Explore England Tour, 2024
I had the opportunity to visit and learn about four universities in England (not located in London).
There are some big differences between studying in the U.S. versus studying in the UK:
Duration of program
When a student declares a major
How students are evaluated for admission
Cost (can be as affordable as many in-state tuition costs)
In the UK, students apply directly into a major (called “program”) and are evaluated for that major. The requirements for each program are clear and transparent so it’s less confusing than the U.S. university system.
The duration of a typical bachelor’s degree is only three years (and often a student can earn a Master’s in four years), and because of the shorter length of duration, it can often cost students and families LESS for a degree than in the states. And bonus - all four of these universities accept the FAFSA for student and parent loans.
U.S. students are also eligible to stay and work in the UK with a Visa sponsor, and each of the schools I visited helps students connect with sponsors.
Newcastle Upon Tyne
38,000 students
The first stop on the UK college tour was Northumbria University, located in the bustling city of Newcastle. With a population of about 300,000 residents, the city boasts two large universities, a much-loved local football team, and a wonderfully rich history (including Hadrian’s Wall), making it an ideal college city (1 in 6 Newcastle residents are a student). I was fortunate enough to arrive a day early and explored the beauty of the city. It turned out to be a football match day, so everyone was out in their team shirts and the energy was exciting - go Magpies!
I loved the old world charm of cobblestone streets and winding alleys, but this historically working-class town also boasts a fair amount of modernization. I found it to be somewhat similar to Pittsburgh - a former steel town that is experiencing a revitalization, two major universities, and fans who love the local sports teams!
After a fun driving and walking tour of Newcastle with our fabulous tour guide (and Northumbria Alum, Rob), we ended the first day enjoying award-winning fish and chips on the seashore, at Tynemouth. It’s a very quick metro ride from the campus and it was a spectacular day, so I could see why students flock to the beach for some downtime on the weekends.
Having been thoroughly filled with history, culture, and amazing food, it was time to explore Northumbria! With 38,000 students from 138 countries (25k undergraduates), it has a very international feel and as a “Top 10 Student City” there is no shortage of things for students to do and experience. Northumbria is the largest university in the region, and was named “University of the Year” in 2022, for research and impact in the region. It is a top research institution and they are currently constructing a new space technology research building–they are so excited to have a rocket!
Students here are independent, both in terms of living (most rooms are singles) and in the academic spaces. The university is focused on students graduating with job ready skills, and is intentional about developing industry partnerships so that students have placements available in their field of study. The majority of programs are undergraduate qualifying, with both national and international credentials, so graduates can go right into the workforce without needing a graduate degree.
We focused on two specific programs and I was thoroughly impressed with both! In the School of Design, we watched a student building furniture that he designed, explored fashion design portfolios and actual clothing designs, and talked at length with two professors, who are highly experienced and regarded in their fields.
The Nursing Program blew me away. I’ve visited many colleges over the years, many with impressive nursing and pre-health facilities. This far exceeded anything I’ve ever seen! The cutting edge teaching and technology, from VR to hands-on labs, to the integrated cadaver modeling actually drew me in to learning about the human body (I’m generally averse to anything related to bodily fluids or the inside of a cadaver). The energy and excitement from the faculty and staff about what they get to do every day was electric! If you know anyone interested in nursing, this is a MUST SEE.
At Northumbria, both the programs and facilities are incredibly hands-on and project based - students are showcasing their work around the UK and the world. Combine that with faculty who know every student in their programs and endless support, I can see why these graduates are highly successful and why the alumni network is so strong.
Lancaster University
Lancaster, England
16,000 students
The next stop on the Explore England tour brought me to Lancaster University, a beautiful, green (they produce their own electricity), and spacious campus in the northwest of England. Most of the universities in England are city-based, so it was nice to see a more campus-based school. While the location may seem a bit more remote, students can easily take a train to Manchester, Liverpool, and London.
Tucked within a lush 560-acres in the countryside, Lancaster University is actually more similar to U.S. college campuses - boasting a vibrant student population, and nine award-winning themed residential colleges, each with a bar and a restaurant (typical for universities here). There is no shortage of things for students to get involved in - with more than 160 organizations, students participate in everything from sports to arts and culture events. Students find community and every kind of support starting on day one.
Academically, students are serious at LU. The university is ranked in the top 15 in the UK, top 125 in the world, and top 100 in eight subjects (including 3rd in the world for Linguistics). I had the opportunity to experience “tastings” from Linguistics, the Archives Center, and Economics and I was impressed! As a research intensive school and the recipient of a Gold Award for teaching, it was clear that the faculty LOVE what they do. They offer multiple types of coursework: lectures, seminars, lab-based workshops, group work, and independent study, so students have flexibility. And with every student assigned a faculty advisor, there is no shortage of academic support.
With a student population of about 16,000, including students from 130 countries, it is a thriving international community that clearly impacts the student experience. The food options alone were impressive! They also have four campuses around the globe as well as 120+ international partnerships, so students have an abundance of study away options, and the university also provides travel funding.
The Career Services office works closely with students, helping connect them to industry leaders for placements, internships, mentoring and work experiences, and also connecting students to the vast 170,000+ alumni network.
