“I dream of studying in the UK”. Millions of students across the globe look for such queries on Google, every second. If you too have been dreaming of studying in the UK, this blog is for you. Read on to know the benefits of studying in the UK.
The United Kingdom is popular worldwide for its historical cities, renowned universities and colleges, ancient and modern scholars, and scenic beauty. Choosing to study in the UK is no less than immersing in an educational tradition that dates back to 1096. But what makes the United Kingdom the most promising study destination? Let us know what are the benefits of studying in the UK.
Benefits of studying in the UK as an International Student
1. Experience the ancient education tradition
One of the major benefits of studying in the UK! There’s no denying that the UK is globally recognised for its educational excellence. Being that, it is the home to 10 of the top 100 universities in the world. The Times Higher Education World Rankings 2018 recognised 3 of the world’s top ten universities to be in the UK. Not only this, but the UK is also honoured to have 32 of the top 200 and seven of the top 50 universities across the world. While universities like Oxford and Cambridge have a centuries-old history, the University of Leeds, University of Liverpool and Kingston University in London hold a global reputation in modern education. (source)
What more? The quality of education in the United Kingdom is entirely government-guaranteed. Strict government standards drive over 162 higher education institutions here. These standards ensure the highest quality teaching, learning, resources and support. To help students know their global credibility, a detailed list of universities in the UK is also published every year. Moreover, academics and employers worldwide recognize the education degrees of UK universities and colleges.
Here’s a list of top 5 universities (as of 2019-2020) in the UK:
- University of Oxford
- University College, London
- Imperial College, London
- The University of Cambridge
- University of Edinburgh
(source)
2. Highest Standards of Education
Delivering world-class education through traditional lectures and modern teaching techniques has been a noticeable aspect of the British education system. This unique approach followed by almost every university in the UK helps encourage independent thinking, self-motivation, and problem-solving skills among the students.
Further, many lecturers working in UK universities and colleges are industry leaders in their fields. So, students studying in the UK can get knowledge under experts’ guidance. It gives them direct exposure to whatever field or industry they are preparing for. Most of the UK universities have industry-relationships with worldly organizations. Hence, students are able to get practical experience in their respective fields. With increased connections and practical experience, students can give their career an edge.
In the past few years, the UK has been prominent (ranked to second) in the fields of science and research. The field-weighted citation impact of the UK is higher than Canada, USA, Germany, Brazil and Japan. So, students studying in the UK have better opportunities to work alongside some of the great minds and use the best technology in the world.
3. Tailor-Made Courses
Another benefit of studying in the UK is students have a wide choice in choosing their field of study. It is like whatever you decide to study, you will find it here. Students can choose from over 150,000 UG and PG courses at various universities and colleges. Moreover, they can merge courses to make a degree program based on their interests and needs. Hence, it is easy to find a course you want to excel or specialize in.
For example, students who are looking for a Master’s course in the UK can opt for a one-year duration for all the Master’s programs. Alternatively, they may also opt for a Master’s course alongside PhD, which can help them save one full year.
Allowing students to combine different subjects into a single course boosts their confidence reducing the burden of cost, time and efforts. PG courses in the UK like a one-year MBA, are comparatively shorter than the USA and Australia. Shorter course and custom-made programs offer several benefits to the students, including:
- Reduced tuition fees.
- Reduced living expenditures.
- Specialization in streams of personal interests.
- Close student-teacher interaction.
- Better value for money
- Real-world opportunities sooner.
4. Work While You Study
A major concern for students studying abroad is managing their expenses. It takes a lot of financial toll on students in getting admission, travelling abroad, finding suitable accommodation and sustaining there till the entire course. Hence, the majority of international students look for countries that allow work while you study and the United Kingdom is no behind. This is another benefit of studying in the UK.
The high economy in the UK allows even international students to apply for part-time job internships and earn while they study. Students can work up to 20 hours a week during their degree. The UK also has a guaranteed minimum wage. This means students can earn £118.00 before tax per week and fund their studies on their own. The UK also allows students to work on a full-time basis during their semester breaks. This work while you study helps students to manage their everyday living expenses and gain industry experience even before completing their degrees.
Students can also consider job internships or placement as part of their degree program. With this, students can work at one of the many internationally acclaimed organizations based in the UK, such as Burberry or BBC.
