7 benefits of studying in the UK

PTE Author
PTE Author
Image- UK, 1080px
Reading time: 5 minutes

Students around the world have long been drawn to study in the UK. And, it’s for a good reason. The UK is known for its world-class education, diversity, and bustling student cities – making it a great place to study abroad. 

In recent years, the UK has also announced more incentives to attract international students – such as visa changes and friendlier immigration policies. Overall, it hopes to recruit 600,000 international students per year by 2030. In 2019/2020, international university students made up 22% of the student population! 

So, why should you consider studying in the UK? In this article, we’ll explore 7 benefits and how studying at a UK university can help prepare you for the future.

1. The UK is home to top universities 

UK universities are among the most respected in the world. In fact, according to QS World University Rankings 2021, eight UK universities are ranked among the top 50 universities globally. They are: 

Universities in the UK are well-known for their R&D capabilities, medicine, and arts and humanities courses – and there are more than 100 universities to choose from. To see which universities in the UK excel in your specific area of study, QS World University Rankings also breaks down universities by subject.  

2. It’s incredibly diverse 

Fourteen percent of the population in the UK was born abroad, about 9.5 million people. This means international students who move overseas to the UK could have the opportunity to learn about numerous different cultures and make friends with people from around the world. This is especially true if you’re moving to London, where 35% of the population was born outside the UK. Even more, you’ll also likely be able to stay closely connected with your own culture, through attending community events or visiting restaurants that serve food from home – things that can help with homesickness and culture shock.

3. There is support for overseas students 

There is plenty of support for international students in the UK. This might be online, through your university, or through the local government. For example, each university has an office set up to address international students’ needs, and answer questions about tuition, housing, and academic support, etc. You can also be in touch with this office before you apply to a university.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs, which is an advisory body for international students, boasts lots of great information on their website for international students, as well – including resources on mental health support, housing, working, and immigration. They also have a hotline you can call with questions. Learn more here.  

You might be interested in our articles: scholarships for international students in the UK and UK loans for international students. 

4. Studying in the UK will improve your English skills 

What better place to practice your English than England, where the language originated from? By studying in the UK, you’ll get the chance to hear numerous different British accents – including English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh, all of which might sound distinct in different regions.  

Since the UK is so diverse, you’ll also be exposed to different English accents from around the globe, giving you a real-world listening experience you might not get at home.

5. There are job opportunities after graduation 

This March, the government announced they’d soon open up applications for the Graduate route – a move that’s set to attract even more students to study in the UK. Starting in July, international bachelor’s and master’s students will be able to apply to stay for 2 more years after graduation, while international doctorate students can stay for 3 years. This makes it easier for new professionals to settle and begin their careers in the UK. 

There are also lots of career opportunities, especially if you work in a job on the UK’s Shortage Occupation List. In the UK, there is a shortage of nurses, pharmacists, teachers, engineers – and more – and the government actively recruits professionals for these positions from abroad.  

Learn more:  The great UK skills shortage – 5 occupations that can help you move abroad 

6. It’s a great place to live

So, what’s it like to live in the UK? According to the OECD Better Life Index, pretty good. People in the UK ranked their general satisfaction with life a 6.8 out of 10 (which is higher than the OECD average). The UK also ranks above average in things like jobs, education and skills, and social connections – all things that may be important to international students.

7. Finally, you’ll have a lot of fun 

From London to Glasgow, to Manchester, to Nottingham, the UK is home to a whole range of great student cities for international students to explore.

You might want to enjoy the UK’s pub culture through university student nights or visit your new city’s world-class art galleries and museums. You’ll get the chance to tour centuries-old castles, and explore landscapes, cliff sides, and picturesque towns. Most of all, you’ll get to meet friends from around the world – and with them, enjoy all the UK has to offer. 

PTE Academic can help you get started on your journey to the UK. Our English language test is accepted by 99% of UK universities as proof of English proficiency. 

Learn more about the PTE Academic test, and how you can start preparing today.

Related Content

  • [Asset] US nurses
    Why more and more nurses are choosing the US to accelerate their career
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 6 minutes

    The US has the largest number of nurses globally, and half of all the English-speaking nurses in the world work in the US.  

    But faced with a national shortage that continues to grow, the US has been welcoming nurses from around the world to keep its healthcare system ticking.  

    Higher salaries, good working conditions, and the ability to bring family have made it a top destination for international nurses looking for a new chapter.   

    We explore what’s behind the nursing shortage and why more and more nurses are choosing to call the US home.  

    Why is there a nursing shortage in the US?  

    The combination of an aging population and increased healthcare needs after Covid means that there aren’t enough nurses in the US to meet patient demand.  

    Many experienced nurses are also retiring, with almost a quarter of Registered Nurses (RNs) having stepped down or planning to retire in the next five years, according to a 2022 national survey.  

    There’s a shortage of nursing educators too; nursing schools had to turn away almost 66,0000 applicants in 2023 because they didn’t have enough teaching staff.  

