W022 Studying and living AW 6/6/07 13:57 Page i Welcome to the UK Studying and living in the United Kingdom 2007–08 www.educationuk.org W022 Studying and living AW 6/6/07 13:57 Page 1 Welcome to the UK Studying and living in the United Kingdom 2007–08 www.educationuk.org W022 Studying and living AW 6/6/07 13:57 Page 2 Studying and living in the United Kingdom Revised edition 2007 © British Council 2007 Design Department/W022 Telephone numbers International dialling codes have been given throughout the book. When calling from within the UK, omit the +44 and include the 0 before all numbers. Numbers starting with 0800 are available only within the UK. The British Council is not responsible for the contents of any external website referred to in this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record of this book is available from the British Library. W022 Studying and living AW 6/6/07 13:57 Page 3 Welcome Studying overseas is a life-changing adventure, full of challenge but also deeply rewarding. I am delighted that you have decided to come to the UK – where we have a long tradition of giving a warm welcome to international students. The quality of our education system is recognised as world class and support for international students is second to none. We all benefit from your stay in our country. You will acquire unique skills, knowledge and, most importantly, friends for life and our society will be enriched by your presence. Preparing for this adventure is crucial and will ensure that you settle quickly into both our way of life and your studies. I hope this book provides you with a useful and exciting foretaste of life here and that it helps you prepare for the challenging and rewarding times ahead. I send you a warm welcome to the UK and every good wish for your studies here. Martin Davidson CMG Chief Executive, British Council W022 Studying and living AW 6/6/07 13:57 Page 4 Contents British Council 5 Transport British Council 6 5.1 First steps 58 5.2 Travelling by train 60 1 Preparing to come to the UK 5.3 Catching a coach 63 1.1 Countdown to departure 9 5.4 The London Underground 63 1.2 Preparing to enter the UK 11 5.5 Tips on taking taxis 65 1.3 Arranging accommodation 11 5.6 Cars and motorcycles 66 1.4 Money 13 5.7 Bicycle basics 69 1.5 Booking travel 15 5.8 Further reading 70 1.6 Insurance 16 1.7 Packing 17 6 Financial and legal matters 1.8 Further reading 19 6.1 Fees and the cost of study 72 6.2 Cost of living 74 2 Entry clearance requirements 6.3 Scholarships and funding 75 2.1 Entry requirements 21 6.4 Working in the UK 77 2.2 Your responsibilities in the UK 28 6.5 Banking basics 78 2.3 Extending your leave to remain 6.6 Managing your money 80 in the UK 30 6.7 Insurance 81 2.4 Students and employment 34 6.8 Help with legal matters 82 2.5 Further reading 36 6.9 Further reading 84 3 Arriving in the UK 7 Health 3.1 Immigration control 38 7.1 The National Health Service 86 3.2 Customs control 39 7.2 Emergency services 87 3.3 Onward travel 40 7.3 Doctors’ services 87 3.4 Short-term accommodation 42 7.4 Dentists’ services 89 3.5 Playing it safe on arrival 42 7.5 Opticians’ services 89 3.6 Personal safety 43 7.6 Services for women 90 3.7 Further reading 46 7.7 Sexually transmitted diseases 90 7.8 Drugs and alcohol 91 4 Accommodation 7.9 Meningitis 91 4.1 Arranging accommodation 7.10 Keeping healthy 92 in advance 48 7.11 Health care checklist 93 4.2 University or college 7.12 Further reading 93 accommodation 48 4.3 Private accommodation 50 8 Services and facilities 4.4 Tenancy agreements and 8.1 Activities on campus 95 other legalities 53 8.2 Shopping 96 4.5 Further reading 56 8.3 Restaurants 100 8.4 Pubs and bars 101 W022 Studying and living AW 6/6/07 13:57 Page 5 8.5 Entertainment 101 12 Cultural issues 8.6 Telephones 102 12.1 Cultural differences 146 8.7 E-mail 104 12.2 Living in the UK 147 8.8 Television and radio 105 12.3 Culture shock 149 8.9 Postal services 106 12.4 Personal safety 151 8.10 Water and gas 107 12.5 Further reading 153 8.11 Education 108 8.12 Services and access for 13 Looking forward disabled people 108 13.1 Staying on to work in the UK 155 8.13 Libraries 109 13.2 Preparing to leave 156 8.14 Further reading 109 13.3 Culture shock (again) 157 13.4 Staying connected 159 9 UK factfile 13.5 Coming back 160 9.1 Geography 111 13.6 Further reading 162 9.2 People 111 9.3 Government and politics 112 Appendices 9.4 Climate and weather 114 A Education and qualifications 164 9.5 Holidays 115 B Accommodation, student welfare 9.6 Travel opportunities 117 and other general information 166 9.7 Further reading 120 C Student hostels – London area 167 D Hostels for nationals 168 10 Studying in the UK E Other hostels in the UK 169 10.1 Teaching and learning methods 122 F Acronyms 170 10.2 Organising your time 