History

As the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two World Wars and the Irish republic withdraw from the union. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, a founding member of NATO, and of the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy; it currently is weighing the degree of its integration with continental Europe. A member of the EU, it chose to remain outside the Economic and Monetary Union for the time being. Constitutional reform is also a significant issue in the UK. The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1999, but the latter was suspended until May 2007 due to wrangling over the peace process.

Economy

The UK, a leading trading power and financial center, is one of the quintet of trillion dollar economies of Western Europe. Over the past two decades, the government has greatly reduced public ownership and contained the growth of social welfare programs. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with less than 2% of the labor force. The UK has large coal, natural gas, and oil resources, but its oil and natural gas reserves are declining and the UK became a net importer of energy in 2005; energy industries now contribute about 4% to GDP. Services, particularly banking, insurance, and business services, account by far for the largest proportion of GDP while industry continues to decline in importance. Since emerging from recession in 1992, Britain's economy enjoyed the longest period of expansion on record during which time growth outpaced most of Western Europe. The global economic slowdown, tight credit, and falling home prices, however, pushed Britain back into recession in the latter half of 2008 and prompted the BROWN government to implement a number of new measures to stimulate the economy and stabilize the financial markets; these include part-nationalizing the banking system, cutting taxes, suspending public sector borrowing rules, and bringing forward public spending on capital projects. The Bank of England periodically coordinates interest rate moves with the European Central Bank, but Britain remains outside the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), and opinion polls show a majority of Britons oppose joining the euro.

Climate

Britain is an island country and the surrounding sea gives England a varied climate. We never know what the weather will be like from one day to the other. It can be sunny one day and rainy the next. It is difficult to predict the weather. In general UK experiences warm summers and cool winters. The summers are cooler than those on the continent, but the winters are milder. Overall, the climate is temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast.

Culture

There is a wide mix of cultures in the UK. In London there are foreign communities from most parts of the world. British people are usually tolerant to foreigners, and respect the freedom to have different opinions and beliefs. People usually feel free to express their own opinions and wear what they want. Don't expect people to agree with you all of the time. British people have a strong sense of humour, but it can be hard for foreigners to understand when someone is joking. People often avoid talking to strangers until they have been introduced, partly to avoid any possible embarrassment. Individual ideas are encouraged. Arts and music are creative. British people are often not so good at working as a group. People are quite modest. They do not like to complain directly: life is peaceful, but when there is poor service it is not challenged and changed.

Food

There is in fact a very wide variety of food available (both traditional British` food and international cuisine), especially in the bigger cities. There are many fresh ingredients which are delicious when cooked well. However, many busy people don't pay much attention to preparing food well and prefer instant meals. It is increasingly popular for British people get a takeaway or go to a restaurant instead of cooking at home, and often this is used as a chance to try different types of food. Most towns have an Indian restaurant, serving foods such as curry and chicken tikka masala. Chinese restaurants are also very common. Many people like Italian pizza and pasta dishes. Fast food restaurants often serve beef burgers or fried chicken. Fish and chip shops are still popular, especially in towns by the coast.

Job Market

In general, UK's job market is good . There are good opportunities for the new graduates, which are expected to rise by 16.4% in 2008 (As per Association of Graduate Recruiters). 41% of recruitment was in London, 10.3% were in South east. Finance, law, consulting and related activities are the popular graduate employment sectors in the capital, whereas health and social work are leading in other regions of UK. Many UK employers are looking for certain skills in,Management, Support services, Designing, Analysis, Finance etc. Therefore students looking for education in these fields can expect good career opportunities in UK. Very recently, there have been a few changes in the points-based system for migration to UK.

Tourism

United Kingdom is the beautiful tourist destination for any age group of people. It is the sixth biggest tourism place in the world. Every year around 30 million people visit United Kingdom and the nation has spent £ 21238 millions on tourism in 2007. It has many tourist attractions like Alton Tower and Buckingham Palace in London and many other beautiful experiences in Scotland and Wales. Cities like London, Edinburgh and Glasgow are prominent for food, pubs, and traditional approach. The tourism department of UK has facilities many services for the convenience of both international and domestic tourists. Many universities provide campus tours for their students.

Education System

UK education is recognized and respected throughout the world. The student’s UK qualification will be a solid foundation for building the student’s future, boosting his/her career and prospects for a higher salary. UK universities, colleges and schools will provide a vibrant, creative and challenging environment in which to develop his/her potential. Quality standards for UK institutions are among the best in the world. Universities, colleges and schools continually have to prove that their courses meet strict criteria. Many other countries are now trying to follow the example of the UK.

Like all UK education; UK postgraduate qualifications are respected and valued all over the world. A master's degree, PhD or MBA from a UK university will give students an edge over the competition. It will prove to employers that the students are capable of independent thought and self-discipline, used to conducting and analyzing.

