The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or the UK, is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe. It is comprised of four neighboring island countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Although England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are “nations”, they are not officially independent countries. Instead, they are part of the country of United Kingdom (UK)—and bound by the UK constitution. Each of the four UK countries have local governments, which manage local affairs, such as healthcare and other social services. A democratically-elected UK government oversees all national and international affairs, including student visas and other education-related regulations.
The capital city, and the largest city of the UK, is London. It is also the capital of England. The capital of Scotland, Wales and Northern Island are Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast respectively. The population of the UK is 67.7 million people (2019 estimate). The UK is a highly multicultural country, made up of people from many different cultural and religious backgrounds. In fact, nearly 15% of the residents identify themselves as an ethnic minority.
The UK is famous for academic excellence. It provides students an opportunity to get world-class education, access cutting-edge research, and learn from the brightest minds. Students get the knowledge and skills that employers want—all while enjoying a high quality of life!
One of the biggest reason’s students choose to come to the UK is its world-renowned reputation for academic excellence. The UK universities consistently rank amongst the best in the world. In fact, three of the top 10 universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2019 are British. The high quality of education can be found right across the country, with over 30 universities across the UK ranking amongst the top 200 universities in QS World University Rankings and Shanghai Ranking’s Academic Ranking of World Universities as well. Higher education institutions in the UK are regulated by the British government to maintain their globally-recognized, high standard of education—and to ensure that students get the best teaching, support and resources.
The UK is at the forefront of innovative research and emerging technologies, giving students exposure to insights and experiences that are high in demand around the world. Students in the UK have an opportunity to collaborate on groundbreaking research, get their hands on the latest technology, and learn from the brilliant thinkers who are amongst the best minds in their fields. Benefit from Short and Flexible Courses.
Academic programs (referred to as ‘courses’ in the UK) are generally shorter in the UK than many other countries. British students can earn a Bachelor’s degree after three years of full-time study, and complete a Master’s degree course in one year. In contrast, it can take a total of six to seven years to earn the same degrees in Canada and the USA. The shorter study duration helps to reduce overall tuition fees and accommodation costs, thus making the UK an attractive study option.
Furthermore, students can pick and choose from over 50,000 academic programs (referred to as courses in the UK) in more than 25 subject areas in the UK. British universities offer flexibility, allowing students to choose from different subject ‘modules and tailor their studies to suit their interests and career aspirations.
The UK is one of the most desirable places to live in around the world with its high quality of education, healthcare, transportation, infrastructure, and government services. According to the 2017 report, How’s Life? Measuring Well-being, by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the UK also has a higher environmental quality, social engagement, personal security and the chance for engagement with civic society than many other developed nations.
British education gives students the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge, critical thinking, and connections to drive forward their careers. As a result, British degrees are recognized and respected globally. Whether the student chooses to apply for work in the United Kingdom with a Post Study Work Visa (PSW), or return to their home country, a degree from the UK opens many doors for them.
