W022 Studying and living AW

190 Pages·2007·1.22 MB·English

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
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A catalogue record of this book is available from the British Library.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 [phone] London SW1A 2BN
Fax [phone] Telephone [phone]
E-mail
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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
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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