Academic excellence, globally recognised degrees, innovative teaching methodologies, and warm hospitality towards overseas students make the United Kingdom (UK) one of the most sought-after study abroad destinations around the world. In fact, 5,00,000+ international students enrolled in the UK in 2023, which is a 23.7% increase over the last year. So, if you aspire to pursue higher studies in the UK, let’s understand the UK higher education system through this guide.

Key Highlights

• Education system in the UK: A brief overview
• UK education system for international students
• Undergraduate programs
• Post-graduate programs
• Difference between colleges and universities
• Top 10 UK universities

• British education system: How is it different for Indian students?
• The credit system of the UK higher education system

 

Education system in the UK: A brief overview

Primary Education	The coursework is for students between the age group of 5-11 years. Students learn basic disciplines like Mathematics, Science, English, etc.
Secondary Education	It is meant for students between the age of 11-16 years. The secondary education provides knowledge of the core subjects that students study at the primary level.
Further Education (FE)	For students above the age of 16 years
Higher Education (HE)	Higher education is imparted through colleges and universities

 

The UK’s higher education system comprises different kinds of academic programs, such as undergraduate and post-graduate programs. For both programs, there are 3 academic intakes - Fall (September), Winter (January), and Summer (April). 

• Undergraduate programs: Students can study popular undergraduate degrees like Bachelor of Education (BEd), Bachelor of Science (BSc), etc., after completing their schooling. The general duration of the program is 3 years.

• Post-graduate programs: These programs offer in-depth knowledge of the chosen subject to make students career-ready.

 

Degrees included	Master’s degree (Research or Taught) Doctoral degree Post-graduate diploma Post-graduate Certificates of Education (PGCE)
Duration	·       Master’s degree – 1-3 years Doctoral - 3 to 4 years PG Certificates and Diplomas - 9 to 12 months
Popular Degrees	Master of Science (MSc) Master of Research (MRes) Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

 

You can even opt for integrated master’s programs that include both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a single course and take 4-5 years to complete. Kindly note that international students can study in the UK by opting for pathway programs as well. These are preparatory courses that help students to acquire the skills and required knowledge to get admission into UK universities.

• Difference between colleges and universities: In the US, there is no difference between college and university. However, the case is different in the UK. Here, Further Education (FE) institutions prepare students to obtain degrees, whereas a university is a certified Higher Education (HE) institution awarding a degree post-completion of the courses.

• Top 10 UK universities: The top UK universities, along with their Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings, are as follows:

 

Sr.No	Name of the University	QS World Rankings 2023	THE Rankings 2023
1	University of Cambridge	1	2
2	University of Oxford	2	1
3	Imperial College London	3	3
4	University College London	4	4
5	University of Edinburgh	5	5
6	University of Manchester	6	8
7	King’s College London	7	6
8	London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)	8	7
9	University of Bristol	9	9
10	The University of Warwick	10	11

 

The UK education system for Indian students is different in many ways. Some of the key differences are as follows:

	UK Education System	Indian Education System
Focus	Practical-based learning	Theory-based learning
Popular intakes	3 intakes per year	1 intake per year
Entrance exam for post-graduate courses	Centralised by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)	Universities conduct their entrance exams. National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts entrance exams for management and other courses

 

The credit system of the UK higher education system

Many UK universities use Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) to evaluate and record students’ performances. The CATS system enables students to transfer academic credits from one higher education institution to another. Each program has unique credit requirements. Generally, one credit is equal to 10 hours of study.

 

So, if you are willing to study in the UK but facing financial challenges, you can opt for education loans for study abroad programs. At Avanse Financial Services, we offer a customised education loan with benefits like 100% finance, quick sanctions, and flexible repayment options. Connect with us today to know more!