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The United Kingdom- World-class Masters and PhD programs
If recent hype can be believed it seems the UK is rivalling that of the USA as a preferred study destination for international students. TIM ROGERS looks at what the UK has to offer and talks with some postgraduate students to find out why they were attracted to studying and working in the UK .
A 2008 survey of more than 11,000 international students from 143 countries, published in respected newspapers such as The Guardian, The Independent and the Times Higher Education, indicated that the number one position of the USA as the world’s most popular study destination is under serious threat for the first time.
Some 140,000 international students are currently making the most of postgraduate 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.
The appeal of the UK
So what is it about the UK that makes it such an attractive study destination for international students? According to current and former international students, the reasons are varied and touch on a unique combination of both studying and living in the UK. Nigar Baimova, from Azerbaijan and an alumna of Leeds University, offers some explanation: “While getting academic credits is really important, keep in mind the type of experience you want to have while in the UK. Realistically, time spent immersed in the culture, travelling and building relationships with locals will outweigh the time you spend hitting the books.”
With more than 160 institutions currently awarding Masters or PhD degrees, international students are faced with an unparalleled choice.
The academic and living environments in the UK offer a number of advantages for international students, not least the sheer variety of colleges and universities. With more than 160 institutions currently awarding Masters or PhD degrees, international students are faced with an unparalleled choice. City universities, such as those located in Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London or Manchester, exist in an urban setting, offering the student the opportunity to enjoy the resources of both the city and the university; campus institutions, such as East Anglia, Essex, Keele, Sussex and Warwick tend to be more self-contained, purpose-built and convenient.
Quality of teaching
Students can be assured that efforts are made to maintain 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 checks, with quality ratings published for all to see.
Many other international students select either a UK Masters or PhD program based on the quality of the teaching and research on offer and the learning methods that characterise the UK approach. Iker Urrutia from Spain, is studying for his Masters in Human Resource Management at the Thames Valley University with the aim of enhancing his career development opportunities. He joined as a part-time student in order to combine his studies with work as a human resource advisor at Aspect Software, which is sponsoring his studies.
“If I compare this program with one I took in Spain, I find this course less theoretical and more critical,” he says. “Students are expected to think for themselves and not take for granted everything they are told, including the contents of the course.”
“I think the advantages of studying a postgrad degree – the acquisition of new skills and increased employability – outweigh the stress and diminution of social life, so I’d definitely recommend it.”
Sri Lankan Vikram Nataraj and Masters graduate of the London School of Economics echoes this: “The opportunity to study at the graduate level in a program focused on research-driven content was important. I preferred the learning style in the UK: small lectures with student-led tutorials and seminars. I have spent time with economists at the cutting-edge of their field, developing policies for central banks and gain insight into their research.”
