Share this article on...
Contact Us
- Report errors or inaccuracies topmba@qsnetwork.com
- Contribute articles contribute@qsnetwork.com
- Advertise advertise@qsnetwork.com
Graduate UK: World-class Masters degrees and PhD programs for international students
The number of international students choosing the UK for their graduate programs has increased every year for the last five years. With an enviable reputation for quality programs delivering qualifications recognised the world over, it’s no surprise that the UK is the number one choice for students serious about their graduate study future.
Some 160,000 international students are currently making the most of their graduate opportunities in the United Kingdom. They come from over 200 countries with the largest national groups originating from the USA, Greece, China, France, Germany, Malaysia and India. There are more than 20,000 postgraduate courses available in the UK, covering a wide variety of subjects. Some are taught courses while others consist of a period of supervised research.
Popular graduate programs
The most popular graduate topics for international students in the UK include economics and politics, business and management, mathematics and computing, sciences and engineering, education, law, media studies and art and design. For graduate research, clinical medicine, all engineering disciplines, and bio and physical sciences - as well as the previous topics - are very popular. Other special research areas that are attractive internationally include Islamic and other religious studies, international politics and history with special regional focus, English and linguistics. And because there is such a vast range of graduate programs offered by universities and colleges in the UK, you will certainly be able to find a qualification that is directly relevant to your own aspirations and background.
Recent international market research indicated that international students chose the UK as a top study destination first and foremost for the academic quality of study on offer and also the high international recognition of the qualifications obtained.
Recent international market research indicated that international students chose the UK as a top study destination first and foremost for the academic quality of study on offer and also the high international recognition of the qualifications obtained. This is not surprising given the efforts that are made to assure the quality of UK higher education: the UK’s Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) oversees the quality of courses and academic standards. All higher education institutions are subject to a range of detailed checks, with quality ratings published for all to see.
During your graduate program, you will be able to take full advantage of the strong research base of British universities. These are designed to help you quickly build a formidable array of leading-edge knowledge and skills. You will also benefit from the strong links between institutions, the business world and the professions. The quality of UK research is also rigorously assured: the main government bodies, responsible for funding much of the research in UK universities, conduct a UK-wide review of research quality and full details of this are published and are available at www.hero.ac.uk/rae/index.htm.
Graduate study in the UK is intensive, so Masters degree programs can be relatively shorter than those offered in other countries.
Masters degrees
Graduate study in the UK is intensive, so Masters degree programs can be relatively shorter than those offered in other countries. The good news is that this can make the cost of achieving a postgraduate qualification in the UK lower as you are paying fees and living away from home for a shorter period of time. If you are already working, you will be away from your employment for less time too. Annual fees for postgraduate programmes in the UK may initially look high but the total costs of your study may then be lower than in countries where the study period is longer.
Funding and scholarships
Scholarships are available to students planning to take a graduate degree in the UK. The Chevening Scholarships, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and administered by the British Council, are prestigious awards available to international students. Chevening Scholarships are offered in over 150 countries and enable talented graduates and young professionals to become familiar with the UK and gain skills that will benefit their countries. The Chevening program currently provides around 2,500 new scholarships each year for UK graduate studies.
- Links:
www.newroutephd.ac.uk
www.educationuk.org
www.prospects.ac.uk