How to Choose the Program you Study in UK

If you are reading this blog you are clearly a study abroad aspirant and you have an interest in pursuing an international education in the UK. So, here we are with a blog to guide you with ideas and suggestions so that you can make smarter decisions! Study Abroad is a big decision and it can change the whole trajectory of your career, so here at Leverage Edu, we believe that our academic content should support all students in their journey if they aspire to international education. In my blogs, I draw upon my wide-ranging experience of having taught and mentored hundreds of students in India and abroad. We believe that providing critical insights in our blogs about how to make better decisions about destinations, study programs and even what to look for in a study abroad coach helps all of you to become more confident about mapping your own careers!

In this blog, I am focusing on the UK and offering career guidance about how to make the best decisions about the universities that might be the most appropriate for you. Each student has their own specific requirements and constraints of budget etc. so this blog will help you to consider your own preferences and decide accordingly. Let us begin with some basics.

The United Kingdom (UK) as you may know, is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Within UK there are the following regions:

• East of England.
• London.
• Midlands.
• North East and Yorkshire.
• North West.
• South East.
• South West.

Therefore, choosing a UK study abroad program includes institutions located in all of these regions.

Also Read: Study in UK 2023

Why is the UK a Good Destination for Studying Abroad?

• UK is a hub for international education. Historically Oxford university and Cambridge university both have been world-class universities. But there are also hundreds of other institutions which welcome international students. International campus communities provide excellent opportunities for exposure and intellectual growth from peers.
• UK offers a huge range of educational programs. Not just engineering, medicine, social sciences, public policy liberal arts, but also numerous job-oriented degrees in accounting, pharmacy, business, finance, marketing, hospitality, data management, nursing, counselling, computing etc.

• A key reason that UK is a preferred destination for many international students, especially from developng countries is that higher education is state-subsidized and therefore, the fees are lower than in many other countries. This reduces the burden of student loans on students.

Must Read: How to Pick the Right Study Abroad Consultant

How can I Choose the Best Program Within UK ?

This is a question we are often asked. Based on my experience of teaching at international universities I would suggest that you should first locate 4-5 universities in the UK which offer the professional study program that you wish to pursue. After the program has been selected, before making the final decision, consider the following:

Location

The UK is not as vast as the US so many universities would be within 3-4 hours from London by train. The location of the university is important because connectivity to bigger industrialized cities in the region will enhance opportunities for internships as well as placements with corporates. So, check out if there are industries nearby which are related to your study program. Location is also important because there should be easy access to travel  so that you can experience cities like London, Edinburgh or Dublin. This will add to your  learning and professional exposure.

Duration

Why is the duration of a program important? This is because duration will determine how valuable your degree is. The duration of the program will also determine how much you need to invest in your education. So consider all these factors carefully. Here is some basic information about the duration of programs in the UK :

In the UK there are study programs ranging from 1—4 years. One-year programs may be diplomas or degrees. Longer programs of 3-4 years sometimes include one year of a job placement in the second or third year.

This is the “Sandwich Year” which provides valuable work experience. During this time, university fees are also reduced. 

Alert: The job placements and internships are NOT arranged by the university. Students need to be proactive and look at online job portals to apply at least 6 months in advance for these placements.

Student Support Services

While choosing a university, read about their Student Support Services. This is important because within a month of arrival at the university you need to go to the Support Services for career guidance. They will help with preparing resumes and suggest online websites where you can find opportunities.

Academics

Read about the faculty at that institution. Do they have industry experience? Read student reviews. Is the class size small so that students can get better mentoring from the professors? Is there experiential learning? Do they emphasize project learning and teamwork?  All these offer important learning opportunities.

These are some of the key factors to consider while choosing a program in the UK. Although this blog is UK-focused, this career guidance can be applied when considering study abroad programs in other geographical locations as well.

We will be back next Friday with another amazing blog from Dr Maina Chawla Singh. Till then, if you have any questions or suggestions, just drop us a comment and we will get back to you. Want to study abroad? Our Leverage Edu experts are ready to assist you in narrowing down the best course and university options according to your interests and preferences.