General Information About Studying In United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is one of the most attractive countries for international students to complete their studies abroad. Therefore, we present to you through the article General Information About Studying in the United Kingdom to find out the reasons for choosing the United Kingdom specifically to study. In addition to clarifying all study requirements and required documents.
Overview about Education in Britain
In general, British education is divided into 4 main parts, which are primary education, secondary education, further education, and higher education.
Primary education reaches the age of 11 and secondary education until the age of 16.
The education system is also divided into “key stages” as follows:
- The first basic stage: from 5 - 7 years
- The second stage: from 7 - 11 years
- The third stage: from 11 - 14 years
- The fourth stage: from 14 to 16 years
Primary education starts from the ages of 5 to 11, thus encompassing the first and second stages of the education system in the United Kingdom.
It is Followed by seventh and eighth grades, they are included in middle school in charter schools, while in other schools they are included in high school.
Secondary education in Britain
The ninth year is considered one of the dividing years in the British school system, as students move from preparatory stage to secondary education. It therefore forms a good foundation for the GCSE programme, and represents an entry point into all schools.
High school program
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Year 10 and 11 represent the last two years of secondary education (age 14-16), after which students prepare for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) exams that are taken after the two years.
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During which students study between 9 to 12 subjects. Some of them are mandatory, while others are at the discretion of each student according to his abilities and interests.
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After two years, completing the GCSE programme, and passing examinations in all subjects studied, students receive their GCSE certificates.
Intensive GCSE programme
Some schools offer a one-year GCSE course in Year 11 for international students aged 15 and over, who wish to be educated in the UK. A smaller number of subjects are studied during that course, with a maximum of 6 subjects
International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE)
Students study from 5 to 7 subjects, according to the list of subjects prepared in each school. At the end of Year 11, students sit exams in each subject and receive IGCSE certificates
prepares international students for A or IB levels.
5 reasons to study in UK
When you search for General Information About Studying In United Kingdom, you will find many reasons why you should study in the United Kingdom, including:
Best universities
The UK is home to some of the best universities in the world, renowned for its high quality of higher education and innovative research globally, earning it a high performance in global university rankings.
Support international students
Universities in the UK provide ongoing support to international students. This is done by a group of experts to help students adapt to studying in the United Kingdom. Support includes ongoing guidance for students from their first day, including the application process, visa information, and accommodation.
Improve your English skills
There are modules dedicated to improving your English language skill and continually developing it through everyday tasks such as speaking with your colleagues and attending live events.
Having excellent English language skills will help you improve your career as a graduate later on.
Multiple study options
British universities offer a variety of subjects to choose from in your field of interest and the degree you wish to obtain.
Degrees in the UK vary to suit study needs. Depending on the subjects you choose, you will find courses that focus heavily on the practical or theoretical study of those subjects, or a combination of the two. In addition to training courses that enable you to participate in the workplace.
Excellent job opportunities for graduates
Once you graduate from university, you can stay and work in the UK on a work visa that lasts for two years after studying.
Many career opportunities are available to graduates of UK universities, as they obtain a high-quality university degree from one of the best universities in the world in the United Kingdom.
Studying in the UK allows you to develop highly valuable transferable and critical thinking skills, both of which are highly sought after in the job market.
British education rankings
The UK was ranked second out of 10 countries in terms of quality of education in 2023, based on the annual report conducted by US News & World Report, the BAV Group, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. The report surveyed thousands of people in 78 countries about three equal attributes, including a well-developed public education system, considering attending university in that country, and the country's provision of high-quality education.
While the country witnessed its rise to 11th place in the world out of 81 countries that participated in the international classification in the field of mathematics based on the Program for International Assessment (PISA) by the organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)for the year 2022.
England also ranked 13th in both reading and science, leaving it 14th and 13th respectively in 2018.
The most important British universities
By reading General Information About Studying In the United Kingdom, you will find that universities in the United Kingdom are ranked based on their position in the rankings of the best global universities, and evaluated in terms of their research performance by members of the academic community around the world.
This is the best universities in the United Kingdom, according to the authoritative Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024.
- Oxford University
- Cambridge University
- University College London
- Imperial College London
- King's College London
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Glasgow
- University of Manchester
- Queen Mary University of London
- University of Birmingham
The Oxford University comes in the first place, and the Cambridge University occupies the second, while two of the universities in London (Imperial College, UCL) and a Scottish university (University of Edinburgh) complete the top five places.
Study and living costs in Britain
Studying in the UK is considered good value for the costs of living and studying, especially compared to both the USA and Australia.
Cost of study
Tuition fees in Britain vary depending on the level and location of your studies in the United Kingdom.
International university tuition fees range from £11,400 to £38,000 over three years of study in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or 4 years in Scotland.
While international postgraduate studies fees range from 9,000 to 30,000 British pounds.
Cost of living
Living costs for international students usually range from £1,300-1,400 per month in London, while it costs around £900-1,300 in the rest of the UK to cover all living expenses including accommodation, bills, food, and personal needs during the study period.
Requirements and conditions for admission to British universities
Requirements for admission to British universities vary from one university to another.
However, some general requirements for admission to most universities include:
- Entrance tests to select the best students and assess the suitability of foreign students who have obtained their qualification from a different educational system.
- Study at least two subjects at advanced level, if you are an advanced level student
- Have at least two GCSEs, usually in Maths and English.
- English language requirement: British universities require excellent language proficiency, through accepted English language tests such as IELT, TOEFL or UCLES.
- DBS criminal record check or equivalent.
- Fitness test for certain studies, such as medicine and nursing.
- The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is not compulsory, but many universities welcome it.
Each university's files indicate its basic admission requirements, so you should always check the specific admission requirements for the course you wish to study.
You can also find detailed information about admission requirements on the university website, or on the UCAS website when submitting your application.
Documents required to study in British universities
Studying in the UK requires submitting some documents to obtain visa, including:
- A current passport or any valid travel document
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover your living expenses for the duration of the course
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
- Passport size color photographs
- TB screening (mandatory for students in South Asian countries)
- Documenting the evaluation
- Academic Technology Accreditation Scheme (ATAS) certificate of approval (if required)
If none of your documents are in English, you must have them translated. The date, name and signature of the translator must be recorded on it, confirming the accuracy of the translation of the original document.
Conclusion
That was some General Information About Studying In United Kingdom. It must be carefully reviewed and checked to meet all admission requirements if you really want to complete your studies in the UK and live there.
FAQ about General Information About Studying In United Kingdom
What is the education system in Britain?
The education system in the United Kingdom is a separate system and differs between the countries of the United Kingdom due to the different governments. The United Kingdom Government is responsible for England, while the Scottish and Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Authority are responsible for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Is education in Britain characterized by inequality?
Some reports have stated that successful schools tend to select students with high abilities and thriving backgrounds, while students who have difficulty concentrating are enrolled in schools that do not achieve good results. But this gap began to shrink beginning in 2015 with the increasing number of students in distinguished schools.
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