Introduction
For decades, Great Britain has attracted lakhs of promising candidates to its shores. As an English-speaking country boasting universities and colleges steeped in history and innovation, the opportunity to turn one’s passion into purpose has inspired countless students to experience student life in the UK for themselves.
Most UK universities enjoy a stellar reputation that precedes them, and the oldest universities require no prior introduction. Several have consistently featured in the QS world university rankings, such as Imperial College London, the London School of Business, University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, all of which have produced alumni who have gone on to make significant contributions in their respective fields- be it finance, law, medicine, or media and entertainment.
As exciting as it sounds, you will also want to centre your expectations around reality, which begins with a better understanding of what life as a student in the UK is like. In the sections that follow, we’ll take you through the benefits of studying in the UK, popular student cities and navigating the UK’s education system. Without further ado, let’s look at some of the benefits of pursuing your degree in the UK.
Benefits of Studying in the UK
Studying in the UK goes beyond coursework credits; it creates memorable moments by putting you in charge of your own life. The education system is known for its high standards, practical assessments, and encouragement of curiosity over rote learning. Some benefits to studying in the UK are:
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Unparalleled Quality
Academic excellence is the crux of the UK’s heritage. Eight of the 50 globally top-ranked universities are in the UK and are also part of the 24-member Russell Group of institutions. With meritocracy-based admissions that assess candidacy comprehensively on academic backgrounds, extra-curriculars and English proficiency, competition runs high for seats in prestigious programs.
The UK also offers some of the best scholarships worldwide that are a gateway for brilliant academics in the making, which include the Rhodes Scholarship, Chevening, GREAT and Charles Wallace Trust. By fully or partially funding studies, these scholarships aim to invite outstanding students to contribute academically and make the UK their base for groundbreaking discoveries. Academia is research-driven and encourages originality in ideating and innovation. Students get to interact with highly-skilled academics and glimpse their contributions while spearheading their projects. They can also improve existing work that is being carried out. Graduating with a degree from a UK university gets your foot in through more doors, because employers value the tag that you’ve earned.
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Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
The UK respects different cultures, backgrounds and faiths. Nearly 9.5 Mn people were born outside it, which is 14% of the total population. At 35%, this percentage is significantly higher in the city of London, demonstrating just how diverse and vibrant the community is. This is great news for student life in the UK because it means you can settle in more easily and adjust to your new surroundings in a comparatively shorter time. You can meet people from your country and immerse yourself in cultural activities reminiscent of home and still experience different cultures from around the globe. You don’t have to leave your culture behind to embrace another!
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A Plethora of Courses
Besides standard courses, there are integrated programs and cross-disciplinary courses that offer students opportunities to learn different subjects outside their core area of interest. For example, a Master’s degree in Information Systems lets you take study options modules in law, business or project management, which diversifies your career pathways. The courses are designed to equip you with real-world knowledge and practical context, making you more employable even amid shifts in the job market.
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Post-study Work Visa (PSW)
Introduced in 2021, the Post Study work visa lets graduates who obtained their tertiary education in the UK remain in the country for 2 years, while working or actively seeking work. It has been the driving force behind the spike in applications between 2020-2024, particularly from non-EU students. While there was a decline in EU students from hazy post-Brexit policies, China and India have caused an uptick in student numbers, with nearly 250K Indians moving to the UK in 2023. While the cost of a PSW has risen to GBP 845 in 2025, it has relaxed sponsorship rules and gives students a fair shot at graduate programmes offered by multinational companies.
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Unconditional support for overseas students
International student advisors are friendly, patient and highly responsive, offering support for a high volume of queries. No question or concern is dismissed as trivial, and they are always on hand to provide support and help for everything, whether it’s coursework-related, financial aid options, or affordable housing.
For those whose first language isn’t English, there are language courses that allow you to gain fluency and equal footing with your peers in the classes. Feeling supported can inspire bold choices, encourage you to shed your inhibitions and feel like you truly belong.
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Career prospects
The National Health Service, Britain’s comprehensive healthcare network, has 1.25L empty positions for clinical and support roles. This fast-tracks graduate applications for employment at competitive wages. While demand is rebalanced according to sectoral requirements, finance, business consulting, and medicine are in high demand, meaning that graduates in these disciplines can explore lucrative prospects that allow them to apply their learning towards addressing real-world challenges. Most universities have strong industry linkages with MNCs that visit for career fairs. This introduces the student body to professionals in their respective fields and allows you to network and forge connections with useful contacts.
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Personal growth
Moving away to study is daunting, because you have to figure out a lot of things on your own- academic coursework, paying bills, juggling part-time work or internships and even meal prep. But as Tony Robbins says,’ all growth starts at the end of your comfort zone’.
The very things that can seem distressing at the start are what equip you to handle curveballs- in and outside the classroom. Until routine sets in, you’re going to find the independence both freeing and overwhelming. Being responsible for the direction your life takes will mold your individuality and encourage personal growth, making you better equipped to deal with adversities and adventures alike.
Student Accommodation Options
In the interest of making the transition to student life in the UK as comfortable and convenient as possible, most UK universities provide on-campus accommodation, a prime choice if you want to be nearby and within safe boundaries.
Affordability, location and timing are critical factors when househunting. Rental prices have surged by 17%, so the sooner you look and lock in on options, the better deals you get. This is why we recommend looking into housing right after you get your acceptance letter from the university. Otherwise, as deadlines approach for visa applications and documentation, house hunting will be at the bottom of your priorities and you’ll wind up with fewer, farther and pricier options to choose from.
Social media is a handy tool in finding and locking down on options, with frequent advertisements posted before summer and winter intakes. Facebook pages of universities usually post deadlines and links to informational resources so that you can chat up with fellow students and jointly search for housing options.
The three major student accommodation options are:
- Halls of residence Halls, also known as university-managed residences, can either be on- or off-campus. The former puts you in touch with your cohort at all times and has the benefit of strength in numbers. Plus, you get to make friends fast and participate in shared activities- such as cooking, games, or even finding a study partner. This option is often taken by undergraduate students, but is also open to postgraduate students. You should make your selection known to your university because places are limited and sell out quickly. Halls are typically pricier and have different options in terms of shared spaces. The rooms often have a common kitchen or bathroom unit, and are intended for single or multi-occupancy. They can be self-catered or part-catered, with the latter including meals and cleaning, making it slightly more expensive than self-catered rooms. The cost of halls depends on the location of the university, but can generally range between GBP 125 to 220 every week.
- Private residences The most popular option is to rent off-campus and in groups to split the overall rent among batchmates. Landlords usually advertise their homes on student boards such as TSR (The Student Room), Gumtree, etc and this puts you in direct contact with them to negotiate accommodation and amenities. Going the private route buys you more time to shop around for places within your budget and location preferences. Private residences aren’t limited to students, so you may share a residence with working professionals. Private residences cost between GBP 150 and GBP 350 per week.
- Purpose-built Student Accommodation (PBSA) PBSAs are apartment complexes built to house students. They function like a gated community, with hi-tech gyms, round-the-clock surveillance and dedicated study spaces for self-studying. PBSAs typically cost between GBP 150 to 300 per week, with a growing preference for them, according to Graddinghomes.com. Even within these student accommodations, rooms vary by size, price and amenities included, which are broadly classified as;
- Shared room As the name suggests, you share the room and facilities with a roommate. This option is more affordable but notably less private.
- Private room If you want to devote undivided focus to studying, a private room inside a house affords you a distraction-free option. You’ll have the whole room (and, depending on the type of house,an ensuite bathroom), and can expect to share kitchen space.
- Studio apartment A studio apartment is priciest in the tier, and can be a great option if you crave complete freedom.
Popular Student Cities
Many cities in the UK have a strong international community, with international students comprising ~25% of the overall student crowd. Student population is split across three geographies- with London occupying the major share, and closely trailed by Scotland, Yorkshire and the Midlands.
