Degrees in the United Kingdom

Sprinkle a generous handful of well-established cities amidst some of the most impressive natural beauty you can find, and you have the stimulating variety that encompasses the United Kingdom.

Perched near the border of Scotland and England, both Edinburgh and Glasgow offer a passageway to the metropolitan cities of the south and to the rugged wilderness of the north. While Glasgow is sometimes painted in a somber glow, it is a down-to-earth place full of street art, ethnic neighborhoods, and a tidy quietness not typically associated with capital cities. Its livelier and younger counterpart, Edinburgh (a world heritage site) is the nation’s forerunner of theatre and design. 

London offers excellent degree opportunities for almost any study track, where there is a hustle of innovation that is hard to ignore (no surprise it's the top location for international students worldwide!).

Other popular cities for earning a degree in the UK include Birmingham, Manchester, Aberdeen, and Belfast, each providing the same quality of education, just off the beaten path (perfect for the more rogue scholar).

Above all, be sure to explore all your location options for degrees in the UK and then determine which one sounds like the best fit.

The Royal Family has made sure that standards for higher education in the UK are kept high, in part to continue the impressive academic history of the country. Once you earn a degree abroad in the UK, you can be sure that your level of education and critical thinking will not be lacking, and that the rest of the world will recognize and respect your degree.

Some of the most notable universities in the UK include: the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University College London, King’s College London, and the University of Edinburgh (most of them part of the prestigious network of schools called the Russell Group).

All classes are taught in English, making the UK a convenient option for securing a degree abroad in English. However, don’t assume that earning a degree in the UK is consequently going to be easy. Using more classical teaching methods, most of university level classes in the UK rely more upon a single final to test your knowledge, instead of monthly tests and multiple-choice questions. Although, the academic year in the UK is pretty standard (September to December and January to May semesters), so it will be easy to move between one country and another without the hassle of overlapping school schedules.

Quality degrees can be found in the United Kingdom in almost any subject, but the UK has a particularly strong reputation for the following subjects: English, history, theatre, business, and biological sciences. Mathematics and science are especially popular undergraduate degree programs in the UK, especially for students that wish to complete a medical degree back home.

Both undergraduate and graduate degrees can be completed in the UK in a shorter than average length of time (bachelors in three years and masters in one year), thus reducing the costs of tuition and making the degrees in the UK even more attractive. Some schools even offer master’s programs as part of undergraduate programs for a total of four years of study, which will cost the costs of earning a degree in the UK even further.

In addition, certain universities in the UK offer vocational degrees known as “foundation degrees,” which take two years to complete and offer more flexibility with scheduling classes (good option if there is a full-time job in the picture).

While the British pound has an international reputation for being costly, earning a degree in the UK is cheaper than most people assume. Thanks to access to various financial aid options and a higher standard of living, people rate studying in the UK as one of the better financial deals out there. 

Specifics regarding the cost of living depend greatly on the location. London is significantly more expensive than little towns, but at the same time, it also has a lot more degree program options and opportunities. Generally speaking, the north tends to be cheaper than the south, and the smaller islands cheaper than the bigger ones.

Rent is the main expense international students will face while earning a degree in the UK, followed by utilities and transportation. Daily needs (food, toiletries, etc.) tend to be the same price as they would be in the U.S. There also are no shortage of ways to save money as a student in the UK: transportation passes, student discounts, and international cafes (hint: kebabs) abound. 

Remember that degree programs are shorter in the UK than in other countries, so it will take an entire year off your budgeting spreadsheets. Nonetheless, it’s not a bad idea to pick up a part-time job to cover additional costs (or to take a Segway tour of Titanic’s birthplace, hop around on the Giant’s Causeway, attend the Highland Games, and check out the Fringe Festival). For extra help in the finance department, there are many scholarships options available, so be sure to dabble in GoAbroad’s scholarship directory for study in the UK. When researching, keep in mind that costs of tuition are different for EU and non-EU applicants too.

From gothic dormitories to castles and shared apartments, there is no shortage of accommodation options, all of which have decent associated services and amenities. 

A popular option for the first year students is to stay at the university’s dormitories or self-catered flats, as you will be in close contact with other students, get well-acquainted with the surroundings, and be close to all of the action. If your degree program in the UK offers a homestay option, this might save some money (and provide a few meals). Moving off-campus is usually cheaper than living in the dorms, but always specify what is included in the rent (ex. security deposit, utilities, television license, etc.) and pay attention to location (the further away from the center, the cheaper, but don’t discard commuting costs). Also, make sure the price listed is for a month, not a week (you’d be surprised!)

Unless you are from the European Union (or Switzerland), getting a degree in the UK requires some sort of visa. The most common type is the student visitor visa, but for longer courses of study or the opportunity to work, a Tier 4 visa is required. A prospective student visa is also an option if you do not have a specific school picked yet, and it can easily be upgraded to a Tier 4 visa when you decide on a specific degree program in the UK.

For specific information to get started, check out GoAbroad’s United Kingdom embassy directory. Most program providers and host universities offer a detailed guide as to how to secure a visa, but not matter what, you should start the visa process two to three months in advance.

A historical hotspot and geographic giant, the United Kingdom boasts some of the highest levels of demographic diversity, hosting students and immigrants from all over the world. This multiculturalism offers contact with more than a single ethnicity, mindset, or accent (as well as kebabs, wursts, ramen, and panipuri). That’s not to mention the entire universe of British culture that you will come in contact with: tea parties full of cuppa’s, the hunt for the legendary haggis, the dry humor, and learning the difference between chips and crisps.

Differences aren’t just cultural either; there are educational differences as well. Even if classes are taught in English, remember to “mind the gap” and expect bumpy transitions. More than likely, the learning approach will be different than what is familiar from your studies back home. On the surface, the education system in the UK may seem more laid-back, but recognize that values are addressed to different components: weekly lectures, discussions in modules, long essays, independent study.

While earning your degree in the UK you should always remember to accommodate the new education and grading system, and be prepared for new forms of critical thinking; this will make that globally-recognized UK degree seem even more special, and you will walk away with more than just a piece of paper: the ability to keep calm and always carry around an umbrella. Even if it doesn’t rain, you will be prepared for whatever life decides to throw at you.