The UK has two distinct education systems; one for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and one for Scotland. However, each is compatible with the other.The education system in the UK is different to that in many other countries.At the age of 16, British children take General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) examinations.Students then transfer to studying A-Levels which last for two years and qualify them for entry to university.Students tend to specialise in these courses and often study for three or four A-Levels.This means that degrees do not last as long in the UK as other countries.The system is broadly classified into the following four main categories:

Primary Education

Children in UK start their education with primary education at the age of 5 years. It is for 6 years and students will be educated up to the age of 11 at this level.Primary education in UK is sometimes divided into 2 parts – Infant/Nursery schools (age level 5-7) and junior schools (age level 7-11).

Secondary Education

Secondary education encompasses the next level of education between the age group of 11-16 years, which is similar to ‘High school’ in India. Here, students will be pursuing a common set of courses and take the GCSE exam conducted at the end of secondary education.

Nevertheless, many pupils in UK pursue additional 2 years of Advanced level of education (GCE A level) equivalent qualifications as sixth form students. They can also pursue Advanced Supplementary Level (GCE AS level) examsafter secondary education. International students often enter the education system at this point, e.g. taking an A-level course in preparation for further or higher education in the UK.

Further Education

This level covers (or similar to) post-16 courses that are similar to GCE A-level exams, where course may be either full-time or part-time and for any subject. This is the post-secondary level of education in UK. Pupils seeking admission in colleges or universities have to complete their further education. Usually it includes education for the pupil over 16 years of age with the certification of GCSE or equivalent of it. This is generally taught in FE colleges and later in community learning institutions.

Higher Education

Most higher education begins at the age of 18 at colleges or universities. Most international students will enter directly into the UK higher education system, after completing their home country’s equivalent to the UK’s ‘further education’. It requires above the standard of GCE A-level. For pupil without A-level exam have to take additional 1-year program, especially international students undertake this course as training of university course in UK. Here credits will be awarded for them towards student’s degree.

Undergraduate

An undergraduate degree normally takes three years to complete but can take longer if they include an industrial placement, an additional subject or a year abroad. They are also specialised from Year One.

Types of undergraduate degree include:

1. BSc (Bachelor of Science) - a science degree
2. BA (Bachelor of Arts) - an arts degree
3. BEng (Bachelor of Engineering) - an engineering degree
4. Undergraduate Degree with or without Honours (e.g B.Sc Hons) – three-year undergraduate degree including extra subjects studied at a deeper level, or of four-year duration with an year in the Industry, for practical training.

Postgraduate

Students who receive good grades in their undergraduate degrees may choose to take a Masters degree, which takes a minimum of one year to complete.

1. M Sc (Master of Science)
2. MA (Master of Arts)
3. M Ed (Master of Education)
4. LLM (Master of Law)
5. MBA (Master of Business Administration)

Taught Masters degrees

Taught Masters usually involve six months of intensive tuition followed by six months of project work which ends with a dissertation.

Masters degrees by research (M Phil)

Research degrees involve at least one year, sometimes more, of full-time research resulting in an examined thesis.

PhD

If you would like to continue to study for a PhD, you will have to conduct a minimum of two years' research after the award of your M Sc.

In some subject areas, a student may transfer from BSc/BA/BEng to PhD so that they follow a three year research programme for PhD without first obtaining a Masters degree.

Some courses are taught while others require research. Taught courses usually involve presentations, written course work such as marked essays, exams and dissertations. Classroom sessions are highly interactive, requiring student participation.

Notes to Consider:

1. Each level of education in the UK has diverse prerequisites that should be fulfilled for achieving next level entry
2. For getting admission in universities of UK, international students need to have minimum score on TOEFL/IELTS. Many universities disregard the English requirement for the students who scored 65% and above in English in their 10th and 12th standards

Education System in Scotland

1. Pre-school (3-4 years)
2. Primary school (5-12 years)
3. Secondary school (12-16/18 years)
4. Further education (16+)
5. Higher education (17/18+)
6. Community education (all ages)
7. Lifelong learning

Undergraduate degrees take three years to complete in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, while at Scottish universities they last four years. At the graduate level, a master's degree is normally earned in a single year, a research master's degree takes two years and a doctoral degree is often completed in three years.

Professional courses, such as medicine, veterinary medicine, law and teaching, usually are undertaken as five-year undergraduate degrees

