Five Reasons Why Studying In The UK Is More Beneficial Than Australia

Going to university is one of the most important times in your life, and will ultimately shape the journey of your career. As an Australian student you’ve probably considered local university options such as: UNSW, USYD, Monash, University of Melbourne and more. However when comparing Australia to top universities around the world, specifically the UK, there are plenty of top university options beyond our land.

Being an Australian student, you have the option to study full time domestically or in the UK using your ATAR. If you would like to learn more about using your ATAR to study overseas, have a read of our “Five Facts For Students Studying Overseas With An ATAR” blog below.

As you only get one opportunity to experience life as an undergraduate student, it is crucial that you choose the right university for your education, career goals and personality. Therefore, to help you compare the differences between Australian and UK universities, we’ve compiled five key differences in the university experience. Read carefully, as some of these are great eye-openers as to the unique and long-lasting advantages of choosing to study abroad.

This blog is part two of our countries vs Australian universities blog series. If you missed our previous blog comparing US universities to Australian, the link to that blog is linked below.

1. Smaller Classes

In Australia, classroom sizes are growing year after year, largely because local universities are admitting a lot more students. Below is a table with 2018 undergraduate enrolment levels listing two Australian universities compared to top universities in the US and UK.

In summary, the data above shows the average Australia uni boasts a high enrolment rate with Student to Staff ratios sitting at approximately 19:1, where as at Oxford and Cambridge, (and these two universities’ ratios are similar across the board with other top colleges), the average student to staff ratio is approximately 9:1. UK universities benefit from having a low student to staff ratios allowing educators to give more attention, and a intimate learning experience that helps students thrive in their academic environment.

In addition, Oxford and Cambridge boast a unique tutorial system where you meet your academic professors/tutors during your interview process. During the interview your tutors will ultimately choose you to be a part of their class as they believe they can help nurture you The benefit of this is that you are able to establish a connection with your teachers prior to learning, and will enhance and personalise your learning experience.

Fun fact: UK Universities Oxford and Cambridge took out 1st and 5th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings Of 2021. To learn more about why UK universities rank so highly in the world, check out this blog post below where we dissect how university rankings are measured.

2. Europe On Your Doorstep

One of the biggest benefits of studying in the UK is how close it is to Europe. Unlike Australia, you can travel by train or by plane for an hour and you’ll be in another country. Being in Europe you’ll have many opportunities to travel and experience hundreds of different cultures with ease. Furthermore for your professional career, Europe is home to large corporations such as Spotify, AstraZeneca, Adidas and unique niche industries such as F1 Motorsport engineering. The opportunities are endless and will benefit your long term career.

3. A Strong Focus On Research

If research is an industry you’d like to be involved in then the UK is the place to be. Compared to Australia, most of the top UK universities rank highly because of their achievements, resources and greater emphasis on research. A recent example of a UK university leading innovation in research was Oxford’s ability to quickly create a COVID-19 vaccine with Astrazeneca, in the thick of the pandemic.The amazing academic reputation and university funding has made UK universities known for their world class reputation in research.

4. Culture And Long Held Traditions

One aspect that many Australia universities lack is the cultural experience of studying at university. The UK is home to the world’s oldest universities and the forefront of high quality education. The deep history and traditions in these universities really help make you feel like you’re a part of something bigger than just a classroom. Living on campus, and upholding century old traditions is something you don’t get to experience at any university in Australia, and is an aspect of university that helps drive a strong, positive community.

Want to learn more about what a typical day looks like at Cambridge? Check out our Day In The Life Of A Cambridge Student video below.

5. A Globally Recognised Degree

If after studying in the UK you are looking to move back home or somewhere else in the world, UK University degrees are recognised globally. Their high rankings and rigorous quality assurance standards are recognised by industries all over the world. Therefore you can have peace of mind that your UK university education can be used to get you a job anywhere you go. Some of the more popular degrees chosen by international students to study in the UK include: Business, Engineering/Technology, Social Studies, Sciences, Language Arts and Creative Arts/Design.

Fun fact: Graduates from top UK universities generally have higher starting salaries after graduation. Learn more in the blog below.

Got some questions about subject selection or how to use your ATAR score to apply to universities? Visit our Webinars and Workshops page to register for our upcoming webinar or request a free and private consultation with our Academic Advisors where they can help you understand the full US or UK application process