What is So Special About a British Education?
The majority of readers of this Blog will be international students (and their parents) considering studying at a British school or university. But why bother, what is so special about a British education? Why are there currently around 110,000 Chinese students studying at British Universities and why did I come here from Ukraine to be educated?
Reputation
Reputation without justification is simply ‘hype’. Fortunately, the repeated experience from the best British schools and universities is a consistently proven recipe for success for hundreds of years. Success not only in exam performance but in preparation for life. History and public awareness are all in their favour, the schools of Eton, Harrow, and the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge need little introduction around the world. I could not easily name any such schools in USA or Australia. While these names are the elite establishments, which many students naturally aspire towards, the other schools and universities at the next levels also benefit from their rich history and experience. The fact that 57 of the current world leaders or monarchs have a UK education should speak volumes. The US has only just matched this level of influence.
Education Standards
British Universities (specifically Oxford, Cambridge, St Andrews, Imperial College and UCL) consistently top the university league tables worldwide. This is based not only on academic performance and research output but also the student experience and value for money.
English Language Immersion
To study in English as a second language you will need to prove your skills before you arrive. However, after several years in the country, in a highly communicative environment, language skills cannot fail to improve exponentially in fluency and capability. The experience of our many dialects, hearing English spoken by other non-native speakers and daily exposure to the language, slang and abbreviations could plausibly be one of the most employable ‘qualifications’ you return home with.
Cultural Experience
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” as they say. The Houses of Parliament, Stratford on Avon and Salisbury Cathedral should all rightly be on your visit list but notwithstanding Brexit, the UK is really very close to European mainland and the delights of France, Italy and Spain are within easy reach. Recently British education expanded to include an international dimension: many universities offer a year of study aboard as part of an undergraduate degree. In partnership with leading European, Asian or North American universities, British universities offer students an opportunity to spend an immersive year at a different university.
Remaining in the UK, there are world renowned events whether it is Notting Hill carnival, the Edinburgh Fringe or the Oxford vs Cambridge Boat race – an unforgettable experiences. All countries have such events of course, but these are truly iconic and never that far away.
Surviving the Challenge
So far so good but as you probably already know it is not going to be easy. Apart from the administrative hurdles of visas and English tests, the admissions competition and the cost, there is the fact that you are a long way from home. You will have to solve the majority of your problems on your own, in a second language, but do seek guidance and support from tutors, other students, and relevant organizations.
However, thousands of international students do survive this trial every year and they are all the stronger for it. Tell any future education establishment or employer that you have studied in the UK and they are immediately impressed and for good reason. Furthermore, having graduated, students are now able to work for up to two years in the UK, to acquire valuable skills and practices which are universally transferable.
To Take Away
You can study in English in USA or Australia but it will be a very different experience academically, socially, and culturally, not to mention potentially more expensive than obtaining a UK qualification with all the benefits explained above. USA is also performing strongly across the board academically but do ponder whether a broader Liberal Arts curriculum suits you more than a more specialised British degree. I am biased as a product of the British education system but I see the UK as hard to beat at any level, as do most of my friends from abroad who studied here.
If you think I am wrong or have any questions – do get in touch!
