Join our advising team as we discuss one of the most important elements of your UK applications: the Reference Letter(s). We'll highlight the main features of a letter, who you should ask to write your letter, how to effectively request a letter, when to request a letter, and tackle some frequently asked questions from students.
Recorded: 11 October 2023
Join our advising team as we discuss the typical application timeline for students applying for September studies in the UK. We'll highlight where you can expect to be in the process month-by-month, different application requirements, and other key elements to keep you on track as we head into the busy holiday season.
The University of Southampton is a top 100 global university (81st; QS World University Rankings, 2024) and a founding member of the Russell Group and the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), with over 150 years of history. The university endeavours to develop high-value partnerships with the world’s highest ranked institutions, creating a global reach in education, research and mobility that leads to real-world impact. These global partnerships create a rich international experience for our staff and students enhancing employability, citizenship, and cultural diversity.
With 6,500 international students from 130 countries, the university offers a friendly, welcoming and multicultural environment for you to thrive. Despite a large student population, the University provides an intimate and community-driven experience in a leafy green suburban campus.
University of Southampton offer strengths across a wide range of academic disciplines including Humanities, Social Sciences, Engineering, Sciences and Medicine.
Outstanding areas of note include the Optoelectronics Research Centre, the Web Science Institute, the Institute for Sound and Vibration Research, the Parkes Institute for Jewish/Non-Jewish Relations, the Portus Project (Maritime Archaeology) and the National Oceanography Centre Southampton.
Southampton pride themselves on collaborations with business and industry and encourage students to be entrepreneurial and take advantage of these links. Southampton is one of 5 UK universities to be part of SETSquared, the world’s number one Business Incubator, created to support students with high-tech startups. The university has also been ranked within the top three Universities in the world for the quality of our ‘spinout companies’, with three floated on the stock market.
The University of Southampton is a campus-based university with multiple specialist campuses; although our main central campus houses the vast majority of our students.
The Southampton campuses are all linked by the university’s UniLink bus service, which is free for all students who are living in the Halls of Residence.
Located on the south coast of England and just over one hour from London, the city of Southampton has one of the warmest climates in the UK. Famous for the sailing of the Titanic in 1912, Southampton is surrounded by places of historical interest, such as Winchester (ancient capital of England), Stonehenge and Salisbury, which provided inspiration for the novels of Jane Austen. Southampton has excellent transport links to the UK and European cities via train, car, coach, ferry and plane.
This friendly and safe maritime English city has about 240,000 residents (with around 50,000 students) and offers some of the finest theater, music and film venues as well as a thriving independent café and bar scene. Southampton is a fantastic option for students who want a smaller, community-oriented city but want to be within close reach of London. Southampton also provides numerous opportunities to get involved, with one of the largest Students Unions in the UK with over 300 student groups to join.
Across the Pond is the official representative for this teaching institution for selected countries around the world which means we can help you apply to their courses and help with all the documents needed to submit an application. If you want to know more, please get in touch and one of our student advisors will answer all your questions!
Originally from Vancouver, Canada, I chose to pursue studies in the UK to experience life in a different part of the world. It has been a wonderful experience so far, learning about the difference in culture and experiencing so many new things. I love that there is always something to do in London.
My chosen MSc in Forensic Science was a great choice for me to learn more about a topic I am passionate about. There aren’t many options back home, so being able to student Forensic Science in London has been a dream! The university has many resources for our course, and I am thankful to have chosen Kingston University.
Studies in the UK are slightly different than they are from back home. The biggest difference I noticed is the grading scale compared to my Canadian University. In the UK, it is rare to receive above 80% on exams and coursework. A 70% is considered a distinction. Back home those just sound like average grades but here they are fantastic! My course has an average of 55% and this is quite normal across the university. I do feel that my previous studies in Canada have well prepared me for the changes to the grading scale here.
I decided to move to the UK for my master’s degree as I wanted to visit the country for a long time due to my interest in exploring the culture and beautiful architecture. Knowing that the tuition cost would be very close to a Canadian University also helped my decision to move to the UK. Furthermore, the UK is known for having amazing world-class universities with professors from all around the world.
Oxford is a fantastic student city where you will always have something to see or do as there is something for everyone. You can take an amazing tour of the historic University of Oxford and visit locations where the Harry Potter movies were filmed. The city has many museums such as the Ashmolean but if that’s not your thing you can visit the botanical gardens or go punting in the Thames. Cowley Road contains many of the best restaurants that offer cuisine from around the world, and the nightlife is great for those nights out with friends. My favourite part of Oxford is the fact that the whole city is bike accessible, and anything is only a 5–10-minute bike ride away, giving it the name “Cycle City”.
Oxford Brookes is an excellent University with the most knowledgeable and compassionate instructors I have ever encountered. When it comes to facilities for those enrolled in a nursing or rehabilitation medicine program, the university has multiple state-of-the-art simulation suites with all the best technology and equipment you can imagine. Oxford is so diverse as the university attracts students from around the world, so becoming immersed in various cultures and finding new friendships is easy.
Since Oxford is a student city, there is plenty of student accommodation. Many options exist, from living in a house share with friends to a single-person studio flat. Living in University accommodation has been a great experience. Most rooms are ensuite, so you get your own washroom while sharing a living room and kitchen. The experience is relaxing after a long day of lectures and quiet at night due to building nighttime restrictions. The facilities are also close to grocery stores, restaurants and parks.
My experience using Across the Pond was amazing; my advisor was beneficial and resourceful. She assisted me with the application process, applying for a student visa and answered all my questions and inquiries as soon as possible. She even took time out of her schedule to revise my personal statement, as it is an important part of the application process. I highly recommend using Across the Pond when applying to a UK university.
Studying law in the UK was an attractive option to me for a number of reasons. Now, after completing 1 year of my studies I can better discuss the advantages of choosing to study abroad. Firstly, the UK has many world-renowned universities, and this coincides with the level of education they wish to deliver. Being one of the oldest legal systems which has influenced many others around the world only increases the value of such an education from the UK. Secondly, a degree from the UK offers dual qualifications for both the UK Bar and Canadian Bar, giving you additional flexibility in your career options and the ability to practice law in both countries. Thirdly, the cultural experience of studying abroad is an opportunity to experience a new culture, make friends from around the world, and gain valuable life experiences that can shape your personal and professional growth.
I chose the University of Sussex for its location and reputation. Sussex is located just north of Brighton, a city located about an hour's train ride from London and only a half hour from Gatwick International Airport. Being in a fully developed city was also important to me as all potentially necessary services such as dry cleaners, grocery stores, general stores and public transportation will be easily accessible. This is indeed the case with Brighton, with a 24-hour bus system and active train system.
The city of Brighton offers a strong quality of life with many restaurants, grocers etc. The living accommodations on campus can vary. Some of the student residences are very old (specifically Lewes Court). I would recommend when requesting on-campus accommodations to ensure you have an ensuite bathroom. This would include the East Slope and Swanborough Residences. I lived in Swanborough, and while the rooms were not exceptionally clean on arrival, it was manageable and provided a reasonable quality of life.
Studying law in the UK exposes you to an international legal system and diverse perspectives. This can be particularly advantageous in today's interconnected world where cross-border legal issues are increasingly common. In addition, being close to Europe provides one with unique travel opportunities that may not be available to those studying in North America. A new perspective can change everything when moving abroad to study, I found this change in outlook essential to my academic success.
Brighton is a fun city due to its vibrant and diverse cultural scene, lively nightlife, and iconic beachfront attractions, including the famous Brighton Pier. It offers a unique blend of trendy cafes, boutique shops, and a welcoming atmosphere, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists seeking entertainment and excitement.
Across the Pond is an exceptional service available to Canadians who wish to study in the UK at no expense. They are extremely helpful and understanding of each student's needs (special thank you to my advisor for her fantastic help on my applications). They assist with your application at every step and offer experienced advice. They are not pushy and understand that applicants wish to work on their own timeline. I cannot recommend Across the Pond enough to those considering studying abroad.
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