Are you an international student or a professional looking to gain more knowledge and expertise in your field? If so, this article will provide the information you need. UK institutions offer thousands of short courses and certifications you can take either on-campus, blended, or fully online. Most of these courses are targeted for specific individuals who want to gain expertise in their respective field of study.
With a wide array of courses to choose from, we’ve listed the most popular and the most credible short-term courses you can take as an international student. Read the entire article and take your time selecting your ideal course.
Top Short-term and Certificate Courses in the UK
1. Business and Management CertHE Course
The Business and Management CertHE course offered by the University of Essex Online will equip students with core management abilities and an understanding of the modern corporate environment. It is one of the most popular and demanding courses for professionals who are planning to start a business career.
The tuition cost for international students is £6,799, which is a bit steep for most learners, however, this course is valued by various commercial or corporate sectors. With the certificate on hand, you’ll have more advantage in advancing your career.
2. Programme and Project Management course
This Program and Project Management course is designed for professionals interested in understanding program management’s role in strategy implementation. It will take eight weeks to complete, after which you’ll be awarded an official University of Birmingham postgraduate micro-credential certificate.
If you want to obtain a micro-credential, then, you should definitely take this course. Students will acquire a specialist skill set that will help broaden their expertise.
3. Nursing PGDip Programme
The Nursing PGDip program at the University of Essex Online is designed to help nursing professionals in expanding their postgraduate qualifications. Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to reflect on their own clinical practice. It will also focus on topics in physiology, pathology, healthcare leadership, pain perception, and infection management.
4. International Law Programme
The International Law course is one of the most demanding short courses at the University of Edinburgh. It will focus on public international law. It is meant for learners who seek a career in international relations. In this course, you will learn the principles involved in the law of the nations and international relations.
5. Artificial Intelligence Concepts Course
Nest on our list is the Artificial Intelligence Concepts offered at the University of Oxford. Nowadays continuous improvement in technology is vital to keep up with the modern times and this course will provide a fundamental introduction to the key themes that drive AI.
The course can be completed in three months and it will teach you about historical development, theoretical underpinnings, and ethical concerns.
6. Certificate of Professionalism in Innovation
This is a three-day program offered by Birmingham City University. It is one of the most popular short courses taken by business professionals. Since this is an on-campus course, you will not only receive a wealth of information regarding creativity, it will also train students how to improve their interpersonal and communication skills.
This £1,050+ course will allow you to reflect on your own innovation capabilities, as well as examine and engage in the innovation process as part of your daily responsibilities.
7. Human Anatomy
The Postgraduate Certificate in Human Anatomy is a 5-month short coursework offered at the University of Glasgow. Each week, you will spend around 10 hours working directly with the educators to discuss and learn valuable knowledge about anatomical legislation, human anatomy, and many more.
Furthermore, it is one of the most demanding short courses at the University of Glasgow. You will have the opportunity to learn in one of Europe’s busiest human anatomy laboratories, which admits roughly 100 donors a year.
8. Introduction to Counseling Course
Introduction to Counseling Course is a 10-week course that requires a £295 budget to complete effectively. It is denoted as one of the challenging short courses at the University of Warwick which most of the applicants are eager to complete.
This course will allow you to compare the person-centered approach to therapy with the psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral models. Furthermore, you will be able to participate in the reflective process both individually and as a member of the group.
9. Business Communication and Social Media
This 4-week course is open to anyone over the age of 18 with one year of undergraduate academic experience. International students will pay a course cost of £3,795. This may be a bit high, however, this course will ensure the best quality education for your future career. To be admitted to this short course, applicants must have an IELTS score of at least 6.5, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.
10. Executive Programme for Design Leaders
- Host Institution: Future London Academy
- Duration of Study: 9 weeks
- Mode of Study: Online
Another course we recommend is the Executive Programme for Design Leaders. It is an executive program that takes nine weeks to complete. The training is structured into five intensive modules that take place in both London and California.
This curriculum is for visionary leaders with at least 15 years of experience. Lectures will be taught by top CFOs and leaders and you’ll also get behind-the-scenes access to their top design-led companies.
