Living in the UK

Culture

The United Kingdom is a diverse and multi-ethnic society, where students of all backgrounds are welcome and their involvement in local communities is valued.

The UK is made up of three different countries and a province: England, Scotland, Wales and the province of Northern Ireland. These countries all have very different characters and identities.

The UK has a long tradition of welcoming migrants and refugees from around the world, many of whom have settled here permanently.

All major world religions are represented - mosques, Sikh temples, synagogues and Buddhist and Hindu places of worship can be seen alongside a whole range of Christian churches, from Anglican and Roman Catholic through to Nonconformist and Orthodox.

Many languages are represented as well. The most widely spoken South Asian language in the UK is Punjabi, followed by Urdu, Bengali and Gujarati. The main Chinese dialects spoken in the UK are Cantonese and Mandarin.

All this diversity means that, when you come to the UK, you will find it easy to settle in. You will also develop an enhanced understanding of different cultures by meeting others from an enormous variety of religious and national backgrounds.

UK society

The UK is a tolerant, democratic society, where different beliefs and political views are respected. You will find that many people dress in the same way and eat the same food you would in your own country. In large cities, there are shops that sell every imaginable type of food from around the world, from Halal meats and Asian vegetables and rice to Kosher desserts.

Throughout the year, in different towns and cities, there is a succession of religious festivals celebrating various events and phases in the main world religions.

Finding accommodation

You should always try to arrange your long-term accommodation before you leave home. Oxford Academy accommodation officers are able to help you with this.

Education for your dependants

In the UK, all children must be in full-time education from the age of five to the age of sixteen. If you bring your children to the UK with you and they are in this age range, they can study at a UK state school free of charge.

Health Care

Affordable access to high-quality health care is one of the extra benefits of studying in the UK.

As an international student, you, your spouse and any children who accompany you to the UK as your dependents, may be entitled to free or subsidised treatment under the UK's National Health Service (NHS). If you are studying on a full-time course in Scotland, you will receive this benefit regardless of the length of your course. Elsewhere in the UK, you will receive this benefit if your course lasts more than six months.

Registering with a doctor

To receive any kind of treatment through the NHS, you must be registered with a doctor or General Practitioner (GP). GPs are doctors who are trained and experienced in diagnosing a wide range of health problems. You should do this as soon as possible after you arrive in the UK and have a permanent address - don't wait until you're ill.

If your school, college or university has a health centre, you may be able to register with a doctor there or they may be able to recommend a local doctor or GP. You can also get a list of local doctors from the Post Office or by contacting the Family Health Services Authority in your area (look in the local telephone directory).

Dental services

If you're eligible for NHS treatment, you can receive your dental treatment at a reduced rate. Once you've registered with a doctor, register with a local dentist as soon as possible. First of all, however, make sure that the dentist accepts NHS patients - some dentists only accept private patients.

Services and access for disabled people

If you have a disability of any kind, contact Oxford Academy before your arrival to find out what facilities will be available for you. We can make special arrangements that take your disability into account such as allowing you extra time on examinations if writing is physically difficult for you.

Arts

Arts in the UK are flourishing and most of the UK's 2,000 museums and galleries are free. Art exhibitions are regular events throughout the UK and are highly popular. There are many art galleries in the UK including the Tate Modern in London and BALTIC in Gateshead, one of the largest art spaces in Europe. Of course, the biggest arts event of all is the renowned annual Edinburgh Festival which is actually several festivals at once - a real feast of music, drama, comedy, dance, film, books and other arts.

Coming to the UK also gives you the chance to catch some of your favourites bands and artists performing live. Colleges and universities are regular venues for some of the best new bands and most towns and cities have their own music venues for UK and international stars.

Sports

Sport is popular throughout the UK. Football, cricket and rugby are the national games but UK colleges and universities will have a range of sports teams and clubs.

Sightseeing

There are many places in the UK you won't want to miss, such as the sights of cities like London, Edinburgh, Oxford, Cambridge, Bath and York, and the landmarks of Stonehenge, the Giant's Causeway and the mountains of Snowdonia. You'll find that almost every city and major town in the UK has at least one intriguing historic building or feature.

The Students' Union

At all UK universities and most of the larger colleges, students are automatically members of the National Union of Students (NUS). This will give you access to clubs and societies, representing a vast range of hobbies, sports and interests. The Students- Union also organises a wide range of social activities.

Working in the UK

It is now easier than ever for international students to earn extra money while in the UK.

Opportunities available to you include part-time or vacation work, as well as course-related work placements. And you can even apply to stay on in the UK at the end of your course through the Training and Work Experience Scheme (TWES).

Weather

England's climate is mild and damp, with temperatures moderated by the light winds that blow in off its relatively warm seas. Temperatures inland do not get much below freezing in winter (December to February), or much above 30°C in summer (June to August). The north is the coldest area; London, the southeast and the West Country are the warmest.