As an international student, you may be attracted to the United Kingdom for a variety of reasons. Starting from its astonishing tourist attractions, vintage and picturesque villages, best scenic locations to high-quality life, authentic foods and beverages, endless entertainment spots, etc. The United Kingdom is a sovereign state of four countries - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which is a spectacular factor to visit these countries during your summer or semester breaks. The UK’s transportation system is also the best, ensuring everyone a memorable travel experience. Also, studying in the UK makes way for you to travel around Europe with fewer minimum hours and costs. Students can visit the UK’s neighbouring countries like Denmark, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and the Faroe Islands with a minimum budget and can have an experience of a lifetime. The royal country is filled with so many things-to-do lists for international students assuring students lead an exalting life besides gaining sound academic knowledge.

Additionally, the country boasts a strong economy (GDP rate), being the fifth-largest in the world and second in Europe behind Germany. Sectors like Service, Manufacturing, Construction and Tourism contribute the maximum to the country’s GDP. So young aspirants who possess a great passion and interest in the above-mentioned fields have more possibility to shine well in the according professions in the UK. Apart from these fields, there are also many fields popular in the UK, like Media and Communication, Liberal Arts, Music and Theatre, Law, and Medicine which can provide students a great education to start their global careers. The country also stands tall in providing a well-developed public education system to students with a rate of 96% and maintaining a world-class health system for its citizens and guests with a percentage of 89.5.

If you are looking for help with your application, you can contact aecc. You will find helpful information on everything you need to know about studying in Australia from Sri Lanka.

1. Best Education System and Universities - The UK boasts the best education system in the world, setting up an example for other developed countries. The education system is designed considering all the factors - like inculcating students a realistic understanding of the concepts, exhaustive knowledge of the subject, enhancing students’ abilities and skills, exposing them to the best learning environment, access to the upgraded and knowledge-centric syllabus, etc. Besides, top world-ranking universities in the UK are promising all these ideals to students. 

2. Post-study Work Permit - “Post-study Work” permit or “Post-study Work” Visa is reinstated by the UK government on July 1st 2021, allowing international students to stay in the UK after they complete their degrees. The PSW visa can be utilised by the students to establish their careers in the UK. Bachelor’s and Master’s students can stay for a maximum of 2 years to find a job while Doctorate students can stay for a maximum of 3 years.

3. Affordable Accommodation - First-year international students are allowed to stay in universities’ dormitories which is part of their admission cost. For the rest of their university years, students can choose to live in the outskirts of the urban cities where rent is low and affordable. The outskirts of the urban cities of the UK are equally magical and majestic.

4. Safe and Sound Metropolitan cities - The UK has abundant metropolitan cities which are safe and sound for international students to start their global education. The UK government and the universities have strict rules and regulations in place to ensure the safety of the students in all circumstances. On the same note, the UK people are cordial and harmonious towards their guests. They are warm and welcoming in their gestures which eases the feeling of homesickness for abroad students.

5. Shorter Duration for Degrees - In the UK, students can complete their degrees in shorter durations minimalizing their overall education costs. It takes only three years for students to complete their Bachelor’s degrees and only two years for Master’s degrees. While PhDs take only three to four years compared to other developed countries.

Education System in the UK is more streamlined and customized which helps students prepare for their vital career journey. Unlike other developed and developing countries, the UK follows an altogether distinct education system. The education system might be quite complex for international students to understand. But first things first. Since the UK is a sovereign state of four countries, each country’s education system is handled and regulated by the particular country’s government. That is England’s education system is controlled by the UK government, Scotland - Scottish government, Wales - Welsh government and Northern Ireland - The Northern Ireland Executive. Each country has its own policies and regulations to maintain the standards of its education systems.

But all the four countries follow a similar protocol for education. While in the rest of the world, colleges mean institutions providing students with a higher level of education resulting in them earning degrees. But in the UK, colleges mean educational institutions that help students gain the eligibility and qualifications to earn a degree (that is to enter a university). These Colleges are called Further Education (FE ) Institutions in the UK countries. So once students complete their Further Education gaining the eligibility and qualifications, they are approved/certified to apply to Universities to earn their degrees. So a College is different from a University in the UK countries. Only if they enroll in a college, learned a foundational/pathway course, they are eligible to enroll in a University. 

While it is compulsory for England citizens to attend Further Education institutions, Scottish, Wales and Northern Ireland citizens need not attend FE institutions. Instead, they can choose apprenticeships, internships, go to a job or quit studying. Because in England the compulsory education age limit is 18 (the England citizens finish their secondary education at the age of 16), while in the rest of the three UK countries, it is 16. Foundation Courses in all the UK countries last for two years.

International students, keen on joining UK universities, but don’t meet the requirements (specifically the grades, marks or CGPAs) must attend its Further Education Institutions to enhance their skills and achieve the needed grades. It is essential for them to get the high grades to enter UK’s Universities.

Note - All levels are for international students who don’t have the high grades and last for two years.

• International Foundation Year - International students can choose this level if they want to showcase their expertise in a specific subject. Along with that subject, they will be learning English courses that enhance their English proficiency.

• International A-Level - If students choose this level, they will be learning a number of subjects pertaining to their interests along with English language courses.

• BTEC Nationals - BTEC stands for Business and Technology Education Council which provides job-related courses to international students. Students who are sure of their career paths can take up this level. After completing this level, students can either enroll in a UK university or find jobs related to their BTEC study.

• Higher National Diploma (HND) - HND, similar to BTEC Nationals, prepares students for employment or a higher level of education at a UK university in their specific study (same as taken in HND).

The UK is popular for exhibiting the latest and most advanced courses for students. The country also remains in trend for providing students a global platform to help them learn those courses with the best facilities. The country always has a place for deserving students allowing them access to the most stupendous courses to uplift their careers. Let us now embark on the courses in detail.

