Four Reasons to Study in Leeds
1. Academic Excellence
Universities in Leeds, particularly the University of Leeds, are internationally renowned and ranked among the best in the UK. They offer academic programs across a variety of disciplines, with notable strengths in Arts and Education. The facilities are modern, equipped with cutting-edge resources, top-quality faculty, and a strong support network for international students.
2. Student-Friendly City
Leeds is a city with a vibrant, youthful atmosphere, characterised by a large and diverse student population. The city is designed to meet the needs of students, offering a wide range of social, cultural, and sporting events. Music and arts festivals are must-attend events that highlight the lively student life in Leeds.
3. Affordable Cost of Living
Leeds is perfectly suited to a student budget. The costs of accommodation, transportation, and social activities are considerably lower compared to larger cities in the UK. Additionally, special student discounts allow you to enjoy the full university experience without the financial pressure often found in other locations.
4. Cultural Richness
Beyond being a university city, Leeds is a cultural hub. The city offers a wide array of museums, art galleries, theatres, and live music events, enriching the cultural life of its residents and providing an ideal environment for the personal and academic growth of students.
- Karime
It has brought me much happiness
One of the best decisions of my life was to come to study at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.
I had been working as a statistician for 14 years in Chile and although I liked my job and my life I felt that something was missing. After a year of thoughtful consideration I realised that what I wanted was to dedicate myself to writing. And that's when the doubts and fears flooded me. Where do I start? Do I study a career or just write something? In my country or abroad? And if I go outside Chile, where do I go? Will I have what it takes to pass my studies? Will I have enough money? Will it be worth the risk at 46 years old?
I chose to study an MLitt in Creative Writing in the UK because their curricula were more practice-oriented than academic. And of all the universities I researched and whose Virtual Open Days I attended, Aberdeen seemed to be the closest to the students and willing to give us all the necessary tools to successfully carry out our studies and at the same time nourish us with an enriching social and cultural life. In addition, my MLitt professors were very experienced in their respective fields, so their lectures and feedback on my work were invaluable, as was their constant support and encouragement.
During the Welcome Week the University deployed a myriad of activities aimed at helping us, new students, to feel welcome and included, and also to guide us both academically and on a day-to-day basis. Thanks to all this organisation I was able to open my university email account, learn how to use the MyAberdeen platform (where much of the university's information is hosted as well as the courses I studied), get the necessary documents to open a bank account, sign up for a talk on how to open a bank account, signed up for a talk on how to manage our finances efficiently, took a tour around the campus (which is itself a monument, with over 500 years of history) and its surroundings (the local bookshop, cafes, pub, botanic garden, etc.) as well as the state-of-the-art library; I joined the Yoga Society and the Creative Writing Society, attended the WayWord literary festival and workshops for free, had a membership to the sports village, went to coffees and BBQs organised by AUSA (Aberdeen University Students' Association) where I met students from other majors and various nationalities. At the same time, the School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture organised a meeting for the students to get to know the professors of the School and our fellow students, and also to orient us about which courses to take and how to enrol in them.
During the year I studied my MLitt I had the opportunity to have a personal tutor, to go to the student association whenever I needed them and to access the careers and employability service that advised me in my job search (CV, interviews, etc.). I enjoyed preparing my thesis and graduated with commendation.
In this year I met my current partner and two great friends with whom we keep in regular contact even though we are now in countries as different as they are distant. With them I went to concerts, restaurants, pubs, plays, standup comedy, films, parties, castles, Highland Games, picnics on the beach, hikes in the mountains, among others, both in Aberdeen and the rest of Scotland.
I will not deny that coming to a new city, in another language (and adapting to the Scottish accent), studying again, being away from my family and friends was a bit overwhelming at first. Insecurities and apprehensions were very present when I arrived in the UK. However, all of that was made more bearable not only with the support of the university but also because they foster an environment of inclusion, learning and cultural exchange where all of us who studied here were willing to get to know each other, to accompany each other and to create community.
Almost a year after graduating, I can't help but smile every time I remember my time at the MLitt, my heart races with joy and I am certain that this was one of the best decisions of my life because it has brought me much happiness.
- Claudia
The city is a magical experience
Hi! My name is Claudio, from Chile, and I want to tell you about the wonders of living and studying in Scotland, in the UK, and how you can ease much of the stress and uncertainty of applying with the help of Across the Pond.