Useful Links

1. Education in the UK
   www.educationuk.org
2. The British Council India
   www.britishcouncil.org.in
3. British High Commission in India
   www.ukinindia.org
4. Association of British Scholars - India
   www.abs-india.org
5. Undergraduate education in the UK
   www.ucas.ac.uk
6. Postgraduate education in the UK
   www.postgrad.hobsons.com
7. For research ratings
   www.hero.ac.uk/rae
8. For teaching quality assessments
   www.qaa.ac.uk/reviews/reports/subjIndex.asp
9. Access to FE college sites
   bubl.ac.uk/link/f/furthereducation.htm
10. British Accreditation Council for Independent Further and Higher Education
    www.the-bac.org
11. Dept for Education & Skills, UK (DfES)
    www.dfes.gov.uk
12. UKCOSA (Council for International Education)
    www.ukcosa.org.uk
13. Hobsons (educational publishers)
    www.hobsons.co.uk
14. Scottish Education and Training
    www.educationukscotland.org
15. Learn English the international language of the Internet
    www.learnenglish.org.uk
16. Culture Lab - role of British Science and engineering in the arts
    www.culturelab-uk.com
17. Building Partnerships in Education
    www.edulinkuk-india.org
18. Foreign And Commonwealth Office
    www.fco.gov.uk
19. Home Office Immigration & Nationality Directorate
    www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk
20. The National Academic Recognition Information Center for the United Kingdom
    www.naric.org.uk
21. Scholarships
    www.britishcouncil.org/India-scholarships.htm
22. Scottish Networks International
    www.scottishni.org
23. Short Courses
    www.hotcourses.com/ucas / www.floodlight.co.uk
24. UCAS-Universities and colleges with degree awarding powers
    www.dfes.gov.uk/recognisedukdegrees
25. Visas
    www.ukvisas.gov.uk
    www.visitbritain.com
26. Visiting the United Kingdom
    www.ukindia.org
    www.visitbritain.com
27. Vocational Education
    www.isda.org.uk
28. Work Permit
    www.workpermits.gov.uk
29. Weather Forecast
    www.bbc.co.uk/weather
30. Medical Help
    www.nhsdirect.com

Why UK Education?

Anyone opting for an education overseas is making one of the most important decisions in their life. Not just for the impact it has on your career prospects and long-term future, but also for the opportunities it gives you to experience new cultures, new customs and new ideas firsthand. So what does the UK have to offer international students?

Recognized and respected qualifications

UK qualifications are respected and valued all over the world. They'll give you an edge when you're competing for a job, proving to employers that you're capable of independent thought, research and self-discipline.

Value for Money

Studying in UK at various levels offer fantastic value for money and the sort of experience you can't put a price on: fully-stocked libraries, state-of-the art laboratories, ultramodern computer facilities and extensive research resources that will make a huge difference in your learning process./p>

Improves your English

UK is the ‘home’ of English language, which is the largest spoken one in the world. Wherever you go for education or employment, your skills in English language will be an indispensable asset. Gaining further qualifications from a UK institution is like learning swimming with an Olympic instructor teaching you.

Time Effective

Full-time postgraduate courses in the UK vary from one year to four years depending on the type of course The student choose the following will give The student a general idea of how long each type of course will take to complete:

One year courses - Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma, Master's degrees, MBAs

Two year courses -Some master's degrees

Three to four year courses - PhDs, New Route PhDs

Improve your job prospects

UK qualifications let employers know at a glance that you've got the skills they're looking for, putting you on the right track for a great job and a great salary: a year after graduating, less than five per cent of UK undergraduates are unemployed.

It's a multicultural experience

At a UK university you'll be mixing with people from all over the world, whose different backgrounds and new perspectives will add to your experience. More than 3,41,610 international students obtained UK qualifications at Bachelor’s and Master’s level in 2007-08, which is 20% of the total number of degrees awarded in entire UK.

Learn outside the classroom

Cultural events and festivals run all year round. There are world-class museums, attractions, art galleries and exhibitions and hundreds of castles, palaces and historical properties to enrich your experience and support your studies.

Travel

Want to make the most of your time in Britain? The national air, rail, coach and bus networks will get him/her almost anywhere in the UK - so the student won't need a car, as required in some countries. Discounts or special rates are generally available for students on most forms of transport. It's easy to see the rest of Europe. The Channel Tunnel, cheap flights and ferries mean that the students never too far away from the other great capital cities of the European mainland. The closeness of the rest of Europe means that many institutions offer work placements and periods of study there.

The Outdoors

Britain boasts 14 National Parks, 49 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and enough beautiful forests, beaches and mountains to satisfy any nature enthusiast. Cycle or walk from one side of Britain to the other on the Coast to Coast path or try extreme sports like white-water rafting, rock-climbing and hang-gliding. Make the most of your time

Here are just a few other ideas:

Visit a film location; go to a summer music festival; experience a unique UK event like cheese rolling; have a pint in a quiet country pub in the Cotswold's; run the London Marathon; visit an historic palace; go to a national park; surf in Cornwall…Whatever you do, enjoy! UK is just the right place for you.

Work After Study

Work Permit:

Student will have to find a graduate job offer with a sponsoring employer before your student visa expires. Although graduate employers hire all year round, some popular graduate programmes have a long recruitment cycle. You will need to begin your graduate job hunting early in your final year of study to maximise your chances of success with particular firms.

You need to pay attention to how UK graduate employers recruit, and in particular the skills and qualities sought on applications to ensure you are in a position to apply early. Focus upon ensuring your language ability is proficient for job applications and selection processes with employers.

The Tier 2 visa requires a minimum salary of £20,000 for the position, or higher, depending upon the UK Border Agency’s Codes of Practice. You'll need to ensure that you have a range of employability skills on offer, and apply early in order to secure a position that pays this salary if you wish to work in the UK after study

For more information on ‘Working in the UK’,