STUDY IN UNITED KINGDOM

Basic facts

Pros & cons:

• + High number of top institutions appearing in the world’s top 400
• + English language teaching
• + Variety of experiences inside and outside the classroom
• - High cost of tuition and living expenses
• - High numbers of international students on some programs

Why The United Kingdom?

The metropolis of London is home to some of the most famous sights of the Northern Hemisphere: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, double-decker buses, etc. The United Kingdom is made up of four distinct parts: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the UK is a treasure trove of history, architecture, culture and scenery. Explore centuries-old castles, marvel at the mystery of Stonehenge, or cycle or walk through the picturesque Lake District. There’s also never any shortage of live shows or concerts to go to. Studying abroad in the UK will give you an enriching education both inside and outside the classroom.

Education system

There are more than 140 institutions in the UK offering undergraduate degrees to 1,6 million full-time students, 99 000 of whom are international students. Another 500 colleges offer educational programs of differing kinds. Almost all universities in the UK are state-financed.

Colleges tend to teach for the Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND), Foundation Degree and Diploma of Higher Education. All last between one and two years and are the equivalent of the early stages of a bachelors degree. Universities tend to teach three or four-year undergraduate degree programs that are more academic, and lead to a bachelors qualification. Four-year programs include a period in industry or commerce, or a period of study abroad.

Students must have completed 13 years of education and have a local high school qualification equivalent to UK A-levels. Students also need a certificate in English before applying to UK universities. Applications are generally made trough a central system administered by the Universities and Colleges Application Service (UCAS), www.ucas.ac.uk.

Costs

The UK is a relatively expensive country in which to study. Tuition fees vary according to the prestige of the university. At most universities in England, students from the UK and EU pay up to 3 330 € a year for tuition.

Costs of accommodation , utilities and books are generally high, although there are regional differences. London and the southeast generally have a higher cost of living then the other parts of the UK. Students can expect to pay anywhere between 6 105 € and 8 325 € a year for living costs. The UK transport system is well developed but can be expensive if you don’t book well in advance. Train, bus and flight networks cover the whole country and allow you to travel easily and quickly. Student discounts are also available. Students also have access to free medical care if their program of study is over six months in length.

Scholarships are difficult to obtain in the UK at undergraduate level. There are no schemes administered by the government and only partial funding offered by individual universities and colleges.

Student life

The UK offers international students an experience of a lifetime. With its unique history, there is much to explore and understand. And with the high number of high quality UK universities, students can be sure of a quality educational experience. Universities and colleges offer a wide range of services including clubs, sport facilities and special interest societies such as debating clubs, political and cultural groups, and performing arts. All students are eligible to join the National Union of Students.

Students from the EU can work freely in the UK.