Academic System

A high degree of sophistication, unmatched exposure & above all, a high quality of education is what the United Kingdom gives its students. An important feature of British education is that it provides value for money through shorter, more intensive courses as compared to other countries. This makes the United Kingdom one of the prime destinations for international students. Most UK Universities recognize the Indian Education System of three years graduation and this is an added advantage for Indian students. Higher education is provided by three main types of institutions: Universities, Colleges & Institutions of Higher Education and Art & Music Colleges.

Higher education in the United Kingdom has two levels: a Bachelors level programme of three years & a Master level programme of one year. Universities in the UK do not follow a semester system. There are three terms in each academic year. Some institutions in the UK are however now organizing courses around a two-semester system. English is the language of instruction.

Accomodation

There is a limitless range of high quality & low cost accommodation available in the UK. Broadly, students have three options: on-campus accommodation, accommodation offered by independent hostels and private rented accommodation. On-campus accommodation is not very common and only a few major universities offer halls of residence. Rooms in these halls are generally given to students who enrolled in the first year.

Private hostels have both single and shared rooms. Rooms are well furnished and equipped with all amenities. Usually, these hostels are located near the university campus and allow for convenient commuting. There are a large number of hostels, all offering low-cost accommodation.

Private rented accommodation is also popular in the United Kingdom. Many second & third year students prefer to live in this kind of accommodation. Rents are high but groups of students tend to share these rooms to reduce the burden of rent per head.

Climate

United Kingdom is surrounded by the sea on all sides. This makes the climate of this country unpredictable. It changes frequently from day to day and sometimes within a day as well, with alternating spells of sun and rain. Different regions of the UK have different climatic conditions.

Temperatures in the northern & the eastern parts of the UK are low & these areas remain cold throughout the year because of cold winds from the Arctic region. In most of these areas, there is frequent rainfall throughout the year. During winter, temperatures fall below freezing point and there is snowfall.

In the southern & the western regions, temperatures are slightly higher than in other regions. Here, summers are warm & winters are cool. People in these regions have to face heavy showers throughout the year especially in the winter season.

Visa Regulations

A visa, also called an entry clearance by UK immigration services, is mandatory for every international student who wants to study in the United Kingdom. Generally student visas are granted for a period of one year & can be extended depending upon the duration of the course. Foreign students have a right to work under a student visa but there are some limitations in terms of working hours & earnings.

After completing their courses, students can apply for a work permit if they have a specific offer of employment from any British organization. Otherwise, student must leave the country immediately after completing their course. There is one exception to this rule: science & engineering graduates can live for one year in the UK without employment in order to find a suitable job.

Public Transport

The United Kingdom is equipped with super-efficient, modern & fast modes of transport. It has some of the world’s most prominent airlines. British Airways is one of the major airlines operating in the country. The railway network is among the best and busiest networks in Europe. It is estimated that UK has more than 2000 railway stations that reach almost every part of the country. Train services are available for both short and long-haul journeys.

The bus network is also strong & reliable throughout the country. Buses go everywhere within a city & cover remote areas as well. There is an extensive network of night buses, so traveling at night is also very easy & safe. The London Underground or Tube offers unbeatable efficiency.

National holidays

Jan 1 Jan 2 Mar 17 Apr 6 Apr 8 Apr 9 May 7 May 28 Jul 12 Aug 27 Dec 25 Dec 26

New Year Bank Holiday Saint Patrick's Day Good Friday Easter Sunday Easter Monday May Day Spring Bank Holiday Battle of the Boyne Summer Bank Holiday Christmas Boxing Day