Quick Guide to Studying in the UK for International Students

What is the UK?

The UK comprises four nations: England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. It’s a country in the West of Europe, and its four nations each have their own governments to manage local affairs like social services, employment and education.

London is the UK’s capital city – it is also the largest city in England (by population and area).

The UK’s national and international affairs, such as policies, regulations and taxes are handled by a democratically elected government. The UK usually holds general elections, where a new government can be elected, every five years.

Why Choose to Study in the UK?

World-class Education

High-quality education and proven record of academic excellence are the main reasons why many international students choose to study in the United Kingdom.

However, studying at a UK school will also give you a greater chance of gaining a place at a UK university. UK universities rank amongst the best universities in the world, check out the 2024 QS World University Rankings or the Times Higher Education World University Rankings to see for yourself.

The UK education system, and the qualifications that it provides, are also well respected by academic institutions and employers outside the UK – this means that wherever you decide to study or work later in life, an education from a UK institution will be well received.

Access to Advanced Academic Research

The UK is at the forefront of innovative research and emerging technologies, thanks to the extensive number of respected academics who choose to work and research at UK schools and universities. This means students studying in the UK are able to experience and undertake cutting edge research, whilst gaining advanced skills that are highly sought after around the world.

Experience the High Life

Studying in the UK allows international students to experience life in one of the most desirable places to live in the world, as not only does the UK excel at providing high quality education, but it’s also ranked above average for healthcare, infrastructure, and overall levels of well-being.

The UK is also renowned for its incredible history, stunning landscapes, breath-taking architecture, and multi-cultural population – studying here means you can experience it all.

How Does the UK’s Education System Work?

The education system is divided into primary, secondary, further, and higher education as follows:

For primary, secondary, and further education, there are two schooling options offered: independent (also known as private schools) and state schools.

• State schools are free to attend as they’re funded by the UK government and controlled by the Department for Education, over 90% of the British population study at state schools. These schools don’t accept international students, unless you meet a very strict set of criteria.

• Independent schools are funded by student fees, but still regulated by the UK government. International students looking to study in the UK will need to find a suitable independent school to apply to. The OBAS Group can help you find and apply to UK independent schools. Why not take a look at our affiliated schools?

The next step is higher education. This refers to undergraduate and postgraduate degree qualifications, most commonly undertaken at universities, although some further education colleges and institutions also offer degrees.

• A typical bachelor’s degree takes three years to complete in the UK, but in Scotland it takes four years. Some degree courses offer a sandwich year (also known as a placement), where an additional year of work experience is included in the degree program.

• Some degrees, such as medicine, architecture and veterinary programs can take five or more years to complete.

What is it Like to Live and Study in the UK?

Different countries have their own sets of traditions and cultural quirks. The way of doing things in the UK may differ from your home country and you’ll have to get used to them if you study here.

Culture

The UK culture is unique and filled with people from all around the world. As a result it’s become a cultural hub with a rich history. No matter where you study in the UK, you’ll be able to find museums, historic landmarks, modern attractions, and parks to visit.

British humour can be difficult to interpret for overseas students, as it’s often dry and sarcastic. Self-deprecation is common, this means British people mock themselves and their life experiences in order to make someone laugh.

Manners are an important part of British culture. For instance, you’ll have to adjust to arriving on time or even early for meetings, saying “sorry”, not just to apologize but also before getting someone’s attention or asking a question, and finally, you’ll need to make sure you wait patiently in queues to avoid hostile stares!

Food and Drink

Tea! The British population drink more than 60 billion cups of tea a year, so it’s safe to say it’s one of the most popular drinks in the UK. Afternoon tea – so called because it is normally served in the afternoon, is a traditional meal where tea is served with pastries, cakes, and miniature sandwiches.

The English breakfast is well-liked traditional British meal, especially at the weekends. A ‘full English’ normally consists of bacon, fried, poached, or scrambled eggs, fried or grilled tomatoes, fried mushrooms, fried bread or buttered toast, and sausages. Black pudding, baked beans, and bubble and squeak are also often included. Tea, coffee, or fruit juice is normally served with the breakfast too.

Other notable British meals include fish and chips, Sunday roasts and savoury pies.

Weather

Different parts of the UK have different types of weather, generally though the south is warmer than the north. A typical UK summer is cool and mostly dry, with temperatures between 20-30°C. Winter in the UK is relatively mild with temperatures between minus 5-10°C, there is sometimes snow, but it rarely settles.

Weather conditions can vary a lot from day to day, as well as from season to season in the UK, so come prepared with a broad range of clothing and footwear.

Healthcare (NHS)

Healthcare in the UK is divided into two parts, the first provider of healthcare is the NHS (National Health Service) which is funded by the UK government. The NHS is the most common form of healthcare in the UK. The second option is private healthcare, which means that the person receiving treatment must pay for it themselves as there is no government funding.

International students are required to pay an immigration health surcharge as part of their visa application fee. By paying this, students can access medical care through the NHS at no additional cost, just like a permanent UK resident. This includes general medical care but may not cover medicines, dental or optical treatment.

Transportation

Whilst school aged students probably won’t require public transport, older students studying at UK universities may, depending on the university they attend, and if they want to explore other parts of the UK.

Public transport in the UK is generally very good, especially in large towns and cities, which is where most universities are located. Schools may be located in smaller or more rural locations where public transport isn’t so prominent, but your school will arrange a local taxi or a school driver to take you somewhere if required.

A famous part of the UK’s transport network is the London Underground, commonly called the ‘Tube’. The tube is a subway (rail network) that runs underneath London.