Decisions and applications
The idea of studying abroad had been on my mind for a few years, and I couldn’t quite decide to go for it, until I heard of two possibilities that got me moving: first, that the UK had a unique type of postgraduate studies in psychology for people who did not have an undergraduate degree on the field (which was my case, with a Bachelors in Sociology); and second, I heard about Edinburgh, a city that combined the buzz of international students (with several universities in town), the ease of a smaller scale city (at least compared to Santiago, where I’m from) and the unique possibility of living on the skirts of the world-famous Scottish Highlands.
Once the decision was made, I still struggled to narrow the specific degree I would like to pursue and was overwhelmed with the different stages involved in the application process. Through a friend I heard of the support that was available through Across the Pond, not quite believing it would be free of charge. I emailed, received a quick response and from then things went smoothly throughout the process: my advisor (to whom I’m incredibly grateful) supported me in everything from narrowing my options and deciding on a degree, understanding and completing all the documentation that was required, even to the process of applying to my visa and getting through immigration into the UK (which can be the scariest part!). I honestly don’t know how I would’ve handled the process if it wasn’t for the support of Across the Pond and my advisor.
Edinburgh city and university
The experience of living in Edinburgh and Scotland is one of a kind. Just walking through the city is a magical experience that never ceased to amaze me. The historical buildings of Old Town, the bustling Royal Mile, the winding, cobbled streets of Stockbridge, and always the stunning and towering Castle looking over town. The city is small enough you can make your way around walking or biking, but also has plenty of lovely neighbourhoods to explore, like Leith shore with its pubs and restaurants, Bruntsfield’s cafes and charity shops, or the high street of Princes Street in New Town.
The student life is remarkable as well. Edinburgh has four universities, with the University of Edinburgh being the biggest and best known of them. There are always activities going on and plenty of international students, which guarantees you will have the full cosmopolitan experience during your stay. The University of Edinburgh, where I studied, has an impressive student life as well, with more student societies (anything from whiskey to Harry Potter) and sport clubs (from parkour to martial arts) that you could go through during your studies.
I was also incredibly lucky with my programme of study. The course is called MSc Psychology of Mental Health and, as I mentioned, is a graduate course for students with no background on psychology. Because of this, the cohort included not only students from every part of the world (which allows me now to have close friends from India, Germany, and Greece, among other countries), but also from different professional backgrounds. This made for an enriching student experience. The faculty was incredible capable and managed to squeeze an intense and rigorous foundation on psychology in just a year.
Nature at your doorstep
The biggest surprise and delight of my experience was how close I lived to nature, and how beautiful and accessible the landscapes were. In Edinburgh itself you are always walking distance from nature. The trails by the river Water of Leith run throughout town and provide refuge from the noise, and Arthur’s Seat hill stands the tallest point in Edinburgh, with views that stretch from the North Sea to the three massive bridges that cross the Firth of Forth. The Royal Botanical Gardens, free of charge, are located just by Inverleith Park, providing both a panoramic view of Old Town’s skyline and plenty of forest trails you can admire throughout the seasons. If you are willing to take a bus or train, the possibilities are endless, the best known being the Pentland Hills Regional Park. The park is located just outside town and provides endless trails and many peaks for weekend adventures (particularly exciting in snowy days!).
And I can’t leave out perhaps the greatest perk of life in Edinburgh: how close you are the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Being from Chile, I’m quite used to long drives into nature, but Scotland has incredibly manageable distances you can cover either by train or with a car. I spent countless days and nights hiking, camping, and simply enjoying the beautiful sights. I can’t overstate what a privilege it is to have these stunning landscapes at your doorstep.
Possibilities after studying
Finally, I wanted to share some of the recent new possibilities to continue your stay after studying. I was lucky of arriving on the UK the year that a new visa was introduced: the Graduate Visa. The visa allows you to stay for two years in the UK (three if you finished a PhD) and work without requiring a work visa. It’s a straightforward process to apply for the visa and it allowed me to continue living in the country I was enjoying thoroughly. After studying I had the possibility to work first as a barista in Edinburgh, which was an enjoyable change of pace after so many months spent in research and my computer. And then I was able to move to Glasgow and work in a charity supporting homeless people transition to their permanent housing. The experience of working in a Scottish Charity was a great complement to having studied in the country, helping me deepen practice of English and gaining new professional skills I now bring back to my country of origin. It was also a wonderful experience to get to live in a new city in the country. Glasgow is the biggest city in Scotland (and one of the largest of the UK) and a massive hub of music, arts, and outdoor enthusiasts. It is a city I highly recommend for a day trip, music gigs, forest walks, and of course to live there as well.
