Study in UK

The United Kingdom of Great Britain or the United Kingdom or the UK as it is known in common parlance now comprises - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. There was a time when the East India Company and the British monarchy ruled over half the known world; setting up trading outposts, colonies and eventually leaving an English imprint on places as far spread out as Australia, India and the West Indies. Today Great Britain has a constitutional monarchy with her royal majesty - Queen Elizabeth II still inspiring the people of the country.
     
The UK is still a top-choice for Asian Students
As wine matures with age and tastes better - institutions like the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge have stood the test of time and continue to inspire and challenge students to become outstanding individuals and responsible citizens with their excellent courses. The UK has a strong Asian community with people of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan and Nepalese origin.
      
Why it makes sense to opt for the UK?
Still the very best for education in law, sciences, management and the humanities The finest research and teaching facilities Students can find affordable housing and lots of student hostels and home-stays are available Strong Asian community in most major cities in the UK for a 'feel of home' A degree from a reputed institution in the UK is a great achievement and is a 'great positive' on one's CV. A number of scholarships are offered by numerous organisations and universities The option to work part-time during classes and gain valuable work-experience Meritorious students can progress to a doctoral course and conduct research

QS World University Rankings:
In the latest QS World University Rankings, four institutions from the UK feature in the 'top-10 list'. They are:
  1. University of Cambridge - 3rd position internationally
  2. UCL - University College London - 4th position internationally
  3. Imperial College London - 5th position internationally
  4. University of Oxford - 6th position internationally
Though the United States of America still rules the roost with institutions in the 'top-10 list' institutions from the UK are going equally strong and going by recent trends a steady stream of Asian students are applying to institutions like Bangor University, University of Edinburgh, University of Dundee and the University of Glasgow. This trend is also linked to the fact that these cities are much less expensive when compared to living in London, Birmingham or Leeds.

Life in the UK
Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England all have their specific traits - depending on which institution and city you reside in the way of life could either be extremely hectic and busy say in London or gentle, relaxed and simple say while studying at Dundee or Bangor. The British are very private people; the calm, reserved nature should not be mistaken for arrogance. While travelling in 'The Tube' or the London Underground railway system; one can notice people standing and sitting methodically; lost in their own worlds, reading a book a newspaper or listening to music. It is very rare for strangers to make conversation in a public place; this is practically the exact opposite of the easy-going and friendly and frank nature of life in the USA.
Punctuality and the queue system are hallmarks of British life; one is expected to be on time for an appointment and it is considered impolite to be late without informing your host or the person whom you are scheduled to meet. The queues are methodical and display a sense of military-precision, be it a bank, railway station or an airport one has to wait for one's turn in queues. There is no shouting and jostling and manic shoving of people in queues that are a feature of the way of life in most South-Asian countries.
Places to Visit:
The UK offers a treasure-trove of places to visit for the intrepid traveller. Some popular places to visit in London are - Windsor Castle, London Zoo, London Bridge, The Tower of London, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Saint Paul's Cathedral and much more.
The best thing to do would be to get a London Pass a pre-paid card and get access to more than 60 popular tourist destinations in and around London. The card comes with various validity periods and is extremely useful for sight-seeing in London.
Scotland with its highlands and enchanting landscapes, distilleries and bagpipers playing tunes on their bagpipes dressed in their kilts; and Wales and Northern Ireland also have their own enchanting sight-seeing spots.

The Way Ahead:
Tighter immigration laws and an increase in tuition and accommodation costs have made the UK a bit less accessible than before and the UK is facing stiff competition from countries like Singapore and Malaysia which offer courses at a much lesser cost. In spite of all this, the allure of a British degree is too good and applicants to popular institutions like the London School of Economics, the College of Law and Brunel University continue to grow in number.