Life in the UK
The United Kingdom is a hugely popular destination for international students, thanks to its cultural diversity, vibrant cities and highly regarded universities.
“When I first arrived, I was struck by the diversity in the UK. I was actually surprised at just how much representation there was at my College.”
Wallace from Uganda,
University of Brighton graduate
We asked Linda for her top 3 tips for life in the UK
- Get out there
Go to places alone, talk to people! - Ask for help
People are friendly so don’t be scared to ask questions. - Have fun
You’re not doing it right if you don’t have fun!
UK locations
Find out more about the different locations where you could study with Kaplan.
Birmingham
A lively city that offers a diverse student experience with great nightlife.
Bournemouth
A seaside town known for its laid-back atmosphere and natural beauty spots.
Brighton
An exciting, artsy town close to London, with a beautiful coastline to explore.
Bristol
A harbourside city bursting with art, culture and history.
Cranfield
A rural village offering a peaceful lifestyle and a close community of students.
Essex
A picturesque county close to London with scenic countryside and beaches.
Glasgow
Scotland’s largest city with a vibrant arts and music scene and impressive architecture.
London
The UK’s multicultural capital city with so much to see and do.
Liverpool
A fun city known for its rich musical heritage and sporting culture.
Nottingham
A historic city with a big student community and lots to explore.
York
A charming city with a unique heritage and a welcoming atmosphere.
Food, sport and culture
The UK has a wide range of sporting and cultural attractions, as well as food from around the world.
The best food to try when in the UK
Fish and chips
Best enjoyed by the seaside, you can’t go wrong with this classic dish, which you can get your hands on pretty much anywhere.
Full English breakfast
There are many different takes on this crowd-pleasing breakfast, but it typically contains eggs, bacon, sausages, black pudding, baked beans and tomatoes.
A Sunday roast
You can’t beat a hearty roast on a Sunday, served in a traditional English pub. Usually featuring roasted meat, roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, vegetables, stuffing and gravy.
A snapshot of the UK’s top summer music festivals
Glastonbury
One of the world’s biggest and most famous music festivals.
Mighty Hoopla
A London festival showcasing the best artists on the pop music scene.
British Summer Time
Hosting some of the biggest artists from around the world at London’s Hyde Park.
Latitude
A laid-back festival in stunning countryside surroundings.
Reading and Leeds Festival
Always a popular choice for UK festival-goers with a variety of music.
Creamfields
A legendary weekend for anyone that loves dance music.
The top 5 sporting events in the UK
UK: things to know
The UK is relatively small and well-connected through many train lines, making it easy to explore no matter where you’re based. There are also multiple international airports across the UK.
A single person’s estimated monthly costs: £2,522
- Lunchtime meal and drink: £13
- Monthly public transport ticket: £95
- Cappuccino: £3.20
The weather in the UK is known for being temperamental, but generally the temperature is cool, and it can often be cloudy with episodes of rain. The summer months last from June to September, with an average temperature of 22°C and recurring spells of sunshine during this time.
