The United Kingdom is a very welcoming country that takes prides in being modern, embracing, respectful and celebratory towards all cultures. Owing to a large flow and settlement of people of different cultures, there are many languages and dialects spoken all over the country. In London alone, over 300 languages are spoken.
All universities are committed in supporting the cultural and religious needs of their students, hence, a student from any cultural and religious background will be completely secure and free to follow their culture, within their national laws. Asian grocery stores and amenities are so frequent in London and greater London that you will be baffled.
The Weather
The weather in UK can be unpredictable, it is often associated with unforeseeable rain. It may not rain at all for an entire season, or it may rain anytime of the year and at any day. You might as well experience beautiful sunshine, blistering winds and drizzling rain all in one afternoon.
In summer, the average temperature ranges from 9–18 degrees Celsius, occasionally it can reach up to 30 degrees Celsius in a heatwave. In winter the average temperature is 2-7 degrees Celsius, this can often drop to just below 0 degrees Celsius.
There is little difference in weather between the regions of the UK, but you will experience more snow, rain and wind in further north and in mountainous areas.
Housing Options
As an International student in UK you will have two options for your accommodation, that is On-campus or student housing Off-campus. Most people opt to live in student accommodation, because they tend to have features such as study spaces, social rooms, as well as restaurants and cafeterias. As other accommodation option, you can rent a room with another student and can own your private apartments.
Travel and Transport services
The UK has a large train network connecting cities and towns, all over the country. A full-time student aged 16-25 can avail a railcard, which allows you to save almost one third on rail travel throughout the UK. Full-time students aged 26-30 can also apply for rail card under their own age bracket, with similar benefits.
The underground metro network of UK is also referred as tube. The travel fares on these tube can be saved by keeping an Oyster card. There are also bus services, you can buy a ticket directly from the driver on boarding, or you can use your railcard or oyster card.
Cycling is a very popular traveling convince used widely in UK, it is also encouraged due to its benefitting effect on an individual’s health. Some UK cities such as London, Liverpool and Belfast offer city cycle hire schemes, allow people to pick up a bike from a docking station for a small cost and return it to a docking station elsewhere in the city within 24 hours.
Equal Access to health and welfare services
The UK’s NHS (National Health Service) is one of the world’s best healthcare systems in the world. International students in UK can also access NHS services by paying Immigration Health Surcharge of £470 per year as part of your Visa application.
Shortly after arriving in UK it is benefitting to apply for a GP (general practitioner). It is a doctor that deals with general health problem, this medical assistance is much easier to access and can accommodate your request for a specific gender GP.
Expected Cost of living
The cost of living in the United Kingdom varies depending on where you live. For example, university life in London will be more expensive than in smaller cities such as Leicester or Nottingham. According to a survey, students in the UK spend an average of £795 per month, including rent (£418), groceries (£100), going out (£46), and transportation (£46).
The class schedules
University classes in UK typically starts in September and an academic year usually ends in June. Number of class hours in a week depends on the course you will be studying. For example, for students who are studying a course in English, they might spend only 10 hours in lectures and seminar each week, as this course requires a lot of self-reading that is commonly done outside of class. For students studying courses which requires more hand-on learning, a student may spend several hours each day.
Fortunately, you will also get several weeks off each year. Like Easters Holidays around April and March, Christmas around December and January, and Summer holidays in July and August.
Part-time Work life
Many students who move abroad want to work while studying. If your course is at the degree level and you are studying full-time, you should be able to work for 20 hours per week during the semester. If you are studying below a degree level full-time, you should be able to work 10 hours per week. When your student visa is approved, the rules regarding how many hours you can work will be clearly stated.
Fun activities in free time
With its multicultural cities, charming towns and breath taking rolling landscapes, the UK is an incredible place for international students to explore. Wherever you are in the UK, there’s no shortage of activities to take part in between classes – all of which can help you experience the different cultures across the UK. Lots of restaurants, museums, and stores also boast generous student discounts.
Support Service for International Student
Yes. International student life in the UK can be full of great moments – but it can also be challenging at times. Your university will have a team to support international students, who should give accessible information on university matters. These teams help foster a community for international students and provide general support for every international student on campus. You will also be able to get academic, well-being, and community support through your university. This might include language support, study skills programs, employment and housing services, academic accommodation, and financial support.
After Graduation
The UK’s post-study work visa, called The Graduate Route, allows bachelor’s and master’s students to stay in the UK for two years after completing their degrees to work (or look for work). This helps graduate students develop their careers in the UK.