Student life in UK: What to expect?
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Most of you going to the UK as students would probably be first-time visitors and wouldn’t know much about the country. Media, television, radio, and internet influence our understanding of what we know about another culture. And even those who may have travelled to the UK before will be in for surprises as living here is a totally different experience.
Here we have detailed a few things that are typical to the British culture, along with a few handy tips to make your life as an international student uncomplicated. The British culture is quite different than the Indian or American ones and may need a different perspective and approach.
Here are a few pointers telling you about what is 'typical' about the British culture-
Punctuality
British are usually sticklers for punctuality, and it will be considered improper if you are late for an appointment, a tutorial or a social gathering. If you are going to be late it is advisable to let the person know beforehand and explain the situation.
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Queues
Queuing is important in the UK, you will have to queue at shops, supermarkets, banks, and government offices. Jumping a queue is considered ill-mannered and can annoy those already standing in a queue.
Personal space
The space you leave between you and a person you are speaking to is very culture specific. In Britain, it is usual to leave one arm's length between you and the person you are speaking to, as crossing that invisible boundary will be seen as an infringement of privacy.
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in public buildings, on public transport, in pubs, restaurants, and shops. You should always ask before smoking in someone else’s house or car. Almost all universities have a no smoking policy in all of its buildings.
Social Niceties
As an international student, you will be perplexed by the number of times the British say please, thank you and sorry. Taking that as a cue, you should add ‘please’ at the end of every request, ‘thank you’ each time someone does something for you.
Driving in the UK
Driving in the UK is right sided, like India. It is necessary to obtain a UK license by arranging to take a driving test. If this is not done, you run the risk of being prosecuted for driving without a valid license. You must be insured before you can drive a car in the UK. To hire a car in the UK you must hold a full Driver’s Licence or an International Driving Licence and have been driving for twelve months or more.
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Bank accounts
Having a UK bank account is important for international students. It can take up to 2 weeks to open a bank account. You can open a bank account only after you are in the UK and have registered on a full-time study. UK law requires banks to make detailed checks on customers to establish proof of identity, proof of address in the home country and proof of new address in the UK.
Tips
These are just a list of a few things to keep in mind after you start your course. These will help you make sure your stay is uncomplicated.
- You need to have a valid visa to study in the UK. If you need to extend your visa, the International Student Support Office can help with this.
- The University has a copy of your passport and most recent visa. You will need to present these when you register, but you must also make sure you bring in your new visa or passport if you renew either of these.
- Notify the University if you change your address in the UK.
- Do not work for more than 20 hours per week or take up self-employment/permanent position.
- Do not claim ‘public funds’, which are welfare benefits such as Child Benefit or Housing Benefit for UK residents.
Complying with your Tier 4 visa
Any student who holds a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK must comply with certain regulations during their studies-
- Your university is required to report students to the Home Office if they break the terms of their visa. If you fail to comply with any point stated below, your visa will be curtailed and you will be expected to leave the UK.
- You must complete the official registration process for each year of your programme.
- The universities record academic contact points and will report when a student misses a series of these without the absence being authorized. University regulations require you to attend regularly, complete assignments and attend examinations.
- Universities will report to the Home Office any student who interrupts their studies for more than 3 months.
Q: Â How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?
Q: Â Does the University of Essex require IELTS?
International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:
English Language Test | Score |
|---|---|
IELTS | Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section |
The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:
English Language Test | Score |
TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 72 to 114 |
PTE | Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section |
Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities
Q: Â Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?
The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.
Q: Â What rank is Wolverhampton University in UK?
The University of Wolverhampton is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom. The university is consistently ranked among the best universities nationally and globally. For nearly 200 years, the University of Wolverhampton has been consistently providing a quality of education to students and producing highly skilled graduates. The national rankings of the University of Wolverhampton are given below:
| Ranking Body | Ranking |
|---|---|
| The Guardian University Guide 2024 | #101 |
| The Complete University Guide 2024 | #117 |
Q: Â How good is the University of Chester (UK)?
University of Chester is surely a good option for international students mainly beacuse of a diverse range of excellent academic programs.Below are some reasons why University of Chester is good:
Academics: The University of Chester offers over 200 undergraduate, postgraduate, and research degree programs to international students. The University of Chester University offers undergraduate major and minor courses. Students can also pursue master’s or doctoral programs at the University of Chester University.
Location of the university - The University of is in a location where arts & culture, technology industry and entertainment industry providing endless internship. International Students have access to beaches, outdoor activities, live music/performances and attractions which makes their make campus life more enjoyable. The location gives University of Chester students an additional mark to study at University of Chester.
Ranking: Many global ranking sources like THE (Times Higher Education), etc., have ranked University of Chester among the top universities in the world since 2021. These bodies consistently rank it among the top universities in UK.
Fees: : The cost of attending University of Chester for Indian students can vary depending on several factors. Tuition fees for international students at University of Chester are typically higher than for Uk citizens. However, it is important that the tuition fee can change over time, and it is recommended to visit the official website to recheck the fees and accommodation. Indian students should also consider other costs such as housing, health insurance, meals and transportation attending University of Chester.
Q: Â Is IELTS requirement for Bedfordshire University?
International students whose first language is not English must meet the English language requirements. Students can submit their IELTS/TOEFL/PTE test score to meet the English language proficiency. Bedfordshire accepts overall IELTS score of 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in each element.
Q: Â How to prepare for UK 10th board exam 2025?
Those who are preparing for the UK Class 10 exam 2025 are recommended to follow the tips below.
- Know the exam pattern
- Make a proper time table as per the syllabus
- Solve previous year question papers
- Make short notes of important formulas and theorems
- Revise regularly
- Figure out weaker areas and learn them well
With proper planning and hard work, students can easily clear the UK 10th board exam.
Q: Â What are the English language requirements of Essex University?
Applicants whose native language is not English must meet the English language requirements of Essex University. The university accepts the test score of IELTS/TOEFL/PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs. Mentioned below are the English language tests and their score for UG and PG admission:
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae
The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses:
The Undergraduate Application Process:
Step 1: You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.
Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.
Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
Check out: tips to improve your SOP.
Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
The Postgraduate application process:
Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course.
To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application.
Step 5: If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester.