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Category: Academics – Guides & Insights for UK Study Paths

Top 5 Reasons to Study in the UK | The UK Study Expert

Posted on by Jackie Christopher

When I first announced my plans to come to the UK for university, the general consensus from my family and friends in the US was that they were supportive, but also confused. The idea of me going so far away for school shocked people for many reasons, and I found myself getting the question “but why England?” constantly. Despite the mixed reactions I received, I wouldn’t change anything about my decision to come to University of Sheffield, and here’s why.

 

1. It’s cheaper! (I’m not kidding)

If you’re reading this from the US, especially if you’re a high school student, you know how expensive university in the US can really be. When you think about people who go abroad for school, generally you think about how expensive it must be, but I chose University of Sheffield partially because of how affordable it is! The length of a normal bachelors course in the UK is 3 years, rather than 4 which is a whole year less of tuition! In addition, my tuition in the UK is £19,000/year ($21,000 USD). I ended up getting a merit scholarship from the school so I am only paying £8,800/year ($12,000 USD) for 3 years, which, in my opinion, is incredible considering that going out of state for university in the US generally costs more than $12,000/year.

 

2. You study what you want and ONLY what you want

One of the most refreshing things about the UK education system was that I was finally free from required subjects. Now, of course, there are still mandatory classes within the departments, but the days of taking math, science, and history when all I wanted to do was study philosophy and politics were finally over!

Being at a UK university really allowed me to immerse myself in my selected subjects. While I watched my friends struggle in their required university level physics and algebra classes, I was enjoying the classes I picked for myself, none of which included ANY equations.

 

3. Central location and international community

The UK, being a small island, is an amazing port of travel into Europe and other surrounding areas. Opportunities for travel, and a global perspective were the things that initially prompted me to look abroad for college, and the UK does travel and public transport very well. The train system in the UK is a breath of fresh air for someone who has no interest in driving in England. In addition, domestic and international flights can be found dirt cheap (compared to US prices) and the amazing community of international students allows for meaningful connections and exchanges which ultimately help broaden horizons and build trust and a global community.

 

4. The *aesthetic*

I wouldn’t be true to myself if I didn’t admit that part of why I chose England was the scenery. As a girl from the New Mexico desert, home was a place where greenery was rare and exciting, and rain was almost nonexistent. Because of this, when I arrived in the UK, even small things like seeing fog, forests, moss, etc. made me happy. The whole experience of being a student in England feels like I am permanently living in a cozy autumn movie, which I LOVE. And the green trees, gray skies, and rainy days are all part of that experience.

 

5. A new perspective

There’s nothing like picking up your life and moving to another country where you know no one to give you a new perspective on life. First off, it forces you out of your comfort zone. Everything is a new experience, from grocery shopping to school to trying to understand the man with a thick Yorkshire accent who just said something you couldn’t quite make out. If there’s one thing you can be sure of, choosing to study and/or complete your degree in another country will definitely change you for the better. Your plane ticket comes with a one way ticket to a new lease on life and a new understanding of the world, in my opinion, it’s 100% worth it.

 

Charlotte Flores is a current student at University of Sheffield originally from Las Cruces, New Mexico. She is currently studying BA Politics and Philosophy and plans to graduate in 2022.

 

 

5 Reasons to Study STEM in the UK

Posted on by Jackie Christopher

From Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin to major scientific discoveries such as penicillin and the structure of DNA, and engineering innovations including the steam locomotive, the jet engine and the World Wide Web, the UK has a long and proud history in science and technology. But why might studying a STEM degree in the UK today be a good option?

 

Here’s 5 reasons why it could be an excellent place for you to study a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics:

 

1.     Quality and style of university education

 

For a relatively small island, the UK really punches above its weight when it comes to academic quality. Our universities consistently feature strongly across a range of rankings, including in the QS Subject Rankings for Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences and Medicine, and Natural Sciences, as well four UK universities placing in the top 10 in the world over-all, and numerous others in the top 100.

