Why do Indian Students Choose the United Kingdom?

The United Kingdom has been a very attractive study destination for a lot of prospective students throughout the decades of the twenty-first millennium. With over 1 lakh students (1,36,921 to be exact) in 2023, a growth of a whopping 274% from 2019 (36,612). However, an investment in foreign education is no small deal, as such, it prerequisites the answers to numerous questions that will concern prospective students or their parents.

So, Why study abroad? Pursuing education in a foreign nation has numerous benefits. In the modern globalised world, the best ideas tend to be nurtured in cosmopolitan spaces. Exposure to international diversity allows an individual to cultivate inspirations with the help of ideas that may not be common to the home country. Cross-cultural collaboration is what has given rise to most of modernity as a whole; From social media websites, to transport infrastructure like Uber, even the future of sustainability is a direct result of international communities working together.

Why the UK?

It is a result of a lot of factors. With around a million international students travelling every year to the UK, it is a hub for the aforementioned cosmopolitanism, as students find themselves mingling with students from America to Malaysia. This international exposure presents an immense opportunity for networking, helping students be one step ahead in kick starting their career.

Apart from the diverse cultural experience provided by British cities and educational institutions, we also find other practical reasons that elevate the student experience;

So, How is the Quality of Education?

The United Kingdom is known for its quality of education. Home to universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, London School of Economics and Edinburgh, the country is host to a strong education portfolio that is accessible to students around the globe. From accredited Law degrees to an MBA, the degrees awarded by British universities are recognised worldwide, thereby being a major milestone in any graduate’s CVs.

It has also become one of the key countries that invest heavily in emerging sentiments and technologies. The United Kingdom implements sustainability policies in every aspect of its governance and politics, while universities such as UCL (University College London) and Oxford are heavily funding Artificial Intelligence based research. It is also important to note that almost all universities in the UK are government funded, as such, the institutions are consistent in their quality of education regardless of their global rankings.

What about Language Accessibility?

English as a language itself is another major reason. With it being spoken by approximately 1.5 billion people (making it the most spoken language), it becomes the central point of connection for speakers of any other language. Anyone with a working capacity for English will therefore find themselves comfortably communicating with anyone within the U.K.

In student spaces, particularly, social groups (be it professional or friendly) can be fostered with everyone enrolled in the university. There will never be a language barrier to joining co-curricular clubs, nor will there be a hindrance in participating in student led events.

This language accessibility also allows students to work in customer facing jobs more often, which is particularly helpful when they are looking to financially support their education through part-time jobs which often tend to require interacting with customers. As such, students will not be limited to any technical jobs that may require them to be bound behind the scenes, and instead, will get the opportunity to make their presence heard by management and consumers.

What Kind of Support Systems to Expect?

The universities are further supplemented by strong student support systems that cater to the diverse needs of every individual. On the job side of things, UK universities have strong career cells that guide the student on placement years, as well as provide curated job opportunities available on the career site for both the enrolled and the alumni.

Institutions also have strong infrastructure that support students with special needs. Differently abled students can avail a myriad of services such as scribes in order to help them unleash their full potential. Considerations are also made for students who may struggle with their mental health, or even temporary crises, allowing for concessions in regard to submission deadlines.

In Conclusion

Studying abroad is a major decision that requires a fair bit of due consideration. It is an investment not only of capital but also time and effort. However, the opportunities that are afforded by a foreign curriculum can help any individual increase their potential through international collaboration and networking.

The United Kingdom is a prime destination for students, particularly from India, due to the language accessibility that speaking English provides, allowing individuals to interact with, and form strong connections with, students from across the globe. The student experience is further elevated with robust support systems that help with both counselling and concessions.