The UK has long been a dream destination for millions of international students around the world. Not only is it famous for its top-notch education system, but also for its safe, multicultural living environment and many attractive career opportunities after graduation. If you're wondering whether to study in the UK, let's explore the reasons why the UK is the first choice for international students!
According to the QS World University Rankings 2026, more than 1,500 universities worldwide have been evaluated and ranked. Among them, the UK is honored to have up to 17 universities in the Top 100, affirming its position as one of the leading global education centers.
With a population of only 0.86% of the world's population, the UK has made a huge contribution to human knowledge: nearly 15% of academic literature and 5% of global scientific research come from its universities. So, if you're wondering "should you study abroad in the UK" or wondering "is studying abroad good", the above numbers are the most obvious answer to the outstanding quality of education and prestige of the UK university system.
High Teaching Standards:
To ensure that the quality of training is always up to international standards, the UK has a Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) that is responsible for periodic assessments of universities and colleges across the country.
QAA conducts independent audits to ensure that all institutions meet rigorous, fair, and transparent teaching standards. This gives international students more peace of mind when considering whether studying in the UK is difficult or what preparation is needed to integrate into this high-quality learning environment.
Performance Evaluation:
QAA will evaluate the performance and quality of subjects while identifying best educational practices and sending feedback for improvement. Research standards are tested by higher education funding bodies in the UK. This ensures all students have access to the best quality of learning, research, and teaching regardless of the course they choose to pursue.
Degrees from UK schools will be recognized and appreciated globally, opening up good job opportunities for international students. Certainly, this will be the best ticket to the train to become a citizen across the globe.
With the current conditions of globalized economic development, owning a UK university degree will be warmly welcomed in most countries.
One of the hallmarks of UK education is that the study time is shorter than in many other countries. Typically, it only takes 3 years for students to complete their undergraduate degree and 1 year for a postgraduate program, instead of 4–6 years as in many other countries.
This will help you save significantly on tuition fees and living expenses, and enter the international labor market soon. As can be seen, this is a compelling reason when you are wondering whether to study in the UK.
If you're wondering if studying in the UK is difficult, the good news is that the UK has a wide range of scholarships and financial aids available to international students. Each year, more than 20,000 international students receive financial support from the UK government or prestigious universities.
Depending on your academic ability, you can receive a scholarship from 50% to 100% of the tuition fee. Some reputable sources to find scholarships include UKCISA, Postgraduate Studentships, and Prospects.
With such diverse and attractive support policies, you must have more reasons to affirm that studying in the UK is completely worth it!
Many of you are still wondering whether studying abroad is good or whether studying in the UK is difficult, especially when thinking about medical expenses abroad. The good news is that the UK has a very good social welfare system, in which international students enjoy comprehensive health care through the National Health System (NHS).
By simply paying the International Health Insurance (IHS) premium, students can get medical treatment and access medical services virtually free of charge — something that not all countries have.
This comprehensive welfare policy is one of the obvious reasons to answer the question of whether to study in the UK or why to study in the UK – because you will not only study in a top-class environment, but you will also get the same health care as a local citizen.
International students studying full-time undergraduate or postgraduate courses in the UK are legally allowed to study and work while studying. Specifically, you can work up to 20 hours/week during the semester and full-time during the holidays.
From April 2025, the minimum wage in the UK is £12.21 per hour for people aged 21 and over. If you do the right major or have experience, the income level can be higher, helping to offset the cost of living and gain valuable experience.
This policy offers many practical benefits, helping you to study and develop your skills at the same time, while also answering some of the questions about whether to study in the UK — as it is not only a learning opportunity, but also a journey to prepare for an international career.
According to the UK's Graduate Route policy, international students after graduating with a bachelor's or master's degree are allowed to stay in the UK for up to 2 years to work or find a job. Doctoral (PhD) graduates can stay for up to 3 years.
This policy helps international students have more time to gain international experience, expand career opportunities and increase the possibility of transferring to long-term visas such as the Skilled Worker Visa if they want to settle in the UK permanently.
See more: [POCKET NOW] 13+ Experiences to study in the UK for Vietnamese students
After completing the course in the UK, the question "should I study in the UK" is partly answered through income opportunities. According to the HESA, first-tier graduates in the UK earn a median income of £29,900 five years after graduating. For top schools or specific disciplines such as "mathematical sciences", the income can reach around £48,500 after five years. In addition, with visa policies such as the Graduate Route, international students can stay in the UK for 2 years (bachelor's/master's level) or 3 years (PhD) to work and find a job. However, you need to note: the income figure varies greatly depending on the industry, school, work area, and experience; Not all investment levels ensure high income.
Currently, the Tier 4 General and Tier 4 Child visas have been replaced by the Student Route and Child Student Route. The new visa approval system applies a scale of 70 points (instead of 40 as before), with the specific calculation method as follows:
CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies): 50 points – confirmation that the student is approved by the university, meets the course requirements and educational level.
English proficiency: 10 points.
Finance: 10 points.
For the Child Student Route, the total score is also 70, including:
CAS: 50 points.
Finance: 20 points.
The highlight is that international students can apply for a visa as early as 6 months before the admission date, making the preparation process much more proactive and time-saving than before (only 1–3 months).
Thanks to these improvements, applying for a UK student visa has become more convenient, faster and easier, helping international students to prepare for their study journey in the UK with peace of mind.
Learn more: UK student visa
If you're still wondering if you should study in the UK, the last reason is sure to make you more excited than ever. The UK is ideally located, conveniently connected to major European countries such as France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany—just about 1 hour away. As a result, international students can completely travel to Europe on weekends while still ensuring their study and work schedules.
Especially, when you already have a UK student visa, applying for a visa to other countries in Europe becomes much easier and faster, helping you freely explore world-famous cultures, cuisines and landscapes.
With outstanding advantages in terms of quality of education, career opportunities and an open visa policy, studying in the UK is definitely a worthwhile choice for the future.
If you are still wondering whether you should study in the UK or not, sign up for a free consultation with IDP to get the most effective support from experts to choose a school, field of study and prepare the most effective UK student visa application.
Contact IDP today to make your dream of studying in the UK a reality!