Study in the UK | Top Universities

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A dream study destination for many, the UK is home to many of the world’s top universities and is well known for its culture and history alongside its academic reputation. But what would living in the UK really be like and why should it be you study destination of choice? 

Why study in the UK?

There are many reasons why students may favour the UK over other study destinations. 

Many international students are drawn to the UK by the allure of London; and with good reason. London is a major European city stepped in history and tradition with some beautiful architecture and natural spaces. What it lacks in good weather, it makes up for in places to visit and things to do. There are a never-ending variety of cafes, restaurants, shops, museums, galleries, workout studios, theatre and musical performances and group and solo activities. You will never run out of places to explore or things to do. 

Despite London’s popularity, it is not the only vibrant city in the UK. Manchester, Birmingham, and the other capitals: Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast each have their own appeal. If cities are not your thing, there are also plenty of countryside and coastal areas. The country boasts woodlands, farmlands and mountainous regions and West Beach in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides and Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire, Wales made Lonely Planet’s recent list of the 20 best beaches in Europe

The UK has a lot of history, and many international students enjoy exploring the many museums and historical sites available. From the evolution of English royal family to the legends and lore of the old Celtic traditions, there is something for everyone. 

A huge attraction to the UK for many is the large number of high-ranking universities and the reputation they have internationally. A degree from a British university is held in high regard all over the world, giving students some great employment prospects. The UK education system often focuses on independent research and encourages students to ask questions and identify gaps in the research that is currently available. These active learning skills of research and problem solving are seen as extremely attractive by employers.

Life in the UK

The UK is a popular study destination for students from all over the world. Several of the world’s top universities can be found in the UK with a total student population of over 2 million and an international student population of nearly 700,000 according to Universities UK

One thing that is often an attractive prospect to international students is the UK’s multiculturalism and diversity. The UK is formed of four countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, and, although they are all considered British and use English as their national language, they each have their own language, cuisine, and cultural practices. International students can visit any of these countries within the UK and enjoy a wide variety of experiences during their time as a student. Alongside this, they will find UK cities to be incredibly diverse and home to people from around the world who embrace and share their culture alongside British traditions. 

Students can learn more about student life in the UK by exploring the articles on the Top Universities website. Many of our student writers have published their accounts of living and studying in the UK, including Fulya, Marin, Keshala and Saurabh.  

Choosing a UK university

There are 90 top universities in the UK. 15 of these universities rank in the global top 100 and 4 rank in the top 10, revealing the quality of higher education across the country. 

The UK’s highest-ranking university this year is Imperial College London which, for the first time, has surpassed the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, which rank second and third, respectively. 

Imperial College London scores highly in all indicators but particularly excels in academic reputation, employer reputation, international student ratio, international faculty ratio and sustainability. Imperial aims to create a future focused environment with a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation. The teaching style used is research based, encouraging students to ask questions and work independently. The university has nine campuses across London and South-East England which have plenty of facilities such as libraries, cafes, gyms, catering halls, university hospitals and sporting facilities. 

To gain admission to a UK university, domestic students will need three A Level qualifications that exceed the minimum required grades. Each university programme will have a specific expectation when it comes to grades and students should ensure that they know their chosen university’s requirements before applying. International students must have equivalent results in their local academic system. Some universities will ask for international academic results to be translated into the British system. If this is the case, your school or university should be able to help with this. 

Another requirement to gaining admission into a UK university is proficiency in English. Most, if not all, universities will require students to have at least a B2 level of proficiency in the English language. Language tests such as IELTS or TOEFL examine knowledge of vocabulary, accuracy of grammar and speaking, listening, reading, and writing ability. 

A great way to get help with finding and applying to a UK university is by attending a QS Event. Our connect and discover events aim to help you speak directly with representatives from the universities that you want to apply to as well as providing expert guidance on creating a successful application. To find an event near you, visit the Events Page on our website.

Tuition fees, visas and financial aid

International students need to apply for a visa to study in the UK from the British Government. If applying from outside the UK, students can start their application 6 months before their programme starts and will receive their visa within 3 weeks. If applying from inside the UK, students can start their application up to 3 months before the course starts and can expect to receive an answer within 8 weeks. A student visa will cover the duration of the course, up to 5 years, with the option to change to a graduate visa afterwards which allows you to stay in the UK for another 2 years. 

When applying for a visa, students will need: 

  • A passport or other valid travel document 

  • A confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) letter 

Students may also need to provide: 

  • Proof that you have enough money to fund the university programme and your life in the UK for the duration of your stay. 

