Why We Chose to Study in the UK

The UK is home to universities with outstanding academic reputations, world-class research, and innovative teaching methods. As a study destination for students from around the world, it offers a wealth of resources. In fact, the UK attracts more than 485,000 international students every year, making it one of the most popular study destinations in the world.

Jiaxin from mainland China and Daniyar from Kazakhstan are both studying at the University of Reading, which ranked 27th in the UK in the 2021 QS World University Rankings. We spoke with Jiaxin and Daniyar to find out what led them to choose the UK for their studies.

UK degrees are recognized worldwide

The UK has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence, and 84 UK universities are featured in the 2021 QS World University Rankings. This was a major factor for both Jiaxin and Daniyar.

After graduating from the University of Reading in 2017 with a master's degree in Entrepreneurship and Management, Daniyar knew he wanted to continue his studies and pursue a PhD.

Although Daniyar already knew what it was like to attend university in the UK, Jiaxin had never been there before she began her studies. She only started thinking about studying and researching here when her best friend planned to come to the UK to study.

Jiaxin, who is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Accounting and Finance, said: “A UK degree is widely recognized by employers and academics around the world.

“I also considered the ranking of the university for the specific course I wanted to study,” she added.

Daniyar, who is pursuing a PhD in Management, Leadership and Organizational Behaviour, agreed.

He said: “The UK is one of the leading destinations for international students. UK universities are among the best in the world and consistently perform well in global rankings.

A reputation for world-class research and innovative teaching

When it comes to world-class research and innovative teaching, UK universities continue to raise the bar.

Daniyar emphasized the importance of access to leading research resources and facilities. He said: “I always receive support from academics across different departments, even if my research area is different. In addition, the role of supervisors is crucial - my supervisor helped me through many of the challenges of my PhD.”

For Jiaxin, being able to apply theory in practice was a top priority when deciding which university and degree to apply for.

She said: “In addition to good learning resources and atmosphere, I wanted enough internship modules to help me gain a deeper understanding of the industry.

“Before I came to university, I knew very little about finance and investment. However, in my course, they provide a trading room where we can use a market simulation system and other software such as Eikon and Bloomberg.

“For students who don’t know how to use the software, the university offers free workshops,” she added.

It prepares you for excellent graduate job opportunities

Graduating from a well-known UK university can give you a competitive edge in the graduate job market and help you stand out to future employers.

Jiaxin said: “A UK degree means that, with all the experience I gained in the UK, I will be able to find a better job in the future, not only in the UK and China, but mainly around the world.”

For Jiaxin, it was also important to consider the graduate employment rates of the universities she was interested in applying to.

She said: “Most students plan to start working right after graduating from university, so I would search for a university’s employment rate, its career options, and the career services it offers.”

Daniyar believes it is very important to give students opportunities to develop the skills, knowledge, critical thinking, and interpersonal relationships that will drive their careers forward.

As part of a degree, the opportunity to do an internship is a great way to gain the insights and experience that are in demand around the world. At the University of Reading, students can access a dedicated internship center, where they can find all the information they need about internships, including available positions and how to secure one.

The UK is a hub of diversity and culture

UK universities welcome students from all over the world and are known for their diversity and culture. The University of Reading has an international community of more than 5,000 international students from over 140 countries.

Jiaxin said she “likes the cultural diversity in the UK.”

Jiaxin said: “The UK is known as a racially diverse society. Here, we can meet like-minded people and students from other countries.”