England's universities have centuries-old traditions and are among the most prestigious in the world. Check out the list and descriptions of the most popular universities in the UK and choose the one that suits you in all respects.
Getting one can seriously impact your ability to find a good job and advance faster in your career. Traditions are respected in this country and, not least, they relate to education. It is not for nothing that English higher education institutions are among the best, according to various experts. You can see a lot of foreigners here, their number exceeds 65 thousand people. Restrictions are related to age, which must be at least 18 years old. Of course, you need to finish school in your home country.
Requirements and features of training
Since in England, completion of secondary education requires completion of 13 years, a foreign applicant will not need a matriculation certificate, but will need to pass the A-levels exam. This can be done at one of the international colleges or private schools, completing a two-year pre-university training
You can also take preparatory courses in advance that will help you enter an English institute. There is an opportunity to transfer to study after the first or second year of a domestic university. You will have to demonstrate excellent knowledge of the English language and pass the exam.
The first three to four years will be needed to complete your bachelor's degree. This makes it possible to have a first academic degree and become a bachelor of law, humanities, technology, pedagogy, as well as medicine and music.
Many universities pay great attention not only to studies and a well-organized and comfortable life, but also to the opportunity for students to learn English more deeply.
An important advantage is that every foreign student will be able to choose a program that will meet their own capabilities and needs. Of course, this does not cancel the mandatory course. But if you can get general information at lectures, then at seminars you have the opportunity to study almost individually with a teacher, since classes are usually held in small groups.
Some orthodoxy did not prevent us from building it in such a way that everyone could more fully reveal their abilities and learn to independently solve various problems and find solutions.
After a bachelor's degree, you can move on to the second stage and obtain a master's degree. This will not only improve your professional level, but also actively engage in research work. Therefore, it is important to choose a university that has a good laboratory and library collections. True, it should be noted that many famous scientists work at universities and, in addition to their own research, help young graduate students write their dissertations.
Rules and fees
It is important to know a few rules that will help you enter an English university faster and more successfully.
You need to pay attention to the English language. The Foundation program will help fill gaps and raise the level of knowledge.
After choosing a specialty, you need to study the university rankings and choose two universities that are most suitable. Those in the top ten have more stringent, special requirements.
The collected documents and application must be sent in advance. Admission and consideration runs from September 1 to October 15. You will have to come to Oxford and Cambridge and submit documents directly to the admissions committee.
In England, UCAS is the College and Universities Admissions Service, so admissions are processed through this service.
It is imperative to send the exam results, since only then there is a real chance to begin your studies at the university.
For foreign students, tuition fees may vary, since EU citizens receive certain discounts and some benefits. In addition, after receiving a diploma in this country, you can even work for two years in your specialty.
To obtain a bachelor's degree in England you will have to spend three whole years, in Scotland - even four. However, no one bothers you to simultaneously undergo an internship and earn extra money. This combination of study and work is a very common phenomenon in England.
Those who have chosen some areas of medicine or architecture will have to study until the age of seven. But it only takes two years to become a master.
The cost of education is also influenced by the prestige of the university and the rating of the specialty. On average, the price ranges from 10 to 12 thousand pounds per year. True, medical specialties can cost 20-22 thousand pounds.
But no matter where the training takes place, all that can be said is that the money was well spent.
Education received at prestigious universities in Great Britain is highly regarded in scientific, educational, cultural and literary circles and, in general, in society. One can recall many names of great people who, with their achievements, highly raised the authority of British universities: Swift, Carroll, Thatcher, Hawking - this list can be continued endlessly. We have prepared an overview of the best three universities in the UK.
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Oxford is known in history as one of the first English-language universities, the exact opening date of which is difficult to determine. The first mention of the city was found in written monuments in 912, when there was a convent in its place. In 1117, the first university in Great Britain for clergy was organized there. Oxford is 90 km away. from London, it is now home to about 154,000 people, 30,000 of whom are students. The name of the city sounds very prosaic when translated into Russian - “bull ford”.
