The UK is one of the most popular overseas study destinations for international students, but is it right for your child? Read on to discover our top 10 reasons to study in the UK.
Contents:
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A higher standard of education
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Innovative teaching methods
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Career benefits
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The cost of a UK degree
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More degree choices
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Earn while learning
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A global community
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English language skills
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A different culture
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Student support
1. A higher standard of education
Universities in the UK are among the best in the world and perform strongly in world rankings.
Many universities, especially Russell Group universities, are at the cutting edge of global research and emerging technology. That means the academics your child will learn from, and be inspired by, are world leaders in their field.
Newcastle is both a founding member of the Russell Group of 24 world-class, research-intensive universities and a Global Top 110 university in the QS World University Rankings 2024.
2. Innovative teaching methods
From traditional lectures to innovative teaching methods that use the latest technology and state-of-the-art facilities, the learning experience at a UK university is stimulating and challenging.
Strong collaborations with national and multinational industries will also give your child the opportunity to learn from industry leaders, gain experience, and make professional connections that will benefit their careers.
3. Career benefits
UK graduates are sought after by employers around the world. During their degree, your child can:
- develop the professional skills they need for their future
- apply their learning through placements, internships and work experience with national and international industries
- develop communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills valued by employers
- learn to plan their career, market their skills, or even launch their own business
If their dream is to build a life and a career in the UK, the Graduate visa will give them the option to stay in the UK for two years after graduation.
At Newcastle, our Careers Service will support your child to realise their career ambitions both while they are studying with us and for up to three years after they graduate.
Part of that support includes targeted advice for international students, such as our China Career Gateway development programme which helps Chinese students understand the graduate jobs market in the UK and China.
4. The cost of a UK degree
Most undergraduate degrees in the UK take just three years to complete – that means possible savings on tuition fees and living costs compared to longer degree programmes in other countries.
Many UK universities also have generous scholarship schemes, grants and bursaries for international students.
Depending on where in the UK your child wants to study, the cost of living can be competitive, too. Expect to pay more in London and the South, with cheaper living costs in the North of the UK – in fact, Newcastle is ranked in the top ten most affordable cities in the UK by QS Best Student Cities 2024.
Find out about fees and funding at Newcastle here, as well as our financial support for international students, including scholarships and family discounts.
5. More degree choices
According to UCAS, the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, there are over 390 universities and colleges in the UK offering over 50,000 undergraduate-level higher education courses.
Degree subjects range from the arts to languages, business, law, engineering, science, medicine and more, so your child can follow their passion.
At Newcastle, there are more than 185 undergraduate degrees to choose from.
6. Earn while learning
As an international student, your child must have enough money to pay for their course and support themselves while they are studying in the UK – they may even have to provide evidence of this as part of their application for a Student visa.
But if they want to work part-time to earn a little extra money, make new friends, or gain valuable work experience, they can. However, they must check if there are any restrictions on the number of hours they can work and the type of work they can do.
At Newcastle, our Visa Support team can advise them about part-time work in the UK, while our Careers Service can help them find part-time job opportunities in the city. Job opportunities on campus range from working as a student ambassador to paid internships that offer the chance to develop graduate-level skills and experience.
7. A global community
When they graduate, your child will join their university’s alumni community – an invaluable network of graduates in industries and professions across the world.
At Newcastle, your child will belong to our inspiring global network of more than 250,000 alumni and be supported in their personal and professional development by this vibrant community.
8. English language skills
English is a global language, particularly in sectors such as business, commerce, aviation, science, technology and medicine. So, if your child wants to brush up on their English language skills, where better than in the UK?
As an international student, your child will need to prove they have a certain level of English language proficiency in order to study in the UK. Find out more, and explore the language support at Newcastle University, here.
9. A different culture
Steeped in history, a country of beautiful landscapes, exciting cities and welcoming people, the UK is a diverse and vibrant place to live and study.
Your child will be able to explore this multicultural society and discover what makes Britain great, from its world-famous literature, arts and music, to its world-leading industries. And let’s not forget the national dish – fish and chips!
Newcastle has been voted one of the best student cities in the UK by QS Best Student Cities 2024. Culturally diverse, it is a friendly city, where one in six people is a student.
10. Student support
UK universities have a lot of experience in working with and supporting international students – after all, according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, in 2021-22 over 670,000 undergraduate and postgraduate EU and international students enrolled in higher education in the UK.
We know your child might need a little extra support while they are studying in the UK and our Student Wellbeing teams can provide a range of free services including:
- counselling
- disability support
- mental health support
- financial advice
- faith and spirituality support
Our International office also runs activities to help your child make friends and settle into life at a UK university.
Although we use the terms parent/child in this blog for simplicity, it is intended for anyone fulfilling a parenting role.
