UCAS - Ten great reasons why you should apply to study in the UK

Ten great reasons why you should apply to study in the UK - by Carla Stanton, International Manager of UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)

Winning a place at a UK university grants you access to a diverse range of cultures, immersion in the English language and excellent teaching.

The simplest way to apply is through UCAS, the body which has managed admissions to higher education in Britain for over 50 years.

UCAS International Manager Carla Stanton said: "The UK has a strong tradition of excellence in teaching and research. Whatever your interest, you will find a variety of courses and flexible pathways to appeal to your individual career aspirations."

Last year over 110,000 people from outside the UK applied through UCAS to study in Britain - here Carla sets out ten good reasons why you should join them.

ONE: British higher education and qualifications have an impressive international reputation, with students in the United Kingdom encouraged to develop their potential while enjoying a full social life.

TWO: It's easy to research the right course for you by visiting the UCAS website (www.ucas.com). Everyone who goes to ucas.com has access to the Course Search database containing details of around 38,000 courses from archaeology to zoology.

THREE: Students who register are guided, step-by-step, through the process and use the online application system, Apply. It's not too late to apply this year - UCAS will still send applications to universities and colleges up until June 30.

FOUR: Studying in the UK will help you develop excellent language skills. The English language is of crucial importance in today's global business arena.

Most UK universities offer language support to international students but remember that institutions have their own criteria for the level of English that students need to master.

FIVE: You'll be in good company. The UK has a long history of welcoming international students to study in its universities and colleges. In Britain last year there were 1.8 million full-time undergraduate students in higher education, which included over 104,000 international students.

SIX: UK universities are inspected regularly to ensure that they uphold the high standards of teaching, learning and research set by the Government. The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) is the key body charged with maintaining these standards. See www.qaa.ac.uk for more details.

SEVEN: The cultural diversity of life in British higher education is unrivalled. From cosmopolitan cities like London, Cardiff, Belfast and Glasgow, to historic counties like Warwickshire and Yorkshire, the UK is a place of contrasts and culture, where ancient buildings sit alongside contemporary architecture.

EIGHT: Undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the UK tend to be shorter than in other countries which can help to keep the cost of tuition fees and living expenses down. Most undergraduate courses take three years to complete, although in Scotland it would be typically four years and postgraduate courses can be from one year upwards.

NINE: Typically, international students are allowed to work for up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time during holidays. If you are from an EU country, there will be even more flexibility. Full details about the conditions for working are on the UK Border Agency website www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk and also on the UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) website www.ukcisa.org.

TEN: EU students may be eligible for financial help with tuition fees, and possibly some extra help, depending on family circumstances. For more information visit www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning

About UCAS:

UCAS is the organisation responsible for managing applications to higher education courses in the UK. Last year over 700,000 people applied to enter full-time undergraduate study in the UK through UCAS. We also help potential students find the right course and we publish a wealth of statistics for use by higher education sector.

For help with your application, why not visit www.ucasconnect.com? Here you can ask questions of our advisers via twitter and facebook, as well as watching helpful videos and reading posts from our six applicant bloggers.

You can contact our Customer Service Unit from outside the UK on 0044 871 468 0 468.

Press Office contacts

UCAS Press Office: 01242 545 469 (or 0044 1242 545469 if overseas)

James Woodward, Press Officer
Email: j.woodward@ucas.ac.uk

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