Notable Oxford faculty and alumni
The teaching staff consists of 4,000 highly educated, smartest scientists who have more than one academic degree, winners of prestigious awards and honorary titles of which Great Britain is proud. The university has a Russian Society, founded at the beginning of the 19th century by Oxford graduate Felix Yusupov in order to ensure closer ties between Russia and the prestigious university.
Outstanding personalities emerged from the walls of Oxford, glorifying it with their brilliant creations in different eras. Everyone knows the author of the famous "Gulliver's Travels" - Jonathan Swift, a brilliant satirist and allegorist who ridiculed the vices of English society in the 17th century.
Not inferior to him in his deep satirical portrayal is the famous Oxford graduate Oscar Wilde with the immortal “The Picture of Dorian Gray” about the dead end in life to which excessive human vanity and narcissism leads. Lewis Carroll, the author of Alice in Wonderland, was also a student at Oxford University.
The English kings Edward VII and Edward VIII, famous for their progressive power, were educated at Oxford.
The world-famous prime ministers of England W. Gladstone, G. Wilson, Tony Blair, David Cameron, Margaret Thatcher are also graduates of the famous educational institution. Russia is proud that talented Russian writers and poets: V.A. Zhukovsky, I.S. Turgenev, I. Brodsky, K. Chukovsky, A. Akhmatova were awarded honorary academic degrees from Oxford.
Cambridge university
Cambridge can be called a rival of Oxford in age and social and scientific significance. The educational institution, founded in 1209, is an example of a high-quality educational institution, imbued with the spirit of the Middle Ages, innovative progress and the preservation of purely English traditions.
Since the 13th century, the humanitarian, theological, medical, and law faculties have trained qualified specialists whose names are associated with the oldest university: Thomas More, Erasmus of Rotterdam, Charles Darwin, I. Newton, E. Rutherford and other luminaries of science.
The territory of Cambridge is huge: in addition to a large number of educational buildings, there are 8 reputable museums that invariably attract the attention of not only students, but also ordinary tourists. The beautiful botanical garden is another popular attraction for everyone who comes to Cambridge. The university is proud of its traditions and sacredly honors them, so no one is surprised by students dressed in black robes and caps.
The university is striking in its scale: it has more than 150 faculties, departments, various scientific schools and associations, dozens of creative clubs, and more than a hundred libraries. Cambridge can figuratively be called a huge forge of scientific and professional personnel, a bright center of spiritual, intellectual and aesthetic culture, a beacon of collective intelligence.
Edinburgh University
It was founded in 1583 and is now, along with Oxford and Cambridge, a reputable and popular university in many countries around the world, where thousands of applicants strive to enroll. Taking this fact into account, the university is actively opening branches of some faculties in other countries, including Russia.
Notable faculty and alumni of the University of Edinburgh
The history of the university is associated with the names of great scientists and inventors who gave the world the telephone, television, and steam engine: A. Bell, James Watt, John Bayle and others.
For some time, the future British Prime Minister Winston Churchill led the university, noting the extraordinary talent of the Scots.
Graduates of the University of Edinburgh included classics of world literature Walter Scott, Conan Doyle, Robert Stevenson, who made her name famous with “Harry Potter” by JK Rowling. Famous British politicians Gordon Brown and Robin Cook received an excellent education here.
The Russian pioneer of studying at the University of Edinburgh was the son of Princess Ekaterina Dashkova, one of the most enlightened women of the 18th century, who led the Russian Academy of Sciences. Nowadays Russian students also study here; among the many departments in the educational institution there is a Russian language department.
The academic basis of a modern university is made up of 3 large colleges with a huge number of faculties in different fields. Research institutes and centers have been opened at the university, where every talented student or graduate can engage in scientific activities, according to the results of which the educational institution ranks 5th among all universities in the UK.
Etc.) can certainly serve as a guide for choosing a place to study. But you still need to start not with the university, but with the choice of specialty. Try to understand what interests you and where it is best to study. You can find out which universities are strong in your chosen field from the ranking of specialties. And then you should study the entrance requirements of different universities and compare them with your capabilities. The best university for you may not be the first in the ranking, but the most optimal for solving your current educational problems.
