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The UK is globally recognised for its teaching excellence. Let’s find out why.
The United Kingdom (UK) is reputed for its excellent quality of education, interactive teaching methodology, top ranking universities and great student satisfaction. Universities in the UK consistently rank in the world university rankings such as the QS World Rankings, Times Higher Education Ranking, and Academic Ranking of World Universities. Further, degrees earned from the country are globally recognised and preferred by employers all over the world.
Standing at the zenith of research and development, the UK offers students vast scope to build critical and analytical thinking. Here’s why an overview of the education system in the UK.
How does the UK education system work?
The responsibility of education in the UK is delegated to four jurisdictions – England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. All of these regions have different forms of education systems, qualifications and individual laws/regulations. The major differences can be found in general and secondary education resulting in each region having its own credit frameworks and qualifications.
Study levels
The education system in the UK consists of four stages:
- Primary education
- Secondary education
- Further education
- Higher education
Qualifications framework
A qualification framework is a principal national reference point that maintains academic standards in the higher education sect in any country. Two parallel frameworks run for higher education qualifications of UK degree-awarding bodies:
- 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)
 Around 160 universities and colleges are allowed to award degrees in the UK.
Quality Assurance System
The unique factor of education system in the UK is its Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). It is an independent body that assesses and compares universities and colleges in the country through regular audits and reviews. It also identifies the best education practices and provides feedback for areas of improvement. This ensures that the students have access to the best quality of education.
All review reports are public and can be accessed on the QAA website. However, do note that private institutions are not subjected to assessment by QAA.
Higher education
Higher education in the UK mostly comprises bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees. As an international student, you may also transition to university level studies via pathway programs that generally include English language courses and foundation courses.
Undergraduate courses
Undergraduate courses are designed to help students get exposure to a whole new world after school whilst providing a thorough understanding of a subject of interest. The UK offers a variety of courses in humanities, social science, art, design, business, technology, science and more!
Here’s an overview of the types of undergraduate courses offered in the UK:
| Program | Duration |
| Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Diploma (HND) | 1 to 2 years |
| Certificates or Diplomas of Higher Education (Cert HE/Dip HE) | 1 to 2 years |
| Foundation degrees (Fd A/Fd Sc) | 6 months to 2 years |
| Degrees (such as BA, B.Sc, BEng) |
3 years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland 4 years in Scotland |
| Sandwich degrees | 4 years with a year in industry |
| Integrated courses (where masters is awarded as the first degree such as MEng) | 4 years |
Postgraduate studies
Postgraduate courses are more specific and involve in-depth study. Most master’s degrees have duration of one year, which means you can be back in the workforce faster than your counterparts pursuing masters in other countries. There is a plethora of courses to choose from including niche courses that are highly valued in the industry.
Here’s an overview of the types of postgraduate courses offered in the UK:
| Program | Duration |
| Postgraduate certificates and diploma (PG Cert/PG Dip) | 9 to 12 months |
| Taught Masters (such as MA, M.Sc., LLM, MBA, MRes) | 1 year |
| Research Masters (such as MPhil, PhD, DPhil) | 2-3 years |
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Pathway programs
These are preparatory courses for seeking admission into universities through English Language learning programs or foundation-level courses. Pathway programs can help enter university-level studies in the country and help strengthen your language skills as well. These are offered by both universities and private institutions to help students who need extra assistance with English language to gain admission.
Fee structure
Your expenditure on tuition fee in the UK depends on two factors:
- where you choose to study – different rules and laws apply in England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland
- you study level – bachelors, masters or doctorate
Tuition fee for undergraduate students range from £10,000 a year to about £18,000 a year, depending on the course and institution. Fee for postgraduate courses vary based on the program, course duration and the course provider.
Financial aid
Students who enrol for a course in the UK can get support in the form of scholarships, bursaries, grants, fellowships, and financial awards. These may be funded by the government, public/private organisations, or institutions. Since a lot of students apply to these scholarships, we recommended you apply in advance to beat competition and keep aware of the deadline to apply.
Pedagogy in British classrooms
The UK has a high reputation for its education, which is mostly the reason why so many Indian students come here to pursue higher studies. The best part about studying in the UK is the way education is imparted – it goes beyond textbook learning. You’ll be engaged in various activities such as workshops, seminars, tutorials and conferences at all times.
Teachers will expect you to be interactive in the classroom which will involve regular participation in group discussions, quizzes and debates. You’ll also be required to learn to work independently. If you see, education in the UK will eventually enhance your communication skills and help you build critical thought-process, creativity and analytical skills. This may be a little challenging initially, but you’ll get the hang of it with constant support from your teachers and classmates.
Academic year
The standard academic year in the UK begins around the month of September – October. The deadline for applications for courses commencing in September is generally in the preceding January of that year. Two other intakes available for programs in the UK are January and April, which are usually smaller than the September intake. Pathway programs may have additional dates to offer. Always check for the intakes available for your course of preference.
Popular programs
- MBA
- Physiotherapy
- Law
- Actuarial Science
- Sports Management
- Medicine & Surgery
- Computer Science
- Engineering
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