LIVING IN LONDON SERIES: Why study in the UK?

United Kingdom is often perceived as a leading academic country. It is no surprise that every year many international students come to the UK to study. Within this article I will talk about my own experience of studying in London and thus in the UK, from a French student perspective. 

First things first why study in the UK?

Really? Why leaving your beloved home country to come to a place where it rains really often? Well, the UK is more than the rain and in terms of universities they are doing pretty good.

For international students, the first motivation is improving their English. What is the best way to improve your English? Studying in the UK will force you to speak English 24/7 and the fact that you speak another language is a comparative advantage ;) Studying in the UK WILL improve your English. Especially academic English and you will also learn UK slang. For example I noticed that the London youth love to use terms like peng, fam, banging. In the UK, many people are not native English speakers so British people are really understanding if you make mistake and will often encourage you. Universities also provide help for non native English speakers in case you want extra assistance for your assignments.

The British universities environment is attractive. 

Yes, I admit it played a part for me I was attracted by the beautiful campuses, I was imagining myself doing my assigments in the grass surrounded by friends and such. Some cities in the UK are mostly student cities and the university plays a real role in the life of the city. Universities like Cambridge, Oxford, Newcastle University, University of Manchester have beautiful campuses. For some of these university you really feel like you have a city inside the city. Campuses can attract some of you, yes. 

If you are into students societies, the UK is the right place. You can find student societies for everything and anything. My university has more than 90 student societies. We have an Afro-Carribean society, a Maghreb United Society, a feminist soeciety, a South Korean appreciation society, a Yoga society and much more. If you want to get involved, you can and they will gladly welcome you. 

Now, if you choose to study in London, it means that you will enjoy the life of the capital as well. Universities such as SOAS, King's College, LSE are located in Central London. Meaning you can have a taste of the British student life but also of the London life which is lit (But this will be addressed in another article).

What is attractive in British universities in terms of teaching?

Well, for the course I have chosen I was attracted by the fact that it was academic but also professional. For example, my university had many professional guest speakers giving us lectures and such. I like the fact that students could get academic knowledge ( and read a lot of books and academic papers, yes) but also REAL LIFE knowledge and insights. To me, this is what attracted me.

Actually, the UK offers various types of universities and differents ways of teaching. You have the Russell Group universities. They include LSE, Oxford, Newcastle University, Queen Mary University, King's College University to name a few. The Russell Group is not here to play. They are focused on research and described as 'research intensive'.  

You also have previously called 'polytechnics institutes' that now have the status of universities. These universities tend to have a vocational and practical approach to teaching. There are also 'evening' universities that are ideal for professionals who wants to keep on learning but also having a career at the same time such as Birkbeck university. You can do distance learning as well with the Open University. 

The UK has a wide range of universities and approach to studying which is really nice. It means that you have choice and flexibility on how you want to study. You want to study during the evening go Birkbeck, you want to focus of research go to a Russel Group university. 

You have options.

The UK offers a wide range of degrees. Whatever you want to study, you will find in British universities. I appreciate the variety of degrees offered whether it is for Social sciences or Business. 

Keep your eyes on the prize, yes studying in the UK is nice and all but what will it bring to you?

Well on a personal level, it will bring you knowledge, experiences and such. On the professional level, a British degree will be recognized and appreciated. Wherever you go with a British degree companies will like it, especially as a non-British student. They will see that you took a challenge, that you overcame the challenge, that you are not affraid to take risks and that you can speak English. So, on a professional aspect companies can really appreciate it and of course it means that you would have developped expertise in your given field. 

Also, if you are European, British degrees are recognized all accross the Union (for now, because who knows what's coming next?). Meaning you can get an undergraduate degree in the UK and then continue to study postgraduate in Germany for example. Even if you are not a member of the European Union, your British degree will still be appreciated by companies accross the world.

Basically improving your English, living the British student life in an attractive environment, having a wide range of degrees to pick from but also knowing that the degree will be appreciated are reasons to study in the UK. 

I am sure that they are many more reasons, so if you have more reasons don't hesitate to let me