Studying in the UK vs Studying in Canada

Studying in the UK is slightly different from studying in Canada. It takes some adjusting, but you can definitely get used to the different class schedules, fashion, and layout in no time! The following is based on my experience as a Canadian Masters student who did her entire undergrad in Canada, so it may not be universally true. Read on for the difference’s I’ve spotted!
 

Fashion

First of all, before we get into the actual educational experience, I have to say: the fashion over here is different. In Canada, it isn’t out of the ordinary to see students show up to class in sweatpants, or pyjamas, but that is not the case in the UK. Everyone looks their best. There are always girls in my class wearing a dress or skirts, and at the very least, everyone is in jeans. It’s still casual, but not to the level of casual students take it to in Canada. I think if I actually showed up to class in sweatpants here, people would be concerned for my health. I guess what I’m saying is: be prepared to put in a bit more effort into your look that was expected in Canada.
 

Marking criteria

In Canada I was marked with a percentage, GPA, and letter grades. Here it’s a little different. For my postgraduate course there are 3 categories that your marks can fall into; Pass, merit, or distinction. The major difference is by what is considered merit or distinction. While 50 is still considered a pass, for my course a merit is 60-70 and a distinction is 70 and above. As well, the grading scheme only goes up to 90. Getting a 60 is considered rather good and many people don’t even get above a 70 whereas in Canada getting a 70 was often an average grade. I must admit it has been difficult getting used to seeing a low number and associating it with a good grade.
 

Exam and semester dates

Back home my undergraduate exams would happen in December before Christmas and second semester would start in January when you return from the break. Here my exams are in January after I return for Christmas and second semester doesn’t start until the very end of January. As well, first semester started in October.
 

Weight of assignments

This has been very difficult to get used to. Back home one class would have multiple assignments, 1 or 2 midterms, and a final exam. This meant that everything would be worth less. Final exams were typically worth 25% and you could go into it with a high grade due to previous assignments, midterms, and attendance increasing your overall grade. Here, I have two classes where there’s one assignment worth 100%. Another class had two assignments worth 50% each, and one class had an assignment worth 25% leaving the final exam worth 75%. This has been really hard to get used to as you only have one chance to do well and your entire grade falls on one assignment/ exam. However, on the plus side it makes for fewer due dates and less work throughout the term.
 

Class schedule

In Canadian universities, classes can start as early as 8am and go until 10pm. That is not the case in the UK. At least at my school, they have a strict 9-6 rule, and all classes are scheduled within that time frame. No more super late or super early classes, yay! This was definitely an unexpected bonus when I moved to the UK.

In Canada, university students build their own schedules based on the classes they want to take. With most universities in the UK you have a dictated schedule of classes you have to take, and you maybe get to choose one or two electives from a provided list, depending on your program. It was nice not to have to plan out my classes, but I kind of miss the freedom it brought. I know that my undergraduate degree had an unusual amount of freedom for choosing courses (I only had 1 required class, and then I got to pick the rest from different categories. As long as the category requirements were filled, I could graduate), but it is something that I miss while studying in the UK.

As well, my course has a scheduled lunch break, which is so nice. Every day we have at least an hour for lunch, which means I don’t have to schedule it in myself! Also, they plan times for clubs and activities. At my school in Canada, clubs and practices took place either before or after class hours, meaning that they were either before 8am or after 10pm. Those hours were not conducive for getting a full nights’ sleep. Here, Wednesday afternoons (again, at my school) are set aside for activities like that to take place, and no classes are scheduled for Wednesday afternoons! It’s a nice midweek break.
 

Staying Organized 

In the UK it is expected that you do a lot of organizational work yourself, and really keep on top of your deadlines and assignments. As well,  I’ve had to do a lot of assignments that weren’t marked, and participation grades are not a thing here, in my experience. I really miss those a 10% attendance marks, I’m not going to lie.
 

School Spirit

If you’re a person that loves school spirit and sporting events, the UK may disappoint you. Homecoming, school wide St. Paddy’s celebrations, and school spirit events are not really a thing here, but that doesn’t mean that students don’t have school spirit; they just show it in a different way. You may not be attending tailgate parties for Homecoming football games, but you can still get involved and go to the pub on weekends. It’s much more toned down, but people still love their universities here.

While there are many differences that I have come across since studying in England, overall the experience hasn’t been anything too shocking and these differences are all part of this adventure. Some have taken some getting used to (assignments worth 100%) where others I have happily taken on (schedules made up for you). If this has made you curious as to what studying in the UK would be like, then contact an Across the Pond advisor to get started on your applications!