Things to Consider When Choosing to Study an Undergraduate Degree in the UK

Many students from all around the world see the UK as the country they want to experience while they study for their degree. However, before you come and enjoy studying in the UK, there are some things you bear in mind while you make your decision.

Ask yourself these questions:

How do you feel about studying and living abroad?

Moving away from home can be a scary thought for anyone and if you are moving countries it can be even more so.

It is normal to feel like this and once you make the move, you will find plenty of support within the University to help you feel at home. There are lots of other students who will be in the same position, and everyone supports each other. Our lecturers and other staff are available to give you help and advice, as well as the student welfare support team so that you feel welcome during your studies.

Do you need to practice your English?

The more you practice your English skills, the better you will become. Make sure you watch lots of English language television, listen to podcasts and read English newspapers and magazines. By the time you start your studies you will be at a good level to improve your English even further.

Make sure you download apps such as Duolingo on your phone so you can practice on the move. Apps such as this make learning English accessible and give you the chance to learn in small bursts, at a convenient time for you.

When can you make new friends?

Newcastle is a diverse and modern city with people from all over the world living here, so you might meet other students from your home country. We have students from many different countries and even if they are not from the same place as you, there could be other people who can speak your first language. Familiarise yourself with some of our students here.

Making friends outside of your course is easy, too. There are lots of sports groups and social clubs to join. Also, the people of Newcastle are often considered to be some of the friendliest in the UK.

Do you meet the entry requirements?

When you are choosing your undergraduate degree, you should check to see that you meet the entry requirements specified. If you do not meet the entry requirements then that is where our International Foundation Programmes can help.

These are designed to bridge any gaps in your skills to prepare you for undergraduate study with Northumbria University. We have 4 streams of the International Foundation Programme available. The stream you choose to study will depend on the degree you wish to progress on to – click here to find out which one is right for you.

If you need to further develop your English language skills before studying an International Foundation Programme, then you can study ‘English for University Studies before you begin. This will help you develop your English language skills ahead of studying on your pathway programme.

Are there scholarships available?

Many students who come to the UK to study are offered scholarships to help make it more affordable and to reward existing academic achievement.

We offer scholarships and bursaries to help you come and study with us. Your eligibility and how much you may be offered will depend on the programme you want to study as well as what country you come from and your qualifications. Our team can talk you through what scholarships are available to you, complete your details on this form and a member of our team will call you.

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