Estudar na Europa

Student Eddy doing turism in London

Why learn English in the UK?
Every year, an estimated 600,000 international students come to the United Kingdom to improve or perfect their English language skills.
Here are some of the benefits that learning English in the UK offers you:
Courses for all ages and abilities: It is thought that the UK has more English language courses than any other country. Come to the UK and you can learn English for your career, for educational purposes, or for fun. You can also study English on its own, or with other subjects at the same time.
Inspiring teaching and learning: In the UK, English language learning is about having fun and taking part. Instead of just listening to your teacher, your classes will involve games, problem-solving and discussions. You might also listen to songs, watch TV or read magazines to practise your comprehension skills. It might not feel like work at all!
Quality assured: Accredited UK English language centres are regularly inspected to ensure high standards of teaching, accommodation, welfare support and facilities.
The home of the English language: When you explore the UK you'll be surrounded by native speakers, so you can practise using the language in real-life situations. You will find that your skills improve enormously in a short time. You might even start dreaming in English after a few days!
Prepare for your future: English language skills are valued by employers, universities and colleges worldwide, and are a powerful tool in thousands of careers. Improving your English is a great investment in your future.
A unique cultural experience: Learning English in the UK is also an opportunity to make new friends from around the world, discover the UK’s culture and history, and explore beautiful countryside and cities. Find out more in our Living and studying in the UK section.
Plus, a recent global survey found that the British accent is considered the world's most attractive!
How about practising your English while finding out more about everything the UK has to offer? Check out these British Council resources – a series of short films, with exercises to test your understanding and help you to improve your English at home!

Higher education courses and qualifications

UK universities and colleges offer thousands of excellent courses, leading to qualifications that are respected by employers and academics worldwide. When you think of UK higher education qualifications, you might think of bachelor’s and master’s degrees, MBAs and PhDs. There are, however, many other types.

At undergraduate level the main qualifications offered are:

Bachelor’s or undergraduate degree: Academic study designed to help you gain a thorough understanding of a subject. Full-time, this normally takes three years to complete (four in some cases). There are different titles of degree, such as: Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Education (BEd) and Bachelor of Engineering (BEng).

Degrees are classified as either Ordinary or Honours – this can vary between universities and colleges. Generally an 'ordinary' or 'unclassified' degree may be awarded if a student has completed a full degree course but hasn't obtained the total required passes sufficient to merit a third-class honours degree. In Scotland, an 'ordinary' degree is usually a three-year full-time course, whereas an 'honours' degree is usually a four-year full-time course.

Foundation degree: The equivalent of the first two years of an honours degree, this may be studied full- or part-time, and consists of academic study integrated with relevant work-based learning undertaken with an employer. It may be studied as a standalone qualification or upon completion, you may progress to the final year of an honours degree.

Diploma of Higher Education: Two year, full-time DipHE courses are normally equivalent to the first two years of a degree and can often be used for entry to the third year of a related degree course. They can be academic, but are mainly linked to a particular job or profession such as nursing and social work.

Certificate of Higher Education: Focuses on either a particular job or profession, or academic study. Equivalent to the first year of a full honours degree, they are the most basic level of qualification that can be gained in higher education and show that you are capable of studying successfully at university level. You can use a CertHE to gain confidence to study successfully at university level, change careers or progress your current career, or to achieve a foundation degree, DipHE or full honours degree through additional study.

Higher National Diploma (HND): A two-year course which, if completed with high grades, can lead to the third year of a degree.

To read more about Foundation programmes, HNDs, DipHE and CertHE qualifications, see Shorter undergraduate courses.

At postgraduate level, the main qualifications offered are:

Master's degree. A master’s qualification allows you to further your knowledge in a particular subject, or to go in a completely different direction, using the skills you’ve gained from your undergraduate studies. A master’s degree is an academic qualification awarded to individuals who successfully demonstrate a higher level of expertise in a particular field of study. You can study one in almost any subject, but there are two main types of master’s: taught and research (see below).

Most master's courses lead to an MA (Master of Arts) or MSc (Master of Science) qualification, but there are also subject-specific qualifications including MEng (Master of Engineering), MFA (Master of Fine Arts), LLM (Master of Laws), MArch (Master of Architecture), and more. Courses leading to an MPhil (Master of Philosophy) qualification are research-led and often designed for students to progress to a PhD.

MBA courses. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is an internationally recognised qualification which gives you the skills you need for a successful management career. MBA courses cover topics such as business policy and strategy, operational and strategic management, marketing, market research, finance and accounting, IT, human resource management, leadership, entrepreneurship and international trade.

