United Kingdom has traditionally been known for its world class education and attracting students from all over the globe. UK is ranked among the top 3 destinations worldwide, be it for undergrad, postgrad or PhD. The universities in UK have long enjoyed a sterling reputation for academic excellence and in recent years friendlier immigration policies and visa changes have made it an even more attractive destination for students wanting to pursue higher studies abroad. Let’s take a look at the top 7 reasons that make UK a top study abroad destination.
1. Quality of Education
16 of the world’s top 100 universities are in the UK according to the QS World University Rankings 2023. Four among these, figure in the global top 10. UK universities are inspected on a regular basis by The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and are also rated by the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and Research Excellence Framework (REF). University league tables display all of this information publicly and students can apply with confidence that they’re signing up with a university proven for its academic excellence.
2. Wide range of academic courses
With over 395 individual universities and colleges offering 50,000 undergraduate courses, UK offers some of the most diverse subjects to choose from. The vast array of options, makes it possible for students to opt for various disciplines, be it politics, journalism, physics or sociology, to find a course which is best suited for their interest and ability.
Also, students can opt for specialised degrees even at the undergraduate level, which is ideal in a situation where they don’t want to wait for a postgraduate degree for specific specialization. In case a student is not decided on ‘a’ particular subject, he/she can combine subjects to study joint or triple-honours degrees.
3. Support for International Students
There are two organizations of repute that support international students on various aspects of studying in UK, in figuring out which university would be ideal for them or even in helping them apply to the university, and equip them with the right information and knowledge to be ready for their stay in UK. The other organization that helps students apply to institutions across the UK is Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.
The country has immense focus on student well-being and mental health. The university hall of residence is where most first year students live; this helps them find like-minded friends and settle quickly. UK universities have flourishing pastoral care and sports clubs, and run full-fledged student mental health support services. Students are invited to pay a healthcare surcharge for NHS services of around £450 a year, and that gives them unrestricted access to the UK’s world-leading health service.
Universities also have offices set up specifically to address international students’ needs – all solutions about tuition, housing, and academic support can be sought at this office. One can even contact this office before applying to a university.
4. Work Opportunities
UK allows international students to work up to 20 hours a week during school term, and up to full-time when school is out of term. Rules keep changing frequently and it is advisable to check with the international advisor at the university before starting any work.
There are Career Services team with every UK university that offers support to students throughout the year, advising them on making impressive resumes, looking for right jobs and preparing for interviews. Prominent cities and universities hold Graduate Recruitment Fairs, which have reputed companies scouting for talent from across the globe. These companies carry out on the spot recruitments.
International bachelor’s and master’s students can apply for a 2-year visa and be able to stay for 2 more years after graduation. This provides a great opportunity for fresh graduates to find work and begin their careers in UK.
5. Scholarships
UK offers a host of scholarships and applying for any of these would need careful research. These scholarships are offered by the government, universities and some private trusts. The financial aid may be fully or partly paid and largely depends on criteria, course and the university. Some of the popular scholarship options include:
- Great Scholarship
- Charles Wallace India trust
- Hornby Scholarships
- Commonwealth Scholarships & Fellowships Plan
- Scotland Saltire Scholarship
- Goa Education Trust (GET) Scholarship
6. Shorter duration to complete degrees
An undergraduate degree in the UK takes 3 years to complete as opposed to the US where it takes 4 years. A master’s degree usually takes 1 year in UK while in US it takes 2 years. Studying in UK thus enables you to graduate sooner and save the expenditure on accommodation and tuition fees.
7. Worldwide Recognition of UK degrees
Just like UK universities are known the world over for their quality of education, degrees and qualifications from UK higher education institutions are recognised as top class across the world. British universities are recognized for their creative and challenging environments that help students gain not just academic knowledge but also help them hone their practical and critical thinking skills. Anyone with a degree from a UK university is seen as someone who has been mentored to meet new-world challenges in the modern workspace, equipped as they are with the necessary skills and training from their time at the university.
Conclusion
Apart from the above mentioned reasons, UK offers a great multicultural community. There are people from all over the world living in UK. It offers great tourism opportunities with its cosmopolitan cities and quaint villages and towns. For Indians, English fluency works to your advantage. And last but not the least the multi-cultural community at the university helps students bind lifelong connections with professionals across the globe. UK makes for a great choice to pursue one’s undergrad studies for more reasons than one.