Making the Most of Your Summer Break in the UK
Written by Mackenzie - 09/03/2019
For those students studying an undergraduate degree in the UK, you will normally have a break over the summer months! For those students on a master’s degree, you will usually write your dissertation during the summer.
For both situations, I’ve written about some of the best ways to take advantage of your summer break while living and studying in the UK.
Undergraduate Students
During your summer holidays, you may choose to come home, but if you feel comfortable enough to stay in the UK, I highly recommend it! You can work on a student visa, and in non-term time (aka the summer!) you can work up to 40 hours a week*. Whether you work part-time or full-time, it’s a great way to not only make some extra money but also meet new people. Take advantage of university career centres or temp agencies to find a position! The university staff in the career or international offices are a great help when it comes to finding work, and career advice in general.
Summer is a great time to investigate your university’s unique opportunities, since you may not have had time to do so while you were studying. Look into clubs and societies that you may want to join in your next year of study, events that go on during the summer months, or ways to get involved on campus! You have at least 3 years of an undergraduate to complete, and while you may have taken your first year to ease in, the rest of your time spent in the UK is a great chance to participate in your university’s social communities.
Finally, take the opportunity to travel. If you have the means to explore Europe or the rest of the world, fantastic! My advice to everyone, though, is take the time to explore the city you are living in (galleries, concerts, festivals, markets, shops, museums, etc!) as well as the UK itself. There are so many amazing places to visit in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, so don’t forget about travelling around the UK while you plan your trips!
Postgraduate Students
For postgraduate students, summer looks a little bit different. Most students will be writing their dissertations, and while not in classes, there is much time that needs to be devoted to this endeavour. This is not to say you don’t have the opportunity for summer activities!
Working part-time or even full-time can be an option while you write your dissertation. Take it from me, I worked full-time over the summer, and it helped me to be more organized because my time off needed to be spent wisely. Working in the UK is a great opportunity to meet new people outside of uni, as well as build your CV for future job applications.
Spend time to act as a tourist in your own city. Take study breaks to visit new places in town that you haven’t been or check out that café you’ve been meaning to but haven’t found the time for. It’s so important to step away from your dissertation and clear your head, so you are ready and refreshed for the next bout of writing. You don’t have to travel afar to have new experiences. You can also find new spots to study, whether it be an unfamiliar wing of your uni’s library, a new coffee shop, or a quaint little bookstore! New surroundings can give you a new perspective on your research.
If you’re reading this and are a prospective student, you can find out more about studying in the UK by contacting one of our Advisors.
*Based on visa polices at the time of this student's studies in the UK. Always check for the latest Home Office policies.
Interesting and Delightful Facts About the UK That Will Make Your Day
Written by Scott - 07/05/2019
The United Kingdom is a very interesting place to live and study. I’ve compiled a list of some of the more interesting facts about the UK you may not already know. While none of these will overly affect your studies, they do show the interesting flavor of British culture that you will grow to love while studying in the UK!
1. The word “pub” is short for “public house,” and the tradition has only officially been around since the 19th century. However, places selling beer have been around for much longer, and the “oldest pub in Britain” is a hotly contested title. One of Britain’s oldest pubs, with the papers to prove it, is Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem in Nottingham, which was serving ale to departing crusaders in the 12th century. The Royalist Hotel in Stow-on-the-Wold in Gloucestershire claims to have been selling beer since around A.D. 947, while another pub, Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St. Albans in Hertfordshire, claims to date back to the 8th century, although 13th seems more likely.
2. At the end of the 19th century, an eager hill walker named Sir Hugh Munro published a list of 545 Scottish mountains measuring over 3,000 feet (914 m) high. New surveys have revised this to 283. Today, any Scottish mountain over the magical 3,000-ft mark is called a “Munro,” and many hill walkers now set themselves the target of “bagging,” or summiting all 283.
3. The Scottish national animal is the Unicorn. Why a creature that doesn’t even exist? The unicorn was chosen because it was seen as a proud and haughty beast which would rather die than be captured, just as Scots would fight to remain sovereign and unconquered. Two unicorns supported the royal arms of the King of Scots, and since the 1707 union of England and Scotland, the royal arms of the United Kingdom have been supported by a unicorn along with an English lion.
