UK universities provide internationally – recognized qualifications of the highest standard. They also offer more opportunities than ever before: there are currently over 50,000 postgraduate taught courses and research opportunities to choose from. The UK higher education system combines the best elements of tradition and modernity. Some UK universities are among the oldest in the world; others are among the newest.

The quality and standard of UK higher education are guaranteed through the work of various official bodies. The quality of a university’s teaching and its general facilities are assessed by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). Research standards are examined by the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), which publishes its findings every five years. The UK has always welcomed students from all over the world. In 2003/2004, there were 96,845 students from the European Union (EU) and 203,210 students from outside of it in the UK at undergraduate and postgraduate level.