Why Study in the UK

The UK has become one of the top destinations to study around the
world. With traditions of excellence dating back hundreds of years,
high class institutions in every corner and much more flexibility than
many other countries, the United Kingdom has much to offer
international students that other English-speaking countries cannot
offer.
But what makes the United Kingdom stand out? Why should you come to the UK as a destination to
further your international education?

Growing Destination
International students have always been an important presence in the UK, and their numbers have
been growing steadily over the years. In fact, the UK is now the second most popular destination for
international students, behind the US. The UK has worked hard to capitalize on the growing demand for
English-language instruction and the post-9/11 visa hurdles in the US. The top ten countries sending
students to the UK are:
1.

China

2.

India

3.

Nigeria

4.

Malaysia

5.

USA

6.

Hong Kong

7.

Germany

8.

France

9.

Republic of Ireland

10.

Greece

Worldwide Recognition
Degrees and qualifications from UK higher education institutions are known around the world as high
quality and world class. This standard of excellence is set by some of the older universities with
recognizable names, such as Oxford and Cambridge, but the tradition carries through to many of the
universities and colleges throughout the UK. When looking for work in the future, this can be a great
selling point in your favour!

Education Costs are Lower

The cost of education for an international student in the UK can is generally lower compared to the
USA and other countries. Programs in the USA can be $25,000 or more a year in tuition alone. Tuition
for the majority of UK higher education institutions generally 6,000 to 7,000 a year - considerably
less!
Because your degree will generally take less time to complete in the UK than in other countries, this
will also save you money. Although four-year programs are increasing in popularity, most degree
programs in the UK are three years, and a masters program is typically between one and two years.
Although international students can manage their affairs so that their UK education is affordable, UK
policymakers are taking note of an alarming trend in the cost of education for non-EU students. With
exchange rates climbing, life in the UK can be quite expensive. In addition, unlike in many other EU
countries, non-EU students are charged higher rates in the UK than students from EU countries.
One recent study from the Higher Education Policy Institute warned that the UK must act to contain
and reduce tuition and costs to stay competitive in the hunt for international students.

Work Opportunities
An international student in the UK is typically allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during school
term, and up to full-time when school is out of term. Of course, you should always check with your
international advisor at your school before starting any work - you do not want to be in violation of
your visa, and rules change frequently. Also, it is not always easy to find a job, so relying on work
income to fund your education is not a good idea. Unless you have employment set up through your
school before you arrive, you should plan to fund the entire first year of your studies without any
employment income.

Scholarships/ Loans
Financing an international education is always difficult. The best approach includes lots of preparation,
careful analysis of your budget, and hard work in researching and applying for scholarships. There are
a variety of scholarships and loans available to students who wish to study in the UK.

Gateway to Europe
With the addition of the Channel Tunnel and low cost airlines such as EasyJet and Ryan Air, Europe is
easier to access than ever. You can reach most areas of Europe from the UK within a few hours by train
or direct flight.

Multicultural Nation
The UK is known for its multicultural society, with all religions and faiths represented in some way. With
a racial, ethnic and religious jumble, the UK is very open to new traditions and cultures - something
that is a great thing for students from other countries! You can also be sure that a place of worship will
be easily accessible for most major religions.

International student statistics: UK higher

education
The Higher Education Statistics Agency [^] (HESA) First Statistical Release was published on 14/01/16. The tables
on this page which use this data have been updated for 2014-15. The remaining data will be updated when they are
published in February.

International (non-UK) students in UK HE in 2013-14

The First Statistical Release from HESA (2013-14) shows that the number of students from outside the UK
coming to study in the UK increased slightly by 3% to 435,500.

The number of Chinese students far exceeds any other nationality at 87,895.

Indian students are the next largest cohort with 19,750 although this represents a drop of 2,635 on the
previous year.

University College London hosted the largest number of international (EU and non-EU) students in the UK
with a total of 11,850.

Business and administrative studies are the most popular subjects (38.7% of students in this subject are
international) with Engineering and technology second (32.7%) and Law third (25%).

There is no significant difference in the sex of non-UK students coming to the UK with 50.9% female and
49% male.

