Sponsored by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)

The University of Central Lancashire’s School of Medicine offers the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) for international students from across the globe.

The University’s Head of Medical School Professor Cathy Jackson shares the ingredients of a truly valuable medical degree…

1. Opportunities to interact with real patients

“One of the key features of the UCLan MBBS is early patient contact with a diverse range of people with mental and physical health disabilities, as well as carers, to expand students’ knowledge while also helping them develop communication skills and professionalism.”

2. Access to the latest medical facilities

“UCLan students enjoy high-tech facilities as part of their studies, including a number of human anatomy resource and learning centers, virtual dissection tables, problem-based learning rooms, modern teaching rooms and lecture theaters.

“Additionally, the five clinical skills laboratories on campus house a vast range of equipment – including a number of high fidelity clinical human simulators – to help students develop clinical skills in realistic hospital, home and GP surgery environments.

“As part of the MBBS course at UCLan, students will also complete placements at some of the busiest hospitals in the North West of England, including the Royal Blackburn Hospital and Burnley General Hospital, which have large inpatient and outpatient departments, first-class medical facilities and a purpose-built learning center.”

3. High-quality teaching

“It goes without saying that high-quality teaching is a key ingredient in any good degree, and this includes medicine.

“UCLan has evolved over the years to become a world-class institution, recognized with its inclusion in the QS World University Rankings®. We are ranked in the top 3.7% of universities in the world (Center for World University Rankings, 2016).

“Small class sizes aid learning by ensuring every individual student has access to adequate support from both peers and tutors. At UCLan we recruit small cohorts of international students onto our MBBS course to ensure we are able to offer a warm and supportive learning environment in which students are treated as individuals.”

4. A relevant curriculum designed by practitioners and patients

“At UCLan, we have designed our MBBS in partnership with patients, local National Health Service (NHS) leaders and academic researchers, to ensure it meets the needs of the real medical world both today and in the future.”

5. World-leading clinical experience

“One of the main benefits of studying a medical degree in the UK is the opportunity to train within the world-renowned NHS. Medical education in the UK has a long history of excellence and of offering training to overseas doctors. Our hospitals and other clinical settings are renowned for the quality of their teaching and their influential medical research, and the NHS is envied across the world for its ethos of providing healthcare ‘free for everyone at the point of access’, stemming back to 1948.

“UCLan’s student doctors will take up their placements within several NHS Trusts in the North West of England. Students will become part of a team of professionals and non-medical staff delivering care to the highest standards in the NHS; extremely valuable clinical experience that is in demand across the world.”

6. A qualification transferrable worldwide

“This is a particularly important feature for medical students who want to be able to practice throughout the world.

“The UCLan MBBS has been designed specifically for international students, to ensure they are trained to the highest UK standards and to enable them to become safe, effective and knowledgeable practitioners wherever they choose to work.

“As well as reflecting the national standards outlined by the UK’s General Medical Council (GMC), the curriculum has been closely aligned to the requirements of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE), to support students who wish to have the option of applying for work in the US.”

7. Intercalation opportunities

“Intercalation degrees offer the chance to take time out from a regular MBBS program and gain an additional qualification in a related field, allowing high-performing students to widen their skills and improve career prospects. This opportunity will be offered to high-achieving students at the end of the fourth year of the UCLan program, leading to a master’s-level qualification.”

QS Best Student Cities ranking: 78^th

The largest city in South Africa with over nine million people, Johannesburg (or Jo’burg) is the country’s economic and commercial hub, with a prominent skyline and mining trade.

Although not one of South Africa’s three capitals, Johannesburg is the seat of the Constitutional Court. It’s considered one of the greenest cities in the world, with extensive parks and gardens and an estimated six million trees.

Stunning natural scenery can be found just outside the city, including nature reserves such as Lion Park and Krugersdorp. 50km northwest of the city, you’ll find the Cradle of Humankind, a paleoanthropological complex of limestone caves with a large number of hominin fossils, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Like the rest of the country, Johannesburg is still coming to terms with a complicated past, while looking optimistically to the future. It offers lots to see and do, with great restaurants, bars and clubs, theater, music, galleries and museums, and a large collection of public art.

