The United Kingdom is home to an abundance of excellent universities, recognised across the globe for their creative and challenging environments, modern facilities, and high standards of teaching. Combined with the UK’s diverse culture and affordability compared to other countries, it’s easy to see why the UK is among the most popular choices for international students. 

Choosing the right university is key to making the most of your study abroad experience in the UK, so it’s essential that you do your research. Your interests, skills, professional goals, and financial capabilities are crucial factors to consider when making this decision.

Where in the UK should I study? 

There are great universities in all corners of the UK. But it pays to consider whether you’d prefer a busier or quieter location, cost of living, and any interest you have that might be better supported by certain towns or cities. You can pick from one of the UK nations: England, Northern Island, Scotland, or Wales. Here’s a bit of background on each to help you with your research

England

England is the largest and the most highly concentrated of the four UK nations. Comprised of many large cities with culturally diverse populations, it’s a welcoming space for people from all sorts of backgrounds. England also has the most number of higher education institutions among all the UK nations, four of which are in the top 10 universities in the world.

London, the capital of England, is the biggest city in the UK and one of the most diverse cities in the world. From its rich history and iconic buildings to its cutting-edge fashion and colourful theatre scene, the reasons to visit London are endless — but if you’d prefer somewhere more quiet, there are plenty of other regions in England that are just as exciting. Northern and eastern England are famous for their natural landscapes, stunning architecture, and vibrant nightlife, while the south of England is known for its laid-back beach living and arts scene. 

Some of GSP’s most popular partner universities in England include: 

• Reading University
• Brighton University
• Birmingham City University
• Buckinghamshire New University
• London Metropolitan University
• London South Bank University
• University of London

 

Wales 

Wales is the perfect study destination for those seeking to experience the ultimate peaceful countryside life. From the emerald coastlines of Pembrokeshire to the valleys, and lakes of Mid Wales, the Welsh countryside allows students a stunning outdoors education without breaking the bank; for comparison, its capital, Cardiff, is almost three times cheaper than London. 

Pursuing an education in Wales will open many doors for you. Half of the universities in Wales are ranked in the top 500 in the 2022 Times Higher World University rankings, earning much respect from academics from employers all over the world. Welsh universities also offer established connections to industry that can lead to excellent opportunities for your career; over 90 per cent of graduates from Welsh universities are in work within six months of completing their studies.

Some of GSP’s most popular partner universities in Wales include: 

• University of Aberystwyth 
• University of Cardiff 
• Vale College for Wales

 

Scotland 

Famous for its bagpipes, whiskey, and friendly people, the country of Scotland has no shortage of charm. But make no mistake — it’s also one of the most progressive nations in the world. Scotland has been at the forefront of numerous global issues, like climate change and LGBT+ inclusion. It’s also the first country in the world to provide free period products to students at all education levels, and the first to embed LGBT+ inclusive education across the curriculum. 

According to the Office of National Statistics, Scotland is the most highly educated country in Europe. One of the major strengths of Scottish education is its research; many researchers in Scottish universities have created world-changing innovations, such as the MRI scanner and keyhole surgery. 

Outside of education, Scotland also has plenty of great cultural experiences to offer. Music is a central and historic part of its culture, being home to the legendary rock music venue, the Barrowlands in Glasgow, as well as the world-famous Edinburgh festivals. And with its lush meadows, pine forests, untouched beaches, and more, Scotland is also a dream come true for any outdoor enthusiast or explorer. 

Some of GSP’s most popular partner universities in Scotland include: 

• University of West Scotland
• University of Aberdeen
• University of Dundee
• University of Stirling

 

Northern Ireland

The natural beauty of Northern Ireland has inspired two of the most iconic creative works of our time: the magical Narnia stories of CS Lewis, and the world-famous TV series Game of Thrones. Apart from its landscapes, this country is also globally recognized for its award-winning restaurants and thriving fashion scene — all while having the lowest student cost of living in the UK. 

Northern Ireland has a long and rich history of academic excellence. Its two global universities, Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University, welcome students from all over the world every year to study on their campuses. The former is part of the prestigious Russell Group of UK research-intensive universities and boasts strong industry links, thanks to its global network that spans 120 countries. The latter is known for its high graduate employability, with 94 per cent of graduates in work or further study within six months of graduating.

Some of GSP’s most popular partner universities in Northern Ireland include: 

• Queen’s University Belfast

What value can an international student bring to the UK economy? 

Despite their huge contribution to the economy, international students in the United Kingdom have been the subject of plenty of negative press lately. Not too long after home secretary Suella Braverman’s comments about international students “bringing in family members who can piggyback on to their student visa,” Prime Minster Rishi Sunak’s official spokesperson has just revealed potential plans to crack down on international students taking “low-quality” degrees. 

These developments are coming about as the Conservative government attempts to reduce net migration to the UK, which just climbed to a record 504,000. This is reportedly an increase of 331,000 in a single year, and at least 400,000 more than the home secretary is aiming for. 

The home secretary previously suggested that the scale of foreign students coming to the UK to study is too high, and that they and their dependent family members who accompany them to the UK are “not necessarily working” or are “working in low-skilled jobs,” and are “not contributing to growing the UK’s economy.” Aligned with this, Sunak’s official said he was fully committed to bringing overall immigration levels down and blamed “unprecedented and unique circumstances” for the record high.

 

Consequences of barring international students from the UK

In light of the news about Sunak’s plans, Professor Brian Bell, chair of the government’s Migration Advisory Committee, warns that many universities could go bankrupt if international students are barred from the UK, particularly those located in poorer regions. He also pointed out that it was not just an immigration policy but also an education policy, as it could lead to a huge increase in British students’ fees to make up for the loss of foreign students’ payments. 

Limiting the number of international students could also strike a major blow to the UK’s economy, given that they make an enormous economic contribution of nearly £26 billion. Joint research from the Higher Education Policy Institute and Universities UK reveals that every part of the UK is financially better off by an average of £390 per person because of international students’ contribution through fees and spending. Besides their positive economic contribution, international students also contribute to the UK’s global connections in trade and politics. 

 

Good news: Applications for UK study visas and extensions are still growing 

Amid all the talk of curbing the number of foreign students in the UK, applications for UK study visas and extensions in Q3 2022 have risen by some 30% according to UK government statistics. This is a testament to the strength of the UK’s higher education sector, which has long been recognised for its excellence worldwide. 

As the popularity of the UK among international students continues to rise, GSP’s network of UK universities and institutions is growing right along with it. GSP currently works with over 100 universities and institutions in the UK, catering to the unique needs of students from all across the globe. With our unique, cloud-based technology, we’ve recast the traditional international student recruitment model into one that’s simpler, faster, more collaborative, and more transparent. If you’re interested in scaling your student recruitment, come speak to us about your needs and how we can work together.

 

Global Study Partners’ online platform

Our cloud-based platform serves recruiters, institutions and students alike to achieve our main goal: to provide international students with education choices that will change their lives and impact the world around them.

• Recruiters: We take the load off your shoulders by handling the most crucial part of the paperwork and verification process so that you have more time to focus on counselling your students. 
• Institutions: We showcase your courses and brand to over 3,000 recruitment partners worldwide, and we facilitate in-person and online engagement opportunities to allow our recruitment partners to get to know you more and encourage collaboration which generally contributes to better conversion.

There are many features for you to explore within the GSP platform to help your international recruitment efforts – enabling you to provide your students with a simpler and more straightforward application process. To learn more about US recruitment and study applications, contact our recruitment and business development experts.