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Exploring UK Universities

The UK is one of the world’s most popular destinations for international students pursuing higher education, with more than 500,000 enrolling each year, second only to the US. UK higher education degrees and qualifications are recognized by employers and academics worldwide. By exploring UK universities, students will get the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge, critical thinking, and connections to advance their careers. High quality postgraduate study opportunities are also available at the majority of UK universities, with some offering sponsorship to extend Tier 4 visas.

UK Universities Rank among the Best in the World

UK universities are among the best in the world, and consistently perform well in global rankings, such as U.S. News & World Report and QS World Rankings. The University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and the Imperial College London are consistently ranked within the 50 best universities. They also have a reputation for world-class research. The Imperial College London and University College London score particularly high for research impact. Overall, UK universities are known internationally for programs in the areas of Physical and Social Sciences, Public Health, and Medicine.

Why Choose Higher Education in the UK?

There are many benefits for US and international students to studying in the UK:

The cost of study for one year including tuition and living expenses is significantly less than studying at most out of state universities within the US. Because UK courses are generally shorter than other countries, this helps to reduce overall tuition fees and housing costs.

The duration of a UK Honours degree is three years and the duration of a UK Master’s degree is one year. This again brings the tuition and living expenses down by one year compared to US options. The level of a three year UK Honours degree and a four year US Honors degree are exactly the same internationally, meaning students graduate at the same level in one less year, cutting down on time and money. UK degrees are recognized internationally by other universities and employers.

It’s a Great Place to Live and Study

The United Kingdom (UK) is made up of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. Each country has distinct regions, each offering large cosmopolitan cities, towns, and countryside villages. The UK has a multicultural society, with a rich diversity of cultures, languages, and faiths. You’ll find widely varied cuisine, strong transport links, famous music festivals, and international sporting championships. Compared to other global options, the UK provides an immersive international experience without the language barrier (though individual country dialects within the UK can be challenging, particularly to non-native English speakers).

Studying in the UK is a great way to expand your knowledge, meet new people, and experience a new culture. You’ll get plenty of support at university. Whatever your interests, there’s a huge range of clubs and societies, as well as a diverse social life on offer. There are more than 395 universities and colleges, offering over 50,000 undergraduate-level higher education courses in more than 25 subject areas.

UK higher education applications are made through UCAS, their online system. It’s also important to note that many international students need to apply for a student visa; there are work permit restrictions and some English language qualifications may be required for non-native English speakers. To find out more, visit UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

Joint research between the British Council and Mori Poll concluded that organizations in the US valued job applicants with overseas experience on their resumes. They also concluded that the applicants would show more independent thinking and drive, indicating that US graduates who studied in the UK will stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs.

 

For more on UK universities, visit our University Listings page