Studying in the UK as an International Student
If you’re an international student, you must point out that not all higher education providers in the UK are referred to as a university. This issue is regulated by law. As this official regulation states, a higher education institution can be labeled as a university under these circumstances:
- If it gets an approval by the Privy Council under Further and Higher Education Act 1992
- If it gets an approval under the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.
As an international student coming from countries other than the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you must know that you’ll need a student visa to study in the UK. If you’re aged 16 and you’re a resident of one of these countries you can apply for a Tier 4 visa (General student), the official student visa in the UK. Prior to this, you want to make sure you’ll have money to finance your stay there during your studies. When applying for a visa you’ll need to show you have enough money to cover your course tuitions and other expenses.
The UK Education System Level of Courses
Based on the actual education regulations in the UK education system, Higher Education comprises these levels of courses:
- Postgraduate courses that lead to a Doctorate, a Master’s degree (Taught or Research), Postgraduate diplomas, postgraduate certificates of education (PGCE), and professional degrees. To enter this level, it is usually required to have a first degree (Bachelor).
- Undergraduate courses which include a wide range of first degrees (Bachelor’s): honors and ordinary degrees, qualified teacher status, enhanced first degrees, intercalated degrees (first-degree students in specific study fields may interrupt their ongoing studies and spend a year studying a field related to their major study subject).
- Other undergraduate courses: Foundation degrees, SVQ, NVQ, Higher National Diploma HND (or equivalent), NHC (or equivalent), etc.
- An undergraduate course it usually takes 3 years to finish, while Scotland makes an exemption because it takes 4 years to finish an undergraduate course. The higher education in the UK education system is having an extended number of universities that are offering 4-year undergraduate courses, also known as “sandwich courses”. This program includes one year in the workplace, usually in your third year.
Some British universities offer fast-track programs where you can obtain a Master’s degree at the undergraduate level. By contrast to traditional undergraduate levels, students in these programs can attend an additional year of studying instead of taking a Bachelor’s degree and then admit to a Master’s program. Besides, it costs much less than usual 3-year undergraduate courses, it’s normally much intense because there are shorten holiday breaks and the schedule is heavy.
Some of the more prestigious universities in UK offer postgraduate degrees. If schools offer postgraduate degrees, they offer Master’s Degrees (typically one year, sometimes two years if your degree is research-based) and/or Doctorate degrees (three-year degrees). These are only available if you have obtained a bachelor’s degree at an accredited university (not necessarily one in England).
In the United Kingdom education system, most syllabi are set by the universities which are offering them and are not controlled by the government or certain British educational institutions. The only exception to this is teacher education programs, which the government has a lot of say over. The British government has established the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) to maintain those standards. Most countries have specific regulations for their teachers, so this isn’t any different than studying teaching in your home country. Because of their strict regulations and high standards for teacher education programs, the UK is considered to have some of the best teacher education programs in the world.
Even though the syllabi are set by universities, the Office for Fair Access (OfFA) in the British school system, has a lot of say on the admission procedures of each university. This office was created so that everyone who wishes to attend university in the UK has the ability to do so. They also promote fair access to higher education, even for those who are attending university as international students. Fair access also includes those of different cultures, different races, different nationalities, and those who have disabilities.
UK Education System
The UK education system is worldwide reputed for its high quality and standards. In general, the British higher education system has five stages of education: early years, primary years, secondary education, Further Education (FE), and Higher Education (HE). Britons enter the education system at the age of three and up to 16 are obliged to attend school (compulsory education), while afterward is upon their choice.
Besides sharing many similarities, the UK education system at different levels at each zone of administration (England, Scotland, and Wales) differs a bit. Generally spoken these differences are not so meaningful that we can talk about the UK higher education as being one.
List of Colleges in UK
One thing every prospective student in the UK must be aware of prior to starting is to have a basic knowledge of how the education system in the UK is designed. Often students that lack this information find the system to be very confusing.
At the very beginning, you must know that, in contrast to the US higher education where universities are usually regarded as colleges, in the UK the college and the university are not the same things. This is because of the way the whole system is organized. So, if you aim to get a university degree, you must not enroll in a college which would lead to another degree-level, but a university. Here is a list of universities in UK.
Since the university and the college are at two different degree levels in the UK education system, they’re basically different in terms of length, program, curriculum and the degrees they award.
A college is part of the Further Education, while the university is part of the Higher Education level, the highest among the five main stages of education in UK.
