Universities in the UK are known for a long history of innovation in the field of higher education, provide high standards of education and qualifications, known throughout the world.
The most popular, academically strong universities in the UK make up a group of 24 leading educational institutions – Russell Group. They strive to support the best research, to provide an excellent teaching and learning experience. The quality of education offered by UK universities is based on cutting-edge high-quality research and years of experience.

Benefits of obtaining Bachelor's degree in the UK
- World-famous universities – diplomas of British providers of higher education are respected all over the world, and the choice of subjects of study is very extensive. Diplomas of English universities will complement the resume when looking for work: the presence of qualifications obtained in the UK will be a significant competitive advantage.
- UK higher education providers are recognised worldwide for their creative, academically challenging environment. The standards are highly appreciated by experts on many academic topics, educational institutions of the United Kingdom occupy high positions in international rankings. The British higher education system, with revolutionary learning styles and modern equipment, has long served as the basis of learning standards around the world.
- Great Britain is a multicultural country, popular among foreign students. This is the second most popular place in the world for international students. Representatives of different cultures live on campuses, young people learn to communicate with people from all over the world.
- Brilliant employment opportunities – a foreign student can work up to 20 hours a week during their studies, which allows students to get a job, undergo an internship, acquire new skills, develop a professional network, earn money while studying. Some educational institutions offer to undergo an internship, which will give a competitive advantage after graduation.
- The UK government has announced a new Graduate Route visa,which allows graduates to stay in the UK for another two years (valid from the summer of 2021).
- Financial benefits – students from abroad enjoy some financial advantages when choosing the UK. First, obtaining higher education takes less time than in other countries - it takes 3 years to obtain a bachelor's degree, and then another year to study a master's course (except for medical students and undergraduate research programs).
- Foreign students can receive financial assistance - scholarships, grants. The cost of living outside of London is reasonable. Study the area before applying, prices, calculate how much entertainment, food, rent will take.
- A unique culture, a unique country where many people from all over the world live, making it a place of combination of different cultures, languages, interests, cuisines.
- No matter which part of England you choose, you'll find plenty of restaurants, nightclubs, shops, sporting events. The British love to visit art galleries, bars, concerts, open-air markets, so you will always find something to entertain yourself outside of classes.
TOP-8 things you need to know about studying in the UK
- There are more than 395 universities and colleges offering more than 50,000 higher education courses for undergraduate students.
- Applications for higher education in the UK are submitted through a single UCAS system.
- There are different deadlines for applications: pay attention to the main dates and deadlines related to the programs you are interested in.
- Applicants from abroad need to apply for a visa for study - there are restrictions on a work permit, requirements for knowledge of English.
- Educational institutions inform all applicants what level of English is required for studying. Applicants take an approved language test if English is not their mother tongue.
- First-year students usually live in university dormitories, but there are other accommodation options.
The most popular undergraduate courses in the UK
- Nursing. The field of medical care is the largest employer in the country with a high demand for qualified specialists. This area of knowledge opens up guaranteed career opportunities at the end of their studies.
- Psychology. Increased awareness of mental health, the need for support have made psychology one of the most popular areas of study. Many choose this degree to engage in therapy, social work, teaching. Others – to develop a professional understanding of how people behave, react, interact – a skill useful in any industry.
- Law. The discipline includes various sections: the study of law by region (Great Britain, including England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the European Union), public international law. The degree lays the foundation of knowledge for future solicitors, barristers, prosecutors.
- Information Technologies. The digital sector is worth almost £184 billion and is one of the fastest growing in the country. There is a growing demand for computer analysts, programmers, software engineers, as well as students who have studied a number of STEM-related subjects (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). The demand for information and computer technology specialists will only grow.
- Design. Creative degrees attract artists, creative young people who are confident in their ability to change the world, to embody artistic ideas. Related subjects allow students to specialize in a chosen area of interest: examples of combined subjects range from graphic design, visual communications to clothing design, illustration.