 

But rankings are just a small part of the story. UK universities utilize a variety of innovative teaching techniques, designed to encourage independent and critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and self-motivation – all key qualities when it comes to the STEM fields. With access to practical labs, students will be working on real-world problems with many university programmes being designed with industry collaboration and STEM careers in mind.

 

2.     Research powerhouse

 

If you’re considering a degree in STEM, then access to research is often high on the list of priorities. Universities are at the heart of UK STEM research and our academic staff include some of the world’s most renowned scientists, medics, and engineers. The strength of this research has never been more evident than the work carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic – from epidemiologists advising national and international governments, to developing advanced technologies for rapid testing, as well vaccine development. UK universities were at the forefront of tackling the pandemic, with four UK universities collectively contributing to nearly one-third of all published papers on COVID-19.

 

Many of our university researchers are directly involved teaching so as a student you get to experience their expertise first-hand in your lecturers, seminars and reading materials. Hands on experience of research is also key to studying STEM in the UK with many degrees in this area involving a research project at both undergraduate and graduate level. Additionally some universities offer schemes such as the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP) or the International Research Opportunities Programme (IROP) as a chance to gain first-hand experience of life in a research lab under expert supervision.

 

3.     International outlook and experience

 

Innovations in science and technology do not lend themselves to working in isolation, and what better environment to learn to work collaboratively than one that is internationally diverse. When you study at a university in the UK, you won’t just be gaining a British perspective. The UK university sector is incredibly diverse with over 20% of our students and staff coming from overseas, providing you the opportunity to gain new outlooks from international academics and to tap into fresh thinking from your peers who represent some of the most talented minds from around the world.  The people you’ll meet and the connections you’ll make will become your global network well beyond your university years.

 

UK universities also pride themselves on international collaboration, whether that’s though partnerships, student exchanges or joint research projects, and this cooperation carries through into the wider research landscape. In 2018, 55% of UK publications were the result of international collaboration, compared to the world average of 21%.

 

4.     Specialized (and often shorter!) degrees

 

Mad about mathematics? Eager to be an engineer? Convinced science is for you? Well, the UK lets you dive straight into the subject you love from day without having to continue with the other subjects you don’t like so much. Applying to an undergrad programme in the UK means you apply directly to a major which you will study for the duration of your degree giving you a chance to delve deeper into the subject right from the start. Consequently, in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, Bachelor’s degrees are only three years in duration saving you time and most likely money.

 

Similarly for graduate students, a PhD in the UK is usually carried out in 3-4 years and Master’s degrees are usually only one year in duration allowing you to gain expertise in your field in a much shorter space of time and springboard you into your career….

 

5.     Employability and career options

 

And speaking of careers, taking that leap to study abroad will always look great on your resume but there are added opportunities available to give you a head start in your career with a UK degree. As an international student you are entitled to work off campus and this provides an excellent opportunity to gain experience and build professional networks through internships and placements particularly relevant to your chosen field – and be paid for it!

 

            And if you’re too busy enjoying all the other aspects of university life during your studies, international students who have successfully completed an undergraduate or graduate degree will be able to benefit from two (or three for PhDs) years’ work experience in the UK upon graduation, through the new Graduate Route.

 

 So, there’s some great reasons to start considering the UK as a destination to study a degree in STEM – now it’s just a question of which subject and where! With thousands of degree programmes ranging from the more general such as “Natural Sciences” to super specific like “Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering” and a range of universities across the country, you’re sure to find the right fit for you.

 

About the author

Catherine Eames is the International Student Recruitment Manager at Imperial College London, a global top 10 university and the only UK university to focus entirely on science, engineering, medicine and business. Catherine has been working in UK Higher Education and international student recruitment since 2008 and has been at Imperial College London for nine years.

 

Why I Left My Career to Study in the UK | UK Study Expert

Posted on by Jackie Christopher

Hi, I’m Nadia. And like you, back in 2012, I spent countless hours sitting at my work computer during lunch breaks scouring the internet for information on how to study a degree in the UK. I was Googling every topic under the sun, from university rankings to best UK cities for LGBTQ+ culture. I honestly had no idea what I was doing or what I was looking for, I just knew that somehow, some way, I was going to be studying in the UK by autumn of 2013. Enter Jackie Christopher.

