Studying in the UK is a fantastic opportunity, and offers a lot of advantages for both your personal growth and overall career. The UK is known globally for its top-tier universities and excellent education system, as well as its lively cities and beautiful countryside.
The UK has an excellent reputation in terms of academic excellence, shown by some of its leading universities such as those in the Russell Group which are often very high in global rankings.
The UK is famous for having old and very well-respected universities, as well as regularly being one of the top three most popular destinations for international students who want to study abroad.
UK universities are held to strict standards to ensure an excellent quality of teaching that meets international benchmarks. This means that universities are always driven to continually improve - a great thing for students who want to study in the UK!
It also means that the UK’s universities are always working hard to create and grow their links with industry leaders and improve job prospects for their graduates, and they’re continuously innovating their teaching and research methods.
One of the best things about studying in the UK is the shorter length of its courses compared to most other countries. Undergraduate degrees in the UK mostly last around 3 years, whilst some postgraduate degrees can be finished in 1 or 2 years.
This approach means you’ll be able to join the workforce sooner and reduce the overall cost of your time in the UK, and you’ll get an excellent education in the process.
Many international students in the UK are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during the holidays, which lets students apply for valuable work experience while supporting themselves financially.
Of course, you should consider if you have the time available during your studies, but it is a potential option.
If you’re an international student enrolled in a course that lasts more than six months, you’ll be eligible for healthcare provided by the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) thanks to the Immigration Health Surcharge.
After paying the initial fee (£776 per year for students and their dependants) you’ll be covered for all your time in the UK. You’ll also need to register with a general practitioner (GP) in your local area.
The UK has a long and storied history, which has led to people and communities from all over the world to call it home. Larger cities like London, Manchester and Birmingham are chock full of people from various backgrounds and cultures.
Whether you’re looking to find a familiar community or learn about different ways of doing things, the UK is a wonderfully diverse melting pot of cultures, so you’ll have loads of exciting experiences and opportunities for growth for international students.
The UK always has plenty of part-time jobs for students, like working as student ambassadors, tutors and retail staff. This is great if you’re financially supporting yourself, plus you’ll be constantly building soft skills and meeting new people.
There are also a few routes for international students to convert their student visas into work visas in the UK (for example the Skilled Worker visa), so if you want to stick around after your course to you’ll have some good options.
There’s a wide range of financial support on offer to international students from both the UK’s government and individual universities, with hundreds to choose from for both undergraduates and postgrads. Programmes like the GREAT, Chevening, and Commonwealth Scholarships provide the extra help that less well-off international students need access the UK’s fantastic education system.
On average, students living in shared housing can expect expenses, including rent, to range between £1,000 and £1,600 per month. However, if you are going to live in major cities like London you may see costs rise to roughly £2,500 to £3,000 per month, so you’ll need to plan accordingly.
That’s not the whole story though - keep in mind that you’ll be there for one year less than you would when studying in another country. Despite a possibly higher cost of living, it might still work out cheaper than a longer degree!
Having a degree from a UK university can do a lot for your career in the long term, due to its global recognition and the excellent education provided. Also, if you’d like to stay in the UK after your studies, you can apply for a work permit and after meeting the criteria and working for five years, you will have the option of applying for permanent residency.
According to HESA (the Higher Education Statistics Agency), around 89% of international graduates were employed or in further study 15 months after completing their degree in the UK. And the UK government reports that 67% of graduates and 79% of postgraduate students are in highly skilled work, and earn over £10,000 a year more on average than non-graduates.
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