UK Bachelor's degree Archives

5 Reasons to Study STEM in the UK

Posted on September 28, 2021September 9, 2026 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 i n 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 vaccin e deve lopment. UK universities were at the forefront of tackling the pandemic, with four UK universities collectively contributing to nearly one-third of all pu blished papers on C OVID-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 Undergra duate Re search Opportunities Programme (UROP) or the Inter natio nal 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 o ur stude nts 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 Tis sue 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.

UK and US College Essay Differences

Posted on August 10, 2021September 9, 2026 by Jackie Christopher

Your college application essay, what the UK call the “personal statement”, can be a crucial component to being admitted into university. The US college essay and the UK personal statement are very different from each other. It’s important to understand the differences and and what to look out for before submitting your application.

Most US college essays require you to select a topic that may be structured around you as a person. From what I’ve seen, most US students tend to submit a creative writing piece of their life that’s emotive and how they overcame a particular situation. It can sometimes be triggering and very dramatic to grab the reader’s attention. In addition, students may be required to write supplemental essays about why you want to study at that school or academic field. Universities may use creative questions which allows the reader to understand their ability to think and engage. If you are applying to a large sum of colleges/universities, this can be very stressful and time consuming.

Creating a personal statement for a UK university is a very easy and straightforward process. What they are requiring is not a creative writing piece but more so of an understanding and clear idea of who you are, your academic skills, knowledge of the subject, why you chose the subject you want to study, and why you want to study in the UK.

If you are applying through UCAS, you are required to submit one essay with a limit of 4,000 characters, which roughly estimates to a few paragraphs. That’s right… one! This one essay will be sent to each individual university you are applying to, therefore, it’s very important to avoid listing the universities by name. You want to make the essay generalized so it applies to all the courses and universities.

Another difference is that they do not require different essay topics to choose from nor do they require supplemental essays. This should save you time when planning out to submit your application.

If you’re having a difficult time on how to write the essay, I always give these resources to help them through their journey. UCAS provides so many helpful personal statement resources. These are my favorites below:

UCAS Personal Statement Mind Map

UCAS Personal Statement Worksheet*

*Two important questions that are missing from this sheet is: ‘Why do you want to study in the UK? Why do you want to be an international student rather than study in your home country? Don’t forget to add these in as this is an essential part of who you are.

UCAS also has more helpful resources and inspiration that is worth checking out.

How The UK Study Expert Can Help You

Looking to find your best match UK university? Lucky for you, the UK Study Expert has taken the guesswork out of figuring out what each university requires with our handy dandy search tool. Or you can find your best university by taking our free UK University Quiz Match.

Need to speak to an advisor about studying in the UK? Check our Services webpage to see what the best available options are for your needs.

How US Employers Value International Study | UK Study Expert

Posted on June 24, 2021September 9, 2026 by Jackie Christopher

As a career coach, I partner with recruiters to help connect qualified students to hiring companies. I’ve had the fantastic personal experience of seeing how beneficial a UK education has been in my own career but how do US employers really view international study and work experience in the hiring process?

I recently sat down with Allison Walke and Briana Whitlow, who are both full-time recruiters experienced in hiring students for full-time entry level jobs, to better understand how international experience plays into the hiring process.

International Experience on Resumes

Having international study and work experience on your resume could be the difference in getting offered an interview or not. Employers always seek applicants with international experience. “Having international experience on your resume is a HUGE bonus. In my opinion, it demonstrates your interest in acquiring global skills and opening your eyes to different ways of life” explains Briana.

Allison says, “My international experience in Paris focused on luxury marketing. I took classes on how boutique brands market themselves, and even got to visit some of the brands to see that firsthand. I’m a big believer in tailoring your resume to the specific job you’re applying for. If a study abroad experience lines up well with that particular position, definitely include it.”

International Experience in Interviews

Always do your homework before an interview. Allison explains, “Prior to any interview, you should do some research on the company and the position – based on the job description, what are the skills they are most looking for in an ideal candidate? If you learned one of those skills through international experience, it’s a great chance to bring it up.”

