From its vibrant sports and cultural scene to its long tradition of academic excellence, the United Kingdom (UK) has a lot to offer international students. Students are drawn to the UK from around the world: In the 2023/24 academic year, over 732,000 international post-secondary students were enrolled in courses across the UK. Over the past few months, we’ve shared what studying in different parts of the UK can be like. We’ve already looked at Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and we’re wrapping up our series with the UK’s largest country: England. ApplyBoard is proud to partner with many excellent higher education institutions in England—read on to learn more about some of them, and why studying abroad in England might be right for you!
Use the free ApplyBoard platform to explore over 10,000 courses offered by our partner institutions in England.
3 Great Reasons to Study in England
Here are just a few key reasons why England offers future international students a world-class experience.
1. Highly Ranked Courses Across Diverse Disciplines
If you want to enrol at a top-ranked university, you have tons of options to choose from in the UK. In fact, the UK was home to 25 of the world’s top 200 universities, per the Times Higher Education 2025 World University Rankings. From law to business, medicine to arts, credentials from UK institutions are recognized around the world.
Courses are built to support different kinds of learners, too. So, whether you learn best through lectures or prefer hands-on learning through a work placement or apprenticeship, there are courses at English universities that are designed for you!
It’s helpful to plan your budget for your time as a student. To get started, learn more about the current cost of living in the UK.
2. Vibrant Campus Life
Life on campus can be so much more than going to class. Many courses include field trips, student exchanges, excursions to cultural or professional sites, and other experiences that enrich your learning. Extracurricular student trips (planned by the university but just for fun) are a great way to make memories and connect with new friends.
On campus, you can practice a favourite sport or hobby—or pick up a new one—thanks to student clubs. Some of the larger universities in England have hundreds of student clubs, providing plenty of opportunities to find something that suits you. To learn more about these different options, it’s a great idea to attend Orientation Week (also called Welcome, Joining, or Fresher’s Week) events where you can meet people from different clubs. Orientation Week events are optional, but are a good way to learn about your new campus and meet other students.
3. Graduate Faster
In England, as in Wales and Northern Ireland, an undergraduate degree usually takes three years to complete, compared with four in many other popular study destinations. If you want to pursue a postgraduate qualification after your undergrad, you can complete one in as little as a year. This means that in the time it might take you to finish just one qualification elsewhere, in England, you can graduate with two. This can also save you money on tuition payments and cost-of-living expenses!
As you plan your studies, remember that secondary education in England runs until Year 13, which is similar to the first year of undergraduate study elsewhere. Depending on your academic history, you may have to take a foundation year or bachelor’s preparation course before you can start your degree course, which would add to the length of your studies.
From pre-sessional English to foundation years, learn about the pathway courses English universities offer to support international students.
Spotlight on Three English Universities
Now that we’ve explored why England is an excellent study destination, let’s look at some of its universities.
Harper Adams University
Harper Adams University is an outstanding choice for international students. Since 1901, the university has delivered top-tier teaching and impactful research. While best known for its agricultural and agri-food courses, taught both in classrooms and at its 490+ hectare University Farm, courses at Harper Adams span from robotics engineering to wildlife conservation. The university welcomes 5,300+ students every year, who thrive on its safe and close-knit rural campus in Newport, Shropshire.
But don’t mistake its countryside setting for a slower pace! Harper Adams University is a specialist academic institution which combines class-based learning with industry experience. Year-long work placements are built into courses which help students develop practical skills and build professional networks. These initiatives mean Harper Adams grads are sought-after. In 2024, their graduate employability rate was an impressive 97.5%, the highest in the UK.
From food business management to mechanical engineering, learn more about popular courses offered at Harper Adams University today!
University of Sunderland
For students seeking research power paired with a great student experience, the University of Sunderland is an excellent option! For over 120 years, the University of Sunderland has welcomed students while equipping them with the skills they need to pursue their careers. And its student body is truly global: per its most recent enrolment stats, 40% of Sunderland’s 18,000 students are international. After you arrive, whether you’re looking for academic support or financial guidance, you can access award-winning student services on campus.
Interested in studying at the University of Sunderland? Choose from two vibrant campuses in the UK: the main campus in Sunderland or their second campus in London. Need to take a foundation year first? The University of Sunderland’s ONCAMPUS Centre can support your goals.
Sunderland’s teaching, inclusiveness, facilities, and graduate employability are also widely recognized. Each of the preceding areas received five stars in the 2023 QS World University Rankings. The Guardian also ranked Sunderland among the UK’s top 40 universities in its 2025 University Guide!
Whether your future lies in accounting or film production, you’ll find a course to match your goals at Sunderland.
University of Law
Established in 1876, the University of Law (ULaw) has a long tradition of field-leading legal education. Today, ULaw is one of the largest providers of legal education in the UK. It encompasses 17 campuses across the UK, plus international sites in Germany and Hong Kong. The institution has also expanded to offer business and management courses at its business school.
ULaw has built a lasting relationship with over 90 of the UK’s top 100 law firms, for whom they provide legal training. If you plan to work in law in the UK, this network could be incredibly valuable—and the same is true if you plan to work in the US. ULaw also has a strong relationship with many of the most prestigious US law firms in the UK. As a student, you may also be eligible for ULaw’s innovative pro bono programmes, where you’ll get hands-on experience in real cases.
Students at ULaw learn from highly regarded instructors (in the UK’s top 10 per the 2024 National Student Survey). All of their courses also build in time for one-to-one instruction and support which will set you up for success: ULaw’s most recent graduate engagement rate is 94%.
ApplyBoard is proud to partner with ULaw campuses in Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Leeds, London – Bloomsbury, London – Moorgate, Nottingham, and Manchester.
If you decide to study in England, it will be an opportunity that changes your life. We wish you luck with your study abroad journey!
Ready to go? Use our free ApplyBoard platform to jumpstart your study abroad experience in England.