To others, studying abroad may tend to be a daunting experience. However, once you get over the fear, you’ll realise that moving to another country might be the best decision you’ve ever made. It would not only push you to do and do better but will also assist you to develop social skills, becoming more independent, gaining a global perspective, and improving your relationship-building ability. It could even help you find a job somewhere in the world!
While the pandemic situation still persists, each one of these advantages are still available in many of the countries, including the United Kingdom! Being an international educational hub, the UK boasts a plethora of great universities and institutions for international students.
Four of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world are located in the United Kingdom.
For instance, the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom has a worldwide reputation for providing world-class research. The United Kingdom is ranked second next to the United States in the QS Higher Education System Strength Rankings 2021. It is widespread among Chinese, Indian, Malaysian, and Nigerian students. Around 400,000 international students come to the United Kingdom each year to study for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Over 1000 officially recognised universities in the United Kingdom offer full course degrees in various fields, including architecture, arts, medicine, law, industry, and IT/computer science. So, if you’re still unsure about pursuing your studies in the United Kingdom, we have jotted down our simple yet delicate essay that proves how studying in the UK could be the best decision you’ll ever make.
UK universities provide globally recognised degrees.
Universities in the United Kingdom deliver advanced degrees in a variety of fields of study. The Times Higher Education (THE) global rankings for 2018 had three UK universities in the top ten and seven in the top fifty. According to 2018, the United Kingdom has the world’s top two universities present for the international populace.
The universities in question are the University of Oxford (ranked first since 2017) and the University of Cambridge. The government’s Quality Assurance Agency For Higher Education subjected all schools and colleges in the UK to stringent quality assurance standards (QAA). The government also disseminates a list of authoritatively recognised institutions that may award both full and associate degrees.
Some of the most popular fields of study chosen by international students in the UK are:
- Business and administrative studies
- Engineering and technology
- Social studies
- Biological sciences
- Languages
- Creative arts/design
Most of these courses are offered at the following levels:
- Undergraduate
- Postgraduate (research)
- Postgraduate (taught)
- Doctorate (research)
Some of the most in-demand degrees in the job market are:
- Engineering and technology
- Healthcare and medicine – nurses, doctors, dentists, radiographers, psychiatrists, etc
- IT and computer science
- Business and administration
- Languages
- Arts
How to get Low-cost Education?
The rate of undergraduate and postgraduate schooling in the United Kingdom is considerably lower than in the United States and other established countries. For E.g., in the United Kingdom, international students could expect to spend between £10,000 and £35,000 on non-clinical undergrad courses and about £38,000 on clinical undergrad courses.
The costs of study hall-based postgraduate projects for international students vary from £11,000 and £32,000, while lab-based projects cost between £12,000 and £27,200. Many universities can charge the least for sociology and humanities classes.
However, educational and living costs (lease, food, transport, services, and research materials) would be higher in London than anywhere in the United Kingdom. As a result, students can save money on tuition by attending a UK college outside of London.
Leeds Beckett University, University of Bedfordshire, Royal Agricultural University (Gloucestershire), York St. John University, and the University of Suffolk are the UK colleges with the most affordable undergraduate courses. Besides these, The University of Bedfordshire is now one of the most affordable UK colleges for postgraduate programmes for international students.
How to go for shorter duration courses?
Numerous UK colleges deliver degree programmes that are usually shorter in duration than those offered by many American and Asian colleges. For example, in the United States, an undergrad (non-practitioner training) usually takes four years to complete, while in the United Kingdom, it usually takes only three years.
Furthermore, in the UK, a postgraduate/degree Master’s can also be completed in only one year, while in many US universities, it will almost certainly take two years. In cities such as Chicago, Tucson, and Austin, you can also find more and more affordable student housing.
According to a 2017 study, students in the UK spent an average of £125 per week on rent, with variations depending on location. With an average rent of £182 a week, London is the most expensive city in the UK. (Can be more if utilities are added under the lease agreement).
Therefore, an international student should expect to spend more than £5000 a year on rent and electricity alone. The cost of living is increased by various expenses such as books, transport, and food. Regardless of the country you focus on, each of these costs grows as you learn further.
How to get Part-Time work opportunities?
Full-time students pursuing a degree or higher at a Higher Education Institution (HEI) or participating in research abroad projects at Overseas HEIs may work up to 20 hours per week during their tenure. Even though there is a 10-hour/week limit, understudies pursuing a course below degree level at an HEI may also conduct low maintenance. Students are also allowed to work all day (40 hours a week or more).
A portion of the low maintenance work openings accessible to students are as per the following:
Cafeteria
Student association office
PC lab
Examination collaborator
Educating collaborator
Library colleague
Friendliness Sector
Bistros
Cafés
Bars
Retail Sector
Grocery stores
Stores
Office Jobs
Receptionists
Administrator colleagues
Call focus chiefs
Talented office jobs would, on average, pay more than non-talented positions. A few organisations even hire understudies for paying temporary positions. However, understudies are not permitted to behave naturally employed, engage in any industry/exchanging/internet business activity, or serve as an elite athletics staff/mentor, athlete, specialist, or dental specialist under UK movement rules.
Interestingly, employers in the United Kingdom are also required to compensate all employees (including international students) at least the National Minimum Wage (NMW), a time-dependent payout based on the worker’s age and if he or she is a disciple.
Non-apprenticed people under the ages of 18 and 20 have an NMW of £5.90 per hour, those between the ages of 21 and 24 have an NMW of £7.38 per hour, and those older than 24 have an NMW of £7.83 per hour.
How to find better student accommodations?
If you’re coming to the UK to pursue higher education, you’ll almost certainly be living in student housing, particularly given the Covid -19 circumstances. All must be looking for safe and secure student housing.
There are also several student halls in some of the other major UK towns, such as Liverpool, Birmingham, and Leeds. Since the pace of the pandemic seems to be lowering, many accommodation options are filling up more rapidly. So don’t wait for the perfect time because, as they say, the perfect time is already undergoing.
Also read: How to find ideal accommodation abroad?