PhDs/doctorates. A Doctor of Philosophy, or doctorate (PhD/DPhil) is the highest academic level a student can achieve. These degrees are very demanding and often lead to careers in academia (as a lecturer or researcher). Doctorate courses can be applied for by students who achieve at least a 2:1 result at undergraduate level. Although you don’t necessarily need a master’s degree, it is usual practice to undertake one before a PhD.

Postgraduate diplomas and qualifications. For those wishing to continue their studies beyond an undergraduate degree, a variety of options are available. Postgrad certificates and diplomas allow students to study something new or build on the skills and knowledge already gained during their first degree.

Professional and vocational qualifications. A professional or vocational qualification is usually taken to improve skills or gain attributes required by specific jobs. Most awards will involve practical training, giving you the opportunity to experience a job first-hand.

Conversion courses. A conversion course is a vocational postgraduate qualification usually taken by graduates wanting to change subject area after their first degree and better prepare themselves for the job market.

Taught postgraduate programmes consist of a series of lectures or seminars, and are assessed through exams or coursework. Research postgraduate programmes require more in-depth independent study, usually over a period of two or three years. You then report on your research by writing it in the form of a thesis or dissertation.

Subjects and modules

Most higher education courses have a ‘modular’ structure. This means that you can build a personalised course by choosing modules or units of study from different subject areas. For example, if you are studying English literature, for your first year you could choose one module on Science fiction, one module on Children’s literature, and one module on Short stories.

If you are interested in more than one subject, you may be able to study a combination as part of your course, e.g. English literature and psychology. You can often decide for yourself how much time you would like to spend on each subject. ‘Joint’ means the two subjects are studied equally (50/50), ‘major/minor’ means the time spent is usually 75%/25%.

Work experience

Some courses include a year of working in industry – for example, working for a business, charity or public sector organisation. This will usually be for the third year of a degree course or the second year of an HND and, depending on the employer, may be full-time paid employment. The purpose of this is to introduce you to the world of work, while gaining valuable experience in a profession you might consider after completing your higher education course. Check your visa status allows you to do this before applying.

Study modes

Most full-time undergraduate courses take three years to complete (typically four years in Scotland). Full-time postgraduate courses can be from one year upwards.

Part-time courses are normally taken over a longer period, so that you can work alongside your studies or learn at a more relaxed pace. There is no set length of time for part-time courses – it varies from one course to another. If you need a visa to study in the UK, please check your immigration status allows you to do a part-time course at UK Visas and Immigration.

As well as studying on campus in the UK, you could choose to study outside the UK – for example, by distance learning or by joining a UK overseas campus. Find out more in our our Study for a UK qualification… outside the UK article.

The academic year

In the UK, the standard academic year starts in September or October and runs until June or July. Some courses are more flexible, however, and offer a range of start dates.

Have the adventure of a lifetime

Studying in the UK is a chance to discover its unique culture, cities and countryside. Across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, there’s so much to discover. Luckily, it is easy to travel around the UK, and to explore Europe from the UK.

Have a look at our Living and studying in the UK section for more inspiration, or click on the links below to read more about each topic.

The UK's countryside is truly beautiful. You’ll find snow-topped mountains and rolling green hills, flowery meadows and ancient forests, sandy beaches and deserted islands. Hiking and cycling are great ways to take in the breathtaking scenery.
There are many festivals and events throughout the year and across the country, from pancake races in Buckinghamshire to the world's largest arts festival in Edinburgh. Notting Hill Carnival in August is Europe's biggest street party, while Leicester's Diwali celebrations in October are some of the largest outside India. These are opportunities to experience the UK's multicultural heritage, as well as to enjoy food, music and dance in spectacular style.
The UK is passionate about sport. Most schools, colleges and universities run sport societies – such as football, yoga, dance, cricket, rugby, athletics and hockey. Joining is a great way to make friends. For adrenaline junkies, there are hundreds of outdoor activities you can try across the UK – such as surfing, mountain climbing, diving, kiting, horse riding, abseiling and even skiing! While you recover from your exercise, you can watch world-class sport events, such as Wimbledon, the FA Cup final or the Grand National horse race.
Music is the UK’s other national obsession. Across the UK, you will find hundreds of live music gigs each day – from pop, rock and dance to classical, folk, metal and jazz. In summer, nothing beats camping at a music festival. Grab your tent, your suncream and your raincoat (just in case). For a unique experience, try one of the UK’s many folk festivals for traditional music.
If you are a history lover, the UK is the place to be. Across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland you can see history all around you, and you are never far from an ancient castle, grand country house or picturesque old village.
There are hundreds of outstanding museums and art galleries too, hosting world-famous exhibitions and collections. Many are free of charge or offer good discounts for students.
If you’re interested in theatre and the performing arts, you will love events like the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland or Eisteddfod in Wales. No trip to the UK is complete, however, without going to a comedy night. Here you can experience the UK’s somewhat eccentric sense of humour – just don’t sit in the front row unless you want to become part of the act! Read more suggestions in Nightlife.
Find out more about UK culture and festivals

