1: It’s incredibly diverse
Fourteen percent of the population in the UK was born abroad, or about 9.5 million people. This means international students who move overseas to the UK could have the opportunity to learn about numerous different cultures and make friends with people from around the world. This is especially true if you’re moving to London, where 35% of the population was born outside the UK. Even more, you’ll also likely be able to stay closely connected with your own culture through attending community events or visiting restaurants that serve food from home—things that can help with homesickness and culture shock.

2:There is support for overseas students
There is plenty of support for international students in the UK. This might be online, through your university, or through the local government. For example, each university has an office set up to address international students’ needs and answer questions about tuition, housing, academic support, etc. You can also be in touch with this office before you apply to a university.

3:There are job opportunities after graduation
This March, the government announced they’d soon open up applications for the graduate route—a move that’s set to attract even more students to study in the UK. Starting in July, international bachelor’s and master’s students will be able to apply to stay for 2 more years after graduation, while international doctorate students can stay for 3 years. This makes it easier for new professionals to settle and begin their careers in the UK.

There are also lots of career opportunities, especially if you work in a job on the UK’s Shortage Occupation List. In the UK, there is a shortage of nurses, pharmacists, teachers, engineers – and more – and the government actively recruits professionals for these positions from abroad.

4:It’s a great place to live
So, what’s it like to live in the UK? According to the OECD Better Life Index, pretty good. People in the UK ranked their general satisfaction with life a 6.8 out of 10 (which is higher than the OECD average). The UK also ranks above average in things like jobs, education and skills, and social connections—all things that may be important to international students.

5:The chance to grow in a safe and supportive country
International students will feel really welcome in the UK and will be ready to get the very best from their time here. We’re proud to be a modern and progressive, multi-faith society where many languages are spoken and where people from all backgrounds are welcome. International cuisines and religious diets are fully catered for here, and every way of life is respected.

Our universities also provide comprehensive support, which starts before students travel to the UK, looks after them upon arrival, and continues throughout their entire degree. Universities’ own pastoral teams are always on hand to give help and advice on everything from housing, financial, and visa issues to educational and emotional support. They’ll also be there to help with any language problems and with written or spoken English.