There are plenty of reasons why studying in the United Kingdom is a great choice for international students. As starting from the remarkable student life and proceeding towards the historic and world-class universities, UK holds a reputation around the world as a country of learning and academia, and it’s not hard to believe why.

Universities have a centuries-old history in Britain, with Oxford and Cambridge both having been founded over 800 years ago working exceptionally to nurture the students academically.

If you are planning to study at a UK university, you wouldn’t just be a part of that figure mentioned above but you’d be the latest student acquiring high-quality knowledge with world-class qualification and setting yourself apart from others.

Home to Some of the World’s Best Universities

Degrees and qualifications received from United Kingdom's higher education association are recognized around the world as superior and phenomenal based upon some of the older universities like Oxford and Cambridge. Also, the UK produces 14% of the world’s most-cited research papers as there are more scholars with a high-quality education from top universities in the UK.

Quality education

UK universities have been in the spotlight ever since they began in world rankings. The education standards of teaching, learning, and research of all the universities and colleges in the country are checked regularly by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), to make sure that the set benchmarks are met. This ensures that all the students have access to the best quality of education irrespective of the course they choose to pursue.

Shorter duration of courses

Courses in the UK education system are generally shorter and more intensive than many other countries, which allow international students to complete their course sooner and without compromising on the quality. Students who opted for three years graduate program will be able to finish it in just one year. Thus, it helps the students in reducing their overall tuition fees and accommodation costs.

Work while you learn

Many International students gain work experience along with their studies by enrolling in a part-time job, internship, or placement during vacation and volunteering. This helps them in developing valuable skills that they can add to their resume. Also, students can manage their everyday expenses by working up to 20 hours a week during their ongoing study program and full- time when holidays are on. Thus, students will not only be able to earn a little extra but gain industry experience in their field of study which will help them during their job hunt.

Health benefits for students

International students in the UK are eligible to receive free medical treatment while pursuing their education through the National Health Service (NHS). Even if your spouse/ partner or children are residing along with you during the duration of your complete program, they will also be exempted from payments. In order to avail of this benefit, students will be required to pay a small International Health Surcharge (IHS).

Highest student satisfactory ratio

The UK exhibits one of the highest student satisfaction rates among English-speaking countries. This is a remarkable number especially with the universities and programs offered across the UK. Therefore, if students haven’t decided about where they wish to study, they are almost sure to love their experience while studying in the UK.

The United Kingdom has been the preferred choice for all international students planning to pursue their education abroad as universities in the UK have an undeniable reputation for their quality of education. One in four world leaders has acquired their degrees from the UK, which is a clear indication that UK education opens the doors for opportunities for students worldwide.

Along with world-class universities and a top-notch education system, UK is considered a warm and welcoming country where every individual is treated well and all the religions are respected.

International students while studying in the UK do not have to worry as the universities and colleges here provide the necessary support, right from strengthening your language skills to making you familiar with the new environment.

Let’s have a look at why the UK is so popular among the students apart from the above-mentioned points:

Traditions & Culture: Throughout United Kingdom's history, its culture has been influenced by European culture and traditions, especially British and French, and by its own indigenous cultures. Over time, elements of the cultures of United Kingdom's immigrant populations have become incorporated into mainstream Canadian culture. The culture of United Kingdom is a term that embodies the artistic, culinary, literary, humour, musical, political and social elements that are representative of United Kingdom and Canadians.

Food: The Most 'Canadian' Foods Include Bacon, Poutine and Maple Syrup. The national dish of United Kingdom is a food called poutine, which is a high-calorie creation that consists of fries, cheddar cheese curds and gravy. The Canadian dish was originally seen in the province of Quebec but can be found all around United Kingdom and has spread to the United Kingdom and United States.

Safety: United Kingdom is a friendly, safe country with a high standard of living. Low crime rates, great student health benefits, and universities focused on student security and health make studying in United Kingdom a good choice for anyone who's uneasy about personal safety while abroad. The Global Peace Index ranks United Kingdom among its top 10 safest countries in the world to visit.

