The UK is globally recognised for its teaching excellence. Let’s find out why.
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The United Kingdom (UK) is reputed for its excellent quality of education, interactive teaching methodology, top-ranking universities and great student satisfaction. Universities in the UK consistently rank in the world university rankings such as the QS World Rankings, Times Higher Education Ranking, and Academic Ranking of World Universities. Further, degrees earned from the country are globally recognised and preferred by employers all over the world.
How does the UK education system work?
The responsibility of education in the UK is delegated to four jurisdictions – England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. All of these regions have different forms of education systems, qualifications and specific laws/regulations. The significant differences can be found in general and secondary education resulting in each area having their credit frameworks and skills.
Study levels
The education system in the UK consists of four stages:
- Primary education
- Secondary education
- Further education
- Higher education
Qualifications framework
A qualification framework is a principal national reference point that maintains academic standards in the higher education sect in any country. Two parallel frames run for higher education qualifications of UK degree-awarding bodies:
- The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications of Degree Awarding Bodies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ)
- The Framework for Qualifications of Higher Education Institutions in Scotland (FQHEIS)
Quality Assurance System
The unique factor of the education system in the UK is its Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). It is an independent body that assesses and compares universities and colleges in the country through regular audits and reviews. It also identifies the best education practices and provides feedback for areas of improvement. This ensures that the students have access to the best quality of education.
Higher Education
Higher education in the UK mostly comprises bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees. As an international student, you may also transition to university-level studies via pathway programs that generally include English language courses and foundation courses.
Undergraduate Courses
Undergraduate courses are designed to help students get exposure to a whole new world after school whilst providing a thorough understanding of a subject of interest. The UK offers a variety of courses in humanities, social science, art, design, business, technology, science and more!
Here’s an overview of the types of postgraduate courses offered in the UK:
Postgraduate Studies
Doctoral courses are more specific and involve in-depth study. Most master’s degrees have a duration of one year, which means you can be back in the workforce faster than your counterparts pursuing masters in other countries. There are a plethora of courses to choose from, including niche courses that are highly valued in the industry.
Here’s an overview of the types of postgraduate courses offered in the UK:
Pathway Programs
These are preparatory courses for seeking admission into universities through English Language learning programs or foundation-level courses. Pathway programs can help enter university-level studies in the country and help strengthen your language skills as well. These are offered by both universities and private institutions to help students who need extra assistance with the English language to gain admission.
Fee Structure
Your expenditure on tuition fee in the UK depends on two factors:
- where you choose to study – different rules and laws apply in England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland
- your study level – Bachelors, Masters or Doctorate
Financial Aid
Students who enrol for a course in the UK can get support in the form of scholarships, bursaries, grants, fellowships, and monetary awards. These may be funded by the government, public/private organisations or institutions. Since a lot of students apply to these scholarships, we recommended you to do in advance to beat the competition and keep aware of the deadline to apply.
Pedagogy in British classrooms
The UK has a high reputation for its education, which is mostly the reason why so many Indian students come here to pursue higher studies. The best part about studying in the UK is the way education is imparted – it goes beyond textbook learning. You’ll be engaged in various activities such as workshops, seminars, tutorials and conferences at all times.
Academic Year
The standard academic year in the UK begins around September – October. The deadline for applications for courses commencing in September is generally in the preceding January of that year. Two other intakes available for programs in the UK are January and April, which are usually smaller than the September intake. Pathway programs may have additional dates to offer. Always check for the intakes available for your course of preference.
Popular programs
- Law
- Medicine & Surgery
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Business Management
SBL International is always available to assist you if you ever seek help regarding UK education and lifestyle, Reach out to us for the best overseas education consulting by sending a mail to admission@sblintl.com or call us at +44 20 3637 8765/ +91 495 401 0960.