Study in the United Kingdom | Apply to a UK University

Do you want to live, study, and even earn your degree in the United Kingdom? Whether you’re interested in experiencing UK style post-secondary education, or have always wanted to spend time exploring a new culture, the UK might have just what you’re after. If you’re looking at baccalaureate programs, or even your master’s or doctorate, studying at a British university might be the educational opportunity that sets you apart from the pack.

Why Study in the United Kingdom?

Education in the United Kingdom has a great reputation. Some of the most highly respected universities in the world call the UK home. That could mean that if you choose to study there, you could potentially learn from internationally respected professors and researchers, and gain valuable academic and practical experience.

Even outside the classroom, the UK might enrich your education. Whether you’re studying history, literature, business, physics, medicine, or something else, you might be able to take advantage of opportunities to apply your learning in the real world. From renowned art, history, and anthropology museums, to internship opportunities at international companies, as long as your visa allows you to do so, studying in the UK might help you to round out your classroom education with practical experience.

Interested in travel? The United Kingdom might be a great place to study if you want to explore Europe and even beyond. You might be able to take the chunnel to explore France for a day or weekend, or take the train or a commuter flight to any number of fascinating cities throughout Europe. Just make sure you follow up with the UK embassy at your intended destination before you go, to make sure you’re complying with any visa requirements or other travel regulations that might impact you.

What Is It Like to Study in the UK?

Curious what it might be like to earn your degree in the United Kingdom? Universities in the United Kingdom tend not to follow the liberal arts style education you might find in North America. Instead, students may be asked to declare a major when they apply, and then spend their full university career focusing on that major. In other words, university education in the UK may focus on in-depth knowledge of your chosen subject area.

One of the ways a university might encourage this narrower focus is through the organization of the institution. Universities in the UK are divided up into several different colleges, each of which covers a specific subject area. If you attend a university there, you’d be enrolled in a college according to your major, and spend the majority of your time attending class, studying, and maybe even living alongside the other members of your college. That might have some extra benefits, as it may help you get to know new people, building friendships based on common interests and goals.

But that’s not all. The United Kingdom has also been ranked second in the world for its cooperation between business and university education^[i]. Not only might you study under professors with experience in the field, but you might be able to get some of that experience yourself, through research, internship and co-op opportunities. This could give you the chance to take your learning outside the classroom. A great education, great friends, and great experience—you might find it all getting your university degree in the UK.

Getting Ready to Live and Study in the United Kingdom

If you want to earn your degree in the United Kingdom, whether that means your bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, how do you get started? Preparing to move to a new country for your education might seem like a big task. To help you get started, here are a few things you might want to ask yourself:

• What is your intended course of study?
  You’ll probably have to declare your major when you’re applying, so make sure you know what you want to study. One advantage to this is that you’ll be able to focus your search on universities with colleges that may offer the programs and support you’re looking for.
• What is your preferred location?
  Interested in the diverse, international culture and potential for travel you might find in London? Or would you prefer to study in Cardiff, Edinburgh, or another fascinating UK city? Or maybe somewhere off the beaten path? If you have a particular destination in mind, you might want to consider applying to universities in that area.
• What about housing?
  While many universities might offer student housing, the specific offerings at your school, once you’re accepted, might vary. Make sure you follow up about the details about housing, the associated costs, and what options might be available to you.
• What are your estimated costs?
  In addition to tuition, you might need to pay for things like food and housing, not to mention funding any international experiences you might be looking for during your free time. In addition to budgeting this into your loans or savings, you might want to investigate potential grants and scholarships that might be open to international students.

By thinking about these and other issues, you can identify your interests, needs, and priorities. This might make choosing and applying to the university programs in the UK that work for you a little easier, helping you get even closer to seizing that international education opportunity you’ve been looking for.

Studying Abroad in the UK: What You Need To Know

When it comes to funding your university education, depending where you come from, you might find that tuition in the United Kingdom is comparatively a little lower. This is in part due to government regulations regarding how much universities are able to charge students. The amount you actually pay might depend on your country of origin. Some European students, for example, might be eligible for similar tuition fee rates as home students; however, if you’re from overseas, the same rules may not apply. You might also be asked to guarantee up front that you have enough money to cover the full cost of the program.

Another thing to consider is your visa requirements. Depending on your country of origin, you might need to obtain your visa prior to travelling to the UK and starting your program. If that’s the case, make sure to follow up on the requirements in advance to make sure you obtain the one you need. If you want to travel extensively, or if you think you might need to earn some extra spending money while you’re abroad, you’ll want to make sure all that is allowed according to the requirements of your student visa.

Apply to Universities in the UK!

Are you ready to start looking for undergraduate or graduate degree programs in the UK? No matter what your course of study, you might find the United Kingdom university experience you’re dreaming about. To that end, UniversitiesAbroad.com has collected some information about UK universities for you to consider. Read up on potential program options and then reach out to your favorites for more information or to begin the application process!

Sources: [i] https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/34805/12-p188-annual-innovation-report-2012.pdf