The two oldest and most prestigious universities in the UK are Oxford and Cambridge, which consistently rank among the top 5 universities globally. UK universities are largely public and autonomous, with many partnering with private businesses for research funding. Notable programs of study include engineering, medicine, computer science, business, and education. There are strong initiatives to increase diversity among university staff. UK degrees are recognized internationally through alignment with the Bologna Process, with most master's programs taking 12 months of full-time study.

1. Student’s Guide to the United Kingdom
The top two universities of UK viz. the Cambridge and the Oxford are
some of the oldest higher learning institutions in existence and rank
among the top 5 universities in the world.
The public universities dominate the higher education sector
characterised by institutional autonomy thus allowing free investments
and strict adherence to best industry practices in course pedagogy. Some
of the best research-intensive institutions fund their operations by
partnering with private businesses. Overall student satisfaction at UK
higher institution is close to 84%. Notable programs include
engineering, medicine, computer science, education, business and
administrative studies.

2. In 2015-16, there were 162 higher education institutions in the UK in
receipt of public funding via one of the UK funding councils. The UK
lays strong emphasis on increasing the diversity of their staff, with the
initiative like the Athena SWAN charter and the race quality charter,
focusing on improving the representation, progression, working
environment, and learning experience.
The UK Masters and PhD programs are Bologna compatible which
means that there are recognition and equivalence between the UK
degrees and those of the 47 signatories of the Bologna process. Most
Masters programme involves 12 months of full-time study (90 ECTS).
Some programmes take 24 months (180ECTS); these are often offered
in collaboration with EU universities.
In May 2017, the Higher Education and Research Act 2017 (the Act)
was passed by parliament, representing the most significant changes to
higher education legislation in England since the Further and Higher
Education Act 1992. The Act introduces several changes that are likely
to impact on the trends in funding, students and staff at higher education
institutions including:
 The Teaching Excellence Framework, which will award
institutions based on quantitative and qualitative assessments of
teaching quality;
 A greater focus on encouraging the entry of new providers of
higher education, including the power to award degrees on a
probationary basis, and removing some restrictions on gaining
university title &reorganisation of the architecture overseeing
research funding and strategy.
 The UK higher education sector can point to a number of past
successes over the period:

3. o Student satisfaction has increased over the period, from 79.9% in
2006 to a new high of 86% during 2016 – 2017 &
o Strong and consistent demand for higher education across the UK,
with the number of young students from disadvantaged
backgrounds entering higher education reaching record levels in
2015 – 16.
According to the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) exercise,
it was found that 76% of work submitted by UK universities was
internationally excellent or world-leading. There has been a widespread
investment in creating internships and work placement opportunities for
students and a renewed focus on tailored careers advice. Universities
have embedded employability and enterprise in degree programmes and
taken steps to help students develop entrepreneurial skills. Many
universities are also encouraging volunteering, helping students to
recognize the value of developing their skills and experience during their
studies.
The UK offers work permit after course completion under its post-study
work visa guidelines. Under this scheme, one can stay in the UK after
completing graduation, if one holds a job offer with an annual salary of
at least GBP20800. Towards this end, one needs to apply in for a work
visa from the UK Border Agency and opt for either:
 Tier 2 (General) Visa - Open to recent graduates holding a UK
recognized Bachelor's, Master's or PhD degree with a job offer
from a licensed employer paying a salary of at least £20,800
Or
 Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa - Open to students who are in process
of developing a world-class innovative idea and are sponsored by
their university.

4. Under the National Health Service (NHS) students enrolled in full-time
programs are eligible to receive free medical treatment in the UK.
The UK thus provides international students with an unparalleled
opportunity to receive an internationally sought-after degree from top
academic institutions served by some of the world’s best thinkers and
researchers. With a focus on facilitating a positive environment,
language and cultural differences do not act as barriers to learning and
career growth in a country that welcomes the international community in
its campuses.
Source:- http://global-studyinuk.blogspot.com/2018/01/students-guide-
to-united-kingdom.html