With its reputation for academic brilliance, graduate career opportunities, and cross-cultural learning, the UK is regarded as one of the world's top study abroad locations. A total of 485,645 foreign students were enrolled in UK higher education institutions in 2018–19, up from 458,490 in 2017–18, according to HESA statistics. India has enrolled more over 26,000 people, making it the second most popular nation of origin behind China.
There are sixteen UK universities listed in the Global University Employability
Ranking 2019, five of which are located in London and the rest of which are dispersed throughout the
nation.
The nation is home to more than 390 universities and colleges that provide more than 50,000
programs in a wide range of academic areas. The most in-demand sectors include media and communication, social
science, engineering and technology, law, and medical. Out of more than 1,000 institutions worldwide, 84 UK
universities have been listed in the QS World University Rankings 2021. In addition, 14 of the 120 universities
featured in the QS Best Student Cities 2019 are located in the United Kingdom, with London ranking first
globally and Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow, and Coventry following.
Moving to the UK promises an amazing student experience revolving around a rich
diversity of languages, cultures and faiths. It also allows students to dive into its contemporary culture on
world-famous events and holidays, apart from a stunning countryside, vibrant performing arts heritage, fashion
and sport. Not to mention the huge variety of food that the country has to offer.
The flexible nature of the UK education system enables students to select courses that best fit their lifestyle and career goals. Numerous overseas students are pursuing higher education in the UK, providing an opportunity to interact with people from all backgrounds, learn about their experiences, and get fresh insights. Pursuing higher education in the UK has many advantages.
Cost-Effective and World-Class Education: Academic excellence offered by
UK universities has a long-standing reputation that can be traced back to the 11th century. Even today, there
are over 160 universities and institutions in the country, of which 84 are featured in the 2021 QS World
University Rankings. Degrees from these universities are valued across the world, which work best in the future,
no matter which industry or location.
International students in the UK enjoy financial benefits and given
that the duration of a UK degree is less compared to other countries, studying in the country in any way becomes
affordable. Besides that, the country is well known for offering numerous scholarships, grants and bursaries to
students from outside the UK.
Great Work Opportunities: International students in the UK are allowed to
work part-time for up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time outside of term time. They may also do
a work placement as part of their course or take up an internship which goes a long way in developing new
skills, earning money while studying and preparing themselves for the professional world.
The UK government has recently announced a post-study visa or Graduate Route, allowing international
students graduating from Summer 2021 to stay and work in the UK for the next two years.
A Welcoming Student Community: According to the QS Best Student Cities,
14 of UK cities are featured in the top 120, making it one of the top student destinations in the world. Whether
it is Oxford or Edinburgh, each city in the UK guarantees a wholesome and vibrant student community.
Being the second most popular destination for international students, the UK is a multicultural country
where university campuses value diversity and different food, traditions and cultures and interests. This
further leads to unique and new student experiences almost every day.
Affordable Cost of Living: Although this is primarily dependent on the
location and the area one will be shifting to, in general, the UK boasts decent living standards at affordable
prices. Cities such as London, Brighton and Oxford could be a little pricey, but affordable cities such as
Aberdeen, Newcastle and Manchester offer high quality of education and lifestyle.
Healthcare in the UK is usually free of charge for international students and they can also make the most of
student discounts offered on travel, shopping and food to save money.
Gateway to Explore All of the UK: An international student, if chooses to
study in the UK, may easily travel to other parts of the UK and explore its rich culture and history. From
landscapes, inclusive culture, great food, festivals, sporting events, castles and palaces, students will be
able to see more of the UK.
The primary, secondary, university preparation, further education, and higher education sectors make up the UK's educational system. Students in the UK are legally required to attend primary and secondary school from the age of 5 until the age of 16. Based on age groupings or five "key stages," this can be further broken down, according the UK's 1988 National Curriculum:
Some primary schools can be divided into infant and junior levels, which start from the age of five and continue until the age of 11. While the infant level is for those aged between 5 and , the junior level is for children between the ages of 7 and 11.
Secondary education includes the key stage 3 - years 7 and 9, for those
aged between 15 and 16 years old and also the key stage 4 - years 10 and 11, for those aged between 15 and 16
years old. The UK school system, here, requires students to study subjects such as Math, English, Science,
Humanity and a Modern Language along with optional subjects like Art, Music, a Regional Language, Physical
Education, Computer Science, Design Technology.
The key stage 3 can be further divided into junior and senior school- the former from year 7 to year 8 and
the latter from year 8 to year 9. Year 9 is considered quite important under the British school system given
that most students here make the transition from junior to senior school.
In the last two years of secondary education in the UK, students prepare for the General Certificate of
Secondary Education (GCSE) examinations which are taken after two years. Here, students study compulsory
subjects such as English, Math, 2/3 Sciences, History/Geography, Modern Language etc along with other 9 and 12
subjects.
In the UK education system, after secondary education, students can
start a two-year program which leads to Advanced level examinations. University preparation falls under years 12
and 13, when students specialise in three to four subjects relevant to the subject they wish to study at
university level.
Those who would want to study over three to four subjects can continue into more subjects with the
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme offered by independent schools.
Choosing a course of study in the UK depends on your interests, career goals, and academic strengths. Here are some popular and diverse fields of study that you might consider:
In the UK, undergraduate and graduate admissions to all universities are referred to as higher education admissions. Undergraduate courses are often applied for by students using the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, or UCAS as it is more frequently known. In the meanwhile, as graduation requirements vary widely and are specific to each degree, students will typically need to apply to specific universities and courses.
While each university and institution in the UK that offers the course will continue to have its own distinct admissions procedures and requirements, there are some standards and guidelines that apply to all of them. Here are a few of these that have been highlighted:
In the United Kingdom, the academic year is typically divided into three terms, and universities generally have multiple intakes for different programs. The main intakes are:
Understanding the need to financially support themselves
while studying, the UK government permits international students to take up jobs both during their studies and
after. As per regulations, those wishing to work while completing their studies are permitted 20 hours of work
per week, while, those wishing to work after their studies, can do so by applying for the Graduate Route.
As stated above, international students can work while completing their studies in the UK. In fact,
students will be able to take up part-time work while completing their studies or take up full-time work during
their breaks or vacation periods. The type of course and degree students choose to pursue will determine the
number of hours they can work during their term.
For those planning to study in the UK, one of the more crucial steps students need to take is applying for student visas in the UK. Primarily, there are two types of student visas that international students wishing to study in the UK can apply to. Listed below are the common student visas or routes, international students can apply to study in UK.
Student Route: The primary option for students looking to pursue
full-time degree programmes at UK universities, international students can apply for a UK visa if they have been
accepted by a recognised university in the UK. Candidates must submit a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies or
CAS letter along with the visa application to be considered eligible for the same.
Short-Term Student Route: As the name suggests, students will be able to
apply for a study visa in the UK through the Short-term Student Route, if they are planning to pursue an English
course spanning 6-11 months.
Therefore, international students, specifically non-EU international students must satisfy the minimum language and course requirements to apply for the appropriate visa and complete the process as directed.
Other Support Services for International Students in the UK
Universities in the UK give prime importance to student welfare, for
which they have implemented measures, allowing students to reach out whenever they feel stressed or face any
problems. On campus, they may speak to their tutor, student welfare officer or the student’s union in case of
general welfare support.
Besides these, the top support organisations for international students studying in the UK include the Great
British Magazine, UKCISA, Student Minds, British Council, The Student Union (mostly affiliated to the National
Union of Students (NUS), the university’s international office.