Which are the top universities to study in the UK for Irish Aspirants?
One can see some of the UK’s most ageing and prestigious universities. According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022, the nearly 1,000-year-old University of Oxford in England presently has ranked as the top University in the world.
Twenty-eight more UK universities are within the top 200. Studying in the UK is a mesmerizing experience, which one should definitely take. You can get some great education loans in Ireland if you are residing there and wish to study in the UK.
The UK has about 151 universities, according to data gathered by the 2021 National Student Survey (NSS). An alphabetized list of all UK universities can be found on Google. One can use The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 to research the top institutions offering your chosen course.
The top two British universities are the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and the top three institutions in London make out the top five.
Choosing a University
No matter how much information you already have about UK universities, using online comparison tools will allow you to learn even more specifics about certain universities and how they stack up against one another.
If you enter “UK” in the interactive tables of university rankings, you may view the position of all UK universities within the top 1,000. These can also be sorted by a performance score, such as teaching or innovation, or a key statistic.
For instance, a key evaluation could be the gender ratio of students or the staff-to-student ratio. Alternatively, you can visit the University’s website to learn more about it. Add these choices to your list, and then endeavour to decide.
Look into financial options
The eligibility requirements for college scholarships could differ. It is wise to look into scholarships and application deadlines well in advance if money is a deciding factor.
You can use search features on the Education UK website of the British Council to identify scholarships depending on your intended study programme and geographic location.
Select a location
There are various eye-catching institutions and character-filled cities, from St Andrews on Scotland’s breathtaking east coast to Oxford’s dreamy spires. However, choosing a university also implies deciding where to live.
Therefore, all the criteria you would take into account when relocating to a new place are also relevant. You must consider the cost of living, culture, weather, and other factors. These, however, differ from location to location.
Do you want to live in London and experience the commotion of the vast city while paying some of the highest rent costs in the nation?
Or do you prefer Nottingham, one of the numerous inexpensive cities in the UK? Does it have many cafés catering to students but significantly fewer job chances than the capital?
Perhaps you’d prefer to be near the water in Cardiff, Brighton, Bournemouth, or Southampton. When picking a place that meets your wants and tastes, there is no right or wrong choice.
Some students favour Scotland over Northern Ireland because of the lower tuition costs, while others choose Northern Ireland because Celtic history and culture fascinate them.
Make a list of your priorities and do some research. Then try to visit to understand better what it’s like to be a student.
Study up on college life
You won’t have any trouble pursuing extracurricular interests wherever you go. UK institutions cater to all kinds of hobbies and enthusiasts, whether you’re an amateur actress, chess champion, green-fingered gardener, or wine aficionado.
In some unique instances, two colleges are evenly matched on all fronts. Your final decision with these may come down to the local societies and recreational opportunities.
Durham might be the springboard for a career in comedy. Manchester might be your first chance to perform music in neighbourhood clubs. Cambridge (or Oxford) might see you participate in The Boat Race in a few short years.
Top three Universities you should apply to
Oxford University
The University of Oxford may have existed since at least 1096, while the actual year of its founding is still a mystery. Around 45% of the students at Oxford are graduates. It is situated around 60 miles to the northwest of London. More than half of the University’s graduate students engage in research to further their education.
The humanities, medical sciences, and social sciences, as well as the physical, biological, and mathematical sciences, are leading subjects of research at Oxford. The campus comprises a central university, 38 colleges, and six Permanent Private Halls.
These are typically smaller than other colleges and offer fewer subject options. Each of Oxford’s colleges has a dining hall, common space, and library. Undergraduates have assured housing for their first year of college.
They also have the option to stay there for their remaining years of study.
Cambridge University
Cambridge University was founded in the year 1209 and is located around 60 miles north of London. More than 35% of the University’s approximately 19,000 students are graduate students.
The six primary schools are technology, clinical medicine, biological sciences, humanities and social sciences, and arts and humanities. These consist of numerous academic departments and other divisions.
Three of Cambridge’s 31 residential colleges—Lucy Cavendish College, Murray Edwards College, and Newnham College—are exclusively for women. These are in charge of enrolling undergraduate and graduate students.
Some small-group instruction for students also takes place at the colleges. College housing is normally there at the University of Cambridge for at least three years.
New graduates can also live on campus. 20% of the student body is from outside the European Union. Tuition costs vary by field of study and are higher for non-EU students. More than 100 libraries, including college and departmental libraries, are located in Cambridge.
University College London
UCL, or the University College London, was established sometime in 1826. The public University comes third in its foundation, right after Oxford and Cambridge, in England.
The University has also expanded to Qatar and Australia in addition to its main campus located in the heart of London. It also has connections with universities throughout the world, like the University of Montreal in Canada and Zhejiang University in China, in addition to exchange and research arrangements.
Around 150 different nations send students to UCL. Their tuition prices, however, are costlier for international students than those from the UK and the EU.
Undergraduate first-years have guaranteed housing on campus. UCL works with three terms in its academic year.
UCL has 11 academic divisions, including the Bartlett, which specializes in architecture and planning. Several hospitals and medical facilities have links with the University, including the University College Hospital and the Royal National Throat, Nose, and Ear Hospital.
UCL’s key transdisciplinary research domains include neuroscience, personalized medicine, populations and lifelong health, the environment, and eResearch. However, it conducts research across many academic disciplines.
The University is famous for some of the most notable achievements in the field of research. For instance, a professor from UCL won the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1904 for discovering noble gases, such as neon gas.
Conclusion
Studying in the UK is a great opportunity. However, you should know several things before you apply and move from Ireland. Most importantly, keep all your finances ready, and get a part-time job to fulfil your fee commitments.