The city would be a good choice for sun-lovers, enjoying a generally temperate and pleasant climate throughout the year.

Johannesburg achieves a high score for affordability, ranked among the 10 best cities in the world, reflecting its fairly low tuition fees and living costs.

The city’s higher education system is well-developed, with a range of private and public universities, including the University of the Witwatersrand, one of the most prestigious in the country, ranked fourth in South Africa.

Although South Africa has 11 official languages, the language of instruction at its universities is usually English.

Internationally ranked universities in Johannesburg

More about Johannesburg

To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.

QS Best Student Cities ranking: Joint 89^th

Turkey’s capital and second-largest city, Ankara is located in the north-western part of the country, and although it may seem like a bustling concrete jungle on first glance, a closer look will reveal that the city has much to offer international students.

Known as Ancyra and Angora in antiquity, Ankara has a history dating back to the Bronze Age, and archaeological sites from various periods of its history are still present in the city – from the Roman and later Byzantine Ankara Castle that overlooks the city and offers stunning views, to the remains of ancient Roman baths, and the Temple of Augustus and Rome.

Probably the most popular landmark in Ankara is the Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, which is particularly striking to visit on a national holiday such as Republic Day, when it lights up with celebrations. Ankara is also home to a number of interesting museums, attractive parks and open spaces, mosques, historic inns, bars, clubs and concert venues.

The city has a large population of students, and the government is a major employer. Many students will be pleased to hear that it’s a fairly affordable study destination, with reasonable living costs and tuition fees. You can find programs taught in English or Turkish, although international students may need to pay more to study in English.

Internationally ranked universities in Ankara

More about Ankara

To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.

QS最佳留学城市排名：第99名

南京（“南方首都”）是中国江苏省的省会，是重要的文化、教育、研究、交通和历史中心，被公认为中国四大古都之一。历史遗产包括600年历史的城墙、寺庙、博物馆和陵墓等遗址中都有体现。

南京被认为是中国最宜居、最美丽的城市之一。总市区人口为1170万，在中国来说算是很少的！因此，这里比北京、上海等大城市的氛围更为轻松，生活成本也更低。南京还有风景优美的湖泊、郁郁葱葱的公园和小山。

从灵谷寺、朝天宫等颇具吸引力的帝王时代标志性建筑，到450米（1480英尺）高的紫峰大厦或中山陵等现代化建筑，南京有很多值得一看的地方。南京也有着充满活力的、丰富的夜生活（当然包括大量的卡拉OK场所），还举办国际梅花节等活动。

南京成为中国南方的教育中心已有1700多年，拥有众多著名的高等教育机构和研究机构，在校生数量巨大。虽然高校中多数课程都是普通话授课，但有些大学也开设了英语教学的课程。

南京的国际一流大学

关于南京的更多信息

如需了解如何计算上述每个类别，请查看计算方法。

QS Best Student Cities ranking: 66^th

Up 10 places in the Best Student Cities ranking this year, Russia’s second-largest city, St. Petersburg is noted for being at the forefront of much political and social change during its 300-year history. It’s been known as Petrograd and Leningrad, and home to many major events and historical figures.

Many students will be keen to visit iconic sights such as the Church of the Savior on Blood (pictured above), the Winter Palace (the official residence of Russian monarchs from 1732 to 1917), the Hermitage Museum (one of the largest art museums in the world), and the city’s beautiful cathedrals, such as the impressive Kazan Cathedral, which is dedicated to Our Lady of Kazan, possibly the most venerated icon in Russia.

St. Petersburg is probably Russia’s most westernized city, and is also considered one of the most attractive cities in Europe. Nicknamed “The Venice of the North”, the city’s northern location means that it experiences the ‘White Nights’ phenomenon, in which the sun barely dips below the horizon (peaking in mid-June), giving its name to the annual White Nights of St. Petersburg music festival.

