UK

Gain a world-class education

Four of the top six universities in the world are in the UK. Find out what a UK education can offer you.

UK education is all about giving you inspiration to develop your knowledge and skills, freedom to be creative, and support to help you achieve your best.

UK schools, colleges, universities and English language centres offer you a world-class education – the chance to follow your passion for learning and gain qualifications that are respected by employers and academics worldwide.

On a UK course you will benefit from excellent teaching and facilities. In order to accept students, UK education centres must meet strict quality standards set by the UK government and education bodies.

With such a strong reputation for research and education, UK universities and colleges attract some of the world’s leading academics and industry professionals.

You will be encouraged to express your own ideas and think for yourself.

Open the doors to your dream career

On a UK course, you’ll gain skills and qualifications to help you succeed in any career you choose.

UK courses give you the skills, qualifications and connections you need for your chosen career. Every year, thousands of students choose the UK because of the boost it gives to their job prospects:

• The 2013/14QS World University Rankings found that employers worldwide consider UK graduates among the most ’employable’ – from a global survey of 27,000 graduate employers, five UK universities were ranked in the top 10.
• UK-educated international graduates achievemarkedly higher average salaries than if they had been educated at home
• UK qualifications are respected and valued by employers worldwide, giving you the edge when you are applying for jobs.
• One of the reasons why employers value UK qualifications is because of the focus on skills for the workplace. The UK ranks second in the world foruniversity-industry collaboration, after Switzerland but ahead of the US

Many UK courses are designed in partnership with businesses and are taught by industry professionals, so you will gain real experience for your future career.

Some courses give you the chance to do a work placement as part of your studies too, working for a business, charity or public sector organization.

The teaching style in the UK helps you to develop attributes which are in high demand from employers worldwide – attributes such as creativity, innovation, teamwork and leadership.

• The UK is exceptionally diverse, with close links to the rest of Europe. By studying in the UK you’ll gain an international perspective, learn about new cultures and socialise with students and teachers from around the world – valuable experience for a career in an international company.
• Many careers requireprofessional qualifications. The UK offers thousands of courses leading to internationally-recognised qualifications in fields such as law, accountancy, medicine, engineering, childcare, teaching, marketing and more, to help you get ahead.
• English language skillsare a real boost to your career prospects. The UK is the world’s most popular destination for English language courses, catering for all ages and abilities. On a UK course, you will be immersed in the language and should find that your skills improve rapidly. You can choose courses specialising in business English, or even courses for specific careers, such as English for law, technology or engineering.
• Finding a job can be challenging. At UK schools, colleges and universities, you will find professional career adviserswho can help you plan your career, and give you advice on how to look for work, prepare for interviews and write your CV.

Have the adventure of a lifetime

Studying in the UK is an opportunity to discover its unique culture, cities and countryside.

Studying in the UK is a chance to discover its unique culture, cities and countryside. Across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, there’s so much to discover. Luckily, it is easy to travel around the UK.

• The UK’scountryside is truly beautiful. You’ll find snow-topped mountains and rolling green hills, flowery meadows and ancient forests, sandy beaches and deserted islands. Hiking and cycling are great ways to take in the breathtaking scenery.
• There are manyfestivals and events throughout the year and across the country, from pancake races in Buckinghamshire to the world’s largest arts festival in Edinburgh. Notting Hill Carnival in August is Europe’s biggest street party, while Leicester’s Diwali celebrations in October are some of the largest outside India. These are opportunities to experience the UK’s multicultural heritage, as well as to enjoy food, music and dance in spectacular style.
• The UK is passionate aboutsport. Most schools, colleges and universities run sport societies – such as football, yoga, dance, cricket, rugby, athletics and hockey. Joining is a great way to make friends. For adrenaline junkies, there are hundreds of outdoor activities you can try across the UK – such as surfing, mountain climbing, diving, kiting, horse riding, abseiling and even skiing! While you recover from your exercise, you can watch world-class sport events, such as Wimbledon, the FA Cup final or the Grand National horse race.
• Aside from sport,music is the UK’s other national obsession. People love going to concerts to see famous bands, or to discover weird and wonderful new artists. Across the UK, you will find hundreds of live music gigs each day – from pop, rock and dance to classical, folk, metal and jazz. In summer, nothing beats camping at a music festival. Grab your tent, your suncream and your raincoat (just in case). For a unique experience, try one of the UK’s many folk festivals for traditional music.
• If you are ahistory lover, the UK is the place to be. Across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland you can see history all around you, and you are never far from an ancient castle, grand country house or picturesque old village.
• There are hundreds of outstandingmuseums and art galleries too, hosting world-famous exhibitions and collections. Many are free of charge or offer good discounts for students.
• If you’re interested intheatre and the performing arts, you will love events like the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland or Eisteddfod in Wales. Read more suggestions in our article on Nightlife.
• No trip to the UK is complete, however, without going to acomedy night. Here you can experience the UK’s somewhat eccentric sense of humour – just don’t sit in the front row unless you want to become part of the act!

Feel at home

The UK is a welcoming place for students of all countries, cultures and faiths.

The UK is a friendly, welcoming place for people of all countries, cultures and faiths.

In 2012, over 500,000 international students from 200 nations studied in the UK, and a further 600,000 students came to do an English language course.

As a student in the UK, you’ll get to know people from all over the world, and you’ll learn about many different cultures.

Many schools, colleges and universities have international student societies to ensure you feel welcome and are supported throughout your time in the UK. These societies organise activities such as parties, pub quizzes, film nights and excursions to local tourist attractions, so you’ll hopefully quickly make friends with other international students.

Study your own way

Did you know you can do a UK course at an overseas campus or online? Find out about your choices.

UK education gives you the chance to choose a course that matches your ambitions and interests, and study in a way that suits you.

With thousands of UK courses on offer, you can follow your passions and gain a qualification that will help you in your chosen career.

Many UK courses have a ‘modular’ structure. This means you can build a personalised course by choosing modules or units of study from different subject areas.

Get great value for money

UK education can be affordable, and UK qualifications are a great boost to your salary as well as your CV.

When it comes to starting your career, UK qualifications are a great boost to your salary, as well as to your CV, international students educated in the UK achieve significantly higher salaries after they graduate, on average, than if they had been educated at home.

• UKcourse fees and living costs are good value and compare favourably with costs in other top education destinations.
• UKhigher education courses are generally shorter than in other countries too, and many full-time master’s degrees last just one year. This saves you money on annual fees, plus it means you can graduate and start earning sooner.
• There are manyfinancial support schemes for international students who wish to join a UK course.
• Many UK shops, restaurants and businesses offer substantialstudent discounts to help make your life affordable. You can also get cheap deals for train and bus tickets. Student Unions offer great value food, entertainment and support.