Similar to a large number of universities, the UK is also proud of having a lot of colleges. As long there are many of them, one may find it difficult to track and filter them out.
Below we bring you the most comprehensive list of colleges in UK
1. Abbey College (Birmingham, Cambridge, London, Manchester)
2. Albion College – London
3. College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprise
4. Anglo European College of Chiropractic
5. The Arts University College at Bournemouth
6. Askham Bryan College
7. Azad University – Oxford
8. Barking and Dagenham College
9. Barony College
10. Basingstoke College of Technology
11. Bell Educational Trust (Berkshire, Cambridge, Kent, London, Oxford)
12. Bell International English Language Centre
13. Bedford College
14. Bellerbys College (Brighton, Cambridge, Oxford, London)
15. Birmingham Metropolitan College
16. Bishop Burton College
17. Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln
18. Blackburn College
19. Blackpool and The Fylde College
20. Blackpool Sixth Form
21. Blake Hall College
22. BPP University College Of Professional Studies Limited – London
23. Bradford College
24. Bridgwater College
25. British Institute of Technology & E-commerce – London
26. Brighton and Sussex Medical School
27. Bristol Filton College
28. British College of Osteopathic Medicine – London
29. British School of Osteopathy – London
30. British Study Centres (Bournemouth, Brighton, London, Oxford)
31. Brooklands College
32. Brooksby Melton College
33. Calderdale College
34. Cambridge Education Group
35. Cambridge Ruskin International College (CRIC)
36. Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts
37. Castle College Nottingham
38. CATS College (Cambridge, Canterbury, London)
39. Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London
40. Coleg Sir Gar/Carmarthenshire College
41. College of Central London
42. Chichester College
43. City and Islington College – London
44. City of Bath College
45. City of Bristol College
46. City College Coventry
47. City College, Birmingham
48. City of London Business College
49. City of Sunderland College
50. City of Westminster College – London
51. Cleveland College of Art and Design
52. Cliff College
53. Colchester English Canter
54. Colchester Institute
55. College of North West London
56. College of West Anglia
57. Cornwall College
58. Courtauld Institute of Art (University of London)
59. Craven College
60. Croydon College
61. DLD College – London
62. David Game Group (Bath, London, Northampton, Oxford)
63. Dearne Valley College
64. Doncaster College
65. Duchy College
66. Dudley College of Technology
67. EF International Academy (Oxford, Devon)
68. EF University Preparation (Cambridge, London, Oxford, Torquay)
69. E Thames Graduate School
70. East London College
71. East Riding College – London
72. Easton College
73. East Surrey College
74. Edinburgh College of Art
75. English Time
76. European Business School – London
77. European School of Economics – London
78. European School of Osteopathy
79. Exeter College
80. Farnborough College of Technology
81. Foundation Campus
82. Glasgow School of Art
83. Gloucestershire College
84. Greenwich School of Management – London
85. Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education
86. Guildford College of Further and Higher Education
87. Harrogate Language Academy
88. Harrogate Tutorial College
89. Harrow College
90. Harper Adams University College
91. Hartpury College
92. Havering College of Further and Higher Education
93. Hereford College of Arts
94. Highbury College
95. Hertfordshire International College of Business and Technology (HIBT)
96. Henley College
97. Heythrop College (University of London)
98. Holborn College – London
99. Hopwood Hall College
100. Hove College
101. Huddersfield New College
102. Hull College
103. Hull York Medical School
104. Hult International Business School – London
105. IFS School of Finance – London
106. ILS English Nottingham
107. International Study Centre (Dublin, Keele, Huddersfield, Lancaster , Leicester, Lincoln, Liverpool)
108. INTO University Partnership LTD (East Anglia, Exeter, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Belfast, London)
109. International College Portsmouth (ICP)
110. International College Wales Swansea (ICWS)
111. Istituto Marangoni
112. Islamic College for Advanced Studies
113. Islamic College
114. Kaplan International (Bath, Bournemouth, Cambridge, Edinburgh, London, Manchester, Oxford,
115. Salisbury, Torquay)
116. Kensington College of Business – London
117. Kingston College – London
118. Kirklees College
119. Lakes College – West Cumbria
120. Lancaster and Morecombe College
121. Leeds City College
122. Leeds Trinity University College
123. Leeds College of Art
124. Leeds College of Music
125. Leicester College
126. Limkokwing Academy of Creative Technology
127. Lincoln College
128. Liverpool Community College
129. Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts
130. Coleg Llandrillo Cymru
131. London Academy of Dressmaking and Design
132. London Bridge Business Academy
133. London Business School
134. London Business and Management School
135. London Electronics College
136. London College of Engineering and Management
137. London College of International Business Studies
138. London College, UCK
139. London Electronics College
