The UK’s tradition of education dates back hundreds of years and is one that is constantly evolving.  Combining great heritage with a dynamic culture, studying in the UK offers brilliant educational opportunities.  

UK qualifications are both recognised and respected throughout the world and by studying in the UK you will be building a solid foundation for your future. UK schools and colleges provide a vibrant, creative and challenging environment in which to learn and develop your potential and their quality standards are among the best in the world. UK institutions continually have to prove that their courses meet strict criteria, with many other countries now trying to follow the standards set by the UK.

Many of the world’s outstanding scientists, engineers, artists, writers, thinkers, politicians and business people have benefited from a UK education, including Bill Clinton, former President of the USA; Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa; Desmond Tutu, Archbishop and human rights campaigner; Rifat Ozbek, fashion designer; Wole Soyinka, Nobel prize-winning author; Stelios Haji-Iaonnu, founder of the easyGroup of businesses and Imran Khan, cricket legend and politician.

UK qualifications are recognised and valued all over the world for their unrivalled academic quality. You couldn’t have a better start.

There’s a good chance you’d have heard of many career-based and pre-university UK qualifications before you even thought about coming here to study. Many countries, including Bangladesh and Pakistan, base their own education system on the UK’s A-level model, and qualifications from a number of UK awarding bodies are available across the world. For example, you can study for BTECs and HNDs in local colleges in China, India, Cyprus, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and many other countries.

UK qualifications are known and respected across the world and are a measure of achievement that any employer looking at your CV will recognise and understand. Many career-based qualifications mean that you don’t have to take professional exams, so you’ll be making a real start in your career before you even graduate. Many vocational courses also include work placements, giving you an insight into working practices and experience that will get you off to a running start.

In UK education you’ll be valued for who you are and encouraged to combine academic excellence with thinking for yourself.  The UK’s approach to teaching has evolved over many hundreds of years and aims to encourage independent, thoughtful and confident students.

Students pursuing career-based courses are encouraged to take responsibility for their own studies whilst having a great network of support from tutors and lecturers. You will find yourself working on projects with other students, being assessed through practical demonstrations or spending time in college libraries in preparation for essays and exams. Your course will combine practical skills with a sound academic foundation, enabling you to learn in the best possible way for you.

Not only are there schools and colleges all over the UK, but there’s such a variety in both courses available and teaching styles that there’s something to suit everyone.

One of the great things about a UK education is that you can start to focus your studies on the area that interests you most before you’ve even finished school. Career-based and pre-university qualifications are available in many subject areas, including Engineering, Health and Social Care, Travel and Tourism, Science, Computing and Art and Design, so you can start to build a foundation for your future from the moment you arrive in the UK.

Courses (link to What courses are available section for career based study) can vary in length from a few weeks to two years; this means you can choose exactly what you need. The UK education system is very flexible enabling you to study academic and vocational courses side-by-side (such as a vocational computer qualification alongside an AS- or A-level in mathematics or economics), learn a vocational skill alongside English language classes, or prepare for university whilst also improving your IELTS score. This way you can be sure that your time is being used in the most effective way for you.

The UK is home to the English language, a place with incredible heritage, an amazingly varied culture, and a fantastic social scene. A great place to live and learn in.  You'll be learning more and more about the UK’s diverse culture as you go, making friends and experiencing things you'll always remember.

The UK is one of the most multicultural societies in the world and at a UK school or college you’ll be mixing with people of all nationalities, gaining an insight into other customs and cultures and whose different backgrounds and new perspectives will add to your experience.

Through your school or college you'll have access to all sorts of leisure and social activities. There will be the opportunity to join sports teams and groups with specialist interests, such as drama, music, arts or the environment.  Trips to local theatres, museums, tourist and sporting attractions as well as other places of interest may also be arranged.  

You’ll be putting your English language skills into practice every day, not only when you are studying, but also through your social activities.  Many UK colleges combine language training with their practical courses, so even if you are new to the English language you’ll be improving your communication skills and career prospects at the same time.

However you look at it – in terms of education, career or personal development - a UK education offers exceptional value. It’s an investment not just for a few years, but for the whole of your life.

The course fees for A-level and BTEC courses at UK further education colleges are usually around £4,000 to £5,500 a year. Of course, you’re not just paying for the lectures you’ll attend: you’ll also have access to college libraries, science and practical laboratories as well as workshops equipped with state-of-the-art equipment; fantastic sports facilities, music rooms and drama studios, all of which add value to your course. And that’s before you even start to take into account the value of the experience you’ll gain from studying in the modern, progressive and multicultural environment the UK has to offer. It's a unique experience that you couldn't put a price on.