Are you searching for a high-quality education but aren’t sure where to look? Do you want to study in a dynamic setting with a unique and storied culture? Then look no further than the United Kingdom! With a history of academic excellence spanning over a thousand years, the UK boasts some of the best Universities in the world, and some of the best opportunities for international students. Regardless of what your educational and career goals are, a degree from the UK will put you on the fast track to success. Whether you go for a STEM degree or discover the world through the arts, whether you’re an undergrad or a grad student, you will find exactly what you are looking for and perhaps a bit more.
1. Travel
Studying abroad is popular with students because it affords them the chance to travel. The UK boasts many attractions to satisfy anyone’s wanderlust. From the city of London to the White Cliffs of Dover, from the Lochs of Scotland to the quaint English countryside, you will have plenty to see and do. The UK has one of the best tourism infrastructures in the world and you can easily access any part of the island nation during your studies. Your Instagram will thank you for it. Another benefit of traveling and studying abroad is that it looks good on your CV or resume. The world around is becoming smaller and smaller thanks to globalization and potential employers will value more unique perspectives and mindsets. The UK is also very well internationally connected via flights from one of London’s many airports, and international travel is easy whether you want to go to see the rest of Europe, Africa, or pretty much anywhere else in the world. There are commonwealth countries all over the globe and they all have frequent travel connections with one another. Even if you decide to stay in the country for the duration of your studies, you certainly will not run out of things to do and places to see.
2. Quality
The UK has one of the highest standards for education globally, with many schools having traditions of excellence that have been going on for centuries. Oxford, Cambridge, and Edinburgh are some names you might recognize, but there are many more all worth your time. There is a certain prestige that comes from having an Education regardless of which school you decide to attend. The type of prestige a potential employer will be sure to notice. The island is famous for traditions of academic excellence that have been going on for almost a thousand years. The caliber of this highly sought after hub of academia is evident by the percentage of Nobel Laureates (38%) that decide to make the UK their desired destination for teaching and research. This standard of excellence that has become synonymous with the country is measured by factors such as research citations, quality of publications and facilities, and overall living conditions. Many top 100 global university rankings are filled with schools from the UK, many of them being in the top 10. According to the Times Higher Education World University rankings, 28 of the top 200 universities are in the UK. When you consider that the country only has about .9% of the global population, but produces 15.2% of the world’s cited research, it is hard not to be impressed. To top it all off, according to a 2017 report done by the Universities UK International, the UK has the highest ranking of international student satisfaction among English-speaking countries. As recently as 2022, the QS world university rankings cited that 16% of the best universities in the world are in the UK.
3. Culture
The UK has abundant cultural diversity and can offer you a wide variety of perspectives. The country itself consists of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, each with its own unique history and traditions. Beyond that, the UK has a lot of ethnic diversity thanks to its former colonies. 7% of the entire population is Asian or British Asian, and 3% is Black or British Black. It may not sound like much but that’s millions of people from all over the world with different backgrounds and cultures. Studying and living abroad is a completely different experience from simply visiting the place as a tourist. It is said that in order to truly understand a place, you need to see it in all weather and in all seasons. In order to understand a culture, you need to be able to get to know the people not just as a fleeting acquaintance but in a genuine everyday way. It will definitely help to be able to pick out where the best place for coffee is or which tourist traps to avoid in a new city. You can even sample the “national dish” and try some chicken tikka masala, or explore some of the best museums and art institutions in the world. Having such an in-depth knowledge of other people can also help with your people skills and make you a more viable candidate in job searches. The kingdom is also a major hub for pop culture, and will definitely have something to fit your tastes. Whether you are a fan of Harry Potter, Bridgerton, Game of Thrones, Beatles, whatever. There are so many places to explore in the UK that fans from all over the world flock to each year. So if you want to meet the Queen or Mr. Bean, you will definitely be in the right place.
4. Range of Courses
No matter what it is you want to study, you will be able to find a program that fits your interests. Whether you want to study science, medicine, business, or arts, the UK will absolutely have whatever it is you’ll want to study. With such an expansive and diverse range of fields, a university degree from anywhere in the country can be highly beneficial wherever your career path may take you. Students also have the option to study part-time or full-time. Depending on the University you can also receive combined degrees, top-up degrees, conversion courses, and integrated degrees. You can also explore internships, work placement, volunteer positions, and university societies while you study. England has a long tradition of academic excellence, and as a result, they also have a tremendous breadth of academic excellence. Any subject imaginable that you want to study will be available to you. Did you know that the UK has 137 Nobel Prize winners, the second-most of any nation right after the U.S.?
5. Range of Locations
With over 150 accredited institutions of higher learning, students have an abundance of opportunities to choose from. For example, if you want that classic Metropolitan experience, you could study in London. Want to get away from the noise and crowds of the city? Study at Cumbria or Exeter and get yourself outdoors. The United Kingdom is a diverse place with lots of things to see and do. You could visit the Loch Ness or Stonehenge and come up with your own conspiracy theories. Or you could visit the coasts at Norfolk or the White Cliffs of Dover. Wherever you decide to study, you’ll be only a stone’s throw from many world-famous sites, but don’t forget about the rest of Europe. Destinations like Madrid, Venice, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Paris (to name but a few!) are only a few hours away by plane from the UK. You will have an entire continent to explore all within reach. The UK has also partnered up with many institutions in Europe and beyond. So while you’d be getting a degree from the UK, you could also spend a semester on the complete opposite side of the world. It’s like a study abroad experience, within a study abroad experience! If you decide to pursue a degree in the UK you will definitely not be short of options.