If Your Abroad Experience Doesn’t Seem Relevant to Your Profession…

Every study abroad experience tells a story and getting hired into a role is a gauntlet of basically just telling stories. From the stories on your resume to what you say in an interview, it is important to understand how your experiences position yourself for each interview. Briana explains, “there are always transferable skills during a study abroad experience in some way, shape or form that can be connected to a job”.

Allison shares, “I was recently interviewing a Physical Therapist who had study abroad experience in Mexico on her resume. She talked about how she was able to learn and practice PT while there and discussed how the opportunity allowed her to become much more comfortable speaking Spanish, especially within the PT setting. This was the perfect time to bring up her international experience, as that’s a skill that not everyone has. It really helped set her apart and made her a more well-rounded candidate in my eyes”.

The “Don’ts” When Discussing International Experience

When asked about international experience, you should have a thought out, well crafted reply to why you did the experience and how you grew from it. Don’t come to an interview unprepared or worse, make your abroad experience look like an afterthought.

Allison says, “I’ve asked students about their experience before and they brush it off or downplay the experience.These kinds of answers make me feel like they just went on the trip for a vacation, which could make me think they are only interested in the job for the culture or perks. Instead, it’s best to talk about the relevant lessons learned [abroad] to show that you’re a serious and diverse candidate.

When discussing your international experience, be intentional with how you tell your story and don’t let the employer do the heavy lifting connecting your experience to the job you are applying for. Briana suggests being strategic, “tie it back into the role. Don’t spend too much time on one topic. If you think there are some things you learned during your study abroad experience that could help you in the job, connect the dots”.

The Comfort Zone and Soft Skills

International experiences show employers you are comfortable being uncomfortable and are willing to learn and grow. Allison shares her own personal experience, “while I was on my study abroad trip to Costa Rica, we had an afternoon in the rainforest where we had the option to go bungee jumping. It truly pushed me out of my comfort zone, and when things get hard, I still sometimes think about the courage it took to do that, and I know I can find that courage again to get through whatever difficult situation is in front of me”.

Other elements to bring up from your international experience are your soft skills. Briana says, “having experience in cultural understanding, effective communication, and empathy will help you navigate those partnerships (personally and professionally)”.

It’s All About Standing Out

Job market competition is at an all time high with the ease of online applications. The key to a successful job search is finding a way to stand out from the crowd. Briana suggests, “highlighting your study abroad experience and one or two key takeaways from this experience. Recruiters and hiring managers like to see the impact of your experience.”

She also recommends considering specific questions when preparing for interviews such as: How did your study abroad experience enhance your perspective of business operations? Do other cultures do things that you think would be beneficial to the way we do things in the states?

It’s all about standing out and having a uniquely diverse, global experience that can definitely separate you from the applicant pack.

About the Contributors

Allison Walke did three week-long trips to Montreal, Costa Rica, and Paris. She started her career in training and recruiting after graduating with a business degree from the University of Cincinnati. She loves being the person that extends someone their dream job, and that’s been especially rewarding during this year of uncertainty. When not working, she enjoys traveling to new places (she’s trying to visit all 50 states!) and exploring the latest restaurant in her hometown of Cincinnati.

Briana Whitlow studied abroad through the University of Cincinnati College of Business in a Real Estate Markets opportunity in London, England. As a Cleveland native with six years of Human Resources experience, three of those years as a Diversity & Inclusion practitioner, she is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Cincinnati Alumnae Chapter and sits on the Young Professionals board of Cincinnati Youth Collaborative..

About the Writer…

Hi! My name is Nadia and I help people design 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. Connect with on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/nadiaibrahim/ or visit me on Etsy as The Career Coach Shop!

Common App vs UCAS: Key Differences | The UK Study Expert

Posted on February 1, 2021September 9, 2026 by Jackie Christopher

(Updated March 2024)

Similar to my recent post regarding UCAS Application vs. UK Direct Applications, there is another process if you are interested in applying both to US and UK universities.

Students have the option to apply to UK universities via the Common App, but what is their best strategy based on their student’s needs? Below, we outline the distinctions between Common App and UCAS, helping you strategize effectively to give you the best results.

Before we get into the specifics, let’s explain the differences between these two applications:

UCAS is the centralized application system for all UK universities.
Common App is the centralized application system for US universities.