Other cultural activities you could enjoy in St. Petersburg include opera and ballet shows at the historic Mariinsky Theatre, visits to one of its 200-or-so museums, and its lively nightlife, with sophisticated live-music joints, dance clubs and English- or Irish-style pubs. It’s also ranked in the top 5 of the Best Student Cities ranking for affordability (up seven places this year) with low tuition fees and fairly affordable living costs.

Known for its longstanding tradition in literature, the city is also home to a number of Russia’s most prestigious universities, including Saint Petersburg State University, the oldest and one of the largest in the country as well as being Russia’s third highest ranking university.

Internationally ranked universities in St. Petersburg

More about St. Petersburg

To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.

QS Best Student Cities ranking: 82^nd

Colombia’s capital and largest city, Bogotá has transformed its image in recent years from a city known largely for its high crime rate, to a cosmopolitan and vibrant metropolis.

Located 2,630 meters above sea level (8,612 feet), the city borders the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes mountain range, offering attractive surroundings. Bogotá also boasts a great restaurant scene, world-class museums, and a rich nightlife including salsa clubs, trendy cocktail bars and English-style pubs. Many students will also find the city’s cost of living far lower than in other popular study destinations.

If you study in Bogotá, you could also enjoy major cultural events such as the Iberoamerican Theater Festival of Bogotá, one of the largest performing arts festivals in the world, or for rock fans, the free Rock al Parque, which attracts around 400,000 people every year.

The city has retained many of its colonial-era landmarks, which is particularly notable in the historic neighborhood of La Candelaria, with its government palaces, beautifully preserved colonial architecture and popular museums.

Nicknamed “The South American Athens” due to its extensive education system and libraries, Bogotá was named World Book Capital in 2007 by UNESCO, the first Latin American city to be granted the title. There are a number of public and private universities in the city, including Universidad de Los Andes Colombia, widely considered one of the most prestigious in Latin America.

Internationally ranked universities in Bogotá

More about Bogotá

To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.

QS Best Student Cities ranking: 71st

Straddling two continents on the Bosporus strait, Istanbul is a real mix of east and west, and a melting pot of cultures. The largest city in Turkey, Istanbul has a history dating back thousands of years, during which time it’s seen a number of major events in political, religious and art history, and has been known as Constantinople and Byzantium.

The country’s economic, cultural and historic center, Istanbul was voted the European Capital of Culture in 2010 and boasts attractions such as the ancient Hippodrome of Constantine, the sixth century Hagia Sophia and the Süleymaniye Mosque.

The city’s unique skyline and architecture reflects the various empires that have ruled over it, from Roman constructions such as the Obelisk of Theodosius to Ottoman fortresses that were once used to defend the city from sieges.

As well as seeing these famous sights, there’s plenty more to do during your time in the city. Shopping districts range from the entirely modern to the deeply historic, including the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world.

There are also famous restaurants, vibrant nightlife, traditional taverns, and cultural events such as international music and film festivals.

Istanbul has a large number of public and private higher education institutions, some of which offer teaching in English, and the city offers good value for money in terms of living costs. The city earns its highest scores in the affordability indicator and student view indicator, reflecting the great student experience to be had there.

When asked in the student survey what they enjoyed most about studying in Istanbul, one respondent said they enjoyed the “cultural and historical diversity” of the city and another commented on the “many opportunities available in both your personal and professional life”.

Internationally ranked universities in Istanbul

More about Istanbul

To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.

斯坦福大学在独角兽联盟排行榜上遥遥领先，这一榜单展示了拥有最多独角兽公司创始人校友的15所大学。

即便你之前未曾听说过“独角兽公司”（指价值超过10亿美元的私营初创企业），你也一定对一些被视为独角兽的企业不陌生——包括Facebook（在其上市之前）、Uber、Deliveroo、Airbnb、Twitter和Spotify等。

根据软件公司Sage的研究数据，斯坦福大学在其校友中拥有51位独角兽公司创始人，这一数字远超全球其他任何大学。紧随其后的是哈佛大学，拥有37位独角兽创始人。

斯坦福的独角兽创始人名单中包括了LinkedIn、Shazam和WhatsApp的创始人。

虽然美国大学在该榜单中占据主导地位，但在其他地区，牛津大学在英国和欧洲以8位独角兽创始人领先，而印度理工学院则是亚洲地区最多独角兽创业公司创始人的教育机构，共有12位。

