Whether it’s the fast-paced lifestyle of London you’re looking for, or the more laid-back culture of Edinburgh, as a prospective international student, you are guaranteed to fall in love with one of the United Kingdom’s many popular study abroad destinations.
It’s no wonder that the number of international students choosing to study abroad in the United Kingdom for their Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is increasing rapidly. Whether you’ve considered the UK as a study abroad destination to further your education or you are still on the fence, here are 7 great reasons why you should study in the UK!
1. Home to Some of the World’s Best Universities
Studying in the UK means studying at a world-renowned institution. The United Kingdom currently has six institutions in the Global University Rankings with the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge both scoring 100% when it comes to their academic reputations. There’s a reason why the UK produces a lot of the world’s most cited research papers!
2. Internationally Recognized Degrees and Qualifications
The quality of the universities in the UK means that your degree will be held in high regard by employers the world over, giving you an edge over other applicants. As a graduate from a UK university, you’re amongst an incredibly talented alum - the British Council estimates that 38% of Nobel Laureates who studied abroad did it in the UK.
3. A Cheap Study Destination
The UK is substantially cheaper than other English-speaking study abroad destinations such as the US and Australia when it comes to paying for higher education. Tuition fees in the UK sit between at least £2,000 and £3,000 cheaper than the United States and Australia.
You also don’t need as much in your bank in order to apply for your visa to study in the UK, just £16,000 compared to the US (£18,000+) and Australia (£25,000+).
4. A Huge (and Growing!) Student Population
The United Kingdom has universities in nearly every city, meaning that, wherever you go, there is a thriving student population - and it’s growing! UK student numbers rise every year across all levels of higher education so you will always be surrounded by like-minded individuals from diverse backgrounds (and, more importantly, shops and restaurants that offer student discounts.)
Integrating into such student populations will be the first step to making lifelong friends from around the globe, one of the most special aspects of studying abroad.
5. Free Healthcare to Keep You Healthy
The United Kingdom has the National Health Service, which means if you are studying in the UK for 6 months or more you are able to access healthcare completely free of charge. You still have to pay for medicine, but this is also capped under the NHS and you will only ever pay a set charge per item, regardless of how expensive the medicine you have been prescribed is.
This comes as a great benefit to students who are worried about funding their study abroad experience. Hopefully, you will not get sick, but the peace of mind just in case is worth it!
6. Work Opportunities While You Study
Your student visa means that you’re able to work up to 20 hours per week in a part-time job. The UK also has a guaranteed minimum wage, meaning you could earn a minimum of £118.00 before tax per week to help fund your studies.
Or, you can consider an internship through your university at one of the many internationally famous companies based in the UK, such as the BBC, Rolls Royce, or Burberry. One way or another, your resume will look great after completing your study abroad experience.
7. Highest Student Satisfaction Rating
The UK boasts one of the highest student satisfaction rates amongst English speaking countries, with over 90% of the whopping 2.32 million students in the UK happy with their experience.
This is an impressive number, especially considering the unique and various locations, universities, and programs offered across the UK! Therefore, if you’re still undecided about where to study abroad, you are almost sure to love any experience in the UK, no matter in which city you end up.