140. LCA Business School – London
141. London Hotel School
142. London International College
143. London International College of Business and Technology (LIBT)
144. London International Study Centre
145. London College of Management and IT
146. London School of Accounting and Management
147. London School of Beauty and Make-up
148. London School of Business and Finance
149. London School of Commerce
150. London School of Science and Technology
151. London School of Sound
152. London School of Theology
153. London School of Traditional Massage (LSTM)
154. London South Bank Foundation Campus
155. London Study Centre
156. London St. Andrew’s College
157. London Theological Seminary
158. London Tudor College
159. Loughborough College
160. Lydbury English Centre
161. Magna Carta College – Oxford
162. Manchester College
163. Manchester International College
164. Markfield Institute of Higher Education
165. Menai
166. Mid-Cheshire College
167. Moulton College
168. Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts – London
169. Myerscough College
170. Navitas University Programs (Anglia Ruskin, Brunel, Hertfordshire, Portsmouth, Swansea, Plymouth)
171. Nazarene Theological College
172. Neath Port Talbot College
173. Newcastle College
174. New College Durham
175. New College of Humanities – London
176. New College Nottingham
177. Newham College of Further Education – London
178. New College Stamford
179. Newman University College – Birmingham
180. Norwich City College of Further and Higher Education
181. Norwich University College Of The Arts
182. Northbrook College Sussex
183. NESCOT – Surrey
184. New College Telford
185. North East Worcestershire College
186. North Glasgow College
187. North Lindsey College
188. Northumberland College
189. North Warwickshire and Hinckley College
190. Oldham College
191. Overseas Nursing Training Organisation
192. Oxford and Cherwell Valley College
193. Oxford House College – London
194. Oxford House College – Stratford Upon Avon
195. Oxford International College of Beauty
196. Oxford Royale Academy
197. Oxford Tutorial College
198. Pembrokeshire College
199. Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry
200. Petroc
201. Pitman Training
202. Plymouth College of Art (formerly Plymouth College of Art and Design)
203. Plymouth Devon International College (PDIC)
204. Ravensbourne
205. Regents College London
206. Richmond, The American International University in London
207. Rose Bruford College
208. Rotherham College of Arts and Technology
209. Royal Agricultural College
210. Royal Academy of Dance
211. Royal Veterinary College (University of London)
212. Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (Coleg Brenhinol Cerdd a Drama Cymru)
213. Ruskin College Oxford
214. Scottish Agricultural College
215. SAE Institute (Glasgow, London, Liverpool, Oxford)
216. Sandwell College
217. Sasoon Academy
218. Scarborough Sixth Form College
219. School of Pharmacy (University of London)
220. Sheffield College
221. Solihull College
222. Somerset College of Arts and Technology
223. South Devon College
224. Southport College
225. South Cheshire College
226. South Downs College
227. Southgate College – London
228. South Thames College
229. South Tyneside College
230. South Essex College of Further and Higher Education
231. South Nottingham College
232. St Giles International
233. St Mary’s University College, Twickenham
234. St Helens College
235. Sotheby’s Institute of Art
236. Sparsholt College Hampshire
237. Stafford House School of English
238. Stafford House Study Holidays (Bath, Cambridge, Canterbury, Cheltenham, Dundee, Edinburgh, London, Reading, Swansea, Wokingham, York)
239. Stephenson College Coalville
240. Stevens College Edinburgh
241. Stratford upon Avon College
242. Stockport College
243. Stourbridge College
244. Stranmillis University College
245. Stockport College
246. Stockton Sixth Form College
247. Swindon College
248. Tameside College
249. Tech Music College – London
250. Thanet College
251. Truro and Penwith College (Formerly Truro College)
252. Tyne Metropolitan College
253. University of the Arts London
254. University College Birmingham
255. University College London
256. University for the Creative Arts
257. Uxbridge College
258. University College Falmouth
259. UCP Marjon – University College Plymouth St Mark and St John
260. Wakefield College
261. Walsall College
262. Warrington Collegiate
263. Warwickshire College
264. Wave Training (UK Quality Care Solutions)
265. West Cheshire College
266. Westminster Kingsway College – London
267. West Thames College – London
268. West London College
269. Wigan and Leigh College
270. Wirral Metropolitan College
271. Wiltshire College
272. Worcester College of Technology
273. Writtle College
274. York College
275. Yorkshire Coast College of Further and Higher Education
276. 360 GSP College – London
Top UK Universities
UK universities are known for their academic excellence among numerous other qualities. Studying in the UK means getting to experience all the beauty the UK has to offer alongside getting a qualification that is recognized around the globe. The top UK universities are getting an overflow of international students each year, all earning their right to be part of some of the most prestigious higher education institutions out there.
