Studying in the UK by Accommodation For Students

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INTRODUCTION

As an international student myself, I know how daunting it can be to move across the world to a place where you don’t know anyone and where the culture is unfamiliar to you. Like many people, I grew up watching British TV shows and reading books set in the UK. Still, nothing could have prepared me for the experience of being in the place and being immersed in the British lifestyle. Before I came to the UK, I spent hours searching the internet for tips on all aspects of the move, from the visa application to the quirks of UK culture. This guide puts all that information into one easy-to-reach place. This guide is designed to help you from the moment you decide to go to the UK all the way until after you arrive. If you’re still unsure if Britain is right for you, our guide on why to choose a UK university will help you make your final decision. After you sign up for your course and book your plane ticket, we have tips to guide you through the process of getting a visa. Our top ten packing tips will help you decide what items will be most useful to bring with you on your journey abroad. We also have a couple different guides that cover searching for accommodation. This includes an overview of what to expect when you’re navigating the student accommodation market and an article that highlights the benefits of sharing a house. Our guide to Britain’s unique culture will help you as you’re settling down into your new home and we also have tips for navigating freshers’ week, the famout UK right of passage. Although there is a lot you’ll have to do to prepare for your move, it’s all worth it in the end. Studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,

“Our guide to Britain’s unique culture will help you as you’re settling down into your new home.” and the memories you make will stay with you forever. A few months from now, you’ll be sitting with your new friends in a pub, and you’ll be so happy you won’t even remember all the hard work it took to get you there. We hope this guide helps make your move easier and answers any questions you may have. Good luck as you begin your journey to the UK!

Rachel Shapiro Editor

CONTENTS

Why You Should 6 Study In The UK Student Visas 101

Top 10 Packing Tips

Student 14 Accommodation Choices Sharing A House 18

10 Things You Must Do While Studying In The Uk

Making The Most Of Freshersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Week

15 British Slang Words And Phrases

Award Winning Student Accommodation in 14 locations across the UK Book now for September 2015 Birmingham • Cardiff Coventry • Exeter Glasgow • Leicester London • Liverpool Manchester • Newcastle Nottingham • Plymouth Sheffield • Wolverhampton • All sites are close to universities and colleges • Fully furnished studios and en-suite rooms available • 24 hour CCTV security • And much more Visit our website for detailed information and to book a viewing

www.victoriahall.com

Why you should

STUDY IN THE UK over other countries

THE UNIQUE CULTURE

THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Britain offers a unique, multicultural society which

English is the global business language of today and to immerse

boasts a long lasting relationship with international

yourself in this lingua franca will expand your language skills vastly,

students. Last year over 430,000 international

potentially resulting in not only the ability to speak English like

students studied in the UK, so we know how to treat

a native but to be able to think in English too. Most universities

our international students well, resulting in their

will require minimum English language criteria so please do your

high return year after year. Alongside its diverse and

research beforehand.

multicultural society, the United Kingdom is home to various cosmopolitan cities, with many areas such as Yorkshire, Warwickshire, London and Glasgow incorporating contemporary architecture, lifestyle and commerce alongside historical buildings and culture. Additionally, you’ll never get bored in any city as we offer galleries, concerts, pubs and excellent nightlife in almost every town or city. The UK also is home to many wildlife reserves and world heritage sites. If nature and history isn’t your thing, Great Britain

THE PRESTIGE

is amongst the world’s front runners in sports

UK Universities are some of the most prestigious in the world.

and sporting events. Where else can you watch a Premier League match, see a cricket match or even spend a day with Andy Murray at Wimbledon. It’s safe to say that you will always be able to find something to do and fit right in with British culture.

THE EASY APPLICATION PROCESSES The online course database, alongside the informative step-by-step application system means that it has never been easier to find the perfect course. UCAS provides around 38,000 course options ranging from archaeology to zoology, meaning that you can find the right course in the right location with just the press of a button. Online applications are simple and easy to follow, if you get stuck, you can search for online tutorials to guide you through the process. Several course applications run until June 30th, meaning that you have the time to make the right choice without sacrificing much time or effort.

“The informative step-by-step application system means that it has never been easier to find the perfect course.” Eight of the top 50 universities in The Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings were in the UK. London in particular stands out, with LSE, UCL and Kings being permanent fixtures. What does this mean for you? Jobs. If you graduate from a UK University, employers will immediately recognise you as a top applicant.

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STUDENT VISAS 101 Now that you’ve been accepted into a UK university, it’s time to apply for your student visa. Here is an overview of the types of student visas available, and how to apply for the visa that you need. WHO SHOULD APPLY FOR A VISA? You should apply for a visa if:

• Tier 4 (General) Student Visa:

This visa is for students over eighteen who are

planning on doing a full-length course in the UK.

• You’re from a country outside the European Economic Area or Switzerland

HOW MUCH DOES A VISA COST?

• You have an unconditional offer from

• Student Visitor Visa: £83 for a six month standard

a qualified university

• You have enough money to cover your expenses, including housing, for the duration

of your course

• You can read, speak, and understand English • Your course meets all of the other eligibility requirements listed on the gov.uk website

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF VISAS?

• Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa: £310 to apply

from outside the UK.

• Tier 4 (General) Student Visa: £310 to apply

from outside the UK.

WHAT CAN AND CAN’T YOU DO WITH A STUDENT VISA? • Student Visitor Visa:

With this visa, you can do a short course, such as an English

There are a few different types of visas available. The

language course or a training course, or a study abroad

one you’ll apply for depends on your circumstances.

semester. You can’t study at a state school, work or carry out any business, marry, extend the visa, bring dependents,

The visas specifically for students are:

or get public funds.

• Student Visitor Visa:

• Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa:

This visa is for students who are doing a short

course of study in the UK. Usually, this visa is

study at a publicly-funded college, apply from inside or

used by students who are studying abroad or doing an English Language Course. With this

sixteen, you can work part time for up to 10 hours a week

visa, you’ll be allowed to stay in the UK for six

during term and full time during vacations. However, with this

months for a short course, or eleven months

visa, you can’t get public funds, bring dependents, settle in

if you’re doing an extended English language

the UK, take a full-time job, or be self-employed.

• Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa:

You can study at an independent-fee paying school, outside the UK, and apply to extend your stay. If you’re over

course.

• Tier 4 (General) Student Visa:

With this visa, you can study, be a student union sabbatical

This visa is for children between the ages of four

officer, apply to extend your stay, apply from inside or

and seventeen who are studying in the UK. To

outside the UK, and work a certain number of hours per

get this visa, you must have been offered a place

week, depending on your sponsorship. You can’t get public

on a course and have the permission of your

funds or work as a professional sportsperson.

parent or guardian. You’ll be allowed to stay in the UK for the length of your course, plus four

visa or £150 for an eleven month extended visa.

months after.

WHERE CAN YOU GET MORE INFORMATION ON VISAS? The UK government website has pages of information about each of these pages. To access this information, go to the gov.uk website. If the answer to your question is not on these pages, you can contact the UK Visa and Immigration office by phone, email, or web chat. You can also contact your university’s international student office if you have any questions about the immigration process. They have advisors who can help you with the trickiest visa questions.

HOW DOES THE VISA APPLICATION PROCESS WORK? To apply for the Student Visitor Visa, the Tier 4 (Child) Visa, or the Tier 4 (General) Visa, you’ll use the online application that can be found on the Visa4UK website. After completing the online portion of the application, you must go to a visa application centre to have your biometrics information taken.

WHAT SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE SENT?

“You should apply for a visa if - You have enough money to cover your expenses, including housing, for the duration of your course”

• Student Visitor Visa:

which is provided to you by your university once they’ve given you

For this visa, you must send evidence that

an unconditional offer. You’ll also need to send in your passport,

you have been unconditionally accepted to

one passport -sized photograph, valid translations if any of your

an accredited university, evidence of any

documents are not in English, bank statements from either you

previous academic qualifications, evidence

or your parents/legal guardians that cover at least a consecutive

that you can support yourself financially for

twenty-eight day period, and for certain countries, a tuberculosis

the duration of your studies, and evidence of

screening. All of these documents, along with your visa application

your English language ability or qualifications.

and biometrics screening, will get you the forty points you need

In certain countries, you will need to send

to be issued your visa.

in a Tuberculosis test result. Check the UK government website to see if this is a

WHEN CAN YOU APPLY FOR A VISA?

requirement for your country.

For all three student visas, you can apply up to three

• Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa:

For this visa, you should send a passport-

months before your course of study.

yourself and pay for your course, proof of

WHEN WILL YOU KNOW IF YOUR VISA APPLICATION WAS ACCEPTED?

parental or legal guardian consent, and your

On average, you’ll get a decision on your visa within

tuberculosis test results if you’re from a

three weeks.

sized photograph, proof that you can support

country that requires tuberculosis screening. • Tier 4 (General) Student Visa:

To get this visa, you’ll need to score forty points in the total. To get these points, you’ll first need a CAS (Confirmation

of Acceptance of Studies) number,

STUDENT VISAS

Applying for a student visa can be confusing. Here are some tips to help make the process smooth and easy all the way through. 1. GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME TO APPLY

The visa application is a multi-step process.

You’ll have to first fill out the application online, then go to a biometrics processing centre,

and then you’ll have to mail everything off to your country’s UK consulate. You should give yourself plenty of time to get everything done.

You’re allowed to apply for the visa three months

documents if you have them. Everything that’s not necessary will be mailed back to you, and if you forgot something that is important, there’s a chance that your application will be delayed or even rejected. Sending every supporting document

5. PROVIDE TRANSLATIONS OF DOCUMENTS THAT ARE NOT IN ENGLISH

translation of those documents. The person who certifies these

last minute panicking by applying as soon as you can.

2. READ EVERY QUESTION ON THE APPLICATION FORM CAREFULLY

documents can be a solicitor, councillor, doctor or dentist,

police officer, teacher, or bank or building society official.

They shouldn’t be related to you, living in the same address

as you, or in a relationship with you.

The visa application form is notoriously tricky.

“The visa application process can be confusing, but there are plenty of people who will be able to help you.”

Read every question carefully, and if something stumps you, don’t be afraid to call in a family member or friend and see if they understand what’s being asked. Sometimes, a second set of eyes is just what you need to make a confusing question clear.

3. WRITE-IN ANY MISTAKES

There’s always a chance, no matter how many times you check your application, that you may make a mistake. Maybe you forgot to include a time you visited the UK or a Commonwealth country, or maybe you marked ‘yes’ to a question when you meant to hit ‘no.’ If this happens, don’t

6. DON’T PLAN ANY INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL WHILE WAITING FOR YOUR VISA APPROVAL

able to travel out of your home country while your application

can write-in anything you forgot or change the and it won’t have any influence on if your visa application is accepted or refused.

4. PROVIDE EVERY SUPPORTING DOCUMENT NECESSARY

When you mail your visa application to the UK consulate, you have to include your passport. Because of that, you won’t be

panic. After you print out your application, you answer to a question. This is perfectly acceptable,

If your first language isn’t English and some of your documents are in your native language, you will have to provide a certified

before your program starts, so save yourself from

will lessen the chance of this happening.

is being processed.

7. CONTACT UK VISA SERVICES OR YOUR UNIVERSITY IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS

The visa application process can be confusing, but there are

Every country has different supporting document

plenty of people who will be able to help you. You can contact

requirements. Find the list for your country, and

UK Visas and Immigrations by live webchat, telephone, or email.

provide everything on that list. Sometimes, there

Or, you can contact your university. The visa application is

will be documents that are optional, such as bank

tough, but it’s also not meant to be impossible. Anyone at your

statements, but you should still provide those

university or at the UKVI office will be happy to help you get your application on the right track.

TOP TEN PACKING TIPS Moving to a new place is always hard. Having to fit your entire life into a suitcase quite frankly, sucks. But worry not, at Accommodation For Students we’re experts in helping students move to new and exciting places. Here’s our list of the 10 packing tips you need to know if you’re planning on heading to University in a new country.

1. MILITARY EFFICIENCY

When it comes to packing, nobody knows more

2. DON’T PACK IT, IF YOU CAN BUY IT WHEN YOU GET THERE

than the military. It makes sense – soldiers have

You’ve got limited space in your suitcase, so use it wisely.

to be ready to move at a minutes notice and

Work out what you need to bring and what will be easy

carry vital supplies into the battlefield.

Soldiers also have to make sure they’re looking

heavy and take up lots of space. You can get new plates pretty

sharp, the last thing they want to do is to provoke

cheaply once you arrive. Similarly, don’t waste time packing shampoo, shower gel, and other bathroom products.

their drill sergeant with an un-ironed shirt.

Luckily for us, the military came up with a way to fold T-shirts that saves space and avoids wrinkles.

Start by folding the sleeves inwards, then take the bottom quarter and fold it

Chances are you’ll forget something if you don’t. Chargers

of the shirt by the sleeve with one hand and take

always seem to get left behind and if it’s an iPhone that can

advance and check your list off, you’ll be less likely to

the shirt as tightly as possible and then turn the

forget the essentials.

roll (if you’re having trouble following these instructions, there are loads of soldiers on YouTube offering masterclasses in packing). Your shirt should look like a cotton burrito at this point and now you’re able to fit twice as many

cost you a fair bit of cash once you land. If you plan in

horizontally. Finally, starting from the collar roll bottom of the shirt inside out wrapping your

Work out everything you need to bring and then write a list.

underneath. Then take one side, grab the top the bottom of the shirt with the other, and fold

Clothes hangers are a must.

3. REMEMBER THE 4PS - PLANNING PREVENTS POOR PERFORMANCE

The military roll is tricky to master, but is worth it.

to buy when you land. Plates, bowls, pots and pans are all

T-shirts in your suitcase now.

4. USE PACKING GADGETS

When you’re trying to squeeze that extra T-shirt

overpacking.

into your suitcase and it just won’t fit, try using airless bags. Before you shove the shirt into your suitcase, put them in an air-tight bag and simply roll the air out. You’ll be surprised just how much space air takes up. You can even get bags that will suck all the air out with a vacuum if you really need the space. Just be careful, while you can fit more in, your bag will much heavier.

8. D ON’T PUT ALL OF YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET

Experienced travelers will know that luggage gets lost.

Split your clothes between two suitcases, so each suitcase

will have underwear, jeans, t-shirts and shoes. That way if one

of your bags gets lost, you don’t have to suffer the indignity

of having 10 t-shirts and no trousers.

5. MAKE UNPACKING EASY

“Try and find out who you’re living with before you get there and split what you need to bring between you.”

Gadgets like compression cubes don’t just help you save space, but they make unpacking much easier. Separate different types of clothing into different airtight containers, and when you need to unpack you’ll save tons of time. You can find everything you need straight away.

6. A VOID BRINGING BOOKS AND DVDS

Books and DVDs will fill your suitcase up quickly. Try to limit yourself to bringing just a few books. Chances are once your course starts up,

An added bonus of planning ahead means that you can bring some more specialised items like rice-cookers or woks without

9. DO YOU REALLY NEED IT?

you won’t have time to read anything that isn’t

Pack once, then unpack. When you’re repacking every item

your set reading anyway. DVDs are basically

ask yourself ‘do I really need this?’ If an item makes it through

redundant now, get a Netflix account instead.

the second packing, then chances are you need it.

7. SHARE WITH YOUR HOUSEMATES

10. POST IT

If you’re sharing a house, there’s no sense in

If you’re still struggling for space or reaching your airlines luggage limit, try packing a parcel full of light and

everyone bring cutlery, pots, pans and the like. Try and find out who you’re living with before

non-breakable items like jumpers. Post it to yourself two

you get there and split what you need to bring

days before you leave and then a few days after you

between you. You only need a couple of frying

arrive you can pick up your some extra clothes courtesy

pans but unless you co-ordinate in advance then

of the post office.

you’re probably going to end up with about five too many frying pans.

STUDENT ACCOMMODATION CHOICES PRO’S & CON’S Picking a university isn’t the only big decision you have to make when you study abroad. Whether you choose to stay in halls or share a house will be as big a part of your university experience as which course you choose. At Accommodation For Students we’ve decided to use our expertise to make navigating the student accommodation market a simpler experience. If you can’t decide between staying in Universityrun Halls, Private Halls, or simply sharing a house - fear not because we’ve laid out the pros and cons of each option.

Staying in University-run Halls of Residence is typically the most common choice for freshers, with most universities guaranteeing students accommodation in their first years.

PRO’S

CON’S

• Great for making new friends. You’ll be sharing

• Usually more expensive than sharing a house.

a flat with between 3-15 other students and most will new to the area and university life. • Socials! University halls will typically have studentrun residents’ associations or junior common rooms (JCRs) that will organise regular social events, from bar crawls to bowling. • Get involved! Most university run halls offer opportunities for you to help out and get experience by running to be on the JCR. This could be all-important when you’re looking for that summer internship. • No need to worry: expect Wi-Fi and bills to all be

• Bad for quiet study. University halls tend to be very noisy because most students staying there are first years who are (understandably) more interested in partying than getting a First. Getting a good night’s sleep might be challenging. • Queueing for breakfast. If you’re staying in catered halls, expect to spend ages queueing for breakfast and dinner. • Strict meal times - if you’re in catered halls and miss the scheduled meal-times then expect to go hungry. • All you can eat catered food is great for the first week, but eating the same five meals gets old quick.

taken care off when you get there. Everything

• No choice in who you live with. There’s always

should be included in your rent.

a chance you’ll end up sharing with people who you have

• Unlimited heating. With bills all included you can

nothing in common with.

leave the heating on as long as you want through

• Sharing a bathroom with eight other people. Enough said.

cold British winters.

• Fire alarms going off. Expect fire alarms to go off in the middle

• Can’t cook? Don’t worry, many halls are fully catered which means that you can avoid learning how to cook for another year.

UNIVERSITY HALLS OF RESIDENCE

night as drunk students fail in their attempts to make toast.

PRIVATE HALLS Private halls offer a similar experience to university halls but are run by private companies instead of the university. As these halls are not run by any particular university, you may end up sharing with students from a variety of different universities.

“Live in luxury. Private halls are typically maintained to a higher standard than university halls.” PRO’S

CON’S

• Meet new friends from a wide range of courses

• Price! Typically private halls are the most expensive of all three

and universities. You’ll be sharing with other

options. However it doesn’t look too bad once you consider that

students, so if you’re new to the city you can

bills are included.

make friends easily. • While not as common as in uni-run halls, some private halls organise socials to make your experience as enjoyable as possible. • All-inclusive – expect gas, electric, and broadband to be included in the price. Some halls even offer contents insurance. • Live in luxury. Private halls are typically maintained to a higher standard than university halls and many offer spacious communal areas

• Less support. Unlike university halls, private halls are less likely to have in-house pastoral care on offer. • You may have less in common with your housemates in private halls, so it may be a little harder to make friends. • Noise. Whether you choose university-run or private halls, expect it to be loud. • Location. Make sure to check how far the hall is from your university, typically university run halls will be the closest to campus.

with plush sofas and flat screen TVs. • Many halls offer a choice between catered and non-catered accommodation. • Extra perks. Private halls increasingly offer benefits like 24hr gym membership included in the cost. • Shorter tenancy. Unlike other private accommodation you won’t be paying rent over the summer holidays.

STUDENT ACCOMMODATION CHOICES

SHARING A HOUSE Sharing a privately-rented flat is the most popular option for second and third years. In most cases you’ll be living with the friends you’ve made on your course, but if you’re new to the country you can still find housemates to share with by using the Housemate finder on our website.

“It’s cheaper. Expect to make big savings when you switch from halls to sharing a house.”

PRO’S

CON’S

• You get to choose your housemates,

• No in-house pastoral care. It’s just you and your housemates,

which means staying with friends rather

so you won’t have the same additional support as you would

than complete strangers. • It’s cheaper. You can expect to make some

• Choose your housemates carefully because

savings when you switch from halls to sharing

you’re going to be stuck with them for the year.

a house. AFS research shows that private rented accommodation costs £343 per month (£374.50 with bills included) which is cheaper than University owned accommodation (£426 per month) and private halls. • More choice. Sharing a house typically means having more freedom to choose your providers for things like broadband and electricity. • Noise is less of a problem. Well, as long as you pick the right housemates. • Greater independence. Living in halls isn’t too much different from living at home, but moving into shared accommodation means taking responsibility and learning in the process.

have in halls.

• Longer tenancy agreements, some landlords ask for 44/52 week tenancy agreement so you may be paying rent over the summer holidays. If you’re lucky though some landlords will only charge half the cost of rent over the summer months. • Risk of burglary. Student houses are frequently targeted by burglars for their poor security. If you’re sharing a house, make sure to ask the landlord to put locks on the windows and a five-lever deadlock on the front door. • Keeping shared areas clean can lead to heated disputes. Make sure to come up with a cleaning rota to keep arguments at a minimum. • Location – expect to travel a bit further to university when you’re staying in private accommodation.

Make your move to the UK easy

Our Study Pack: Your passport to practical help and peace of mind in the UK

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G N I R A H S E S U O H A t

ou What y

ou b a w o kn need to

THE GOOD If you decide to ask around about how it is like to share a house, get ready to hear countless conflicting opinions. Luckily, most of them will be positive. One of the great things about living together is getting to know people better. If you live in University halls, organising flat meeting is a real challenge. In a house however, not only can you

“You can think of sharing a house as an important step to adult life.”

get to know new people more easily but you can also cook together! And what can be more fun and

Best of all – it’s cheaper! Sharing a house is almost always

bonding than a good cooking session?

cheaper than living in halls. Even if you’re happy spending a bit more than usual, you can get a much better standard

By sharing a house you get to choose your

of housing if you’re renting privately.

housemates– the choice you usually do not get if you decide to live in a university accommodation.

Sharing a house with people you like creates a very unique

Whether you are very sociable or very quiet

atmosphere that will quickly turn any house into a home.

(or somewhere in between!), it is always you who makes the final decision about your future housemates. You can think of sharing a house as an important step to adult life. It will teach you how to deal with conflicts, how to maintain good relationships with others and finally how to be a more mature and responsible person. All these skills can prove very useful not only at your workplace but also in your future house – which, instead of your classmates, will be shared with your own family.

G E

Sharing a house will be an experience you will never forget!

THE BAD The reality, however, may sometimes look a bit differently. Many conflicts are unavoidable but even more are unanticipated. This is why it is always a good idea to read about them before experiencing them. Disputes about whose turn it is to wash the dishes can easily escalate. Few things can be more irritating than a huge pile of your housemate’s dirty dishes and little flies gleefully flying all around. If you’re more of a private person, sharing a house comes with its own challenges. Your housemates might be nagging you to go out clubbing, when you’d prefer to get on with your essay. If you have party animal housemates, getting a good night’s sleep might be challenge. This perspective might sound pessimistic but it becomes a reality more often than you might think.

TOP TIPS By no means should all these risks discourage you from going for a shared house. Life is full of difficult moments – but instead of avoiding them it is much wiser to face them with courage and dignity. Are dirty dishes really worth declaring a war? The simplest solutions are often the most effective: why do you simply introduce a cleaning rota? Soon you will enjoy an empty sink again and learn to appreciate it more than ever before. Open communication is the key to addressing interpersonal conflicts. Speak to your housemates openly about your needs. It is a good idea to agree to some quiet hours, e.g. 11 pm – 8 am. If you feel that your housemates invite too many friends or do so much too often ask if they could meet in town instead. The worst thing you can do is to grit your teeth and hope the situation will magically improve. It won’t– unless you voice your concerns.

Sharing a house has the potential of being one of your most enjoyable and rewarding experiences at University. However, the success of your adventure depends largely on the choices you make. Make sure you pick the right people, communicate openly, and you will never regret your decision.

10 THINGS YOU MUST DO WHILE STUDYING IN THE UK The UK has so many interesting historical sites to visit and great activities to do; it can be hard to know where to even start. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re having that dilemma, begin by taking part in these ten canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t-miss activities.

10 THINGS YOU MUST DO

“Even if you’re not a sports fan, you’ll enjoy taking part in all the madness at a football stadium”

1. VISIT LONDON

If you’re not already studying in the UK’s capital city, visiting London should be at the top of your list of things to do. The vibrant city has something for everyone: world-class theater, fascinating museums, beautiful parks,

cool markets. London is also renowned for

its nightlife, and there are plenty of clubs

throughout the city that offer student deals.

2. EXPLORE A CASTLE

Castles can be found everywhere in the UK,

from the remotest parts of the countryside to

the centre of major cities. While you’re studying

in the UK, be sure to go to least one. You could

3. ATTEND A FOOTBALL GAME

Football is one of the most popular sports in the UK, and fans are known for their enthusiasm and loyalty to their chosen team. Even if you’re not a sports fan, you’ll enjoy taking part

go to one near your university, or you could go

in all the madness at a football stadium, especially if two

on a road trip and check out some of the most

teams with a heated rivalry are playing each other.

popular castles in the UK. No time studying in the UK is complete without a visit to one of its many royal palaces.

4. GO ON A PUB CRAWL

Pubs are a quintessentially British thing, and over the centuries

Grab your friends and head out for a night of drinking pints

in classic wood paneled, dimly lit pubs. You can plan where

UK residents have perfected the art of the pub crawl.

you’re going beforehand, or you can just be spontaneous and see where the night takes you. Either way, you’re sure to finish the night with plenty of great stories to tell people back home.

5. HIKE THROUGH THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS

The Scottish Highlands are one of the most scenic places found in the UK. If you’re really ambitious, you could hike the West Highland Way, a 96 mile trail that goes from Milngavie to Fort William and takes hikers through some of the most beautiful vistas in Scotland. If you’re into mountain climbing, you could hike up to the top of Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain the UK. Or, you could just go for a casual trek on one of the Highlands’ many short hiking trails.

6. TAKE A TRIP TO THE BEACH

While the British shore may not be too warm, it’s as picturesque as anything found in the Mediterranean. There are tons of places to check out, from the white cliffs in Cornwall and Dover to the craggy beaches of Scotland to the historic pier in Brighton. Any of these beaches are great for a day trip, or you could spend your summer hopping from beach to beach, checking out

the best the UK has to offer.

7. VISIT A MUSEUM

It may surprise you to hear that most museums

8. GO TO THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL

n the UK are free, including famous museums like the British museum in London, the Scottish Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, and the

National Museum of Wales in Cardiff. Even if you’re not the biggest fan of museums, it’s worth

tons of events happening during the Edinburgh

checking out a free museum near your university

Festival, including the Book Festival, which

to help you get a better sense of the history

draws in big-name authors, and the Fringe

and culture of the UK.

Festival, which puts on hundreds of plays

9. EAT A FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST

Every August, thousands of visitors head to Edinburgh for the annual festival. There are

A full English breakfast consists of fried eggs,

by independent theater companies.

The Edinburgh Festival is a must-see

for any fan of the arts.

baked beans, mushrooms, hash browns, tomatoes, black and white pudding, toast, bacon,

and sausage. This tasty meal is served in restaurants throughout England, and it offers enough food to fill you up all day.

10. TAKE PART IN A QUIRKY UK EVENT

Finally, round out your time in the UK by participating in one of the many quirky events that can only be found in Great Britain.

S R E H S E FR K E E W ost M e h T aking

Freshers’ week is a pretty intense week. It can be scary to wave goodbye to your parents and dive into a strange environment. But most of all, it’s going to be one of the most memorable weeks of your life! Here’s our advice on making the most of your freshers’ week at university.

MEET AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE

DECORATE YOUR ROOM

Freshers’ week is the most socially acceptable week

Avoid pangs of homesickness by filling your room with

of the year to walk up to strangers and introduce

comforts. We have some great blogs on making a student

yourself. Start off by befriending everybody in your

environment feel like a home on a budget. Your week will

block. If you’re nervous, it can be easier to befriend

be busy, so we advise arriving early to halls so you can get

one flatmate and then go around in a pair.

unpacking out of the way!

Together, knock on everybody’s door in your block. This is a great way of meeting lots of people. Look out for people on your course, so you have a friend to go to your first lectures or socials with. Some of these people might end up being friends for life!

JOIN SOCIETIES This is an obvious one, but so rewarding. Spend a lot of time in freshers’ fair looking at all the stalls – being a fresher means you have the chance to try something new. Societies will be friendly and help you to improve your skills. It’s a great way of meeting a new circle of friends, and socials could be weekly. Join your course society, a sport or hobby, and maybe a charity or campaigning society for a good mix. It doesn’t hurt to sign your name up and see if it’s for you, before paying joining fees!

’ S R MAKE THE MOST OF THE NIGHTLIFE Even if you don’t like to drink, it is the best way to build friendships at uni. If you do drink, then don’t go too crazy. This means that you can enjoy more nights out during the week. Freshers’ events are always the busiest, so make sure you swap numbers with your flatmates in case you lose them! As always, stay safe, and always have enough cash leftover for a taxi in case you need one. Another good socialising tip is to go into the outside smoking areas. Plenty of non-smokers also go here – it’s a good breather, and easier to meet and talk to new people.If you don’t like to go out, that’s fine! But make an effort to go to the predrinks in your block. You can still have a laugh, and then pop back to your room when they continue on to the club.

“Your week will be busy, so we advise arriving early to halls so you can get unpacking out of the way! ”

EXPLORE THE CITY Homesickness might kick in, but this is a chance to explore a new city. Take a few hours to walk around and have lunch somewhere new. This can be fun alone, or with your new flatmates. Take the longest and most scenic route to the city centre that you can find. Maybe look for parks or nice places to relax in for the future.

GET TO KNOW THE CAMPUS Have a walk around campus and note where all the buildings are. Familiarise yourself with where you’ll need to be for your first lectures. This way, you’ll avoid running late on an early morning. Check our your student union, and see what’s available. Services, advice, food, shops – it’s all good to know!

EAT DINNER WITH YOUR FLATMATES If you’re in catered accommodation, go to dinner at the same time and all share a big table. If you’re self-catered, suggest cooking a big meal together. This is more communal, and will help you (and everybody else) to settle in quicker. If someone is too shy to come out, knock on their door and ask if they’d like to join in.

STAY HEALTHY This is important! Freshers’ flu is almost inevitable, so make sure you register with your local doctor. Keep your immune system strong. During the day, remember the basics like keeping hydrated and eating a balanced diet. If possible, catch up on missed sleep! Join the gym, keep fit, and detox.

By making the most of your freshers’ week, you’re setting yourself up for a great year. Make sure you know where you’re going, so you never get lost in the future. Spend your time building your friendships. You’ll guarantee a healthy state of mind, and a comfortable new home for the next year. By Emily Peddle 26

Relax

e m o h w e n r u o y d n u fo e 'v u o y Oﬀering you home from ho

outh, UK

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C O C D E T T U G C D E R E K C A N K BRITISH SLANSGES LOS 15 A R H P & L A S N D R O I O F WEVERY INTERONUALTD KNOW C H S T N E D U T S D M R O G Y K E E H C I P E H T G N I K TA Y T N O M L L U F UK slang can be difficult for international students to master. Even students who are from English-speaking countries can have trouble getting a grasp on the words and phrases that are exclusive to Britain. If you’re feeling lost, here are some common slang words and phrases that you may hear popping up in conversations. 28

‘ALRIGHT?’ Almost every international student is confused by the British people’s repeated use of the phrase, ‘Alright?’ You’ll hear it everywhere you go—in class, at the store, with your friends. This is because ‘Alright?’ is a common greeting, similar to, ‘How are you?’ Before long, you’ll get used to the phrase and you may even start using it in your everyday life.

