Why Study in the UK?

If you are thinking of attending a university in the UK, you might be wondering if there are any advantages to doing so. Here, we go over the six biggest potential benefits of going to school in the UK. (Based on an article from prepscholar.com).

#1: You Could Save Money

U.S. universities are notoriously expensive, especially the ones that are private and selective. US News reported that the average cost of tuition for private US universities during the 2018-19 school year was $35,676. This cost was markedly lower for in-state public universities: $9,716.

So, how much does it cost to study in the UK if you're an international student?

According to the Reddin Survey (via Top Universities), international undergraduate students at UK universities can expect to pay anywhere from £10,000 (~US$12,000) to £38,000 (~US$46,000) a year. (For UK and EU students, costs are typically much cheaper. Schools in England, for example, have a max tuition rate of £9,250 (~US$11,000) per year for UK/EU "home" students.)

In general, programs in the humanities and social sciences in the UK tend to cost less than those with clinical or laboratory components.

Additionally, UK undergraduate programs usually last just three years instead of four as they do in the US (see #2 below for more details on this). This means you could save an entire year's worth of tuition and living expenses by going to school in the UK, potentially making it even cheaper than attending a public in-state school for four years!

Remember that no matter how much you have to pay in tuition, there will be other expenses to think about as well, such as housing, food, and transportation. If you're looking at universities in large, expensive cities, such as London, you will definitely want to consider how much it'll cost you to live there!

#2: You Get to Spend Less Time in School

As mentioned, another potential benefit for US and international students at UK universities is that you'll likely be in school a far shorter time than you would had you attended school in the US.

Undergraduate programs in the US typically last four years, but in the UK they're just three years (except for Scotland, which has four-year programs). As for master's programs, these are normally around two years in the US but just one year in the UK.

A shorter time in school means you'll save a whole year's worth of tuition and fees, meals, housing, transportation, travel, and so on.

The only downfall is that you might not like missing out on an entire year of the college experience—but this really comes down to your preferences. Indeed, this is one reason so many UK students go on to take a gap year right after graduating from a university!

#3: You Can Experience Different Cultures

The top UK universities are known for being globally driven, especially in terms of student diversity. According to Studying-in-UK.org, more than 450,000 international students were studying in the UK during the 2017-18 school year.

In addition, being in the UK means you'll be geographically closer to the KSA. If this type of environment sounds appealing, then a UK university might be a great fit for you.

#4: You Get to Study What You Want Right Away

In contrast to US universities, which typically require undergrads to take a broad array of general education classes before they can really begin to zero in on their chosen majors, UK universities require all students to choose and commit to a major during the application process.

In other words, when you're applying to a UK university, you're really applying for a specific major or program, rather than the university as a whole (as they do in the US). This allows you to narrow your academic focus and the courses you take as early as your first year of study.

If you know exactly what you want to study right away and don't want to deal with pesky general education requirements, a UK university would work well for you.

If, however, you're still undecided about what you want to study or would like the opportunity to explore courses outside your major, consider again whether a UK university is a wise choice.

Another big difference between the US universities and the UK is that UK universities normally give out fewer exams and assignments than US universities do. So rather than being graded on tons of small assignments, tests, and quizzes, you'll be graded on just a few assignments and most likely a single test, paper, or project.

If you don't like the idea of doing lots of busywork and getting graded on everything you do, then a UK university might work out better for you in the long run.

#5: The UK application process is much more streamlined and welcomes the IB diploma.

The application process can easily be accessed at UCAS.com. You can choose up to 5 universities and pay one very reasonable fee. UK universities and colleges accept the International Baccalaureate Diploma for entry to all first degree courses and higher education institutions. Note that the institutions are autonomous, and therefore the standards required (i.e. combination of IB subjects, points secured in total and in individual subjects) are a matter for each individual institution to decide. Requirements will vary considerably depending on the institution and the course.

#6: The UK Could Have Your Dream Program

This last benefit is cheesy, I know, but think about it: if the academic program you truly want is only available in the UK (or the best one is in the UK), then definitely apply to it!