Why Study in the UK?

Why study in the UK as an International Student

It almost goes without saying that the United Kingdom is a world leader in higher education. After all, historic greats like Oxford and Cambridge have literally been setting the standard for centuries. Not that the country has been resting on its laurels ever since; modern institutions like the London School of Economics have carried – and further reinforced - this tradition of excellence present day.

Though this reputation for greatness has been inspiring students from both within and without that proud island for centuries, the best and brightest from all over the world are now studying in the UK for more reasons than any generation before them. Though centuries ago students were drawn to study in the UK in order to study subjects like law and divinity, today far more international students in the UK studying are drawn there because of its world-class reputation of its business, finance, and applied science programs. This reputation – based more on the future than on the past – has reinvigorated higher education in the UK and helped bring the country’s system of higher education into the modern world.

At the dawn of the 21st century, however, the demographics of students studying in the UK are still more complex. Indeed, while many students are pursuing qualifications in finance, business, and economics, an ever-larger number of students are studying in the UK because of the global language that developed on that island but has since spread to the rest of the world: English. The role of English in international commerce cannot be understated. As a result, over the last decade the number of international students studying English as Second Language in the UK has reached all-time highs as more and more students have turned to the UK in order to study English in the land of its birth.

As compelling as these two reasons are, however, they alone do not account for the United Kingdom’s strong appeal and there are still more reasons why students of all types study in the UK. Oxford, Cambridge, and their like are not the only avenues of educational advancement in the country; the UK is blessed with more world-class colleges and universities than many countries twice its size. Not that these schools are "riding the coattails" of their more famous brethren, though: the strong reputation enjoyed by all of the nation’s schools is further reinforced by the fact that all accredited programs – which are the only programs entitled to admit international students - are regularly inspected by independent auditors. As a result, international students can rest assured that they will receive a quality education no matter where they study in the UK.

At the same time, the relative depreciation of the British pound (and corresponding relative rise of many other currencies) has made the cost of higher education in the UK more reasonable than ever. Visa regulations mandate that all applicants must offer proof that they will be able to support themselves during their course of study, short-term adult students are eligible to receive a Tier 4 student visa by demonstrating the ability to pay as little as £600 a month.

All this, of course, is without accounting for the UK's uniquely welcoming patchwork of native and immigrant cultures and its dynamic modern culture. In the end, for all these reasons and more, the question is not should not be "why" should international students study in the UK? but "when!"

We offer the following plans to students who are planning to travel, study or visit the UK: