United Kingdom

Travel around the UK While you are in the UK, take advantage of our extensive travel network to explore the UK and Europe. You can make the most of your spare time and broaden your experience by visiting some world-renowned destinations. The UK has an extensive rail network, which, thanks to the Channel Tunnel, also allows you to reach Paris and a number of other cities in France as well as Brussels in Belgium without having to get on a plane. UK towns and cities are linked by a wide-ranging system of motorways and A roads, allowing you to travel by car, motorbike, bus or coach to all parts of the country. Frequent and efficient air services also connect major UK cities with many European and international destinations. For instance, you can fly direct from Manchester to Amsterdam, Cardiff to Paris, Gatwick to Berlin – and all in little over an hour. The scenic Greek islands, the historic sites of the Middle East or the cultural cities of Eastern Europe are only three or four hours away from the UK by air.

Getting around UK towns and cities

One of the best way to see most UK cities is on foot. You will find that in most towns and cities all the local attractions are within a short walk of one another and walking around at your own pace will allow you to focus on the things that particularly appeal to you.

When visiting somewhere for the first time make the local Tourist Information Centre you first stop. They are often located near to the railway station or in the centre of town. They will be able to provide you with a map of the local area, help with accommodation, if you need it and suggest places of interest to visit.

Many towns and cities offer tickets, such as one-day, three day and weekly travel cards that generally are better value than buying individual tickets and will allow you to use most public transport in the city.

Exploring the UK As well as travelling independently around the UK, you may find that your college or university also offers opportunities for you to see more of the country. Students’ Unions often offer day trips to places of interest, which can be a fun day out and a good way to meet people. This may be especially true of international student societies during induction periods.

You will also find that many student societies provide opportunities for travel. Joining a sports team that competes against teams from other institutions can be a good way to see other towns and cities, while outdoor activity societies such as walking or rock-climbing groups will give you a chance to see some beautiful countryside. Choirs may perform in churches and cathedrals around the country, while drama and dance groups may often undertake theatre tours during the holidays.

Every country has its own teaching methods. To help prepare you, we’ve provided some information about the UK’s teaching methods and details of the type of study support services available to students.

There are also plenty of welfare support services available specifically for you as an international student.

Teaching Methods And Study Support

UK approaches to teaching have evolved over many hundreds of years and aim to encourage independent-thinking and confidence. Most students benefit from the continuing support of a tutor, from small classes or tutorial and seminar groups and from a range of teaching methods.

Student Welfare

UK schools, colleges and universities have developed world-class student services. These, along with the welfare services provided in the wider community, ensure really great support for international students.

Life and culture

At home in your own country, there are lots of customs, habits and social rules that you probably don’t think about because you are so used to them These vary from culture to culture and that is one of the things that makes being in another country so interesting and thought-provoking.

You’ll notice differences in the way people dress, greet each other, practise religion, eat, behave in different situations, express their opinions, and even how they treat animals or have expectations of punctuality. It is a good idea to prepare yourself for any cultural differences by reading as much as you can about the UK before you leave. Try to think about what you’ll need to tell others about your own cultural needs too.

Religion

If you follow a religion and worship regularly at home, then you can continue to do so in the UK. Every major world religion is represented and most cities have Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist centres, as well as synagogues and churches of all denominations. Keeping routine with your faith will provide you with a link to your life at home but can also enable you to develop new friendships quickly.
The religious festivals celebrated in the UK reflect its multi-faith culture.
Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Sikh, Buddhist festivals and holidays are all celebrated.

Food

The food you can buy in the UK reflects the many ethnic influences in British society. Most supermarkets sell ingredients from Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America, as well as food from many other parts of the world.

The British are increasingly healthy eaters and there is a very wide range of organic produce available in shops and supermarkets. You’ll still find the famous English breakfast and Fish and Chips, but you’ll also see a very diverse range of meals and menus while you’re in the UK. Families in the UK often eat a traditional “Sunday roast” on Sundays, but those same families are likely to enjoy new types of meals, anything from Italian pizza to Singapore Noodles.

