Top Reasons to Study in the UK
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!
Christmas in Edinburgh
If there is one thing Scotland does right, it’s Christmas Markets.
From about mid-November to the beginning of January it seems like the entire country turns into a Christmas wonderland, with beautiful decorations and tons of events that last for weeks!
I’m here to share some of the highlights I’ve experienced so far, and the must see and do Christmas activities if you’re in Edinburgh. An entire block of Princes Street Gardens is dedicated to Edinburgh’s Christmas Market, which is the main attraction! However, there are many other fun things to do and see, so don’t miss out!
Christmas at the Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanical Garden is a beautiful place to visit at any time of year, but especially at Christmas. They have unique light displays running on specific nights from the end of November to Christmas, and they are absolutely stunning! Christmas at the Botanic Gardens will make all of your Christmas light dreams come true.
Light Night
Light Night this year was November 2018. It is the official lighting of the Christmas lights in Edinburgh, and is a free event! George Street is covered in Christmas lights, but the real attraction is the gigantic Christmas light display at the end of the street, which is being lit on this particular night. Live music and performers are set up on stages all down the street, with the biggest stage, featuring a giant switch, at the end. The lights get turned on at 5 o’clock, and are accompanied by a beautiful firework show! Be sure to arrive a bit early, the street gets very crowded. Definitely check this out if you’re in Scotland in mid-November!
Skating
What Canadian doesn’t love skating at Christmas time? As part of the Edinburgh’s Christmas Market, a circular skating rink is set up in St. Andrew’s Square, and you can rent skates and enjoy some hot chocolate while having fun with your friends! One of the many fun things to do at the Christmas Market.
Christmas Market: Rides
One of the best parts of the Christmas Market is the rides! If you go online and book tickets beforehand, and you have an Edinburgh Postal Code, you get a discount! Definitely take advantage of this, as the market can get quite pricey. My favourite ride was the Ferris Wheel, the views from it were stunning! Some friends of mine went on a High Flyer, and there was a ride called the Yeti. The carousal is absolutely beautiful as well. There is also a section specifically for kids, if you happen to have some young family members visiting! As well, though not technically a ride, there is a Christmas Tree Maze that, though not very difficult, is absolutely beautiful for pictures!
Christmas Market: Food
The Christmas Market has a wide selection of food booths, all of which are absolutely delicious. Though I haven’t tried them all (I’m on a student budget), I did try some mulled wine (basically Christmas in a cup) and mac and cheese, both of which were absolutely delicious! There are booths dedicated to desserts, with waffles and crepes, and even a fudge stand! Whatever food you’re craving, you can probably find it at the market!
Christmas Market: The Actual Market
I realize I’ve dedicated three points to the Christmas Market itself, but it’s just such a big event! The market is made up of tons of booths, with vendors selling anything you could possibly need as a Christmas gift. Sweaters, scarves, candles, you name it, there’s something for everyone! I picked up a set of watercolour drawings of Edinburgh as a souvenir of my time here, and the drawings are of some of my favourite spots in Edinburgh! A lot of the booths contain handmade creations, which make them especially unique! Definitely spend some time Christmas shopping here.
Hogmanay
Technically, this is after Christmas, and technically, it hasn’t happened yet. Hogmanay is Scotland’s New Year’s Eve celebration, and boasts live music and fireworks. People travel from all over to attend this event, so if this sounds like your thing, definitely check it out in your time abroad. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to attend, as I’ll be at home in Canada for New Years, but it is supposed to be amazing!
If you’re studying in Scotland, or anywhere in the UK, definitely take a trip to Edinburgh to visit the Christmas Market and other festivities! I walk by the Christmas Market all the time, and it never loses its magic. It has been one of my favourite experiences so far during my year in Edinburgh!
Tips on Preparing Your Application
Preparing your application to universities in the UK can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t need to be. Your student advisor will help walk you through the whole process, and we have lots of advice and even create guidelines and webinars on how to make your application as close to perfect as possible! Below are some of our tips for getting the best start on your applications.
Get Organized
One of the biggest stresses that students have with regards to their application is when they try to rush it in before a deadline. This stress is then compounded after their applications are submitted and offers are received, as there is then a rush to find funding, accommodations, and to deal with the student visa application. The earlier you start your applications; the smoother things will go. Since most programs work on a rolling deadline basis, applying early has the added benefit of giving you better chances of success, especially if you just barely meet the entry requirements. For most programs, we typically recommend that students apply before Christmas, as there tends to be a rush of received applications in January that can slow down the universities’ processing time.
Find your reference(s) early
Professors are usually more than happy to write letters of reference for students, but they can be fickle, especially around exam times. We recommend students ask around for letters as soon as they start the application process, to give profs plenty of time to write them, and to give students time to find back-ups in case a prof flakes out. If you’ve been out of school for a few years, you may think it is unlikely, if not impossible, to find a prof that remembers you enough to write a letter, but don’t be afraid to ask anyway; you may be surprised by the results. When I applied for my master’s program in the UK, I had been out of school for about 2 years and was sure I wouldn’t be able to find anyone to write the letter for me. But after visiting campus and meeting with my former profs directly, I really didn’t have any trouble getting the two letters of reference necessary for my program.
Get advice on your personal statement(s)
The personal statement is an important part of your application, and so it’s crucial that it be as close to perfect as possible. For this reason, we do have guidelines on what is expected of the document, and even have a recorded webinar that walks you through the process of writing it. The statement does not have the same format or required content that similar documents would for applications and Canadian universities, so make sure to read the guidelines closely. Your personal advisor is always on hand to give you some advice, and even help revise it if you send over a rough draft! The statement typically takes a few drafts to get right, so make sure not to leave this until the last minute!
Entrance exams and other additional qualifications
Most programs do not require entrance exams at all, but there are a few that do. Medical programs always require exams (typically the UCAT), and a few law programs require the LNAT. Some graduate level psychology programs require membership in the GBC, and engineering programs often require ATAS certification. It’s important to know what exams and certifications are required for the programs you’re applying to, and your personal advisor will help sort that out early in the application process. Some of these have strict deadlines, so make sure you don’t forget anything and miss out on attending.
Our student advisors will work with you, one-on-one, to make sure that your application is in the best possible shape, and following the above advice will help us help you make this process as stress-free and straightforward as possible.
