STUDY EXCHANGE UK

The experience of living in the UK

The UK is a multi-cultural and multi-faith country. It offers both strong tradition and a diverse culture to any international student choosing to study here. It's a cosmopolitan society, and is home to over a quarter of a million international students at any one time. There is plenty to get involved in once you are here, from weekends away in Stratford upon Avon or London, to attending football matches and going to the theatre or cinema with friends. For more ideas on what the UK has to offer, see the Visit Britain website.

Improve your English skills

Studying in the UK will give you the opportunity to improve or perfect your English language skills. English is the International Language of business, science and technology, and by studying in the UK you will be able to immerse yourself in the language, giving you the English skills you need for any future career.

Financial benefits

Undergraduate degrees in England are generally three years in length, and taught masters programmes one year in length, compared to four and two years respectively in most other countries, so you should be able to save on both tuition fees and living costs by studying here. During your studies in the UK, you can take advantage of having permission to work here too. A visa means that you have Leave to Enter/Remain as a student in the UK, granted for longer than 6 months. During University term-times you can work up to 20 hours per week and during the vacation periods you can work full-time. Many international students use this opportunity to gain valuable work experience and to improve their English language skills.

The UK also has a subsidised health service called the National Health Service (NHS). The NHS provides free and subsidised treatment for UK residents. As a student, you, your spouse and any children who accompany you to the UK as your dependants are entitled to free NHS treatment as long as you are enrolled at the University of Warwick for more than 6 months. You will also be entitled to free and subsidised treatment if you are a national or resident of an EEA country.

Academic excellence

The quality and standard of UK higher education are guaranteed through the work of various official bodies. The quality of a university's teaching and its general facilities are assessed by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). Research standards are examined by the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), which publishes its findings every five years. The results of all these assessments are freely available on the internet. Information on quality assurance and assessments is also available from the Higher Education Funding Councils.

Value for money

The quality of UK degrees is one reason why so many people come to the UK to study. Another is value for money. Unlike the equivalent programmes in the United States or Australia, most UK Masters programmes can be completed in one year.

An international tradition

The UK has always welcomed students from all over the world. In 2003/2004, there were 96,845 students from the European Union (EU) and 203,210 students from outside of it in the UK at undergraduate and postgraduate level. UK universities are used to looking after the welfare of non-UK students and have well-developed support services and social networks on campus. At postgraduate level, students from outside the UK form over 30% of the entire student body.

The language of business

A major advantage of studying in the UK is the opportunity to perfect your knowledge of the English language – one of the most important skills in the international business world. If you are from outside the EU, especially if you are studying a commercial subject, you may well appreciate the opportunity to observe at first hand the operation of the European market. The UK is a member of the EU, and living and studying here can provide a useful insight into how this major trading bloc functions.

Further information

http://www.educationuk.org/budgetplanner/

The British Council office in your home country should be your first stop for information on studying and living in the UK.

www.educationuk.org - provides a wealth of information for anyone considering the UK plus links to local British Council offices.

Useful links....