Each year, the United Kingdom accepts almost 500,000 international students, providing global education, a suitable study atmosphere, and a wonderful location to dwell. With prominent names like Oxford University and Cambridge University, the UK is really only next to the United States in terms of the finest universities worldwide. Studying in the UK allows students to advance their careers by developing their skills, knowledge, critical thinking, and connections.
Education System in the UK
If you choose to study in the UK, you will also have access to a wide variety of benefits, including academic excellence, internationally known certifications, a vibrant campus culture, extensive research & innovation, and countless employment opportunities. For those of you planning to study in UK, here's a look at the educational system to give you a better idea of how to approach your academics.
- Primary education
- Secondary education
- Higher education
These are the basic components of the UK education system. Once a student hits the age of 16, they can begin a 2-year program leading to A (Advanced) level exams in the UK education system. Students commonly specialise in 3 or 4 subjects that are related to the degree subject they want to pursue at university. A levels are state examinations that are accepted by all UK universities as well as other institutions across the world.
As an alternative to private education, international students can attend a public sixth form college or a college of further education. Both provide GCSE and A level programmes to students as young as 16 years old. Basic and diploma courses are also available at colleges of further schooling. All colleges can help students prepare for university admission to study in the United Kingdom.
Why Study in The UK?
- Work While Studying
During the semester, students can work approximately 20 hours per week part-time and full-time even during summer holidays. This allows them to pay off their debts while still acquiring valuable business experience in their chosen field. One of the key reasons that students should study in the United Kingdom is because of this. The United Kingdom has recognised the high housing costs for overseas students and has accordingly offered them several options for managing their daily living expenditures while pursuing their education. The United Kingdom (together with the United States) is an expensive place to study. Almost every other student studying in the UK for international students requires a student loan.
- Shorter Course Duration
While an undergraduate programme can be completed in three years, a graduate programme can be completed in just one year. This not only saves you time but also takes a great deal of money on tuition and student accommodation. Why study in the United Kingdom, you might wonder? The shorter course time is one of the finest responses to this question. Courses in the UK education system are often shorter and more rigorous than those offered elsewhere in the globe.
- Health Benefits For Students
For university courses in the UK, students will be expected to pay a modest International Health Surcharge to receive this benefit (IHS). Another benefit to study in the UK institutions is that all overseas students enrolled in an approved UK university are eligible for free medical treatment through the National Health Service (NHS).
- Explore Other Countries While Studying
This allows students to broaden their perspectives by visiting various nations and learning about diverse cultures. Students can travel to different countries while studying in the UK because airports are open 24 hours a day. Students who study in the United Kingdom have easy access to major European nations such as France, Spain, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
Top Universities And Global Ranking
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Cambridge, United Kingdom
Cost Of Living
£ 19,896
£ 9,917
#3
Cost Of Living
£ 19,896
£ 9,917
#2
The University of Cambridge, founded in 1209, is a historic institution that has earned a reputation as one of the world's most distinguished universities. The university, located in the charming city of Cambridge, England, has a long history of academic excellence and creative progress. One reason for its popularity is the quality of its research and teaching. Cambridge has a world-renowned reputation for its research, with numerous Nobel Prize winners and world-class research institutes. The university also has a strong commitment to teaching, offering students a challenging and supportive learning environment.
Cambridge is also well-known for its academic rigour and selective admission process, attracting the brightest and most motivated students from around the world. Some notable alumni of Cambridge include Stephen Hawking, Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton, John Maynard Keynes, and Alan Turing. The University of Cambridge is made up of 31 colleges, each of which has its own unique character and traditions. These colleges provide a supportive and social community for students, as well as accommodation and dining facilities.
Naturally, given that it's considered to be one of the best universities in the world, the admissions process is highly selective. The University of Cambridge's acceptance rate is just 23%.
Cambridge offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in a variety of subjects, including arts, humanities, sciences, and engineering. Some of the most popular courses at Cambridge include Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Economics, and History. In addition to traditional academic programs, Cambridge also offers a number of interdisciplinary programs and research opportunities. For example, the university's Institute of Continuing Education offers a variety of part-time and online courses for adult learners.
Some of the colleges at the University of Cambridge include:
- Trinity College
- St John's College
- King's College
- Jesus College
- Gonville and Caius College
- Magdalene College
- Clare College
- Christ's College
- Pembroke College
- Queens' College
These colleges offer a supportive and social environment for students, as well as accommodation and dining facilities. The colleges also play a role in the admission process for students to the University of Cambridge, with some colleges having specific subjects or academic requirements for admission.
London, United Kingdom
Cost Of Living
£ 22,932
£ 15,500
#7
Cost Of Living
£ 22,932
£ 15,500
#4
Imperial College London is a global leading university with a worldwide standing for teaching and research excellence. Imperial, which is consistently ranked among the world's greatest universities, is dedicated to creating the next generation of researchers, scientists, and academics via cross-disciplinary collaboration. The university is a multifunctional venue for teaching, research, translation, and commercialisation that harnesses science and innovation to address global concerns.
One of the most distinguishing features of an Imperial education is the opportunity for students to join a community of world-class scholars. Imperial University is well renowned for its cutting-edge and internationally influential research. It is one of the world's most international institutions, with 59 per cent of its student body being non-UK nationals and more than 140 nationalities represented on campus. The College's faculty and staff, like its students, come from a variety of cultural backgrounds, ethnicities, and experiences.
Oxford, United Kingdom
Cost Of Living
£ 14,911
£ 14,410
#2
Cost Of Living
£ 14,911
£ 14,410
#1
The University of Oxford is a research university located in Oxford, England. It is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and has a reputation for academic excellence. The founding year of the university is not clear although historians have found teaching evidence as early as 1096. It flourished fast when Henry II forbade English scholars from applying to the University of Paris in 1167. Oxford is a component of the Russell Group, the G5, the League of European Research Universities, and the International Alliance of Research Universities. It is also a founding member of the Europaeum and a member of the "golden triangle" of highly regarded English institutions.