亿美元级独角兽创业公司的顶尖五所大学

斯坦福大学在该排行榜上的卓越表现并不令人意外，考虑到该校卓越的声誉以及与世界著名的硅谷创业生态系统的紧密联系。

该大学还在2017年QS全球毕业生就业能力排名中荣登榜首，此排名基于五大关键毕业生就业能力指标：雇主声誉、校友成就、与雇主的伙伴关系、雇主与学生的联系以及毕业生就业率。

斯坦福大学在毕业生雇主声誉和校友成就两方面均获得满分，这反映了许多毕业生最终成为成功企业家和商业领袖的高比例。

虽然不能保证就读斯坦福就能让你成为亿万富翁，但如果你打算创立自己的公司，斯坦福无疑是一个绝佳的起点！

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QS Best Student Cities ranking: 72^nd

Greece’s capital and largest city, Athens has a history dating back thousands of years, and has been called the cradle of western civilization as well as the birthplace of democracy.

The classical city-state of Athens has been transformed into a busy modern metropolis, home to around 34 percent of Greece’s total population. Rising four places this year, Athens is now ranked 72^nd in the Best Student Cities 2019.

Home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (including the world-famous Acropolis), the city retains much of its classical heritage, with many ancient monuments such as the famous Parthenon. Athens is a city that certainly mixes old and new – you can’t walk the streets without seeing reminders of the fascinating history that’s taken place exactly where you’re standing.

As well as exploring one of the oldest cultures in the world, you could also spend time enjoying the city’s lively nightlife, delicious Greek food, great shops, its long tradition in sports, as well as theater and entertainment.

Greek people are noted for their warmth and friendliness and, if you fancy more exploration, the city is just a quick ferry ride away from beautiful Greek islands such as Kea and Aegina.

Considered the birthplace of modern thinking, Athens is home to some of Greece’s most prestigious universities, three of which are included in the QS World University Rankings® 2020.

Greece earns its highest score in the affordability indicator, at 32^nd worldwide. This is due to its relatively low tuition fees (US$2,100), as well as the low cost of living. For example, a one-bedroom apartment in the city center would cost you only US$400 per month, compared to US$1,288 for the same thing in France’s capital, Paris.

In fact, in the student survey, Athens’ affordability is frequently mentioned, with one individual saying, “in contrast to other European cities, Athens is much more affordable.” Another respondent praised “the weather and the nightlife.”  

Internationally ranked universities in Athens

More about Athens

To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.

QS Best Student Cities ranking: 72nd

The capital and most populous city in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh is one of the richest cities in the world, demonstrating the country’s highly developed infrastructure with its modern skyscrapers and highways. With its intriguing combinations old and new, Riyadh could be a fascinating city to spend your student days, remaining conservative and upholding traditional Islamic values while simultaneously experiencing significant change due to economic prosperity and innovation.

While there’s much to adapt to, there’s also plenty in Riyadh to make you feel comfortable. The city boasts a number of fine hotels and restaurants, almost all residents speak English, and there’s lots to explore. Interesting sites of historical significance include the Murabba Palace, Masmak fort and (just outside the city) the historic town of Diriyah – the original home of the Saudi royal family, in which the At-Turaif District is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

Others may be impressed by the city’s vast contemporary architecture, such as the impressive Kingdom Center, a 41-storey skyscraper boasting a range of famous shopping brands, the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh, and fantastic views of the city from its Sky Bridge.

Students will doubtless be interested to know that tuition in Saudi Arabia is usually free, with a mix of both English- and Arabic-taught programs.

Riyadh is also home to the world’s largest women-only university – Princess Nora bint Abdul Rahman University. Two of the city’s universities appear in the QS World University Rankings® 2018, with King Saud University featured in the top 250.

Internationally ranked universities in Riyadh

More about Riyadh

To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.