EDUCATION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR INDIAN STUDENTS
Study in UK
The United Kingdom, once the world's undisputed leader, is undergoing massive changes across all spectrum. The Brexit incident has not only shaken their economy but also disrupted their political stances. Their immigration policies have been tested with refugees pouring in from Syria, the Suda and Afghanistan to name a few. And yet the UK prevails. Keep calm and carry on was a rally cry during preparation for World War 2 and its a sentiment that the Brits have taken deeply to heart. Education in UK has always been highly sought after from all over the world and especially in India. Thousands of students from the subcontinent flock to the British education system every year and this is a trend that doesn't seem to be changing any time soon. The education sector in the UK is contributing a vast amount to the UK economy and is the second largest sector in the state.
The total number of international students attracted toward the UK Universities is a substantial influence to the bottom line of the education sector. In a study taken in the year 2013, it was revealed that International students paid around 10.2bn for living expenses and tuition fees in UK Universities during 2011-2012. The prime reason for a huge population of international students in the UK is mainly because UK does not put any cap on the number of international scholars, cementing its position as one of the educational hubs of the world. Today, Universities across the world are measured with the use of rankings, based on a multitude of factors ranging from accreditation, research grants, career placements and so on. The history of higher education in the UK goes back centuries, older than the sovereignty of most countries. The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English speaking countries having been set up in the 11th century. Not to be outdone, in the year 2009, the University of Cambridge celebrated its 800th anniversary.
The major expansion in the area of higher education in the UK took place in the 19th century, but a significant expansion was followed in 1992 during which the UK government passed Further and Higher Education Act , where university status was granted to 35 former polytechnic colleges and other institutions. The act abolished binary line, created national unitary funding councils, removed colleges of further education from local government control, and created quality assessment arrangements. In between 2001 to 2013 here were other 31 universities created in the country. These universities were referred as post 92 or modern universities but had a long history as vocational institutes. The UK education system allows its students to study wherever and whenever they want, choosing from a long lift of disciplines with options to specialize or remain an undeclared student of the general subject. Also the duration of higher education courses is comparatively shorter than other countries and thus saves both time and money to all who enroll.
[Read More: Top UK Universities to Study for Indian Students]
London: A Second Home to Indians
London is home to more than a half a million Indians has developed a huge Indian community. An Indian student would be delighted to find various societies, news, friends and events from his/her hometown whilst being on the other side of the globe. The unity of our diverse cultures is very well showcased in the foreign lands by the generations of expats who once called India home. A few places that Indian students might appreciate are:
- The Nehru Centre: A center for a variety of Indian cultural activities, art shows, and films
- Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan: An organization dedicated to developing Indian art and culture
- Shree Swaminarayan Temple: The largest Hindu temple outside India
- Vaisakhi Celebration: A pompous affair, celebrated every year in Trafalgar Square
- Indian Food: Varied Indian cuisine shops could be located throughout London
Latest Issues related to UK and their impacts
Brexit Impact
The Brexit issue is one of the hottest topic when it comes to Study in the UK, the after effects of which are still not clear. What disturbed most of the students most, is whether the UK will become more expensive after Brexit. The cost of study in an international institute depends on various factors. For the next two years, Jo Johnson, the Universities Minister Britain, assured that not many changes will be happening with regards to tuition fees for EU students. However, the international students outside EU are already paying at international rate.
[Read More: Best UK Scholarships for Indian Students]
The tuition fees would thus drop due to the devaluation of British currency but a lower number of scholarships might become the flip side of that coin. Another important aspect discussed due to Brexit is the stricter norms for admitting international students. The norms were not strict for students coming out of the European Union, but that will change as EU students will now also be considered under the international category. This might decrease the quota for international students from non-EU countries. With stiff competition from all sides, it is essential to start preparing for these admissions in advance to secure a seat in these institutes of learning.