The university comprises thirty-nine colleges, five permanent private halls, and a variety of academic departments divided into four divisions. Each college is a self-governing organisation inside the university, having its own membership and internal structure and activities. The University of Oxford’s acceptance rate is 17.5% and has a total student population of more than 26,000 as of 2022 data.
The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programmes and is particularly known for its strong programmes in humanities and sciences. The University of Oxford courses is known for their research excellence and innovation divulging more than 350 such areas in all. The faculty here is world-known and has more than 10,000 members under its umbrella.
Oxford has produced a diverse spectrum of prominent graduates, including 30 British prime leaders and several heads of state and government from throughout the world. As of October 2022, 73 Nobel Prize laureates, four Fields Medalists, and six Turing Award winners had studied, worked, or had visiting fellowships at Oxford, and its graduates have won 160 Olympic medals.
London, United Kingdom
Cost Of Living
£ 22,932
£ 9,800
#8
Cost Of Living
£ 22,932
£ 9,800
#3
University College London is one of the world's major multidisciplinary institutions, with over 11,000 personnel and 39,000 students from 150 different countries. It was founded in 1826 in the centre of London and was one of the two foundation institutions of the University of London. UCL was the first institution in England to admit students of any faith and the first to admit women on equal terms with males. UCL's commitment to world-class research, teaching, and innovation is reflected in its top seven global rankings. UCL was ranked first in the UK for research strength in the most recent Research Excellence Framework.
University College London commitment to world-class research, teaching, and innovation is reflected in its top seven global rankings. UCL was ranked first in the UK for research strength in the most recent Research Excellence Framework.
Manchester, United Kingdom
Cost Of Living
£ 17,472
£ 7,667
#27
Cost Of Living
£ 17,472
£ 7,667
#6
This public research university is part of the well-established Russell Group of universities. The university came to fruition in the year 1824 as the Mechanics' Institute, a place for workers to get educated on the basics of science. Over the years, a lot of changes and a merger with another university took place, which finally led to the culmination of the present University of Manchester.
The University offers courses in undergraduate, graduate, diploma certificates and doctoral research with over 40,000 students. Due to the university’s strong affinity towards research, there are numerous state-of-the-art facilities and equipment at one’s disposal. The University of Manchester acceptance rate is 56% which makes it a viable choice for many students.
Students from around 160 countries are part of the University of Manchester. The rich culture and diversity in this university give it a homely feeling for many international students. The student’s union welcomes students with multiple clubs and organizations. Sports associations are a big part of this university with amenities to support many different types of sports and it is handled by the Sports Union. The victorian style architecture and the lush spaces can be a delight to the students present.
The surrounding city is also a pleasant and mildly populated place. Students can rely on good connectivity all across the place with frequent buses. There are a lot many pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants to enrich the social battery of a student. Manchester will deliver a good blend of diversity to cater to every specific interest.
Available courses to study
Engineering, science, art & design, business & management, law, and finance are just a few of the fields in which the UK is a global leader. Also, a master's degree in the UK is considered one of the best. It is a destination to be, particularly for many of the world's top minds, because of its history and tradition as a hub for scientific study. In fact, despite having only 1% of the worldwide population, the UK is accountable for 8% of all scientific publications.
This is a highly competitive field, with courses such as medication and dentistry specifically getting the largest number of applications in the UK. MBBS and BDS courses to the side, colleges in the UK offer a broad range of diversified medical and pure sciences courses, also giving students the opportunity to do research projects. The degrees presented in the UK include veterinary science, science, organic chemistry, physical science and numerous others. UK universities give medical students practical exposure along with the opportunity to get into internships and gain relevant experience.
Students who are looking forward to pursuing forensic and cybersecurity courses in the UK get to work around the most recent technologies and scientific innovations and follow the best practices in protecting digital infrastructure. There are several highly-ranked universities in the UK offering forensic and cybersecurity courses to students, equipping them with modern tools and methodologies. Newcomers and practitioners from all over the world come to universities in the UK to pursue this course and get an in-depth understanding of the necessary concepts along with the skills required to kickstart their career.
Universities in the UK have an excellent reputation for teaching and learning when it comes to mathematics and physics courses. Project dissertations, cutting-edge research areas, and group projects with an industrial partner are only a few of the perks of pursuing this course in the UK. The first two years of study give introductory concepts to mathematics and physics and helps students understand the connection between the two subject areas. In the third year, most UK universities give students the freedom to choose from a broad range of relevant units to focus on what interests them the most.
Agriculture courses in the UK have gained popularity and in 2015 the UK government officially declared it the fastest-paced subject. An agricultural degree at a UK university is not only for those only interested in husbandry but also for those interested in biosciences, economics and supply chain operation. This degree covers a broad range of units including agriculture science, agribusiness, future trading and farm engineering. Studying agriculture at a UK university will equip you with a solid base on issues that affect farming now and in the near future, preparing you for employment or further study.
FAQs
Yes the 10+2+3 Indian system of education is acceptable in all universities in the UK
Yes, degrees from UK institutions are accepted worldwide and known for their quality of education.
All students with Tier 4 visas are allowed to work for 20 hours per week during an ongoing session and full-time during vacations. Doctorate students can work full-time throughout the year.
If you’re 16 or 17 years old and applying for the Tier 4 (General) student visa, you must have written consent from your parents/guardians that you can live and travel independently along with the details of your guardian in the UK. Your UniScholarz counsellor will help you with the same when you apply for your student visa.