Visit the Visit Britain and Discover Northern Ireland websites.
Join Love GREAT Britain on Facebook for daily updates about new festivals, events and attractions.

Open the doors to your dream career

UK courses give you the skills, qualifications and connections you need to succeed in your chosen career.

Plus, UK degrees have a global reputation for quality and employers worldwide recognise a UK degree as a sign of high academic standards.

Don’t just take our word for it – research shows that a UK education can improve your career prospects, and even boost your earnings:

The 2013/14 QS World University Rankings found that employers worldwide consider UK graduates among the most 'employable'. From a global survey of 27,000 graduate employers, five UK universities were ranked in the top 10.
According to the Tracking International Graduate Outcomes study (BIS, 2011), UK-educated international graduates achieve markedly higher average salaries than if they had been educated at home.
Gain the qualifications, skills and experience that employers need

One of the reasons employers value UK qualifications is the focus on skills for the workplace. The UK in the top five in the world for university-industry collaboration (World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report 2014-15). Over two thirds (70%) of businesses in the UK have links with universities, with over a third (37%) partnering with universities for research and innovation (CBI/Pearson Education & Skills Survey 2014).

Many UK courses are designed in partnership with businesses and are taught by industry professionals, so you will gain real experience for your future career. Some courses give you the chance to do a work placement as part of your studies too, working for a business, charity or public sector organisation (check your visa status allows you to do this).

The UK’s location between the American and Asian time zones has helped it to become a global hub for business and industry. Many international financial institutions have their European or global headquarters here, so the opportunities for students and employees to build their experience are unparalleled. The UK is also the number 1 destination for inward investment in Europe (UKTI).

The UK teaching style helps you to develop attributes which are in high demand from employers worldwide – attributes such as creativity, innovation, teamwork and leadership.

The UK is a multicultural society, and UK campuses are international communities. By studying in the UK you’ll gain an international perspective, learn about new cultures and socialise with students and teachers from around the world – valuable experience for a career in an international company.

Many careers require professional qualifications. The UK offers thousands of courses leading to internationally-recognised qualifications in fields such as law, accountancy, medicine, engineering, childcare, teaching, marketing and more.

English language skills are a real boost to your career prospects. The UK is the world’s most popular destination for English language courses, catering for all ages and abilities. On a UK course, you will be immersed in the language and should find that your skills improve rapidly. You can even choose a course in business English, or English for specific careers such as law, technology or engineering.

Many UK higher education courses are shorter than in other countries. For example, bachelor's degrees typically take three years to complete (compared to four years or more in many countries), and most master's degrees take just one year. This means you can start your career sooner, getting a head start with real professional experience.

Find out more in our interviews with five graduates from India, Pakistan, Italy, China and Nigeria in this video – or click here for the full version.

Access career advice and support

Finding a job can be challenging! Fortunately, at UK schools, colleges and universities, you will find professional career advisers who are there to give you advice on how to plan your career, look for jobs, write your CV and prepare for interviews. There are also a number of other UK organisations offering excellent advice.

UK key facts

About the UK: The United Kingdom consists of England, Wales, Scotland (which together make up Great Britain) and Northern Ireland.

Capital cities: The capital city of the UK is London, which is also the capital of England. For Wales the capital is Cardiff, for Scotland it is Edinburgh, and for Northern Ireland it is Belfast.

Population: The population of the UK is estimated to be around 63 million (England: 53 million, Scotland: 5.3 million, Wales: 3 million, Northern Ireland: 1.8 million).

Land area: The UK is close to 95,000 square miles (245,000 square kilometres), stretching from the Shetland Islands off the north coast of Scotland, down to the Isles of Scilly in south west England, and across the sea to Northern Ireland.

Countryside: The UK’s long coastline is around 5,000 miles (8,000 kilometres). The geography ranges from green meadows and woodland to rugged moorland and mountains. The highest mountain is Ben Nevis in Scotland at just over 1,340 metres.

