| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | AA | ||
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1 | RANKING | DESTINATION | VISA & ACCESS SCORES | COST SCORES | OVERALL | ADDITIONAL CRITERIA (TBD) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2 | Rank (per capita) | Rank (absolute no.) | Country | Region | Ease of student visa score (UK passport) [1–100] | Availability of short/long-term work visas for UK students [1–100] | Frequency of UK HEI partnerships [1–100] | Visa & Access Combined Average [1–100] | Cost of living score [1–100] | Cost of travel score [1–100] | Cost Combined Average [1–100] | Indicative Combined Score [Average of H and K] | Additional criteria to be added | |||||||||||||||
3 | Turing Scheme 2023/24 (DfE/Gov.uk); HESA outward mobility; UUKi IFAF 2023 | Turing Scheme 2023/24; UUKi International Facts & Figures 2023; HESA outward mobility | Turing Scheme; UUKi; HESA; Erasmus+ historical data | UN regional classification | FCDO/Gov.uk foreign travel advice 2024; Home Office UK Visas & Immigration; each country national immigration authority; Henley Passport Index 2024. Scores reflect ease of obtaining a student/study visa for UK British passport holders to study in that country (short placement <90 days AND long-stay >90 days where relevant) | Gov.uk bilateral WHV/YMS agreements; Home Office; Wikipedia Working Holiday Visa (verified against official national immigration authorities); US Dept of State Exchange Visitor Programme (J-1); BUNAC/CIEE/IES Abroad. Scores reflect availability & ease of work/internship/placement visas specifically for UK students with British passports, including bilateral Working Holiday Visas, J-1-type exchange visas, and government-facilitated placement schemes | UUKi International Facts & Figures 2023; British Council Going Global; QS WUR 2024 collaboration data; Research England international co-authorship | AVERAGE(E, F, G) per row — auto-calculated | Numbeo Cost of Living Index 2024 (www.numbeo.com); inverted to 1-100 scale (100=lowest cost). UK Numbeo index ~63.7. | Skyscanner/OAG avg airfare data 2024 from UK; Turing Scheme DfE grant rate country groups; IATA connectivity data | AVERAGE(I, J) per row — auto-calculated | To be completed | ||||||||||||||||
4 | 1 | 11 | Ireland | Europe | 100 | 95 | 82 | 92.3 | 37 | 98 | 67.5 | 79.9 | ||||||||||||||||
5 | 2 | 7 | Malta | Europe | 88 | 50 | 68 | 68.7 | 49 | 87 | 68.0 | 68.4 | ||||||||||||||||
6 | 3 | 3 | Spain | Europe | 85 | 55 | 88 | 76.0 | 54 | 88 | 71.0 | 73.5 | ||||||||||||||||
7 | 4 | 2 | France | Europe | 84 | 60 | 92 | 78.7 | 38 | 90 | 64.0 | 71.4 | ||||||||||||||||
8 | 5 | 5 | Netherlands | Europe | 85 | 58 | 85 | 76.0 | 38 | 88 | 63.0 | 69.5 | ||||||||||||||||
9 | 6 | 4 | Germany | Europe | 80 | 55 | 90 | 75.0 | 39 | 86 | 62.5 | 68.8 | ||||||||||||||||
10 | 7 | 8 | Belgium | Europe | 84 | 50 | 82 | 72.0 | 39 | 89 | 64.0 | 68.0 | ||||||||||||||||
11 | 8 | 6 | Italy | Europe | 80 | 48 | 80 | 69.3 | 43 | 86 | 64.5 | 66.9 | ||||||||||||||||
12 | 9 | 9 | Portugal | Europe | 84 | 52 | 72 | 69.3 | 56 | 87 | 71.5 | 70.4 | ||||||||||||||||
13 | 10 | 12 | Sweden | Europe | 85 | 50 | 80 | 71.7 | 38 | 84 | 61.0 | 66.4 | ||||||||||||||||
14 | 11 | 16 | Denmark | Europe | 85 | 52 | 76 | 71.0 | 36 | 83 | 59.5 | 65.3 | ||||||||||||||||
15 | 12 | 14 | Norway | Europe | 85 | 48 | 74 | 69.0 | 32 | 82 | 57.0 | 63.0 | ||||||||||||||||
16 | 13 | 17 | Finland | Europe | 85 | 48 | 72 | 68.3 | 37 | 82 | 59.5 | 63.9 | ||||||||||||||||
17 | 14 | 20 | Austria | Europe | 80 | 45 | 74 | 66.3 | 35 | 84 | 59.5 | 62.9 | ||||||||||||||||
18 | 15 | 22 | Switzerland | Europe | 84 | 48 | 82 | 71.3 | 7 | 85 | 46.0 | 58.7 | ||||||||||||||||
19 | 16 | 13 | Australia | Oceania | 85 | 97 | 88 | 90.0 | 24 | 30 | 27.0 | 58.5 | ||||||||||||||||
20 | 17 | 1 | United States | North America | 68 | 65 | 96 | 76.3 | 26 | 42 | 34.0 | 55.2 | ||||||||||||||||
21 | 18 | 18 | New Zealand | Oceania | 85 | 93 | 78 | 85.3 | 28 | 28 | 28.0 | 56.7 | ||||||||||||||||