  • An ATAS certificate 

  • A negative tuberculosis test if you have been living in or have visited any listed countries within the last 6 months 

  • Written consent from your financial sponsor 

In terms of tuition fees, domestic students can expect to pay between £9,000 and £9,250 per year to study at a UK university. For international students, it can be considerably more expensive with the University of Northampton charging £15,200 per year for an undergraduate degree, the most affordable option on this year's rankings, and Imperial College London charging £43,300 per year for an undergraduate degree, this year's most expensive option. 

Some of the most affordable universities for international students are: 

  • Queen’s University Belfast 

  • Swansea University 

  • City University of London 

  • University of Kent 

  • Oxford Brookes University 

  • University of Stirling 

  • University of Hull 

  • Coventry University 

  • Nottingham Trent University 

  • Leeds Beckett University 

  • The University of Northampton 

Many private and government institutions will offer scholarships to international students applying to study in the UK. Students should research available scholarships, firstly with the university of their choice, and then with other organisations such as QS. Our ImpACT scholarships provide students from around the world with study opportunities. To find out more, visit the website. 

Career opportunities

Following graduation from a UK university, international students are able to apply for a graduate visa which allows them to remain in the country for another two years to find a job and begin a career, if they wish to do so. 

Students can find jobs in many different industries within the UK. Healthcare roles are popular for recent graduates as doctors and nurses are in high demand in the National Health Service. In larger cities business, finance and law are major industries. Becoming an academic researcher is also a popular choice due to the number of prestigious universities. There are jobs available across a variety of industries which is one of the reasons the UK is such a popular study destination. 

Student support

For many UK universities, student wellbeing is vitally important. They aim to ensure that students transition well into life at the university, are academically supported by staff and have someone to speak to about any problems that they may have. Although the exact support services may differ from one university to another, mental health services, housing services and academic mentors are common. 

Frequently Asked Questions

After students have received and accepted their offer, they will have to prepare their accommodation, either on or near campus. International students will also have to make sure that they apply for a visa and make travel arrangements.

Preparations might also need to be made prior to the start of a university programme. Some will require students to invest in certain equipment or textbooks or have read certain material before lectures begin. 

The cost of studying in the UK can vary greatly. For domestic students, an undergraduate degree will cost up to £9,250 per year. For international students, the price of an undergraduate degree can vary. 

Yes. All universities in the UK will require students to be able to speak English. For second language English speakers, an IELTS test will confirm a student’s ability to understand and use the language and therefore understand their course material and communicate with faculty and members of staff. 

Some UK universities will offer scholarships to students who are particularly academically talented. Your local government may also offer scholarships to study in the UK. There are also independent organisations that offer scholarships that you may choose to apply for. It is important that students do their research to find out which scholarships they may be eligible for and the requirements for each. 

To apply for a UK student visa, you will need to submit: 

  • A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) letter 
  • Proof of funds to live in the UK for the duration of your studies and funds to pay tuition fees (if partially or fully self-funded) 
  • Proof of at least a B2 level of English proficiency from an approved language test (if English is not your first language) 
  • A passport or valid travel documents 
  • An ATAS certificate (if applicable) 
  • Tuberculosis test results (if you have visited one of the countries named on the government website within the last six months) 
  • Confirmation of sponsorship or scholarship (if applicable) 

International students can apply to any programme that a UK university offers. 

A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies letter is needed to get a student visa. You must begin your visa application after you have received an unconditional offer or have met the terms of a conditional offer and had your place accepted. 

Yes. International students can work part-time up to 20 hours per week on a student visa. This does not include freelance work, having your own business, working as a sportsperson, or working as an entertainer. 

You can get help finding a university course by using our Course Matching Tool. The Course Matching Tool will ask about your preferences and priorities when it comes to study destinations, universities and specific programmes and match you to the course that is best suited to you. 

While there are certain cultural practices that can be considered distinctly British such as queueing, politeness and personal space, it is important to remember that the UK is a very multicultural place. This means that international students will often have the opportunity to learn about British culture, embrace their own culture with people of the same nationality as them, and learn about the other cultures of the people around them. This is a huge asset to the student experience in the UK but also requires a level of respect, acceptance, and open-mindedness towards different people and ideas. 

There are many tools and services that QS offer which can help you in your journey to study in the UK. The Course Matching Tool can help you to find the university which is best suited to your needs. The Apply counselling service can help you build the best application possible. Attending on of our events can also help you with crafting your application and may be able to put you into contact with a representative from your dream university. Furthermore, students can apply for one of our ImpACT scholarships to help with funding.