Education System in UK

Education System in UK is recognized for its excellence in teaching. The reason to study in UK are highly reputed universities, interactive teaching methodology, top ranking universities, and high in student satisfaction. Most of the universities in UK are highly ranked in world university rankings such as the QS World Rankings, Academic Ranking of World Universities, and Times Higher Education (THE) Ranking. Moreover, degrees earned from UK are globally recognized and accepted by employers all over the world.

University of Oxford and University of Cambridge are some of the world’s topmost and reputed universities in the world. Both the universities are consistently ranked in number one and two in QS World Rankings and THE ranking whereas Imperial College London at number eight. Across all global ranking systems, criteria and fields of study, international students are attracted by UK education system and prefer to study in UK to improve their employability.

How Does UK Education System Work?

UK has different forms of education systems, qualifications offered, and individual laws/regulations. The differences are most pronounced in primary and secondary education. There are four stages in UK education system.

Qualifications framework

A qualification framework is a reference point that maintains academic standards to do higher education in any country. To get higher education degree in UK, there are two parallel frameworks, one of the frameworks is applied to Scotland and the other one operates in the rest of UK. The education qualification frameworks a

There are 160 universities and colleges that are permitted to award degree in UK.

Tuition Fees in UK

Tuition fees in UK for higher education and further education courses may vary depending on the factors:

For students who prefer undergraduate degree in UK, tuition fees range from £10,000 a year to £18,000 a year, depending on the course and the university. For postgraduate degree in UK, tuition fees also vary.

Scholarships in UK

There is a demand for scholarships in UK. There are many financial aids such as Scholarships, bursaries, grants, fellowships, financial awards, loans granted for international students who wish to pursue in UK. To maximize their chances of getting scholarships in UK, international students should apply as soon as possible. Because it is hard to find funding options in the mid of the academic year.

Teaching and Learning Style in UK

UK education System has a reputation for excellence in teaching methodology and most international students highly rate the quality of teaching. Best universities in UK allow most of the students to attend lectures, seminars, tutorials, and workshops, too.

Top universities in UK provide an opportunity to explore their own ideas and to be creative. They expect students to be an active member of the learning and teaching process, where the student will continue their research work in groups for some projects. UK universities encourage critical and analytical thinking in every course. By means of this, they develop a deeper understanding of the subject and enhance their communication skills.

Tutors will organize some activities like debates, discussions, quizzes etc. to make the session interactive. UK teaching style may be daunting for some students, but it helps in the future to face challenging problems.

Higher education in UK

Education system in UK offers a variety of programs for both domestic and international students to make the transition into further education; these programs are called as pathways or foundation courses.

Students do their higher education courses to earn an advanced degree and continue their higher studies in UK. Three main types of higher education are

Undergraduate or Bachelor degrees in UK

Undergraduate degrees are designed to help students gain a thorough knowledge of a subject. Degrees are classified as ordinary and honours. An ‘ordinary’ degree is a 3-year full-time course, whereas an ‘honours’ degree is a 4-year full-time course.

Postgraduate Degree in UK

After completing their bachelor degree, some of the students decide to move on to postgraduate degree in UK. Postgraduate degree is a long-term investment.

Pathway programs

There are many pathway programs for international students including foundation studies and English language preparation. Pathway programs ensure that the students receive support and assistance to reach success.

Academic year in UK

The standard academic year in UK starts in September or October and runs until June or July. Some of the courses are more flexible. The deadline for applications for undergraduate degree in UK for the academic year in September is in the preceding January of that year. Limited number of students are admitted in January for undergraduate, master, PhD, and foundation courses.

Learning English in UK

The UK is the top destination to learn English language. The UK is in the 1st place to teach English language. They teach through fun and participation instead of just listening to the tutor. Classes involve problem solving, discussions and games. Students are encouraged to listen songs, watch television, or read magazines to practice their comprehensive skill.

English language courses are also offered by universities and colleges to help international students prepare for a degree course in UK. Universities named it ‘pre-sessional English courses’ for these degrees preparation programs. IELTS General Training, IELTS Academic, and IELTS Life Skills are accepted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as proof of English Language Proficiency.

After graduation

Many international students want to stay back in UK after their graduation to put the skills they have learnt in practice. Students can extend their visa if they meet the requirements for the schemes that the UK Government operates.

The schemes that are most useful for students who have finished their graduation in UK include.

Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur)

Recent graduates and postdoctoral researchers who have Tier 2 immigration permission, who have credible business ideas and entrepreneurial skill, and where UK college or university is prepared to endorse them under this scheme and help them to develop their ideas.

Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)

Requires student to invest in a business in UK. The student does not need a sponsor

Tier 2

Student can take up employment through this scheme. The lowest wage is £20,800, but this depends on the job.

Tier 5 (Temporary Worker)

These schemes allow students to do specific types of work in UK for a period of one or two years. But students must have a Tier 5 sponsor. The student’s Tier 5 sponsor must issue a certificate of sponsorship before they start immigration application process.

Tier 4 Doctorate Extension Scheme

Doctorate Extension Scheme allows a new PhD graduate to spend one year in UK to get employment or self-employed. For that, the student must apply before they finish their doctorate course.