Why study in United Kingdom

Universities in the UK are well known in the world for their top-quality education. Critical thinking, creative methods of teaching, and quality-control merge successfully in British higher education. Here are the top reasons why the uk is the best place to study:

• The highest number of ranked universities. The UK has the highest number of ranked universities in relation to the size of the country: 111 ranked universities. University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Imperial College London constantly feature in the world's Top10.

• Quality of teaching regulated by the government. The UK is home to some of the world's oldest and most prestigious universities. This doesn’t happen by chance. Bodies such as the Office for Students (OfS) and the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) make sure that universities meet national standards for academic quality.

• Big focus on independent learning and creative thinking. As a student in the UK you will be expected to take responsibility for your learning and develop critical thinking skills. This is different from other countries where lecture-based learning is considered more important. This approach encourages you to take an active role in your learning, rather than simply listening to lectures and memorizing information, which can help you develop a deeper understanding of your subject matter.

• Nightlife for many tastes and interests. Big cities like London, Manchester, and Glasgow have a well-established nightlife scene with many clubs, bars, and music venues that cater to different tastes and interests. However, smaller cities and towns may have a more limited nightlife scene, but will still offer a range of student-friendly places like museums, cinemas, and live music venues.

What’s more, British universities excel in all fields of study (Arts and Humanities, Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences & Medicine, and Natural Sciences) but what matters most is that here you can find study areas that are unique in Europe, like Creative Writing or innovative interdisciplinary courses that may sound like this: “Are We Alone? The Search for Extraterrestrial Life.” or “From Sherlock Holmes to CSI : a History of Forensic Science and Medicine.”

How to choose a university in United Kingdom?

Deciding where you want to study is a deeply personal choice, but there are a few general ideas you should consider. To make things simpler for you, we put together the following Choosing a university checklist:

1. Think about which of the following experiences you want to have during your studies and choose what fits best with you:

• A big-city life and cultural diversity in large university hubs like London, Birmingham, or Manchester
• A more relaxed lifestyle where you could experience the more traditional aspects of British culture specific to smaller cities like Bath, York, or Southampton

1. Decide how important a university’s reputation is to you:

• A high-ranking university will look more impressive on your CV because these are universities that have a reputation across the world for being very good and teaching the smartest and most talented people. Attending one of them will give you more opportunities, but it will be harder to get in, more expensive, competitive, and more focused on academic results.
• A university that doesn’t rank as high will probably offer you a more inclusive and relaxed environment. These universities are often top quality as well, but less famous. You will face easier admission and enjoy a more flexible schedule

1. Read student reviews to learn how other students feel at that university. If you access a program of study on our portal, you can read tens of student reviews for each study program. And if you're still in doubt, try chatting with students who are currently studying at universities you are interested in.

1. Research how well a university performs in your particular field of study by checking QS Subject Rankings and THE World University Rankings by subject.

What are the best universities in the UK?

Its centuries-old tradition, high standards of teaching and commitment to providing students with a world-class education, lead to the UK having over 100 world-ranking universities. Here are the top 5 universities in the UK:

1.      The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the UK, benefiting from a distinctive collegiate structure. Both students and academics belong to a college or hall, a self-governing organization within the university.

2.      The University of Cambridge is, alongside Oxford, one of the ancient English universities consistently ranking among the top 5 in the world, with a rich tradition of over 800 years and world-leading research.

3.      Imperial College London started from a vision of Prince Albert (the consort of Queen Victoria) who wanted to create a cultural area to include museums and colleges. The college focuses only on business, science, technology, and medicine.

4.      University College London (UCL) the very first university in London is a rule-breaking institution: the first university in England to accept students of any religion and one of the first to admit women as students.

5.      The University of Edinburgh is the best Scottish university and the fifth ranking in the UK. With an entrepreneurial and cross-disciplinary culture, it attracts students and staff from across the globe.

Tuition Fees in United Kingdom

British students pay different tuition fees from international students (including EU students). Fees are also different depending on the university or study program you choose.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students range between £9,000 and £33,500 per year, while tuition fees for international students at postgraduate level cost between  £7,000 - £36,400 per year, the average program being £20,000. For UK nationals, tuition fees at undergraduate level range between £1,820 and £9,250, while postgraduate courses cost between £3,350 and £22,300.

