Benefits of studying abroad in the UK
If you’re thinking about studying abroad in the UK, you’re probably wondering if there’s a benefit to having a British degree. What are the reasons that someone would choose to go to university in the UK? For this, we turn to our contributing editor who has received two degrees from two different British universities.
1. It’s cheaper (than in America)
For the sake of comparing apples to apples, we’ll be comparing the cost of getting a Batchelor’s degree in both countries. This doesn’t take into account community colleges in America or any scholarships.
Let’s not bury the lead here, if you’re in America and looking at universities, you’re probably in sticker shock. According to educationdata.org, students pay $25,707 per year or $192,828 over 4 hours for a public university with in-state tuition. Private university students in America pay even more totalling up to $43,421 per year or $218,004 over 4 years. Meanwhile, students pay £9,250 per year (or about $11,200 - give or take a couple hundred dollars depending upon the current exchange rate).
Generally universities tack on a couple thousand pounds for international students but that still works out to HALF of what Americans pay for university in a year for a very comparable experience and degree.
There are also private student loans that Americans can take out that can assist with the payment.
2. Get a Batchelor’s degree in less time (than America)
Generally, a Batchelor’s degree in America is a 4 year degree (not taking into account any fast-track or double course loading). In the UK, a Batchelor’s degree is a 3 year programme. That’ an ENTIRE YEAR of your life spent in university.
Now think again about that first point. If it’s cheaper to get your degree in the UK look at the total fees for 3 years versus 4!!! If you’re comparing going to public in-state university in America compared with the UK, you’re saving over $100,000.
And let’s think for a minute about all of those classes that you would take for a Batchelor’s degree. There’s requirements for gym, math and electives in America. That’s a lot of classes that you’re paying for in time and money that aren’t actually directly related to your degree. That’s essentially the difference between why it takes a shorter amount of time to get a degree in the UK: there aren’t as many electives. It’s a more focused path to getting your degree and allows you to start your career a year sooner.
3. Jumpstart an international career
If you’re thinking about a career that is internationally focused (international business, law, etc), then studying in the UK will give you an edge. Think about it this way, with a degree from the UK, you haven't just done a semester abroad, you've actually got an international degree!
Let’s say that you’re studying journalism and you want to be the next Christiane Amanpour. You could be studying in the UK and doing an internship with the BBC. That’s an amazing start to a career with an American media outlet and will set you apart from the pack!
London is an amazing multi-cultural city filled with people from every corner of the world. If you’re studying alongside people from different backgrounds and cultures, you’ll be exposing yourself to things that you wouldn’t ordinarily experience and preparing yourself for an international career.
4. Develop communication skills / English language skills
When I moved to London, I was immediately surrounded by people from lots of different countries. Many of them didn’t speak English as a first language. I honestly had to learn how to communicate all over again. Idioms that made me sound brilliant or folksy in the US didn’t work in the UK and didn’t work with my peers from India, South Africa and Poland. I had to learn to speak clearly and so that everyone regardless of their background could understand me. That made all the difference in my career!
If you don’t speak English as a first language, studying in the UK is an amazing experience to help you master the language. Schools will require you to speak, write and understand a high level of English but there are language schools that are available to help you reach that proficiency as well.
5. Independence
Moving abroad, whether that’s for school, work or fun, demands independence. Students beginning university almost always crave independence from their families but going abroad is completely different experience. Consider the time difference as well as the physical distance from your loved ones.
Remember, if you're on your own, your parents may be a Skype call away, but they can't come bring you mac and cheese when you need it. This means there’s no going home to do your laundry or raid the fridge. You’ve got to do it all on your own all while figuring out where to buy bedsheets and how to open a bank account. I won’t sugar coat it: it’s difficult. But I think it’s worth it!
Tackling huge challenges is always daunting but you really gain something from it. It’s not just about independence but true self-worth. Imagine yourself at the end of the experience having been abroad, tasted new foods, walked on historic grounds, earned a degree and did it by yourself. Now you’re a force to be reckoned with!
6. Opportunity to travel
The UK is very well connected by train. and air travel. You can get anywhere in the UK in a day or less. See Glasgow, Brighton, Oxford, Manchester, Liverpool… There’s a lot to see! If you want to attend a conference or see a museum that might be related to your studies in another city in the UK, that’s incredibly easy to do.
I never thought it would be possible to see Europe until I moved to London. It’s pretty easy to find last minute cheap flights to major European cities. When my husband and I were dating in London, we travelled around Italy and Germany all on a student’s budget!
Then there’s the amount of time it takes to get to places. You might drive 2 hours to an airport, to a concert or to see family in the US. If you live in London, 2 hours will take you to other countries! Paris is just a 2 hour 16 minute train ride away from London. Barcelona is a 2 hour 5 minute plane ride away from London.
7. Post-study visas
International students who complete an undergraduate or graduate degree can apply for a post-study visa that will allow them to stay in the country for up to 2 years after their studies are complete! That’s 2 years to start an international career!
8. A supportive university experience
Universities in the UK have some really interesting touches that make for a more supportive environment.
The United Kingdom Advising and Tutoring Association estimates that 98% of students in universities in the UK have a Personal Tutor. Personal Tutors are employees of a university that are established professionally and/or in academia. They aren’t counsellors but provide critical guidance related to a student’s academic career. What’s really interesting about these Personal Tutors is that they’ve gone down the same academic route as the students they support so they can provide really great first-hand experience on academic matters and beyond - like learning how to network.
Generally professors in the UK expect students to address them on a first name basis. This may sound strange to people from some other cultures but it’s got some pretty sound logic behind it. Students are really just a few years away from being colleagues of a professor.
Universities in the UK offer extra curricular events and trips that can be pretty amazing from watching an England football team match to going skiing in the Swiss Alps. I will say it’s not all roses, some events at UK universities might be kind of corny like craft nights or Disney film nights.
Finally, foundation years are offered at many universities. A foundation year provides a student with an opportunity to get a better understanding of their major or field of study before getting into the three year programme. In addition to deepening their subject knowledge, the foundation year also offers the skills that a successful university student needs like learning how to write at a university level.
