Student Life in the UK

When considering studying abroad, almost every Indian student has the United Kingdom at the top of their study destination list. One primary reason is the UK has some of the oldest institutions in the world, with Oxford University being the oldest in the English-speaking world. Both Oxford and Cambridge are part of the prestigious group of universities called Medieval Universities. Medieval Universities are a group of 13 universities that have their origins in medieval times. Today the UK still upholds the values and traditions that were the building blocks of the history of education in the country.

The UK is only second to the USA, when it comes to the number of Indian students that land on its soil every year to pursue a higher education. Students who choose to study in the UK are looking to take advantage of the country’s rich history of education, the diverse range of professional courses and the cultural hub that it is known to be.

Top of the Pile!

The UK boasts of some of the most celebrated institutions on the planet that have seen historical inventors, world leaders and Nobel Prize winners. Let us take a look at the popular universities in the UK

1. University of Oxford:

Undoubtedly, Oxford is the first ever educational institution in England. Oxford grew rapidly in 1167 when Henry II banned English students from attending the University of Paris. Though gaining access into this acclaimed institution is extremely competitive, it has in some way or the other contributed to the well-being of humanity. Oxford has educated about 30 international leaders, 12 saints, 26 British Prime Ministers and 20 Archbishops of Canterbury.

2. University of Cambridge:

The University of Cambridge was established in 1209, when a dispute between locals and a few academics at Oxford caused the latter to flee to the town of Cambridge. Even today there still exists a healthy rivalry between the two mammoth institutions, which are sometimes referred to, to the outside world as ‘Oxbridge’. Cambridge has educated 65 Nobel Prize winners, 50 Olympic athletes, 15 British Prime Ministers, 23 other world leaders and legendary scientists – Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Stephen Hawking and many more.

3. London School of Economics:

Founded in 1895, the London School of Economics is one of the best institutions in the world that primarily focuses on Social Sciences. Its star-studded alumni include JF Kennedy, BR Ambedkar and Amartya Sen to name a few. The School boasts of 10,000+ full-time students, 33300 academic staff. Currently there are 28 departments at LSE, ranging from Economics, Finance, Gender Studies to Law and Management.

4. Imperial College London:

Known for its teaching quality, the Imperial College is an excellent provider in worldwide education. It offers a complete blend of theoretical and problem-solving classes to its undergraduate students. Established in 1907, the college has come a long way since its remarkable discoveries – one being penicillin. It’s quite a favourite amongst a host of Indian students for their bachelors or masters. On a scale of 5, its student satisfaction score is 3.99 [source: Complete University Guide]

5. University College London:

The school has several research centres and groups for its students to explore different areas. In 1878, it was considered as the first gender unbiased university in England. The University College London inspires many hearts and attracts students from over 150 countries.

For international students, the UK might seem a little intimidating; however, it helps to educate oneself about the do’s and don’ts before touchdown.

• Pack for winter. English winter is the most unpredictable thing on the planet and temperatures could go down to 1°C.
• Opening a savings account in the UK could prove to be highly useful, when needed to pay various bills.
• Life in the UK could tend to get a bit lonely sometimes. It helps if you join some sort of an International society to meet new people from your country. Most universities, however, are equipped with such student groups, so you wouldn’t have to look too far.
• Drastic climatic changes could take its toll on the body. Meet a doctor before you leave India, so that he could educate you with a few medical do’s and don’ts.
• Full-time students in the UK are allowed to work 20 hours a week. Try it.
• When invited for a meal to a traditional British family, it is acceptable to bring a gift such as a bouquet of flowers or a bottle of wine.
• When invited for a meeting, social or otherwise, always be on time. The British are very time concerned, and it would seem rude if you are the last to arrive. If you are going to be late, be sure to inform your host of your intended time of arrival.
• Never try to break a queue. If you do so, be sure to expect everyone to ‘tell you off’.
• UK’s emergency number is 999. But if you need to contact the police for issues that are not urgent in nature dial 101.
• You’d notice that the people in the UK spend a lot of their time in pubs to catch up with friends or acquaintances. It is ok to enjoy an alcoholic beverage as long as you are above the age of 18. It is illegal for minors to purchase alcohol or tobacco.
• Wearing your seat belts while travelling in a motor vehicle is mandatory and would attract strict fines if violated.
• UK offers you a correct blend of social life and academic life. You will find a lot of options of dining because many marketplaces sell food of various other regions, such as Asia, Latin America and Caribbean. So you will find a diverse range of menus besides the famous English breakfast.

The Sights and Sounds:

The UK is packed with rich history. Home to some of the best fresh pop and rock music that originated in the early 80s, from Amy Winehouse to John Lennon, the UK is an incredible city to visit. Let’s take a look at some of the must-see tourist spots in the country.

Stonehenge:

Stonehenge is the mysterious arrangement of large standing stones that date back to 3000 BC. Nobody knows the exact reason why this monument was erected, and it has been the centre of many controversial speculations.

Tower Bridge:

The Tower Bridge was built in 1886 over Thames and is a must see as it is an iconic monument of London.

Buckingham Palace:

Located in the City of Westminster, Buckingham Palace is the office of the British Monarch. Almost everyone visiting London for the first time visits this palace, which has been the centre of British history for centuries.

Madame Tussauds:

Madame Tussauds is a famous wax museum in London that is known to have life-like wax statues of many celebrities and public figures and is a must visit while in the UK.

Your stay in the UK is going to be eventful amidst the picturesque places of Scotland and Wales. Make full use of your study life in the UK but don’t forget to take a break or two occasionally to enjoy the night life and other wonders offered by the country.

Image Source: www.telegraph.co.uk