There are many benefits to studying in the UK. For example, we have an amazing healthcare service, some of the world’s best universities and great coastlines, cities and countryside. It would be impossible to list all of the benefits and experiences, but we’ve compiled a list of five of the best benefits for Indian students.
So why is the UK a great place to study?
- Experience new cultures
- Work after you graduate
- Benefit from a strong research infrastructure
- Continue your studies
- Enjoy extra-curricular activities
Experience new cultures
The UK is full of interesting and unique cultures, especially in cities with universities. It’s not only the British culture you can learn about and experience. You can also learn more about cultures that originate in places such as China, Hong Kong, Poland and Pakistan due to the diverse population.
Regardless of where you live in the UK, you can experience the food and traditions of people from all over the world. The UK is a multicultural country, with a large population of people who have come from a different place.
The UK has students that come from all over the world - in 2019, there were 486,645 international students studying in the UK. More than 30,000 Indian students were granted their Tier 4 visa in the year ending 2019, with more than 270,000 Indian students enjoying the UK in the last decade.
So, not only are there many cultures to experience and a lot of British history to enjoy, the UK also has a very large Indian population. This means that if you’re feeling homesick, it’s easy to find areas and restaurants which can remind you of home (also, universities have dedicated support systems in place if you need someone to talk to). Plus, if you want a traditional Indian meal, it’s easy to find a number of authentic restaurants, especially in larger cities.
Work after you graduate
The UK recently announced a new post-study work visa. This means that after you graduate, you can live and work in the UK for an extra two years.
“The visa will allow eligible students to work, or look for work, in any career or position of their choice, for two years after completing their studies.”
What this means is that you’re able to benefit from a vast range of possible industries to work in. The UK has thousands of businesses up and down the country who are looking to hire talented university graduates - one of which could be you.
The UK also has very strong trade links with the US and Europe. This means that large companies that are looking to hire UK graduates can eventually transfer those employees to international industries and markets.
Benefit from a strong research infrastructure
While the UK is home to only 0.87% of the global population, it puts forward 15.9% of the world’s most highly recommended research articles. We have an incredibly strong research infrastructure, with some of the best journals and information being contributed to the global knowledge bank.
The Research Excellence Framework (REF2014) found that 30% of research done in the UK is ‘world-leading’ and 46% is ‘internationally excellent’. It’s clear that the UK is the place to be when it comes to new, innovative research. If you’re passionate about a certain subject, then the UK is the place to study it.
Continue your studies
Completing an undergraduate course isn’t the only top-quality education you can receive from a UK university. You can also go on to study a masters course or even a PhD.
The UK education system promotes a close working relationship between students and academics. So if you do go onto further study, you can still benefit from a lot of direct contact with your tutors. As well as great academic support, universities in the UK have dedicated support teams set up to provide information and advice on things like visas, careers and wellbeing, to help you throughout your education.
Enjoy extra-curricular activities
The UK is a country where people make the most of their leisure time and there are lots of sports and social activities to get involved with. Each university has a large list of societies that you’ll be able to join, where you can try a new sport, learn a new skill, develop a hobby and make friends while you’re doing it.
Popular sports in the UK are football, cricket, rugby, mountaineering and watersports (such as sailing or kayaking). Other activities you can enjoy at universities include learning a language, cooking classes, dancing, gaming and so much more. For example, at Newcastle University, there are over 160 societies to choose from, so you're bound to find something that suits your interests.
Want to find out more about being an international student at Newcastle University? Visit our dedicated International Students page to learn more about what it's like to live and study here.