 

I connected with Jackie through a mutual connection. She was the UK study expert having completed an undergraduate degree and graduate degree in the UK just a few years prior. Like me, she was kick starting her career in the education field. She had just completed the Education, Leadership and Management master’s program at the University of Roehampton in London and offered me a wealth of guidance and knowledge on all things related to studying in the UK.

 

Where I started…

 

I started my journey with Jackie at 29 years old. I was working a full-time job in higher education with benefits- you know, the type of job you are proud to announce on LinkedIn or gloat about in front of your siblings at family dinners. I was living in Boston Massachusetts, arguably the epicenter of American education with prestigious universities like Harvard and MIT. But even with a great job and all the glitz and glam of a young professional’s dream city, at the end of the day, I wasn’t happy.

 

I completed a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Suffolk University in Beacon Hill, Boston’s central district, in 2011. I spent many week nights cozying up to politicians and business folks alike at little hole in the wall bars studying away and grabbing a quick bite to eat after my 9-5 job and before evening classes. I was a traditional “parking lot to classroom” student meaning I spent as little time on campus as I could get away with whilst still, somehow by magic, maintaining a full-time career.

 

My master’s program at Suffolk was perfect for me at the time. I could take classes part-time in the evening working around my career. I met genuine lifelong friends and connections that helped me land nearly every future job I’ve had in my career since then. And through that program, I was admitted into Clemson University’s partner study abroad program where I completed a two-week long UK study abroad surveying the British Higher Education system. This is when I fell in love with the UK.

 

Why I chose to leave my full-time career to pursue UK study…

 

Studying abroad was always part of my education path. I completed a summer study abroad in history and classic studies in Greece as part of my undergraduate degree and knew, when entering graduate school, I wanted to go abroad again. When I found out the UK was an option for my program, I jumped at the chance. I figured if anything, at least studying in an English speaking country where I knew the language was already a step up from my time in Greece, where I knew not barely a simple tourist phrase in Greek. Talk about a long summer….

 

Outside the language similarities, I knew the prestigious reputation UK education held around the world. I knew it was comparable to the US, but really had no concept of exactly how it was different, or gasp!, even better, then what I knew or experienced in America. The primary reason I chose to leave my full-time (with benefits remember!) job and become a student again was simple: my career demanded it.

 

How having a UK degree really started my career… 

 

I had a degree in education and was working in the field, but I still felt like something was missing. Given how influential education abroad experiences were in my own development, my primary career goal was to obtain a job in study abroad. I wanted to share my passion and experience with future students. I felt like I had skills, abilities and mentorship to offer if only a university or college was willing to give me a chance.

 

I started applying to jobs and networking within the study abroad community and a theme emerged early and often from my peers- I needed a degree from an international university. Our field valued folks that practiced what they preached- people who took the initiative to push their boundaries, learn to integrate into a foreign culture and succeed in a non-American education system. My ability to get hired in study abroad was very contingent on my own willingness to get comfortable being uncomfortable– growing and learning in new ways I never considered when studying in the US education system.

 

My UK education is really what jump-started my career. A UK master’s degree was shorter and less expensive than my US degree and it brought so much value and validity to my resume that I didn’t realize was lacking. My UK master’s was a companion degree to my US master’s that forced me to not only look at how we do the things we do in education but why we do them.

 

My US master’s was a very hands-on degree, requiring two 300 hour internship experiences working in the education field, but my UK degree taught me the skills and mental discipline to undertake a year-long research exploration into an education topic that mattered to me. It was personal, academically rigorous and I am more proud of earning my final dissertation grade than any other academic accomplishment in my life.

 

How studying in the UK changed my life… 

 

I spent a year living, working and studying the same program and the same university Jackie completed a few years before me in London, England. I worked for a study abroad company helping fellow US students assimilate and thrive in UK culture. I grew and strengthened my student development and support skills exponentially in those 12 months- more so than any internship or full-time job I had to date.

