London is the powerhouse of the UK economy, generating billions of pounds to government revenues. It has a rich and varied culture, and attracts millions of tourists from around the globe.

But alongside prosperity sits poverty and a range of associated problems that visitors rarely see. High levels of unemployment, social exclusion, crime, deprivation and homelessness combine to create major challenges for London’s boroughs.

Use the links above to read some of the facts and figures from a variety of sources. Key facts about London features nearly 100 facts covering topics such as education, business, crime and the environment. London statistics explores some of these topics in more depth.

Why UK

Choosing the UK to study means that you'll be in your dream workplace before you know it.

Gain globally recognized & respected qualifications

UK qualifications are respected and valued all over the world.

A master's degree, PhD or MBA from a UK university will give you an edge over the competition with similar qualifications from any where else. It will prove to employers that you can make a real contribution to their company or organisation.

Cost efficiency

UK postgraduate study offers fantastic value for money added to the professional exposure that you can't put a price tag on. You're not just paying for lectures and practicals but you'll have access to fantastic libraries, state-of-the art laboratories, ultramodern computer facilities and extensive research resources that will expose you to all most modern technologies that will help you cope with any new technology that you would be exposed to at your work place.

Make best use of your time

Full-time postgraduate courses in the UK are mostly of one year. However this may vary depending on the type of course you choose. See the list below that gives you a general idea on the duration of courses:

One year courses: Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma, Master's degrees, MBAs

Two year courses: Master's degrees (Depending on the subject)

Three to four year courses: Bachelors Degrees, Sandwich courses, PhDs, New Route PhDs

Improve your Language Skills

English - The world's most imperative business language will be an easy access to you in UK. You'll be part of a truly international community. With a fantastic experience of having interaction with students from different parts of the world, you’ll be automatically gaining excellent verbal skills. Many UK universities offer in-sessional language support if you need more help before you begin.

Study the way that suits you

UK Offers a flexible and highly professional education system that can hardly be found in any other country. You can start by enrolling on a postgraduate / vocational diploma course (HND / PG Dip), then transfer to a bachelor’s / master's degree, or start by taking a Masters of research - which could lead on to a PhD. The choice is your’s!

Gain the skills and qualities employers want

Being the worlds best education centres, Qualifications from the UK are most respected and recognized by employers across the globe. Employers know at a glance that a candidate educated from the UK would have all the skills and expertise that they are looking for without any cause of further concern to them.

Enjoy the multicultural experience

A mix of culturally different students can be found at each educational institution in the UK. You can experience and mingle with people from different cultural and economic back grounds that would add to your knowledge of the global economy that you would be looking for your career in.

UK Education System

British Education has long attracted and welcomed high caliber students of different nationalities and backgrounds, and today builds on hundreds of years of experience in providing quality education to international students. To ensure that the quality is maintained, Britain has implemented unrivalled quality assurance and academic audit systems. The university departments are obliged to meet stringent standards by professional bodies. Standards are high not just in teaching but in other facilities as well: Libraries, computers, research equipment and living accommodation.

British higher and further education provides value for money by offering shorter, more intensive courses than are available in many other countries, thereby reducing living expenses and time spent away from home. Closely supervised study in an intellectually and culturally stimulating environment, together with an emphasis on student welfare and close contact between staff and students also ensures that individual students get maximum support and, as a result, pass rates are high and the drop-out rate for international students is very low.

Britain has long been a popular destination for Indian students. With more than 150 institutes of higher education to choose from, all equipped with extensive facilities, Britain is able to offer a broad spectrum of subjects from the highly academic to the purely practical in anything from architecture to zoology.

Details about various Qualifications offered by UK Colleges and Universities:

Degree Courses  in Arts and Sciences (Bachelor's degree) are normally of three or four years' duration and are largely taught courses, sometimes including the preparation of a short written thesis.

Sandwich Courses  are where the coursework is accompanied by practical work. A student could either complete 2 years of college, then a year of commercial training before returning for a final year in college. Or, he/she could do a 4-year course with 3-6 months’ training interspersed each year. The main advantage is that the student gets real experience while in the learning mode. Most universities offer this type of education.

Higher National Diploma (HND)   is awarded by Vocational and Technical Educational Councils. They offer a 2-year course in a vocational subject like scientific and technical business subjects. Great emphasis is placed on work experience. It is often seen as the first step towards a degree course as the credits can be transferred.

Vocational Courses  offer an opportunity to enter the university system slowly. Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC), General Vocational Qualifications (GNVQ), General Scottish Vocational Qualifications (GSVQ) offer recognized courses in a range of disciplines. Most students opt to take 1-2 years of, for example, BTEC courses before being transferred to a degree programme. BTEC national certificates/diplomas are usually accepted as an alternative to A-Levels.

Postgraduate study  may take the form of an independent piece of research under supervision or a taught course, and leads to a variety of degrees and awards. The taught courses normally last for one or sometimes two years. Completion of a doctorate normally takes a minimum of three years. Many post-experience courses are also available, either leading to a qualification or providing a refresher course for graduates wishing to update or extend their knowledge. Occasional students are admitted by some institutions in limited numbers. They attend courses or undertake research, possibly for a period of one or two years. These courses do not lead to any formal qualification or 'credit' although certificate of satisfactory attendance may be given.