Lancaster offers more than 400 undergraduate programs, and in addition to accepting the FAFSA for student and parent loans for U.S. students, they also offer some merit scholarships, making this an incredibly affordable option for U.S. families.
University of Liverpool
Liverpool, England
22,000 students
I was eager to visit Liverpool, and not just to see the Beatles statue (which of course I did). I found the city itself to be full of energy, with endless restaurants, pubs, shopping, and museums. The people here are incredibly friendly and welcoming, and it seems like a wonderful balance of “work hard/play hard.” After a stunning meal at a local Italian restaurant, we were ready to explore the campus!
Nestled right in the heart of the city, the University of Liverpool is the original redbrick. The city centre campus provides student access to a variety of trendy food and drink hotspots, and everything is within a 20 minute walk from campus. And when students need a break, you’ll find them relaxing at Sefton Park, St. Johns Gardens, or playing sports at one of the many parks. There’s also two football teams here - Liverpool FC and Everton FC. Folks are very committed to either red or blue (I remain neutral).
We had a chance to attend a presentation by the senior leadership, and I loved this quote - “it’s not only about ‘getting in’, it’s about ‘getting on’.” It was clear to me that the entire faculty and staff are there to support the success and well-being of all students, all the time.
With a student population of just over 22,000, including almost 8,000 international students, the educational and campus experience is incredibly diverse and supportive. Liverpool offers more than 400 undergraduate and postgraduate programs, in every possible study area. They were awarded the TEF Gold Rating for Teaching in 2023 and were shortlisted for the Sunday Times University of the Year. Liverpool is a research intensive school, where all students receive their own academic advisor and about ⅓ of students have a “study away” experience.
The Career Services Center was a bit unusual in that students are the primary advisors for their peers. Students are engaging with the career services staff much more frequently In fact, the university employs 500-600 students on campus.
One of the programs I saw in depth was Aerospace Engineering. From the moment we stepped into the building and met our professor, I was hooked! He clearly loves what he does and was eager to share everything he does with his students. His philosophy is that students learn by doing. So he asks first year students to take apart an engine (and put it back together), and build a plane. His approach is to give students just enough information and then give them time, space, and resources to figure it out. I wish more classrooms were like this.
We explored five floors of the engineering building, seeing everything from flight simulators to CNC lathes and finally to the labs where students designed and built human-powered bikes (they currently hold 5 world records for land speed).
Lastly, we couldn’t walk through a part of campus without seeing massive construction - they are slated to open several new state of the art buildings in the next two years, including what looks to be an impressive building to house the Architecture program. I loved Liverpool and look forward to returning!
University of Sheffield
Sheffield, England
30,000 students
The last stop on the Explore England tour brought us to the very middle of the country. The University of Sheffield looks like it’s tucked away in a fairy forest. While the campus is very walkable to two trendy neighborhoods (if you don’t mind some hills), it also has the feel of the Pacific Northwest. In short, the university is known globally for excellence in both research and teaching. And as you’ll read shortly, they are also known for their support of students.
They are especially proud of their rankings:
A Top 50 Most International University (2023 Times Higher Education World University Rankings)
Ranked 104th globally (QS World University Rankings 2024)
#1 Students’ Union in the UK for the past 7 years (WhatUni Awards 2024)
#1 University of the Year and Best Student Life in the UK (WhatUni Awards 2024)
Top 20 University targeted by employers (The Graduate Market in 2023, High Fliers report)
The University of Sheffield has a population of 30,000 students from 150 countries. There are 50 schools with hundreds of Programs across 5 faculties: Science, Health, Engineering, Arts & Humanities, and Social Sciences. They are also highly ranked in Biosciences and Architecture.
We had the opportunity to attend two “tastings” by professors. The first one (which was also the first thing in the morning) was a history lecture called “France and Africa in the 20th Century.” I was nervous. But I was completely engaged from the first minute and by the end of the (hands-on and engaging) lesson, not only did I learn an insane amount, but I also ordered a book on black women in 19th century France. This is a fantastic place for students interested in history!
The second lecture was in Biosciences, where again, I was immediately drawn in to learning and participating with DNA fingerprinting. It’s so refreshing to see experts in their field who are so excited about teaching!
The Students’ Union is consistently ranked the best in the UK, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a thriving hub of student life with a cinema and a range of shops, cafes and bars, hosting theater, comedy and music events, and fun offerings like vintage stores and karaoke. But it’s so much more. Students elect officers to represent their interests, they pay student workers more than minimum wage, and the administration engages with the students. The best example of this that I saw was with the student protestors. This was the most organized, thoughtful, and respectful protest that I’ve seen anywhere. Students are in dialogue with the administration, and they are all working to make sure everyone is safe. This was the only campus where the staff spoke to the group about the protests, and what was happening. I appreciated the transparency, and I believe campuses in the U.S. can learn from this.
They offer 75 scholarships every year worth £10,000 off tuition fees for each year of study for international students, and with the tuition fees ranging from £21,000 and £26,950 per year (remember - for only three years), this is such an affordable option!
We had a little down time on our last day, so a few of us visited the botanical gardens nearby. It was stunning. I highly recommend visiting if you are in the area.
