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Debunking Myths about Studying in the UK
Join our advising team as they go over common myths and misconceptions about studying in the UK, to help you feel more confident in your decision to study abroad! Will your degree really transfer back? Do you have to like tea? Tune in to find out!
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It's Too Early to Apply - Now What?
It can be frustrating to reach a decision on your next steps only to realize you have to wait before you can actually apply and get things underway. But what you might not realize is that we work with many students in this situation. We are happy to help you identify ways that you can get started on your application process and as a bonus you'll help to make things easier for yourself down the road.
Join our advising team as they detail their top tricks, tips and advice for preparing for your applications early. If you are interested in studying in the UK in a future year, this webinar will cover the little things you can be doing now that make a big difference later.
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Do's and Don't's for Writing a UCAS Personal Statement
Join our advising team as we cover the most common mistakes students make when writing a personal statement for their UCAS application. We'll highlight ways you can avoid these mistakes and provide recommendations on the top ways to write a personal statement that impresses admissions teams.
UK Law School Fair & Alumni Mixer
Event Details
Date: Friday, 28 February 2025
Law School Fair 5-7 PM
Alumni Mixer 7-9 PM
Location: Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Toronto Downtown, 108 Chestnut St, Toronto, ON M5G 1R3 (see map)
‼️ Note that this event will be a social with available hors d'oeuvres and both alcoholic (19+) and non-alcoholic beverages. It will be open to all ages.
What to Do with Your Pet While Studying Abroad
Written by Advisor Brittany - 30/01/2025
It can be hard to leave your furry friend behind as you embark on your new adventure, but ultimately there are a few reasons why it’s best to leave your pet behind (with family or a trusted friend/partner) while you’re in the UK.
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Most university accommodation will not allow pets. This is because animals (especially dogs and cats) may cause allergies with some students. This does also typically extend to emotional support animals so do keep that in mind. Unless your pet is a registered service/guide animal, it is extremely unlikely that they would be allowed to stay with you on campus.
This would result in you looking off-campus for your accommodations (which can be tricky to secure as an international student, especially in your first year of study). Never assume the university’s policies! Do check with your UK university as soon as possible if you think you may wish to bring a pet with you to the UK. They may have staff on hand to help with questions. - Entering the UK can be stressful and expensive for both you and your animal! If you think you may want to bring your pet with you, it’s extremely important to review the official UK government guidelines as early as possible. You can do that here: Take a Pet Abroad (you’ll find Canada in the ‘part 2’ listed country list.)
If you’re thinking of taking a dog (for example), your dog may need to undergo several vet visits to ensure it meets the requirements for Canadian exportation and UK importation.
Shots have to be given at least 21 days before flying. Mostly, you will have to get a microchip implanted (if not already done), the rabies shots, and have your vet fill out the health certificate which you should be able to obtain from the UK government site.
It is extremely important to check the pet requirements for any airline that you’ve booked with (or plan to book with) as well! Many, if not all airlines are prevented from allowing pets in the cabin when landing in the UK. As these are long flights, being in the cargo area can be quite traumatic for animals.
Overall, we recommend leaving your pet at home while you’re abroad. As hard as it may be, there are some great ways to cope with missing your pet while you’re studying:
How to Cope When Missing Your Pet
Think of the positives!
If you do plan to go home in between semester breaks, or during the summertime, your time apart will actually be shorter than you think. The structure of UK semesters and breaks typically allows for longer breaks every 4 months or so. It’s still a long time, but you won’t necessarily be away for your entire degree!
You can also video chat with your pet (with the assistance of friends/family members) so that you can see/speak to them while you’re gone.
Many universities will bring local dogs to campus to help with student stress! If you see them on campus, they’re usually more than happy for some scratches.
Find part-time employment or volunteer with animals!
On a student visa, you can work up to 20 hours during term time. Why not find employment or volunteer at a local animal shelter? Some shelters will welcome the extra hands for things like dog walking. This is a great way to get some exercise, add to your resume, and spend some time with a new furry friend! 
Visit a cat café
These cafes are becoming increasingly popular! Many will highlight rescue animals, or have the animals up for adoption, but as a student you can head down for a cup of coffee and get some cat snuggles in while you’re at it! What better way to spend a few hours? Some options include:
Purrple Cat Cafe – Glasgow
Maison de Moggy - Edinburgh
Java Whiskers - London
Kitty Cafe – Leeds, Leicester, Nottingham, Birmingham
We understand that nothing can replace your furry friend at home, but while you’re completing your studies, there’s no reason why you can’t have a substitute to help get you by! Just think of all of the stories you can share with your pet when you get home!
More of a dog person? Book a session at a dog café instead!
These cafes usually have entrance fees to help continue providing the best environment for the dogs (anywhere from £5 - £10) . But really, who can put a price on spending time with these precious pooches? Make sure you review all policies prior to making your journey.
https://www.cuppapug.com/ - with locations in Manchester and London
https://dogandscone.com/ - Newcastle
https://edinburghchihuahuacafe.co.uk/ - Edinburgh
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Study at UK Universities: Russell Group Explained
If you've come across the term "Russell Group" in your UK university research, and can't quite figure out the meaning, or whether you qualify to study at these universities, we're here to help!
Join our advising team as we break down what it means to be a "Russell Group" university, how applications may differ from other university applications, and how Across the Pond can make your application as smooth as possible.
