When a student chooses to study in the UK, then he/she is prepared to enter a competitive atmosphere.
Most top ranking, globally known tertiary institutions are resident in the UK, it therefore doesn’t come as a surprise when most students across the globe choose UK as a study location.
Many UK universities offer programs which lasts for a shorter period (three years for the average undergraduate degree instead of four, and one year for a master’s degree instead of two). This is compared to universities of other countries such as the US (whose average undergraduate programs last four years and master’s program, two).
Do you need more reasons why you should study in the UK?
Here is why.
Table of Contents
Why you should Study in the UK
The UK is a popular location for international studies. Every year, thousands of students make the grand choice to study in the UK and there are several reasons why they choose the UK. Let’s explore a few of them in the listing below,
- International students are allowed to take on paying jobs during the duration of their studies.
- An opportunity to meet and interact with over 200,000 students with diverse cultures who have also chosen UK as a study location.
- UK programs take a shorter duration than those of other nations.
- World class standards in teaching and research in UK universities.
- The availability of different programs for different professions.
- The overall security of the UK’s universities and campuses.
- The warm welcome given to international students and the provision of equal opportunities with locals.
- The existence of tourists locations and sites.
- The stability of UK’s economy.
These are just a few reasons why you should consider to study in the UK.
The UK Educational System
To study in the UK, you will need to explore and understand the country’s education system.
The UK’s educational system consists of a primary education, a secondary education and a tertiary education.
In the UK, parents and guardians are mandated to enroll their children/wards for the primary and secondary school programs.
For these programs, the student runs through the four key stages of education in the UK.
Key Stage 1: The child is enrolled into a primary school program and begins to learn words, writing and numbers. The age grade for this stage is between 5 to 7 years old.
Key Stage 2: At key stage 2, the child completes his primary education and takes a screening that prepares him/her for a the secondary school program. The age grade for this is between 7 to 11 years old.
Key Stage 3: This is the lower secondary education level where the student is gradually introduced to the sciences and the arts. The age grade is between 11 to 14 years old.
Key Stage 4: The child completes the secondary educational program and takes O-level exams based on the sciences or on the arts. The age grade for the key stage 4 is between 14 to 16 years old.
Tertiary Education
After a student completes the secondary school program, he/she may decide to continue with education at the the tertiary level or may decide to begin a career with the education already obtained.
Tertiary education in the UK does not come at a cheap cost therefore not everyone is opportune to continue. Some students actually take loans to continue with the higher educational programs.
However, the cost of studying in the UK is worth it as their universities are some of the highest ranking educational institutions globally.
Requirements to Study in the UK’s Tertiary Institutions
The UK is a popular choice study location for most international students due to the world class standard of education in the nation. Therefore to study in the UK, there are some requirements needed from the international student.
- The student must have completed at least 13 years of education in his/her own country or in the UK
- The student must have taken a pre-university qualifications examination and obtained a degree equivalent to UK A-levels, Scottish Highers or National Diplomas.
- The standard of education from the student’s country has to be in tandem with the global standards.
- Student must have the necessary qualification for the program which he intends to enroll for in the UK.
- The student must have been taught prior programs in English and is able to understand and communicate in English Language fluently.
- To ascertain this, the student may be required to take an English test such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or an equivalent test. These tests examine for the strength of intending students by testing the four language skills; listening, reading, writing and speaking.
- Current visa requirements stipulate that a student must have at least £1,015 (~US$1,435) in the bank for each month he/she plans to stay in the UK.
You can Checkout our Guide on UK university Requirements.
Applying to Study in the UK (How to apply)
To study in the UK, you have to first make sure that you have passed the requirements. If you successfully pass the requirements then you get down to applying to your choice institution. But how do you go about this?
- Decide on University/College and Program to Enroll In
This should be the first thing you do. There are so many awesome universities and colleges in the UK and all you have to do is choose one compatible with your choice program, your talents and the available funds. Before you decide on a University and a program to enroll to, make sure to carry out careful detailed research. This will help guide you in the right path.
Coming to study in the UK is your opportunity to gain the skills, outlook and confidence you need to fulfil your potential. To ensure you choose the course that is right for you and for what you want to achieve it is best to read as much as you can about the range of courses, colleges and universities available and compare them. It is also important to check the course entry requirements. You can do this using the course profiles on the institutions’ websites. If you have any questions, you can contact the university directly, who will be very happy to help you find the information you need.
- Register and Apply
When you have decided on a university to apply into for study in the UK, then you can go ahead to register and apply for your choice program. Here the research you’ve made will come in handy, apply the information you have gotten to write a powerful application. Write an application which they can’t refuse.
- Accept the Offer of Admission
Now you must have received the heartwarming Offer of Admission. You have to accept the offer. Most institutions send out provisional offers therefore you need to read through the terms. If you feel okay with the conditions given, go ahead and accept.
- Apply for Visa
After you have accepted the provisional offer, you are clear to apply for a Tier 4 visa or Student’s Visa. With your Student Visa processed you have completed the application process.