22 | 19 | 10 | Canada | North America | 83 | 92 | 86 | 87.0 | 33 | 40 | 36.5 | 61.8 | ||||||||||||||||
23 | 20 | 30 | Iceland | Europe | 85 | 45 | 58 | 62.7 | 30 | 80 | 55.0 | 58.9 | ||||||||||||||||
24 | 21 | 15 | Japan | Asia | 72 | 87 | 82 | 80.3 | 56 | 35 | 45.5 | 62.9 | ||||||||||||||||
25 | 22 | 28 | Czech Republic | Europe | 80 | 45 | 72 | 65.7 | 53 | 80 | 66.5 | 66.1 | ||||||||||||||||
26 | 23 | 25 | Greece | Europe | 80 | 42 | 68 | 63.3 | 48 | 84 | 66.0 | 64.7 | ||||||||||||||||
27 | 24 | 19 | South Korea | Asia | 76 | 85 | 72 | 77.7 | 38 | 33 | 35.5 | 56.6 | ||||||||||||||||
28 | 25 | 29 | Poland | Europe | 80 | 45 | 74 | 66.3 | 56 | 78 | 67.0 | 66.7 | ||||||||||||||||
29 | 26 | 21 | Hong Kong | Asia | 88 | 76 | 78 | 80.7 | 32 | 34 | 33.0 | 56.9 | ||||||||||||||||
30 | 27 | 24 | Singapore | Asia | 80 | 72 | 78 | 76.7 | 21 | 32 | 26.5 | 51.6 | ||||||||||||||||
31 | 28 | 26 | Taiwan | Asia | 78 | 72 | 66 | 72.0 | 53 | 31 | 42.0 | 57.0 | ||||||||||||||||
32 | 29 | 23 | India | Asia | 62 | 28 | 72 | 54.0 | 82 | 44 | 63.0 | 58.5 | ||||||||||||||||
33 | 30 | 27 | China | Asia | 50 | 28 | 72 | 50.0 | 60 | 30 | 45.0 | 47.5 | ||||||||||||||||
34 | 31 | 31 | Mexico | North America | 82 | 42 | 62 | 62.0 | 58 | 52 | 55.0 | 58.5 | ||||||||||||||||
35 | 32 | 32 | Brazil | South America | 78 | 35 | 62 | 58.3 | 60 | 45 | 52.5 | 55.4 | ||||||||||||||||
36 | 33 | 35 | South Africa | Africa | 72 | 40 | 68 | 60.0 | 68 | 45 | 56.5 | 58.3 | ||||||||||||||||
37 | 34 | 34 | Argentina | South America | 80 | 30 | 56 | 55.3 | 70 | 46 | 58.0 | 56.7 | ||||||||||||||||
38 | 35 | 36 | Chile | South America | 78 | 30 | 55 | 54.3 | 63 | 42 | 52.5 | 53.4 | ||||||||||||||||
39 | 36 | 33 | United Arab Emirates | Middle East | 82 | 48 | 64 | 64.7 | 44 | 55 | 49.5 | 57.1 | ||||||||||||||||
40 | 37 | 37 | Thailand | Asia | 82 | 30 | 52 | 54.7 | 70 | 35 | 52.5 | 53.6 | ||||||||||||||||
41 | 38 | 38 | Indonesia | Asia | 72 | 25 | 48 | 48.3 | 72 | 32 | 52.0 | 50.2 | ||||||||||||||||
42 | 39 | 40 | Ghana | Africa | 68 | 30 | 50 | 49.3 | 72 | 50 | 61.0 | 55.2 | ||||||||||||||||
43 | 40 | 39 | Kenya | Africa | 70 | 30 | 52 | 50.7 | 74 | 48 | 61.0 | 55.9 | ||||||||||||||||
44 | 41 | 41 | Tanzania | Africa | 68 | 25 | 44 | 45.7 | 74 | 46 | 60.0 | 52.9 | ||||||||||||||||
45 | 42 | 44 | Croatia | Europe | 82 | 45 | 60 | 62.3 | 55 | 80 | 67.5 | 64.9 | ||||||||||||||||
46 | 43 | 42 | Morocco | Africa | 80 | 30 | 52 | 54.0 | 68 | 72 | 70.0 | 62.0 | ||||||||||||||||
47 | 44 | 43 | Colombia | South America | 82 | 30 | 48 | 53.3 | 70 | 44 | 57.0 | 55.2 | ||||||||||||||||
48 | 45 | 45 | Malaysia | Asia | 78 | 30 | 56 | 54.7 | 64 | 32 | 48.0 | 51.4 | ||||||||||||||||
49 | 46 | 46 | Peru | South America | 82 | 28 | 46 | 52.0 | 70 | 42 | 56.0 | 54.0 | ||||||||||||||||
50 | 47 | 47 | Nigeria | Africa | 55 | 22 | 52 | 43.0 | 72 | 48 | 60.0 | 51.5 | ||||||||||||||||
51 | 48 | 48 | Vietnam | Asia | 75 | 22 | 46 | 47.7 | 72 | 33 | 52.5 | 50.1 | ||||||||||||||||
52 | 49 | 49 | Zambia | Africa | 68 | 22 | 40 | 43.3 | 74 | 48 | 61.0 | 52.2 | ||||||||||||||||
53 | 50 | 50 | Ecuador | South America | 78 | 25 | 40 | 47.7 | 72 | 44 | 58.0 | 52.9 | ||||||||||||||||
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55 | SCORING METHODOLOGY NOTES: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
56 | Col A (Per-capita rank): Countries ranked by number of UK students on placements/internships relative to destination country population. Sources: Turing Scheme 2023/24 destination data (DfE/Gov.uk); UUKi International Facts & Figures 2023; HESA outward mobility data 2021/22; Erasmus+ historical participant data. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
57 | Col B (Absolute rank): Countries ranked by absolute number of UK students on work placements or internships. USA #1 with 2,057+ Turing-funded HE students in 2023/24; France, Spain, Germany follow. Sources: Turing Scheme (DfE/Gov.uk); UUKi IFAF 2023; HESA outward mobility. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
