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'The UK has world-class teaching hospitals and a tradition of excellence in healthcare studies'

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When you study Medicine and Healthcare in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you become part of the UK's strong tradition of academic excellence. You can specialise in a huge range of areas, such as dentistry, nursing, complementary medicine and surgery. UK universities and colleges offer courses suited to all of these strands and more.
 
UK Healthcare courses are globally renowned for outstanding research. Classroom teaching is complemented by an awareness of the evolving needs of patients and the medical industry. Your studies will combine a hands-on approach to patient care backed by rigorous theoretical knowledge. The teaching will reflect a holistic approach to healthcare and you will be trained to clinical standards  from the start.
 
Unlike other countries, you can study medicine as an undergraduate subject in the UK. While there are some graduate entry students, most people start their healthcare studies after completing school-leaving qualifications.
 
Studying Healthcare in the UK
 
Teaching is varied and can include small group practice, laboratory practicals, ward rounds, computer-aided learning and lectures. There are 33 medical schools in the UK providing undergraduate education, as listed by the Medical Schools Council. You can also check the list of courses accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science.
 
International students and their UK peers on healthcare courses benefit from world class medical research. A key factor in the UK’s researching excellence is the Medical Research Council (MRC), which supported about 3,000 researchers with funding. Total research spending in 2008-09 was £704.2 million, with £68 million in training awards for postgraduate students.
 
Different areas of Healthcare
 
You can study a huge range of Healthcare courses across the UK. Dental technology, optometry, podiatry and nutrition are all available at undergraduate level. If you want to pursue psychology, the British Psychological Society accredits 389 courses at UK universities and colleges.
 
If you’re interested in physiotherapy, radiography, dietetics, pharmacology and pharmacy, you can choose from a good variety of courses at undergraduate level. Other popular healthcare options include occupational and speech therapy as well as acupuncture and homeopathy.
 
Regulatory and professional bodies, including the General Medical Council (GMC) and the General Dental Council (GDC) oversee training in all of these fields. Their high standards enable members to work virtually anywhere in the world.
 
What can I study?
 
Schools and further education
 
For a career in healthcare, you’ll need a good grounding in the life sciences, with GCSEs, AS- and A-levels in Science, Additional Science, Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, or Health and Social Care.
 
These qualifications can lead directly to a job, or be used as a route on to vocational courses allied to medicine, such as BTEC Healthcare qualifications. People who are interested in children’s healthcare or nursing, the CACHE diploma (awarded by the Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education) may also be accredited. If your future studies are more academic, such as a medicine or dentistry degree, you will need high marks in your Science A-Levels.
 
If you are applying for a degree in medicine or dentistry, some institutions will require you to take the BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test) or UKCAT (UK Clinical Aptitude Test) before you submit your UCAS application.
 
Higher Education
 
You will have a wide range of undergraduate degree programmes available to you when you study Healthcare in the UK - from Pharmacology to Exercise Science, Medicine to Midwifery and many others.
Medicine degrees usually last five years; students who opt to take a Graduate Entry Programmes (GEPs) may be able to take a four-year course. Other courses vary in length.
 
UK higher education courses in Healthcare balance practical laboratory time with academics and research with theory. As a Healthcare student you will have the chance explore and specialise in different areas.
 
When you have completed your degree there are plenty of options available. You may choose to carry on and study more or use your new skills to begin your career. Whichever route you choose, you can be sure that British Healthcare qualifications are recognised as being among the world's best. 
 

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'The UK has world-class teaching hospitals and a tradition of excellence in healthcare studies'

EdUK_health_course_article_lead_image_420x220
When you study Medicine and Healthcare in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you become part of the UK's strong tradition of academic excellence. You can specialise in a huge range of areas, such as dentistry, nursing, complementary medicine and surgery. UK universities and colleges offer courses suited to all of these strands and more.
 
