wimbledon tennis championships and the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Edinburgh, which are complete with singing, dancing and firework displays.
The UK is also a gateway to Europe through the Channel Tunnel, cheap flights and ferries. It is easy to add a continental European dimension to your UK experience, as the great cities of Europe aren’t far away – where you will find lots more to see and do.
Whatever you require, you can be sure the UK will be able to supply it.