Although couple of times smaller than United States, in United Kingdom there is also a big scale of colleges and universities. After signing the Memorandum of Understanding between the British and Hong Kong governments in 2006, exchange of British and Hong Kong students between these two countries increased in both ways. This memorandum intends to promote educational links of mutual benefit. Afflux of British student sin Hong Kong can help Hong Kong students to learn from the first hand how British educational system functions.

After finding a proper college or university, student has to apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admission Service). Higher education system in UK has several levels: a bachelor’s degree with honours course  usually lasts for three years. A sandwich degree course and a degree in Scotland will normally last for four years, while an honours degree in Medicine  lasts for five years.  Postgraduate degrees include master’s degree (course-based or research-based) and doctorate degrees. (source: www.idp.com) There are over 5,000 courses offered by universities and colleges in the UK.

International officers from UK universities with high numbers of students from Southeast Asia report that, as a group, students from this area are one of the most successful groups at adapting to UK living. (source: www.gostudyuk.com).  It may has something to do with the touch of British culture through colonial years in these parts of Asia. Nevertheless, students from Hong Kong and other part of Asia should be aware of a cultural differences when studying in UK.

In all the colleges and universities around UK, international students can find proper support, regarding foundation programmes that are designed to prepare international students for studying in the UK, help with finding a part-time job to financially support  studies, career service, help with accommodation, student ambassadors, welcome orientations for international studentsetc.

Besides sharing the part of the history together, why should a Hong Kong student pick some of great universities around UK? According to QS World University Rankings, four of the world’s top six universities are in the UK, and according to The International Graduate Insight Group, over 88% of international graduates are satisfied with their UK learning experience. Furthermore, education in UK is a great reference in the CV of any student worldwide, as the UK is a world-leading nation.

British system of education combines perfectly pure knowledge with a good practice. Although it may be expensive (not as much as in USA), there are ways to find a scholarship and to make the best of academic years in this „cradle of education“.