Country Overview

UK education are recognized and respected throughout the world. Your UK qualification will be a solid foundation for building your future, boosting your career and prospects for a higher salary. UK universities, colleges and schools will provide a vibrant, creative and challenging environment in which to develop your 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.

Climate
As United Kingdom is an island country surrounded by Atlantic Ocean, North Sea, English Channel and Irish Sea, it has a diverse climate. A good advice for the international students is to get prepared for anything. The weather may vary from day to day; therefore it is difficult to predict the climate in UK. Generally the climate in UK is called as ‘temperature maritime’, which signifies that the temperature in winter will not be less than 0ºC and in summer it doesn’t exceed 30ºC. July will be the warmest month and January/February will be the coldest months. Be organized for rain at any time in between the year, bwith waterproof coats, warm shoes and sweater or jumper.

Education System

Education system in UK is similar to that of India and Australia, since these two countries follow theirs!

There are more than three thousand educational institutions that welcome international students in the UK. You can choose from a variety of routes through the education and training system, combining different types of course according to your needs and abilities. Many courses can also be taken through distance learning in your home country.

There are currently more than 10,000 Indian students studying in UK universities and colleges.

The sheer variety of specializations means you will be able to find a course that suits your real interests, your ambitions and passions. For example, in the UK, you could specialize in anything from computer games programming, ocean engineering, music technology, meteorology or underwater photography to multimedia design, anthropology, women's studies, hotel management or dance.

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. For full details, see: Permanent Residency. (to provide link to ‘Permanent Residency part in the same section)

Work Prospects

Thanks to changes in work regulations, international students in the UK can now work up to twenty hours a week when studying and full time during vacations.

After completion of education in England, you are allowed to stay back for up to ONE YEAR, under the 'Prime Minister's Initiative' announced recently. During this time, you may try for obtaining a work permit - to work in UK.

In Scotland, one may stay back for TWO YEARS, after completion of their program.