UK Healthcare courses are globally renowned for outstanding research. Classroom teaching is complemented by an awareness of the evolving needs of patients and the medical industry. Your studies will combine a hands-on approach to patient care backed by rigorous theoretical knowledge. The teaching will reflect a holistic approach to healthcare and you will be trained to clinical standards  from the start.
 
Unlike other countries, you can study medicine as an undergraduate subject in the UK. While there are some graduate entry students, most people start their healthcare studies after completing school-leaving qualifications.
 
Studying Healthcare in the UK
 
Teaching is varied and can include small group practice, laboratory practicals, ward rounds, computer-aided learning and lectures. There are 33 medical schools in the UK providing undergraduate education, as listed by the Medical Schools Council. You can also check the list of courses accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science.
 
International students and their UK peers on healthcare courses benefit from world class medical research. A key factor in the UK’s researching excellence is the Medical Research Council (MRC), which supported about 3,000 researchers with funding. Total research spending in 2008-09 was £704.2 million, with £68 million in training awards for postgraduate students.
 
Different areas of Healthcare
 
You can study a huge range of Healthcare courses across the UK. Dental technology, optometry, podiatry and nutrition are all available at undergraduate level. If you want to pursue psychology, the British Psychological Society accredits 389 courses at UK universities and colleges.
 
If you’re interested in physiotherapy, radiography, dietetics, pharmacology and pharmacy, you can choose from a good variety of courses at undergraduate level. Other popular healthcare options include occupational and speech therapy as well as acupuncture and homeopathy.
 
Regulatory and professional bodies, including the General Medical Council (GMC) and the General Dental Council (GDC) oversee training in all of these fields. Their high standards enable members to work virtually anywhere in the world.
 
What can I study?
 
Schools and further education
 
For a career in healthcare, you’ll need a good grounding in the life sciences, with GCSEs, AS- and A-levels in Science, Additional Science, Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, or Health and Social Care.
 
These qualifications can lead directly to a job, or be used as a route on to vocational courses allied to medicine, such as BTEC Healthcare qualifications. People who are interested in children’s healthcare or nursing, the CACHE diploma (awarded by the Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education) may also be accredited. If your future studies are more academic, such as a medicine or dentistry degree, you will need high marks in your Science A-Levels.
 
If you are applying for a degree in medicine or dentistry, some institutions will require you to take the BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test) or UKCAT (UK Clinical Aptitude Test) before you submit your UCAS application.
 
Higher Education
 
You will have a wide range of undergraduate degree programmes available to you when you study Healthcare in the UK - from Pharmacology to Exercise Science, Medicine to Midwifery and many others.
Medicine degrees usually last five years; students who opt to take a Graduate Entry Programmes (GEPs) may be able to take a four-year course. Other courses vary in length.
 
UK higher education courses in Healthcare balance practical laboratory time with academics and research with theory. As a Healthcare student you will have the chance explore and specialise in different areas.
 
When you have completed your degree there are plenty of options available. You may choose to carry on and study more or use your new skills to begin your career. Whichever route you choose, you can be sure that British Healthcare qualifications are recognised as being among the world's best. 
 

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'More than 20,000 international students study at UK independent schools.'

College students play rugby

The UK's independent schools pride themselves on diversity and provide a welcoming home and school for many overseas students. The Independent Schools Council (ISC) estimates that a quarter of all UK independent school pupils are of international origin.

 

Often referred to in other countries as private schools, UK independent schools provide world-class teaching and offer outstanding facilities, small class sizes and extra-curricular learning. While many are boarding schools, there are plenty of day schools on offer. Whether you choose to board or live elsewhere, independent schools provide an exceptional learning experience.

 

Unlike UK state schools, independent institutions are not funded by the state. Parents of students usually pay fees which may also include living costs if the student decides to board. Independent boarding schools offer a highly prestigious residential education for students aged seven to 18. There are also pre-preparatory schools available for younger day pupils.

 

Life in an independent school


Boarding (when students live at the school during term-time) is popular in many independent schools. If you choose to board, staff will be available seven days a week to help with your studies, and living with other students will help you settle in and make new friends.


