Higher education in the UK is held to an incredibly high standard. It’s for this reason that graduates with a degree from a UK university are highly sought after by employers across the globe.
British higher education providers are recognised internationally for their creative teaching methods and stimulating learning environments. With experts on many academic topics, they consistently rank highly in international university rankings.
But how do you know if studying in the UK is right for you? In this blog, we’ve broken down our top five reasons to choose a UK university.
Contents:
1. High standard of education
Did you know that over a quarter of current world leaders studied in the UK, according to the Higher Education Policy Institute?
That’s because the UK has been the preferred choice for some of the most important minds in history, and you could be the next student to follow in their footsteps.
The UK’s universities and higher education institutions are all held to strict standards by the government. This means that every institution is carefully moderated to ensure students are getting the best teaching, the best support, and access to the best facilities.
Newcastle University is no exception to this. In 2024, we were awarded 5 QS Stars for overall excellence.
Find out why international students choose Newcastle University.
2. Graduate visas
On 1 July 2021, the Graduate visa was officially launched. This allows students to stay in the UK for two years after they’ve graduated; PhD students can stay for three years.
With a Graduate visa you can build a life - and a career - in the UK. You can:
- work in most jobs
- look for work
- be self-employed
- continue living in the UK with your partner and children (eligibility criteria apply)
- do voluntary work
- travel abroad and return to the UK
Although you can’t extend your Graduate visa if you want to stay in the UK for longer, you can switch to a different visa.
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3. Low cost of living
There is a common misconception that the UK is an expensive place to live for students. But this assumption is based on universities in London, where the cost of living for everyone is significantly higher. In fact, students in London can expect to pay roughly double the rent costs compared to those who live further north.
Even during the current cost of living squeeze, Northern regions of the UK tend to be much cheaper to live in, making degrees from Northern universities sound financial investments. In fact, according to QS Best Student Cities 2025, Newcastle is one of the top 10 most affordable cities in the UK.
4. Campus locations
UK universities come in all shapes and sizes. From rural, satellite campuses to bustling city-centre locations, there’s a perfect space for you to thrive and grow in the UK, whatever your needs.
Newcastle University campus is nestled at the heart of the city of Newcastle. A safe and welcoming place, over 29,000 students from 135 countries call our campus home. You can expect state-of-the-art facilities next to Grade II listed buildings from the 1800s, and all within walking distance of lush, green parks, trendy independent cafés and shopping centres.
But studying in the centre of this historic UK city isn’t just convenient. Newcastle is also a top student city voted 5th in the UK by QS Best Student Cities 2025. One in six people here is a student, so you’ll feel like you belong in this diverse and exciting place.
The city also boasts friendly local people, a cheap and easy-to-understand transport system and - for anyone who loves football - it’s home to UK Premier League team Newcastle United.
5. Safe and supportive environment
The UK has a progressive, multi-faith, multicultural society, with a trustworthy police force and one of the most advanced healthcare systems in the world,
The country has a long history of welcoming international students to study here and its universities go to great lengths to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their student community.
At Newcastle University, we put our students at the heart of everything we do, so you will be supported by our dedicated Student Services to reach your full potential.
Could you have a future in the UK? Why not explore the Newcastle University experience and discover what it will be like studying with us.
