Why Study Abroad in England?

How will England make your study abroad experience the best part of your college career? Let us count the ways.

Whether you’re traveling alone for the first time or signing up for study abroad to feed some already-existing wanderlust, whether you’re longing for the bustle of a big city or a cozy countryside escape, the vibrant student communities and variety of program choices will make you feel welcome in your new home away from home. And that’s just the start of why study abroad in England is such a great idea.

England offers the chance to study just about any subject without a language barrier, so if you’re asking, “Can I study abroad in England?” as you check up on your degree requirements, you’ll get a clear yes as your answer. While you’re earning credits for your degree back home, you’ll learn from another culture—and see why England is such a popular study abroad destination.

14 reasons to study abroad in England

Your decision will be a no-brainer!

If you’re asking yourself, should I study abroad in England?, here are 14 reasons to answer with a resounding YES:

1. You’ll get a top-tier education

As home to Oxford and Cambridge, two of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities, England delivers when it comes to university name recognition. Of course, you don’t have to enroll in an Oxbridge college to get a high-quality education in England (though you can do that, too!).

Whether you study abroad at a top-ranked Russell Group university or take classes at any of a number of other highly regarded universities in the country, you’ll know you’re learning with some of the best in England.

2. England = thriving student life

Student life in England is vibrant, it’s fun—and it’s welcoming to international students. You’ll study alongside Brits as well as folks from China, India, the United States, and more in an environment ideal for intercultural learning.

Sign up for student groups and attend university events to make the most of your experience. When you study abroad in England, you have the chance to make friends with locals and people from all over the world.

3. Match your study abroad program length to your goals

No matter how long you plan to study abroad, England has you covered. Want to study abroad for a fall or spring semester or even an entire academic year? Thinking of going abroad in the summer or winter to get ahead with your degree? Choosing when to study abroad is a big decision, but student life in England is great at any time of year.

4. You won’t have a language barrier

Ordering in pubs and cafes with new friends will be no problem.

Another reason why study abroad in England is so appealing for first-time travelers from English-speaking places? You’ll get the full experience abroad without the stress of getting around in another language. Sure, you’ll encounter some language differences (see: pants vs. trousers), but you won’t be second-guessing your language skills when you sit in your lectures and chat with local students.

5. You’ll find classes for your major

Since most classes are taught in English, you can choose from a wide range of classes in England. Just about any major can study abroad here! Whether you’re interested in health sciences or creative writing, theater or psychology, you can study abroad in England and easily stay on track for your degree.

6. Afraid of the expenses? You may even save money!

You might think of cities like London as super expensive, but plenty of places in England actually make studying abroad affordable. Tuition fees at universities in the UK are typically a whole lot less than their American and Australian counterparts.

While England can be pricey, programs outside of big cities can make it easier to pay for study abroad while enjoying the experience—and you can apply for scholarships to study abroad and bring down your costs even more.

7. You may be able to work

Maybe you’re trying to figure out how to afford to study abroad for a longer time. Maybe you want to add on to your study abroad adventure with an internship experience. In England, you have options. A UK Student visa lets you work while studying abroad (and you need to get this visa if you’re studying in the UK for more than six months).

8. Tap into your travel dreams…

You may find yourself skipping town in pursuit of Spanish paella or Italian pizza.

Take a study break and wake up to a cappuccino in Italy or croissant in France. Major airports in London and Manchester plus high-speed rail connections (and tons of budget-travel options) make traveling while studying abroad a breeze. You’ll have access to places throughout England and the UK, and you can easily plan weekend trips with top European destinations just a short train or plane ride away.

9. …and explore your surroundings

Sure, so many ways to travel on a budget makes jetting off every weekend to check a bucket list destination off your list sound tempting. But don’t forget to explore closer to home (and, yeah, make some time to put the study back into study abroad). England boasts an array of historic landmarks, museums, and cultural events to make your time abroad rich and fulfilling, without traveling far.

10. England offers students affordable health care

If you’re studying abroad in England for more than six months, you’ll need to apply for a Student visa and pay a small health surcharge. You’ll then have access to the National Health Service, or NHS, which gives everyone in the UK free coverage.

Yes, everyone includes students from abroad! Though you may have low fees for certain prescriptions and medical services, all in all, health care access is a lot more affordable in the UK than in the US.

11. Theater, nightlife, culture, arts

History and art enthusiasts will feel right at home when studying abroad in England.

From the early days of Shakespeare to the early days of punk, England has a cultural note for everyone. Check out festivals and galleries, read literature where it was written, enjoy live music, and more. You’ll have so many ways to explore your interests from a new perspective in England.

12. Plus nature and history aplenty

Someone’s probably already told you that you should study abroad in England if you’re into getting up close and personal with your historical sites. You have Stonehenge, you have the Tower of London, you have Hadrian’s Wall…and that barely scratches the surface.

England is also the place to go if you’re looking for some breathtaking nature. Cliffs, coasts, and caves let you get your adventure on when you’re not busy hitting the books.

13. You’ll study along with a huge student population

Looking for a friend to join you while you enjoy, well, all of the above? With universities in cities all over the country, England offers a thriving student population pretty much everywhere you turn.

You’ll find students from diverse backgrounds (not to mention restaurants, public transportation, and museums offering student discounts) to connect with as you see firsthand what makes student life in England so much fun.

14. You can choose an ideal location

Whether you want to study in London or elsewhere around the country, you’ll have options!

There’s no one quintessential study abroad experience in England. Whether you channel your inner Londoner for a semester or settle in for a cozy time in a smaller city or rural area, studying abroad in England means growing as a student—and as a person. You’ll have your pick of places to make it happen.

Get matched with 5 study abroad programs in England—it’s free!

3 study abroad programs in England to get you started

Now that tallying the reasons to study abroad in England has you ready to book your plane ticket, these programs are your next step to getting there:

1. Study in England with World Endeavors

• Why? Take classes at one of northern England’s most prestigious universities and see what life is really like in the English countryside (hint: it’s super cozy!). You can choose from fall, spring, and summer programs to find a study abroad experience perfectly tailored to your needs and academic goals thanks to the wide range of classes available at Edge Hill University.
• Where? Ormskirk
• Read World Endeavors reviews

2. Future-Focused Study Abroad: IFSA in England

• Why? You’ll have your choice of legendary destinations when you study abroad through IFSA. IFSA offers programs in England for a range of GPAs, in a range of places, for a range of budgets, during a range of semesters—and so many options make finding the ideal fit easier than ever.
• Where? Brighton, Cambridge, Canterbury, Leeds, London, Oxford, York
• Read IFSA, Institute for Study Abroad reviews

3. USAC ENGLAND: Reading - Undergraduate Courses

• Why? With courses available in a huge assortment of subjects, including hard-to-find STEM classes, USAC's partnership with the University of Reading makes studying abroad in England accessible. Learn at one of the top universities in the country with a tradition of welcoming international students while you immerse yourself in life in a historic town.
• Where? Reading
• Read University Studies Abroad Consortium reviews

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It’s obvious why studying abroad in England is so popular!

Inspired to make student life in England your own everyday reality? Yeah, that’s what we thought. Equal parts fun and educational, England offers the ideal study abroad destination. Get ready for the study abroad experience that will let you see it for yourself.

Explore ALL Study Abroad Programs in England on GoAbroad.com