124 10.3 Coping with your course 124 UK map 172 10.4 Non-degree courses 125 The UK experience 173 10.5 Further reading 126 UK calendar 178 The world from the UK 180 11 Study options Index 183 11.1 Reviewing the options 128 11.2 The home of English 129 11.3 GCSEs, A-levels and other equivalents 133 11.4 Work-based courses 133 11.5 Understanding degrees 133 11.6 Postgraduate prestige 136 11.7 Boost your career with an MBA 138 11.8 Your education options in the UK 138 11.9 Further reading 144 W022 Studying and living AW 6/6/07 13:57 Page 6 British Council The British Council is the United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. Our purpose is to build mutually beneficial relationships between people in the UK and other countries and to increase appreciation of the UK’s creative ideas and achievements. Everything we do contributes to one or more of the following outcomes: improved perceptions of the UK in other countries • greater mutual understanding between the UK and other countries • stronger ties between the UK and other countries. • Go to www.britishcouncil.org to find out about the British Council’s activities in your country. A copy of the British Council’s Annual report 2005–06 is available from www.britishcouncil.org/bc-annual-report-2005-2006.pdf 6 W022 Studying and living AW 6/6/07 13:57 Page 7 Where you can find us in the UK Our offices are in England (London and Manchester), Scotland (Edinburgh), Wales (Cardiff) and Northern Ireland (Belfast). For general and educational London enquiries British Council British Council Information Centre 10 Spring Gardens Telephone +44 (0)161 957 7755 London SW1A 2BN Fax +44 (0)161 957 7762 Telephone +44 (0)20 7930 8466 E-mail W022 Studying and living AW 6/6/07 13:57 Page 8 Preparing to come to the UK So, you are going to move to the UK to study for a while. What do you have to do to make it happen? Where do you begin? How do you make sure you do not forget anything? It is not difficult, but it does require planning and organisation. Here is what you need to think about. In this chapter: 1.1 Countdown to departure – a summary of what to do and when to do it 1.2 Preparing to enter the UK – do not leave immigration issues to the last minute 1.3 Arranging accommodation – make sure you will have somewhere to stay when you arrive 1.4 Money – how much, how to get it, and how to transfer it to the UK 1.5 Booking travel – plan your journey and arrive at the best possible time 1.6 Insurance – how to protect yourself and your belongings 1.7 Packing – what to bring, how to carry it, and what to leave behind 1.8 Further reading 8 W022 Studying and living AW 6/6/07 13:57 Page 9 1.1 Countdown to departure Here is a guide to planning your UK experience. Mark these dates on your calendar to make sure you keep on track. You should also check with your local British Council office. Many organise pre-departure briefings for students planning to study in the UK. These are an ideal opportunity to hear about life in the UK and ask about issues that most interest you. What to do When to do it Why and how Start applying for At least 18 months See chapter 11, section postgraduate programmes before you want to start 11.6 the programme Start applying for 12 to 15 months before See section 1.4 in this scholarships departure chapter and chapter 6, section 6.3 Estimate your study and At least one year See chapter 6, sections 6.1 living expenses and start before departure and 6.2 working out how to pay for them Apply for undergraduate 10 to 12 months before See chapter 11, section courses through UCAS the course start date 11.5 Start arranging As soon as you have See section 1.3 in this accommodation in the UK accepted a place on a chapter and chapter 4 course Ask your college or As soon as you have See chapter 6, sections 6.1 university about your accepted a place on a and 6.3 options for paying course your fees Check your passport and, if As soon as possible See chapter 2, section 2.1 you are going to need a but at least six months and section 1.2 in this new one, start making before departure. chapter enquiries Processing times vary from country to country Check how to apply for As soon as possible but See chapter 2, section 2.1 entry clearance to the UK ideally at least six months with the nearest British before departure. Diplomatic Post or visit Processing times vary from www.ukvisas.gov.uk country to country Ask your home bank about Several months before See section 1.4 in this transferring money to the departure chapter and chapter 6, UK and setting up a bank section 6.5 account here Book your flight or other As soon as possible, in See section 1.5 in this travel to the UK order to get the best rates, chapter but at least four to eight weeks before departure 1.1 Countdown to departure 9