The UK is a highly popular destination for international students, and for good reason. The country is home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities and offers a welcoming environment to students from across the globe. In this article, EDUopinions will list the best UK universities for international students, helping you to make whatever decision is best for your future.
Why study in the UK?
The UK is great place to study for a few reasons. First and foremost, the quality of education in the UK is among the highest in the world. The country’s long history of excellence in education means that international students in the UK can be sure to get their money’s worth. Next, if English is not your native language, studying in the UK is an ideal place to refine your skills. Being immersed in an English environment is the best way to improve your knowledge of the language. But rest assured that in such a multicultural country, native speakers of your mother tongue will never be far.
Finally, student life in the UK is known for being exciting and dynamic. At every university on this list, students can expect to find the social scene that fits them best. From student societies to pub crawls to volunteering opportunities, there is certainly something for everyone at each of these institutions.
EDUopinion’s list of the best UK universities for international students
London School of Economics and Political Science – LSE
Located in the heart of central London, LSE is known around the world for being a leader in social science education. While this is certainly true, the university has a plethora of other incredible courses available. Another advantage of studying at LSE is its location in London, with plentiful internship opportunities online a stone’s throw from the LSE campus in Holborn. With a whopping 72% of students coming from outside the UK, LSE’s student body is very diverse.
In addition, London itself is a very multicultural place, with languages, food and people from across the world around every corner. In the words of one LSE student, “The diversity of the societies and activities at the university and the vast range of events that are organised for our benefit is overwhelming.” This is to say that studying at LSE is sure to be a great experience especially for students coming from abroad. It is no wonder why LSE made EDUopinions’ list of the best UK universities for international students.
The diversity of the societies and activities at the university and the vast range of events that are organised for our benefit is overwhelming. It is a very friendly and productive environment with a supportive pressure to perform well and a very career-driven atmosphere.
The University of Edinburgh
A beautifully quaint and cosy city, Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland. It is also home to the renowned University of Edinburgh. For those looking for the best UK universities for international students, the University of Edinburgh certainly has a lot to offer. Scottish undergraduate degrees last four years and allow more flexibility than most other degrees in Europe, which may be an advantage if you have not decided exactly what it is you would like to pursue. In addition, Scottish undergraduate degrees are far less expensive than English ones for European students.
Aside from academics, living in Scotland is a dream come true for many international students. One student explained that Edinburgh “has a great sense of community and is located in arguably one of the prettiest cities in the UK.” For these reasons, the University of Edinburgh is definitely an excellent school to consider.
This university is rich in history and academic standing. It has a great sense of community and is located in arguably one of the prettiest cities in the UK. The staff are great and have a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, whilst still remaining very personable. I am very pleased with my experience here, and when challenges arose or I had issues, the university was very quick to find solutions and help me achieve my goals.
University of Sheffield
The northern city of Sheffield is home to the next school on our list of the best UK universities for international students. The University of Sheffield is composed of 35% international students from 120 different countries, which is impressive considering the university’s smaller size and location within a smaller city.
Particularly well-known for its humanities and teaching degrees, students interested in these subjects should especially consider studying at Sheffield. Another benefit of doing so is the university’s proximity to the Peak District, a stunning national park only 15 km from Sheffield. With plenty of natural beauty nearby, cosy pubs to keep you warm in the winter and the welcoming Northerners, international students in Sheffield continue to rate their experiences highly.
I was an exchange student in UoS and I really had a great time here. It’s one of the most international universities and I made a lot of friends from different countries. There are a lot of student societies and all kinds of activities every week to fulfil your off-class life. The student union, one of the best in UK, also does a very good job. I would highly recommend UoS.
University of Bristol
Another top-notch university for international students is the University of Bristol. Known for being a powerhouse for research, the University of Bristol has an esteemed academic history. This history gets results too, with Bristol being ranked fourth in the Graduate Market 2020 Report, meaning their graduates are among the most recruited in the UK.
In addition to great career prospects, Bristol is known for being a great student with exciting nightlife. Students in the city say “there’s a club for everything in Bristol,” but even if clubbing isn’t your cup of tea, the saying extends to almost every social scene. The University of Bristol’s academic prestige combined with the city’s exciting, the student-centred atmosphere makes it one of the best UK universities for international students.
The city is really quirky and interesting and there are loads of great places to go on a night out. Everything is pretty much within walking distance too which is handy. It’s nice to be round loads of like minded people, and there is a club for every activity you can think of.
University of Manchester
The next on our list of the best UK universities for international students is the University of Manchester. The city is home to nearly 20,000 international students, almost one-fifth of the total student population, together they represent over 150 different countries and 200 different languages. Career prospects at the University of Manchester are also promising, with 94% of graduates finding work or further study within six months.
Another advantage of Manchester is that it is an incredibly LGBTQ+ friendly city, with Canal Street being the downtown hub for LGBTQ+ events and socialising. Finally, the cost of living in Manchester is far less than in other UK cities, which is just another of the many advantages of the city.
I attended the university of manchester for my undergraduate degree. I found their pastoral care excellent for when I went through difficult periods, whilst their teaching was great both through the level of resources available for us but also the engagement of the lecturers. The library facilities are also very good, both socially and educationally. The student lifestyle is by far the best thing about the university, with all my friends being jealous of the experience!
University College London – UCL
Last but certainly not least, University College London (UCL) is one of the best UK universities for international students. Ranked 16th in the world with over 55% international students, it is not hard to see why UCL is known as London’s global university. Aside from excellent academics, the university offers hundreds of different societies, ranging from beekeeping to Model United Nations to rugby. Of course, students at UCL enjoy life outside university by exploring all that London has to offer.
Located in Bloomsbury, a historic and intellectual neighbourhood in central London, there are places of interest around every corner of the university, not to mention across the entire city of London. Needless to say, UCL is hands-down one of the best UK universities for international students.
International prestige/reputation as one of the best universities in the world. Incredibly well connected and draws some excellent minds to the university. Have met a wide range of people from various backgrounds. This is probably the university’s biggest advantage
In this article, we have presented EDUopinions’ list of the best UK universities for international students. While these are truly some exceptional institutions, this list could never be complete. If you want to read more check out our list of the top business schools in the UK, based on our own student reviews. Or find out what it’s like to study in the UK as an international student.
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