Education in England UK for foreign students: the cost, reviews

In England, for foreign students, there are great opportunities for obtaining a good education and a prestigious diploma. England itself is an excellent environment for teaching students English, and the best teachers, teached to work with students, will make this process as effective as possible.

Advantages, the main features of the English education system

• Tribute to traditions. The educational program for British institutions appears to young people almost the same as in the past centuries, when the greatest minds of mankind - Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking, Vladimir Nabokov, Oscar Wilde and many others - studied in it. Britain is well known for its traditions and conservatism throughout the world.
• A wide range of programs and educational institutions. Despite the inherent conservatism, the educational institutions of England differ from each other and have their own characteristics. So, Cambridge University is famous for its strictness and discipline, London Metropolitan University has established itself as a dynamic and progressive university for creative youth.
• Prestigiousness of education. The result of successful education in the UK will be the receipt of an internationally recognized diploma that is highly valued all over the world and opens up limitless career prospects.
• Education of personality. In schools, colleges and universities, great importance is given to the development of a comprehensive personality with critical thinking that can take responsibility.
• High-quality programs. After completing their studies in English schools, students receive strong academic education and impeccable language skills. The diploma of an English university guarantees the acquisition of invaluable experience and the most relevant knowledge that makes graduates of higher education institutions world-class specialists.

UK educational system: features of education and upbringing

Compulsory education for students is valid between the ages of 5 and 16. In Britain, there are 2 systems of education: one in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the second in Scotland. 2 main types of schools are distributed: public day schools and private boarding schools. According to the age of students, there are 2 types of institutions: pre-school and full-cycle schools.

• In pre-school establishments, students are engaged in developing basic reading, writing, and game-learning skills.
• In primary school (Primary schools) students spend 6 years (from 5 to 11 years). During this period, the students pass the SATs exams twice. In addition, there are still Junior Schools for students 7 - 13 years old. Here, mathematics, English, history, geography, music, art and technology of industry are studied.
• Secondary education are available in several types of schools: Senior Schools (from 13 to 18 years), Secondary school (11 years), Grammar school (11 years) and schools in preparation for university (16-18 years). So graduating from high schools students receive a certificate of secondary education - GCSE . As for foreign students, as a rule, they enter secondary schools at the age of 11-13 years.
• After the age of 16, the mandatory stage of education ends, and students face a choice between work and continuing their education. For those who would like to enter the university, it makes sense to pass the A-Level program - an in-depth course in the study of specialized disciplines, which presupposes a purposeful preparation for academic life.
• Colleges of further education are specialized institutions for students over 18 who have received the A-Level certificate and have chosen further professional education or study at universities.

Organization of studies in universities

There are 3 leading institutions in the UK: colleges, higher schools and universities.

• Bachelor's program is an elementary educational level, which usually lasts 3 years in England, Northern Ireland and Wales and 4 years in Scotland.
• Master's program - unlike other countries, master's programs and MBA are designed for one year, during which students are studied in specialization. At the end of the master's program, students take exams, but most often submit a master's thesis.
• Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy - the third stage of higher education, which is entirely devoted to research. After 2 years and successful defense of the thesis, a Master of Philosophy degree is awarded, after another 3 years of study the candidate can defend the thesis for a Ph.D.
• Scientific research is the 4th stage of higher education, as a result of which an advanced doctoral degree can be obtained.

Opportunities for foreign students 

• Scholarships and grants for foreign students. In the UK, a system of scholarship incentives for students from abroad is highly developed. A foreign student can receive a high scholarship that covers most of the costs of education - of course, subject to a number of conditions.
• Work while studying. Usually, students are allowed to work no more than 20 hours a week, as well as full-time on vacation.
• Confirmation of the certificate. Because of the existing differences in the educational system, graduates must pass a special educational course in Britain in order to raise the level of academic knowledge and meet the requirements of universities.
• Student visa. To receive a compulsory student visa, it is necessary to provide a package of documents: an official invitation from the university, an extract from the bank, confirming the solvency, a certificate or diploma, the original certificate of the international language examination, payment of consular fees, medical certificate of absence of tuberculosis, original and a copy of passports.
• After graduating from the university in order to stay in the country, a foreign student needs to extend the visa. Since 2012, the post-education visa has been canceled and serious reasons are needed to stay in the country.

What are the programs, types of education and language requirements