Study in Britain in 2024 – Why Study in the UK?

Gradstar
January 3, 2024

In 2024, Britain continues to be one of the top places to go for international education. It provides a comprehensive experience that combines advanced learning spaces and academic quality. The UK maintains a vibrant educational environment that appeals to students all around the world. So, if you’re looking to study in Britain in 2024, you’re at the right place!

In this blog, you will learn why Britain is a great option for your higher education. Additionally, you’ll discover scholarships and courses that may be just right for you. So, let’s get right into it.

Why Should Britain Be Your Study Abroad Pick?

The first question that arises is why choose to study in the UK out of all your study abroad options. Britain is a shining example of academic achievement. It draws students from all over the world with prestigious institutions, including some of the world’s oldest and best universities.

These institutions provide unmatched access to top-notch instructors, innovative research, and a wide variety of disciplinary programs. Here are the top reasons Gradstar experts want you to know about:

Worldwide Academic Acclaim:

The UK education system is synonymous with incredible academic quality. It is home to some of the best and most prestigious universities in the world. These universities proudly hold a reputation for excellence in research and strict academic standards. The QS World University Rankings 2024 list 90 universities in the UK ranking among the best in the world. This figure tallies to 163 universities in the Times Higher Education World Rankings.

Popular Industry-Relevant Study Programs:

Great Britain’s universities offer some of the best programs in the world in a variety of subject areas. They provide world-class possibilities in various subjects, regardless of whether you choose to enroll in the most popular programs or more niche specializations. There are many possibilities available for your perfect program when looking into your options.

For instance, you may choose to enroll in the MBA programs of the London Business School, which is well-known for its cutting-edge business curriculum. The University of Nottingham and The University of Sheffield both have leading Law and Arts schools. Meanwhile, Newcastle University is a fantastic option if you want to study English Language and Linguistics programs.

The best part is that you can enroll with the confidence that these programs are among the global best in your field. You can learn from the leading experts, professionals, and scholars in your field. Some of these universities are world-leading in research and innovation, meaning you are learning with the best of the world’s best.

And better yet, these programs take industry demands and trends into mind. You can enroll in a UK degree with the confidence that you will pick up industry-relevant knowledge and skills to succeed when you graduate.

Global Recognition of Britain’s Degrees:

Academic institutions in Britain have widespread acclaim for their academic excellence and routinely rank among the world’s best universities. Degrees from these universities have global recognition in national and international professional and academic arenas.

Graduate employability statistics show the high demand for UK university graduates among employers. With the UK being one of the world’s biggest economic engines, your degree is a sign of your compatibility with both the local and international job markets.

For example, the University of Sheffield is well known for its brilliance in science, engineering, and technology-related subjects. Meanwhile, Lancaster University stands out for its humanities, social sciences, and sciences departments.

Work Experience as a Student:

One of the perks of choosing to study in Britain is earning while you learn. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), almost 80% of full-time students choose to work part-time jobs to augment their income while they are in school. These help you cover some of your expenses and obtain real-world experience. During term time, you can work up to 20 hours per week if you have a full-time student visa. Britain’s flexible work policies for international students reflect in the 60% working part-time jobs while they enroll in classes.

Outside of part-time work, you might also have the opportunity to access work experience through internships and work placements. Some UK universities and programs guarantee you professional experience as part of your curriculum. Generally, the university can help you find a professional placement among its industry network partners.

The opportunity to get hands-on learning in a professional workspace, especially in the economic engine that is the UK, is a priceless experience. You are eligible for both internships and part-time work as a student too! The UK Home Office does impose the condition that your internship cannot constitute more than 50% of your curriculum.

Post-Study Opportunities:

You can live and work in Britain for a maximum of three years with the Graduate visa. As a holder of the Graduate visa, you can work towards longer-term immigration opportunities with UK-based professional experience.

Diverse and Inclusive Culture:

With centuries of immigration into the UK, London has become one of the most multicultural and diverse cities in the world. It is also the world’s best student city, according to QS Best Student Cities 2024. Some of the metrics that inform these rankings include student inclusivity and international student population!

According to the British Council, the UK sees more than 600,000 international students every year. With hundreds of years of experience hosting foreign students, you can transition easily to study in Britain.

A Peek into Britain’s Top Universities

Where to study in the UK is usually one of the first questions that come to mind. Here is a brief look through just a few of the top universities in Britain:

University	QS WUR 2023	Best Course/Program
University of St Andrews	#95	History, Literature, Philosophy, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, International Relations.
University of Nottingham	#100	Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Law,
The University of Sheffield	#104	Computer science, Arts and Humanities
Newcastle University	#110	English Language and Linguistics
Lancaster University	#122	Art and Design, Drama, and Management
Queen Mary University of London	#145	Humanities
Queen’s University Belfast	#202	Agriculture
University of Aberdeen	#209	Arts & Humanities
University of Leicester	#272	Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering
City University of London	#328	Psychology

Major Intakes in Britain

Most UK universities offer two main intakes in Autumn (September/October) and Winter (January/February). Some universities also offer a spring or summer intake for select programs in April/May.

Rolling Admissions

Because of rolling admissions, institutions in Britain accept student applications all year long. But popular courses—and/or ones with a lower cap on the number of seats—can fill up fast. For instance, several colleges begin to close applications for certain courses in January. So, keep track of any deadlines and aim to apply early for your target intakes.

Summer and Winter Schools

UK universities also provide winter and summer schooling. These short-term courses, that take place during breaks. These offer a great chance for you to earn additional credit or experience. Remember that there are specific application processes for these programs.