Heritage: The UK has a fascinating history dating back to 6500 BC. All over the UK you’ll find monuments marking its history, from Stonehenge to Buckingham Palace. The UK is also home to over 28 cultural and natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Heritage Cities including Edinburgh, Bath, Canterbury, Chester, Durham, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon and York.

Economy: The UK is one of the world’s leading business locations and the number one destination for inward investment in Europe. The UK is one of the top ten manufacturers in the world and has the largest industries in Europe for life sciences, ICT and the creative industries. Find out more at UK Trade & Investment.

Language: English is spoken throughout the UK, but there are other official languages too, such as Welsh, Scots and Gaelic.

Money: The currency of the UK is pounds sterling.

Religion: The main religion in the UK is Christianity. However, the UK is a multi-faith society where other religions are widely welcomed and accepted.

Government: The United Kingdom is a parliamentary democracy – this means the government is elected by the people. There is a general election once every five years. The Prime Minister leads the government with the support of the cabinet and ministers. The UK is a member of the European Union.

As well as the central UK government, there are three ‘devolved administrations’ for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. They are responsible for many domestic policy issues such as health, education, culture, the environment and transport. You can find out more at the gov.uk website.

The royal family: The Queen is Head of State in the United Kingdom. As a constitutional monarch, Her Majesty does not 'rule' the country, but the royal family fulfils important ceremonial and formal roles with respect to Government. Find out more at www.royal.gov.uk.

Law: There may be some differences between the law in your country and the law in the UK. For example, in the UK:

You must not use or carry any illegal drugs, including cannabis, ecstasy, L*D or amphetamines.
It is illegal to carry self-defence CS gas sprays, guns or stun guns. There are also very strict laws and penalties around carrying knives.
You must be aged 18 or over to buy to***co and alcohol.
You should never buy property that you think might be stolen, no matter how tempting it seems.
It is illegal to drive a car without the correct driving licence and without car insurance. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious offence. Find out more in this article: Travel in the UK
You can find out about UK law at the gov.uk website.

Student visas

Each year, thousands of international students successfully gain a visa to study in the United Kingdom. The UK government welcomes international students, and there is no limit on the number of student visas that can be issued.

UK immigration and visas are managed by the UK government’s Home Office. Please check the UK Visas and Immigration website for more information.

Do I need a visa to study in the UK?

This depends on your nationality and immigration status. Find out if you need a visa to study in the UK here: www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

When should I apply for a visa?

It is important to prepare and apply well before you intend to begin your course. Many students do not realise how long the process will take, and do not leave enough time. You can apply for a visa up to three months before the start of your course, but it’s a good idea to do your research and plan what you need to do before that, if you can.

Your application may require you to:

·produce documents showing your finances and qualifications

·attend an interview or enrol your biometric information

·take an English language test.

While there are no vaccination requirements for a visa, some institutions will require you to have certain vaccinations or – if you are coming from a tuberculosis high-risk area – a chest x-ray. Check with your institution, for example your university or college, to see what their requirements are.

You should get a decision on your visa within three weeks. Check the UK Visas and Immigration guide to processing times to find out how long it might take to get a visa in your country.

What kind of visa do I need?

The following two visas are suitable for students who want to do a short course or an English language course for up to 11 months:

·Short-term student visa: You can apply if you are aged 18 or over, and you want to study in the UK for up to six months. If you want to join an English language course, you can apply for an extended visa to stay for up to 11 months.

·Tier 4 (General) student visa: You can apply if you want to study in the UK and you are aged 16 or over, and meet certain eligibility requirements .

English language tests

Some students applying for a Tier 4 (General) visa may need to take an English language test as part of their application. Please note that UK Government guidelines and regulations on secure English language test (SELT) providers are subject to change. Depending on where you are from and the type of course you are doing, these changes may have an effect on the test you can take to meet visa requirements. It may also have an effect on any English language requirements set by your university or college.

Healthcare charges

If you are applying for a visa to come to the UK for more than six months you will need to pay an additional NHS health surcharge per year. This includes students applying from within the UK or from outside the UK.

For further details, including how this may affect any family members travelling with you, please see the UKCISA website.

See the Gov.uk website for full official information.

Where can I study with a UK visa?

The UK government aims to ensure that all universities, colleges, schools and language centres that teach international students are responsible institutions.

To be eligible for a UK study visa, you need to join a school, college or university that is approved by the UK government.

