The Experience of Studying in the UK
Hundreds of thousands of international students choose to study in the UK each year. Other cultures and ethnicities are intrinsic to Britain’s cultural and social identity following decades of immigration from Europe, Africa and Asia; this makes a transition into UK society and culture very easy. In a city like London, which is one of the world’s tourist hotspots, an international student will never feel homesick - you can always find treasures and reminders of home at every turn. One of the most popular study destinations, the UK enjoys a proud tradition of education with universities rooting back to the 12th and 13th centuries. Known for its language, history, culture, and innovation, the UK has an average student retention rate of 82%. With comprehensive support systems in place for international students, studying in the UK is a life-changing experience.
Education System in the UK
The United Kingdom (UK) is reputed for its excellent quality of education, interactive teaching methodology, top-ranking universities, and great student satisfaction. Universities in the UK consistently rank in the world university rankings such as the QS World Rankings, Times Higher Education Ranking, and Academic Ranking of World Universities. Further, degrees earned from the country are globally recognized and preferred by employers all over the world.
Standing at the zenith of research and development, the UK offers students vast scope to build critical and analytical thinking. Here’s why an overview of the education system in the UK.
The responsibility of education in the UK is delegated to four jurisdictions - England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. All of these regions have different forms of education systems, qualifications, and individual laws/regulations. The major differences can be found in general and secondary education resulting in each region having its credit frameworks and qualifications.
Study Levels
The education system in the UK consists of four stages
- Primary education
- Secondary education
- Further education
- Higher education
Higher education in the UK mostly comprises bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. As an international student, you may also transition to university-level studies via pathway programs that generally include English language courses and foundation courses.
Undergraduate Courses: Undergraduate courses are designed to help students get exposure to a whole new world after school whilst providing a thorough understanding of a subject of interest. The UK offers a variety of courses in humanities, social science, art, design, business, technology, science, and more!
Here’s an overview of the types of undergraduate courses offered in the UK
Study Level
|
Duration
|
Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Diploma (HND)
|
1 to 2 years
|
Certificates or Diplomas of Higher Education (Cert HE/Dip HE)
|
1 to 2 years
|
Foundation degrees (Fd A/Fd Sc)
|
6 months to 2 years
|
Degrees (such as BA, B.Sc, BEng)
|
3 years in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland 4 years in Scotland
|
Sandwich degrees
|
4 years with a year in industry
|
Integrated courses (where master’s degree is awarded as the first degree such as MEng)
|
4 years
|
Here’s an overview of the types of postgraduate courses offered in the UK
Post Graduate Studies: Postgraduate courses are more specific and involve in-depth study. Most master’s degrees have a duration of one year, which means you can be back in the workforce faster than your counterparts pursuing masters in other countries. There are a plethora of courses to choose from including niche courses that are highly valued in the industry
Program
|
Duration
|
Postgraduate certificates and diploma (PG Cert/PG Dip)
|
9 to 12 months
|
Taught Masters (such as MA, M.Sc., LLM, MBA, MRes)
|
1 year
|
Research Masters (such as MPhil, PhD, DPhil)
|
2-3 years
|
How much does it cost to study in the UK?
Study Program
|
Average Fees (in Euros*)
|
Undergraduate bachelor degree
|
GBP 10,000 to GBP 20,000 per year
|
Postgraduate master's degree
|
GBP 10,000 to GBP 20,000 per year
|
Doctoral degree
|
GBP 15,000 to GBP 24,000 per year
|
*Please note that: all figures are indicative and Ph.D. cost might differ as fully funded options are also available in the UK