Whilst studying in the UK, there will be an endless number of ways for you to enjoy yourself, learn new things and make friends. The UK offers an amazing, unforgettable student experience like no other country. There are four distinct seasons in the UK: winter, spring, summer and autumn. On the whole, temperatures rarely fall below -5°C or rise much above 32°C. And one of the most noticeable climatic features in the UK is long summer days and short winter ones: it gets dark by 16:00hrs in December, but not until 22:00hrs in July.
You will be interested to know what you can do in their free time.
With more than 2,000 museums and galleries around the UK (many offering free entry), visiting an exhibition is a great way to spend an afternoon.
Local theatres and London’s West End stage some of the most exciting theatre in the world. UK theatre has an excellent worldwide reputation, renowned for great writing, directing and acting.
The UK has one of the largest and most diverse creative industry sectors in the world, accounting for 6% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing 2.3 m people.
The UK is home to world renowned businesses in Advertising, Fashion, TV, Film, Design and Architecture
The UK has one of the largest music industries in the world and one of the most advanced digital TV and radio markets. From pop to new musical blends and the celebration of its ethnic diversity, the UK is the place to be for anyone who is interested in music. Festivals and live music events happen all over the country in every town and city. Many are free, and you can find everything from rock and blues to folk music and contemporary classical music concerts taking place in purpose-built venues, pubs, clubs and open-air venues.
The UK is passionate about sport, and most institutions have sports societies covering a range of activities from football and cricket to yoga, polo and climbing.
If you want to try new foods, there’s no better place than the UK. The UK has always embraced culinary styles from around the world, and you’re as likely to find restaurants offering Chinese, Indian, Thai, Mexican, Italian and French cuisine as traditional British food.
When students want time away from their campus, the lush, green countryside of the UK offers the perfect escape from urban distractions:
They can enjoy climbing and great views in the Cairngorms in Scotland, the Lake or Peak District in England, or Welsh Brecon Beacons.
They may prefer rolling countryside punctuated with traditional villages, the Cotswolds in the south of England, or the emerald green countryside of Northern Ireland where they can visit Lough Neagh, Europe`s largest freshwater lake.
As the UK is an island, there are hundreds of miles of coastline to visit, from the golden sands of the Cornish coast to the picturesque fishing villages of Scotland and the internationally famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland.
Money matters are often on the minds of students, but they do not have to be. They need to learn how to estimate expenses, decide how to pay for them, arrange a bank account, and manage their money day to day.
When comparing living costs between the UK and other countries it is worth remembering that UK courses tend to be shorter at undergraduate and Master’s level than in other countries, so accommodation and living costs are greatly reduced. Many institutions send students a pre-departure guide that includes information on living costs, accommodation and travel
The UK’s NHS (National Health Service) is one of the world’s best healthcare systems, offering safe and modern treatment. International students do not need private medical insurance when studying in the UK.
If you need a visa to study in the UK, it costs £470 per year to gain access to the NHS. You pay this fee during your visa application and it covers free medical treatment (including emergency or hospital care, should you need it) and reduced-price dental care at an NHS dentist.
The UK is one of the safest countries in the world, with low crime rates and a trustworthy police force. There are strict laws on gun ownership and gun crime is rare. Many institutions have their own security services who patrol campuses. Your institution will usually provide you with information on staying safe on campus.
Students can easily and inexpensively travel to other European countries for education or pleasure to make the most of their spare time.
It’s never been easier to travel around the UK and continental Europe. Thanks to the Channel Tunnel, they can board a Eurostar train in London and be in Paris or Brussels in a few hours.
Frequent and efficient air services also connect major UK cities with many European destinations. In just over an hour, you could fly from Manchester to Amsterdam, Cardiff to Paris or Edinburgh to Dublin.
The excellent road and rail links mean that city-to-city journeys are generally quick.
Students can get good discounts on most of these forms of travel and student identity cards help to reduce sightseeing costs in the UK and Europe. Student support services in many institutions will be able to give advice about the best and cheapest services.