4. There are a number of traditional British foods with very odd and unappetizing names. For example, ‘toad in the hole’ looks and tastes much better than it sounds. It is simply sausages in Yorkshire pudding, named so because apparently (to some) it looks like toads popping up from a hole. You can also eat ‘spotted dick’ in England, and snigger while doing so. This is a dried fruit and suet pudding popularly served with custard in Britain. The word ‘dick’ doesn’t mean what you think it means; it’s likely just a corruption of the word ‘dough’. ‘Cullen skink’ is nothing odder than a thick haddock, onion and potato soup originally from the Scottish town of Cullen, and ‘Welsh Rabbit’ or ‘Rarebit’ is nothing but melted cheese on toast – the original name is really a silly and patronizing dig at the Welsh.
5. Cheese Rolling is one of the oldest customs to have survived in Great Britain. It's been going on for hundreds of years and some say it has roots in pre-Roman times. Every year, a 7 lbs. round of Double Gloucester cheese is rolled from the top of Cooper’s Hill in Gloucestershire, England, with competitors racing downhill after it. The first person over the finish line at the bottom of the hill wins the cheese. Roller beware: participants often end up full of scrapes and bruises, and occasionally even broken bones!
I hope these interesting facts about the UK have given you a taste for how very unique and delightful British culture is. Studying and living in the UK is quite an adventure, and you’ll find that you’re constantly learning new things about your adoptive country, and hopefully you fall in love with it as much as I have!
You can find out more about studying in the UK by contacting one of our Advisors.
Studying in the UK vs. Studying in Canada
Written by ATPAmbassador - 02/04/2019
by Lauren Cameron
Studying in the UK is very 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!
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 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.
Next, the class hours. 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.
Also, schedules. In Canada, university students build their own schedules based on the classes they want to take. At my school in the UK, at least for the Masters programs, you have a dictated schedule of classes you have to take, and you maybe get to choose one elective 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.
I’m not sure if it is just my program, or my UK university, but the school is slightly less organized than Canadian schools. You have to do a lot of organizational work yourself, and really keep on top of your deadlines and assignments, because new things seem to spring up often. 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 10% attendance marks, I’m not going to lie.
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.
The last difference between studying in the UK vs. studying in Canada is how easy it is to make friends. You have almost, if not all, of your classes with the same people, so it’s really easy to get to know people and make friends. In my first year of university, I was in so many different classes with so many different people, that it was more difficult to get to know people. Here, you get to know almost everyone in your cohort pretty quickly, at least at the Masters level! It’s really nice.
I hope this blog could help you see the difference in studying in the UK vs. Canada, and help you decide to study here! Though it is different from my experience at a Canadian university, I love it here, and wouldn’t change the experience for anything (except maybe participation marks!).
Why Study Law in the UK?
Written by admin - 21/03/2019
By: Brittni Baird
Law is one of Across the Pond’s most popular subjects for Canadian students. Have you thought about studying Law in the UK but you don’t know if it’s a good option? Here are some of the top reasons why you should consider studying Law in the UK:
Shorter Degrees:
The qualifying law degree in the UK is referred to as an LLB, which is equivalent to an LLB or JD degree in Canada. The program normally takes 3 years to complete with 2 years of compulsory modules and 1 year of electives. However, many universities offer a 2 year LLB program for students who have already completed an undergraduate degree; this program includes all compulsory modules but no electives. This means, if you already have an undergraduate degree you could have your law degree in as little as two years!
More Options:
Since the UK is home to many more universities than Canada, there are a wider range of options to choose from. You can study in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland. Since we work with a wide range of universities, the entry requirements vary. Generally speaking, they are much for less competitive than they are in Canada.
Simple Application Process:
Applying to UK universities is fairly straightforward and much more inexpensive than applying in Canada. Applications for law schools in the UK are on one centralized application called UCAS - meaning you only need to submit one application! You can apply to a maximum of 5UK universities for £24 (GBP) which is approximately $40. In Canada, you are looking at way more in application fees! Also, don’t like exams? UK universities don’t require the LSAT!
International Experience:
Employers tend to look quite favourably upon an international education. Indeed, a job applicant with an international degree is able to show that they have international experience, which is highly valuable in our more globalized society. In addition, it proves they are adaptable, open-minded, independent, and self-sufficient.
