British Higher Education institutions in the UK are among the best in the world and their degrees have an international high standing. Undergraduate courses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland lead to a first degree (often called a Bachelor's degree), usually after three years. In Scotland, students spend either three or four years studying for a degree. An ordinary or general degree takes three years, and an honours degree takes four years. The four-year degree is a flexible programme that allows you to study a broad range of subjects.

In all four countries, modern language degrees generally take four years, including one year spent outside the UK. Undergraduate degrees in medicine and dentistry take between five and seven years, depending on the course structure and level of entry.

Higher Education institutions offer hundreds of first-degree courses covering thousands of subjects. Many Further and Higher Education institutions now co-operate to deliver degree courses, which has further increased the number and variety of courses available.

There are also programmes designed to prepare students for a first degree, which are called foundation, bridging or access courses. These are offered by Higher Education institutions and some Further Education institutions, independent schools and tutorial colleges.

International students are recommended to take a one-year access course before starting their undergraduate studies to better prepare themselves for the new environment.  Generally however, Iranian students with good grades in their Pre-University Certificate (Pish-Daneshgahi) are admitted directly for undergraduate study.