The United Kingdom - World-class Masters and PhD programs
If recent hype can be believed it seems the UK is rivalling that of the USA as a preferred study destination for international students. TIM ROGERS looks at what the UK has to offer and talks with some postgraduate students to find out why they were attracted to studying and working in the UK
A 2008 survey of more than 11,000 international students from 143 countries, published in respected newspapers such as The Guardian, The Independent and the Times Higher Education, indicated that the number one position of the USA as the world’s most popular study destination is under serious threat for the first time. Some 140,000 international students are currently making the most of postgraduate opportunities in the United Kingdom. They come from over 200 countries with the largest national groups originating from the USA, Greece, China, France, Germany, Malaysia and India. There are more than 20,000 postgraduate courses available in the UK, covering a wide variety of subjects. Some are taught courses while others consist of a period of supervised research. The appeal of the UK So what is it about the UK that makes it such an attractive study destination for international students? According to current and former international students, the reasons are varied and touch on a unique combination of both studying and living in the UK. Nigar Baimova, from Azerbaijan and an alumna of Leeds University, offers some explanation: “While getting academic credits is really important, keep in mind the type of experience you want to have while in the UK. Realistically, time spent immersed in the culture, travelling and building relationships with locals will outweigh the time you spend hitting the books.” The academic and living environments in the UK offer a number of advantages for international students, not least the sheer variety of colleges and universities. With more than 160 institutions currently awarding Masters or PhD degrees, international students are faced with an unparalleled choice. City universities, such as those located in Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London or Manchester, exist in an urban setting, offering the student the opportunity to enjoy the resources of both the city and the university; campus institutions, such as East Anglia, Essex, Keele, Sussex and Warwick tend to be more self-contained, purpose-built and convenient. Quality of teaching Students can be assured that efforts are made to maintain the quality of UK higher education: the UK’s Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) oversees the quality of courses and academic standards. All higher education institutions are subject to checks, with quality ratings published for all to see. Many other international students select either a UK Masters or PhD program based on the quality of the teaching and research on offer and the learning methods that characterise the UK approach. Iker Urrutia from Spain, is studying for his Masters in Human Resource Management at the Thames Valley University with the aim of enhancing his career development opportunities. He joined as a part-time student in order to combine his studies with work as a human resource advisor at Aspect Software, which is sponsoring his studies. “If I compare this program with one I took in Spain, I find this course less theoretical and more critical,” he says. “Students are expected to think for themselves and not take for granted everything they are told, including the contents of the course.” “I think the advantages of studying a postgrad degree – the acquisition of new skills and increased employability – outweigh the stress and diminution of social life, so I’d definitely recommend it.” Sri Lankan Vikram Nataraj and Masters graduate of the London School of Economics echoes this: “The opportunity to study at the graduate level in a program focused on research-driven content was important. I preferred the learning style in the UK: small lectures with student-led tutorials and seminars. I have spent time with economists at the cutting-edge of their field, developing policies for central banks and gain insight into their research.”  Shorter course lengths A further element adding to the appeal of studying in the UK is the length of time it takes to complete a UK Masters or PhD program. Most Masters offered in the UK are one year or less, while PhD programs are generally completed after three years. For those international students investing their own funds to meet their tuition and living costs, the attraction is obvious: finishing a Masters degree in half the time it takes for students to complete the same degree in the USA, Canada or in many European countries greatly reduces all of the related costs and means that entry to the world of work is a year earlier. Genuine employment opportunities There is perhaps another, more significant, factor behind the increasing popularity of the UK as a study destination for international students. With the pressure of long-term skills shortages impacting on a number of sectors in the UK labour market, there is now a stronger relationship between those students graduating from Masters and PhD programs and the world of work in the UK. Developments in Scotland and, more recently, in the rest of the UK have enabled more international students to remain in the UK and work after graduation. The Fresh Talent initiative was launched by the Scottish Executive in 2004, and has already tempted 5,700 international students to stay in Scotland after graduation, many of whom have secured highly skilled positions in sectors as diverse as oil and gas production, fine art preservation and biotechnology. Carrie Ann Anderson is one such student. She graduated with her Masters in Museum and Gallery Studies from St Andrews University and says: “I think the Fresh Talent initiative has helped level off the job situation for people from abroad. Some employers don’t want to be involved in obtaining a work permit. I have been lucky because my area is a shortage subject so there are more work opportunities and people are more likely to accept me.” A similar scheme is being introduced in the UK. The International Graduates Scheme (IGS) will give more graduates of Masters and PhD programs the opportunity to work on completion of their degree. Although the labour market continues to be competitive in the UK, an increasing number of students are securing work. The opportunity to gain vital work experience adds an attractive element to the overall pull of UK Masters and PhD degrees. With a well-established university system and a reputation for quality, it’s easy to see why so many international students are putting the UK high on their list of study destinations. Coupled with an exciting social and cultural life, shorter graduate programs and new opportunities for graduate employment, the UK is certainly one of the places students should be considering for their Masters or PhD degrees. Courtesy - Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) - www.qsnetwork.com Source - www.topgradschool.com Add Comment CommentsYou may also like to read
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