According to the latest higher education statistics, there are currently 485,645 international students enrolled in one of the many universities in the UK. Studying the likes of business, law, medicine, or other science-related fields, these students are making the most of their study experience. The UK is the perfect example of a diverse environment where students get to earn their skills and qualifications as well as grow in international society. Below, we have listed 10 of the best UK universities for the year 2020 as ranked by QS World University Rankings 2020.
Here are the top UK universities for 2020:
University of Oxford
There are around 24,000 students currently enrolled at the University of Oxford, out of which 11,930 in the undergraduate level and 11,813 in the postgraduate level. This university offers around 350 graduate degree programmes, and it is constantly ranked on top in the major worldwide ranking lists. There are more than 10,000 international students pursuing their qualifications at this university from 150 countries and territories. Known for its expertise and qualified academic staff, University of Oxford is one of the most favored study destinations for students around the world.
This university offers degree programmes in the following fields of study:
- Humanities
- Mathematical, Physical, and Life Sciences
- Medical Sciences
- Social Sciences
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge has over 18,000 students enrolled in its degree programmes. It offers a large variety of courses and a highly-qualified academic staff being one of the oldest universities in the world. This university has a reputation for intellectual achievement of its students, and it is recognized worldwide for its research. University of Cambridge is not only recognized for its excellence in the UK, but it attracts thousands of international students worldwide as well.
This university offers degree programmes in the following fields of study:
- Arts and Humanities
- Biological Sciences
- Clinical Medicine
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Physical Sciences
- Technology
University College London (UCL)
University College London is an ideal and innovative place to pursue a degree. It offers some of the best conditions to study in, with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. This university gathers ambitious students from all around the world, with more than 13,000 in staff and 42,000 students from 150 different countries. UCL was founded in 1826 and ever since then it has created generations of successful graduates with 29 Nobel Prize laureates among its alumni.
This university offers degree programs in the following fields of study:
- Arts & Humanities
- Built Environment
- Brain Sciences
- Engineering Sciences
- Laws
- Life Sciences
-
- Mathematical & Physical Sciences
- Medical Sciences
- Population Health Sciences
Social & Historical Sciences
- Institute of Education
Imperial College London
Imperial College London has a world-class reputation in science, engineering, business, and medicine. At this university, you can choose from a large number of courses and degree programs, while being taught by well-known professionals in each discipline. Its location in central London gives this university an advantage while having some of the world’s biggest businesses at hand. With hundreds of student-led clubs, societies, and projects, being a student at this university would truly pay off when it comes to career development.
This university offers degree programs in the following fields of study:
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Natural Sciences
UK Student Visa Requirements
All international students who want to study in the UK are required to get a student visa (Tier 4). This type of visa is only available to full-time university students pursuing a degree in the UK, and not short-term or language courses.
Anyone who is planning to study in the UK is required to have a visa in order to stay in the country for an extended period of time. Immigration requirements for the UK (and the United Kingdom as a whole) are determined by your nationality and the country(ies) that you have citizenship in. This part of the guide will focus on giving you a general idea of the guidelines for getting a visa for study in the UK.
How to apply for a student visa in UK?
The application for a student visa in the UK can be carried online, by post, or in person. Note that you can apply online only from outside of the UK, Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man (except North Korea). Those who are residing in the UK at the time of application must apply in person or by post.
What documents do I need?
Always have in mind that visa restrictions and requirements in the UK change regularly. Therefore, you must always check the official visa policy guidelines before initiating an application.
Currently, your student visa application requirements in the UK change based on your citizenship and the type of visa you’re applying for. Depending on your purpose of visit in the UK whether it is for health issues, studying, familiar union, and so forth, you need to seek a proper visa and particular visa requirements.