London has around 29% of non-EU students, and Scotland has around 13% of both EU and non-EU students. Owing to their strong academic reputation, many students hail from India, Nigeria and China. The West Midlands and North West England attract ~9% of students, including cities like Coventry and Manchester. Let’s dive into some of the more noted universities in each of these cities.- London London is a famously intercultural cultural hub which is home to several migrant communities. It’s a launchpad for several careers and houses some of the most renowned banking, legal and consulting establishments. Some famous universities include;
- Imperial College London
- University College London (UCL)
- King’s College London
- The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
- Queen Mary University of London
- London School of Business
- Trinity Laban
- Birkbeck, University of London
- Edinburgh Edinburgh is home to several historic monuments and festivals. It also happens to be one of the most affordable cities to live in for students. Here’s a list of famous Scottish universities;
- The University of Edinburgh
- University of Dundee
- Heriot-Watt University
- Edinburgh Napier
- University of Stirling
- Manchester Manchester is England’s most populous city with a unique blend of graffiti, nightlife and Victorian structures. It has two famous football clubs, which football fans may already be raring to visit. Being a student-heavy city, Manchester is easy to find your way around and is a place where students pursuing arts such as music and theater can thrive. Some famous universities include;
- University of Manchester
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- University of Salford
- University of Bolton
- Royal Northern College of Music
- Glasgow Glasgow is a friendly city and home to museums, art galleries and performance venues. It hosted the Commonwealth Games and Euro 2020 and has state-of-the-art sports facilities. Some of the top universities
- University of Glasgow
- University of Strathclyde
- University of the West of Scotland
- Glasgow Caledonian University
- The Glasgow School of Art
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Coventry
Coventry is a cathedral city in the West Midlands and features universities such as
- Coventry University
- University of Warwick
- CU Coventry (A subsidiary of Coventry University Group)
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Newcastle Upon Tyne
Like Glasgow and Manchester, Newcastle is famous for its streets that come alive with clubs, art galleries and theatres. According to QS Cities Rankings 2025, Newcastle places at 42. The best universities in this city include;
- Newcastle University
- University of Newcastle
- Durham University
- Keele University
- Nottingham Did you know Sherwood Forest, Nottingham, was the backdrop of Robin Hood? Nottingham is a quaint city that is ranked for its safety and affordable living standards. Some of the best universities here include;
- University of Nottingham
- Nottingham Business School
- Nottingham Trent University
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Leeds
Leeds is located in West Yorkshire and is home to- University of Leeds
- Leeds Beckett University (famed for its sports business Master’s degree programs)
- Leeds Trinity University
Extracurricular Activities
At university, some things can be taught, while others are learned from experience. This experience is gained from engaging in extracurricular activities. Whether you already know what interests you or love dabbling in multiple activities, extracurriculars do wonders for your confidence and look great on your resume. All employers love seeing where your interests lie when going through your profile, because extracurriculars demonstrate your ability to take initiative and bring out your innate leadership and communication skills.
Universities have clubs catering to different interests, so it’s just a matter of knowing where to look and when to sign up. And some ask for a nominal joining fee or are even completely free. Let’s look at some of the extracurricular activities that invite participation.
- Sports and Gym Sports are a great way to band together, make friends and let off some steam. It can also help you stay in the best shape of your life and act as a stress reliever when you need a break from studies. Whether you’re into water sports such as rowing and swimming or land sports, such as football, rugby, or cricket, there are numerous clubs for individual sports enthusiasts. In the rare event that your sport doesn’t have a team, what’s stopping you from creating one? If sports aren’t your forte, you can always train at the in-house gyms even in between classes for a much-needed break from your books.
Internships and co-op
Internships, whether paid or unpaid, help you gain experience in your line of study. Early applicants have better chances of landing relevant internships that can potentially convert to full-time offers, provided the employer is delighted with your commitment and enthusiasm. On campus, those who have multiple internships under their belt are better positioned to guide others and can notify their network as and when opportunities open up.
Don’t lose heart if you don’t immediately land an internship. You can optionally get involved with the university by electing to become a course representative or student ambassador. This lets you help fellow students out, network at career fairs, and work closely with alumni and admissions teams.
- Clubs From chess to drama to debating, all universities have something for everyone. It helps you find people with similar interests, and one day you can even very well run the club and take over the leadership reins. Technology and arts-oriented clubs can strengthen your portfolio, especially if you are pursuing fields in coding, computing, communication and design. These clubs let you start your own projects or work with others, building on the skills you have that you can showcase in your resume.
- Volunteering for a nonprofit We all support a social cause that’s close to our hearts, and as an international student, doing charity is a great way to showcase your caring side. Whether it’s animal welfare, climate change, conservation, or conducting Cancer research, volunteering can use all the help they can get and can be a fulfilling path to follow even in the long run.
