Postgrad UK 2008/2009 - (Page 7) www.prospects.ac.uk/PostgradUK Advice and Information 7 The UK offers international students the opportunity to access world-class education and internationally recognised qualifications through intensive courses that are often shorter (students can complete a Masters in one year in the UK) than those offered by the USA or Australia, making a UK education excellent value for money. THE BIG PICTURE As well as quality and SUPPORT AND VALUE In the UK, the level of professional support given to students is just as important as the academic quality. Britain offers more support to international students than any other country, whether it is help with your study skills or assistance with your visa application. For example, almost 80% of visiting postgraduates attend an induction or orientation session when they arrive in Britain. In Australia, the equivalent number is only around 58% and in Canada, 44%. The two issues that international students are most concerned about before they arrive in Britain are accommodation and finances. Three quarters of international students are now offered accommodation when they arrive, and there are advisers available who can help you navigate the British banking system. The British government is also doing its bit. International students are now allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during term time. More information on this can be found on page 25. International students are a real asset and advantage to higher education in Britain, and universities and colleges across the country, not to mention individual students and staff, work very hard to welcome visiting students. support, students come to the UK for those added extras. Value, quality, support – these are all benefits you can enjoy while studying the course that interests you, whether it’s a postgraduate diploma in Aeronautical Engineering or a PhD in Latin verse poetry. A survey by UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) reveals that around nine in ten students were satisfied with their experience, with 89% of students satisfied with their stay in the UK and 87% of students satisfied with their course. International students are also very positive about the benefits of a UK education, rating academic experience, independence, meeting people from all over the world, improving English language skills and learning about the UK and other cultures as advantages. SOCIAL LIFE Learning and careers aside, UK and you would most likely grow wiser,’ says Nike. Universities themselves contain a huge variety of communities grouped around special interests or other common factors. There are faith groups and sports clubs. There are societies for people with a passion in anything from archaeology to zombie movies. And if the group for you does not exist, then you could always set one up. As Nike suggests, there is also a lot to be experienced outside the classroom. He chose to come to the UK because of the reputation of British universities, but also because it is a good base from which to travel. Weekends in Barcelona, Berlin and Budapest are all perfectly possible. You can fly to just about everywhere and you can even get the train from London to Paris. If this all seems daunting, remember that 25% of postgrads are international students, so there are plenty of people who are keen to meet new faces and make new friends. Study abroad helps to broaden horizons and can help students to acquire skills and knowledge, invaluable for securing high-quality employment. the social side of studying in the UK should not be overlooked. Nike Akinyele came from Nigeria to study an MSc in Economics. He found meeting people from different cultures to be one of the most rewarding parts of this experience. ‘Britain is a good place to study. It’s not all about the classroom. There are a number of things to learn in the course of daily life. Spend a whole year in the http://www.prospects.ac.uk/PostgradUK
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