The UK boasts some of the best and most prestigious universities in the world.
A wide variety of undergraduate, taught postgraduate and research degrees are offered, in addition to access or HND courses. The type of university you choose will depend on what you wish to study and the type of campus life you want.
Old universities
Before
the 19th Century there were only six universities in the UK.
These were Oxford, Cambridge, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and St
Andrews.
Advantages:
- good reputations
- beautiful old and new buildings
- tradition
- a wide range of courses
Modern or Civic universities
A
number of universities were established in the 19th and early 20th
Centuries as the industrial revolution led to a demand for highly
skilled people. They were often founded in industrial centres, such as
Birmingham, Manchester and Newcastle. They are sometimes referred to as
the Modern or Civic Universities.
Advantages:
- well-established libraries
- longstanding academic specialities
- accommodation close to campus (often enough for all first-years)
- internationally recognised for their high standard of education (though entry requirements can be high)
New universities
New
universities were established in the 1960s because of the large number
of baby-boomers (children born after World War 2) entering the higher
education system.
Advantages:
- Well-planned sites, with most of the living and teaching facilities on-campus. However, due to expansion, some have now had to establish satellite campuses.
Former polytechnic universities
In
1992, UK polytechnics became universities. These universities
were established to provide qualified people for the industries
situated in their region.
Advantages:
- focused on vocational and professional subjects
- often offer diploma courses
- can have split campuses as a result of expansion
University colleges
There
are only seven University Colleges in the Universities. They all offer
degree programmes and are regarded as equivalent in status to other
universities.
Specialist colleges
Specialist colleges offer a range of courses in one discipline, for
example agriculture, music, design or medicine. Some only offer
postgraduate programmes. They are usually small. Life at these colleges
can be very good, as students tend to gather in the same places.
Research centres
Many institutions now have dedicated research centres. These centres
are often world-leaders in their particular branch of research,
attracting students from many countries.