Both day and boarding independent schools offer lots of extra-curricular activities. Alongside academic subjects like maths, music or politics you will have a chance to pursue other interests. For example you can play rugby, music, drama, art, horse-riding, or try a dance class after lessons – independent schools offer plenty of opportunities to extend your interests.


Studying at an independent school can help you gain the qualifications you need for university. If you’ve been studying and living in the UK you are unlikely to need an international foundation year – instead you'll be able to move straight on to a degree.


Independent schools teach a wide range of qualifications. You can take GCSEs, A Levels and BTECs. Many independent schools also offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme. The IB Diploma, an alternative to A Levels, is widely recognised and respected by UK universities. The prestigious Cambridge Pre-U Diploma is also available at some institutions.


You can expect outstanding facilities at an independent school – music practice rooms, sports fields and extensive libraries. Students are encouraged to sit music and language exams, as well as participate in local and national competitions. These awards and events can often be used to meet university entry requirements.

 

It is important to remember that international students under the age of 16 should have a UK-based guardian. Ideally this should be someone over the age of 25 who is able to take care of you if you are ill or need somewhere to stay during a vacation. You can find out more on the ISC's Studying in the UK and Guardianship pages.
 

Applying

 

The process of applying to independent schools can range from formal to informal. There is plenty of information to guide you through the application process, and a good place to start is the Independent Schools Council website.

 

Some UK independent schools have formal application procedures, and often they prefer prospective students to apply up to a year before they wish to start. Other schools are more informal and welcome applications at any time.

 

Schools usually expect pupils to start at the beginning of the academic year, in September. Certain institutions may also consider applications at other times in the school year, though generally this would be at the start of a new term (in January or April).

 

You can apply either directly through the schools or through the Independent Schools Council International Office. ISC International offers placement, consultancy and advisory services to families overseas who are seeking to place a child in a UK independent boarding school.

 

Don't forget, you can look for independent schools who teach international pupils using the Search tool on the top right hand side of this website.

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'Find out how to apply for postgraduate study in the UK – it’s more than filling in a form!'

Postgraduate students

If you’ve studied for a full-time, undergraduate level course at a higher education institution in the UK you’ll probably have applied through the centralised UCAS process.

When applying for a postgraduate course, you can apply directly to the institution where you wish to study (though you may also choose to apply through UCAS). In many cases, a properly filled-out application form, references and deposit will be enough to be considered for a course. You may also be asked to attend an interview in the UK, or take part in one over the phone.

In some cases, UKPASS handles applications for you – see the UKPASS website for details of the universities and colleges that UKPASS deals with.

Some social work courses let students apply through UCAS. You should check with the institution and UCAS if you are unsure about how to apply for a particular course.

For postgraduate teaching courses, you’ll need to apply through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry. Its website has information about the institutions you can apply to. You can also use it to submit and track your application.

Submitting your application

The procedures for applying vary from one institution to another. While some have dedicated postgraduate admission offices, others will expect you to apply to the department that teaches your course.

 

In general, you’ll need to complete a detailed form setting out your academic qualifications, work experience and reasons for wanting to do the course (a personal statement). If you’re applying for a research place, you may be asked to outline a proposal or research plan.

Good academic references to support your application are vital to the selection process. Choose your referees with care, discuss your plans with them and ensure they will be able to write a reference promptly.

Although you can apply to as many courses as you want in any one year, it’s recommended that you make a shortlist of about six to eight courses. Some courses fill up very quickly, particularly law and medicine, so you should apply well in advance of the advertised deadline.

 

Departments generally start receiving applications from the beginning of the academic year before the year you wish to study. They will often allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis, so try to get your application in by the end of April if your course starts in the autumn. This is particularly important if you are applying for funding.

Details of courses, including master’s degrees, PhDs and MBAs – along with profiles of the institutions that offer them – can be found using the Education UK course finder, at the top-right of this page.

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