 

Now, don’t get it twisted, I did a lot of FUN things during my time studying in the UK too- I wasn’t JUST a stuffy academic!. Being a little older with a slightly deeper savings account built up, I seized the opportunities to travel in and outside the UK, buy way more London theater tickets than I should have and celebrate my 30th birthday at Disneyland Paris. My wife and I had just gotten married at Disney before I started my British degree so celebrating my birthday AND our first year wedding anniversary in Disneyland Paris just seemed right.

 

I graduated from University of Roehampton in 2014. I returned to Boston from London and landed my dream job in study abroad, specifically helping students to study their full master’s or doctoral programs in the UK.

 

Hands down- I couldn’t have landed my dream job if it wasn’t for my UK degree. 

 

How it’s going now…

 

I’ve spent the past 10 plus years working with students in different roles across academia. I am now a career coach helping students design and build happy and fulfilling careers through authentic career coaching. My expertise includes career exploration guidance, resume writing, interview prep and LinkedIn profile optimization. My pronouns are She/ Her/ Hers and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I focus on how diverse identities impact and influence folks holistically and professionally.

 

I’m sharing my experience to show you that you can change your life, your career and your path at any age, with any level of experience. Studying in the UK was the best decision of my life and has opened my world up to people, places and possibilities I never imagined. I will always have a piece of my heart in London with my education abroad family and look forward to continuing to share my experience as a student, study abroad advisor and now career coach with you as a guest writer on this blog with my dear friend and longtime #1 UK Study Expert, Jackie Christopher.

 

If you’d like to connect with me or read more of my writing, please visit my LinkedIn Page. I’d love to hear from you.

 

First Things First.

Posted on by Jackie Christopher

Hi, I’m Jackie. I’m the Founder of The UK Study Expert.

I grew up in Philadelphia, PA. Coming from a lower middle-class family, traveling wasn’t something my family could afford to do regularly, especially internationally. When considering my options for college while I was still in high school, I felt compelled to step out of my comfort zone and explore a world beyond Philly.

 

Since out-of-state tuition was costly and I wasn’t a straight-A student, there was a strong chance that merit scholarships were out of the question. Imagine my surprise when a recruiter at a college fair told me that if I studied in the United Kingdom, I could earn my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just four years, all at an affordable rate. I was ecstatic at the thought that studying internationally could be a real possibility.

 

I went on to earn my bachelor’s degree in Education and Fine Art at Aberystwyth University in Wales. Afterwards, at 22 years old, I completed my master’s degree in Education, Leadership and Management at the University of Roehampton in London. I got so much more than just two degrees – I gained the experience of a lifetime. During my time studying abroad, I developed independence, a circle of lifelong friends, unforgettable memories, and cultural enrichment that forever shaped my perspective on travel, education, and the world.

 

Over the past 10 years, I’ve dedicated my career to helping American and international students alike find the perfect educational opportunities, both locally and internationally.

 

Why I Created The UK Study Expert

 

When I started my search, I was only given 3 UK universities to choose from. It’s not because there weren’t any options, it was because there were limited resources for me to find my best fit university. Now, there’s two types of search engines we created to help students find their best match universities!

The UK Study Expert UK University Match Quiz asks you questions about what degree you are interested in applying to (undergraduate or graduate), your interests, and academic profile. The quiz will then populate the top 5 UK universities that best match your profile.

 

The second resource we have is our UK University Search Engine. Students can choose the Undergraduate UK University Search Engine or the Postgraduate UK University Search Engine. Students can input their GPA, SAT scores, ACT scores, how many AP exams they have taken/will take, subject interest, and more. They can input as much information or as little of their academic profile and interests. Once added, the search engine will populate UK university options that match their interests and entry requirements. The goal for The UK Study Expert is to be the bridge between students, families, and college counselors to UK universities.

 

What To Expect On This Platform

 

There’s tons of information on the internet for students when it comes to studying abroad for a single semester, but finding information for students who want to earn their degree abroad can be a challenge. I hope that this website is your first and only step when finding UK universities and learning the processes up until you arrive in the UK. My goal is to help alleviate stress and answer questions to make your goal of earning your degree abroad a reality!

 

Don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected] for questions, collaborations, etc.