FIVE FACTS ABOUT UK UNIVERSITIES

• Four of the world’s top 10 universities are in the UK: Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College London and UCL, according to the 2023 QS World University Rankings. Another QS ranking rates London as the most desirable global city for living and studying. Edinburgh is also in the top ten desirable cities.

• There are more than 160 UK universities to choose from, offering thousands of different courses. International students can come to study at them for varying amounts of time, from months to years.

• Courses are largely lecture and seminar-based, with end-of-year exams and dissertations usually contributing to final grades. A top grade (or a First class honours) at a UK university will usually fall above 70 per cent, and an Upper Second class honours between 60 per cent and 70 per cent.

• But it’s not all about academic

study. UK universities provide a wide range of extracurricular activities and societies too: from rugby to rowing, crafting to computing and surfing to speed dating. Societies are usually run by Student Unions. These unions will manage everything from fighting for students’ rights to keeping them entertained throughout the year.

• The UK government welcomes overseas applications and says, “International students enrich the university experience. For both international and domestic students, this cultural exchange helps build life-long friendships, future networks, and important business, political and diplomatic bridges.” For more about applying to a UK university as an international student, visit educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2022/08/04/ how-do-international-students-accessuk-universities/