Literacy Rate
The UK puts a high value on education and boasts a 99 percent literacy rate, according to the United Nations Association - UK. Among 34 countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the UK ranked 17th in terms of literacy and 15th for numeracy in 2019.
Academic Excellence
The United Kingdom is one of the world’s most popular destinations for overseas students to study higher education, with more than 500,000 international students enrolling each year. Including the students in the UK and the students enrolling in British courses overseas, the UK teaches over 1 million international students each year, and has reached every country on earth.
Studying in the UK is equivalent to studying at a world-renowned institution. The United Kingdom currently has six institutions in the Global University Rankings, with the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge both scoring 100 percent when it comes to their academic reputations.
In the 2021 QS World University Rankings, several UK institutions made it into the Top 50, out of more than 5,500 institutions evaluated. These are: University of Oxford (5th), University of Cambridge (7th), Imperial College London (8th), UCL (10th), University of Edinburgh (20th), University of Manchester (27th), King’s College London (31st), and the London School of Economics and Political Science (49th).Quality of Life
According to the OECD Better Life Index by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the United Kingdom ranks above the average in terms of education and skills, environmental quality, social connections, personal security, income and wealth, civic engagement, health status, jobs and earnings, and subjective well-being.
In Uswitch study on the quality of life, the United Kingdom ranked at fifth place among the 15 largest nations in Europe. The list looked at cost of living, technology and communications, health and well-being, and other factors. The UK also spent the most percentage of its GDP on culture and recreation.
Safety & Security
The UK is overall a safe place to live in. It has relatively low crime rates and a trusted police force. A vast majority of scholars spend a year in the UK without incident; however, crime is not unknown, and it’s always best to stay vigilant and not leave possessions unattended in bars, restaurants, or libraries.
When walking at night, a
student should plan the route and, if possible, stick to well-lit busy streets.
Cultural Diversity
The United Kingdom is open to new religions and cultures and has a very inclusive community. Whilst it does retain some long-held customs, such as maintaining a royal party, the United Kingdom has changed dramatically and has become much more cosmopolitan and multicultural. With London being a hub for many foreign students, the UK is seen as a destination of great diversity in the education sector.
Working whilst studying
International students in the UK are allowed to work up to 20 hours at maximum per week during term-time and full-time during holiday breaks. But there are many restrictions and conditions students must follow in order to be allowed to work. Generally, international students are able to work – or look for work – in the UK at any skill level for up to two years, or three years if they are a PhD graduate.
Eligibility to work in the UK whilst studying depends on two major restrictions: those set by universities, and those set by state-run official institutions. First and foremost, students must ensure that their work doesn’t keep them from their studies.
International students can easily find a part-time job in the UK, especially in big cities like London. Some colleges and universities may allow students to work only within the campus. However, international students cannot claim public funds (benefits) and pensions, work in certain jobs, for example as a professional sportsperson or sports coach, or be self-employed.