Higher Education qualifications obtained in 2013-14

Full time study

Higher Degrees
(research and taught)

Other
postgraduate

First
degree

Other
undergraduate

UK domicile

30.5%

82%

83.2%

87%

EU students (not 13.5%

incl UK)

3.9%

7%

5.5%

non-EU

56%

14%

11.3%

10%

81.2%

92%

91.3%

94%

EU students (not 6%
incl UK)

2.8%

2%

1.8%

non-EU

5.4%

6.7%

4%

Part time study

UK domicile

12%

Source: HESA 'Students in Higher Education 2013-14' [^] Table 17

International student numbers by UK nation and English regions 2014-15

Country

Total international students

% of student population who

are international

England

356,820

19%

Scotland

50,015

22%

Wales

24,230

18%

Northern Ireland

5,525

10%

UK

436,585

19%

Source: HESA First Statistical Release 224 (2014-15) [^]Table 1a and Chart 4.
Note that Total = full time, part time non-UK students (EU and non-EU)

Sex of international students 2013-14

EU students

Total nonUK students

Female

57,755

198,950

Male

49,135

189,265

Female

9,470

22,910

Male

8,920

24,325

Full time study

Part time study

All students
Female

67,225

221,860

Male

58,055

213,590

Total

125,300

435,495

Source: HESA 'Students in Higher Education 2013-14' [^] Table B

Top Ten non-EU sending countries

Country

2014-15

2013-14

2012-13

China (PRC)

89,540

87,895

83,790

India

18,320

19,750

22,385

Nigeria

17,920

18,020

17,395

Malaysia

17,060

16,635

15,015

United States of America

16,865

16,485

16,235

Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region)

16,215

14,725

13,065

Saudi Arabia

8,595

9,060

9,440

Singapore

7,295

6,790

6,020

Country

2014-15

2013-14

2012-13

Thailand*

6,240

6,340

6,180

Pakistan

7,295

6,665

7,185

*Note that Thailand entered the top ten countries in 2014-15 and Canada fell to 11th place.
Source: HESA First Statistical Release 224 (2014-15) [^] Table 9

Top EU sending countries

Country

2014-15

2013-14

2012-13

Germany

13,675

14,060

14,520

France

11,955

11,500

11,725

Republic of Ireland

10,905

11,490

12,620

Italy

10,525

9,550

8,320

Greece

10,130

10,670

10,910

Cyprus

9,745

10,295

10,840

Spain

7,040

6,585

5,995

Romania

6,590

6,515

6,460

Country

2014-15

2013-14

2012-13

Bulgaria

6,255

6,355

6,060

Poland

5,245

5,200

5,280

Source: HESA First Statistical Release 224 (2014-15) [^] Table 8

International student numbers by subject area 2013-14

Subject of study

% in subject who are international

Business & administrative studies

38.7%

Engineering and technology

32.7%

Law

25.0%

Architecture, building and planning

24.4%

Mass communications & documentation

21.9%

Mathematical sciences

20.9%

Computer science

20.5%

Veterinary sciences

19.2%

Social studies

19.0%

Languages

17.7%

Subject of study

% in subject who are international

Medicine & dentistry

15.7%

Creative arts and design

15.6%

Physical sciences

15.1%

Agriculture and related subjects

12.7%

Biological sciences

10.3%

Historical and philosophical studies

10.2%

Subjects allied to medicine

7.8%

Education

6%

Combined

5.2%

Total

18.9%

Source: HESA 'Students in Higher Education 2013-14' [^] Table F

Top 20 largest recruiters of international students 2014-15

Institution

postgraduate
students

undergraduate
students

Total number of
international students

University College London

7,200

6,345

13,545

Institution

postgraduate
students

undergraduate
students

Total number of
international students

The University of
Manchester

5,650

6,565

12,215

The University of Edinburgh 4,530

5,550

10,080

Coventry University

3,715

5,385

9,100

The University of Sheffield

4,485

3,965

8,450

Kings College, London

4,205

4,140

8,345

The University of
Birmingham

5,780

2,520

8,300

University of the Arts,

London

2,015

6,130

8,145

Imperial College of Science,

Technology and Medicine

4,235

3,730

7,965

The University of Warwick

3,695

3,730

7,425

The University of Oxford

5,190

2,155

7,345

The University of Glasgow

3,675

3,665

7,340

The University of
Nottingham

3,075

4,170

7,245

Institution

postgraduate
students

undergraduate
students

Total number of
international students

The City University

4,205

3,000

7,205

London School of Economics 4,995

and Political Science

2,055

7,050

Cardiff University

3,455

3,535

6,990

The University of
Southampton

3,995

2,900

6,895

The University of Liverpool

2,040

4,825

6,865

University of NewcastleUpon-Tyne

3,315

3,295

6,865

The University of Cambridge 3,960

2,400

6,360

Source: HESA First Statistical Release 224 (2014-15) [^]Table 3.

