The UK and its universities have an undisputed reputation for academic excellence and quality with thousands of courses available for students, as well as being an ideal destination for many decades for over a million international students from all over the world.

The academic benefits are probably the main reason why studying in the UK could be the best decision you can take in your life. If you decide to get your education in the UK, your degree will be recognized and respected, no matter where you end up being employed. The education will provide you with a solid foundation and boost your potential for having a higher salary and finding exactly the job you want.

Every British university is recognized worldwide for having creative and challenging environments that help their students push themselves to the extreme. Their standards are incredibly high, and year after year, the universities are tested for how well they are meeting modern challenges.

The UK is quite a unique country because it possesses a unique culture. Thousands of families from around the world have decided to live in the UK, which gives it a rich, multicultural atmosphere that you cannot find anywhere else in the world.

Every year, over 200,000 international students decide to study only in England, while the number of them choosing to study in the UK is even bigger. In the UK you’ll encounter a diverse community. You’ll get to mix and meet people throughout the world, and your experience will be even richer because of being able to interact with so many different types of people. You’ll get insights into other countries and cultures, and learn a lot more than you may have been able to in your home country.

Why study in United Kingdom?

With traditions of excellence dating back hundreds of years, high class institutions on every corner, and much more flexibility than many other countries, the United Kingdom has much to offer international students that other English-speaking countries cannot.

1. World renowned universities 

Degrees from UK higher education providers are respected around the world, and the choice of subjects you can study is extensive. A degree from any British university will look great on a CV, and when looking for work in the future, no matter the industry and the location, having a qualification from the UK will be a great selling point. 

British higher education providers are recognised internationally for their creative and challenging environments, that help push students to be their best. Their standards are highly regarded, with experts on many academic topics, and they're generally high in internationally university rankings.

The British higher education system has been the basis for higher education standards around the world for a long time, with revolutionary teaching styles and modern facilities.  

2. The UK is multicultural 

The UK is a multicultural country and is also immensely popular with international students. In fact, the UK is the second most popular destination for overseas students in the world.

This diversity means our campuses are alive with different cultures. You can mix with people from around the world and learn so much more than just what you are studying on your degree. 

3. The UK Is the Gateway to the Rest of Europe

If you want to travel Europe, the UK is the place to be. In the United Kingdom alone, you can travel to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland and learn about the different backgrounds and lifestyles in each country. Public transportation makes it simple to travel the entire United Kingdom and take in the sights and sounds. As a student, you can receive special rates for transportation when you buy monthly passes.

Those same public transportation routes can be utilized to reach the rest of Europe. The Chunnel (English Channel Tunnel) can take you right into mainland Europe within a day. You can obtain public transportation passes for the countries close to the UK, and you can explore wherever you want on the continent. Just make sure you have the necessary paperwork to do so (passports), and take the time you’ll have on weekends and long breaks in order to take in the sights and sounds of the rest of mainland Europe.

4. Brilliant work opportunities 

Generally, an international student can work up to 20 hours a week during term-time, and ten hours when school is out. This allows students to take on a part-time job or an internship, to learn new skills and earn money while studying.

Your university may even help you secure an internship as part of your course, which will most certainly give you a competitive edge when you graduate.

The UK Government has also announced a new post-study visa that will allow international students who graduate from the summer of 2021 to stay and work in the UK for a further two years.

5. Financial benefits 

International students can enjoy some financial benefits when choosing the UK.

Firstly, a degree in the UK takes less time to complete than in other countries. In many countries it takes four years, plus two or three extra years to complete a postgraduate degree. In the UK it takes three years for an undergraduate degree and then one extra to complete a postgraduate qualification (unless you are a medical or research student). 

International students can also get financial help when studying in the UK, in the form of scholarships, grants and bursaries. Furthermore, living costs in the UK, especially when outside of cities like London, are reasonable.

Research the area before applying to the university to better understand the prices, but generally, entertainment, food, and rent is cheaper than the US.

6. Unique culture

If you decide to study in the UK, you won’t be bored, there is always something to do no matter your interests are. The UK is a unique country, filled with many families with roots from around the world. This leaves the UK with a unique mix of different cultures, food, and interests. You will not just learn about British culture, but from people from other countries and cultures too.

No matter what part of the UK you move to, you will find a mix of restaurants, nightlife, shops, and sporting activities to keep you interested. The Brits love to visit art galleries, bars, concerts, and open-air markets – so you will always find something to entertain yourself with outside of class hours. 

7. The UK Student Visa

In order to be able to stay in the UK as an international student, you must have a student visa.  To some extent getting a student visa in the UK is easier than in different countries. This guide will learn steps and documents you’ll need to take a student visa in the UK. For a much detailed description you can find information here.

8. Student visa in the UK is called Tier4 visa. There are two types of  Tier4 visas:

Tier4 (General) –   For students

Tier4 (Child) – children aged 4 to 17

Universities that want to receive foreign students have to seek the status of Tier4 sponsor at the Home Office of the Immigration regulator.

If you’re 16 or older than that you can apply for a Tier4 (General) visa to study in the UK. Here are the basic eligibility requirements so you can apply for such visa

• If you have been admitted into a course in the UK
• You have a proof of your English proficiency
• You have enough money to cover all tuition and living expenses in the UK
• You are from a country rather than one in the list below (including Switzerland)
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Republic of Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden

The application process for a student visa carries a higher fee if you apply from outside the UK (£335 per an applicant). Make sure to apply 3 months before your study courses start. Note that it may happen that the Immigration regulator may arrange an interview with you to know if you’re a genuine student, although your application up to that step has been alright.

9. The New Graduate Immigration Route

This is especially beneficial for international students who would like to find work in the UK after they finish their studies.

The UK has announced the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route also known as the post-study work visa for international students in the UK. This new graduate route will give students the opportunity to remain in the UK for a period of up to two years and look for employment after they graduate. 

This new route will be launched in the summer of 2021, which means that students who graduate in the summer of 2021 or after will be able to apply and make use of the post-study work visa. This will also include students who have already started their courses. Graduates will have the possibility to switch into skilled work if they find a suitable job during that time. 

Students who have completed an undergraduate degree or above, at a higher education provider with a track record of compliance, and also have a valid Tier 4 visa at the time of application will be able to apply for the new post-study work visa. This route will require a new application, as well as payment of the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.

The UK has multiple varieties of higher education opportunities to offer students that the universities offer various degree programs for students. In the UK most undergraduate degree programs take three years to finish; however, the “sandwich course” is increasing in popularity, which is four years and involves one year in the work place (normally in their third year). In Scotland the courses are four years in length for undergraduate programs. For graduate or masters programs they are generally shorter in length and undertaken after graduation of your undergraduate program. Some professional degrees like medicine, veterinary, law etc. have longer programs that can be as much as five years. International students from the world except EU will have to pay the full school fees which will vary depending on the school. Most UK higher education courses are taught by universities; most of the courses are also taught at colleges, specialist art institutions, business schools and agricultural colleges. 

English Profocincy
International students seeking to study in UK must be fluent in English. An IELTS, TOEFL or other English proficiency exams scores is required for admission and visa. If students have secured good grades in 10th and 12th in English then some universities consider that as well towards English proficiency.

Academics Session 
Major Intake: September/October 
Next Intake: Jan/Feb – few universities offer in this intake