Undergraduate study in the UK

International undergraduate applications to all UK universities are managed by UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). UK Universities are well-known for their undergraduate degree programmes. These universities offer thousands of excellent courses and grant degrees that are recognised around the world by corporations. There are various titles of degrees, such as Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Education (BEd), and Bachelor of Engineering (BEng). A full-time bachelor’s degree usually takes three years to complete (maybe four years in some cases). Also, some universities and colleges offer part-time options.

Short undergraduate degrees

• Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) – If studied full-time, it usually takes one year to finish or two years if studying part-time.
• Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) – this course takes two years if studied full-time.

Neither of these fast-track degree options leads to postgraduate study, but if students change their mind, they have the option to move into an extended three-year degree.

Advantages of Studying an Undergraduate Degree in the UK

The educational advantages are possibly the main reason why studying in the UK could be the best decision you make in your entire life. If you wish to study in the UK, your degree will be recognised and respected, no matter where you wind up working. The education will provide you with a solid foundation and improves your chances of having a higher salary and finding your dream job.

Every British university is recognised worldwide for its innovative and challenging environment that encourage their students to push themselves beyond their limits. They have high standards, and year after year, the universities are examined for how well they are facing modern challenges. Cambridge and Oxford are the names that are known all around the world because of their world-class courses and commitment to providing excellent education. You can easily find the course you wish to study and excel in your expertise field.

Many international students in the UK gain work experience while they study. Students can easily find a part-time job or internship programme and improve their skills in a specific field, and you can also add this experience to your CV. The English Language is known as a fundamental skill if you want to be successful in today’s competitive world. The UK is the home of the English Language, so it is the best place for international students to become fluent in English. In the UK, there are many English Language courses for different age groups for various purposes. Studying in the UK will give you an excellent opportunity to experience a multicultural environment, make new friends, and meet new people from all over the world.

Top UK Universities for Undergraduate Study

The UK university entry requirements differ depending on the type of your chosen course, the academic level, your nationality, and the university you’re applying for. This is because universities are entitled to set their entry requirements based on their own preferences or their own internal policies. The university entry requirements are made to assess whether you’re suitable for the degree course you’re applying for or not. In other words, the application process highly depends on meeting the entry requirements, so you must pay more attention to this section.

Here are the primary entry requirements for UK universities:

• Qualifications and Grades.
• Entrance tests.
• Language proficiency.
• ID documents.
• Experience and references.

Additional entry requirements:

Under particular circumstances, the university is entitled to set additional requirements. Most of the time, these additional documents include motivational letters or personal statements. Submitting a university application must be done thoroughly and carefully.

Your English skills must be good enough before you can study at most further and higher education institutions in the UK. Taking an English language course in the UK, such as English for Academic Purposes (EAP) or a pre-sessional course, will prepare you for further study. Another option is to take an English test such as IELTS in your home country before you come to the UK. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s leading English test of its kind, testing the four language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. Most UK institutions recognise IELTS, and the test is available in over 100 different countries.

Undergraduate Tuition Fees in the UK

The total amount of money you’ll need to study an undergraduate course in the UK depends on several factors. Although all university courses costs are high, some of them may charge less.

To start, it depends on the university you wish to study at. This is mainly based on the university’s reputation and its location. Universities in big cities like London ordinarily charge higher tuition fees, unlike countryside-based universities. Moreover, universities that are state-funded charge you with lower tuition fees than those with private ownership.

Secondly, it depends on what level of higher education you’re enrolled at. Since the undergraduate studies usually take longer to finish, it’s understandable if they cost more. However, there are some unique courses in the Bachelor’s programmes where you can study a Bachelor and Master Degree at the same time.

Third, it depends on your course of study. Sometimes, this has to do with the length of each course. A medical course may take longer to finish than other study fields, and it might cost more. Or there may be courses that consist of mandatory laboratory courses for which you have to pay extra money.

Lastly, tuition fees depend on your nationality. If you’re a British citizen, the tuition fees are a bit lower, but for international students, the UK tuition fees will be higher. Thus, EU students will be charged higher tuition fees after the final Brexit settlement in March 2019.

Extra funding

If you’re on a course for longer than 30 weeks and three days in the academic year, you may  qualify for a Long Course Loan. To get this, you will need to have an income-assessed maintenance loan. In 2019/20, families with an income up to £39,796 are qualified for the full weekly amount applicable to where you live while studying. Above this threshold, the available amount of loan will be less. It’s paid at the same time as the maintenance loan, three times a year.

The maximum extra loan available per week is:

• £65 – if you’re living with your parents
• £127 – if you’re living in London
• £99 – if you’re living outside of London
• £137 – if you’re studying overseas

10 Most Popular Degree Courses in the UK

When you think about which course to study at university, it can be helpful to find out which subjects are the most popular, so you know how much competition you should expect.

Subjects are ordinarily popular because they have the most interesting course content, the best graduate employment rates, and the best opportunities for career advancement and a higher salary.

10-History

Roughly 42,540 undergraduate students are currently studying a History degree in the UK. As a History student, you’ll learn to think and write analytically and build strong communication skills.

9-Biosciences

This is a very broad subject that contains a variety of courses. 45,795 students are currently studying this course.

8-Nursing

The number of students applying to study nursing has been increasing since 2009, and there are currently 53,400 nursing students in the UK.

7-Education

56,200 students are studying education right now, and profession possibilities go beyond teaching children and teenagers.

6-Psychology

Another subject that is a popular choice among undergraduates is psychology, and there are 61,055 psychology students in the UK at the moment.

5-IT & Computer Science

In the digital era, it’s no surprise that IT & computer science is in the top five most popular degree subjects in the UK. 62,670 are studying subjects in this field.

4-Art & Design

This course gives students a practical, technical, and contextual knowledge of all matters related to art & design.

3-Sociology & Social Studies

The study of humanity and the societies has always been a favoured choice and 66,020 students are currently studying this course.

2-Law

Law is another longstanding popular degree course, and there are 66,035 students currently studying Law courses.

1-Business & Management Studies

Business degrees give you a strong understanding of all aspects of businesses from marketing to financial management, changing you into a highly sought-after candidate for any number of jobs.

These courses are very practical, and many universities offer their students work experience placements or the opportunity to work in the industry for a year to put their studies into practice and build a strong CV before they graduate.

How to Apply

All applicants for Bachelor’s Degrees in the UK must submit their application using the UCAS application website (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).

Follow these easy steps to apply through UCAS:

• Register and create your application
• Apply to up to five programmes, at the same or different universities in the UK
• Complete personal information
• Add previous educational qualifications
• Add financial information
• Compose a personal statement