Another concern for most overseas students is the work permit. Not every student wishes to return to their nation after completing their degree, for varied reasons. Hence, getting a work permit in a foreign country is again challenging. However, with the new Graduate Immigration Route, students can now stay in the UK for 2 years after completing their degree. (source)
5. Affordable Cost of Education
Studying in the UK is substantially affordable than other study abroad destinations such as Australia and the US. Tuition fees in the UK can vary depending upon where you are from, course and institution you opt for. However, it is INR 1,91,000 and INR 2,87,000 cheaper than the United States and Australia. For example, an undergraduate degree in engineering can range from £10,000 to £20,000, a social sciences or humanities degree from £10,000 to £17,000, and so on. (Source)
While the fee structure is entirely based on the programs and university you choose, the shorter course duration in the UK makes it affordable for students, generally. Besides the fees, students do not need much in their banks to apply for a Visa to study in the UK. You also don’t need as much in your bank in order to apply for a Student Visa to study in the UK. It is nearly INR 1,53,000 as compared to Australia and the US. In that, students get a Tier-4 VISA for a full study visa.
The UK education system also offers scholarships specifically to the students from international boundaries, including:
ü Chevening Scholarships –
Available to outstanding students in various areas including media, academia, business and politics. This scholarship funds a one-year Master’s degree. (source)
ü Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships –
Over 900 scholarships and fellowships are available for students of Commonwealth countries. These scholarships aim to help students fund their PG education. (source)
ü Marshall Scholarships for Americans –
The UK Govt. selects 40 graduates from the US and offers this scholarship. The students must have a minimum GPA of 3.7 to be eligible for this scholarship. (source)
6. Affordable Cost of Living
Living in a different country is as challenging as it sounds. Living in a different country is as challenging as it sounds. Students who move to foreign countries face a common struggle. It is often hard for them to find accommodation with all the facilities. Here, the major roadblock they often face is the cost.
Lucky are the students who opt to study in the UK! Most UK universities offer accommodation facilities on rent to international students. Some universities also offer guaranteed accommodation (halls) to the international students for their first year.
However, students can opt to stay in ‘halls of residence’ or ‘self-catered halls’ based on their personal preferences. The former option comprises studio-sized rooms with common kitchen, living and bathroom areas. It also comprises a canteen, which provides three meals a day (at an additional cost). On the contrary, self-catered halls have separate flats with self-catered kitchen and private living and bathroom areas. (source)
International students can also choose to stay off-campus. The average cost of off-campus stay is from INR 10,000 per week to over INR 95000 per month depending on the city and locality. Students can share their accommodation with their friends and classmates to manage their rent. (source)
One cannot ignore transportation and travel costs when it comes to living in a foreign land. However, transportation in the UK is easy and affordable because of a well-connected system. Students can rent a bike or buy a second-hand. Students can also opt for trains at a 30% student discount. Besides, buses are the cheapest means of transport in the UK.
7. Unforgettable Student Life Experience
Snowy mountains, bluebells woodland, laid-back beach living, bustling cities and colourful nightlife – isn’t the UK a place to explore?
Moving to a new country is a life-changing experience, especially for a student. Besides gaining knowledge on subject matters, students get many other insightful experiences. And living in the UK is no different. Getting world-class education, experiencing a multicultural environment can prepare students ready for life.
Starting with daily life in the UK, almost every small and big city here has a good infrastructure with all the necessities. Further, studying in the UK connects you with other parts of Europe. You can travel to London, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland in a matter of hours. As said, public transportation like trains and buses is cheaper for students.
The UK is famous for its multicultural society with a rich heritage and varied culture. Pick any city and you could find a list of masterpieces everywhere. From Buckingham Palace to the Tower of London to Edinburgh Castle and Stonehenge, there’s so much for the students to see and do. Hence, students who study in the UK have various opportunities. They tend to meet new people, discover new places, and experience the heritage and art.
For all these reasons, the UK boasts a high student satisfaction rate with over 90% of 2.32 million students in the UK.
8. Students’ Health on Priority
Benefits of studying in the UK as an International student also covers healthcare facilities. The National Health Service (NHS) offers free medical aid to foreign students studying a full-time course While students have to pay for medicine, this is also covered by the NHS. Students will only have to pay £8.60 per item, irrespective of how expensive it is. (source)
Healthcare benefits come as an advantage for overseas students facing issues in funding their studies. They don’t need to compromise on their necessary expenses to pay their medical bills.
Some other benefits of studying in the UK that might excite you…..
- Studying in the UK is also the best way to improve English language skills. There will be native English speakers around you all the time. You can also associate with international communities in most UK universities.
- The UK also enjoys a strong research infrastructure. It has over 11.6% of citations, 6.4% of global journal articles, and 15.9% of the world’s most highly-cited articles.
- If you get a chance to study in London, you can benefit greatly by visiting the world’s largest library. If not in your university, you will find informational resources here, for sure.
The TakeAway
Getting a chance to study overseas is no less than a blessing. However, studying in the UK is like a dream come true. As seen above, there are numerous benefits of studying in the UK. It will always be a fruitful opportunity for you.
Need help with studying in the UK? Talk with Mind Mine Global – a trusted name in Immigration and Study Abroad Consulting. Reach us at https://mindmineglobal.com/