- Management. Participants of the programs explore how to optimize the work of the structure, the system of organizations, to lead business to success. Managers are in demand in the private and public sectors, the bachelor's degree in management opens up career opportunities that allow them to lead, manage, and make decisions.
- Preclinical medicine. The course includes subjects such as biochemistry, genetics, anatomy, molecular biology, microbiology, pathology. This is the first step towards becoming a professional medical professional with a separate process of admission to the second stage – clinical medicine.
- Business Administration – the program allows you to combine two courses: business / marketing, business / finance, as well as business management, accounting. Graduates have ample employment opportunities, flexibility in their careers after completion, and apprenticeship opportunities.
- Sports, the science of exercise. The industry produces elite players with high salaries, there is a demand for professionals who understand performance analysis, business management. The degree opens up career opportunities in sports psychology, clinical, cardiology science, and physiotherapy.
- Economics. Research on cash flows, inflation, investment, financial growth, how we use money to meet needs. Graduates can expect a starting salary of around £26,000 at their first job, making it a very good choice for aspiring economists.
Best universities in the UK to get Bachelor's degree
Direction of study | Universities in the UK | Tuition fees |
Nursing | 13 300-18 000£/year | |
Psychology | 9000-29 500£/year | |
Law | 15 220-25 740£/year | |
Informatics | 12 200-15 000£/year | |
Design |
| 16 390-18 300£/year |
Management |
| 4 500-21 570£/year |
Preclinical medicine |
| 13 000-17 200£/year |
Business Administration |
| 13 500-23 740£/year |
Sport | 13 500-19 500£/year | |
Economics |
| 21 570-33 600£/year |
How to apply for a bachelor's degree in the UK?
You can apply for a bachelor's degree in the UK for 5 courses at the same time through the UCAS University and College Admission Service for a small administrative fee.
Procedure for submitting applications through UCAS
- Registration – filling in the questionnaire on the UCAS website.
- Write a personal statement – this is a chance to stand out from the crowd, explaining why you are interested in the course, what skills make you suitable, describe life experiences and achievements.
- Written recommendation from a tutor or one of the school teachers. Contact your instructor in advance so they have enough time to write a recommendation.
Application deadlines
UCAS accepts applications 4 times/year:
- October – for Oxford, Cambridge, most courses in medicine, veterinary medicine, natural science and dentistry
- January 15 – most undergraduate courses
- March – some courses on art, design
- June 30 is the late submission deadline for most undergraduate courses.
Applications received after this deadline will automatically switch to clearing, which does not guarantee enrollment.
You can apply after the deadline until June 30, but it is better to apply in advance: this will leave time for a visa, choosing a place of residence, buying air tickets.
Getting an offer
UCAS will contact you with offers from selected universities or colleges. If your offer is "unconditional", you can relax – you are enrolled. Some offers are "conditional" in nature - they will be confirmed when you receive a school certificate / Diploma Foundation, the results of tests in English.
After receiving the offer, be sure to answer it through UCAS!
Requirements for applicants
The qualification required depends on the course you want to study. You must obtain a minimum of 13 years of education in your home country or in the UK, a pre-university qualification equivalent to the British A-level. The qualification of Foundation, Diploma of Higher Education is accepted.
Language requirements
- IELTS – 5.5-6.5
- PTE Academic – 55-65
- CAE/CPE – 170-177
- TOEFL iBT – 85-95.
Scholarships for Bachelors in the UK
Here is a list of the most famous scholarships that are awarded annually to international students wishing to study in the United Kingdom.
Royal Society Grants
The Royal Society is a community of outstanding scientists of the world, the oldest scientific academy in the world, operating to this day. The Royal Society has 3 main objectives:
- Promotion of advanced scientific experience
- Support for cooperation at the international level
- Promoting the importance of science.