Navigating the UK's Education System
Whether you have plans to relocate to the country or are simply curious about how the UK education system works, it’s important for parents and their children to fully understand the system, especially if they are used to a different schooling format. This section will delve into the different stages of the school system to help you determine which class your child can be enrolled in.
The United Kingdom comprises England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. While Northern Ireland starts school at age 4, the remaining four usually send children to school at age 5 and above. Education is mandatory for children aged 5-16, which are considered the formative years.
The schooling system is broadly divided into
- Early Years Foundation Stage The EYFS stage is meant for children aged 3-5 and starts with Reception or Nursery ( in Scotland). While attendance operates flexibly if your child is <5, most parents opt to enrol their young children into nurseries for a few hours in the week to get them used to being in a classroom setting.
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Primary
The primary years are further split into
- Key Stage 1 [6-7]: children are taught English, Science and Mathematics.
- Key Stage 2[7-11]: More subjects are added to the above 3, and span social studies and foreign languages.
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Secondary
Secondary education is further divided into
- Key Stage 3 (Ages 11-14): The curriculum includes more subjects such as Arts and Physical Education (PE).
- Key Stage 4 (Ages 14-16): In two years, students prepare to take the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) exams, which include three core subjects and foreign languages, which they take at the end of this stage. Most students sit exams in a range of subjects, including English, maths, science, and foreign languages.
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Further studies
Those students who complete their General Certificate of Secondary Education (acronymed to GCSE) qualify to take the A-level or the International Baccalaureate. In Scotland, the GCSE equivalent is called the National 5.
While both test scores are given equal consideration for further studies, there are a few differences between them, which are tabularized below for brevity:
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Higher Education
After children turn 16, they have the choice to pursue further studies or vocational training. Some vocations enable young adults to enter the workforce early without getting a university degree.
While broadly welcoming all adults, university education formally starts from 18+. For undergraduate admissions, home students (those domiciled in the UK) need to show their A-level and GCSE scores, while overseas students need to show a recognized equivalent from their home country and additionally provide proof of language competence through an IELTS or TOEFL score.
Children sit the national testsknown as SATs, which assess students on their understanding of these core subjects.
| A-Levels | IB |
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| The more traditional route to get acceptance letters from universities. | The IB Diploma is an A-levels alternative and can be taken directly from the GCSE. |
| Students have the flexibility to choose their subjects, which are tailored to the students’ strengths and university courses. | There are 6 compulsory subjects, where three are studied at a higher level and three at a standard level. It offers a broad curriculum made up of six subject groups – students usually study three at a higher level and three at a standard level. |
| Scores are alphabet-graded from A-E, with A* (asterisk) being the highest score achieved and E being the lowest. | Students have to score a minimum of 24 points with 45 points being the maximum. |
Conclusion
Student life in the UK can be an enriching experience, equipping you with the skills needed out in the real world. Knowing the requirements and critical deadlines beforehand can help you determine your eligibility before applying to study.
If you’re planning on pursuing your higher education in the UK, the process can be time-consuming. Therefore, you cannot afford to make mistakes or forget important paperwork as part of the documentation needed to be shown to your university.
At Fateh Education, we assist you from start to finish– from deciding which city to study in to securing your admission. Our seasoned counsellors are always up to date with the latest developments and can guide you through the process.
Get in touch with Fateh Education today to transform thought into action.
FAQs
International students at the Undergraduate level need to show
- Strong academic grades and convert the grading to the UK format for consideration.
- Proof of English language proficiency by taking the IELTS or TOEFL exams.
Students interested in working part-time can either register through
- University job boards.
- Websites like StudentJob, Reed and Indeed.
A third option is to go door to door to fill temp positions as a cashier, dog walker, teaching assistant, note taker or Barista. Most positions are on campus or nearby, allowing you to shuttle from class to work and vice versa on busy days.
International admissions offices and student ambassadors are available to answer queries. There are preparatory courses to learn English if it’s not your first language so that such students will not struggle with actual coursework due to a language barrier. Additionally, all universities offer career counselling and resume preparation to help you be job-ready before recruitment fairs. Those students who are facing problems can approach their Student Union Rep.