Some international students on a study visa can bring their dependents with them to the UK. Please see Bringing your family.

Can I work in the UK on a study visa?

Students: Many international students in the UK take a part-time job, work placement or internship alongside their studies. The hours and type of work you can carry out will depend on the type of visa and your sponsoring intitution, visit the UK Visas and Immigration website for further information.

What if I need to renew my Tier 4 visa application?

You may need to make a Tier 4 application while you are in the UK. For example, you may need to apply because

you need more time to complete your studies with your current Tier 4 sponsor
you are switching to a new Tier 4 sponsor
you are extending your stay in the UK to work as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer or as a Doctor or Dentist in training, or for the Doctorate Extension Scheme, all of which are done with Tier 4 leave
Check here on UKCISA for guidance on renewing your Tier 4 visa.

Can I work in the UK after I graduate?

Graduates: There are many options available to international students who want to stay and work in the UK after completing their studies.

Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK You may need a visa to come to the UK to visit, study or work.

Student Victoria!!
What are you studying at the University and are you enjoying it?
'I really like the diversity of my class and I have met people from lots of different nationalities: Indians, Nigerians, Chinese and more. Even though the people are from diverse backgrounds, I can relate to them better now.
'I really like the lecturers. To be honest, I had a shock when I arrived; because the teachers and lecturers asked us to call them by their first names. Naturally, I’m inclined to call a lecturer by his or her title, but here they don’t mind first names.
'I think it’s nice that they relate to you as a friend. It means that if I have a problem I can go to them directly and talk to them about it.
'During class we’re really encouraged to debate, and the lecturer will sometimes take a step back and let us talk to each other.'
What is the learning environment like? Was it an adjustment?
'Over here is a very multicultural place. In the first couple of weeks I met very few people, the student officer introduced me to few people from my country.
'At first, I was living with three Chinese girls and one Irish girl. In their cultures, I guess it isn’t really customary to greet all your flatmates in the morning and so at first I had to get used to that.
'There are really nice things here, like on the bus everyone says "Thank you” to the driver which I thought was funny and very polite. If you’re lost you can also grab a seat by the driver, and they will usually help you and tell you where to get off.
'Also, people here use nice terms like "my love" and "my dear" when they talk to you. You don’t do that in my country, because "my love" in my country means you actually love the person! I quite like it now that I am used to it because it makes me feel comfortable and like people are trying to be friendly.'
Are you finding the course challenging?
'It was a course I really wanted to do, and I do feel like I am getting more than I had expected.
'I originally studied information communications technology, so I specialise in databases and web based systems. It is quite interesting and now I’m deciding whether to go the business way, the technology way or the advanced databases way (in other words just working with data).
'The school here offers opportunities to do placements after the course so I could stay on and gain some experience.
'However, I could also go back home and use the information I have gathered here. You don’t have a lot of data mining companies in my country so there is definitely room for new businesses.
'Recently I attended a postgraduate event that was created by Manchester Metropolitan University, it was all about entrepreneurship and I learnt a lot.
'I’m part of the international society and I have also joined the computing society, which is all about bringing the different branches of technology together. We come together and learn from each other, which is really useful.'
What do you miss the most from your country?
'My family – I have quite a big one back home! But I will go back, this year on Christmas holidays.'
What are some of the things you have done outside of class since you arrived?
'I have been volunteering for the Green Impact Society, an environmental student group. As part of that I audited the library and one of the campuses at my university. The society has benchmarks on which we could grade them – so I was trying to get people to turn off their lights when they went to and from work and going around lecturers’ offices and inspecting who had and who hadn't turned the lights out. I found that in the UK people drink lots of tea so one task is making sure they don’t leave the kettle on!
'After the audit we wrote a report and published it, and we left notes for the guilty parties saying "Please try turn off your printer/kettle if you are going home for the weekend". We gave the report to the Green Impact society and the Sustainability Officer in charge'
What is your dream for the future and what would you most like to achieve?
'I want to see how data can be used in effective decision making. It’s amazing, here I can just plan things into my phone – in my country it’s difficult to plan ahead and know how long it will take you to get from point A to point B. Also the internet is very expensive in my country and not everyone has it.'
What is your best memory of the UK so far – the one you will tell your grandchildren about?
'In the very first few weeks, I got stuck in the lift. That’s not the good bit though! I was really impressed by the speed with which I was "rescued". It was amazing!
'I pressed the emergency button and almost immediately someone was talking to me and they were calming me down and said someone was coming, and then someone came really quickly. It made me realise how efficient things are here.'