Scholarships from UK universities
Leading universities in the United Kingdom often provide generous funding for international students depending on their academic achievement or financial needs.
You can find scholarships or financial aid programs at any university on their official websites.
- Bristol University Think Big Scholarships – From 2020, the university will invest £500,000 to help the most capable, best international students come to the University of Bristol. The size of the Think Big is between £5,000 and £20,000.
- The University of West London International Ambassador Scholarships provides financial support to outstanding students seeking a bachelor's or master's degree while studying full-time. The scientists will act as international ambassadors of the University of West London. There are 50 scholarships available for up to £5,000 each.
- The University of West England Chancellor's Scholarships – The University of the West of England offers scholarships worth more than £100,000 annually to foreign students. This includes the "Chancellor's Scholarship", in which the recipient will have to undergo an internship while working in the Office for International Development and other departments. The scholarship covers the full fee for one academic year.
- Sheffield Hallam University Transform Together Scholarships – payments for students from other countries, countries of the European Union are open for full-time study in postgraduate / undergraduate studies at the University of Sheffield Hallam. Half of the tuition fee (50% discount) is provided for the first year of study.
Accommodation for foreign students in the UK
When applying to a college or university, indicate that you require accommodation. Foreign students are given priority in the distribution of housing, but not all universities have residences, and competition for budget places is high.
Accommodation:
- Dorms are a great way to meet new people. These are large buildings, sometimes divided into apartments, where you will have either a separate room or a room with a neighbor. The furnishings in the rooms are simple, there are options with separate, shared bathrooms; standard furniture is installed: bed, desk, chair. Most dormitories offer dining room services with food at a fixed price. For visitors, the food may seem unfamiliar, but it's a good way to explore uk culture. In addition to the rooms, there are also common areas where there can be a bar (in the UK it is allowed to drink alcohol from the age of 18), a TV, a billiard table.
- Self-catering residences. For those who prefer the self-service option (you can cook your own meals), dormitories with a common kitchen are available, where the residents themselves maintain cleanliness.
- Apartments/houses. Usually in the first year, students live in residences, as this greatly simplifies adaptation to life on campus, helps to make friends. In the second and third year, some students prefer to move into a house or apartment that is not related to the educational institution. Young people sign a lease agreement - a legal document that determines the conditions of residence. Make sure you fully understand the terms of the contract! An apartment and a house are the most expensive option, it can be difficult to find housing near the campus, but many people like the freedom to live where/where/with whomever they want.
Student Visa (Tier-4) for Bachelors in the UK
Young people from abroad wishing to study in the UK must obtain a student visa (Tier 4). This type of visa is only available to full-time university students, not short-term or language courses.
The immigration requirements of the United Kingdom are determined by the nationality, country(s) of which you are a citizen.
Student visa applications can be submitted online, by mail, in person. You can only apply online from outside the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man (except North Korea). Those residing in England at the time of application must submit it in person or by mail.
The application deadline is 3 months before the start of the course. After submitting an application to the university, you will receive (or can request it) confirmation of admission to study. This document gives the status of an enrolled student, the right to obtain a visa. Use the CAS number to support your student visa application.
Under current legal regulations, students are allowed to find part-time work while studying. Make sure your university is included in the UK list of recognised providers of higher education to be able to work 20 hours per week.
The cost of paying for a Tier 4 student visa application is £335. If you are applying from the UK, the fee will be:
- Standard service – 457£
- Priority service – 916£
- Premium service – £1047.
With the Graduate Route visa, students who are due to complete their studies in the summer of 2021 will be able to stay in the country for up to 2 years. This new rule applies to undergraduate and graduate graduates regardless of the field of study.
To obtain a visa, you do not need to have a job at the time of application, there are no restrictions on the type of work that you can perform these 2 years, minimum wage requirements. Graduates can hold positions related to the education received, or get unrelated work experience. The flexibility of the Graduate Route visa system allows you to change jobs, take time out, travel.