Study in the UK

A dream study destination for many, the UK is home to many of the world’s top universities and is well known for its culture and history alongside its academic reputation. But what would living in the UK really be like and why should it be you study destination of choice? 

Why study in the UK?

There are many reasons why students may favour the UK over other study destinations. 

Many international students are drawn to the UK by the allure of London; and with good reason. London is a major European city stepped in history and tradition with some beautiful architecture and natural spaces. What it lacks in good weather, it makes up for in places to visit and things to do. There are a never-ending variety of cafes, restaurants, shops, museums, galleries, workout studios, theatre and musical performances and group and solo activities. You will never run out of places to explore or things to do. 

Despite London’s popularity, it is not the only vibrant city in the UK. Manchester, Birmingham, and the other capitals: Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast each have their own appeal. If cities are not your thing, there are also plenty of countryside and coastal areas. The country boasts woodlands, farmlands and mountainous regions and West Beach in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides and Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire, Wales made Lonely Planet’s recent list of the 20 best beaches in Europe. 

The UK has a lot of history, and many international students enjoy exploring the many museums and historical sites available. From the evolution of English royal family to the legends and lore of the old Celtic traditions, there is something for everyone. 

A huge attraction to the UK for many is the large number of high-ranking universities and the reputation they have internationally. A degree from a British university is held in high regard all over the world, giving students some great employment prospects. The UK education system often focuses on independent research and encourages students to ask questions and identify gaps in the research that is currently available. These active learning skills of research and problem solving are seen as extremely attractive by employers.

Life in the UK

The UK is a popular study destination for students from all over the world. Several of the world’s top universities can be found in the UK with a total student population of over 2 million and an international student population of nearly 700,000 according to Universities UK. 

One thing that is often an attractive prospect to international students is the UK’s multiculturalism and diversity. The UK is formed of four countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, and, although they are all considered British and use English as their national language, they each have their own language, cuisine, and cultural practices. International students can visit any of these countries within the UK and enjoy a wide variety of experiences during their time as a student. Alongside this, they will find UK cities to be incredibly diverse and home to people from around the world who embrace and share their culture alongside British traditions. 

Students can learn more about student life in the UK by exploring the articles on the Top Universities website. Many of our student writers have published their accounts of living and studying in the UK, including Fulya, Marin, Keshala and Saurabh.  

Choosing a UK university

There are 90 top universities in the UK. 15 of these universities rank in the global top 100 and 4 rank in the top 10, revealing the quality of higher education across the country. 

The UK’s highest-ranking university this year is Imperial College London which, for the first time, has surpassed the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, which rank second and third, respectively. 

Imperial College London scores highly in all indicators but particularly excels in academic reputation, employer reputation, international student ratio, international faculty ratio and sustainability. Imperial aims to create a future focused environment with a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation. The teaching style used is research based, encouraging students to ask questions and work independently. The university has nine campuses across London and South-East England which have plenty of facilities such as libraries, cafes, gyms, catering halls, university hospitals and sporting facilities. 

To gain admission to a UK university, domestic students will need three A Level qualifications that exceed the minimum required grades. Each university programme will have a specific expectation when it comes to grades and students should ensure that they know their chosen university’s requirements before applying. International students must have equivalent results in their local academic system. Some universities will ask for international academic results to be translated into the British system. If this is the case, your school or university should be able to help with this. 

Another requirement to gaining admission into a UK university is proficiency in English. Most, if not all, universities will require students to have at least a B2 level of proficiency in the English language. Language tests such as IELTS or TOEFL examine knowledge of vocabulary, accuracy of grammar and speaking, listening, reading, and writing ability. 

A great way to get help with finding and applying to a UK university is by attending a QS Event. Our connect and discover events aim to help you speak directly with representatives from the universities that you want to apply to as well as providing expert guidance on creating a successful application. To find an event near you, visit the Events Page on our website.

Tuition fees, visas and financial aid

International students need to apply for a visa to study in the UK from the British Government. If applying from outside the UK, students can start their application 6 months before their programme starts and will receive their visa within 3 weeks. If applying from inside the UK, students can start their application up to 3 months before the course starts and can expect to receive an answer within 8 weeks. A student visa will cover the duration of the course, up to 5 years, with the option to change to a graduate visa afterwards which allows you to stay in the UK for another 2 years. 

When applying for a visa, students will need: 

• A passport or other valid travel document 

• A confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) letter 

Students may also need to provide: 

• Proof that you have enough money to fund the university programme and your life in the UK for the duration of your stay. 

• An ATAS certificate 

• A negative tuberculosis test if you have been living in or have visited any listed countries within the last 6 months 

• Written consent from your financial sponsor 

In terms of tuition fees, domestic students can expect to pay between £9,000 and £9,250 per year to study at a UK university. For international students, it can be considerably more expensive with the University of Northampton charging £15,200 per year for an undergraduate degree, the most affordable option on this year's rankings, and Imperial College London charging £43,300 per year for an undergraduate degree, this year's most expensive option. 

Some of the most affordable universities for international students are: 

• Queen’s University Belfast 

• Swansea University 

• City University of London 

• University of Kent 

• Oxford Brookes University 

• University of Stirling 

• University of Hull 

• Coventry University 

• Nottingham Trent University 

• Leeds Beckett University 

• The University of Northampton 

Many private and government institutions will offer scholarships to international students applying to study in the UK. Students should research available scholarships, firstly with the university of their choice, and then with other organisations such as QS. Our ImpACT scholarships provide students from around the world with study opportunities. To find out more, visit the website. 

Career opportunities

Following graduation from a UK university, international students are able to apply for a graduate visa which allows them to remain in the country for another two years to find a job and begin a career, if they wish to do so. 

Students can find jobs in many different industries within the UK. Healthcare roles are popular for recent graduates as doctors and nurses are in high demand in the National Health Service. In larger cities business, finance and law are major industries. Becoming an academic researcher is also a popular choice due to the number of prestigious universities. There are jobs available across a variety of industries which is one of the reasons the UK is such a popular study destination. 

Student support

For many UK universities, student wellbeing is vitally important. They aim to ensure that students transition well into life at the university, are academically supported by staff and have someone to speak to about any problems that they may have. Although the exact support services may differ from one university to another, mental health services, housing services and academic mentors are common.