58 | Col E (Student visa ease, 1-100): Reflects ease of obtaining a student/study visa specifically for UK British passport holders to study in that country. KEY RULES APPLIED: Ireland = 100 (Common Travel Area, no visa needed at all). EU Schengen countries = 80-88 (no visa <90 days covering most placements; Type D national student visa needed for >90 days with €75-210 fee and standard documentation; some countries e.g. Germany require a blocked bank account = lower score). English-speaking Commonwealth (AU/CA/NZ) = 83-85 (clear online student visa or WHV route, low cost). USA = 68 (J-1 internship visa requires DoS-designated sponsor, SEVIS fee 20, embassy interview 60, sponsor fee, total ~8-14 weeks and £1,000-1,500 - no simple student visa for placements). Japan = 72 (student visa requires Certificate of Eligibility from Japanese institution first, 8-12 weeks). Countries requiring embassy visit + police clearance + medical = 55-72. Sources: FCDO Gov.uk foreign travel advice 2024; Home Office UKVI; national immigration authorities; Henley Passport Index 2024. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
59 | Col F (Work/internship visa availability for UK students, 1-100): Reflects availability of work, internship or placement visas SPECIFICALLY for UK students with British passports, including bilateral Working Holiday Visas (WHV), government-facilitated exchange schemes, and dedicated student intern visa routes. KEY FACTS: Australia = 97 (WHV subclass 417 - best bilateral WHV for UK: online, AUD 635, age 18-35, up to 3 years from Jul 2024 per UK-Aus FTA, no regional work requirement); NZ = 93 (WHV 23 months for UK citizens - longest duration offered); Canada = 92 (IEC - 8,000 UK quota, open work permit, 12-24 months); Japan = 87 (bilateral WHV age 18-30, 2 separate 1-year stays from Dec 2024, very easy online application); South Korea = 85 (bilateral WHV, no ballot required from 2024, age 18-35); Ireland = 95 (Common Travel Area - UK citizens have full right to work, no visa needed at all); EU Schengen countries = 45-62 (NO bilateral UK-EU WHV post-Brexit; EU-UK Youth Mobility Scheme under negotiation as of 2024-25 but not yet in force; national intern/trainee visa possible only via formal HEI agreement, not student-led); USA = 65 (J-1 intern/trainee visa only route: requires DoS-designated sponsor such as BUNAC/CIEE, employer training plan, SEVIS fee 20, visa interview, total ~£1,000-1,500 and 8-14 weeks lead time; well-established but highly bureaucratic); Hong Kong = 76 (bilateral WHV 12 months); Singapore = 72 (Work Holiday Pass 6 months, quota 200/year); Taiwan = 72 (bilateral WHV 12 months via annual ballot). Sources: Gov.uk; Home Office; Wikipedia Working Holiday Visa (verified against official national immigration authorities); US Dept of State Exchange Visitor Programme; BUNAC; CIEE; IES Abroad; British Council; Turing Scheme. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
60 | Col G (HEI partnerships, 1-100): Frequency of formal partnerships between UK HEIs and institutions/companies in that country. USA, Germany, France, Australia are top scorers. Sources: UUKi International Facts & Figures 2023; British Council Going Global 2022; QS World University Rankings 2024 collaboration data; Research England international co-authorship data. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
61 | Col I (Cost of living, 1-100): Inverted from Numbeo Cost of Living Index 2024 (100 = lowest cost). Formula: max(5, round(100 - Numbeo_index × 0.85)). UK index ~63.7. Source: Numbeo Cost of Living Index by Country 2024 (www.numbeo.com). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
62 | Col J (Cost of travel, 1-100): Combined cost and accessibility of travel from UK. Ireland/European neighbours highest. Antipodean/Pacific destinations lowest. Sources: Skyscanner/OAG average airfare data 2024; IATA distance/connectivity data; Turing Scheme DfE country grant rate groups. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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