11. Certification In Quantum Technologies
The University of Sussex is offering this short course for professionals who work in the business sector. The course has a combined learning format that normally lasts a few weeks. You’ll master the fundamental concepts of quantum mechanics, quantum technology, and secure communication.
12. Fashion Journalism
- Host Institution: London College of Fashion
- Duration of Study: 2 weeks
- Mode of Study: Online or On-campus
This fashion journalism course at the London College of Fashion is intended for novices and those who desire to broaden their overall understanding of fashion media. This course will motivate you to figure out where fashion is headed next. You will study practical skills like public relations, pitching, and online vs. print, all of which will help you further your career in fashion or fashion-related industry.
13. Tropical Medicine & Hygiene
The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine offers a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene for physicians who have completed their medical education in a developed country but want to work in the tropics. Throughout the course, you will gain a grasp of the complex cultural, social, political, economic, and technical challenges that exist. You will also get the expertise necessary to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and communities around the world.
14. The Neuropsychology of Decision Making
The University of Cambridge offers a short course in Neuropsychology of Decision Making to provide opportunities to psychology specialists and professionals. The course costs £399 and educates about the neurological mechanisms involved in how decisions are made. This course is a fantastic deal if you’re interested in gaining knowledge about brain anatomy and psychological conditions that affect decision-making power.
15. Travel and Nature Writing
The University of Bristol’s Travel and Nature Writing Course offers professional writing guidelines for travel and nature topics. Students are also going to explore the ethical challenges that travel and nature writers face in an era of climate and catastrophic environmental events.
16. Blockchain Developer with Overledger
King’s College London and Quant Network offer a cost-free three-week course that will provide fundamental knowledge to help students become blockchain developers. This course will cover blockchain technologies and distributed ledger functions.
17. Literature and the Climate Emergency
This course is offered by the University of Oxford, and upon successful completion, you will receive a University of Oxford Digital Certificate. Throughout the course, you will be introduced to the impact of literature on historical and modern environmental challenges. You will also have the opportunity to evaluate literature in order to better understand environmental critiques.
18. Next Generation Biosecurity
This course will teach you about biosecurity, biological hazards, and how to mitigate them at work. You will also learn about biosecurity, biosafety, and bioethics, and why they are so important both inside and outside the lab.
19. Critical International Perspectives on Special and Inclusive Education
Critical International Perspectives on Special and Inclusive Education is intended for educators, and professionals in relevant fields. This course will provide a critical grasp of the international sociopolitical and historical circumstances. You will also have a thorough awareness of societal inequalities and diversity, as well as strategies for dealing with them.
20. Climate Change: Carbon Capture and Storage
Our last course on our list is a five-week course designed to help students understand technology objectively and why it is so vital in the fight against climate change. The University of Edinburgh developed this short course for a broader audience interested in energy, sustainability, and climate change.
FAQs: Short-term / Certificate Courses in The UK
What Are the Factors to Consider When Choosing a Short Course in The UK?
Deciding which short course to complete is not as hard as choosing a degree program, however, you need to consider two things. The first thing to consider is how it will benefit your career development. Ask yourself this question, “Will it bring value to your future career or the position you currently hold?” If your answers will bring a positive impact on your career then enroll in the course.
Second, choose a reputable university and check the course’s credibility. Ensure that the short-term course you will apply for will be acknowledged by various industry sectors.
What Are the Advantages of Enrolling in a Short-term or Certificate Course in The UK?
Short courses are a quick method to learn valuable skills. It will save you time and money while also significantly improving the value of your CV. Short courses are an excellent way to develop specialist skills. It also provides numerous benefits for busy professionals, including expanded employment prospects and higher compensation.
Are Short-term or Certificate Courses Valued by Employers?
The majority of employers consider short-term industry certifications to be a desirable supplement to a college degree and a valued credential in the recruiting and job-seeking process. Industry certificates appeal to both employees and employers because they help them acquire practical skills required in many entry-level positions. This also helps in increasing one’s chances of landing and succeeding in a good job, which is still the number one reason students attend college.
There are plenty of short courses that you can find by googling. However, the aforementioned 20 short courses are the most popular and sought-after short courses among international students. Therefore, we wish you success in advancing your profession by adding a short course to your career bucket list.
We hope that this article on short courses in the UK was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in the UK and Study in the UK sections for more study options!
