Around 600,000 overseas students come to study in the UK every year and it is easy to see why this is the case. The UK is home to some of the oldest and most prestigious Universities in the world and qualifications from these are recognised around the world to be a hallmark of excellence. There are beautiful old buildings that are reminiscent of Hogwarts and you will gain the chance to meet and mingle with students from around the UK and all over the world.
We have taken a look at some of the top benefits of studying in the UK and have listed them below to help you to make up your mind.
1. Globally Recognised Degree Courses
Anyone who pays to study at undergraduate level at a UK University is doing so, at least in part, because of the quality of the degrees that are being awarded. Education in the UK is widely acknowledged as being some of the most comprehensive and highest quality in the world today. Degree level qualifications from UK educational institutions are sought after by employers all over the world and are recognised globally for their excellence.
2. Increase Your Skills
Being exposed to many other skillful students, who you can learn from, is always a good thing. People bring different attributes to their courses and have developed varying skills from their different backgrounds. Being able to engage and learn from others, as they in turn learn from you can be a very rewarding experience.
3. Low Cost Facilities
When compared to many other countries, most notably the United States of America, the educational facilities on offer in the UK are modern and represent great value for the amount of money that you will have to spend. It is also possible to submit University fees in a few different stages in a lot of cases, so there is less of an up front cost to meet in order to proceed.
Education in the UK is underpriced compared to the value of the degree that you will receive at the end and the prestige that comes with having a degree from some of the best UK universities.
4. Improve Your English Language Skills
Improving your English language skills will help you to find better jobs in the future and studying in the UK will give you the opportunity to improve these skills dramatically. The best way to learn a language is to be immersed in a culture that uses it every day and being in a UK University setting will enable you to learn many of the nuances of the English language that might otherwise have passed you by.
Improving and perfecting your English skills can also be aided by joining some of the student societies that are connected to the Universities. Many of the student societies are aimed at students from abroad and helping you to master English is something that they will try hard to do.
The diversity of the UK and the variety of different accents that you will encounter will stand you in good stead for the rest of your life while speaking English. The practice you have had understanding and communicating with people with such varied accents but all speaking the common language of English will improve and hone your own English skills.
5. Support for Overseas Students
There is a lot of support for overseas students who are studying in the UK. Each University has an office which is dedicated to addressing the needs of international students and you are encouraged to contact them before arriving in the country so that they can help to arrange your accommodation, tuition and any academic support that you require.
Local councils and Students Unions also provide assistance where needed and the UK Council for International Student Affairs has a lot of great information and advice on all manner of situations that may affect you during your stay. These include the possibility of encountering mental health issues,resolving housing problems, rules around working in the UK and immigration.
6. It’s Possible to Stay After Graduation
The UK has recently opened up what is called the “Graduate Route” which is a way for people who have completed their International Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree to continue to live and work in the UK for two more years, or three more years in the case of an International Doctorate.
This provides an excellent opportunity to authentically experience life as it truly is in the UK and it is possible to switch to a Skilled Worker Visa once the Graduate Visa expires, if you would like to stay for a longer period of time.
7. Work Part-Time While You Study
As an overseas student in the UK, you are allowed to work 20 hours per week during term time to support your studies. This means that you can earn a little extra money while still finding the time to enjoy the full range of UK student life experiences. 20 hours shouldn’t significantly hamper your efforts to study.
Working part-time is a great way to supplement your income and to get some real life experience in a different line of work from the one that you will ultimately be wanting to work in, but it will be a good introduction to working hard in a job in the UK.
8. Having a Great Time is Normal
Coming to the UK on an overseas student visa is a great idea. You will make friends with people at different Universities across the UK and will be able to access some of the best nightlife spaces in the whole country.
The network of Students’ Unions around the UK represent some of the best places to showcase new musical talent and some of the largest bands in the world have played at some of these intimate venues while on the road to glory. Pink Floyd even played at the tiny University of Stirling just prior to recording their best selling album Dark Side of the Moon, which catapulted them to international fame.
