University education in the UK
A guide to universities in the UK
This section is intended to give Indian students a basic overview of the higher education system and the universities in the United Kingdom.
For a long time now, universities in the UK have been renowned for their ability to maintain excellent standards in the field of higher education, both in terms of course content and student welfare. Over 150 universities and colleges equipped with the latest facilities for teaching and research offer a wide range of courses. Every year students from all around the world throng the UK's universities and colleges, desirous of a better standard of higher education and greater career prospects. An added incentive for Indian students is that, unlike in other countries, most UK universities recognise India's 3-year graduation system.
Structure of the higher education system in the UK
Three types of entities impart higher education in the UK- colleges, universities and institutions of higher education. Non-university higher education institutes also provide degree and other post-graduate courses, but they have to fulfil certain criteria to attain university status.
The various qualifications offered by universities in the UK can be broadly classified into four divisions like degree courses, vocational training, diplomas and postgraduate courses. There are also sandwich courses whereby part-time work and real experience is sandwiched or interspersed between the course duration. While the first degree courses in arts and science are of 3-4 years duration, the diplomas and vocational courses are generally completed in 1-2 years with the Vocational and Technical Education Councils conferring the degree certificate. Postgraduate study may be in one of two forms - either as a work of independent research under supervision or a taught course lasting one or two years.
The primary qualification criterion for students aspiring to get into UK colleges and universities is a minimum band score of 4.5 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS) is the central organisation in the UK that processes admissions for entry.
There are several distinguished groups of universities in the UK. One of them is the 'Red Brick' group comprising the six universities in the industrial cities of Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool and Sheffield. These were founded in the Victorian era and achieved university status prior to World War II. The focus on practicality differentiated these universities from the other ancient and famous universities like Oxford and Cambridge.
There is also the collaboration of twenty British universities to form the 'Russell Group'. These institutions are the recipients of two-thirds of the government grant and contract funding. This allowance facilitates the research set-up in these universities.
Current Russell Group members
- University of Birmingham
- University of Bristol
- University of Cambridge
- Cardiff University
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Glasgow
- Imperial College London
- King's College London
- University of Leeds
- University of Liverpool
- London School of Economics and Political Science
- Newcastle University
- Queen's University Belfast
- University of Oxford
- University of Sheffield
- University of Southampton
- University College London
- University of Warwick
Student Welfare - a salient feature of UK Education
A common thread running through most of the top UK universities is student welfare, starting with accommodation. There are the "halls of residence" of the concerned university itself where students may rent a room after signing a binding agreement. If this is not suitable, then there is also the possibility of sharing private accommodation with other students. This is generally the cheaper option. Again, most universities have an accommodation office to help with the procedure.
On the educational front, there is the system of appointing personal tutors who will monitor academic progress and general welfare of their wards. Counsellors and advisers are also present to assist with finance, healthcare and other personal matters.
UK universities: Value-for-money
An attractive feature of studying in the UK is the cost-effectiveness of a lot of the postgraduate programs that last only for a year as compared to two in other parts of the world. This allows the opportunity to start working and consequently earning earlier. Also, thanks to the continual assessment by official bodies of the research and teaching standards of the universities and colleges, the degrees conferred by them and the qualifications earned by students in the UK are recognized worldwide.
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