Why should you consider studying in the UK ?
Students around the world have long been drawn to study in the UK. And, it’s for a good reason. The UK is known for its world-class education, diversity, and bustling student cities – making it a great place to study abroad.
In recent years, the UK has also announced more incentives to attract international students – such as visa changes and friendlier immigration policies. Overall, it hopes to recruit 600,000 international students per year by 2030. In 2019/2020, international university students made up 22% of the student population!
So, why should you consider studying in the UK? In this article, we’ll explore 7 benefits and how studying at a UK university can help prepare you for the future.
1. Top Universities
UK universities are among the most respected in the world. In fact, according to QS World University Rankings 2021, eight UK universities are ranked among the top 50 universities globally.
2. Diverse Country
Fourteen percent of the population in the UK was born abroad, about 9.5 million people. This means international students who move overseas to the UK could have the opportunity to learn about numerous different cultures and make friends with people from around the world. This is especially true if you’re moving to London, where 35% of the population was born outside the UK. Even more, you’ll also likely be able to stay closely connected with your own culture, through attending community events or visiting restaurants that serve food from home – things that can help with homesickness and culture shock.
3. The UK support for international students
There is plenty of support for international students in the UK. This might be online, through your university, or through the local government. For example, each university has an office set up to address international students’ needs, and answer questions about tuition, housing, and academic support, etc. You can also be in touch with this office before you apply to a university..
4. There are job opportunities after graduation
This March, the government announced they’d soon open up applications for the Graduate route – a move that’s set to attract even more students to study in the UK. Starting in July, international bachelor’s and master’s students will be able to apply to stay for 2 more years after graduation, while international doctorate students can stay for 3 years. This makes it easier for new professionals to settle and begin their careers in the UK.
There are also lots of career opportunities, especially if you work in a job on the UK’s Shortage Occupation List. In the UK, there is a shortage of nurses, pharmacists, teachers, engineers – and more – and the government actively recruits professionals for these positions from abroad.
5. It’s a great place to live
So, what’s it like to live in the UK? According to the OECD Better Life Index, pretty good. People in the UK ranked their general satisfaction with life 6.8 out of 10 (which is higher than the OECD average). The UK also ranks above average in things like jobs, education and skills, and social connections – which may be important to international students.
6. Finally, you’ll have a lot of fun
From London to Glasgow, to Manchester, to Nottingham, the UK is home to a whole range of great student cities for international students to explore.
You might want to enjoy the UK’s pub culture through university student nights or visit your new city’s world-class art galleries and museums. You’ll get the chance to tour centuries-old castles, and explore landscapes, cliffsides, and picturesque towns. Most of all, you’ll get to meet friends from around the world – and with them, enjoy all the UK has to offer.