The UK education system is flexible, so you can study in a way that suits your lifestyle and career aspirations. When you study in the UK you’ll meet people from many nationalities, sharing their backgrounds and discovering new perspectives. You’ll also gain recognised qualifications that are valued all over the world.

UK international students more satisfied than ever

‘Four out of five international students are satisfied with their student experience in the UK, according to a recent survey from i-graduate.’

The latest results from the International Student Barometer survey of international students, revealed that an increasing number of students are satisfied with the UK education system. 81 percent of students reported that they were either ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with university life in the UK.

Since 2009, the survey unveiled that students are increasingly satisfied with:

• Careers Advice (up from 65 per cent to 69 per cent satisfaction);
• Language Support (up from 85 per cent to 89 per cent);

• Work experience (up from 59 per cent to 62 per cent);
• Worship facilities (up from 83 per cent to 86 per cent).

UK student satisfaction up nine per cent since 2006

International students in the UK are increasingly satisfied with almost every aspect of university life in comparison to five years ago. Since 2006, satisfaction levels have increased the most significantly in the following areas:

• Standard of teaching (up from 80 per cent to 87 per cent);

• Language support (up from 77 per cent to 85 per cent satisfaction);
• Work experience (up from 52 per cent to 62 per cent);

• Careers advice (up from 59 per cent to 69 per cent);

• Multiculturalism (up from 82 per cent to 90 per cent);
• Worship facilities (up from 76 per cent to 85 per cent);
• Cost of living (up from 61 per cent to 68 per cent);
• Visa advice (up from 74 per cent to 81 per cent);

• Learning support (up from 77 per cent to 86 per cent);

• Libraries (up from 79 per cent to 86 per cent).

William Archer, Director of i-graduate, who published the survey, said: “The students who provided feedback for this report came from over 100 countries to the UK. The extent of the challenge – for UK universities to meet the myriad of expectations from multiple cultures – cannot be overstated. So something has been going very right in UK higher education in its delivery against the expectations of international students”.

About the survey

The International Student Barometer is the world’s largest ongoing study of international students.
The bi-annual survey asks students how satisfied they are with university life – from aspects such as the library facilities to making friends with students from the host country.
Since 2005 the survey has been adopted by universities across five continents and has been completed by more than 580,000 students worldwide.

International student awards

‘The International Student Awards are different from any other student competition. They don’t just focus on academic achievement, but celebrate the whole international student experience. ‘

The International Student Awards 2010 is an exciting competition that celebrates the achievements of international students and their contributions to life in the UK. To enter, students from around the world were asked to write a letter home explaining how they were making the most of their time in the UK. The focus was on life outside their studies; volunteer work, projects within the local community or any personal development since arriving in the UK.

Melissa’s letter home describing her experiences of living and studying in the UK was judged to be the best and the most inspiring by a panel made up of representatives from the British Council, the National Union of Students, the UK Council for International Student Affairs, the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, and The Times Higher Education magazine.

Previous International Student Awards

The International Student Awards has produced many thousands of inspiring stories. Since the competition was first launched in 2002 more than 11,500 international students representing over 130 different nationalities have entered the competition and shared their experiences.

In 2009 there were 1497 entries from 118 different nationalities, representing 289 UK institutions. Although many of those entering where ‘typical’ student age; late teens or early twenties, there was a true mix of ages – the youngest entrant was 15 and the oldest was 58.

The largest number of entrants came from China, India, USA, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Bangladesh with Malaysia, Hong Kong and Germany not far behind. It’s a truly global list of international students with representatives from Burkina Faso, Suriname, Armenia and Macao.

Shine! 2009 winners

Since the 2009 Shine awards there has been a lot of interest in the 12 winning students. You can find out more at the following websites:

• BBC China
• The Times of India
• Oxford University

UK education teaching and study methods

Close contact between students and tutors is a particular strength of all UK courses. Institutions in the UK also provide excellent English language support for international students. Many offer English classes that focus on the language and study skills you will need to successfully complete your main course.

Postgraduate programmes in the UK

If you study as a UK postgraduate student, most of the work you do will be on your own initiative, which really develops your thinking and research skills. On taught courses, postgraduate tutors and lecturers provide the framework of the course, but you are encouraged to pursue your own interests. With postgraduate research programmes, the principal teaching method is original research, completed under academic supervision.

Many UK postgraduate research programmes offer introductory taught courses that provide training in research skills. This will help you prepare for the advanced research you’ll need to do.

MBA courses in the UK

Master of Business Administration (MBA) courses in the UK are a particularly intensive, challenging and rewarding form of taught postgraduate course. You’ll be expected to work through a large amount of material, complete projects and assignments and give regular presentations. Teaching methods characteristic of MBAs include case studies, simulations and business games.

