Study at Oxbridge - Study at University of Oxford or University of Cambridge
Do you want to apply for an undergraduate degree at the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge? Across the Pond can help you apply to these universities.
Why I wanted to study in the UK
I mainly wanted to study in the UK to explore somewhere new and different from what I was used to. I love Norway, but I wanted to see what else was out there and meet new people. I have also always enjoyed speaking English and feel at ease speaking it with other people, so I thought going somewhere where English was the main spoken language would be a benefit. The University of Edinburgh is also a prestigious school with international contacts and an impressive reputation, which meant I could graduate with a degree from a respected place of education.
How I find the University of Edinburgh
The Edinburgh College of Art (which is where I have all of my classes) is a lovely, inclusive campus with hundreds of opportunities to learn printmaking, woodcutting, sewing, photography, and many other crafts for the entire duration of your studies. I have learnt so many skills and explored the many rooms in the Main Campus, always greeted by a friendly technician or tutor as I went along. This has been invaluable to me, and to my fellow students. As well as having flexible learning and open briefs (meaning more control to choose what you want to do within your course) the tutors encourage us to explore and push the boundaries of what we thought we could make. I love this aspect of my course and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Living in Edinburgh and what I like about it
Having spent 3 years in Edinburgh now, I can safely say it is one of the most welcoming, safe, and lively cities I have ever been in. When I first moved, I was worried about feeling lonely or unsafe, however this city takes you in with open arms and is always bustling with people. I met some of my closest friends in my first week at Uni, and I am still very close with them to this day. People come from all over the world to study here, which makes Edinburgh an interesting melting pot of all nationalities and genders. I love the people here, and I am so glad I ended up here in Edinburgh.
Tips I would have wanted to hear before moving abroad
The first few days may feel overwhelming or scary, it does get a lot better once you settle in. Go to any events organised by your accommodation or the university, this is where I met all or most of my friends. Don’t hesitate to call friends or family from back home, this does help and can make the transition period so much easier. Everyone feels nervous on the first few days of school, and I certainly felt like an impostor, this will pass, and you are where you are for a reason!
Application process and Across the Pond experience
Across the Pond made navigating the application, visa and moving parts of studying abroad so much easier to handle. Having an advisor who knew the system and could answer any questions quickly via e-mail helped greatly when things were complicated or stressful. I would have had a harder time figuring everything out without Across the Pond.
- Olivia
I am really glad I choose this course
I am on my third and final year currently studying BSc (Hons) Forensic Science with Criminology. I decided to go for this course because I really enjoyed both the forensic science part and the criminology part from what I had heard and read other places. I also have to say that I am really glad I choose this course not only because it is an amazing degree and you learn so much that you never even knew about. It also made me gain friends that I will have for the rest if my life. You will never forget the people you got to know during your university years and it will be an experience that you will never forget. It also makes you go out of your comfort zone a little bit, a new country and new people to get to know which have been so much fun.
I actually applied for the university through Across the Pond, which honestly was a great experience. I don’t think I ever have had that much help ever. They are so welcoming and helpful in every way possible. They make sure that they find something that you will enjoy and that is within your reach. It is possible for anyone to apply when getting help from Across the Pond. I always recommend it to anyone who wants to study abroad.
I always wanted to study in the UK in general and it seemed like a great opportunity when doing a bachelor or any other degree that you might want to get. I chose University of South Wales in Treforest because it was a small and cosy town, not to busy and if you want there is a possiblity to go into cardiff with just a short trainride of 23 minutes. You kind of have the best of both worlds. It was also the only university that had the course I wanted to study so it was perfect. Trains and buses are easy to figure out and you can pretty much go wherever cause the distance between places arent that far. I study at Glyntaff Campus where you have the bio, chemistry, forensic science and criminology courses, and it has 3 buildings on that campus where you might have lectures. The campus consists of two parts, upper and lower Glytaff. The upper part is a little bit more old school, it has a crime scene house, laboratories and a little café. The lower part is where it is a little bit newer, and it has a cafeteria and other classrooms.
Then there is the accommodations. When you first try to figure out the accommodation it is said that it is best to live at the student accommodations your first year and then the second year students move into houses that is close to the campus. I was very happy with living at the student accommodation cause that is where you meet a lot of new people and it is an experience in itself. I am glad that I did move into a house in my second year at university because it is a little bit more your own. I moved in with a friend of mine from Norway and two other girls that I lived with during my first year who are from England.
The student life is pretty much the same it is just in a different country and a lot of new and fun places to visit. A lot of partying the first year which was a lot of fun and you get a totally new experience.
In my spare time I study a lot, but we as a house also do a lot of stuff. We do a pub quiz evey Wednesday night which I really fun and you get to do something other than studying. I also go into Cardiff to go to a café or just make a day of it and go to dinner or take a picnic day in the gardens in Cardiff. There is so much to see and great places to hang out. I also like to go into Pontypridd where they have an arcade where they have a market full of stores that you can go into and they also have bookstores and bakeries in the arcade. Then there is also a big park where you can go, and there is usually a lot of cute dogs that usually wants to say hi.
My first language is originally Norwegian, but I feel like the transition was pretty good except for some new phrases that I did not understand at first. There might be times where it can go a little bit too fast but other than that it was a pretty easy transition.
- Hedda Marie
Job at Huddersfield Town Football Club
As a Norwegian student in Huddersfield, my experience has been nothing short of transformative. Securing a job at Huddersfield Town Football Club has opened doors for me, allowing me to immerse myself in the intricacies of the English football industry. Living in a shared flat has been a delightful experience, introducing me to a diverse array of people and fostering new friendships.
My journey here has not only enhanced my language skills, as my English has noticeably improved, but it has also been a period of personal growth. The supportive and encouraging teachers have played a significant role in my academic journey, consistently demonstrating a genuine desire for their students to succeed. Overall, my time in Huddersfield has been marked by professional development, cultural enrichment, and the joy of forging meaningful connections.
- Nils Kristian
A city full of unique opportunities
Why study in the UK/London?
I chose to study in the UK because I have always dreamed of living in London, and I find British history and culture very interesting. Getting to learn more English, as well as not being too far away from home, were also huge pluses for me. After reading many great reviews of King’s College London I also thought it would be a great academic opportunity, something which turned out to be true.
King’s College London
I strongly recommend studying at King’s College London. I studied at the Strand campus, and the beautiful outdoor areas, as well as the central location (when you walk outside you can see the London Eye and Big Ben right down the river) made me feel like I was living the London dream! I studied a European Studies MA, and the selection of modules you can choose was very diverse and unique. One of the best parts of my studies were the professors, as I felt that they were all genuinely interested in helping us learn and contribute in class. In the smaller classes some of the professors knew the students by name, something which made it feel more personal and welcoming.
Applying for accommodation
The huge number of students in London is one of its best aspects, but it also means that there are many students seeking accommodation. I would recommend starting to look for housing very early, especially if you wish to live at an accommodation run by your university. I chose to live at a privately owned student accommodation, and I found it to be a great option, even if it was a bit more expensive. Housing prices seem to be generally high in London, so that is something to take into consideration. My accommodation was located about 30 minutes outside of the city centre, which made it a bit cheaper than other accommodations.
Endless opportunities
London has so much to offer, not only in terms of things to do but also who you get to meet. My friends from school, professors and flatmates were all from completely different parts of the world, and I got to learn so much about foreign cultures. One of the best parts about London is that many experiences are free, including galleries, museums and parks. My favourite areas include Covent Garden and Soho, with huge selections of food and shopping, as well as a vibrant night life.
Help from Across the Pond
My advisor from Across the Pond was a huge help for me throughout my application process. Thanks to their assistance, I felt secure through all the required steps, and I very much enjoyed the fact that Across the Pond communicates directly with the target university. My advisor made starting the process feel very easy, and I got great advise not only on what to do, but also how and when.
- Odin
The city itself is incredibly charming
My name is Inda, and I am 22 years old. This year, I started my first year of a bachelor's degree in Forensic Science in Winchester.
When I visited Winchester (before starting here), I met Marie, a fellow Norwegian student at the university. She showed me around and told me about student life here. I believe the warm welcome I received played a significant role in my decision to choose Winchester. Everything felt very personal, and I liked that the city is not too big. Additionally, both the campus and the city itself is incredibly charming—especially when they start decorating for Christmas! It's also worth mentioning that Winchester is one of the safest cities to live in here in England, and as a girl, this is, of course, an important factor.
The university is relatively small but intimate. Something special about studying in England, especially in Winchester, is that lecturers and students interact on a more personal level. We use first names when talking to teachers, and they remember who we are. There are also various support services available to help with anything you may need. As an international student, it's particularly reassuring to know they offer academic assistance for both the subjects themselves and academic English writing.
Winchester is an ancient city with many charming activities. You can visit the cathedral where, among others, Jane Austen is buried, and where you can find the Christmas market closer to December. There's also a shopping street and a very pleasant cinema set in an old church.
After being picked up from the airport in September, I was taken to my student accommodation in West Downs student village. Here, I share an apartment with 6 others, but it varies depending on where you live. The advantage of being a first-year student is that you are guaranteed accommodation and are placed with people you don't know. I think it's common for all student accommodations that it's easy to get to know others since you live so close to each other. There are also many other ways to meet people here, especially through various student societies. I play football for the student team, which is a great way to make new friends and meet people from other courses. There are also many other societies, and the likelihood of finding something you're interested in is very high. Perhaps the most social day for the societies is Wednesday, or sports day. Many sports teams have matches on this day, and all lectures finish at 12 o'clock. In the evening, the various societies often gather before heading to BOP, which is a party held by the student union.
I am extremely satisfied with the university and life here so far, and I look forward to spending more years here in the future.
- Inda
