Why study in the UK?
With over 50,000 courses to choose from and over 395 universities and colleges, the UK is one of the world’s most popular destinations to study (second only after the USA). Indeed, each year 500,000 international students enrol in some of the best universities on the planet.High education standards
Studying in the UK is a great way to harness the prestige of one of the world’s most revered university systems.
Some of the country’s universities consistently rank in the top 50 of the world’s best universities. Indeed, their high standards attract world-class teachers delivering some of the highest quality academic courses on the planet. Moreover, UK universities thrive on providing their students with incredible educational infrastructures while encouraging highly-skilled teachers to work on cutting-edge research projects.
The famous Academic Raking of the World University report was released in August 2020, and 7 UK universities are featured in the top 50 making London, the city with the highest number of top globally ranked universities.
Future Prospects
UK universities are recognised worldwide for providing students with a high-quality education, which will prove an asset when you look for a job a few years from now. Having a UK degree or qualification will help set you apart from the competition and improve your chances of landing a higher paid job.
Other factors
Another appealing aspect for international students is the fact that you can work while you study to help pay for the tuition fees (more on student work visa rules later). A lot of students are drawn to the UK’s cultural and historical heritage. Indeed, the UK is rich in history and brims with spectacular monuments, world-renowned art galleries, and fantastic museums. Besides, once in the UK, it’ll be very easy to travel to other European countries for a long weekend or a holiday.
Last but not least, attending a UK university means you’ll be able to make connections and develop a high-quality network that can prove very useful when the time comes to look for a job. Besides, the UK is a multicultural society, and as such, you’ll easily be able to meet friends for life.
Education Systems in the UK
- Primary education: Students will attend between ages five and age 11 and undertake key stage 1 and 2 with compulsory subjects and tests to assess their English and Maths skills
- Secondary education: Students will typically be between 11 and 16 years of age, undertake key stages 3 and 4 and work towards taking their GCSE’s.
- Further education: Students who have completed their secondary education and wish to gain access to university or college must complete further education. They’ll have to obtain qualifications such as A-Levels, BTEC's, or other qualifications based on the type of curriculum they wish to pursue.
- Higher education: With over 33% of British people entering the higher education level every year, the competition is fierce. A-Levels are the main criteria to get into university. However, there are some entry pathways, such as enrolling for an Access to Higher Education (Access to HE) course. If you’re an international student, you‘ll need to complete the equivalent to the UK’s further education.
- Undergraduate courses
- Postgraduate studies
- Taught courses: Master’s degrees or postgraduate diplomas
- Research degrees: PhDs, DPhils, integrated PhDs, and professional doctorates
- Conversion courses: Certificates and diplomas based on crash courses designed to get you up to speed on a subject you haven’t studied before
- Professional qualifications: Practical training to enter a specific profession
Students life in the UK
The UK includes four different countries, including England, Scotland, North Ireland, and Wales, and is home to 66.65 million inhabitants.
A few general facts you should be familiar with when enrolling for a British university:
- British people like law and order
- Respect and politeness are expected
- Punctuality is important
- Universities and college campuses are non-smoking zones
- Although the UK is usually safe, travel in a group at night, lock your doors, and avoid leaving your valuables in plain sight
Accommodation
There are a few different types of accommodation options available when it comes to accommodation for international students depending on your location, your budget, and whether or not your university features halls of residence:
Halls of residence
Finding accommodation will most likely be one of the first obstacles to tackle as an international student. One of the most popular options for a foreign student who starts the first year of study in the UK is to stay in a hall of residence.
Halls of residence are buildings offering small single or shared flats usually provided by universities or colleges to accommodate students. Living in a hall of residence is an excellent way to meet other students as they feature common facilities and communal areas such as canteens, pool tables, or bars. This option is usually cheaper than renting a flat or a house.
Private Flats or Houses
While choosing to live in a flat or a house is more costly than staying in a hall of residence, this option allows for flexibility as you’ll be able to choose the location you live in. However, choosing to live by yourself might make meeting new people more challenging.
According to a study led by the World University Ranking in 2020, the average student rent is £126 per week on average, and the average annual rent cost is £4,914. Note that around 70% of rents include bills.
Shared flats
Some websites, such as studentspareroom.co.uk or room.go.uk , allow students to research shared houses and shared flat options. Less expensive than renting a private flat, this option will also allow you to meet other people (may they be students or not). It also means you won’t have to consistently stay on the college or university premises.
Public Transport
The UK is well connected through different types of transport:
- Trains:
Most cities and towns in the UK have a train station. You can plan your journey and book your tickets on thetrainline.com . As a full-time international student under the age of 25, you are eligible for a 30% discounted pass .
- Coaches:
Coaches are a great option if you’re planning to explore the UK as these large buses are designed for long journeys.
- Buses:
Buses are the cheapest way to travel around and are very popular among students. You can use the app city mapper to plan your journey. You can find tickets based on your destination here .
- Underground:
Whether you’re studying in London or just exploring for a couple of days, you’ll most likely use ‘’the tube’’ to travel around. As an international student under the age of 25, you can apply for the 18+ student Oyster card , which will give you access to a 30% discount on fares.
