Study in the United Kingdom

1. Four countries in one

The United Kingdom is a sovereign country consisting of four countries, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, each with its own unique history, culture and customs. It’s home to a population of 66 million, 10 million of whom live in the capital, London, and forms a fascinating and diverse country to study and live.

What’s in a name?

The country’s full name is the “United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,” Great Britain being the island on which England, Wales, and Scotland are located. Better known as the UK, it has the ninth largest economy by real GDP. The UK was the first industrialized country and holds substantial economic, scientific, cultural and political influence globally.

2. Exemplary reputation

The UK has one of the longest, proudest educational histories in the world. Four UK universities consistently feature in the top ten world rankings: The University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, and University College London. Many other UK universities also rank highly, including the University of Edinburgh, in Scotland.

Excellent education across the board

The UK has one of the longest, proudest educational histories in the world. Four UK universities consistently feature in the top ten world rankings: the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London and University College London. Many others UK universities also rank highly, including the University of Edinburgh, in Scotland.

3. Research and top-flight MBAs

UK universities are highly respected for their contribution to research, with the UK producing around 15% of the world’s most frequently cited papers. A leader in research fields such as robotics, climate and advanced materials, the UK has a high rate of important international collaboration.

Latest facilities and top academics

When you conduct research at university in the UK, you will have access to state of the art facilities and laboratories. Because of its impressive reputation, the UK attracts the very best researchers from around the globe, providing you with the opportunity to collaborate with the leading academic figures in your field.

Fiber optics, stem cells, the first working computer, DNA, nucleosynthesis, the first cloned adult animal (Dolly the sheep), IVF technology. All these innovations and discoveries happened at universities in the UK, not to mention many others in fields such as law, international relations, engineering, environment, health, and society.

Great MBA opportunities

The UK is home to some of the highest ranked business schools in the world, including the illustrious London Business School.  With more than a dozen UK business schools regularly ranked in the Financial Times Top 100, there are numerous schools throughout the UK to pursue a top-level MBA and build your successful career.

4. Study at Oxbridge

The UK is home to two of the oldest universities in the world, Oxford and Cambridge, collectively known as “Oxbridge”. The two frequently vie for the ranking of the best university in the world – and since 1829 compete annually in a famous rowing race on the Thames simply known as “The Boat Race”.

Oxford, an ancient university

The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world, with teaching taking place as far back as 1096 (that’s not a typo). Around 40% of faculty and students are international, and Oxford has the youngest population of any city in England: nearly a quarter of its residents are students, giving the place a noticeable buzz.

Just an hour outside London, the University of Cambridge is another of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. Founded in 1209, Cambridge is particularly renowned for excellence in mathematics and has educated some of the most famous British scientists throughout history.

Strong statistics and impressive graduates

Today, both universities are modern institutions, attracting the most renowned academics and offering exceptional research opportunities. When you study at Oxbridge, you follow in the steps of numerous world leaders, leading scholars, Nobel prizewinners, Fields medallists and Olympic medallists.

5. Short studies and great work opportunities

Courses in the UK are generally shorter and more intensive than in many other countries, with a typical undergraduate degree taking 3 years (or 4 years in Scotland) while a graduate degree takes 1-2 years. This is a great way to keep the cost of tuition fees and living expenses down, and get your career started fast!

International students are allowed to work for up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time during holidays. Many courses have options for work placements and internships that count towards your degree. Because many leading companies are based in the UK, you can find work that complements your academic studies and boosts your chances of landing a great job after graduation.

6. Experience London

To paraphrase a famous English writer, if you are tired of London you are tired of life. Written more than two centuries ago, these words ring true today: London is a metropolis with global influence in finance, film, fashion, music, and much more.

Top-ranking student city

Consistently ranked as one of the top student cities in the world, when you study in London you will quickly understand why. With loads of accommodation options and a large student population, London is the beating heart of the UK.

Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, London Bridge, and Hyde Park will quickly start to feel like home as you explore this incredibly diverse and energetic city. London offers enough art, music, theatre, and festivals to satisfy even the biggest culture lover.

International hub

London is a center of international finance and trade and home to numerous global company headquarters. This dynamic environment makes it the ideal place to pursue your degree or MBA and transition into a successful high-level career.

7. International student-friendly

More than 25% of the student population in London is international, and generations of foreign students have come to the UK for their education. This means educational institutions are well-versed in welcoming international students and helping you settle into life in the UK.

Free healthcare

If you study in the UK for more than 6 months on a full-time basis, you are entitled to full National Health Service healthcare coverage for free.

The UK is a highly diverse, tolerant and friendly place. You will study alongside people from a wide range of origins, backgrounds and cultures, and feel safe and welcomed. Because of the diversity of UK society, your dietary, religious and cultural needs will be easily met.

Perfect your English

Fluency in English is an essential asset in the international job market, and studying in the UK is the ideal opportunity to learn and refine your English skills.

8. A unique learning environment

The UK is a center of research into education and teaching, which has imbued the university system with great, modern practices. UK universities and colleges combine practical learning with lectures and seminars and embrace innovative teaching methods and high-tech learning environments. Levels of tertiary education vary, offering a wide range of vocational, professional and academic programs to suit all abilities and requirements.

UK universities are known for some strange traditions, including Oxford’s “Time Ceremony”, in which students walk backwards around a picturesque quadrangle drinking port in the early hours of the last Sunday of October, supposedly to maintain the space-time continuum during the time change from British Summer Time to Greenwich Mean Time. These unique and often ancient traditions add fun and depth to your university experience!

9. Scholarship opportunities

If you need help funding your study in the UK, there are hundreds of scholarships, bursaries, fellowships and grants available for students with proven academic success. Depending on your nationality, you may also be eligible for a loan or financial support from the UK government. Should you want to conduct research in the UK, it’s worth looking into science and research funding from the government and private sector.

There are numerous scholarships through individual universities and government-sponsored programs to ensure top students have access to the world-class UK education system. Options include Chevening, Commonwealth, and Rhodes scholarships, as well as nationality and course-specific scholarships. The British Council and individual education institutions have more information on how you can fund your study in the UK.

10. Explore the UK and Europe

Due to its relatively small size, traveling the UK is simple. As a student, you get discounts on the extensive public transport system, making it easy to witness for yourself the beauty of Northern Ireland, explore castles in Scotland and take in a rugby match in Wales.

Witness history

Though it boasts a very modern society, the UK is home to ancient history and culture, with sites such as Stonehenge, the Lake District, Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon as well as the numerous impressive country houses that dot the English countryside.

The UK is a convenient portal to continental Europe, with low-cost airlines connecting many UK cities with destinations all over Europe. If you are keen to explore the multitude of amazing places Europe has to offer, studying in the UK is a great way to make that happen.

Travel with fellow students

Discovering the UK and beyond with fellow students is a great way of meeting friends, and balancing intense academic coursework with social and cultural experiences. By traveling the UK together, you’ll build friendships and make memories to last a lifetime.