Study In UK - Study In London

• Growing Destination
  International students have always been an important presence in UK, and the numbers have been growing steadily. With over 3,68,970 international students during the year 2008/2009, UK is the second most popular destination for international students, behind US to study in UK.
  
  The top ten countries sending students to UK are :

  Sr. No.	Countries	Students
  1	China	47,035
  2	India	34,065
  3	Greece	12,035
  4	Republic of Ireland	15,360
  5	USA	14,345
  6	Germany	14,130
  7	France	13,090
  8	Malaysia	12,695
  9	Nigeria	14,380
  10	Hong Kong	9,600

• Worldwide Recognition
  The degrees and qualifications from UK higher education institutions are known around the world as high quality and world class. When looking for work in the future, UK education and studying in London can be of great help and results in success for an individual.
• World-Class teaching
  Delivering academic excellence and a high quality and standard of UK qualifications is guaranteed through the work of various official bodies. A major advantage of studying in UK is that with its World-Class teaching it gives the opportunity to perfect your knowledge of the English language - one of the most important skills in the international business world.
• Education Costs are Lower
  The cost of education for an international student in UK can be lower compared to the other countries.
  
  Although four-year programs are increasing in popularity, most degree programs in UK require a three-year course and a masters program is typically between one and two years. When you consider the shorter timeframe, the cost will be much lower if you only have to plan for three years instead of four or even five as in many other countries.
• Scholarships/ Loans
  Financing an international education is always difficult. The best approach includes lots of preparation, careful analysis of your budget, and hard work in researching and applying for scholarships. There are a variety of scholarships and loans available to students who wish to study in UK or study in London.
• Work Opportunities
  An international student in UK is typically allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during school term, and up to full-time when school is out of term.
• Courses with industry placements
  Some universities offer students an opportunity to gain industry experience as part of the course. This is particularly true on undergraduate programmes and is normally for one year between the 2nd and 3rd year of a Bachelor degree programme. However some times is may be for a shorter period and it is also available on a small number of postgraduate degree programmes. Many of the placements provide students with a salary enabling them to earn money at the same time as studying.
• Improve your English skills
  Studying in UK will give you the opportunity to improve or perfect your English language skills. English is the International Language of business, science and technology, and by studying in UK you will be able to immerse yourself in the language, giving you the English skills you need for any future career.
• Multicultural Nation
  UK is known for having a multicultural society with all religions and faiths represented in some way. With a racial, ethnic and religious jumble, UK is very open to new traditions and cultures - something that is a great thing for students from other countries! You can also be sure that a place of worship will be easily accessible for most major religions.

EDUCATION SYSTEM IN UK

British Universities are subject to rigorous quality assurance audits to standardize the quality of education across all institutions in UK, and standards are closely assessed by the government. The quality of UK education is recognized across the world by employers, universities and governments, which make it an attractive destination for international students. Studying for a degree in UK also gives students the opportunity to develop important transferable skills.

• University
• Open University
• College and Institution of Higher Education
• Open College
• College of Technology
• Teacher Training College
• Institute

Taught or research Course?

Before you start your qualification, it is important you understand whether your course taught or research, as this will define the relationship you have with your tutor, and the university.

Taught Courses are based primarily on a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, study schools. Taught courses are far more integrated into the structure of campus life, with a minimum number of contact hours a week.

Research Courses are based purely or predominantly on the student's own research under the guidance of at least one supervisor. Research courses place a great deal more expectation on the student to track their own study route, although there is still support available. Broadly speaking, a research student has access to the facilities of the university campus to aid their studies, and is also appointed a tutor for periodic guidance and assistance.

Various Qualifications offered by UK Colleges and Universities:

• First Degree Courses in Arts and Sciences (Bachelor's degree) are normally of three or four years' duration and are largely taught courses.
• Sandwich Courses are where the coursework is accompanied by practical work. A student could either complete 2 years of college, then a year of commercial training before returning for a final year in college. Or, he/she could do a 4-year course with 3-6 months' training interspersed each year. The main advantage is that the student gets real experience while in the learning mode. Most universities offer this type of education.
• Higher National Diploma (HND) is awarded by Vocational and Technical Educational Councils. They offer a 2-year course in a vocational subject like scientific and technical business subjects. Great emphasis is placed on work experience. It is often seen as the first step towards a degree course as the credits can be transferred.
• Vocational Courses offer an opportunity to enter the university system slowly. Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC), General Vocational Qualifications (GNVQ), General Scottish Vocational Qualifications (GSVQ) offer recognized courses in a range of disciplines. Most students opt to take 1-2 years of, for example, BTEC courses before being transferred to a degree programme. BTEC national certificates/diplomas are usually accepted as an alternative to A-Levels.
• Postgraduate study may take the form of an independent piece of research under supervision or a taught course, and leads to a variety of degrees and awards. Many post-experience courses are also available, either leading to a qualification or providing a refresher course for graduates wishing to update or extend their knowledge.