Comparing the differences, Common App allows you to apply up to 20 universities, however, you do need to be mindful of the costs per university submission. UCAS allows up to 5 UK universities and has a flat fee (£27.50).

Many UK universities have hopped on the bandwagon and added their institution to Common App. Why? To attract more US students by making the process simpler. Even though the Common App allows students to track all of their applications on one system, only 6% of UK universities are available on the platform. There are currently 19 UK universities listed on Common App.

UCAS dominates the UK university application system. If a student applied through both UCAS and Common App, it’s most likely because a student didn’t review all of their options before applying. They may have seen a UK university listed on Common App, added them, but then realized they found another UK university they want to apply to that’s not on Common App.

? Need help with your UCAS application? Get our UCAS Guide for $27

What if you have applied to UK universities both through UCAS and Common App?

There’s no policies or restrictions when applying to both; however, the biggest issue here is when you accept an offer.

Ashley Warmington, Senior International Officer from University of Glasgow explains, “Behind the scenes, every Common App turns into a UCAS application during processing. If a student applies and accepts their offer on the Common App, the admissions team will transfer their information to UCAS. If they find that their UCAS is already full with universities, it becomes an issue.”

If you accept two offers (one from Common App and the other UCAS), UCAS can notify both universities and reject your decision. This is similar to the recent blog post I have posted regarding direct UK university applications vs. UCAS here.

If you accept a university through Common App and you have used all 5 university options on UCAS, you could risk losing all of their offers on UCAS for their Common App choice.

Advice:

Below are some suggestions to weigh your options:

If you plan on applying to one or two universities in the UK that are listed on Common App and are also applying to US universities, then it’s best to utilize one platform and apply through Common App.
If you know that studying in the UK is your main focus, the UCAS application is the most preferred to use. It helps to separate your UK and US Applications. Since the Common App is a US application, UK universities find that students who apply directly through Common App are typically not prioritizing the UK, especially since there is no restriction on the amount of submissions. It’s easy to add another university application, such as a reach school, just to see if they can get accepted. Applying through UCAS/direct applications may help reduce application fees and response time. Plus, they will not request supplementary essays or information that the Common App usually requires.
If you apply through both UCAS and Common App systems, we recommend accepting one offer between the two. Disclaimer: If you accept an offer through Common App and you have used all university slots on UCAS, you may risk losing all of your offers on UCAS.

Common App UK Universities

Aberystwyth University

Anglia Ruskin University

Arts University Bournemouth, UK

Brunel University, London

Edinburgh Napier University

ESCP Business School

Swansea University

University of Aberdeen

University of Bradford

University of Dundee

University of East London

University of Glasgow

University of Plymouth

University of Roehampton

University of St. Andrew’s

University of Stirling

University of the West of England, Bristol

University of West London

University of Worchester

UK University Entry Requirements

If you are trying to find UK University’s US undergraduate entry requirements, look no further! You can use our Undergraduate Universities search tool to filter which university matches your academic profile. If you click on each university profile, it lists their US entry requirements.

University Search Tool

Need help figuring out your UCAS application? Check out our step-by-step UCAS Guide!

Get the UCAS Guide for $27

UK Week in the US hosted by the British Council

Posted on January 28, 2021September 9, 2026 by Jackie Christopher

The UK Week is integrated of a series of bite-sized videos that have been designed exclusively for US undergraduate and graduate students. By gaining access to this video playlist, you can watch on demand and hear directly from a range of universities from Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland. Students, parents and counselors can learn from a variety of topics about studying in the UK from ‘Study engineering in the UK’ to ‘Moving to the UK: Tips and Hacks’. A range of universities will be presenting, including:

University of Strathclyde

University of Westminster

Queen’s University Belfast

Leeds Arts University

Falmouth University

University of Lincoln

Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance

Liverpool Hope University

University of Birmingham

University of Manchester

Solent University, Southampton Solent University

University of Birmingham

Aberystwyth University

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Norwich University of Arts

Swansea University

University of South Wales

The British Council is a British organization founded by the British government specializing in international cultural and educational opportunities. The organization builds connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the English language.