Standardised courses, interactive lectures, internship offers, research-oriented and practical-based curricula, etc. encourage potential international students to pursue their higher education in the UK. Moreover, the legacy of hosting many great personalities of the world inspires students to join UK universities to fulfil their dreams.
Besides the academic achievements and opportunities, the UK is a hub of many cultures in the world. Thus, an international student can experience different cultures and heritages in the country. Furthermore, the UK is one of the largest economies in the world. So, students can begin their careers in an esteemed company based in the UK.
The United Kingdom (UK) has a strong legacy of world-class universities and an elite system of education. It offers a myriad of disciplines and courses for the students and assures that learning happens beyond textbooks. Let’s look at the benefits of studying in UK.
UK universities and their courses and certificates are globally recognised. Most of the UK universities rule the top 10 list of the world’s best universities. So, they offer a variety of standardised courses and practical-based learning experiences that may help students to acquire critical thinking and analytical skills in their chosen discipline.
The UK has three major educational agencies to guarantee the quality of education in the UK. The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher Education takes necessary actions to ensure the quality of teaching and learning in the UK. They conduct periodical quality assessments through review visits to UK universities and guide the necessary organisations. The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) and Jisc in the UK facilitate hassle-free education in UK universities. So studying in the UK will provide you with all the theoretical and practical knowledge for an excellent future.
UK universities allow their students to choose 2 degrees simultaneously for their study program. For example, students can choose 2 core papers for their bachelor’s programs, such as you can pursue psychology and finance at the same time. Hence, students can learn new subject areas by saving their money and time. As a result, students can acquire high-paying jobs in multiple disciplines.
The UK universities provide innumerable programs for shorter course duration than the other countries. For example, you need two years to complete your masters in India. On the other hand, you can complete and get a master's degree certificate within a year from the UK without compromising its quality.
In the UK, international students can access free health benefits through the National Health Service (NHS). They are eligible for free health care services if their study period is longer than Six months. As a result, international students need not worry about their medical expenses in a foreign country.
The UK government allows international students with a student route visa to work 20 hours per week. Therefore, students can earn money for their expenses while learning at the university. In addition, the UK government permits overseas students to find internships to which they are eligible.
Since the UK is one of the top destinations for higher education, you can expect co-students from multiple countries. So, you will get exposure to different cultures, languages, and lifestyles. Besides, you can be a part of the active alumni network. It’ll help you build relationships across nations. All these contacts can be beneficial in the future.
The UK's educational system focuses on the physical, psychological, emotional, social, and spiritual development of the student. So, a student who passed out from a UK university will be strong in their academic as well as personal life.
The Higher educational institutions in the UK are colleges and universities. These can be owned or administered by Government or private authorities. UK universities are globally renowned for their short-duration degrees without compromising the quality of education. Some of the world's most prestigious and oldest universities are in the UK. They offer diverse cultures, large campuses, open libraries, and research facilities.
There are mainly 6 types of universities in the UK:
Some of the best Ancient universities in the world are present in the UK. Most of them were founded during the mediaeval or Renaissance period and that’s why they are called Ancient Universities. They have the oldest lecture halls and histories. Some of the ancient universities are:
| Universities | Founded in |
|---|---|
| University of Oxford | 1096 |
| University of Cambridge | 1209 |
| University of St. Andrews | 1413 |
| University of Glasgow | 1451 |
| University of Aberdeen | 1495 |
| University of Edinburgh | 1582 |
| University of Dublin | 1592 |
Red brick universities were established in major industrial cities during the time of World War 1 when people started demanding a university-level degree in subjects like science, technology, and engineering. They were built using red-gothic bricks. As a result, they are called Red brick universities. Moreover, they are part of the Russell Group of universities.
| Universities | Received university status on: |
|---|---|
| University of Birmingham | 1900 |
| University of Liverpool | 1903 |
| University of Leeds | 1904 |
| University of Sheffield | 1905 |
| University of Bristol | 1909 |
| University of Manchester | 2004 |
Plate Glass universities are a group of educational institutions that got the status of a University in the 1960s. Their architectural style gained them this name. They are educational institutions with progressing ideas in all aspects of education. Some of them are:
| Universities | Received university status/ formed on |
|---|---|
| University of Sussex | 1961 |
| University of York | 1963 |
| University of East Anglia | 1963 |
| Lancaster University | 1964 |
| University of Essex | 1964 |
| University of Warwick | 1965 |
| University of Kent | 1965 |
| Aston University | 1966 |
Metropolitan Universities are a combination of both traditional and modern universities. They internalise all values associated with teaching, research, and service. Then, they will offer more courses than other universities. Some of the universities are:
It’s a group of 24 elite research-intensive British universities. Each of them has an immense impact on global economic, social, and political matters. Some of them are:
Private Universities in the UK have the same dignity and perseverance as state-funded universities. Though a little costlier than the state universities, they provide numerous specialisations and world-class facilitators. Some of the most notable private universities in the UK are:
| No | University | UK rank | Global rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Cambridge | 1 | 2 |
| 2 | University of Oxford | 2 | 3 |
| 3 | Imperial College London | 3 | 6 |
| 4 | University College London | 4 | 9 |
| 5 | University of Edinburgh | 5 | 22 |
| 6 | The University of Manchester | 6 | 32 |
| 7 | King’s College London (KCL) | 7 | 40 |
| 8 | London School of Economics and Political Science | 8 | 45 |
| 9 | University of Bristol | 9 | 55 |
| 10 | The University of Warwick | 10 | 67 |
NOTE: The Global rank represented in the table is based on the QS World University Ranking. QS or Quacquarelli Symonds is a Global Higher Education Analyst. They provide comparative university rankings. QS ranking is one of the most searched and accepted in the internet culture.
