Benefit of studying in the UK
Why students choose the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom (UK) is home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities, attracting thousands of students each year from all over the world. Some of the most brilliant minds of this century reside in the country, and they are pioneers in research and development for a variety of fields including science, management, finance, engineering, technology, design, and business.
UniversitiesThe short version
A country that takes teaching seriously
Some of the most capable minds of this century live and work here, leading research and development across science, management, finance, engineering, technology, design and business.
What follows is what students tell us actually made the difference — not a brochure list, but the ten things worth weighing before you commit three years and a great deal of money.
Ten reasons
What the UK offers international students
Each of these has a practical consequence for your time, your money or your prospects after graduation.
Quality education
Most UK universities rank among the best in the world, marked out by academic excellence and research expertise. The academics are among the most experienced anywhere, and the institutions are well equipped — designed classrooms, modern technology and environments built for learning.
Range of course options
You can find almost any course in the UK, including unusual ones. Education is a national priority here and decades of specialisation have produced an enormous spread of programmes. If your professional interests are specific, you will likely find a precise match.
A system that saves you time
Most Bachelor's degrees take three years and Master's degrees one year to eighteen months, depending on subject. If you already hold a higher national diploma, a one-year top-up can complete your degree. Low lecturer-to-student ratios mean closer contact, and most courses combine a core with electives you choose yourself.
Strong research infrastructure
UK research has produced a long list of accolades and underpins technologies in use worldwide. Government and international funding is set aside for research projects every year, and most institutions have infrastructure and systems built around research-led learning.
Scholarships and financial support
If you are resourceful and start early, you may be able to reduce costs through scholarships and financial assistance offered by the UK government and by private bodies. Most are research-based or tied to academic excellence; others are awarded for particular skills or for sport.
Support for international students
Overseas students are welcomed in the UK, and the country has decades of experience hosting them. Numerous support programmes and student societies exist to help you meet people from similar backgrounds and settle in comfortably.
A straightforward student visa
The student visa process is manageable. With your acceptance letter and proof of financial capability for maintenance, the application is less time-consuming and demanding than many students expect.
Permission to work
The student visa commonly allows up to 20 hours of work a week during term time, on or off campus, with fuller hours during holidays. The job market can be competitive in large cities, but work can help cover housing and food.
A multicultural country
The UK is cosmopolitan, with people from every part of the world. Finding a community you feel at ease in is rarely difficult.
Travel while you study
Studying here gives you access to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Weekends and holidays are enough to see a great deal, and trains and buses offer student rates and advance deals.
AdmissionsWhat draws students here
The main elements, in one list
- An education system that is globally recognised and ranked
- Substantial weight given to scientific research across fields
- Flexibility in choosing classes that align with your career goals
- The chance to be taught by some of the world's leading academics
- Student unions offering real support and opportunities to overseas students
- Exposure to many cultures and people from all walks of life
Working and staying on
Your right to work, and what follows the course
During the academic year students are generally permitted to work up to 20 hours a week, and full-time during university vacations and public holidays.
Undergraduate and postgraduate students can apply for a conditional family visa, and spouses of students on Master's programmes have been granted full-time work permission. Graduates of undergraduate and postgraduate courses have been able to apply for a two-year post-study visa, and PhD students for three years.
Next step
Knowing why you want the UK is half the interview
Entry clearance officers ask exactly this question. Read the credibility interview guide next, then bring your answers to us and we will test them.