5 great reasons to study in the UK

Different study destinations have their unique advantages in terms of costs, scholarship opportunities, distance and what have you. Today I would be highlighting some great reasons why UK is a great study destination to consider.

The United Kingdom (UK) is made up of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. Each country has distinct regions with large cosmopolitan cities, towns, and countryside villages. 

My top 5 great reasons to study in the UK would be:

1. Closer to home: UK happens to be approximately 6 hours away from Nigeria and for many who do not enjoy long distance travels like me, it is the best place to study. It is also a natural transition for many pre-university students since most secondary schools in Nigeria run the British curriculum by taking the IGCSE in year 11/12.

2.  Home of English: I often say in a funny way that ‘England owns English’. If you are interested in improving your written and oral communication, then it’s the place to be. Don’t get me wrong, you can still improve your English in other countries like the US but in England you get to learn to speak English with the British accent - The Queens English (lol). Also, your class activities (at least mine did on the MBA) gives you the opportunity to make presentations which helps not only your oral communication skills but also your confidence.

3. Shorter study period: The UK runs a 3-year undergraduate programme and a 1-year postgraduate programme including an MBA. (To digress a bit, it’s spelt ‘programme’ in the UK not ‘program’ so also with many other words) Although for students coming in from abroad, you might be required to do a 2-year A’level programme, 2-year International Baccalaureate (IB) or 1-year international foundation year depending on your age, course of study and probably budget. This makes the total number of years 5 or 4 in some cases. However, there are some Universities that now accept students with WAEC only and such students would start from year 1 making it a 3-year programme. This definitely helps save not only time but money as well. (For more information on direct admissions into year 1, please email me)

4. International reputation and academic excellence: The UK has a reputation for world-class research and qualifications that are recognised by employers and academics all over the world. It also gives the opportunity to develop the skills, critical thinking, knowledge and connections to drive your career forward. Among the top Universities in the world, 3 out of 10 of the world’s top Universities are UK Universities. Facts from the British Council also have it that 38% of Nobel prize winners who studied abroad, studied in the UK. Consequently, it is estimated that one in seven world leaders studied in the UK including Mahatma Gandhi, Desmond Tutu, George Soros, and John F. Kennedy.

5. It’s truly international: Yes! The UK is truly international as you’d get to meet people of different cultures and colour. The UK has a long standing history of welcoming international students to study in its colleges and Universities and ranks the 2nd most preferred study destination after the USA. Canada is coming on strong as well but I guess it is comforting to know that you’d have good company here in the UK. My best friend on the MBA was Angolan and it was interesting to see that we had several similarities as Africans. I also had friends from India, Thailand and China.

That's a cross section of my classmates during a business lunch.

And there goes my 5 great reasons to study in the UK. I’d come your way again with the 5 reasons to study in the US. Till then, keep shining!

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