College Life in the UK
The UK is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. There are over 2 million students registered in higher education in the UK, including students from overseas. As a result, the UK has a thriving student scene, with over 325 institutions of higher education to choose from, according to the UK's Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.
If you're considering going to school in the UK, there are some distinct differences between college life there and in other parts of the world.
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Benefits
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Students in the UK are notoriously low on money. Fortunately, there are scores of student discounts available for people studying in the UK. With a Young Person's Railcard, students can save a third off of train fares. In London, students qualify for a student oyster card, which allows for discounted travel in the city. There are also student nights at bars and restaurants, student discounts at clothing stores and reduced prices for cinema tickets. Student discounts are typically given upon presentation of a valid student card from a UK university.
Work
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To earn extra money while studying, students often pick up part-time jobs at bars, cafes or in retail shops. International students on a student visa are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during term times and full-time during breaks in study. Universities usually offer resources that assist students in securing part-time work. These resources may be in the form of a notice board at the student union or a website with job advertisements aimed at students looking for casual hours.
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Study
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Degree courses in the UK differ from those offered in the United States and other countries. The length of time spent working towards a degree can be as little as one year or over four years. It is not a standard four-year program, as in the United States. Individual classes are called modules, and students must pass the required modules to earn their degree.
Housing
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Student housing comes in two forms: "living in" or "living out." Living in is accommodation that is university owned. These places tend to be closer to campus and are usually less expensive, as bills tend to be included. Students that live out rent properties not affiliated with the university. Although those living out are able to choose their flatmates and don't have to adhere to the rules of university housing, they are also faced with the hassle of dealing with landlords.
Social Life
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Students have a broad range of social activities to choose from, both in and out of the university. The UK has a strong pub culture, and student drink specials at pubs and nightclubs tend to draw big crowds of students. Additionally, students can get involved with university-sponsored activities such as student newspapers, special-interest clubs and sporting teams.
Misconceptions
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In the UK, "college" is different from "university." College is similar to the American concept of eleventh and twelfth grades. It is where students can go to complete their pre-university education, or to focus on learning a vocation such as hairdressing or auto repair. Universities are degree-awarding bodies, generally offering three- to four-year programs.
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