Why study in the UK?

A UK education opens doors, wherever you go in the world.

From our world-recognised universities to our innovative teaching approach and the leading minds who deliver it, a UK education has what you need for you to reach your potential.

With 556,625 international students in the UK (2019-20), you’ll be at the heart of a diverse and welcoming community of people from around the world.

Breadth, depth and variety
Locations from busy cities, to pastoral countryside settings and beautiful coastal towns.

  • Over 400 universities and higher education institutions to choose from
  • Over 50,000 course combinations
  • Locations from busy cities, to pastoral countryside settings, to beautiful coastal towns
  • Choose from our universities, higher education colleges and specialist institutions (such as world-famous art schools and award-winning conservatoires).

World-class teaching

  • Highest rated study abroad destination for quality of teaching and research (British Council research 2021)
  • Teaching system about debate and thinking for yourself
  • 29 of the world’s 200 universities and four of the world’s top 20 (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021).

Home of the English language

  • English is spoken by 96 per cent of the UK population
  • Discover other native UK languages – Welsh, Scots, Gaelic, Irish, Cornish and Ulster Scots – and hundreds of different accents and dialects.

An international community

  • 556,625 international students studied in the UK in 2019-20 – one in five of the UK’s students are from outside the UK
  • 10 per cent of world’s international students study in the UK
  • 20 per cent of academic staff in the UK are from overseas
  • 90 per cent of international students are satisfied with all aspects of their course.

A supportive learning and living environment

  • Student wellbeing is a top priority for UK universities – they’re even rated by the government on student satisfaction levels
  • UK universities are required by law to offer comprehensive plans for students with disabilities and learning support for those who need it
  • UK universities have responded to the global pandemic with Covid-19 measures that balance safety with offering you the best learning experience possible
  • All universities have international representatives to help you find your feet...
  • …and student unions and groups so you can meet like-minded people or take the chance to try something new! How about joining canoeing club, a debating union, a drama society, even Lord of the Rings club?

The forefront of science, business and innovation

  • The UK is one of the world’s trusted and most innovative countries, consistently at the forefront of science, culture, finance, politics and more
  • Thanks to the UK’s universities and research centres, the country ranks number one in the world for the impact of its scientific research
  • This is the birthplace of many world-changing events, from the Industrial Revolution to the invention of the World Wide Web
  • Many multinational companies are headquartered here – GlaxoSmithKline, Vodafone, Unilever, BP, Shell, Aviva – and UK universities and institutions maintain strong links with these and many other industries
  • With many UK courses, you can undertake an internship or a work placement while you study.

A confident step to your career

  • UK graduates are among the most employable in the world (QS Graduate Employability Rankings)
  • The majority of international graduates who studied in the UK say they progressed more quickly in their career than friends and colleagues who studied in other countries (International Graduate Outcomes, 2019).