Study in the UK’s Finest Universities
UK has some of the finest universities in the world. Here is a list of some of them;
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- Imperial College London
- University College London (UCL)
- The University of Edinburgh.
Study in the UK’s Best Cities
In addition to having the finest universities, the UK has its universities situated in some of their best cities. Here are some of them;
- London
- Edinburgh
- Manchester
- Glasgow
- Coventry.
Programs/Specialized Areas of Study
In the UK there are vast number of courses to offer. These programs are taught to a professional level. Here are some of them;
- Accounting and Finance
- Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Architecture
- Art and Design
- Biological Sciences
- Building
- Business and Management Studies
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Classics and Ancient History
- Communication and Media Studies
- Complementary Medicine
- Computer Science
- Counselling
- Creative Writing
- Criminology
- Dentistry
- Drama Dance and Cinematics
- Economics
- Education
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- English
- Fashion
- Film Making
- Food Science
- Forensic Science
- General Engineering
- Geography and Environmental Sciences
- Geology
- Health And Social Care
- History
- History of Art Architecture and Design
- Hospitality Leisure Recreation and Tourism
- Information Technology
- Land and Property Management
- Law
- Linguistics
- Marketing
- Materials Technology
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Technology
- Medicine
- Music
- Nursing
- Occupational Therapy
- Pharmacology and Pharmacy
- Philosophy
- Physics and Astronomy
- Physiotherapy
- Politics
- Psychology
- Robotics
- Social Policy
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Sports Science
- Veterinary Medicine
- Youth Work.
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees for study in the UK is about £9,250 (~US$13,050) per year. For international students, the fees are higher and vary considerably, starting from about £10,000 (~US$14,130) up to £38,000 (~US$53,700).
Tuition Fees are largely dependent on the program of choice, a student who is aiming for a medical degree will definitely pay q higher tuition than a student going for a management or engineering degree. Checkout the low Tuition Schools in the United Kingdom.
Read: Cheapest Universities in Europe For International Students.
Scholarships Available for International Students in the UK
There are many scholarships for international students who wish to study in the UK, some of them are listed below;
- Chevening Scholarships – The Chevening Scholarship is a government-funded UK scholarships open to all outstanding students with leadership potential from across the world who wish to study at post graduate level in an accredited UK university.
- Marshall Scholarships – The Marshall Scholarships is a scholarship particularly for high-achieving US students who have chosen to study in the UK.
- Commonwealth Scholarships and fellowships – The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship is a UK funded scholarship offered by member governments of the Commonwealth states to their citizens.
Can I Work while I Study in the UK?
Of course, students are allowed to work in the UK while studying. However, the student is only allowed to take part-time jobs and not full time jobs to enable him/her room for study. You’re allowed to work in the UK while studying, only part-time.
Although students may be allowed to take on part-time jobs, this is also dependent on if your institution is listed as those of which her student can take on a job. Some faculties may not allow their students to take on jobs rather the student is encouraged to take up on paid research in the institution.
In the UK, a student is allowed a maximum of 20 working hours per week and during vacations, the student is allowed to work full-time.
So a student’s eligibility to work during studies in the UK depends on the criteria set by the university and by the state officials.
So what jobs are available for students in the UK?
In the UK, students are allowed to work as a,
- Blogger
- Pizza Deliver Driver
- Brand Ambassador
- Personal Assistant
- Admission Officer
- Sales assistant
- Host at a Restaurant
- Gardener
- Pet caretaker
- Student Support officer
- Customer Assistant
- Freelance translator
- Waitress
- Receptionist
- Sport Facilities Worker
- Software Developer Intern
- Pharmacy Deliver Driver
- Promotional worker
- Enrollment advisor
- Finance Assistant
- Newspaper distributor
- Photographer
- Physiotherapy assistant
- Fitness instructor
- Veterinary care assistant
- Personal Tutor
- Ice Cream scooper
- Residence Guider
- Babysitter
- Smoothie Maker
- Security guard
- Bartender
- Graphic designer
- Bookseller
- Social Media Assistant
- Tour Guide
- Research Assistant
- Waitress at the university cafeteria
- House Cleaner
- IT assistant
- Cashier
- Facilities Assistant.
Challenges Faced while Studying in the UK
There is no perfect location for studies, there are always challenges felt by students in different locations, here are some of the challenges faced by students in the UK;
- Heavy Costs of Living
- Mental Illnesses amongst Students
- High Depression and Suicide Rate
- Substance Abuse
- Sexual Harassment
- Debate on Free Speech and Extreme opinion
- Less Social Interaction
- Some Institutions are not Accredited
- Degree completed in the UK needs to be accepted in home country
- A lot of Information to learn in shorter time.
Conclusion
So you have chosen to study in the UK and you have also realized that it is a great choice.
If you need more information on the UK, engage us in the comment section below. We will gladly be of help.
Good luck as you begin your application process.
