Reasons to Pursue a Bachelor's Degree in the UK

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Reasons to Pursue a Bachelor's Degree in the UK

When you are ready to start your undergraduate degree, you use a set of criteria unique to your career goals and dreams to choose the best option for you. You may also take into consideration things like cost or proximity to home. There are many reasons, however, to look outside your comfort zone and explore a Bachelor’s Degree in the United Kingdom. When you study abroad in the UK, your undergraduate degree not only has the potential to expand your worldview and globalize your networking circle, but also has many practical results, such as improving your marketability after graduation and saving you money on your education.

  • What is an Undergraduate Degree?

    An undergraduate degree is typically sought after a student graduates from high school. Some people seek an associate degree while others go right in to their BA or BS studies. You can start your college education in your own country, close to home and all the familiar experiences it affords, nestling in your home culture so you can focus on your basic course studies. At some point in your education, however, it is important to explore new ideas and expand your horizons. One of the goals of higher education is to stretch beyond what you already know. An easy way to do this is by studying abroad in the UK. When you move somewhere else, even temporarily, you cannot help being changed by it. This experience immerses you in a culture with both old world roots and modern conveniences. Your time in the classroom can introduce you to new instructional methods and ways of learning the things you will need to be successful in your chosen industry. Your adventures outside the classroom, whether you are exploring key historical sites or simply navigating how to get around and buy groceries, teach you valuable problem-solving skills and an appreciation of alternative perspectives that are hard to come by in any classroom setting.

  • Why go to the United Kingdom for Your Bachelor’s Degree?

    Even if you are set on pursuing education outside your home country, there are hundreds of places where you can expect to develop rich social skills and a more global mindset. Why should you choose the UK over all the other options available? Studying in the UK offers you a multicultural learning environment. Institutions of higher education in the UK boast a greater population of international students than almost any other region in the world. The number of students who flock to the area from countries far and wide rivals the influx of applicants to the US. You have the potential to meet up-and-comers in your industry from all over the world. Studying in a country that draws so many people from all over the globe takes networking to a whole new level. Another social benefit of choosing the Bachelor’s Degree program for your field in the UK is that while you are achieving your educational goals, you can also be brushing up on your language skills. English is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, and success in many fields depends on a working knowledge of the language. If English is not your first language, what better place to improve your grammar, syntax and understanding of linguistic nuances than the place from which the language originated? Many experts agree that immersing yourself in a culture where the language is almost exclusively spoken is the best way to practice, hone and test your skills. Your TOEFL and IELTS scores can give you a good idea of where you currently stand in regards to your English proficiency. Make sure you know the UK bachelor’s admission requirements for standardized measure of your English skills to see if you qualify for enrollment. If you have enough of a basic understanding of the language, the daily practice of being in the country while you earn your degree can speed up your path to fluency.

  • What Does a UK Bachelor’s Degree Mean to Employers?

    The same ways that being an undergraduate studying in the UK benefit you personally translate well to the global marketplace. Employers look for stand-out candidates who can approach a problem from multiple viewpoints in order to find the best solution. They may be impressed with the courage it takes to push the limits of fulfilling minimum requirements by deliberately choosing a richer college experience. Being fluent in multiple languages doesn’t hurt your career prospects, either. The skills you need to survive and thrive in the Bachelor’s Degree program in another country are not skills that the average student possesses upon graduation. Universities throughout the United Kingdom are known for being more hands-off in their instructional methods than comparable universities in other countries. This forces students to think independently and learn to be diligent in order to succeed. Those who have studied abroad tend to be more responsible overall, simply because the experience itself demands it. Employers often recognize these traits in those whose CV includes traveling elsewhere to complete their bachelor’s degrees.

  • What are the Practical Benefits of Studying in the UK?

    For many students, a large part of choosing the best Bachelor’s Degree path for themselves encompasses the practical aspects of getting a degree. They are concerned with how much earning a degree costs, how many years it takes to finish it and whether the types of Bachelor’s Degrees earned at the chosen university lead to a smooth or bumpy transition to graduate school. The average cost of a year of undergraduate work in the UK tends to be less than the equivalent coursework at most US private colleges and universities. For students who are trying to decide between the two countries for their studies, this can make the UK a more attractive option. Furthermore, if students want to get a job to help with expenses while they work on their degrees, it is far easier to do so in the United Kingdom. Students who are enrolled full-time at a university can work up to 20 hours a week during their school terms and perhaps even more in between sessions. Many students are also concerned with how long it takes to finish a Bachelor’s Degree-equivalent in the UK. With a few exceptions, many universities award a Bachelor’s Degree after only three years of study. Programs in the region tend to focus more on the student’s chosen field of study rather than a heavy load of basic coursework, so completing the degree is often faster than completing a comparable degree in the US. Some universities even offer a 2-year bachelor’s in the UK. This, in turn, makes the relative cost of a degree in the UK even more attractive, saving students the cost of a year or two of tuition. When you pursue an undergraduate degree in England, it is advisable to talk to academic counselors about your degree plan and the future prospects it enables. If, for example, you intend to go to graduate school in the US after your Bachelor’s Degree is awarded, you want to make sure you are working toward a goal that makes that transition smooth.

  • What are the Basic Bachelor’s Degree Requirements in the UK?

    While requirements from university to university vary, most UK bachelor’s admission requirements focus on similar things. Depending on the details of your high school education, you may need to complete a pathway course to be qualified to apply. As with schools in the US, there are often standardized admissions tests, such as the SAT, the scores of which must be submitted for proof of college readiness. To apply for admissions to an undergraduate program in the UK, you should complete a UCAS profile. On the website, you input the information colleges need to evaluate you during their admissions processes. To complete a UCAS application, gather your personal information, such as educational qualifications and financial background, and fill out the application on the website. You can apply for up to five courses of study, and your application can be shared with scouts from multiple universities that offer those courses. This application helps you streamline the process of applying for and choosing schools. Another important part of the UCAS application is your personal statement. It is your chance to explain exactly why you want to pursue your chosen course of study and why you would be a good candidate for a bachelor’s program in that field. To write a great personal statement, review course descriptions and attempt to match your qualifications and ambitions to the key elements of the descriptions. Try to keep the information general, as one application and thus one personal statement is likely to be read by multiple universities. You want to personalize your statement enough that you stand out as a candidate without alienating any university by making your expectations too specific. Studying abroad in the UK can be a rich, rewarding experience that increases your marketability to future employers and increases your earning potential. To explore your options or learn more, explore all the ways SchoolApply can help.

Levels Explained

  • Bachelor's


  • Master's


  • Pathway