One of which is the demand for a diploma. In recent years, British education has become increasingly applied in nature and closely connected with production and business, and the level of employment of graduates has become a criterion for the success of a university. However, staying in the UK to work for a graduate with a Russian passport is not so easy. The country’s immigration laws allow you to apply for a work visa for up to 5 years with the right to extend, but to obtain it, you must meet many conditions: be hired, have a sponsorship certificate from your employer and a salary of at least 20.3 thousand pounds per year, In addition, it will still be necessary to prove that there were no worthy local candidates for this vacancy.
Another type of work visa - Tier 1 - is designed for foreign graduates of universities in England who are planning their own business in the country (Graduate Entrepreneur). The university must be registered in this program and have the right to provide visa support to the student. The visa is issued for a year with the possibility of extension for another year.
Taking into account the above, it may be much more promising for a future career to obtain or complete higher education at universities in the USA, Canada, Australia, and Singapore, where highly qualified foreign graduates are welcomed.
How to proceed
An A-level diploma or equivalent is required to enter a British university. Since the Russian certificate of complete secondary education is not such an equivalent, our graduate must undergo one-year or two-year pre-university training, for example, as part of the Foundation program. Now this preparatory program is available in almost all universities and is recognized by almost all universities, including those included in the Russel Group.
It must be borne in mind that the best universities in England are very selective in choosing students. The level of preparation of applicants is growing every year. Increasingly, to get into a prestigious university, top A-level scores are no longer enough; you also need to pass an interview and entrance tests in specialized subjects, and demonstrate why you are better than others (for example, what additional skills you have). For foreigners, knowledge of English is also an important factor (IELTS no lower than 6.5). Additional rules exist for admission to creative, medical and legal professions. In the first case, a portfolio of work will be required; for medicine, the BMAT or UCKAT exams are taken; some law faculties require the LNAT test.
Applications for first-year studies at a British university are accepted centrally - through a special service UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admission Service). Applications from foreigners are accepted from September 1 to June 30. In the best universities in the UK, places are usually allocated before 15 January, and in Oxbridge and in medical specialties until 15 October. Based on intermediate assessments, you can receive a conditional offer. To turn it into an unconditional offer, final exam results and/or an interview are required. Universities in England also have a procedure for the summer selection of students for remaining unfilled places (clearing), and as the practice of recent years shows, this is not only the last chance for those who did not get into anywhere, but also an opportunity to reconsider their decision by choosing a more prestigious university (in most Russell Group universities now participate in the clearing procedure) or a more interesting program (tens of thousands of courses are offered). Thanks to this procedure, every year about 70 thousand applicants from the total number of enrolled students (more than 400 thousand) receive places at British universities.
From bachelor to doctor
Bachelor's programs at universities in England last only three years for most specialties. Therefore, when applying, the student must clearly understand what he wants to do in the future. And also clearly explain in a personal statement why he wants to study at this particular university and in this specialty, and how he can be useful to the university.
For those who have not yet decided on their specialization, it is better to go to Scotland. There, basic higher education lasts 4 years (as in the USA), and you can think about your future profession until the 3rd year. Sandwich courses that combine study and practice are also popular at Scottish universities.
A more accessible and economical option for us, foreigners, is to study at the best universities in England - a master's degree or any other postgraduate course. The study lasts, as a rule, a year and a half, the cost of the full course of study (excluding accommodation and living expenses) is from 15 to 40 thousand pounds, depending on the specialty and university. For admission, you need a bachelor's degree or specialist's diploma from a Russian university, IELTS 6.5 or more, a motivation letter, at least two recommendations (from a supervisor or employer) and a detailed curriculum of subjects completed in the bachelor's program. Documents are submitted directly to the selected universities. The best universities in England and individual faculties may also add entrance exams and interviews. For foreigners whose level of preparation is below the required level, UK universities offer a pre-master's program (pre-masters), which prepares them for studying at the second stage of higher education in the same way as the Foundation does at the first.