• Business Analytics - Business Analytics is the field of using advanced technologies such as Data Analysis, Statistical Models and other Quantitative Methods to analyse data and find effective solutions to promote the Business. The course is currently ranking at No. 1 in the UK making way for tech-savvy students to plunge into lucrative jobs.

• Data Science - Data Science is the current trending course in many countries. Learning the course imparts a student the necessary knowledge to find meaningful information through Big Data to make informed business decisions.

• Computer Science - Computer Science is the classic course which is the base of any digital innovation. Computer Scientists have created many life-changing modern applications, machines and systems with their inexplicable programming skills.

• MBA and MIM - An aspiring business candidate needs a degree in MBA and MIM to completely comprehend the Business Management concepts. Earning an MBA degree is equal to gaining intense theoretical and practical knowledge of the affiliated concepts such as Accounting, Finance, Marketing and Relationship Management. MIM is the advanced study of learning to establish a business and drive its growth.

• MBBS - MBBS is the study of Medicine in general. This course allows students to explore all the fields of Medicine such as Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Medical Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Pathology, Microbiology, etc to help them understand which field of Medicine interests them. Medicine is a popular professional field in the UK leading students to have a successful career.

• Finance, International Business and Accounting - This course is specifically targeted at international students teaching them accounting and finance in an international context. Besides, advanced English is also taught to help students understand Business concepts at a global level.

• Law - Law can be studied if students want to become successful judges, advocates, attorneys, etc. Law is another popular field in the UK where there are many types of law practices in the country such as criminal law, commercial law, administrative law, property law, etc. So it is a diverse field in which students can shine by picking their right interest.

• Architecture and Construction Management - In general, these two fields are related to the construction of buildings. Architects and Construction Managers are both professionals who are responsible for establishing picturesque and astounding monuments and buildings.

• Engineering - Earning a degree in Engineering will lead you to sit in high-profile jobs which have functions like designing machines, systems, vehicles and being responsible for their successful operation, etc. Salaries paid for the engineers are quite high in the industry.

• Fashion and Interior Designing  - As consumers concentrate more on beautifying their homes with unique and modern concepts, Fashion and Interior designers are much more demanded recently.

The United Kingdom is a forerunner in possessing many quality-centric universities that provide top-notch education to all. Both the Further Education and Higher Education Institutions ensure the best standards are in place so students can get an uncompromised education. Below listed are some of the top-ranking universities in the UK.

• All education documents/transcripts in English.
• Valid Passport
• Updated CV/Resume
• Statement of Purpose
• Letter of Recommendation - 2
• English Language Proficiency certificate.
• Research Proposal (if applying for PhD or MPhil)
• Portfolio for Works ( For art/design/architecture/film courses).
• Work experience certificates, if needed.
• No criminal record certificate.

As two types of educational establishments are in place in the UK, there are different costs for study programs in each of them. Before applying to one of the establishments, students should make sure they have detailed information about their study costs. In the table, we have listed the average cost of study programs in both the educational establishments. 

Find the list of the best scholarships provided by UK universities for international students.

The United Kingdom follows a Country-level Health Insurance System called National Health System (NHS). Under the National Health System, citizens get covered for their Medical treatment of all kinds. The same is applicable to international students who come to study in the UK.

International students who come to study in the UK must purchase the National Health System by paying a fee of EUR 470 per year when they apply for a UK student visa. Purchasing the NHS is a must so students can get access to the same medical benefits as British citizens enjoy. If students are willing to study for less than six months, then they have to pay a fee of EUR 235.

Positions and Average Salary

• Java Developer  - Eur 55,381
• Enterprise Architect - Eur 73,898
• Product Manager - Eur 60,656
• Full Stack Engineer - Eur 47,320
• Data Scientist - Eur 49,449
• HR Manager - Eur 48, 443
• Corporate Recruiter - Eur 46,215
• HR Business Partner - Eur 50,000
• Front End Engineer - Eur 43,803
• Marketing Manager - Eur 47,320

To get the UK Student Visa successfully, students require a

• Offer letter of acceptance (otherwise called Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)) by your education provider.
• Sufficient money to support yourself and your studies during your entire study period.
• Can fluently speak, read, write, and understand English without any difficulty.
• Proof of parents’ consent if you are 16 or 17.

To apply for the UK Student Visa, international students need to submit certain documents. Let’s see the list of documents one by one.

• A Current Passport.
• A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) by your education provider.
• Proof of enough funds like bank statements, scholarships and bursaries.
• A Valid Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if your course demands it.
• Proof of parents’ or legal guardian consent if you are under 18.
• Proof of your relationship to your parent or guardian if you are under 18.
• Tuberculosis Test Results.
• A written consent letter from your sponsor, who sponsors your education and living costs.

To successfully acquire the UK Student Visa, students should prove that they possess enough funds in their bank account to support their living expenses.

• Euro 1334 per month (for nine months) if they choose to live in London.
• Euro 1023 per month (for nine months) if they choose to live outside London.

UK has the best cities that excel in providing all facilities to international students. The cities don’t compromise on any of the factors such as safety, student-friendly and more. According to Stats, the UK is home to the top fifteen cities that are regarded as the finest student-friendly cities for international students. 

• London
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow
• Manchester
• Coventry
• Newcastle Upon Tyne
• Birmingham
• Bristol
• Nottingham
• Sheffield
• Liverpool
• Aberdeen
• Brighton
• Leicester

aecc is your one-stop destination for all your abroad higher education queries and concerns. Visit our office or reach us through any of our social handles. Our expert team will promptly assist you to realise your study-abroad education dreams quickly and expeditiously.