The British higher education system provides 3 major degrees in higher education: undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees.
In the UK, a bachelor's degree is the most common undergraduate degree that lasts for at least 3 years or more. Applying for an undergraduate degree is much easier in the UK, as the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) will guide you through all the admission processes. If you want to apply directly without seeking guidance from UCAS, it’s possible. However, most of the universities do not accept direct applications. So, it’s better to seek guidance from UCAS if you are planning to do your bachelor's degree in the UK.
You can apply for the bachelor's degree of your choice if you have completed your 12th grade with a minimum of 70–80% in that related field. International students must hold English Language Proficiency Test scores such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc.
Some of the popular bachelor's courses in the UK are:
The UK offers a variety of postgraduate degrees and diplomas. A postgraduate degree is called a master's degree in the UK. It is considered the second-level qualification for a candidate. Postgraduate diplomas are different from a proper postgraduate degree, as the latter demands a thesis or dissertation that may help the student proceed further with their Ph.D. However, pursuing a master's degree at a UK university can offer you a higher academic profile and save you time with its shorter duration.
There are two types of PG courses available in the UK:
They are mostly lectures and seminars. The modes of assessment are examinations, projects, and dissertations. For instance, Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc), etc…
They are research-oriented programs in which candidates focus on a dissertation or thesis under the supervision of an academic guide. For example, Master of Philosophy (M.Phil), Master of Research (M. Res), etc…
Some of the popular postgraduate courses are;
UK universities allow overseas students to join a full-time or part-time doctoral degree in a specific stream based on their interests. It may take 3-6 years to complete a doctoral degree based on the subject of your choice. A doctoral degree or Ph.D. is considered the highest level of college education.
New Route PhDs: This is a new form of doctoral research for international students who haven’t been exposed to research. It is also called an integrated PhD that lasts for 4 years. In this type of research, students will be provided with tuition on their specific research topics and research techniques.
Professional doctorates: It is a doctoral degree equivalent to that of a normal Ph.D. Yet, it is a work-based research for working professionals in different fields. It may provide you with an opportunity to combine your professional practice with a research degree rather than getting a job in academia. It has both text-based study and action research.
Higher doctorates: This is the highest level of degree awarded by a university to a candidate. It is generally considered higher than a Ph.D. or an equivalent professional doctorate in their respective fields. A higher doctorate is awarded by a crucial scrutiny of the candidate’s research-based work.
Doctorate of Philosophy: People are very familiar with the term “Ph.D.” alias “Doctorate of Philosophy”. In this degree, students have to conduct serious and original research on a specific field before they can proceed to publish their thesis.
According to the higher education system in the UK, universities follow the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) to track and record their students’ academic performance. An academic or university credit is essential in the British education system. Usually, one credit is the equivalent of the learning outcome of 10 hours of study. In this sense, each degree has different credit requirements.
