Study in the UK: Overview for International Students
Want to get the most out of your study abroad experience? Choose the UK, where you get four countries for the price of one. Read on to find out more about studying in the UK.
- Study Abroad in the United Kingdom
Boasting over 260 higher education institutionsย โ including some of the world's most prestigious and top-ranked universitiesย โ the United Kingdom (UK) attracts a diverse array of international students from all over the world every semester.
The UK is an island nation located off the coast of mainland Europe. It has long been one of the world's most popular study abroad destinations. With a study culture steeped in heritage and strong research credentials, the UK offers international students an enticing range of higher education institutions and programs.
Find a program in the UK
Why settle for one country when you can get four? Find programs in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales using our search engine.
Interested in a specific UK country?
Together England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales form the UK.
The UKโs parliament (located in the capital city, London) hosts representatives from each of the four countries and helps forge a common British identity. However, the English, Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish cultures are and remain distinguishable from one another.
Each nation has its own traditions in music, cuisine, language, and education. This not only helps to reinforce national identity (as well as fuel intense rivalries on sports fields and across dinner tables) but also makes each nation a must-visit destination in its own right.
๐ You can read country-specific guides for UK here:
Andrew's experience as an international student in the UK
Why Andrew chose the UK as his study abroad destination:
"I had heard that the standard of education was very high, and I was seeking a postgraduate course that would challenge me and that could increase my skills in certain areas."
Quick facts & figures about the UK
| Countries | England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland |
| Language | English |
| Population | 68.5 million |
| Area Size | 242,495 kmยฒ |
| Students (international students) | 2.94 million (759,000 international) |
| Academic Year | September - June |
| Currency | Pound sterling (ยฃ) |
| Calling Code | +44 |
| Time zone | GMT (UTC+0) |
Studying in English in the UK
English is the UKโs primary language, and it's the native tongue of 400 million people worldwide. Half a billion people speak it as a second language, and thanks to its relative ease of learning, it has become the language of international business, travel, and entertainment.
Studying in the UK is an excellent way to enhance your English skills. There's no shortage of accredited institutions in the UK - with over 360,000 learners per year choosing specialized language schools, colleges of further education, or universities to improve their proficiency in English.
Other languages in the UK
While English is an official language in all four countries that make up the UK, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales all have their own native languages that are learned and spoken in various degrees. Whether you want to read the Mabinogion in the original Welsh, recite some Burns in proper Scots, or simply learn some Irish Gaelic, studying in the UK can allow you to stretch your linguistic horizons.
A note on Brexit
The UK officially left the EU in 2020, and a new points-based immigration system has been introduced. Visit theย websites of the UK Governmentย and the British Council to stay updated with the latest information and for advice on how this will affect students from the EU and the EEA (including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) studying or planning to study in the UK or participate in the Erasmus program.
Read more: What Brexit Means for Your Studies Abroad
Learn more about studying in the UK:
Housing in the UK
Most UK universities own accommodation which they rent out to students, commonly called 'hallsโ. But many other housing options exist if university halls are not your thing.
Student Visas for the UKย
What kind of study visa do international students need to study abroad in the UK? UK student visas are awarded on a points-based system, obtained by submitted certain information and documents.
Scholarships
Tuition fees for the UK vary depending on where you're from and where you're studying. Find out more about costs and scholarship opportunities for international students.
Entry Requirements for UK Universities
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) helps facilitate undergraduate admissions in the UK. There are two rounds of applications each year. Find out more here.
Programs
Ready to look at studying abroad in the UK? Use our search engine to find and compare top programs in the UK today!
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The educations.com team consists of hundreds of dedicated individuals who share a passion for studying abroad. We combine our diverse strengths to guide millions of students in over 250 countries toward finding their dream education.
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