Hidden Gems in the UK
It’s cliché, but true: US students love red phone booths, Hogwarts-style buildings and those charming British accents. For those reasons (and others that may be more legit, like academic quality) the UK is the most sought-after country for US students to get an undergrad or grad degree. Everyone knows Oxford, Cambridge and London School of Economics. Yet, there are so many other universities across the UK that provide quality education at a good price (and red phone booths!)
I’ve been lucky enough to send 4,000+ US students to “hidden gems” all over the world and want to share this information with you. All of these unis below take FAFSA loans, 529 Plans and GI Bill. Most use the Common App for undergraduate programs.
I am purposefully choosing my favorites outside of London. Why outside of London? London (and England by extension) is bloody expensive and can be extremely competitive. (Hello, Oxford!). Also, these hidden gems are well-regarded in the world, so you can rest assured that they provide quality education. Tuition generally ranges from $14,000-$27,000/year and many masters are completed in one year. Here are some of my favorites in the UK, organized by region:
Scotland – Scotland conjures up images of majestic mountain ranges, kilts, and castles. I often suggest that students look to the University of Glasgow because it highly ranked (in the top 100 universities in the world). The city of Glasgow is the largest in Scotland, so students get their city fix of museums, pubs, and nightlife. The University of Glasgow is well known for Human Biology, Medical Engineering, Criminology, and History.
Wales – Wales is for nature lovers: mountains, sea, charming cities, and medieval castles. Two universities that I suggest checking out include: Bangor University and University of South Wales. If you value the great outdoors and high academic quality, Bangor is for you. Bangor University is surrounded by mountains and sea and specializes in Business, Finance, the Creative Arts and Environmental & Ocean Sciences. The University of South Wales specializes in industry ties and applied learning. If you are a hands-on learner who wants to grow your trade knowledge and connections, USW is worth checking out. To see all universities in Wales, visit here.
Northern Ireland – If you are a Game of Thrones lover, you probably know that the series was filmed across this Celtic nation in the UK. (Side note: Northern Ireland is politically & economically part of the UK even though it is geographically Irish.) Belfast, the capital city, is a vibrant, cultural hub for students. Think posh cafes, pubs, art museums and markets. I suggest you check out Queen’s University of Belfast, a historic gem ranked in the top 200 in the world. Some top programs include: Peace & Conflict Studies, Sustainability & Environment, Global Public Health and Psychology.
If you want to grow your career globally, the UK offers a 2-year work visa after you complete your program. Post-study work visas allow you to legally search for a job after your grad program in that country. If you want to build your career abroad, I highly suggest you start with a grad program in a country like the UK that has a post-study work visa. These visas are considered the “easier button” to launch your career abroad.
If you need help sorting through the plethora of choices, reach out to denise@affordabledegreesabroad.com.
