Universities in Britain are amagnetforoverseasstudents. There are currently¹ over 200 000 from outside Britain studying at British universities. The largest single group is Chinese students. There are currently 50 000 in the UK.

The British government expects the total number of overseas students to be around 900 000 by 2020, and also thinks that a quarter of these will be Chinese.

But why is the UK such a popular destination for university students?

Well, the quality of your course isguaranteed. All courses areassessedby an independent system, so you can be assured that your course is officially approved and has wide internationalrecognition.

The British education system is very flexible in order to provide for the needs of a modern, complex society. It is alsocost-effective.Degreecourses are usually 3 years long, which is shorter and more intensive than in other countries. There are lots ofscholarshipsavailable.

You normally need 3 A-levels, which are the exams taken by people leaving school at 18, in order to enter anundergraduate degreecourse. You also need an IELTS score of at least 5.5, but many universities offerfoundationor access courses to prepare students for their studies.

British universities offer apersonalisedbut independent approach. Theemphasisis on creative and independent thought, which helps develop the skills you will need to compete in theglobal job market. Tutors not only teach but also provide support andguidance. As a result, international students have a very lowdrop outrate and very highpass rates.

It is very simple to become an international student in the UK. The British Council offers a free andimpartialservice to anyone who is interested in studying in the UK, and an organisation² called UCAS assists you in finding a course and making an effective application.

The UK is adynamicandcosmopolitanplace. The countryside is beautiful, and the theatres, museums, architecture and rich history make it afascinatingplace to live and study. Why not give it a go?