As the UK’s economy continues to grow, more and more students are looking at the country as a place to study. With a rise in students around the world choosing to study in the UK, it’s no surprise that the country has become a favorite choice for such students in the past couple of years.
According to HESA, the UK hosted 605,130 international students in 2020–21. This is a substantial increase from the previous year when 556,625 international students were recorded. The increase is largely due to the UK’s open attitude towards immigration and the fact that it offers a wide range of courses for international students to choose from.
The UK has an excellent reputation for its educational system, which attracts many international students every year. There are many reasons why international students choose to study at one of the many reputable universities in the UK.
World-Class Universities
The UK has emerged as a top choice for international students due to the presence of top-tier universities. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2022–2023, the University of Oxford is ranked first and the University of Cambridge is ranked third.
Not just that, there are other universities like the University of Manchester, University of Warwick, University of Glasgow, and others that are popular among international students, too. For instance, at the University of Glasgow, the percentage of international students is 15% which shows the growing inclination of international students to study at this university.
Moreover, Glasgow University has been ranked among the top 10 universities in the UK by Times Higher Education 2021. The university offers a friendly environment for both local and international students. Along with quality education, the city also offers many things such as shopping, going out with friends, or just walking around the city center to see what’s happening there.
To easily explore different places, Glasgow’s minibus hire can help students explore the city’s various attractions and get to know their new home. With these bus services, you can get to places like Loch Lomond, Edinburgh, Ben Nevis and more easily than if you were to rely on public transport or taxis. You’ll also have access to friendly drivers who will be happy to give you recommendations on where to go based on your interests.
Scholarship Opportunities
Numerous colleges and universities in the UK offer scholarships to qualified applicants. The purpose of these scholarships is to persuade students from around the world to pursue higher education in the UK.
With more than 1500 scholarships available for international students, it’s easy to see why. From tuition and housing to travel expenses and health insurance, these scholarships cover all your needs while also providing an average monthly stipend of £2000.
The government of the United Kingdom has made it possible for foreign students to come to study in the UK by providing them with loans and grants. This has, thus, made it easier for such students to continue their education without being concerned about fees.
In addition, many universities offer scholarships and awards to outstanding students who have excellent academic records but may not be able to afford to study abroad. These scholarships are given on a merit basis and they vary from one university or college to another depending on their requirements and eligibility criteria.
Graduate Route
The UK has always been a popular destination for international students, but these days it seems to be more popular than ever. One possible reason is the Graduate Route, which is also known by the name “Post-Study Work visa”.
The Post-Study Work visa was a policy introduced in 2012 which allowed international students who had graduated from UK universities to remain in the country for two years after graduation to find employment. In July 2021, it was reintroduced under the name Graduate Route.
This visa allows graduates who have completed their studies at UK universities or colleges to join work experience schemes and internships up to 24 months after they graduate. It also allows them to apply for Tier 2 visas if they wish to stay longer than 24 months but less than five years.
Cultural Diversity
Students in the UK come from all over the world. This means that you will be surrounded by people who have different perspectives than you do and are coming from diverse backgrounds. As a result, you may develop personally and gain new perspectives.
For example, when you’re studying in the UK, you might find yourself in a class with people from Japan, Russia, and South Africa, and maybe even more than one of those countries. This can help you develop skills that will help you to communicate with people belonging to different cultures and parts of the world.
In addition, students have a plethora of opportunities to get involved with other cultures through extracurricular activities. For example, if you are interested in learning about another country’s culture or language, then you can join a club at your university that will help you do this.
In addition to this, there are many cultural centers where students can take classes on topics like cooking or dancing from different countries of the world.
Final Thoughts
The UK’s education system is becoming a hotbed for international students because it offers a high-quality education at an affordable price. The UK has been investing in its universities and research facilities, which are able to offer top-notch teaching and research opportunities at prices that can compete with other countries.
As the UK continues to invest in its educational infrastructure, it will likely continue to attract international students from around the world who want to take advantage of what is becoming one of the most affordable and highest-quality educational systems in the world.