Note that totals include EU and non-EU students, full-time and part-time study.

Students studying wholly overseas for a UK qualification

Type of provision

Total
number of
students
2013-14

Total
number of
students
2012-13

Total
number
of
students
2011-12

Overseas campus of reporting HEI

19,230

17,525

14,870

Distance, flexible or distributed learning

119,700

123,635

116,535

Type of provision

Total
number of
students
2013-14

Total
number of
students
2012-13

Total
number
of
students
2011-12

Other arrangement including collaborative provision

116,035

103,795

96,075

Subtotal - students registered at a UK HEI

254,965

244,955

227,480

Overseas partner organisation

374,430

353,375

342,845

Other arrangement

7,280

600

340

Subtotal - students studying for an award of a UK HEI (not 381,710

registered)

353,975

343,190

Total

707,350

570,665

636,675

Source: HESA 'Students in Higher Education 2013-14' [^] Table O

Level and location of study of students studying wholly overseas 2013-14 (top 10
countries)
postgraduate postgraduat first
other
Total
research
e taught
degree undergraduat
e
Malaysia

370

4,595

68,315 3,320

76,600

Singapore

110

4,770

43,940 1,245

50,070

postgraduate postgraduat first

other
Total
research
e taught
degree undergraduat
e
China

340

3,810

44,935 595

49,680

Pakistan

25

410

42,290 675

43,400

Nigeria

185

4,585

23,630 55

28,455

Hong Kong (Special

Administrative Region of
China)

280

3,745

24,065 290

28,385

Ghana

25

2,605

14,315 185

17,130

Oman

35

1,600

13,740 115

15,490

United Arab Emirates

205

5,865

8,655

14,885

Egypt

65

1,245

13,365 35

130

14,710

Source: HESA 'Students in Higher Education 2013-2014' [^] Table P

Every year close to 500,000 students from 200 nations come to the UK to study at a
school, college or university and 600,000 more come to do an English language course.
In addition, over 500,000 international students each year take a UK qualification
overseas for example, online or at a UK overseas campus.
The UK has a long history of welcoming international students from around the globe.
And with a reputation for academic excellence, its easy to see why so many
international students choose a UK education.
Many UK schools, colleges and universities have an international society to help
international students settle in and make friends.
International societies tend to offer:

social activities such as parties, meals and meet-ups

trips to visit local tourist attractions

support, friendship and advice.

Hudreds of thousands of international students study in the UK each year, making

studying in the UK the number two choice for international students in the world, second
only to the USA. For students worldwide that would like an English-language education,
what better place to study than the country that invented the language?

Financial Aid for the UK

Like nearly all other countries around the world, if you wish to study in the UK
you will need to show proof of financial support whilst you are there - that is so the
UK government does not have to pay or support you whilst you are studying in the
UK.

After you have graduated in the UK you have several options open
to you and choosing the right path is not always an easy thing to do.
The most common course for most international students is to either
return home, or look for work in the UK.
But, you have many options and you should explore each one to work out which is the best route for you.
The main options for students after they graduate from studying in the UK are:

Graduate School
For some students with the studying "bug", you may want to further your education and this is most typically done at
graduate school to study for your MBA, Ph.D. or other postgraduate course.

Job Search
Looking for work is one popular options, especially for international students as some may have large debts and will
want to pay them back. Whether you return home or try and stay in the UK you will need some assistance to get that
killer job!

Returning Home
If you decide to return home there are going to be many hurdles you will face, especially if you come from a country
that is very different to the UK. Learn how to cope with "reverse culture shock" and other things that will come in your
path when you return home.