    The result is that hospitals and healthcare facilities are actively recruiting international nurses to fill critical gaps, offering a stable and secure career path for nurses willing to relocate to the US. 

    How many nursing job openings are there in the US

    There are almost 4.7 million registered nurses in the US.

    That number is projected to grow by almost 10%, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, who predict that there will be almost 200,000 vacancies for Registered Nurses each year between 2020 and 2030.  

    Where do international nurses come from?  

    The number of nurses relocating to the US has tripled since 1994, and around 8% of current Registered Nurses were educated outside of the US.   

    The Philippines (29%) and Jamaica (29%) are the top countries Registered Nurses have relocated from, followed by India (19%).  

    Quickly part of the team, almost 90% of international nurses say they feel accepted by patients and nursing colleagues.  

    Why do nurses choose the US? 

    For many international nurses, moving to the US means better professional and personal resources and different ways to specialize, train and focus their careers.  

    Higher salaries 

    The US is known for offering some of the highest rates of pay for nurses globally.  

    On average, Registered Nurses earn just under $95,000 a year (c.$45 an hour), with the top 10% of nurses earning over $132,000 annually.  

    The states with the highest mean annual salaries for nurses are California ($137,690) and New York ($106,620).   

    Many US healthcare facilities also offer sign-on bonuses and retention bonuses. 

    Better benefits 

    The financial benefits of nursing in the US go beyond the salary. US employers provide comprehensive compensation packages that include healthcare coverage for nurses and their families, pensions, paid sick leave and vacation days.   

    Over a quarter of employers also provide childcare, with 10% providing their nursing staff with help repaying student loans. 

    Ability to bring family 

    There’s a myth that moving to the US means leaving your family behind. But with nurses in such high demand, spouses and children under 21 are allowed to accompany nurses to the US — even on a H-1B Registered Nurse temporary visa.  

    Those dependents on a H-4 visa are able to apply to work in the US, with the opportunity for the whole family to become US citizens if you progress to the employment-based EB-3 permanent residency visa, or “Green Card” as it’s better known. 

    Flexibility with the nurse licensure compact 

    Another advantage of working as a nurse in the US is the flexibility of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).  

    From large urban hospitals in Dallas to rural clinics in North Dakota, this multistate license allows nurses to practice in any of the 42 jurisdictions, finding the setting that best suits their expertise, family, and lifestyle.  

    Opportunities to specialize 

    Whether it’s pediatric care, oncology, critical care, or advanced practice nursing, the US healthcare system provides many opportunities for nurses to specialize.  

    Hospitals and healthcare institutions in the US often have training programs to help nurses achieve their specialization goals and gain hands-on experience with the most advanced medical technology and procedures.  

    Being able to specialize in the areas that are of special interest not only boosts job satisfaction, but it also unlocks opportunities for higher pay and stepping up the career ladder. 

    Career advancement and leadership roles 

    For those interested in a leadership role, there are many different options within US nursing, such as Nurse Managers, Directors of Nursing, or Chief Nursing Officers.  

    These positions not only come with higher salaries but also provide the opportunity to influence healthcare policies, mentor the next generation of nursing professionals, and improve patient care on a broader scale.  

    Professional and personal opportunities

    Relocating to the US offers nurses a whole host of professional and personal opportunities.  

    In high demand, international nurses are valued by healthcare employers, with high wages, great benefits, and opportunities to take their nursing career in the direction that interests them most.  

    Thinking of making the move? Take that first step with PTE Academic — the faster, fairer, simpler way to evidence your English skills.   

    PTE Academic covers all four skills in just a single two-hour test, so test takers don’t need to worry about taking a separate speaking test with a human examiner. PTE Academic is a computer-based test and so test takers are judged purely on their English skills. Not their accent, their age, their outfit or their appearance.  

    Accepted by the major US nursing bodies, find out more about how PTE can help you start your new chapter in the US.

  • [Asset] Student studying on sofa
    Practice for PTE Academic with this mock-test plan!
    By PTE Author

    We have all been there; it’s normal to be full of nerves before a test, with uncertainty of what to expect, and doubts about how you’re going to perform. 

    However, whilst nerves and anticipation are an unavoidable part of the testing experience, there are ways to reduce this when preparing for your PTE test, so you can grow in confidence before test day and achieve your desired score.

    At PTE, we are all about doing it worry-free!  

    And to do it worry-free, you need to know what’s coming up and familiarise yourself with the PTE test.

    Here are 4 ways you can start your PTE preparation and get the practice in, so you are confident for when test day comes. 

    1. Familiarize yourself with the test and what’s expected:

    A great way to prepare is to know all about what you can expect on test day. We have lots of resources available on our Preparation page. We'd recommend that you explore this section of our site and gather any top tips that you can from our range of free resources, also known as our A-Z of PTE. This includes a run-through of each question type as well as a video of what to expect on test day, which you can also watch below on this page!

  • Image, international student, 800px
    How to book your PTE exam
    By PTE Author

    Are you booking PTE for the first time? Do you know which of our PTE tests is right for you? No worries, we will guide you through the booking process.