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UK
Education System
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British Education
has long attracted and welcomed high caliber students of different nationalities and
backgrounds, and today builds on hundreds of years of experience in providing quality
education to international students. To ensure that the quality is maintained, Britain has
implemented unrivalled quality assurance and academic audit systems. The university
departments are obliged to meet stringent standards by professional bodies. Standards are
high not just in teaching but in other facilities as well : Libraries, computers, research
equipment and living accommodation. |
British higher and
further education provides value for money by offering shorter, more intensive courses
than are available in many other countries, thereby reducing living expenses and time
spent away from home. Closely supervised study in an intellectually and culturally
stimulating environment, together with an emphasis on student welfare and close contact
between staff and students also ensures that individual students get maximum support and,
as a result, pass rates are high and the drop-out rate for international students is very
low. |
Britain has long
been a popular destination for Indian students. With more than 150 institutes of higher
education to choose from, all equipped with extensive facilities, Britain is able to offer
a broad spectrum of subjects from the highly academic to the purely practical in anything
from architecture to zoology.
For more details of the costs of education and living in UK and comparisons of costs of
education in UK with other countries, check out the Expenses & Fees for
International Students section.
Details about various Qualifications offered by UK Colleges and Universities: |
First Degree Courses in
Arts and Sciences (Bachelor's degree) are normally of three or four years'
duration and are largely taught courses, sometimes including the preparation of a short
written thesis.
Sandwich Courses
are where the coursework is accompanied by practical work. A student could either complete
2 years of college, then a year of commercial training before returning for a final year
in college. Or, he/she could do a 4-year course with 3-6 months’ training
interspersed each year. The main advantage is that the student gets real experience while
in the learning mode. Most universities offer this type of education.
Higher National Diploma
(HND) is awarded by Vocational and Technical Educational Councils. They offer a
2-year course in a vocational subject like scientific and technical business subjects.
Great emphasis is placed on work experience. It is often seen as the first step towards a
degree course as the credits can be transferred.
Vocational Courses
offer an opportunity to enter the university system slowly. Business and Technology
Education Council (BTEC), General Vocational Qualifications (GNVQ), General Scottish
Vocational Qualifications (GSVQ) offer recognized courses in a range of disciplines. Most
students opt to take 1-2 years of, for example, BTEC courses before being transferred to a
degree programme. BTEC national certificates/diplomas are usually accepted as an
alternative to A-Levels.
Postgraduate
study may take the form of an independent piece of research under supervision or a taught
course, and leads to a variety of degrees and awards. The taught courses normally last for
one or sometimes two years. Completion of a doctorate normally takes a minimum of three
years. Many post-experience courses are also available, either leading to a qualification
or providing a refresher course for graduates wishing to update or extend their knowledge.
Occasional students are admitted by some institutions in limited numbers. They attend
courses or undertake research, possibly for a period of one or two years. These courses do
not lead to any formal qualification or 'credit' although certificate of satisfactory
attendance may be given.
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