The British PhD offers the following opportunities to international students: "
you could produce an original piece of research, which may mean an important boost to your career
you could become one of the world's leading experts in a particular field
you'll receive a sound training in research methodology and practice
especially important if you intend to pursue an academic career
New types of doctoral programmes have also been developed in recent years aimed at experienced professionals in industry or professions such as education, engineering and clinical psychology.

Split PhDs let you split your research time between the UK and your home country. You'll usually spend a minimum of one year in the UK and then, complete your research in your own country but still have a supervisor in the UK. Eligibility: There are no set rules for entrance policy. They do vary from college to college, so you should check the position of the institution concerned. For example, sometimes graduates in any discipline are accepted where an interest and knowledge of a subject or, better still, relevant work experience can be demonstrated.

Other institutions offer bridging courses, which increase your chances of being accepted on a postgraduate course. There are, however, a number of broad generalisations that can be made about postgraduate entrance requirements:

For Postgraduate diploma or Masters degree, you will usually need a first degree in a relevant subject from a British university or an overseas equivalent. Before progressing to a masters' course, some institutions may ask you to complete a diploma first. Before starting a research programme, you may in some cases be required to take a taught postgraduate course. PhD students are sometimes registered for an MPhil in the first instance, and if their research progresses well it can later be converted to a PhD registration.

The Research Councils and the Arts and Humanities Research Board (AHRB) fund Ph.D and M.Phil research student ships. The Science Research Councils funds Postgraduate study through the academic departments. The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council(EPSRC) has introduced flexible funding mechanisams, the Doctoral Training Accounts and the Master's Training Package, to cover all its postgraduate study funding.

English language skills: Details are same as explained for undergraduate courses in the following pages.
Universities: Of the 93 universities in Britain, each one is an independent, self-governing body established by Royal Charter, engaged in teaching and research. Collectively, British universities provide first class courses for all the major professions.

In addition to the universities, there are many university sector colleges that also offer degree courses, either in their own right or through collaboration with a university. And there are nU1;Tlerous colleges offering degree courses validated by universities or qualifications that allow you to enter a degree course in its second or third year. You can even sit the first year of your degree at certain UK Boarding schools and Colleges.

Colleges and Institutes of Higher Education offer a variety of courses leading to degree level and professional qualifications. They can be either full time or part time. The quality of the courses and the certificate and diplomas awarded for them is guaranteed by external validating bodies. Tending to be smaller than universities, colleges encourage close personal contact between students and tutors.

Colleges of Further Education offer training at many levels: pre­vocational and vocational courses; access to Higher Education courses; specialized courses for craftsmen and technicians; professional courses, as well as graduate level courses. There are also general education courses that allow people without formal qualifications to enter Further Education at the most clementary level and eventually gain the highest qualification available.

These colleges basically offer courses of academic, vocational or intermediary nature. The following courses are offered by these colleges: Pre-vocational and vocational courses; Access to higher education course, for example, bridging and foundation courses; Specialised Courses for craftsmen and technicians; Professional courses such as secretarial , business etc. and Graduate level courses.

The Scottish Central Institutions and Colleges of Education account for all non-university higher education in Scotland.

Private Colleges offer private sector education, mainly at primary and secondary level. Many specialise in A-level and university access course; a few after degree level courses. The British Accreditation Council publishes an annual list of accredited colleges so that students can make confident choices between private institutions. The Council for the Accreditation of Correspondence  Colleges performs a similar role for distance learning institutions.