Studying in the UK has always been an attractive and promising option for international students. There are many good reasons why many students prefer studying in the UK. Besides being known for its world-class education, the UK is among those countries that have lots of diversity and rich heritage. Many bustling student cities spread across the UK make the country a wonderful place to live and study in. Some of the universities and colleges in the UK have a history of several centuries, and many others have an impeccable record of providing excellent educational infrastructure, quality research, and teaching methodology to students. It is, therefore, not surprising to see the UK among the top options for many students wishing to study abroad.
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Advantages of Studying in the UK
1. Top Quality Education
Students prefer studying in the UK for a variety of reasons. Foremost, UK universities are known to provide high-quality education in UK. What is also impressive about UK universities is that they keep improving their educational standard and ensure that their educational system is on par with the best in the world. In the UK, there is also QAA (Quality Assurance Agency), an independent body that regularly assesses the standards of all colleges and universities in the country.
The QAA conducts a series of audits regularly to check on the performance of all universities on different parameters. These audits also allow the UK-based educational institutes to put forward their best educational practices for the outside world to explore. QAA sends detailed reviews to institutes to help them improve in highlighted areas. There are also many education funding bodies spread across the UK that examine the performance of educational institutes and publish their findings regularly. These reviews and results are helpful for international students to identify the best course and best university to pursue their higher studies.
2. Short Duration of Courses
Students generally prefer courses with lots of scopes and less time to complete. Most courses offered at the UK colleges are of shorter duration and, therefore, should appeal to international students. The shorter duration of courses means students have to spend a lot lesser than they would have required to and graduate sooner without compromising the quality of education.
3. Study in a UK university without IELTS
International students can study at a UK university without submitting IELTS scores. However, for this, students need to meet certain criteria. Some of the conditions that international students need to meet include:
- English must have been the medium of instruction in the previous education
- As proof of English proficiency, students must have scored 75% or more in English in their 10th and 12th grades.
Some of the prominent UK universities that accept international students without submitting IELTS scores are:
- Middlesex University
- Bangor University
- Teesside University
- Bedfordshire University
- University of Chester
- Cardiff Metropolitan University
- London Metropolitan University
- University of Law
- Coventry University
4. Work while you study
The best part about studying in the UK is that you have the liberty to work and earn while you are still studying. You can work part-time for up to 20 hours in the UK during your term. What's also remarkable is that you can work full-time during breaks and major holidays. As an international student in the UK, you can work in different capacities, like a student ambassador, a bartender, babysitter, office job, store manager, retail associate, animal caretaker, etc. You will also have the option of taking placement or internships. The experience of working this way not only helps you pay a part of your tuition fees but also gets an opportunity to interact with the locals, enjoy a new culture, and learn new skills.
5. Opportunity to interact with people and explore multicultural society
You will not be alone if you wish to study in the UK as thousands of students from different countries are likely to choose the same destination as you have. Therefore, the chances of you meeting people from other countries and experiencing different cultures are high. Also, with the UK having a multicultural society, the chances of you getting bored or missing your culture are less. The UK also has plenty of pubs, markets, and art galleries for you to visit and explore.
Students relocating to the United Kingdom from international locations can meet people from other parts of the globe and learn more about their cultures. You can also maintain a healthy connection with their own culture by eating at restaurants that provide home-style meals or attending neighbourhood activities. These experiences will help you get rid of homesickness and overcome cultural shocks.
6. Variety of Courses and Universities
The academic background doesn't matter; there are courses and universities in the UK matching your requirements. The UK is a great country for students wishing to study abroad. The UK is not just a great place to study with a rich and unique culture, stunning countryside, and magnificent architecture. Still, the country also provides you with a global experience unmatched. Additionally, many universities in the UK offer courses in both English and Welsh. Whether you want to pursue a course in biotechnology, forensic science, marine biology, or want to improve your language skills, the UK is a fantastic country for all students to study.
7. Health Benefits for International Students
Another major reason study in the UK is that the country provides many health benefits for international students. International students are entitled to free treatment from the National Health Services (NHS) throughout their course. It is not just the students but your dependent children, partner, or spouse who are eligible to get free health benefits through the NHS program. However, to get the medical benefit, students must pay a small Immigration Health Surcharge, which will be added to the application fees.
8. Work Permit after Graduation
The UK is among those countries that provide easy and hassle-free work permits to students after their graduation. Therefore, after studying in the UK, if you plan to apply for jobs or look to work part-time or full-time, you can consider opting for a post-study work visa. This permit is beneficial for all international students who want to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after graduation and look to kick-start their professional careers. And for international students who wish to pursue their PhD programs, the work permit is extended to 3 years. Thanks to accessible work permits in the UK, students gain relevant work or job experience that adds to their resume and enhances their employability.
9. Outstanding Financial Support and Assistance
The variety of financial aid and scholarships international students get in the UK make it an attractive country for them to study. Financial support and aid are high if you come from an economically weaker background or have an excellent academic record. Also, some scholarships are country-specific. So, international students need to check with their universities about the scholarships, grants, and other financial aid options they are eligible to get based on their status. Also, the scholarship amount may vary. While some scholarships cover the entire tuition fees, others cover only a part of the tuition fees.
10. Plenty of Extra-curricular activities and Travel Europe while you are Studying
There are so many extra-curricular activities to look forward to in the UK if you are an international student. This is why students are so active and engaging in UK universities. The university student clubs across the UK are a hub of different activities. They are helpful in the overall development of students. Therefore, studying in the UK is beneficial if you are an international student wishing to hone your skills or add to your list of hobbies. Some popular extra-curricular activities students can partake in are water sports, cricket, football, rugby, dancing, cooking, language, etc. The extra-curricular activities are a great way to alleviate stress and tension.
You can consider travelling to other parts of Europe while studying in the UK. The UK is well-connected to several major European countries, like the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Germany. Also, with the airports being functional round-the-clock, international students always have an option to travel and explore new places and cultures. At the same time, they are still enrolled in a college in the UK.
Conclusion
AECC is your reliable and friendly international educational consultant who can help you study in the UK without any hassle and make you feel comfortable at every step. Our team of certified professionals and richly experienced counsellors are available to help you on all matters surrounding your study program in the UK. If you have the dream and enthusiasm to study in the United Kingdom, we are here to help you. Get in touch with our experts today and see how we can help you. Our vast network and reach spanning hundreds of universities and colleges across the UK mean your dream of studying in the UK will no longer be a dream but a reality!
