It is believed that universities in the United Kingdom (UK) offer slightly smaller class sizes, which is a notable advantage. All the UK universities are actively engaged in research. Consequently, courses at these universities are taught by faculty who are actively involved in cutting-edge research. This ensures that, especially in the later years of undergraduate programmes and in all postgraduate courses, students are exposed to the latest advancements in their respective fields, Neal Juster, vice chancellor, University of Lincoln, UK, told FE Education. “As a result, these courses have a significant level of technical depth and offer students a robust understanding of their subjects. The UK fosters a global perspective, with teachers adept at embracing diverse cultures. For instance, at Lincoln, our campus welcomes students from over 120 nationalities. Additionally, the UK offers comprehensive support for mental health, career guidance and quality accommodation,” he said.
The University of Lincoln claims to offer a diverse array of courses encompassing fields such as accounting, business management, finance, agri tech, food manufacturing, engineering, bio-sciences, pharmacy, medicine, nursing and law. Notably, business management stands out as the favoured choice among Indian students, with nearly 600 Indian enrollees. This is followed by agri-food technology. “The university’s overall student body comprises 18,000 individuals, including 3,500 international students and approximately 1,800 from India,” Juster said.
At the higher echelons of Indian universities, a distinguishing feature is the exceptional quality of both students and faculty, along with the depth of intellectual rigour in research and graduate education. Some private universities offer a unique perspective, emphasising practical application over theoretical concepts, focusing on real-world scenarios. “However, it’s undeniable that the top-tier universities in India boast truly outstanding students. Moreover, the efforts made by certain institutions to equip their students with employability skills are indeed commendable,” he explained when asked about the factors he admired about the Indian education system.
Furthermore, the University of Lincoln claims to extend scholarship opportunities to Indian students who meet specific criteria, offering an amount of £4,000 (approximately Rs four lakh). Additionally, the university claims to have approximately 50 global scholarships available, which are open to international students. However, these scholarships are highly competitive and only the top 50 students secure them. These scholarships cover the fixed fees. “Moreover, we provide assistance to students seeking external scholarships, facilitating their pursuit of additional financial support. It’s worth noting that our city, often ranked among the top three most affordable cities for students in the UK, serves as a cost-effective starting point for their education journey before exploring other funding options,” Juster said.
As of now the University of Lincoln is not planning to establish any new campuses. Instead, it aims to cultivate bilateral relationships. Specifically, the university claims to be exploring opportunities to collaborate and enhance virtual educational capacity with select partners in India, engaging in joint activities. As for the expansion of their course offerings, it claims to focus on areas where technology and social sciences converge to generate novel ideas. “Currently, we are considering ventures into engineering, with a focus on supporting schools for the burgeoning nuclear industries and the recycling sector. Additionally, we are committed to integrating sustainability principles into our programmes, examining the impact of agriculture and manufacturing on carbon footprints and developing new courses in these areas,” he explained.