6. Job opportunities
Having a degree from one of the many accredited and distinguished universities will grant you a competitive edge over other potential candidates. Employers are always looking for the best and the brightest, and a degree from the UK will put you at the front of the line and show employers that you are a dedicated and persistent applicant. Whether it’s a bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D., a degree from the UK will be respected all over the world. Better yet, once you have the degree, no one can take it away from you. Studying in the UK might be a bit expensive, but it would also lead to the kind of high-paying jobs people go to college for in the first place. The UK is one of Europe’s leaders in employable graduates according to the QS Graduate Employability Rankings. In 2020, fourteen schools ranked in the top 100 and seven of those schools ranked in the top 50. The UK is one of the leaders in international business and finance, so there will definitely be opportunities if you sniff around a little. The country also has a new work-visa policy that allows students to work in the United Kingdom for two years after they graduate. There is an abundance of long-term work opportunities that will surely come your way if you get a degree from anywhere in the UK.
7. Short courses
In most countries, it takes four years to complete a bachelor’s degree program, and two years to complete a master’s. However, in the UK, it only takes three years to complete a bachelor’s and one year for a master’s. Such a quality education in a fraction of the time is a tremendous opportunity. The sooner you are finished with school the sooner you can get set out into the world with your degree and make the changes you want to see. This will also give you the opportunity to have more time to travel and invest in the things you want to invest in. Time is the most valuable resource we have and a year gained is indeed precious. College is an important time in a person’s life but it is merely a stepping stone to a greater purpose. After graduation, you will be able to do what’s most important to you. Whether you want to start a career or a family, or even if you aren’t sure what you want to do, having that extra time is invaluable
8. Financial benefits
Universities offer a large variety of scholarships and grants to help you financially when you study. This allows students to help with the cost of tuition, housing costs, or other living expenses. Students in the UK are also eligible to work for up to 20 hours a week. Being able to support yourself while studying will give you a huge advantage by allowing you to stay out of debt. Like many European countries, the UK can get quite expensive! In large cities like London or Manchester, the cost of living is exceptionally high, but there are many more affordable places to live where rent and transportation aren’t so high. The UK also offers an abundance of bursaries or money given to students in need of financial aid. The amount of a bursary is determined by the monetary needs of the student as well as the academic performance. The scholarship opportunities vary from school to school, but some scholarships are also provided by the government. In the 2018/2019 school year, the government provided over thirteen million dollars in scholarships to hundreds of applicants. These scholarships were offered to a broad range of subjects at both the undergraduate and post-graduate levels. Financing for international students is becoming more widely available with each passing year. The United Kingdom is still an expensive country, but studying in the United States is even more expensive. The British government puts a limit on how much students pay for University tuition, and there is also a different cap for international students. This makes the country a far cheaper place to study than many other countries with such a high quality of education.
9. Healthcare and safety
If you are a student in the UK, you may qualify for National Health Service (NHS) coverage. No one plans on ever getting sick or injured, but you always want to make sure you are covered in the event of an emergency. Be sure to talk to the University physician about coverage.International students do not need international medical coverage if they have a student visa while in the UK. Both the physical as well as mental health of the international students are of tremendous concern to the Universities, and you can rest easy knowing you will be taken care of. At many institutions, you also have the option to register online. If you are feeling unwell there are many people and institutions designed to help you such as student welfare councils. Not only that, but the UK is a safe country where international students can feel comfortable. Being away from home can be pretty intimidating sometimes, but Universities go to great lengths to provide safe and stable environments for all of their students. Studying abroad under the care of an academic institution is a much less terrifying way to immerse yourself in a new place. Also important to your health is the overall quality of life, and London is one of the highest-ranking cities in the world. Students benefit tremendously from the diversity, desirability, affordability, and employer activity that London offers.
10. Become Independent
- Heading out on your own is one of the most important steps in becoming a well-adjusted adult, and studying abroad is one of the best opportunities to do so. Being in a different land and experiencing a different way of life can be daunting, but studying at a University can give you a place to be and a purpose and help find your footing in a new situation. Being in a family can be tough, and leaving to study abroad will give you a chance to get away, but this time apart also allows you to strengthen the relationship with your family. The things that annoyed you about living with your family will start to pale in comparison to how much you miss them. The good memories will take the place of the daily grievances, and you’ll start to appreciate your relationships more. When you do come back, your connection with your family will be stronger than ever. It is also likely that your other relationships with your friends will grow as well. Heading out on your own can give you the solidarity you need to take stock of what is really important to you and help you to appreciate the small things in life.
Conclusion: It is clear to see that there really is no better place to get your degree than in the United Kingdom. Only here can you get a comprehensive education as well as an unforgettable life experience. You can master the English language while making life-long friends along the way. You can dive deep into a new culture and new land in a way you could never achieve by just being a tourist. Where else could you acquire such a high-quality education in such an accessible and affordable way? The opportunities in the UK are abundant, and once you have a degree those opportunities will begin to find you. The kinds of desirable and lucrative opportunities that you went to the UK for in the first place. Study what you want to study and go explore the country the way it was really meant to be seen. Set yourself apart from the crowd and do something unique and worthwhile. You’ll see amazing new things and meet many interesting new people, and experience one of the most interesting and storied countries in mankind’s history. Studying abroad is an opportunity to get out and explore a different world. You don’t just go for an education, you go for the journey. There are always a million reasons not to take a risk and not take the big leaps, but variety is the spice of life, and switching it up and studying in a foreign country can be the opportunity of a lifetime. This is the kind of opportunity that only comes once in a lifetime. Live the life that you want to live and consider studying abroad and getting your college education in the United Kingdom.