Social Life
Two great ways to immerse yourself into the UK culture and embrace the local way of life is to learn English and join student clubs or societies. Some campuses, including Loughborough University, Lancaster, or Liverpool Hope, offer great facilities such as spas, gyms, shops, bars, and clubs, which can help you meet other students.
The towns and campuses brim with bars, restaurants, and clubs welcoming countless students every night. Going out on the weekends is an integral part of the UK way of life and is a widespread activity among students. Note that, if you’re invited to a house party or for dinner, you’ll be expected to bring something along (dessert if it’s a dinner, for instance, or a drink if it’s a party). Note that the pub culture is embedded in the UK way of life as it’s a way for people to relax and socialise.
Although the country is multicultural and international cuisines are an integral part of the UK food scene, Britons have a few specialties you might want to try on a day out with friends. Fish & Chips, Bangers & Mash, Shepherd’s pie or steak & kidney pudding are some of the British favourites to try.
Last but not least, the local sense of humour might surprise you. Indeed, Brits use sarcasm and irony a lot (famous British sense of humour) so make sure you don’t take things to the first degree as they’ll often be teasing you. You can deleted it
The UK student visa
Cost of Visa
The fee for the Tier 4 General Visa is £348. In addition to the general visa fee, you’ll have to pay for the healthcare surcharge up to £470 a year, depending on your location, home country, and the type, of course, you choose to enroll in. The fees for the Short-term Student Visa range currently between £97 for visas up to 6 months and £186 for visas up to 11 months.
Healthcare
As a Tier 4 student visa holder who is studying in the UK for six months or longer, you will have access to the NHS (the British Healthcare System). If you’re not eligible via your visa, you will need to look into private insurance.
Note: For students who apply with SpringBoard4Education in any countries, we help you prepare the necessary documents for your student visa application, as well as other steps in the process, completely free of charge.
Work opportunities
International students who hold a Tier 4 student visa are allowed to work part-time while studying in the UK. Let’s take a look at the working rights before diving into working options.
Working rights
If you hold a Tier 4 visa issued for full-time degree-level studies, you’ll be allowed to work for up to 20 hours a week and full-time during vacations or summer holidays. Your institutions must be listed on the official UKVI Sponsor list and the list of “recognised bodies .”
Note that you’re not allowed to work, may it be work placement or work experience, on a Short-term Student Visa.
Reinstatement of the two-year post-study work visa
In 2019, the UK government announced the reinstatement of the two-year post-study work visa ( Graduate Route ) for international students studying in the UK, starting from September 2020. This will allow international students enrolled in a bachelor's or master's degree to be able to work in the UK for up to two years after completing their master’s degree and up to three years after completing their Ph.D. There will be no restrictions regarding the type of work that can be performed by former international students.
Sponsorship
For international students who wish to find long term work in the UK (up to 5 years), the Tier 2 Visa is the best option. To be eligible for this visa, the first step will be to find an employer who is a licensed sponsor and is willing to hire you. They must also demonstrate that they’ve advertised the role but couldn’t fill it. You’ll find more information on this visa here .
Opportunities
Working part-time while studying can be a great way to help fund the cost related to your study. It can also be an excellent way for students to develop their work experience and critical employability skills and ultimately increase your chances of being offered a job at the end of your studies. Popular part-time jobs for international students include:
- Server
- Bartender
- Student Ambassador
- Admin jobs
- Animal Caretaker
- Childminder
- Tutor
- Retail assistant
- Customer Service
What our UK students say
Meet the team
Our partners
List of universities for your next journey !
Aberystwyth University
Anglia Ruskin University Arts University Bournemouth Aston University Bangor University Bath Spa University Birkbeck, University of London Birmingham City University Bournemouth University BPP University Brunel University London Canterbury Christ Church University Cardiff Metropolitan University Cardiff University Coventry University Cranfield University De Montfort University Durham University Falmouth University Glasgow Caledonian University Goldsmiths, University of London University of Hertfordshire Keele University King’s College London Kingston University Lancaster University Leeds Arts University Leeds Beckett University Liverpool John Moores University London Metropolitan University London South Bank University Loughborough University Manchester Metropolitan University Middlesex University |
Northumbria University
Nottingham Trent University Oxford Brookes University Queen Mary University of London Queen’s University Belfast Regent’s University London Richmond, The American International University in London Royal Agricultural University Royal Holloway, University of London Sheffield Hallam University SOAS University of London Solent University Staffordshire University Swansea University Teesside University The University of Derby Trinity College Dublin Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance Ulster University University College Birmingham University College Dublin University for the Creative Arts University of Bath University of Birmingham University of Bolton University of Bradford University of Brighton University of Bristol University of Central Lancashire University of Chester University of Dundee University of East Anglia University of East London |
University of Exeter
University of Gloucestershire University of Greenwich University of Hertfordshire University of Huddersfield University of Hull University of Kent University of Leeds University of Leicester University of Lincoln University of Liverpool The University of Manchester University of Northampton The University of Nottingham University of Plymouth University of Portsmouth University of Reading University of Roehampton University of Salford The University of Sheffield University of South Wales University of Southampton University of Sunderland University of Surrey University of Sussex University of the West of England The University of Warwick University of West London University of Westminster University of Winchester University of Wolverhampton University of York York St John University |