Last Updated on December 28, 2024
The UK is a nation with fascinating landmarks, culture, and literary history. It offers much more than just tourist attractions and aesthetic beauty. One of the top choices of international students for studying abroad is the United Kingdom, which accommodates some of the best universities and colleges in the world with global recognition.
Many of the top institutions in the UK have been ranked highly on the global ranking league charts, with Imperial College London standing as the first runner in the QS World University Rankings of 2025. This blog will help you finalize your study plans by highlighting the top 10 reasons why study in UK.
Why Study in UK?
Why Study in UK? Due to its uncompromising education quality, students target the UK to obtain a well-recognized foreign education degree as well as a promising future. The UK’s high academic standards, excellent teaching, and advanced research facilities are valued by employers worldwide. The diverse programs offered, with distinct specializations, further enhance the educational experience, ensuring that you receive a comprehensive and top-notch education.
Top 10 Reasons to Study in the UK
Availability of Diverse Courses
Students have the option to choose from a variety of academic programs and specializations and pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees. From humanities and medicine to law and business, almost every imaginable field of study is available in higher education institutions in the UK. Some of the popular courses/study areas that overseas students prefer to study are listed in the table below.
| Law | Economics |
| Nursing | Medicine |
| Business | Computer Science |
| Dentistry | Management Studies |
| Media and communication | Psychology |
Supreme Education Quality
While filtering choices, one of the topmost priorities of students when it comes to studying abroad is to get a good education. The United Kingdom has long maintained its reputation for providing high-quality education, and these groups of its world-renowned universities speak volumes about the same. With a creative teaching style, its programs are created to be relevant to the present job arena. It has institutes that are not only preferred by students around the world but also by highly reputed employers. Universities such as the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, University of Cambridge, University of Manchester, etc., feature among the top 100 institutions in the world. The table below lists the best six universities in the UK that are ranked highly in the QS World University Rankings, 2025.
| University | QS World University Rankings 2025 (Global) |
| Imperial College London | #2 |
| University of Oxford | #3 |
| University of Cambridge | #5 |
| UCL | #9 |
| University of Edinburgh | #27 |
| The University of Manchester | =34 |
| King’s College London | =40 |
Rich Cultural Experience
Making friends is not only crucial for a happy academic tenure but also for future professional growth. You will be a part of a class that will accommodate students from all parts of the world, following different cultures and holding different perceptions. Interacting with them and building ties will not only help you grow as a person but will also help you view the world from a different perspective. The UK offers a rich and diverse cultural experience, and you can explore it with your friends. Currently, more than 450,000 overseas students are residing and studying in the UK, contributing to this vibrant cultural tapestry.
Research Opportunities
As a leader in research, the UK has many universities that excel in various research fields. 38% of Nobel Prize recipients had pursued higher education in the United Kingdom, as per the British Council. The UK holds the third position globally for published findings of its scientific research, with almost 200,000 publications that could have been cited in the year 2024. Apart from that, 20% of its academic faculty are from outside the country and offer students a productive part of their international perspective and experience while teaching.
Employment Opportunities
Employability is also one of the top 10 reasons to study in UK. Helping students earn some extra money while studying and after graduating, the UK permits part-time work while studying, provided the set conditions are met. Thus, if you wish as a student to work while studying a degree course or more, you can do so for a maximum of 20 hours weekly. Once you have graduated, you can remain in the UK for a span of two years and pick up employment here. The students enrolled in the language center can work for up to 10 hours weekly during their course term. As universities in the UK collaborate with renowned agencies/employers, students can find various placements and internship opportunities. The following is a list of the UK universities that have been ranked among the top in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings in 2025.
| University | QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2025 (in UK) |
| University of Oxford | #1 |
| University of Cambridge | #2 |
| UCL | #3 |
| Imperial College London | #4 |
| The University of Manchester | #5 |
| The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) | #6 |
The salary information for popular jobs in the UK is illustrated in the form of a table below:
| Job titles | Range | Average |
| Software engineer | £32k – £76k | £51,361 |
| Executive assistance | £25k – £51k | £40,880 |
| Marketing Manager | £28k – £57k | £39,748 |
| Operational manager | £26k – £69k | £39,437 |
| Graphic designer | £21k – £37k | £27,100 |
| Software Developer | £27k – £67k | £51,361 |
| Project manager | £30k – £74k | £44,759 |
Free of Cost Healthcare Service
Another significant advantage of studying in the UK is the free healthcare services provided to international students. The National Health Service (NHS) offers professional health appointments, hospital booking, and more, all at no cost to students. To access these services, international students need to hold a valid student visa and pay an immigration health surcharge fee of £470 annually. After this fee is paid, students can make use of NHS services. However, please note that these services cannot be used if your course lasts less than six months.