If cost is a big factor for you when choosing a university, the cheapest tuition fees for international students according to QS TopUniversities are Coventry University, Royal Agricultural University, and University of Suffolk. Also, keep in mind that online programs are usually cheaper than campus-based ones. We have over 700 online Bachelor’s programs in the UK, the cheapest only £1,784 per year and over 2,500 online Master’s programs, starting at £540 per year.

Sometimes, students can benefit from a tuition fee waiver, meaning a discount applied to your overall tuition fee. However, this is usually available only for UK and sometimes EU students. Check on your university’s page to be sure. Also, remember that there are plenty of scholarships available for both national and international students.

Apply to university in United Kingdom

How to apply

All UK applications are done through the UCAS website. You can submit only one application for each study cycle and within this application you can select up to 5 different study programs. Unlike in many other countries where you must tailor your application to each individual university, here you need a general application.

What’s the structure of the UK academic year

The UK academic year typically starts in late September or early October and ends in June. The exact dates may vary depending on the institution and the course, but most universities follow a similar timeline.

During the academic year, there are three main terms:

• Autumn term (September to December),
• Spring term (January to April),
• Summer term (from May until late June).

These terms are broken up into several weeks of teaching and a few weeks of holidays or exams:

• Christmas Break: (mid-December to early January)
• Easter Break: (two weeks, during spring)
• Summer Break: (the longest break of the year, from June to late September)
• Half-Term Breaks: (roughly every six to eight weeks throughout the academic year)
• Bank Holidays (public holidays in the UK)

When to apply for British universities

Most universities and courses in the UK have the application deadline in January for courses starting September the same year. But Cambridge and Oxford as well as programs in Medicine will likely have an earlier deadline. Make sure to check UCAS for the exact dates each year.

You can still apply to university after the deadline through Clearing, from July until October, but you must keep in mind that this round of applications is only for the places left unfilled in the regular application process, so you should only use it if you didn't manage to secure a place beforehand.

Language requirements

If you want to study in the UK, your program will be taught in English, so you must have a certain level of proficiency in order to perform your academic work. That’s why you will definitely need to meet certain English language requirements for UK universities. To do that, you have to take one of the approved tests and obtain the minimum score required by your university.

Commonly accepted UK language tests:

• IELTS

 You’ll get a score of 0 to 9 for each category (Listening, Reading, Writing, and speaking), as well as an overall band score. Generally, UK universities ask for a minimum score of 6.0 or 6.5, with some more reputed universities requiring 7.0 or 7.5.

• TOEFL

The four sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing) have a score of 0 to 30 points each. You can get a maximum of 120 points. Many universities ask for a score of 70-80 to be admitted, while the more famous ones like Oxford and Cambridge ask for a score over 100 points.

• PTE Academic

You can obtain a score between 10 and 90 points in the three sections Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening. To study for a degree level course, UK universities usually ask for a minimum of 59 points.

• Cambridge English Advanced

The Cambridge exams range from pre A1 - Starters to C2 Proficiency which means scores starting at 80 points and going up to 230 points. For UK universities, you need to obtain the C1 Advanced certificate with a score range of 180-200 points.

• Duolingo English test

The test is gaining more and more popularity and is already accepted by thousands of institutions worldwide. You’ll get a score between 10 and 160 points, where 95-100 points are the equivalent of the 6.0 IELTS score.

To learn more about the different tests you can take, read this comprehensive guide on English language certifications that we’ve put together.

Applying for UK visa

The Tier 4 General student visa is required for the international student willing to study in UK. Study in UK visa can be applied if you fulfil these Study in UK Visa Requirements:

• You have been accepted into a course at a University in UK

• Have proven your English Language Proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or Language Courses)

• Have enough funds to support yourself during your stay in the UK

• Fulfill the requirements of the course you are enrolling into.

• Have paid for the valid healthcare surcharge (insurance)

Study in UK Visa costs £348 of application fees for international students. If your course lasts for more than six months, you can arrive and stay in the UK for one month before the course begins. With a general student visa, you can work and study at part-time jobs as long as it does not interfere with your studies.