What is an international student in UK?

What is it like to be an international student in the UK?

Perhaps one of the dreams of every student is to carry out a student stay in a foreign country and the United Kingdom is one of the most requested destinations, since its inhabitants usually open their doors to international students. Today we will tell you what it is like to be an international student in the United Kingdom?

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ore traveling to the UK

The British educational system is one of the most prestigious in the world and is also extremely attractive, thanks to the quality of education and the various facilities provided by the British government in terms of student support.

However, to study in the country you must meet some requirements, such as having a student residence to live legally in the United Kingdom, if the studies are longer than 6 months. We invite you to read the recent news about the elimination of the visa for Colombians and Peruvians for stays of up to 6 months in the United Kingdom .

Even people from member countries of the European Union need this permit. We invite you to know the key points for the approval of a student visa .

Another fundamental requirement that you need to study in this country is to have your study certificates, in order to guarantee the last degree of studies that you completed in your country of origin. Based on this document, you will be able to choose an educational program in which you can enroll.

Likewise, you must demonstrate your level of English, with the IELTS exam certificate being the most valid . To meet this requirement you must have a result greater than 6.5, but you must also be prepared for the tests carried out by the universities themselves.

How to adapt as an international student in the UK?

The UK receives a large number of international students every year, and the great advantage is that you can choose to study at a university in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

The University of Exeter in the south of the UK offers several types of societies, it is worth joining one or two even if you are only going to study there for one semester. It is the best way to integrate into the student life of Exeter , since, thanks to that, you can meet new people and practice your English in the events organized by the societies.

It is true that daily life between these countries is usually different from each other, but the good thing is that these nations are multicultural, becoming a suitable territory for international students.

At the same time, studying in the United Kingdom will allow you to improve your level of English , studying a specific course, or learning during your day to day.

Fortunately, educational institutions open their doors to international students, giving them all the necessary support, such as the possibility of expanding your knowledge of English through extra classes.

What is it like to live in the UK?

The climate of the United Kingdom is not the most attractive, compared to paradisiacal destinations such as the state of Florida, in the United States or Australia. In the country it rains at least one day in three, and it usually increases during some seasons.

The average temperature is quite low, being the average 8.5 °C, so it tends to be an unstable climate where you will experience cold, sun and rain on a daily basis.

Winters in the United Kingdom are usually cold and rainy, if you want to study in this country you must get used to the idea of adapting to this type of climate, as well as building a wardrobe of clothes with different layers, and accessories such as: gloves, hats and scarves.

Despite the fact that the weather can be a negative when considering the United Kingdom, this remains an unbeatable destination for students , since it has spectacular landscapes and is home to some of the cities with the most tradition and history in the world.

In this country you can visit historical buildings such as castles and temples, and why not? enjoy a cosmopolitan life.

Fortunately, the United Kingdom is a culturally diverse territory , so you can adapt quickly, either with people who share your place of origin, or with people from other parts of the world .

The United Kingdom offers one of the best environments to live thanks to cosmopolitan cities such as London or Manchester that contrast with quieter and more rural areas and populations.

The United Kingdom is one of the countries with the highest rate of probability of working after completing university studies, so if you have the skills and manage to learn the qualities that you are taught during your studies, you can find a highly qualified job relatively simple.

Students in the UK should be prepared for a budget that is likely to be higher than in their home country. There are some factors that can determine the cost of living in the United Kingdom, such as the city and the area in which you live and of course the lifestyle, for this we recommend that you take a look at the Numbeo website , that contains updated prices of the most important things for your stay as a student.

Work as a student in the UK

If you want to work while studying, you should know that the student visa will allow you to have a part-time or temporary job.

The advantage is that most universities have a job bank where you can find out about some available places . Fortunately, these jobs are usually at the same university, or with associated companies, so your job will be fully adapted to the time you need to carry out your studies.

What is an international student in UK? — What it is like to be an international student in the UK: one of the advantages is that if you are studying an undergraduate or postgraduate course, you will be able to work up to 20 hours a week and in the holidays you will have access to a full-time job.

The minimum wage in the United Kingdom is updated every year (in October), the salary is set by the hour, and varies according to age: for workers over 23 years of age it is £9.50 an hour, while for the youngest, those under 18 years of age, the minimum is established at 4.81 pounds , and the jobs that you can access as a student are usually positions in supermarkets, cafeterias, as an assistant at the university, being an adviser to other students, etc

In addition to supporting your life in the UK with your own work, you will be able to meet more people and learn about daily life in the territory, from a much broader perspective than just being a student.

Other things to keep in mind

If you wish to extend your stay in this country, even after you have finished your study programme, it is possible to continue working in the UK after finishing your undergraduate or undergraduate studies . You can extend your student visa when accessing a postgraduate course, extending your stay to three years, in case you choose to study a doctorate.

Studying in the United Kingdom will allow you to have an enviable curriculum, which will help you access jobs with high purchasing power and increase your culture, taking advantage of all the status of British educational institutions.

We have not talked about the sports scene in the United Kingdom – soccer and rugby, although the exercises that you will surely practice are walking and running in the city you have chosen, and of course, sometimes you will go to the gym. We leave this for you to discover on your own and to start creating your own image of what life will be like in this wonderful place. We are sure that you will really enjoy your experience as an international student in the United Kingdom, as many students have already done.

Do you need help or have questions?

Get in touch with a travel advisor abroad and we will be happy to assist you.

Are you interested in making a quote for one of the English schools in the United Kingdom? You can use our foreign language quoter , it’s fast, easy to use and the information is always up-to-date.