Travelling to the other side of the world to continue your education is a major life decision - one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. But it’s absolutely worth doing. When making a choice like this, it’s important to have really considered everything. That’s why we’ve made a handy list so you know all of the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad.
Advantages of studying abroad
World-leading universities
Depending on where you’ll be moving from, the universities in your country might not be able to offer the same standard of education. Twenty-three of the UK’s universities rank in the top 200 in the world.
Leaving home and studying in another country can be a difficult decision to make, especially if you haven’t studied abroad before. But, you’ll be attending some of the best universities in the world with access to industry-leading researchers and world-class facilities.
Experience new cultures
Studying abroad really is a once in a lifetime opportunity. You’ll get the chance to immerse yourself in the local culture and experience different foods, traditions and people.
It isn’t just the UK culture that you’ll get to know and love. You’ll also meet, study and make friends with students from all over the globe. It’s a fantastic chance to learn about and experience a wide range of unique cultures.
See more of the world
If you can’t wait to see as much of the world as possible, then studying in the UK is perfect for you. The UK is a diverse and vibrant place with so much to see and do. Plus, the excellent transport networks allow you to explore the UK’s exciting cities and jaw-dropping landscapes, no matter which university you choose.
With Mainland Europe just across the English Channel, you can take advantage of cheap flights to incredible cities that would otherwise be too far away. Explore Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Budapest, Dublin and more - just make sure you’re back in time for class.
Better career prospects
A degree from a UK university will be a fantastic platform when it comes to starting your career. The industry-leading research you’ll be a part of will give you the experience you need to be as attractive as possible to recruiters.
In addition to the prestigious degree you’ll receive, you’ll also network with industry specialists. It’s important to work alongside researchers and academics. You never know who’ll be able to assist you with your career progression in the future.
Enjoy an independent lifestyle
Because you’re on the other side of the globe, you can live completely independently. It’s great practice for when you venture out into the wider world after you’ve graduated. You’ll learn how to budget, how to apply for visas and how to run your own home.
That’s not to say there won’t be support for you when you’re here. Universities have excellent student support teams to help you with any problem or issue you might be having.
Disadvantages of studying abroad (and how they’re not disadvantages at all)
Sometimes feeling homesick is natural
It’s completely natural for you to feel homesick after moving to university. Whether you’ve travelled 50 or 5,000 miles, it’s never easy to say goodbye to family. The first few weeks can be a little difficult but there are all kinds of activities and social clubs to help you feel welcome.
What’s more important to think about is that these natural feelings will soon disappear when you meet new friends, both from your own country and from all around the world. So many people will be in the same position as you and joining a club or society for foreign students can result in you making friends for life.
Plus, this is before we even talk about getting to know local residents and the local community to where you’ll be living. Experiencing new cultures and customs is the exciting side of being away from home.
Once you’ve settled in, you’ll find that you’re too busy with exciting events and challenging research work to be missing home. But when you do head home, that will also feel amazing too.
Overcoming the language barrier is exciting
If English isn’t your first language, it can be a little daunting to come to the UK. You might think that you’ll have trouble getting around or speaking to your new classmates. If you really are worried about having language problems, then there are classes and guides that can help.
You’ll find that every day you spend in the UK, the easier it’ll be to get to grips with the language. You might even pick up the local accent.
Plenty of universities also offer additional courses to help you improve your English skills.
Ways to overcome worrying about long travel times and expensive flights
You might not enjoy a long haul flight but they’ll be few and far between and they give you the chance to rest and relax after a busy semester. You could always use the time to get ahead on the reading for the next module.
It’s a good idea to always have your next flight home booked so you’re comfortable knowing that you’re not far from home permanently. Another suggestion is to have the money to book a flight at short notice always saved up and in reserve, just as comfort that it’s there if you need it..
Enjoying the supposed culture shock
You might have never experienced fish and chips, earl grey tea, pints of bitter, seemingly endless rain and the British dry wit. It can be a lot to take in. But it’s an opportunity to experience new things and fall in love with a country that has so much to offer.
The United Kingdom is what’s described as a “melting pot” of cultures. Being an island nation that has strong links to countries all around the world means that immigrant communities are huge in Great Britain.
This has a knock-on effect of modern British culture being from the stereotypes of years ago. For example, did you know that the national dish is actually a South Asian style curry called Chicken Tikka Masala?
The ultimate guide to studying in the UK
From student accommodation and visa information to travelling advice and what life is really like at university - our International Students page has everything you could ever need to know about studying in the UK.
