Why study in England?Why study for a UK career-based or pre-university qualification?
You'll get a world-class qualification Quality standards for all English institutions are among the best in the world. Universities, colleges and schools continually have to prove that their courses meet strict criteria. Many other countries are now trying to follow the example of England and the rest of the UK.
You will get the skills you'll need for the modern environment |
Foto: Rui Vale de sousa
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English scientists and institutions have won almost 100 Nobel Prizes for their scientific achievements. England's creative brains', artists, fashion designers, film and television stars, and leisure software designers' are regarded as among the best in the world. Their work is worth £112 billion every year.
At degree and postgraduate level in particular, students are encouraged to read widely, to question and analyse what they have read, and to discuss openly their own ideas in seminars and tutorials. Career-based courses are designed to equip you for specific roles in the modern world of work.
English language skills will be important for your future career prospects. Where better to learn the international language of business, science, IT and the internet, than the country of its birth? Studying English in England allows you to immerse yourself in the language and to live and think in English.
Whatever your educational needs, England can meet them
There are more than 3,000 educational institutions that welcome international students to England. You can choose from a variety of routes through the education and training system, combining different types of course according to your needs and abilities. Many courses can also be taken through distance learning in your home country.
There is a rich history and tradition surrounding English educational institutions. Universities such as Oxford and Cambridge are famed the world over for the quality of their teaching. However, it's not just the traditional that you can find in England; there is a huge choice of learning environments ranging from the big old 'red brick' universities to smaller institutions such as the technical colleges. The sheer variety of specialisms means you will be able to find a course that suits your real interests, your ambitions and passions. For example, in England, you could specialise in anything from computer games programming, ocean engineering, satellite positioning technology or sound engineering to multi- media design, anthropology, cross-cultural psychology, hotel management or dance.
It has an exciting, fun culture
England is a cosmopolitan place to live. Many thousands of families from around the world have made England their home, creating a richly diverse, open-minded, multicultural society. There are also more than a quarter of a million international students in England at any one time.
Being the largest country in the UK, England encapsulates much of the history and tradition for which the UK is famous. Its capital city, London, is a leading centre for banking, insurance and commerce as well as being a magnet for young people.
Increasingly, however, cities like Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds are making their mark with world class shopping, restaurants, nightlife and music scenes.
English people like to get together and enjoy themselves. Theatres, concerts and art galleries can be found in all large towns and cities; big sports events take place every weekend; pubs and restaurants are everywhere.
It's an ideal base for your travels
England is the largest country in the UK, which includes 2 other countries and a province: Scotland, Wales and the province of Northern Ireland. Each has its own distinctive history, landscape and modern culture. And, because they're all within easy reach of one another, they're easy to explore. The national air, rail, coach and bus networks will get you almost anywhere in the UK, so you won't need a car, as you might in some countries. Discounts or special rates are generally available for students on most forms of transport.
It's also easy to see the rest of Europe. The Channel Tunnel, cheap flights and ferries mean that you're never too far away from the other great capital cities of the European mainland. The closeness of the rest of Europe means that many institutions offer work placements and periods of study there.
It's an affordable option
English degrees can take only three years and postgraduate master's courses only one year compared with four years and two years in most other countries. This means you will save a great deal on both tuition fees and living costs, and you will be able to start working and earning money sooner. English degree courses are shorter because they are more intensive, and therefore more efficient in terms of your time and money. Health care is often free for international students. You are likely to be able to take advantage of National Health Service (NHS) treatment, as well as reduced-cost medicines, dental treatment and eye tests.
Thousands of scholarships and bursaries are offered by English institutions just for international students, while more than 21.000 international students receive scholarship funding from the UK Government every year. Under existing work regulations, international students in England and the rest of the UK can work up to 20 hours a week when studying and full time during vacations.
You'll get a warm welcome
England has been welcoming international students for generations. We have many years of experience of looking after your needs, and will give you special support from the moment you apply and throughout your time in England.
Your local British Council office will give you advice and information on choosing courses and help you with your application. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) makes applying to a number of institutions at the same time straightforward. You can also apply via the internet if you'd prefer.
Many institutions arrange for you to be collected from the airport and offer guaranteed accommodation for your first year. They will provide a dedicated international office, international student societies, planned social activities, academic support, counsellors and advisers. The system works: England has one of the lowest 'drop-out' rates (the number of students who leave before the end of their course) in the world.
Quality education wherever you study in the UK
The UK has two distinct education systems: one for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and one for Scotland. Each is compatible with the other. The Scottish Parliament has devolved responsibility for education in Scotland. Wherever you choose to study, you will be able to study relevant, world-class qualifications of exceptional quality.
It's a multicultural experience
At a UK university you'll be mixing with people from all over the world, whose different backgrounds and new perspectives will add to your experience. There are around 500,000 postgraduate students in the UK and at many universities and colleges more than 30 per cent of these are international. You'll meet students from Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas and Australasia, and will gain an insight into their customs and culture that will shape your view of the global economy in which you'll soon be looking to make your career.
(British Council)