And finally, the last stage of higher education is doctoral studies. This is another three to four years of preparing a dissertation and participating in research projects. In addition to the classic Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), more professionally oriented doctoral degrees can be obtained at UK universities: DEd (Doctor of Science in Education), DEng (Doctor of Engineering), DBA (Doctor of Business Administration), DClinPsych (Doctor of Science in Education). clinical psychology), etc. The privilege of foreign doctoral students, unlike bachelors and masters, is the opportunity to stay in the country for a year after defending their dissertation to look for work.
UK higher education is considered the best in Europe. Thanks to their impeccable reputation, British universities attract outstanding scientists and specialists. The highest level of English education is well known to employers around the world, and a British degree allows you to build a successful international career. According to a 2013 QS study, employers rate the quality of higher education at England's top universities as the highest in the world.
We present to your attention an overview of UK universities by region, based on the TOP 200 of the QS World University Rankings® 2014.
Best Universities in Greater London
Greater London consists of the City and 32 metropolitan regions. In this smallest region of England, there are five universities included in the TOP 200 of the world rankings. One of them, Imperial College London, tops the ranking of UK universities.
The best in Greater London are:
- Imperial College London (No. 2 in the world ranking; No. 1 in the UK university ranking)
- University College London (No. 5 in the world ranking; No. 2 in the UK university ranking)
- King's College London (No. 16 in the world ranking; No. 3 in the UK university ranking)
- The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) (No. 71 in the world ranking; No. 11 in the UK university ranking)
- Queen Mary University of London (No. 98 in the world ranking; No. 17 in the UK university ranking)
Top Universities in South East England
The region of South East England borders Greater London. It was here, in the city of Oxford, that the first British university, the oldest English-speaking university in the world, the University of Oxford, appeared.
The best in South East England are:
- University of Oxford (No. 5 in the world ranking; No. 2 in the UK university ranking)
- The University of Southampton (No. 94 in the world ranking; No. 15 in the UK university ranking)
- The University of Sussex (No. 200 in the world ranking; No. 26 in the UK university ranking)
Top Universities in South West England
South West England is the largest region of the country, centered on the city of Bristol, which is home to the region's best university. In addition to it, two more universities are in the TOP 200 in the world.
The best in South West England are:
- University of Bristol (No. 29 in the world ranking; No. 5 in the UK university ranking)
- The University of Exeter (No. 161 in the world ranking; No. 23 in the UK university ranking)
- University of Bath (No. 179 in the world ranking; No. 25 in the UK university ranking)
Best Universities in West Midlands
The West Midlands is a region located on the border with Wales. Its capital and largest city is Birmingham. The world TOP 200 includes two universities in this region.
The best in the West Midlands are:
- The University of Warwick (No. 61 in the world ranking; No. 8 in the UK university ranking)
- University of Birmingham (No. 64 in the world ranking; No. 9 in the UK university ranking)
Top Universities in North West England
North West England is a region bordering Scotland and Wales and washed to the west by the Irish Sea. The largest cities in the region are Liverpool and Manchester.
The best in North West England are:
- The University of Manchester (No. 30 in the world ranking; No. 6 in the UK university ranking)
- The University of Liverpool (No. 123 in the world ranking; No. 19 in the UK university ranking)
- Lancaster University (No. 160 in the world ranking; No. 22 in the UK university ranking)
Top Universities in North East England
Northeast England borders Scotland and is washed in the northeast by the North Sea. The administrative center of the region is the city of Newcastle upon Tyne.
The best in North East England are:
- Durham University (No. 92 in the world ranking; No. 14 in the UK university ranking)
- Newcastle University (No. 127 in the world ranking; No. 20 in the UK university ranking)
Top Universities in Yorkshire and the Humber
Yorkshire and the Humber is a region in the east of England, the administrative center of which is the city of Leeds. Three universities in this region are in the TOP 200 in the world.
The best in Yorkshire and the Humber are:
- The University of Sheffield (No. 69 in the world ranking; No. 10 in the UK university ranking)
- University of Leeds (No. 97 in the world ranking; No. 16 in the UK university ranking)
- The University of York (No. 120 in the world ranking; No. 18 in the UK university ranking)
East Midlands
The East Midlands is a region in the east of England. The largest city is Nottingham. It is here that the best university in the region is located, which is also one of the hundred leading universities in the world.