Deadline Types and When to Apply

The application deadlines are not a one-size-fits-all scenario. Different courses and programs within a university can have varying deadlines. Here’s a list of typical deadlines for major intakes in Britain:

Intake	Deadline	When to apply
Semester 1 (Jan/Feb)	Regular Application	Between October and February
Semester 1 (Jan/Feb)	Rolling Admissions	Accepts applications even after the official deadline if spots are available
Semester 2 (Sep/Oct)	Regular Application	Between February and May
Semester 2 (Sep/Oct)	Rolling Admissions	Continues to accept applications if spots are available
Additional Intakes (Apr/May)	Depends on the university	Only the relevant university can provide precise dates

UCAS, the platform through which you will typically apply for undergraduate programs, also has its own set of deadlines.

What’s the Real Cost of Studying in Britain?

Here is the approximate cost chart to study in Britain. Remember that this is not absolute costing, it may vary on the university, currency, your UK accommodation, and other expenses.

Expenses	Cost (Approx.)
University Application	£50–£150
Visa	£200-£670
Air tickets	£590-£1640
Accommodation	£12,000–£15,600/year
Food	£960-£1,380/year
Healthcare	£470-£600/year
Transportation	£648-£1,236/year
Academic Resources	£500-£1,000/year
Tuition Fees	£10,000-£40,000/year
Miscellaneous (entertainment, personal expenses)	£1,500-£3,000/year
Total Estimated Annual Cost	£10,000-£38,000

Requirements to Kickstart Your Britain Journey

To know how to get a good university in the UK, you first need to know about their requirements. The requirements to study in Britain will definitely vary from university to university. But here are some general requirements that you need to fulfill for most of the universities in the UK. Have a look:

General Academic Prerequisites

Bachelor’s Program:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent.

• Satisfactory completion of prerequisite courses as the chosen program specifies.

Master’s Program:

• Relevant Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized institution.

• Meeting specific GPA requirements for the chosen program.

English Language Proficiency

UK universities broadly accept the following English proficiency test scores:

• IELTS Academic: Generally, a minimum overall score of 6.0 to 6.5, depending on the university and program.

• TOEFL iBT: Commonly requires scores ranging from 72 to 100.

• PTE Academic: Typically, a minimum score of 59 to 65.

• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): Generally acceptable scores range from 160 to 210.

Apply for a UK University Scholarship

UK universities are often just as keen to enroll international students as you are to study in Britain. One of the ways they encourage applicants is with attractive global scholarships. From partial to full funding, scholarships are an excellent opportunity to make higher education more accessible. If you are targeting a scholarship to study in the UK, check out the following tips:

Check the eligibility criteria:
Verify that you fulfill all the prerequisites, which may include academic standing, nationality, study area and level, and more. The procedures for applying for a university grant or bursary may differ from those for applying for a scholarship. Some scholarships automatically consider you as soon as you apply for a program – for others, you have to apply separately.

Gather the necessary documents:
Universities dedicate entire sections of their website to their financial support options – so explore them! This is where you locate and verify the necessary requirements and paperwork, such as recommendation letters, transcripts, and a letter of inspiration for the scholarship application.

Complete the application:
Make sure you submit all necessary information in the scholarship application form by paying close attention to the instructions. If there is a deadline, don’t miss it – apply early since there are usually limits to the number of available scholarships. Inhale deeply and press submit!

Wait for a response:
If you make the shortlist, you may get a call for an interview or need to provide additional details. Remember, you may also be eligible for scholarships after you get admission and start classes at your university.

Find Scholarships that Suit You

Merit-Based Scholarships:

These awards are in recognition of outstanding performance and noteworthy accomplishments in academics or other attributes. Universities offer their own merit awards, while external bodies like the UK government also offer options like:

• GREAT Scholarships

• Commonwealth Scholarships

Need-Based Scholarships:

Students who may otherwise be unable to pursue higher education abroad because of financial reasons may access need-based scholarships. These awards can help you pay for living expenses, tuition, or both, for example:

• The Felix Scholarship

• Sanctuary Scholarship

These are to make your study abroad journey easier if you come from a lower-income family or experiencing upheaval such as forced migration.

Subject-Specific Scholarships:

Some university scholarships are subject-specific, so be sure to check the awards your faculty or department is offering. While entrance scholarships and general scholarships usually get the spotlight, you might find a great subject-specific scholarship you better qualify for.

Athletic Scholarships:

If you have extraordinary athletic ability, usually in sports like football, rugby, or tennis, you can apply for this type of scholarship. For example, Swansea University offers the Elite International Sports Scholarship for talented international student athletes.

Research Scholarships:

Research scholarships are perfect for you if you are a graduate student, working for a master’s or doctoral research degree. These grants will provide funding for your research project. You will generally also get living expenses, tuition, and other research-related funding through this scholarship. Universities themselves are usually a primary source of your research funding options. The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is a public body through which you can discover many funding opportunities for research.

Leadership and Community Service Scholarships:

If you are a capable leader or are making major contributions to social causes or community service, you may discover scholarships aligning with you. For example, the Chevening Clore Leadership Fellowship give international fellows in the arts and culture professions to experience a tailormade leadership program in the UK.

Rounding Up

Choosing to study in Britain is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn and compete among the world’s best. Outside of the classroom, this experience will significantly increase your prospects in your chosen field.

Even though the application process may seem a little challenging, taking the initiative and starting early will help you succeed. Try to maintain this consistency and you will ensure that you’re ready for the exciting journey ahead.