Why is the UK the most preferred Overseas Education Destination?

Planning for a foreign degree? Good for you! 

Research tells us, a foreign-educated individual communicates better, thinks rationally, and has in-depth subject knowledge. Companies the world over appreciate these traits in an employee.  

However, choosing the destination country for your degree is a critical decision. The quality of education, employability, program fees, cost of living and other key factors depend solely on your study abroad destination. When stakes are this high, it pays to make practical decisions.  

As any overseas education consultants will tell you, the UK is a preferred overseas education destination for students the world over. On the last count, 485,645 overseas students are studying in the UK, up from 458,520 the previous year. The lure is strong among Indian students as well, with 276,889 Indians pursuing their degrees in the UK in 2019, up by 16% in 2018. 

Despite some strict immigration laws in place, why the UK attracts students? Well, let’s discuss.       

  

Quality education: 

Should the quality of education be a priority for you, the UK would exceed your expectations. The British education system is the benchmark for quality. Several education systems globally, including the one in India, are inspired by the British system. The UK has in place a government body, Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), to assess and monitor universities for quality. Perhaps, that’s a big advantage for Indian students studying abroad. 

Think Cambridge, Oxford, Trinity College, and London School of Economics, the country is home to some of the globally acknowledged academic institutions with a tremendous history to them. Six of these institutions are ranked among the world’s best by the Global University Rankings. Cambridge and Oxford even scored 100% for their academic reputation. The British institutes collectively produce 14% of the world’s frequently quoted research papers.   

Variety in program choices: 

Irrespective of the discipline or specialization you seek, the UK keeps you covered. Per the top overseas education consultants in Delhi, over 150,000 programs are readily available in the UK. Science, law, business, IT, medicine, engineering, management, and languages, you name it. Plus, from under graduation to post-graduation to PhDs, all levels are catered to.   

Companies, the world over, have a liking for the British certificate programs. The programs are industry-driven, meaning they boost your employability. So, anyone with a British degree often gets preference over other applicants. An element of flexibility is also there. Feel free to mix and match two or more different subjects into one course of study. Even a master’s program can be combined with a PhD program if you are keen on saving an additional year.    

Work while you study: 

The UK entitles you to work while studying abroad from India. Any student visa holder is entitled to work for up to 20 hours weekly in the UK. Given the guaranteed minimum wage, you earn at least £118 weekly from your part-time job. The earning is good enough to partially fund your stay and education. Alternatively, you can take up an internship at one of the globally acclaimed British companies, including BBC, Burberry, Rolls Royce, and more. Either way, you end up having a great resume that gives you an edge over other applicants in the labour market.       

Affordability: 

Affordability is one more reason why study abroad consultants often suggest the UK as an overseas study destination. The program fees and the cost of living in the UK are lower than the US, Australia or other English speaking destination country. Specifications may vary, but you’ll be paying between £2,000 and £3,000 less in the UK than in the US as tuition fee. The program duration is less here, which means lower fees and staying costs. Add to it several scholarships to deserving students, a degree in the UK can be a lot cheaper than you think. Plus, the visa costs are relatively affordable and you get free healthcare under the National Health Service.     

Things to know when studying abroad in the UK: 

Easy requirements are one more reason why the UK tops the list of overseas study destinations. Here’s your checklist of the mandatory requirement for abroad study in the UK. 

• For bachelors’ degree across disciplines, a Letter of Recommendation, Statement of Purpose, and a Resume need to be furnished when applying. The English Proficiency Test should be cleared, or else you may be denied enrolment. A standardized test (SAT) administered by the University Board needs to be cleared for enrolment in all undergraduate courses, except for Arts courses like Humanity, Social Sciences and more.  

• Providing the institute with a Letter of Recommendation, Statement of Purpose, and a Resume is a requisite for masters’ degrees, regardless of the specialization or discipline. You would also be sitting for the English Proficiency Test, GRE and GMAT. 

• Doctoral degree seeker just needs to deposit a Letter of Recommendation, Statement of Purpose, and a Resume. No exams are required whatsoever for enrolments.  

• The application process is institute-specific and changes from time to time. You are better off staying current on these requirements and staying compliant. If it’s not your cup of tea, let the overseas education consultants in Delhi do it for you.