Best University in the East Midlands:
- The University of Nottingham (No. 77 in the world ranking; No. 12 in the UK university ranking)
East Anglia
East Anglia is the region bordering Greater London. The administrative center is the city of Cambridge, world famous thanks to the University of Cambridge, which is considered one of the leaders both in the UK and throughout the world. Along with Imperial College London, it leads the ranking of universities in England.
Best University in East Anglia:
- University of Cambridge (No. 2 in the world ranking; No. 1 in the UK university ranking)
Top Universities in Scotland
Of the six first universities in Great Britain, four were founded in Scotland. After Oxford and Cambridge (England), universities were opened in Scotland in the cities of St. Andrews, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh. It is these four universities that now lead Scotland and are among the top 200 in the world.
The best in Scotland are:
- The University of Edinburgh (No. 17 in the world ranking; No. 4 in the UK university ranking)
- The University of Glasgow (No. 55 in the world ranking; No. 7 in the UK university ranking)
- The University of St Andrews (No. 88 in the world ranking; No. 13 in the UK university ranking)
- University of Aberdeen (No. 137 in the world ranking; No. 21 in the UK university ranking)
Top Universities in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland's top university is located in the region's capital. This is a public university that is part of the Russell group. It includes 20 leading UK research universities, including Cambridge and Oxford.
Best University in Northern Ireland:
- Queen's University Belfast (No. 170 in the world ranking; No. 24 in the UK university ranking).
Wales
The leading and largest university in Wales, Cardiff University, is part of the Russell Group. It includes three colleges - Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Biomedical and Biological Sciences; Physical Sciences and Engineering.
Best university in Wales:
- Cardiff University (No. 123 in the world ranking; No. 19 in the UK university ranking)
Traditional European higher education includes bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. In English universities, there are five undergraduate degrees: BA - Bachelor of Arts, BSc - Natural Sciences, EEng - Bachelor of Engineering, LLB - Bachelor of Laws and BM - Bachelor of Medicine. A bachelor's degree, which usually takes 3-3.5 years to obtain (in medicine up to 7 years), is a completed higher education that gives you the opportunity to start working.
A master's degree implies a deeper mastery of a specialty, in addition to the higher education already received. There are about a hundred master's programs in UK universities, which are divided into two main types - research and teaching. A master's degree, which usually takes 1 to 2 years to complete, allows you to improve your professional level and begin a scientific career.
Admission conditions
British universities have high requirements for applicants.
To enroll in a bachelor's degree after 11th grade in a Russian school, you need to complete the Foundation preparatory program to make up for the missing year. A graduate of an English school provides exam results for university preparation programs - A-Level / IB (International Baccalaureate).
The level of language proficiency for admission to a university for a bachelor's program must be at least 6.0 points on IELTS.
You can enroll in a master's program with a diploma from a Russian university, which is usually recommended to be supplemented with preparation for the Pre-Masters academic program, also aimed at improving the level of English proficiency.
Universities and specialties
UK universities offer a wide range of programs for international students - from business majors to multimedia. IQ Consultancy specialists will help you find out all the intricacies of studying at a particular university in a specific program and make your choice.
Language of instruction
Where else to study English if not in its historical homeland? A perfect British accent will be a welcome addition to your academic knowledge and correct grammar.
Obtaining a visa
Obtaining a visa to England, as you know, is not so easy; a student visa also has certain requirements. IQ Consultancy specialists will help you cope with all formalities, prepare and translate documents, including a visa letter, and, if necessary, improve your English skills.
Accommodation
On the institute campus or in a rented apartment.
Cost of education
The cost of studying at UK universities depends on the chosen educational institution, as well as on the faculty and specialty. Accommodation may be included.
The cost ranges from £9,500 to £34,000 for 1 year of study.
University ranking
According to the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), compiled by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, in 2014, 18 universities in England were included in the top 100 universities in the world, with 4 of them sharing places in the top ten.
The UK leads Europe in terms of prestigious business schools, 8 of which are in the top 50 in the world according to the Financial Times magazine rankings.