Opportunities for Extra Activities:
Most of Across the Pond’s partner universities offer extra activities that will make your experience even better, such as:
- On-Campus Law Clinic
- Mooting Opportunities
- Courtroom Facilities
- Professional Training Placements
- Relationships with local legal practitioners
Pursue an LLM to specialize:
An LLM is a one year master’s of law and is equivalent to an LLM in
Canada. We recommend considering pursuing
an LLM after completing an LLB in order to specialize in a particular area of
law while earning a post-graduate level qualification. Popular LLMs include:
- Criminal law
- Human Rights law
- Commercial Law
- Environmental Law
- Maritime Law
- International Law
- Family Law
- And more!
The best part is - applications for international students (with some exceptions) are open until June 30th each year! It’s not too late to get an application submitted for 2019. Think studying in the UK is right for you? Please contact one of our Advisors.
Top Reasons to Study in the UK
Written by Scott - 25/02/2019
Feb 25, 2019 8:00:00 AM
Studying abroad can be an expensive and nerve-wracking prospect, so I’ve compiled a list of some of the more compelling reasons to consider studying in the UK. Whether you’re interested in sightseeing, or just want to get a jump start on your future career, there’s something for everyone!
Programs are more focused
When I was doing my undergraduate degree in Physics here in Canada, I had a certain number of ‘Arts and Social Science’ electives that I had to take to meet the requirements of the program. This means that every semester I took a History class, or a Philosophy class, which had nothing to do with physics, and didn’t prepare me at all for a future career in the sciences. In the UK, degree programs are more focused on your major subject, and require a lot fewer (if any) free electives. This means that all your classes will be relevant to your major, and you’re free to focus your studies on what you’re passionate about, and not waste your time doing insignificant electives. This also means that…
Degrees are shorter
Since you’re not doing all those free electives, programs in the UK end up being shorter than those in Canada; bachelor’s degrees can typically be done in 3 years (except in Scotland, where they are 4-year programs), and most master’s programs are only 12 months long! This means that you can finish school and be in the workforce much sooner and spend as little time and money in school as possible. Some universities even offer combined bachelor and master’s programs, so you can get both degrees in 4 years!
Acceptance rates
For some programs, it can be much easier to get accepted in the UK than similar programs in Canada. This is especially true for law school; since there are only about a dozen law schools in Canada, they can be very competitive, but the UK has well over 100 law schools, so the entry requirements can be much more reasonable. The programs are still top-notch, and will fully qualify you to practice in Canada, but with more schools available, there are more seats and therefore less competition. This is also true about many other programs. Your personal advisor will compile a list of programs for you to consider based on your academic profile, your study interests and your location preferences, and we’re very careful to choose the right schools for your particular case, so there is often very little risk of rejection when applying.
Travelling in the UK and Europe
One of my favourite things about studying in the UK are the travel opportunities: the UK itself is pretty small, so you can get around easily and quickly. The train service is extensive and relatively cheap, so spending a weekend doing some sightseeing around London, or the highlands of Scotland, or down to the White Cliffs at Dover is doable no matter where in the country you’re studying. Paris and Brussels are both about 2 hours from London by train, so a lot of students spend their free time touring Western Europe. Flights are also much cheaper around Europe than in Canada, so if that’s your preferred mode of travel, you can get to Europe for as little as $100! If you don’t want to go too far from campus, there are also plenty of day trips to nearby tourist sights, hiking trails and even beaches around Brighton Pier.
As you can see, there are plenty of exciting and rewarding reasons to study in the UK! Please contact us if you have any questions, or when you’re ready to take a look at your options.
Phones and computers have made communicating back home really easy. Skype and WhatsApp video calls have been a lifesaver when it comes to seeing my family in Toronto. Of course the 5-hour time difference is difficult to adjust to- I recommend calling them before you sleep, as most of your family and friends will be getting home from work or school around this time. Even a simple five-minute conversation can make all the difference in your mood and put a smile on your face. It is important to not feel like you are bothering anyone back home and call whenever you can! The truth is they miss you just as much as you miss them. Another thing that may help is if you bring family and friend photos with you to hang on your walls or desk. Also, traveling back home for Christmas is something I would recommend anyone to do if they are able to as a reminder of the love and support of their loved ones.