When I was applying for Aerospace Engineering at the University of Manchester, I pictured a degree packed with hands-on projects, CAD software, workshops, things you could build and test and iterate. The reality of first year is more theoretical than that picture suggests.
The fundamentals come first: maths, physics, mechanics, thermodynamics. The content is rigorous and it absolutely matters, but if you are coming in expecting to spend your early semesters designing things, you may need to recalibrate. There is less computer-aided design than the course description might lead you to expect, and more derivations and problem sets. This is not a criticism, it is just the honest picture. Application comes later. Concepts come first.
That gap between what I was looking for and what lectures were delivering is exactly why I joined Manchester Stinger Motorsports within my first few months at university.
Stinger is the university's Formula Student team. Every year, the team designs and builds a full racing car from scratch and competes at Silverstone. The scale of collaboration involved is genuinely impressive: mechanical engineering, aerodynamics, electronics, project management, all happening in parallel, all needing to come together into something that actually works on a track.
I came in with no specific automotive background. I told the team that upfront. They took me on as a junior engineer and people just started teaching me things. That is the environment: if you are willing to put in the work, the knowledge flows freely.
Over the course of my first year I moved from junior engineer to team engineer. Next year I will be sub-team leader for intake, cooling and exhaust. That did not happen because I had a particular skill set coming in. It happened because I showed up consistently, asked questions, and took responsibility for things.
The honest lesson here is that a lot of what makes a UK degree valuable is not in the lecture hall. The lecture hall gives you the theoretical foundation you need. The extracurricular work gives you the environment to apply it, make real mistakes, and work toward a goal that actually matters to the people around you. The combination of the two is where the real learning happens.
For anyone considering engineering at Manchester specifically, Stinger is genuinely worth your time. You do not need to know about cars. You just need to want to build something.
Beyond the motorsport team, Manchester runs regular careers fairs which are genuinely useful for seeing what is out there and starting to build connections earlier than you might think to. I also picked up a part-time job during my studies, which has helped both financially and in terms of building a different kind of network outside of university.
I am also a Global Student Advisor at the University of Manchester, which means I help provide feedback on the international student experience and contribute to how the university shapes its programmes for students coming from abroad. It is a meaningful role and another reminder that if you look for ways to contribute to the university community, the opportunities are there.
The world is your oyster if you are willing to show up for it. Most of it is just showing up.
- Alexis
My first five minutes in Manchester did not go to plan. I landed at the airport with heavy bags, a head full of nerves, and absolutely no idea that the luggage trolleys required coins to release. Everyone around me seemed to know exactly what they were doing, grabbing trolleys and heading off, while I stood there trying to figure out what I was missing. I had just flown in from India and did not have a single British coin on me. A kind older person nearby noticed, came over without being asked, and sorted it out for me. We exchanged a few words, they smiled, and off they went. It took less than two minutes. But standing there with my bags finally loaded, feeling the cool Manchester air for the first time, I thought to myself: this is going to be alright.
That small moment turned out to be a good introduction to the city. Manchester has that quality about it. People are straightforward and warm in a way that does not feel performative. I have thought about that stranger at the airport more than once since then.
Choosing where to study took me a long time. I had been working in engineering and project coordination back home in India, and I knew that to move into senior roles internationally, I needed a postgraduate qualification that was both rigorous and genuinely respected. The University of Manchester kept coming up in my research. Its engineering faculty has a long and distinguished history, and the MSc in Engineering Project Management specifically stood out because it bridges technical knowledge and leadership in a way that most programmes do not. It was not just another management degree.
There was also a scholarship opportunity attached to my offer, and that mattered. Studying abroad is a significant financial commitment, and knowing that Manchester had recognised my application with funding support made the decision feel right in more ways than one. It felt like the university was investing in me, and I wanted to invest back.
One of the first things that genuinely surprised me about Manchester was how large and visible the South Asian and Indian community is here. I had prepared myself for homesickness, for missing the food, the familiarity, the small daily things you do not even notice until they are gone. What I found instead was a city where I could walk down certain streets and feel an unexpected sense of recognition. Indian grocery shops, restaurants serving food that actually tasted right, communities with their own events and spaces. It did not make Manchester feel like home in a shallow way, but it did make the transition far gentler than I had anticipated.
I still missed my family and the particular comfort of food cooked by someone who loves you. That kind of homesickness does not really go away, it just settles into something manageable. But knowing I could find a familiar meal or a familiar face nearby made the harder evenings easier.
The MSc in Engineering Project Management has challenged me in all the right ways. We cover risk management, stakeholder engagement, infrastructure planning and construction project delivery, and every module pushes you to apply the theory to real situations. What makes the learning environment genuinely valuable is the diversity of people in the room. My classmates come from across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and when we work through project case studies together, the range of perspectives is remarkable. In India my engineering education was excellent, but this kind of cross-cultural, cross-disciplinary thinking was new to me and has changed how I approach problems.
The teaching style here is also different from what I was used to back home. There is a much stronger emphasis on forming your own arguments, questioning what you read, and thinking independently. At first that felt unfamiliar. Over time it has made me a more confident thinker and a better communicator, and I think that will serve me well professionally long after the course ends.
If someone had asked me before I left India what I expected to gain from this experience, I would have said a qualification and better career prospects. Those things are happening, but what has surprised me most is how much I have grown as a person. Living independently in a new country, navigating everything from university bureaucracy to figuring out which bus to take, building friendships from scratch with people from completely different backgrounds, it all adds up to something I did not have a word for before. Confidence is part of it. Perspective is another part. A quieter kind of resilience is probably the most accurate description.
The friendships have been a big part of that. I expected polite course mate relationships and got something much closer. We have explored the Northern Quarter together, cooked each other food from our home countries, travelled to the Peak District and beyond, and spent long evenings in the library getting through difficult assignments. There is a particular bond that forms when you are all equally far from home at the same time.
Before I arrived I knew Manchester mainly for football and its music history. What I found was a city with genuine texture. The industrial past is visible everywhere, but alongside it is a creative, forward-looking energy that feels alive rather than preserved. Walking through Ancoats or the Northern Quarter, you get the sense of a city comfortable in its own identity. It does not need to be anything other than what it is.
Getting around the rest of the UK from here is also easy and affordable, which I did not fully appreciate before coming. Liverpool, York, Edinburgh and London have all been part of my time here. The variety packed into a relatively small country still catches me off guard. It is probably something people who grow up here take for granted.
Without hesitation. This experience has given me far more than I came here for. If you are a student from India considering a UK master's, my honest advice is to research carefully, choose a programme that genuinely fits where you want to go, and then back yourself. The hard moments are real but they pass quickly. What stays is everything you gain.
And if you land at Manchester Airport and find yourself staring at a coin-operated trolley with empty pockets, do not panic. Someone will help you out. That, more than anything, tells you what kind of city you are arriving in.
- Joel
Living in the UK was an experience that was possible thanks to the University dedicated teams for receiving worldwide students, for example the Leeds University Union. I was embarking on a STEM program that had lots of additional requirements, from getting an ATAS because my knowledge of sciences could require additional validation and also looking for funding that was really competitive with high skilled students, landing with a research group that had a diverse range of interests and projects with different agencies from the European Union.
Thereby, I recommend that you assess if your CV or expertise could really match with a short program or even a Masters, before embarking on a doctoral research that requires full-time commitment, because the UK it is a great place to live, and studying, but choosing a research project that aligns with skills that you need to apply will be the most important challenge that requires not only your engagement but also resources from third parties that put trust on you for the creation of high impact publishable products.
- Marcela Alejandra
After a year of studying in London, I am left with a wealth of experiences and knowledge. In addition to gaining new insights into Psychology, I also developed valuable skills and perspectives outside the university setting.
It is no secret that student life can be financially challenging, making it a great opportunity to gain experience in managing money. While studying in London, I did not have a job and instead relied on a student loan. Since accommodation and tuition were my most important and unavoidable expenses, I created a budget for everything else. I went grocery shopping once a week, which I found to be an effective way to save money and reduce food waste. It helped me avoid daily trips to the supermarket, impulse purchases, and the temptation to eat out frequently. As for activities and entertainment, London offers a wide variety of free attractions and experiences and is also a very walkable city. With only a small amount of research, it is possible to find plenty of things to do without spending much money. In addition, the bus network is extensive, affordable, and reliable.
By being mindful of my spending and planning the activities I genuinely wanted to do, I found that managing my finances was much easier than I initially expected, and I rarely felt stressed about money.
England is only a short flight from home, and I had visited London before, so I did not experience a culture shock. However, living in another country is very different from visiting it as a tourist. Experiencing everyday life in London gave me a unique perspective and proved to be the best way to immerse myself in British culture and understand it firsthand. Because both the city and the university are culturally diverse, I met people from a wide range of backgrounds and was exposed to many different cultures. This broadened my understanding of different lifestyles and viewpoints while giving me a new perspective on the world. It also taught me how to appreciate and learn about the experiences of others without making assumptions or appearing pretentious or distant.
The reason I moved to London was to study and having that goal in mind helped me stay motivated. However, there were times when I felt stressed and overwhelmed, and some days passed with little more than studying and staying in my room. Throughout the year, I developed a schedule and established a routine that allowed me to take my studies seriously, attend classes, submit all my assignments on time, and still have time for fun and exploration. For me, working on assignments on Mondays and Tuesdays from after my morning gym session until around three o’clock in the afternoon worked particularly well. Having a consistent routine made it easier to focus, and once the habit was established, studying became much more natural.
Since my classes were on Thursdays and Fridays, I had Wednesdays, the weekends, and most afternoons free. This gave me the opportunity to review material from the previous week after a short break, helping me avoid feeling overwhelmed while still staying ahead before new content was introduced. It also made it easier to relax during my free time because I knew I had a plan that would ensure my assignments were completed.
At the beginning of the year, everyone was new, and meeting people could feel intimidating. However, when you are constantly interacting with new people, it quickly becomes easier. English is also my second language, and although I already felt comfortable using it, speaking it every day improved both my pronunciation and vocabulary.
Through meeting people from different backgrounds, I learned how to adapt my communication style to different personalities, accents, and ways of speaking. I also became better at interpreting how others communicated. Some people simply have a very direct way of speaking, which does not necessarily mean they are being rude or critical. Others would ask direct questions without much context, which initially caught me off guard, but over time I learned to respond more naturally and confidently. As a result, I became much more comfortable in diverse social settings, whether at university, in shops, on public transport, or elsewhere in the city. I learned the social norms and expectations and gradually felt that I fit in.
Living alone came with many responsibilities, ranging from everyday decisions such as what to eat for dinner to handling paperwork and unexpected challenges. My advice would be not to worry too much during the first few weeks. Instead, focus on identifying which parts of your schedule are occupied by essential commitments and where you have free time. As time passes, you naturally find the most effective way to organize your responsibilities.
Once tasks become routine, they require less effort and can be completed more efficiently. Navigating a large city and adapting to an unfamiliar environment not only improved my sense of direction but also increased my confidence in new situations. As I became more independent, my confidence and self-reliance grew significantly. When new challenges arise, I now feel equipped to deal with them effectively. Because everything was unfamiliar at first, I developed a strong ability to adapt. Today, I adjust easily to new situations, and unexpected challenges rarely cause me stress.
Overall, I finished the year with a strong sense of confidence and accomplishment. Living in another country taught me independence, adaptability, and resilience while providing experiences and skills that will benefit me throughout my life. The year showed me that I can handle challenges, adjusting to new situations, and achieving the goals I set for myself.
- Maren Felicity
I study “Business Management with Entrepreneurship” at Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland, and I have had a very positive experience so far. What I like most is how included and welcome you feel as a student. The modules are well structured and easy to understand, and the lecturers are very helpful and genuinely want students to succeed. At the same time, I have a flexible schedule, which allows me to work at my own pace while also making time for things I enjoy outside of university.
The assignments vary between individual work and group projects, and the expectations are always clear. If you need help, it is easy to ask, and you receive great support from both lecturers and fellow students. I also found it relatively easy to secure student accommodation, which made the transition to studying abroad much easier.
It is also very nice to live in Edinburgh. The city has a lot to offer, with a great social environment, good nightlife, and friendly people. I work alongside my studies, but I still feel that I have a good balance between university, work, and social life. There are also many great travel opportunities to other Scottish cities and towns at affordable prices. Overall, I would recommend both the university and the city to students who are looking for a supportive study environment and an exciting student life.
The application process through Across the Pond has also been a big part of giving me the opportunity to achieve all of this, and I am very grateful for it. I received great help and support throughout the entire process, which made moving to a new country to study feel much safer and easier.
- Nola
Choosing to pursue a Master's degree abroad was not a decision I took lightly, but it has turned out to be one of the best choices I have made. As someone who completed my undergraduate studies in Norway, I was looking for a programme that would challenge me in new ways and give me an international perspective on my field. Edinburgh Napier University's Business Analytics programme ticked all the boxes, combining strong academic foundations with a practical, hands-on approach that felt like a real step forward from what I was used to back home.
Studying Business Analytics at Edinburgh Napier has been both demanding and incredibly rewarding. What stands out most is how applied the learning is, rather than just absorbing theory, you are constantly working with real data, real problems and real-world scenarios. This was quite different from my experience studying in Norway, where the approach tended to be more traditional and lecture-based. Here, you are expected to get stuck in from day one, which I genuinely enjoy.
The class itself has an interesting dynamic, there are significantly more male than female students, which reflects broader trends in the analytics field. That said, the international mix more than makes up for it. My classmates come from all corners of the world, and the different perspectives people bring to discussions and group work have genuinely enriched my understanding of the subject. If you are someone who thrives in a diverse, globally-minded environment you will feel right at home here.
Honestly, Edinburgh might be the most beautiful city I have ever lived in. Whether you are into history, culture, food or outdoor adventure, this city delivers. I love exploring the different neighbourhoods and trying out the many restaurants and cafés the city has to offer. Edinburgh has a fantastic food scene, with options to suit every taste and budget.
Compared to Norway, the climate in Edinburgh is notably milder in winter, no harsh frosts or heavy snowfall, which makes getting around on foot or by bike much more manageable year-round. Summers are pleasant and the long evenings make it easy to make the most of everything the city offers.
One of the things I was most curious about before moving was what my social life would look like. I can say with confidence that it has exceeded my expectations. I live with two Italian girls, and we have become really close friends, it is one of those situations where you genuinely look forward to coming home.
Beyond my flat, I have built a great social circle through university and through simply being open to meeting people. When I am not studying, you will usually find me at the gym, out hiking, or exploring a new part of the city with friends. Edinburgh has a lively social scene, and there is always something going on.
Without hesitation, yes. If you are considering studying Business Analytics in the UK, Edinburgh Napier offers a genuinely high-quality programme in one of Europe's most exciting cities. The combination of hands-on academic experience, an incredibly international environment and a city that is endlessly explorable makes this a fantastic place to spend your postgraduate years. Come with an open mind, and Edinburgh will do the rest.
- Anne
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I applied to study in the Pre-Registration MSc Physiotherapy course at Oxford Brookes University and received my unconditional offer to start the following year. I had applied to physiotherapy programs in Canada, UK and Australia this year and ultimately, receiving the offer to the UK solidified what I already knew – I wanted to study in the UK. I had many reasons to make this decision; I had previously considered doing a working holiday visa in the UK, I had family living in Ireland, I had friends from home and trips I previously taken who lived in the UK and I wanted to be close to mainland Europe to travel.
I used Across the Pond to apply to the UK both times I applied to study. I previously had an offer to Brunel University but wasn’t able to accept at the time for other circumstances. Both times applying, I had advisors who helped me start the application, guide me on writing personal statements, getting the right paperwork and answering all of the millions of questions I had. I have recommended them to all my friends who have at any point considered studying in the UK, because it made my life so much less stressful!
When I moved to Oxford, I had found accommodation online a few months ahead of time. I chose not to stay in the university accommodations because I felt as a ‘mature’ student, I didn’t want to live in the residences and be distracted by potential younger students who were also wanting to have more fun. I had ‘been there, done that’ and I knew I wanted more comfort. I found a house share with 5 strangers, who all happened to be PhD students or Post-Docs at Oxford University and I was very lucky that we all were roughly the same age, and all from different countries – China, Italy, Belgium, and India. In the two years we lived together, we became close friends and I’m happy to say 2 years after moving out, we are all still in touch although we have moved separate ways. They became my family away from home, we cooked and shared meals together, celebrated our highs and supported each other’s lows together. I’m grateful to have met them.
In Oxford, it never seemed to be an issue to find a room or a house for rent. There is the peak season of doing so, I heard from friends that if you were looking to move into a house together, you had to plan ahead in advance, as often you’d sign the agreement 2-3 months prior to moving in! I would recommend generally viewing a place before moving in, I got super lucky not viewing the house, however, I was able to speak with my housemate on the phone ahead of time to get an idea of the vibe. I managed to snag the largest room in the house; I had my own en-suite because I knew I didn’t want to be sharing a bathroom with anyone or potentially cleaning up after people when their cleanliness standards didn’t meet mine (certified germ freak!). I think the price I paid was on the higher end of what you could find, but given the people I lived with and the proximity to campus, I was fine to pay this and had budgeted ahead of time to account for this. You’ll find a lot old houses in the UK, so be prepared for drafty windows and creaky floors, hopefully avoiding any leaky rooks or unwanted rodents (both I heard through friends).
I was super lucky when I signed my house share agreement, I didn’t realise I would be a 10-minute walk to campus! I lived in the residential area of Marston, a 20-minute walk to the John Radcliffe hospital, 45-minute walk to the Churchill Hospital or 30-minute walk into the high street and train station. I had classmates who drove or took the train in, others lived within Oxford in areas such as Headington or Cowley. Jericho is a touch farther, but still easily commutable. Most people in Oxford have a bike, this makes getting around so much easier! I think my life changed for the better once I secured a bike at the end of my 1st year, my house mate sold it to me since he decided to get a car instead for his own leisurely activities. Having a bike made nights out easier but also getting to campus, grocery shopping and placements. I would DEFINITELY recommend, and you don’t need anything fancy because they do get stolen sometimes, so just get a bike that works and a good lock!
I had to work to support myself while studying abroad, and I was really fortunate to get a part time job at the Up in Arms Pub in Marston, right across campus and a short walk from my house. I enjoyed working here; it was something I had never done and I now get to say I worked in a pub in the UK! How iconic! The team was supportive, fun and a great way to switch off. I got to know the regulars who would come in and create relationships with the people in the local community alongside other students who studied in Oxford. I also worked with a local events company and this was flexible, so I worked it around my pub job, classes, studying and placements. I was able to see the inside of the Sheldonian Theatre while working graduations or concerts, I worked weddings and events in The Divinity School (big moment for my inner Harry Potter nerd) to name a few things I did.
I really enjoyed my program at Oxford Brookes, I felt like we had a close-knit group of 20 students in my year. 6 of us were Canadian which was really nice, I remember within those first few weeks we celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving together and the following year we had everyone on the course join us for Thanksgiving. Professors were engaging and helpful and clearly enjoyed teaching and most of them still had clinical roles in their specialities. They were available for additional support as we needed and took our preferences on board when asking for placements. I was quite lucky again, in that, 4 of 5 placements were local in Oxford, only 1 was a distance away but 3 of us were placed there and one of them had a car so we were able to carpool together. We had the opportunity to apply to support the local rugby team as student physiotherapists to develop our clinical skills in a more professional setting where we weren’t getting graded like our placements. We had the options to do lots of group work and self-directed study to learn independently. If we needed to book facilities to practice our skills in the lab, this was also available.
The course offered students a chance to go on a sports massage course or Pilates course, not covered financially, so you’d have to self-fund, but you could then use those skills to work for yourself or a clinic to further your experience and confidence. I heard good reviews from both from classmates that attended.
I chose Oxford, because it’s an iconic location in the UK on its own but also its proximity and closeness to everything else you’d want to explore.
In my first year, the university offered weekend day trips organised for a small fee to different locations around the country. I went to Cardiff, Stratford Upon Avon, Isle of Wight and Cambridge. London is a quick train ride or you can take the Oxford Tube which runs all night and is particularly helpful during any cancelled trains.
I had friends in London, Canterbury and York who I caught up with. When I met by boyfriend, he took me to Suffolk where he was from and I got to see a different side of the country. My sister lives in Ireland, I was able to get cheap flights over from Birmingham Airport to see her and when she got married, she chose Portugal for a destination wedding, so was able to go visit beforehand. My friends came to visit from Canada and we went to Hungary and Germany and attended Oktoberfest, what a fun event and we can’t wait to go back in the future.
I’ve now moved to Kent since graduation and working in the NHS as a physiotherapist and not having to study every weekend, means I’ve been able to explore more. My boyfriend and I have been to Bath, Norfolk Broads, and Dover to name a few spots. We visit friends in London, Oxford, Winchester as hangouts arise. We’re hoping to make our way to Scotland and Devon in the next year and explore different parts of England.
- Henrietta
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