Once you have decided what subject and level you are going to study at, you will need to pick a suitable school, college or university.
Choosing the right institution is vital. Whether you will be studying in the UK for a few weeks or several years it is important that you are happy with your course and the institution you will be attending.
With over 180 institutions offering degrees, 500 colleges of further education and more than 600 boarding schools, you will be able to find an institution that closely matches your individual needs. The only problem is choosing one place from such a wide and varied range of options. However, we can help. Follow our checklist below to help make your important decision about UK study.
Most institutions have prospectuses that are available either in hard copy format or on their websites. These provide detailed information on all courses and will give you a good overview of the facilities and services provided by that institution.
Studying in the UK involves a wide range of teaching methods including lectures, demonstrations, group seminars and practicals, individual tutorials and learning in the workplace or on field trips. What style of learning is best for you?
Different institutions use different techniques to measure students' achievements. Do you prefer to be assessed through examinations, project work, continuous assessment or a combination of the three?
Will you have a personal tutor who monitors your academic progress and takes a personal interest in you?
Throughout your studies you will need access to books and other information resources. Is the library is well stocked, is the computer centre up to date, are there enough computers to provide access when you need it? If you are thinking of studying at a school, ask if there is a separate sixth-form study area.
Do you want to live in the hustle and bustle of a big city like London, Manchester, Birmingham or Leeds or would you prefer a quieter life in a smaller city or rural area? A bigger city may offer a more varied cultural and social life but your institution may be spread out over several campuses and you might have to commute to lectures. Campus life can be very rewarding, but would you feel cut off from the non-academic world?
Will you need to travel from the place where you live to the place where you study? The chances of this are greater if you study in the south-east of England or London. If you are planning to spend some of your time travelling around the UK you might want to choose an institution with good rail and road connections. How far is the nearest international airport from your institution or home?
Institutions vary enormously in size from a few hundred students to over ten thousand students at the largest universities. Do you want to be with a large number of students, including a bigger population of international students or would you prefer to live in a smaller community?
Are there specific procedures and support services in place to ensure the welfare of international students?
Accommodation prices will vary from institution to institution and place to place Typically cities are more expensive than rural areas.Many universities and colleges guarantee accommodation to international students in the first year of their studies. You will find that single-sex accommodation is often available. There are three main types of accommodation available to international students:
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accommodation owned by the institution which might be either self-catering or provide a certain number of meals per day |
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living with a UK family |
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renting a room or property |
What are the institution's sporting and recreational facilities like and what social opportunities are arranged for international students? What does the surrounding area have to offer in terms of sporting events, theatres, cinemas, museums, art galleries?
If you need any more information on studying in the UK, visit the Education UK website or contact us.
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