The UK is one of the most popular study destinations in the world for several reasons. In addition to having some of the world’s best campuses, UK universities are known for excellence in teaching. They have been recognised by rankings such as QS World University Rankings, Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), and Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
They’re also known for having a variety of courses and degrees for students to choose from. With such a wide range of options to choose from, students are often confused about which discipline to major in. That being said, some UK degrees are more popular than others, especially among international students. If you’re thinking about studying abroad but don’t know which UK degree to pursue, this list of the top UK degrees for international students may help you make a decision.
Business and Management
According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), 159,230 non-UK students chose to major in business and management studies in the 2019/20 academic years, making this the most popular UK degree for international students.
From business studies and management to marketing and economics, UK degrees in business and business-related courses are among the most popular. Students worldwide come to study at universities known for their exceptional business programmes, such as the London School of Economics, London Business School, and University of Cambridge Judge Business School.
One of the reasons business is such a sought-after degree is that the skills learned in the major are transferable to most industries and offer entry into various fields, including sales, marketing, management, retail, and more. In addition to a range of career paths, those majoring in business also benefit from lucrative jobs.
Engineering and Technology
Engineering is the second most popular UK degree for international students, with 58,700 non-UK students enrolled in the degree in the 2019/20 academic year. Science, technology, maths, and engineering (STEM) courses have always been popular amongst international students because of the lucrative careers in these fields.
These practical subjects have high employment rates and can lead students to different career paths, including design engineering, bioengineering, electronic engineering, aeronautics, and more. Engineering has become an even more viable career path with the emergence of specialisations like artificial intelligence, with universities like Imperial College London, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and the University of Manchester being some of the most highly regarded for engineering and technology-related degrees.
Social Sciences
Social science majors are in demand all over the world, and as a result, the degree is extremely popular. HESA figures show that 49,360 students from outside the United Kingdom opted for the degree in the 2019/20 academic years. The degree covers various subjects, including Criminology, Sociology, Social Policy, Psychology, Political Science, and more, allowing students to gain valuable transferable skills which can be applied to a range of careers.
Social science UK degrees also provide students with flexible career options and lucrative job opportunities. Since the demand for such a UK degree is so high, graduates can easily find a job, with 66% of social science graduates employed in the UK or abroad within a year of graduating. The University of Oxford, University of Edinburgh, Imperial College London, and University College London offer some of the best UK degrees for social sciences.
Creative Arts and Design
According to HESA, 41,100 international students were enrolled in creative arts and design degrees in the UK in the 2019/20 academic year. Creative degrees like Graphic Design, Fashion Design, Fine Art, and Typography are becoming increasingly popular for UK and international students. They involve learning applied skills in specific fields and have a growing market in today’s creative world.
Additionally, the UK’s reputation in humanities and arts and the creative environment fostered by universities make it ideal for studying such a degree. International students can attend renowned universities like the University of Oxford, Newcastle University, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, and Royal College of Art if they pursue this UK degree.
Medicine, Dentistry, and Related Fields
Some may think that medicine and dentistry aren’t popular UK degrees for international students because of HESA figures like 12,115 non-UK students in the field. However, when combined with 28,275 international students pursuing related degrees, this number reaches 40,390 students.
Medicine has always been a popular UK degree because of the lucrative nature of the field. Additionally, those majoring in the degree can pursue various career paths, including dentistry, surgery, nursing, biomedicine, veterinary surgery, medical biotechnology, and more. Medicine is also a highly sought-after UK degree by international students because of the excellent quality of education from universities like the University of Aberdeen, University of Dundee, King’s College London, and the University of Oxford.
Computing
Computing is an increasingly sought-after UK degree, with statistics showing that there were 35,875 international students studying Computing in the 2019/20 academic year. It includes areas such as game development, information technology, software engineering, and cybersecurity. Computer science is an essential degree in a technology-driven age that provides graduates with lucrative salaries and incredible career opportunities.
International students opting for this degree can choose from world-class universities like the University of Oxford, University of Manchester, University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, and University College London.
Law
Law has always been a popular career choice for individuals around the world. This is still the case, with 26,525 non-UK students opting for the major in 2019/20. While law differs across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales, international students can still benefit from studying British common law. This is because a third of the world’s legal systems are based on British common law.
UK degrees in law offer international students a chance to become well-versed in legal practice and research and provide them with essential skills needed to succeed in the legal profession. In addition to the unique advantages international students benefit from when studying for a UK law degree, they’re also guaranteed work since the legal profession always needs new talent.
It’s also one of the most lucrative career options and has various fields one can enter, including criminal law, contract law, human rights law, civil law, and more. Some of the best law schools in the UK include the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, London School of Economics and Political Science, Durham University, and the University of Edinburgh.
We understand that choosing a major can be a difficult decision, especially when there are so many different fields you can choose to pursue. Hopefully, this list of the most popular UK degrees for international students has helped you narrow down your options.