The Benefits of Attending Grad School in the United Kingdom

Getting your graduate degree is a very important step in your educational process. Not only is it impressive to potential employers, but it also opens the door to future career opportunities if you possess only an undergraduate degree. While most students pursue their graduate degree stateside, there are some who choose to travel abroad to the United Kingdom to attain it. Here are some of the benefits to taking the path to educational success that many choose to avoid.

That's right, one of the most feared tests in all of education is not needed in U.K. universities. To get into a graduate program in America, you will need to take what is known as the GRE, which is a standardized test known for its difficulty. If you attain your undergraduate degree and decide to study abroad in the United Kingdom, you will find that the GRE is not a requirement overseas. This lets you concentrate on getting into and studying for your actual degree, not stressing about test subjects that may not even be applicable.

Many of the graduate school programs offered in the U.K. take about half the time to complete versus U.S. programs. Yes, instead of having to spend another two years in school, if you pursue your degree in the U.K., there is a strong possibility you will only have to attend for one year. Not only is this a blessing when it comes to being able to get out into the real world sooner, but it is of great benefit to your bank account. Why pay double the amount of tuition if you don't have to? If you find that you don't have enough cash on hand today to pay for graduate school, it is a simple and quick process to take out a private student loan to cover the costs. It's definitely a smart investment in your future. Keep in mind, you will also be able to enter the professional workforce an entire year earlier than those with who you would normally be graduating.

While the United Kingdom is no longer part of the European Union, they still have many students who attend from surrounding European countries. When you meet these international students, many students feel they can befriend them much easier because they are essentially in the same situation as you are. It is also good for your foreign language skills because you can practice them by conversing with people who are actually from that country. Plus, as an added bonus, it will be quite easy to familiarize yourself with other cultures because you will be experiencing them firsthand, not just reading about them in books.

Compared to trying to get into the United Kingdom with a work visa, getting a student visa is really quite simple. If you are trying to enter as a worker, you need to not only be sponsored by a company but also demonstrate that no citizen in the United Kingdom could perform your specific job. As a student, all you need is an acknowledgment from the university that you are indeed enrolled as well as enough money in a bank that proves you can live there with no handouts for the duration of your school term. You'll also be able to enjoy more free time and have access to unique social situations to which workers may not be privy

Since the United Kingdom, and the European countries that surround it, are small compared to the United States, it is much easier to travel to different places than it would be to do so while living in the U.S. For instance, you can travel to a neighboring country (or countries) for the price of a train ticket. Added to that, with a student visa, you are essentially free to travel wherever you want on the continent since you have been pre-screened before receiving your visa.