Education in the UK
A globally respected education system, with some of the best universities in the world; the UK offers a mix of traditional education focused on the future.
What to expect from the UK education system
What is the higher education system?
Higher education in the UK consists of undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD study. In the UK, you begin your journey in higher education once you finish secondary and further education.
Degree lengths
- Undergraduate degree: 3 years of full-time study
- Postgraduate degree: 1 year of full-time study
- PhD: 4 years on average
No matter your higher education ambitions, you will start by studying an undergraduate degree from a university in the UK. Typically lasting one year, this may be extended if your studies include an internship or other professional experience or training. For example, Aerospace Engineering students at Sheffield have the exciting option to learn to fly during their second year.
You need to have achieved the required high school grades to access a UK undergraduate degree. Requirements vary depending on the university and your degree choice. If you decide to pursue a full-time masters degree after successfully completing your undergraduate degree, you will study for an additional year.
A Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) is the highest level of UK degrees. They are project-based and take as long as the research takes to complete. On average, this is four years but it can go on much longer.