The British tend to eat three meals a day: breakfast, lunch (this is often quite a small meal) and then an evening meal (often called dinner or supper). Tea is still the traditional British hot drink and is usually taken with milk several times a day.

Making friends

Being a student in the UK is not just coursework or doing research but relaxing and having some fun too. Students can get discounts on so many cultural experiences and attractions, and wherever you study you’ll find places to enjoy with friends or by yourself.

UK institutions pride themselves on providing great social opportunities for their students, with different societies and groups for a massive range of interests. International students from all over the world tell us about how easily they make new friends from all over the world. Making friends in the UK will really help you to improve your English too.

Events and celebrations

Aside from all the main religious festivals and holidays in the UK calendar, there are many traditional festivities that are enjoyed during the year. These include Bonfire Night on 5tth November when you can attend organised firework and bonfire displays. Bonfire Night celebrates the failure of the 1605 attempt by Guy Fawkes to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Then there is Burns Night – usually held on 25 January – which celebrates the life and works of the Scottish writer Robert Burns and people get together to eat a Burns Supper. In Wales you can join in the tradition of the Eisteddfod, a Welsh celebration of music, literature and performance. Aside from the National Eisteddfod, there are many other Eisteddfodau held across Wales including an International Eisteddfod and the Urdd (or Youth) Eisteddfod. This is one of Europe’s largest and most vibrant youth arts festivals.

Relaxation and inspiration

Coming to the UK to study is also about finding inspiration and excitement outside your coursework as well as discovering new activities and ways to relax. You can really be yourself by keeping up with your own interests or discovering new ones. The UK has an amazing cultural scene which will be all around you wherever you choose to study.

The UK is a really cool place for music of all types. Whether you just listen or dance you’ll find pop, rock or classical, folk, jazz or opera, and all sorts of world music. From small clubs, independent cafes and bars to international scale concert halls, rock festivals or gigs, you can listen and dance to lots of live music. Many independent artists and bands play at university or college venues.

PROCEDURE FOR SUBMITTING STUDENT VISA APPLICATIONS

All application applying for a student visa must arrange their documents in the following order

• University acceptance letter, fees receipt, accommodation confirmation original and photocopies.
• 02 additional inquiry forms.
• 2 passport size photos
• Bank loan sanction letter original and photocopy.
• All qualifications in photocopy.
• Experience if any – photocopy.
• letter of recommendation
• letter from employer
• Statement of Purpose

Financial documents:

• Bank statements- original.
• Income tax returns- photocopy
• Pay slips- original.
• Savings- photocopy.
• Property documents.
• Any other financial documents- photocopy.

Sponsors documents:

• Sponsorship – original.
• Financial documents – photocopy.
• Sponsor contact details

1. 1. University of Sussex
2. 2. University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
3. 3. University of Plymouth
4. 4. University of Liverpool, Liverpool
5. 5. Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne
6. 6. Middlesex University
7. 7. Queen Mary, University of London
8. 8. Napier University, Edinburgh, Scotland
9. 9. University of Wales, Bangor
10. 10. University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd
11. 11. University Of Central Lancashire
12. 12. University of Teesside
13. 13. University of Wales Institute Cardiff
14. 14. Canterbury Christ Church University
15. 15. Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield
16. 16. Bath Spa University, Bath
17. 17. University of Chester
18. 18. Northumbria University, Newcastle
19. 19. University of Bedfordshire
20. 20. University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield
21. 21. University of Abertay Dundee, Dundee, Scotland
22. 22. Roe Hampton University, London
23. 23. Thames Valley University
24. 24. University of Wolver Hampton
25. 25. London Metropolitan University, London
26. 26. West London College, London
27. 27. Holborn College, London
28. 28. E Thames Graduate School
29. 29. City College, London
30. 30. London City College, London
31. 31. London College Wimbledon
32. 32. Millennium City Academy, London
33. 33. Langside College, Glasgow
34. 34. Dudley College, Dudley
35. 35. Central College
36. 36. United College
37. 37. Empire College
38. 38. City College, London
39. 39. Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College