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Features and characteristics of the education and study system in Britain

 

The UK is known for its excellence in education, let's find out why!

When we talk about the ranking of world universities, we will find that the United Kingdom is highly ranked. According to the Times World University Rankings 2017-2018, the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge ranked first and second, respectively, and Imperial College London ranked eighth.

The United Kingdom also enjoys a distinguished position in all other international rankings, and in all evaluation criteria and fields of study, due to its distinction in terms of education quality, student satisfaction and international reputation.

The UK is also known for innovation and world-class research, where you can benefit from state-of-the-art equipment and devices along with great academic experience; That is why many international students choose to study in the UK to improve their English and develop their future careers.

How does the UK education system work?

Each of the UK's four states, namely England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, has responsibility for higher education in its own territory. There are differences between the four states in terms of the educational systems in place, the qualifications required, and how these systems work. These differences appear more clearly in general and secondary education; Therefore, there are many different qualifications and credit frameworks.





Educational qualifications frameworks

There are two parallel frameworks for higher education qualifications awarded by educational institutions in the United Kingdom; One is in operation in Scotland and the other in the rest of the United Kingdom, namely:

  • The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications of Degree Awarding Bodies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ)
  • The Framework for Qualifications of Higher Education Institutions in Scotland (FQHEIS).

These frameworks are the main national reference for academic standards in UK higher education institutions. There are 160 universities and colleges in the United Kingdom that are allowed to award many degrees that suit the aspirations of many.

Tuition fees

Fees for higher education and further education programs in the UK vary based on the following:

  • Where you choose to study (there are different laws governing the educational process in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales)
  • level of study

For undergraduates, tuition fees range from 10,000 to around £18,000 per annum, depending on the program of study and the educational institution. As for postgraduate programs, tuition fees vary according to the educational institution offering the study programme.

Scholarships

There are many financial support options that are offered to international students who wish to enroll in study programs in the United Kingdom, including scholarships, grants, partial grants, financial rewards, and others. Scholarships are always more in demand than available; To seize the opportunity, you must submit your application early.

You can search for suitable scholarship options through the websites of the colleges and universities that you wish to enroll in, and this must be done well in advance of the start of the academic program, as it is difficult to find available opportunities for scholarships after the beginning of the study or in the middle of the year.

Teaching and learning style in the United Kingdom

Education in the UK enjoys an outstanding reputation, and most international students find that British educational institutions offer a high degree of quality education. A student can receive education in many different ways, where he can attend lectures and seminars, and sometimes lessons and workshops.

While taking a course in the UK, you will have a lot of freedom to explore your ideas and creativity. You are expected to be an active member of the teaching and learning process, as you will research or work in groups with other students to complete the projects required of you. UK universities encourage the development of critical and analytical thinking in every subject, which can be daunting for some international students at first. However, this will develop in you a deeper understanding of the material and the communication skills required.

Education in the UK is highly interactive, with teachers encouraging you to share ideas and organizing activities such as debates, discussions and quizzes. The idea is that by sharing and having fun, you will successfully learn a lot. This way of learning may seem strange at first, but students must receive a lot of support from their teachers to feel comfortable after a short period of time.

The Prepare for Success website is a great resource for students wanting to find out lots of information about classes and teaching in the UK and tips on how to succeed.

Higher Education

Most educational institutions offer a variety of preparatory study programs for local and international students to move on to further education at university. These programs are usually referred to as pathways or foundation programmes.

Students can enter higher education programs to obtain an advanced degree and continue their studies in the UK. There are three main types of higher education, which lead to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.

Bachelor's or undergraduate degrees

Studying an undergraduate degree aims to help students obtain a comprehensive knowledge of a subject or major. Bachelor's degrees are classified into ordinary or honors degrees. An 'ordinary' degree is normally a three-year full-time program of study, while an 'honours' degree requires four years of full-time study.

Graduate studies after graduation

If you have finished an undergraduate degree, how do you know that postgraduate study in the UK is the next stage for you? Deciding to graduate school is an important step, but it means sacrificing a lot of time and being away from work for a bit longer. However, it may be a worthwhile investment in the long run.

Qualifying study programmes

Higher education institutions offer qualifying study programs for international students, including foundation studies and preparation for studies in English, to ensure that students receive the extra support and help they need to succeed.

academic year in the United Kingdom

The academic year in the UK starts in September or October and ends in June or July. Some courses are very flexible, allowing you to start on multiple dates. The deadline for submitting applications for enrollment in university studies, which begins in September, is January, with the beginning of the Gregorian year. There are also a limited number of undergraduate, foundation, master's and doctoral programs that can be registered in January. Some foundation colleges offer access to these programs on other dates throughout the year.

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