The United Kingdom is an extremely diverse place. Despite London being one of the central hubs of Europe, it is far different from similar cities such as Berlin, Paris or Madrid, as is the rest of the country. There’s simply nowhere else like it. Culturally, there is the tonne of differences, traditions and just the way things work can vary from town to town, city to city.
Whether you’re travelling from to the UK, here is a list of tips and advice, detailing everything you need to know about the UK, giving you the best foundation of knowledge to maximise the opportunities of your experience.
You Take Full Responsibility for Yourself
Unlike in other schools in countries around the world, UK schools have a very different approach to teaching. For example, in the US, teachers take it upon themselves to try and get their class to the top, giving them the best education possible so they get the highest grades.
However, in the UK, teachers will treat you like adults and, more often than not, will simply teach you what you need to know. It’s up to you to take that information on board, study and achieve the best grades possible.
University Accommodation
Continuing the concept of looking after yourself, it’s important that you notice that university ‘halls’, otherwise known as accommodation, is setup up so you fend for yourself. Rarely will you find accommodation that caters and serves food and it’s up to you to provide for yourself. Unlike most countries, you will also find you have a room by yourself. It’s very rare that you’d have a roommate.
Depth of Education
The main focus of the UK educational system is to pinpoint and study your interested field in depth. In countries such as the US, students are encouraged to learn about a wide variety of subjects to a basic knowledge, with a heavy focus on extra curriculum activities. However, in the UK, you can go through the entire university course, for example, Maths, without having to do any sports of outside classes.
Visas
If you’re planning on studying in the UK from abroad, it’s vital that you secure a visa. These can take months to process so make sure you start your application well in advance. Currently, if you are based in the EU, you don’t need a Visa but this may change with Brexit negotiations. If you are from outside the EU, you will need to secure a Tier 4 Student Visa. There are a few requirements you will need to pass before your visa is accepted.
Weather
If you don’t know already, you’ll soon discover, usually within a day, the UK obsession with the weather. When the sun's out it’s too hot and when’s cloudy it’s too cold. In addition to that, it always seems to be raining. When planning your student leave to the UK, ensure you pack lots of jumpers, raincoats and waterproof outfits.
For decades now, the UK has been an extremely popular destination for students across the world. Every year, students flock to cities across the biggest channel island in search of a higher education that will help them to land the job of their dreams. But why do so many individuals make the journey to the UK and its education system?
The United Kingdom is an extremely diverse place. Despite London being one of the central hubs of Europe, it is far different from similar cities such as Berlin, Paris or Madrid, as is the rest of the country. There’s simply nowhere else like it. Culturally, there is a tonne of differences, traditions and just the way things work can vary from town to town, city to city.