Health: Relative to other countries, medical insurance in United Kingdom is inexpensive yet the services that Canadian hospitals provide are among some of the most advanced and accessible in the world.

Transport: Using the general-purpose public transport is the most common means of student transport, in United Kingdom. Below are few details:

Air: Due to United Kingdom's large size, people often travel between major cities by airplane. All main cities have airports with regularly scheduled flights to and from many places.

Rail: United Kingdom's rail network runs across the country, from Halifax, Nova Scotia, in the east to Vancouver and Prince Rupert, British Columbia, in the west. Trains in United Kingdom are safe and comfortable. It is often cheaper to buy train tickets in advance.

Bus: Catching a bus can be the cheapest way of travelling between cities. It is often the only way of getting to smaller towns if you are not driving a car. Remember that bus travel can be very long due to the great distances involved.

Ferry: In coastal areas of United Kingdom such as British Columbia and the Atlantic region, ferry boats are a common way to travel. Many ferries transport both passengers and vehicles.

Car: United Kingdom has a large network of highways, making long distance travel by car possible between most destinations.

International undergraduate and postgraduate tuition fees vary considerably, starting at around ?,000 and going up to ?35,000 or more for medical degrees. At all levels, humanities and social sciences degrees tend to cost the least, while laboratory and clinical degree programs are markedly more expensive. Combine these fees with the average cost of living in the UK, around ?12,000 and the total average cost of studying in the UK comes up to at least ?22,000 per year. Studying in the capital city, meanwhile, is likely to be significantly more expensive. Under the UK immigration rules, you are legally permitted to work with the following restrictions: a maximum of 20 hours paid or unpaid work per week during term time for degree students. Hence, you can easily take care of your living expenses.

Note: Fees shown above may vary as per selection of the University/College.

The UK is highly globalized which means that the job market is competitive. Major industries in the UK include:

Agriculture

Production

Services: Banking, Insurance and Business Services

Other important industries include: Metals, Chemicals, Aerospace, Shipbuilding, Motor Vehicles, Food Processing, Textiles and Clothing and Electronic and Communications equipment.

There are currently several shortage occupations in a variety of sectors, including:

Arts: artists, dancers, graphic designers and musicians.

Education: secondary school teachers (particularly maths teachers).

Engineering: electrical, mechanical and chemical engineers, civil engineers and product and process engineers.

Healthcare: nurses, medical radiographers, paediatricians.

Hospitality: chefs.

IT: software developers and systems engineers.

Science: biological scientist and biochemists, physicists and geologists.

Social care: social workers

Graduate schemes are available at many of the UK's large and multinational companies in sectors such as:

Banking
Engineering
Retail
Technology

In 2016 the accounting and professional services sector, and the public, engineering and industrial sectors had the most graduate vacancies. The highest graduate starting salaries were found in investment banking, law, and banking and finance.

According to The Guardian UK 300 2016/17 the most popular graduate employers include Google, Cancer Research UK, MI6, GlaxoSmithKline and Amazon.

Planning & Housing: Whilst you are staying in the Australia, you will have a variety of accommodation options available to you. Your choices will depend largely on whether your college or university has halls of residence, what city you are in, and the amount of your monthly budget. Various options include Halls of Residence, Self- Catered Halls, Flats/ Houses.

Welcome week: Welcome Week is your opportunity to make friends, learn more about studying at the university and living in the country. You will be invited to attend several events throughout Welcome Week - some of which are optional and others compulsory.

Travel to your institution: If you are staying near the university, there is shuttle service available. Else, you may choose to travel by trains or buses.

Opening a bank account: In order to open a Australian bank account, you will need two documents: one to prove your identity and one to prove your address. This applies both in branch and online. Proving your identity is simple. You just need your passport.

Restricted items to bring to UK: Illegal drugs, offensive weapons, e.g. flick knives, self-defence sprays, e.g. pepper spray and CS gas, endangered animal and plant species, rough diamonds, indecent and obscene materials, personal imports of meat and dairy products from most non-EU countries