The experience of studying and working in Scotland, all while being able to explore its natural landscapes and getting to meet its people, has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. I’m incredibly grateful for the possibility I had to live through these experiences. And of the many people I owe gratitude, Across the Pond has a significant role: those first stages after making the decision to study abroad can be the most daunting, with what feels like endless options and a ton of paperwork. The patient guidance from Across the Pond advisors was essential to ease my fears and push through to make this dream a reality.
- Claudio
Did you know that York has 365 pubs?
I was looking to do a Masters in Social Media and Social Research because I wanted to learn more about user behaviour on social networks. The University of York is ranked first in Sociology for research impact and fourth in the UK (according to Times Higher Education), and is a member of the prestigious Russell Group. It was therefore always my first choice.
During my time as a student at the University of York, I felt very integrated and welcomed. I was very supported by all the academic staff, the welfare team and the staff at my college (Wentworth). I also had the opportunity to be a course representative for my master's degree and I did a communications internship for my college. The University of York opened up a world of possibilities and new opportunities at the same time!
Student Life: York as a university city
The city of York is a university city par excellence. Studying in its two campuses was a wonderful experience because they are places where you connect with nature and the tranquillity necessary to study.
In addition, the university is very well connected to the city centre in no more than 15 minutes by bus. If you like cycling like I do, it will definitely be a great experience, as you can easily cycle around York safely in its streets and parks.
York's nightlife is vibrant and lively - did you know that York has 365 pubs? You can definitely enjoy one every day of the year.
How did I get to York? Thanks to Across the Pond
There is no doubt that my dream of studying in England would not have been possible if it hadn't been for the advice I got from Across the Pond. I worked with them for 4 years where they helped me to find a Master's degree that matched my interests, as well as to apply to the University of York and to receive funding from Becas Chile.
My advisor and I know how long this journey was because I didn't speak any English, but I finally managed to get the scholarship to study abroad and the level of English that the university required me to study. I will be infinitely grateful to Across the Pond forever.
- Ana Karina
I am more than happy with my program
My name is Trista, I am from Ontario, Canada and I have just completed my first year of English Law at the University of Dundee. My journey began in high School when I was interested in the idea of studying abroad so I reached out to Across the Pond. I received helpful information and support which gave me the confidence to fully commit to studying in the UK. One of my biggest fears about studying abroad was the expense and how I would fund my tuition and stay. As I started to receive my acceptance letters from the schools, I applied to I was extremely grateful to discover the University of Dundee’s helpful scholarship available for Canadian students. Dundee became my top choice for places to study because in addition to the scholarship offered, I learned the University was ranked among the top 20 UK law programs. Across the Pond helped me through the entire visa application process and even assisted me in navigating my arrival in Scotland.
Student life at the University of Dundee
After my first year, I am pleased to say that I am more than happy with my program, the University, and the city. I have met amazing friends from Northern Ireland, Glasgow, Cyprus and made memories I will never forget. Through the University I was even able to travel to Edinburgh and experience the Christmas market. I am constantly writing home to my family about all the wonderful things I am lucky to do while in the UK. I checked seeing the northern lights off my bucket list and went on many bus and train journeys all over the UK, public transport can take you anywhere which is very different from Canada.
Help I received along my journey
The main reason I was able to settle in so smoothly in the UK when starting my program was all the helpful people eager to see me succeed in this process. As previously mentioned, my application was so easy to complete thanks to my advisor from Across the Pond who was quick to respond to any question I had and reminded me of any steps that needed to be completed. The University of Dundee also provided an extremely welcoming and helpful international advisor who helped me meet other students from Canada who went on to support me through my first year. Finally, my professors and academic advisor ensured I understood the unfamiliar grading system and made me aware of every opportunity the University had available to transition my career and degree into Canada.
Thanks to the support and resources provided by Across the Pond and the University of Dundee my journey from Ontario to Dundee has been smooth and transformative. Studying abroad has deepened my appreciation for diverse cultures and new opportunities allowing me to enhance my personal growth. I am excited to continue my studies and apply what I have learned.
- Trista