‘KNACKERED’ You may hear this word a lot in your early classes, or the morning after a night out at the pub. This is because knackered is another word for exhausted or worn out.

N I K A T S R E E H C T O L P E H T E S S R A E B T ’ N CA D E T T U G S S E L M ? T H G I R L A ISS ‘GUTTED’

‘CHEEKY’

Gutted is another word for devastated.

When someone’s being cheeky, it means they’re being impertinent.

Someone may say it if they failed a test,

They may be talking back to a friend or a relative. Usually it’s used

broke up with a significant other, or any

in a sentence, such as, ‘Oh, you’re being cheeky today, aren’t you?’

other highly distressing event. For example,

‘TAKING THE PISS’

‘I’m gutted that I didn’t get a higher mark

S ’ E N O E OM S N E H , ’ “W Y K E E H C ‘ G N I E RE ’ B Y E H T S N A ” E T N M E T I N I T R E P M I BEING

on that chemistry exam.’

‘COCK UP’ If you’ve cocked up, you’ve made a really big mess of something or made a big mistake. For example, ‘She cocked up her job interview when she mentioned that she made up most

When someone’s ‘taking the piss’ out of something, they’re making fun of it, usually in a sarcastic way. You can take the piss out of pretty much anything—

friends, bad TV

programs, professors. Although with professors, you may want to do it out of their hearing range.

of her CV.’

‘SKIVE OFF’ This is a way of saying you’re going to skip a day of work or classes. You may hear someone say something like, ‘I’m going to try to skive off work today and sleep instead.’

‘NICE ONE’ Another common phrase, ‘nice one’ can be used either sincerely or sarcastically. If used sarcastically, it means something similar to when someone says ‘good job’ to someone who has completely messed something up. When used sincerely, it’s usually a form of praise.

‘THE FULL MONTY’ This phrase became known worldwide when the movie The Full Monty came out, but even if the phrase itself is common, most people still don’t know what it means. If you’re going ‘the full Monty,’ you’re going to go all the way with something or finish the whole thing.

E N O E M O ’, D “IF S E S R A E B T ’ N A C T ‘ E G T ’ N THEY CATIVATION THE MO OMETHING.” TO DO S ‘LOSE THE PLOT’ This is a way of saying someone is going crazy or has become mentally unstable. It can also be a way to say that someone

‘SOD’ ‘Sod’ is a word that’s used in a lot in British phrases. You can say ‘sod off’ to someone as a way of telling

is going senile. For example, ‘My grandfather is starting to lose the plot. He keeps calling me by my mum’s name.’

‘GORMLESS’

them to get lost. You can say ‘sod it’ as a way

Gormless is a word that’s new to most international students.

to declare that you’re giving up on trying to do

It’s basically just a way to refer to someone who’s clueless.

something that’s not working. Or, instead of ‘sod it,’

For example, ‘That guy in our literature tutorial is completely

you could also say ‘sod all is working’ if nothing is

gormless.’ You can also shorten it to just ‘gorm.’

going right. Sod’s versatility means that you may

‘CHEERS’

be hearing it a whole lot.

‘KNOCK UP’

Most international students are aware of the word ‘cheers,’ but you may not realize how often it’s used in conversation

This phrase has different meanings throughout the

in Britain. Instead of saying ‘thank you,’ people often say

world, but in Britain, ‘knock up’ just means to wake

‘cheers.’ It’s also common to clink glasses and say a quick

someone up. So if you hear a guy say, ‘I’m going to

‘cheers’ before having a drink at the pub. Get ready to be

go knock up my girlfriend,’ all he’s doing is rousing

cheering on everybody you meet when you’re living in the UK.

her from sleep.

‘CAN’T BE ARSED’ If someone ‘can’t be arsed,’ they can’t get the motivation to do something. For example,

? T H G I ALR D E T T U G RS ‘I can’t be arsed to go to that lecture today.’

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Do you need help finding somewhere to live? email find@accommodationforstudents.com and we will help you find a place to stay.

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