Courses with Short Duration
Compared to the US and Canada, the UK offers shorter courses. A bachelor’s degree that takes four years in the USA will take only three years in the UK if the same is being pursued full-time. Similarly, unlike many other countries, a master’s degree in the UK can be obtained in only a year. This will enable you to graduate earlier and will help you save money.
Polishing Language Skills
Studying in a country where English is one of the native languages, and more than 98% of the population speaks the same, will help you polish your language skills quite effectively. Not only will your lessons be taught in English, but all your classmates will be acquainted with the English language, and the local students will help you enhance the same if required.
Availability of Scholarships
Scholarships are meant to help students unburden their financial constraints and pursue their education in a stress-free manner. Multiple scholarships are available for Indian students to pursue their higher education in the UK. Some of these will be need-based, merit-based, or even program-specific. The majority of the universities in the UK also offer discounts on tuition fees if one pays the initial amount before the set deadline. In order to obtain a merit scholarship, one needs to hold an excellent academic record, as the competition is pretty high. Here are a few renowned scholarships for international students studying in the UK:
- Commonwealth Scholarships
- British Chevening Scholarships
- Gates Cambridge Scholarships
- Clarendon Scholarships at the University of Oxford
- Warwick Chancellor’s International Scholarships
These scholarships typically have strict application deadlines and competitive selection processes. It’s essential to check the respective scholarship websites for detailed information on eligibility criteria, application procedures, and deadlines.
Affordable Education
As it takes less time to obtain an academic degree in the UK than in some of the other sought-after study destinations, the cost of tuition and living automatically becomes less. Also, let’s compare it with other English-speaking nations such as Australia and the USA. The overall cost of one’s academic tenure (tuition fee + living cost) comes at a lower level.
Why Study in UK? Facts About UK
- London is home to the most extensive library in the world.
- The first billionaire author, J.K. Rowling, is from the UK.
- The Queen does not have a passport.
- Over 11.5 billion sandwiches are consumed by the British every year.
- It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament in England.
- Chicken Tikka has been voted as the country’s national dish.
- Buckingham Palace has its own police station.
- The UK is home to over 100 universities.
- The British consume 165 million cups of tea every day.
- Over 300 languages are spoken in London.
Conclusion
Overall, studying in the UK is an excellent choice for students who want to pursue a high-quality education in a world-renowned university, gain access to cutting-edge research, have a multicultural environment and great career prospects, and have the opportunity to experience rich cultural heritage, great location and high standard of living. It’s important to note that each student’s decision to study abroad should be based on their own goals, preferences, and particular circumstances. It is advisable to research and make a thoughtful decision.
FAQs
Q. Can I get permanent residency status after studying in the UK?
International students can apply for a permanent residence card in the UK after completing five full years of a graduate job.
Q. How much is the bank balance required for a UK student visa?
Students must prove they have enough money to support themselves while studying in the UK. For courses in London, it is £1,334 per month; outside of London, it is £1,023 per month.
Q. What are the requirements for studying in the UK?
To study in the UK as an international student, you will need to meet the following requirements:
- English language proficiency test like IELTS.
- Financial support
- Admission requirements
- Visa
- Health care insurance
- Letter of recommendation (LOR)
- Statement of purpose (SOP)
Q. Can I study in the UK without IELTS?
It is possible to study in the UK without a valid IELTS score; many universities offer alternatives such as Pearson.
Q. Is there any other option for IELTS?
There are many different options when deciding how to prove your English language ability, one of which is Pearson, which can be completed via computer.
Manasvi’s writing abilities stem from her previous experience working with bootstrap start-ups, advertising and PR agencies, as well as freelancing. She is currently employed as a Content Writer and Editor at Admissify, contributing to its thriving ecosystem.