UK undergraduate degree courses

UK degree programmes can be tailored to your interests. Although some core topics on your undergraduate degree will be compulsory, you can also choose from optional modules. This gives you the opportunity to specialise in key areas that could help you achieve your career goals.

Lectures are an important part of UK undergraduate courses, but you’ll spend most of your time in small tutorial and seminar groups. Together with your tutor and fellow students, you will discuss and analyse pre-prepared topics. Here you will find your ideas and opinions are very welcome.

If you choose a technical undergraduate degree subject in the UK, you are likely to spend a large portion of your time in supervised laboratory work. This is designed to help you develop necessary technical skills.

English language courses in the UK

The UK is the home of the English language and there is a long tradition of teaching English in the UK to speakers of other languages. Any school you choose will have experience of working with international students.

UK English language courses are available at all levels. They provide as much or as little support as you need. Class sizes are small too, so teaching staff can pay close attention to your learning needs.

You’ll be encouraged to communicate from the moment you enter the classroom. The wide range of creative teaching methods for English Language courses in the UK include:

• games
• role-playing exercises
• problem-solving
• group discussions.

You will also be able to use technology and language laboratories to study independently.

UK independent schools and colleges

Independent boarding schools in the UK are well-known for the quality of their teaching and excellent facilities. You can expect to be taught in a small group, where your teacher will give you all the individual attention you need. Independence, sociability and a love of learning are all gained from studying at UK independent schools.

UK career-based and pre-university courses

When you study a career-based course in the UK you are encouraged to take responsibility for your own studies. You might find yourself working on projects with other students, spending time in college libraries or being assessed through practical demonstrations. Your UK course will combine practical skills with a sound academic underpinning, all geared towards a particular career or job.

Quality standards for UK courses and institutions

‘The UK education system is respected and valued all over the world. To ensure standards remain high, there are many independent organisations who regularly inspect and accredit UK institutions and courses. You can be sure that studying in the UK is the right choice to make the most of your education and enhance your future career prospects.’

English language centres in the UK

All the English language teaching centres you’ll find in the institution finder (internal link) are accredited by Accreditation UK. This is the UK accreditation scheme for English language courses, run by the British Council in partnership with English UK, the national association of accredited English language centres. There are over 430 accredited English language centres in the UK.

English language courses are inspected every four years, and there is also a requirement for annual reporting. A team of independent inspectors check four standards:

• management of teaching and course provision
• learning resources and environment for students and teachers
• teaching and learning standards
• welfare, support and services for students.

Only English language courses that meet these standards are listed in the course finder.

You can find out more about English language course accreditation at the Accreditation UK website.

UK higher education universities and colleges

Although each UK institution is responsible for the standards and quality of its programmes, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) regularly carries out independent audits. They ensure that institutions in the UK are providing higher education, awards and qualifications of an acceptable quality and at an appropriate academic standard.

The QAA have also developed a code of practice for UK institutions who deliver degree programmes in other countries. So if you choose to study a UK qualification in your own country, you will benefit from the same high standards of teaching, resource and support as you would from studying in the UK.

Many departments within UK institutions are also accredited by professional bodies who guide the curriculum and carry out review visits.

Colleges in Scotland are subject to inspections by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education.

UK independent schools

The majority of independent schools in the UK are members of the Independent Schools Council (ISC). The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), part of ISC, ensures that all member schools are regularly inspected to maintain high standards.

You can find out more about independent school inspections at the ISC website.

UK independent schools that are not members of the ISC are inspected by the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted). In Scotland they are inspected by HMIe and inspections reports for each institution can be viewed at the HMIe website.

All UK independent schools are measured against the following range of standards:

• quality of education provided
• spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of students
• welfare, health and safety of students
• premises and accommodation
• provision of information and the way in which complaints are handled.

UK independent sixth-form and tutorial colleges

Independent colleges in the UK are regularly inspected and accredited. This is carried out either by the British Accreditation Council (BAC) or the Independent Schools Council (ISC). Inspectors are aware of the needs of international students, such as English Language support and advice on living in the UK.

You can find out more at the BAC website and the ISC website.

State sector further education colleges in the UK are inspected or quality assured by different bodies according to the courses they offer.

You can search for UK universities, colleges, independent schools and English language teaching centres in the institution finder. (internal link)

Support for international students in the UK

‘Support is always available when you study in the UK. If you are having trouble getting used to the UK education system or you need some help with your UK course or degree – you only have to ask. Counsellors and academic staff at your place of study will be happy to help. ‘

UK undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses

Many UK universities and colleges have specialist international advisers to support you throughout your UK education. They provide advice and information on almost anything; from accommodation through to extending your permission to stay in the UK.You can also take part in an orientation or induction programme organised by your UK institution. These last from a couple of days to a week and usually include: