I first moved to UK to do a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management and it turned out to be the best decision of my life. After my undergraduate, I did not feel ready to move back to Norway, so I decided to proceed further with a postgraduate degree in Strategic Communication and Leadership. Mostly to enjoy life here a bit longer but also to develop my knowledge and skills. I believe moving abroad is one of the best things people can do for their own development and growth because you are forced to be independent and you learn a lot about yourself, as well as meeting new cultures and people.
Most people ask me how I ended up in little Huddersfield considering I used to live in Oslo. However, I find the town charming, cheap, and with an amazing student community which I do not think I would experience studying in Oslo. The true reason to why I decided to move to Huddersfield, was based on the recommendations from my Across the Pond advisor. I wanted to study human resources in a smaller and cheaper city but a place that was big enough to have plenty of things to do, and I must say he hit the nail on the head. The best thing about Huddersfield is that everything is within walking distance and people usually go to the same pubs which means that you always meet someone you know out. If you want a more vibrant city life, great shopping and just a new environment, Leeds is only a 20 minute train ride away. From my experience, Huddersfield is an open and welcoming community where it is easy to get to know new people. The university have a plenty of sports and socials options which makes making new friends a lot easier. I have tried cheerleading, pole dancing and climbing. With the last one, we have done several trips together where I have had the opportunity to see more of UK, the highlight was a trip to Wales. With these student societies comes a lot of socializing and new experiences. University of Huddersfield offers a range of different clubs, all from book clubs to rum clubs, to many different types of sports, so I am sure everyone will find something that appeals to them.
I still remember the first day I moved to UK, I was nervous, stressed and excited all at once. I was worried about the language, if I was going to find any friends, and about starting studying at all. First of all, the language was a bit uncomfortable in the beginning, but I got used to it surprisingly quick. No one really cares if you say some grammar mistakes as long as you make yourself understood, and to be honest, most British people are just impressed by the fact that we can speak more than one language. Getting to know people was not an issue either, most people were in the same position as me, moving to a new place without knowing someone. If you have this in mind, as well as being open minded, it will not be a problem. With studying, it takes some time to find the right techniques and a structure that works for you, but I think the university offers high quality support if you need help with anything from writing an essay to finding your way around on campus, or how to use the facilities. I believe this is what makes UK universities great, the support and guidance is outstanding.
Over the years, I have gotten more and more used to the British culture, and I must say my favourite thing about British culture (except Sunday roast) is the pub culture. We do not have anything like it in Norway, and it is something special about going for a pint with your friends. Whether it is to complain about the weather, celebrate someone’s birthday, eating a delicious Sunday roast, or just wining down after a long hike, the pub is the perfect meeting point. Other than that, I do not think there is many big cultural shocks coming from Norway to UK. Although, I did use some time to fully understand their humour as the sarcasm can seem a bit harsh. Additionally, the politeness was a bit different than what I am used to in Norway, but this is rather a positive thing than a negative one.
All in all, I recommend everyone to apply for studies abroad as it is the best decision of my life. I only have positive things to say about the guidance from Across the Pond as well, as they help you with the whole process from doing research in the beginning to the day you enrol at uni.
- Nora
Across the Pond was pivotal in my success in studying abroad. I applied directly through the university then worked with someone directly at Across the Pond to help prepare for my move. They provided a pamphlet with clear checklists and guidelines for a successful visa process.
I have recently been accepted for a PhD program in the UK and I plan to lean on the support of Across the Pond again for this second degree. I would highly recommend Across the Pond for anyone going abroad and not sure where to get started.
- Torie
Hello everyone I am happy to share my experience doing my PhD in the UK.
I decided to do my PhD in the UK because I found a department in the University of Nottingham that really fitted the research topic that I wanted to investigate. The department was highly ranked in the UK ant the University ranked top 100 in the world, it was a no brainer.
I was based in the University Park Campus, this is potentially the most beautiful University campus in the world, is like living in a forest. My office was on top of a hill with a view of the campus and it was definitely a motivation to go to work.
I was fortunate enough to be accommodated on campus as well, everything was at a short walking distance: the office, University buildings, gym, shops, restaurants. To be honest I do not think I will ever feel like living inside a forest again, so this was a positive experience.
My colleagues at the department were all friendly and my supervisors were generally available to answer my questions and doubts. They also supported my research by getting me involved with a company interested in the research topic so I felt that my work was actually reflected in the real world and not many early-stage researchers get that chance.
Both my professional and personal goals were being accomplished only by selecting the right University, department and supervisors.
Even as a PhD I truly felt like a student: the Uni and the city are made for student life (despite the age) so do not feel shy if you are a mature student, there are plenty of options. Compared to Mexico (my home country) student life is more vibrant, there is no need to have a car or to use one, public transportation is very efficient and I had a bike so I moved around the city cycling, the city is relatively flat so I think that is the easiest and cheapest way of moving.
I really liked the way the city was organized and how it was prepared for students. You can find everything you need in Nottingham’s city centre or in Beeston (the town next to the University). But my favourite part of Nottingham, as I mentioned, was the campus and the student life.
Across the pond helped me during all the process: finding a supervisor, application, funding, visa, accommodation. Therefore, most of my decisions were based on my advisor’s comments and experience. I don’t think I would have enjoyed my time as much as I did without Across the Pond. Thank you for everything.
- Alan
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.
- Melissa
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.
- Ahmed
Didn't get into your dream study programme, or haven't had time to apply for studies yet? Maybe you got into something you're not sure you're interested in studying, or things in your life have changed since you applied for a programme? If you haven't decided what to do in the autumn, get in touch - we're happy to help you apply for a place in the UK if you're considering studying abroad!
My name is Madalyn. I am an American that completed my Master’s Degree in English and American Literature at the University of Kent in England. Currently, I am pursuing my PhD in English and American History at the University of Kent. My initial ambition for studying in the UK specifically was because of my interest and passion for history and this led me to choosing to study in Canterbury, one of the oldest cities in all of England and the county of Kent. Every single day I am surrounded by pubs that date back to the Victorian era, and churches and cathedrals that were created in the 1300s. Just a short twenty-minute drive or train ride away from my student house are Roman fortresses, Medieval Castles, and manor homes where writers like Jane Austen authored some of the most famous books of all time.
I specifically chose the University of Kent because it is ranked 1st in the United Kingdom for research quality in History. The university offers student accommodation on campus, which is situated about a 10-minute drive from the center of Canterbury, as well as student accommodation across the city. Canterbury has developed into a student city that is progressive, inclusive and lively. I personally do not live in student accommodation and rent a house with other university students, which has not caused me any issues as there are bus stops everywhere. The university of Kent has a ton of different sports teams to be a part of, nice gym facilities and multiple groups and social clubs. I have participated in volleyball and am the student contact point for the History departments Equality Diveristy and Inclusivity Committee.
As stated previously, I am currently completing my PhD in English and American history. My PhD is research based and my project focuses on how education was intentionally weaponized against African American children and Native American children from 1870-1920. The weaponizing of education interested me because in the United States each state has mandated curriculums that directly reflect that states views (Republican, Democrat). I also recognized that my history was limited due to systemic racism and colonialism embedded in my K-12 curriculum and wanted to learn more about the mistakes of my country to become more aware and to hopefully share my insight with others to break stereotypes, and prevent the same mistakes from happening. The University of Kent offers workshops, conferences and events to help students develop into better researchers which I have found to be incredibly helpful.
During my time at the University of Kent I have met people from all around the world including England, Belgium, Morroco, Italy, Wales, Switzerland, Canada, Bermuda, Austria, The Phillipines, Nigeria, France, Canada, Greece and more. This has definitely developed my world knowledge and encouraged me to travel more. During my spare time I like to visit historic sites in Kent including Canterbury Cathedral, Dover Castle, Goodnestone Park and Gardens, Chilham Castle, Leeds Castle, Rochester Castle, Upnor Castle. I also really enjoy hiking the White Cliffs of Dover for some of the most beautiful views.
Genuinely, I have no idea how people study abroad in the UK without working with Across the Pond. The process is very detailed and long, but Across the Pond is incredibly organized and timely. I received reminder emails as well as visa and scholarship guidance well in advance prior to my move so that I had time to get my financials in order.
- Madalyn
Applying to study in the UK was without a doubt the most stressful part of my experience as an international student. Not moving to another country and not earning the degree itself, but the application process. The entire process can feel quite overwhelming because there are so many steps and details to stay on top of. Also, I knew I wanted to study in London more than anything, which just added to the pressure I felt when applying. “What if I don’t get in? What if my visa application gets rejected?” All of these “what if’s” that kept running through my head and totally stressed me out beyond belief. But in the end, all of my stress proved to be completely unnecessary because everything worked out just fine!
While there are a lot of moving parts to keep track of when applying to universities abroad (the actual university application, the student visa application, the biometrics appointment, etc), if you stay organized and diligent, I promise everything will come together! Having the support and guidance of my Across the Pond advisor was also such a blessing - I’m not sure how I would have done it without them! They helped me navigate the entire process, answered any and all questions that I had (and I had a lot!), helped me to submit my applications, offered informative webinars on the visa process, and even proofread my personal statement for me!
I did a lot of research when deciding what schools to apply to in the UK. For such a small country, they sure do have a lot of schools! I started my research with a quick Google of what UK schools even offered the course that I was interested in. Since my desired course was fairly rare, this actually helped to narrow down my search quite a bit. From there, I scoured each university’s website to learn as much as I could about the school and the course itself.
In the end, I applied to five schools. Something that was really great is that there are no application fees for UK schools like there are in the US, so you can really apply for as many as you want! I was fortunate enough to get accepted to all five schools that I applied to, so then actually deciding which offer to accept was when the more intense research came into play.
My final decision was made based on three main factors:
1. Location. I knew I would never survive in the north of England since the winters up there
can be pretty brutal, so I definitely wanted to be somewhere more south. I also knew I wanted to be close to London. It’s a city that I’ve idolized since I was a teenager, and I had dreamt about living in or close to London for years.
2. Price. On average, universities in the UK are quite a bit cheaper than universities in the US. At the same time, as an international student, you typically have to pay significantly more than you would have to if you were a UK citizen. Because of the fact that I was entirely self-funding my studies and my move to the UK, I had to be extremely conscious of tuition prices. Something to keep in mind is that when applying for the visa, you may have to demonstrate “proof of funds” - essentially that you have enough money to support yourself while living and studying in the UK on top of paying your tuition fees. If you choose a university in London, you may also have to prove that you have more money available than if you chose a university outside of London since it is an expensive city to live in.
3. Course offerings. Something I was very conscious of is the fact that I didn’t want to come to the UK, get my degree, and then have to immediately move back to the US. While the UK did recently implement a “graduate visa” which allows people who graduate from a UK university to stay in the country for two additional years after graduating regardless of working status, I wanted to maximize my time in the UK as much as possible. One of the schools that I was accepted to offered a Professional Placement Year for my course. Essentially, this is a one year paid internship that gets you work experience in a field relevant to your degree. It gives you an additional year in the UK on your same student visa, except you are mostly just working and getting paid instead of attending classes.
With all of these factors in mind, I ended up choosing Kingston University London and I couldn’t be more happy with my decision!
I study MSc Occupational & Business Psychology at Kingston University. I took a fairly winding journey to arrive at this course, which was something that I had never even heard of just a few months before applying for it.
My undergrad degree is in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing Management and a minor in Psychology. Psychology has always been my real passion, but I had always struggled to see how to make a career out of it. In my mind at the time, I was under the impression that if you studied psychology you had to become a therapist. So I ended up taking the “practical” route and studying business.
After graduating, I worked for four years in the marketing and communications field. During this time, I really struggled with the impersonal corporate environments. It always felt as if the employees, the actual people making the company run, were viewed as so much less important than money. Profits always took precedence over people, and that always bothered me.
Eventually, I ended up getting laid off from my corporate marketing job, which forced me to really reevaluate my career choices. I decided I wanted to do something that I was actually passionate about and something that I felt would make a real positive impact on the world. At the same time, I wanted to do something that would allow me to get back to my interest in psychology, which is how I came to Occupational & Business Psychology.
This is a fairly new industry, and every single time I tell someone what I study, I have to explain what it means. At the most basic level, it is about how we can make work better for the workers. How we can improve the relationship between employees and the companies they work for. This includes a wide range of topics, from employee wellbeing and recruitment to learning and development and consultancy.
I feel like I’ve really found the sweet spot that balances my professional skills with my personal passions, and am so glad that I took the leap to go back to school and pursue a career change!
As you would expect, there are a lot of differences between student life in the UK versus in the US. To start, the grading system is completely different. In the US, of course it is very straightforward, with 59% and below failing, 60-69% a D, 70-79% a C, 80-89% a B, and 90-100% an A. In the UK, on the other hand, you can pass with any grade that is 50% and above and it is extremely rare to get anything over an 80%. In the US, I would have been so upset to get a grade that was anywhere in the 60’s, but in the UK, getting a grade in the 60’s means that you actually did well! If you get above a 70% you did extremely well, and if you get anything above an 80% you might as well be a genius. This took a while for me to get used to!
Also, in the UK you do not need to register for classes each semester like you do in the US! You are automatically enrolled into the modules that you need to take and given a predetermined schedule. I really appreciated not having to go through the stress of registering each semester and worrying if my classes would fill up!
Another key difference is that it is totally normal to call your professors by their first names in the UK. It is not at all expected that you should call them Professor whatever their last name is. This also took me a while to adjust to and to convince myself that I wasn’t being disrespectful by calling my professor by their first name!
There are definitely a lot more differences between UK and US student life than just these three, but I will leave it at that for now. Honestly, a lot of the fun of it is finding out what the differences are and learning to adjust!
London is one of the most amazing cities in the world as far as I’m concerned, and I could not be happier living here. I feel like you could live in London for an entire decade and still not experience everything that there is to do here! The amount of incredible restaurants, pubs, parks, shows, and entertainment is mind blowing. I have tried so many new foods at amazing restaurants, seen so many concerts at such incredible venues, seen so many impressive plays and musicals, had picnics in so many gorgeous parks, and so much more. I feel like I can live such a rich and cultured life here.
One of my favorite parts of London is also how easy it is to travel from here. In the US, taking a trip to Europe would take hours, if not days, of travel and easily several thousand dollars. Now, living in London, I have actually taken weekend trips to Spain and Italy for only a few hundred pounds, which still is just completely mind blowing to me!
Living in London definitely comes with its challenges. It can be extremely expensive and crowded, for example. But overall, I can’t think of a better place to live. I have seen and experienced more living here for the last year than I have in probably twenty years living in my hometown in the US.
Moving abroad and studying internationally is without a doubt the best decision I have ever made. I have grown so much as a person and have experienced so many new things and met so many wonderful people. I would do it all again in a heartbeat. But, that is not to say that it hasn’t been without challenges.
For me, the toughest part of living in the UK is the sheer distance from all of my loved ones back home. Not only am I 5,000 miles and an expensive 11 hour flight away from all of my family and friends, but there is also an 8-hour time difference between London and home. It is difficult not being able to see them in person, but the time difference even makes it hard to talk on the phone or FaceTime at times. I am an extremely independent person, so most of the time this distance is totally manageable, with technology making it even easier to communicate, but when I’ve found it to be the most challenging is when there were family issues back home. Within my first few months in London, there were several things that happened with my family back home that it was extremely difficult to be so far away for, and not be able to afford to come back for.
Also, most of the time living abroad I have found the cultural differences to be exciting and interesting to discover and navigate. Like the first time taking public transport or the first time shopping for groceries with foreign brands, for example. However, sometimes when I have been stressed or in a hurry, not having a firm grasp of how to get around in this foreign country could get extremely frustrating. A few times, after a hard day, I remember wanting to just get in my car, stop at a drive thru for some fast food, and go straight home. But instead I had to navigate public transport, search for food at some restaurant I hadn’t heard of, and do a lot of things that were quite challenging when in the moment I just wanted something easy and familiar. Going to a grocery store and not recognizing any of the brands, not having any clue which bus will get you home, or not knowing what store you can go to to buy something basic after you have had a long and stressful day is not ideal! Of course, this did subside after a few months when I became more familiar with everything, but I do remember feeling quite overwhelmed a few times after first moving here.
Something else I have struggled with at times is the weather. I come from the west coast of the United States where the weather is typically dry and sunny, so moving to the UK where it is usually very wet and cold was quite an adjustment! I had to completely redo my entire wardrobe (I didn’t even own a real coat before coming here!) and get used to bringing an umbrella wherever I went. But I do have to say that it doesn’t rain here nearly as much as I expected it to (although it does still rain a lot). It also makes you really appreciate the sun when it does come out. Summers in London are absolutely amazing.
Moving abroad can bring about a lot of different emotions - excitement, nervousness, uncertainty, maybe even doubt. Above all, my top tip is to embrace every emotion and really let yourself be vulnerable. You will be forced out of your comfort zone more times than you can count, and it will turn you into such a better person for it with a much wider perspective of the world. Try everything and talk to everyone. Don’t be afraid of not knowing what you’re doing all the time. I have met some of my closest friends by starting a conversation with strangers on my first day of classes. I have explored some of the most amazing places by wandering around London without a plan. Let yourself be vulnerable and try every new thing you can! Studying abroad is a once in a lifetime experience. You want to make sure you make the most of it!
- Morgan
I studied abroad in my undergrad and have always loved Europe. I love how easy and cheap it is to travel. I really just wanted to travel and move abroad. I decided to apply to universities all over the world. I loved that the UK had a 2-year post-grad work visa, so after my master's I was able to get a job and stay. I was studying International Management and what better way to prove that I can live and work internationally.
Loughborough University is a very well know school and one of the top 5 in the UK. I loved that they had a campus in London with the backing of a big university in the Midlands. I also was attracted to the University only being for masters and Ph.D. students which meant everyone was serious and it was a great way to network.
I lived in Stratford Unite and it was a great way to meet people from my university and others as it was a student accommodation. I would not recommend someone living there. Most people were 18-20 and extremely immature. The staff was pretty horrible as well. I would say finding your own flat near your university is the best way to live. I ended up getting out of my lease early and moving in with a friend I met on campus.
Grades are harder. No one gets an A, but I do feel that the education was more realistic with a lot of working with different /real-life companies. It was definitely rigorous.
I studied International Management and made great friends and connections. I loved the Collaborative Project and Collaborative Dissertation where we got to work with real companies on real-life issues. I got to work with an international company from the UK market called Snack Media and additionally got to work with a large US company in IBM.
London is the best! I absolutely love it and still live here. I love the amazing food, diversity of culture, how easy it is to travel with 5 different airports, and the work opportunity.
I joined a run club, I worked part-time throughout my masters at Stint, and I got involved on my university campus as well. There is something for everyone here.
Across the Pond was extremely helpful throughout the application process. They helped guide me through the visa application and essays to apply to each school. Helping us understand what programs schools had, what steps were needed, and where to apply. They helped me know what these schools would be looking for in my essay and resume to be a strong candidate.
- Mycayla
I chose to study my Master’s in Public History at Queen’s University Belfast. I’d studied Belfast previously and was always interested in its modern history of conflict, reconciliation, and public commemoration. So, that led me to consider studying there and I just went for it! Across the Pond streamlined everything and walked me through every step. There are some small differences in applications and their help was appreciated. I got accepted to every school I applied to.
I adjusted to Belfast quite smoothly quite honestly. It’s a great city with friendly people and just big enough to have all the good parts of a city, but small enough that it’s easily navigable and easy to settle in. My accommodation was centre city, just a couple blocks from Belfast City Hall. I walked everywhere, which allowed me to hit the pub with friends and still live a reasonably healthy lifestyle.
I met some excellent people in my program, several of which were Americans, so while I’d encourage applicants to meet people from all over, you will never be alone as an American abroad. We are truly everywhere! I developed some close friendships and some ended up staying after our program ended. I enjoyed further developing my understanding of Belfast’s difficult past. Sectarianism remains relevant as murals and walls divide communities, but while sometimes the news and politics can be jarring, Belfast is very safe and I never felt threatened or uncomfortable. It’s a fantastic learning experience for those who didn’t grow up there to have.
One of my favorite things about being in the UK was the ability to travel with ease and generally at low cost. Certainly, your studies come first, but for those in a Master’s program, it is likely you will have a fair amount of free time, or at least time you are not in class. I visited cities like Dublin, Amsterdam, Geneva, Brussels, Berlin, Lisbon, Paris, and cities all over Britain like London, Liverpool, and Edinburgh! I just took advantage and was often working at my laptop in a café somewhere other than Belfast. Though I’m sure I’ve had coffee at just about every coffee shop in the Belfast city centre.
Admittedly, I did not join any clubs as a graduate student, but there is plenty to do in Belfast. After making friends we would bake together, get lunch, coffee, take walks, attend rugby or football (soccer) games, and so much more. We also liked to take short day trips up the Irish coast or visit local museums.
The cultural differences are subtle and you will surely settle in with little difficulty, but be sure to stock up on those American treats like sauces (ranch is extremely uncommon!), good peanut butter, mac & cheese, and taco seasonings! Other than some of your favorite goodies from home, grocery shopping is largely the same. Those who enjoy just black brewed coffee may find it hard to adjust to espresso drinks. I did! A beer ordered out is generally a pint. A proper pint. Which is about 20oz.
All in all, I had a positive experience. I had hoped to stay after as well, but other things got in my way. I’ve already visited friends in Belfast since graduating and plan to go back many times. Thankful to Across the Pond for their help and happy to say I now have two degrees!
- Steven
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