| Degree | Required credits |
|---|---|
| Normal bachelor’s degree | 300 |
| Bachelor’s honours degree | 360 |
| Integrated Master’s degree | 480 |
| Taught master’s degree | 180 |
| Doctorate degree | 540 |
In the UK, qualifications are categorised into 9 levels. It is superseded by the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). The Framework of Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) monitors the qualifications of Higher Education systems
| RQF | FHEQ | Qualification example |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Doctoral degree | |
| 7 | Master’s degree | |
| 6 | Bachelor’s degrees with/without honours | |
| 5 | Higher National Diploma (HND) | |
| 4 | Higher National Certificate (HNC) | |
| 3 | N/A | A-level National Diploma |
| 2 | GCSE | |
| 1 | GCSE |
| Courses | Duration | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 3-4 years | First-level qualification of a candidate. |
| Master’s degree | 1-2 years | Foundation for research |
| Doctoral degree | 3-5 years | Research focused |
A bachelor’s degree is the stepping stone to one’s career. Further academic and professional future of the candidate is completely dependent on the first degree he or she takes. If you are planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree from a UK university, you need to consider a few things. They are:
Some of the popular in-demand UG courses in UK are:
| Undergraduate courses | Duration | Streams of specialisation | Best Universities |
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| Bachelor of Arts (BA) | 3-4 years |
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| Bachelor of Science (BS) | 3-4 years |
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| Bachelor of Engineering (BE) | 3-4 years |
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| Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) | 3-4 years |
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| Postgraduate courses | Streams of specialisation | Best Universities | Job roles |
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| Business Analytics |
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| Data Science |
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| Computer Science |
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| MBA and MIM |
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| Finance, Business, and Accounting |
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| Law |
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| Architecture and Management |
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| Engineering |
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| Interior Designing and Fashion |
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| Spring Intake | Fall Intake | Summer Intake |
|---|---|---|
| January intake | September intake | May Intake |
| Secondary intake | Primary intake | Tertiary intake |
| Number of courses and universities are lesser. | Highest number of universities and courses | Least number of universities and courses. |
| Limited availability of scholarships. | Maximum availability of scholarships. | Least availability of scholarships. |
| Application begins: September-November | Application begins: December | Application begins: October to November |
| Lesser applications. | Highest applications | Least applications. |
The universities in the United Kingdom follow three intakes per year to admit as many students as possible to the variety of programs offered. The number of universities may vary according to the type of intake they prefer. Some universities offer seats in all three intakes to accommodate international students in their programs. Whereas some universities are very specific about intakes and will offer seats only for an intake or two. However, here are the three types of intakes in the UK:
The autumn intake, popularly known as the fall intake or September intake, is the primary intake for UK universities. Normally, it involves a large number of top UK universities and popular courses offered by them. Further, students can apply for numerous scholarships during this intake. Though the number of applicants is usually higher, it is a good opportunity for the students to make use of the top courses and scholarships in this intake. So, students have to make sure that they don’t skip either the deadline or the required documentation to secure a seat in this intake.
Follow these instructions for a successful submission of your application for the fall intake.
1.Start research: Start researching the UK universities and the popular programs offered for the fall intake.
As this process takes more time, you should begin searching about courses and universities at least a year before the application deadline. For example, you have to begin your research by March or April of the previous year if you want to apply for the fall intake in the next year.
2.Attend tests: UK universities mostly prefer international students who have a minimum proficiency level in English to ensure that they can communicate well both in and outside of the campus.
So, if you want to apply for the fall intake, you have to take these tests by April or June of the previous year.
3.Arrange required documents Once you finalise the courses and universities, it’s time to identify and arrange all the required documents for your admission.
Thus, to apply for the fall intake, you have to begin this process by August or November of the previous year
4.Submit your application Once you collect and arrange all the required documents, you can start submitting your application.
5.Response from universities : Mostly, you’ll receive responses from the universities you are applying to within 1-4 months after the application deadline.
6.Accept offers and apply for a visa: You’ll start receiving conditional or unconditional offer letters from universities.
7.Go to the UK and attend your classes: By September, you can reach the university and begin your studies.
UCAS Timeline for UK fall intake
The spring intake, or January intake, is considered the secondary intake in the UK. Compared to the fall intake, the number of universities, courses, and scholarships is lesser in this intake. Yet, it can be taken as an alternative option for those students who missed their admission in the fall intake. Also, students who did not receive their scorecards during the fall intake can apply for this intake. It is necessary to not miss the deadline to secure a seat in this intake.
1.Start research:
2.Take the tests:
3.Submit the application
4.Response from universities
5.Student Visa:
6.Book flights:
Marketing courses
Business courses
Project management
Data science and Cyber security
The summer intake, or May intake, is the least preferred and least offered intake in the UK. It can be considered as an additional intake. Many of the universities won’t offer programs during this intake. However, students can choose this intake as they can expect very little competition. Mostly, November will be the deadline for applying to this intake.
How to apply?
1.Start research:
Courses offered on summer intake
Admission requirements in UK Universities may vary according to the course, duration, area, and University type. However, there are some basic requirements to study in the UK. They are;
Required Documents to study in the UK: Documentation is a mandatory and important step to study in the UK. Depending on the course and institution of your choice, the required documents may vary. But here are some of the essential documents that you have to have with you while applying for study in the UK:
Studying in UK is a process of intellectual as well as cultural gain for all the students. To achieve this you have to make sure that there are no issues in your application. If you follow proper guidance to apply for universities in the UK, you’ll have a great possibility of getting into the UK education system. So, follow these instructions to have a hassle-free application experience:
Bhashyam overseas has an incredible track record of fetching scholarships and financial aid for our students. We have been successful in getting the best scholarships for students since our inception. We fill out application forms with utmost care and precision to ensure maximum economic benefits for you.
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Details in a CAS letter
