The education here is top-notch
Studying in England is a fantastic opportunity. The education here is top-notch, and the region has such a rich history. With the continent, just a cheap plane ride away, all the dream vacation spots are accessible for so cheap that a weekend getaway isn't out of the budget even for the money-conscious students.
The advisors at Across the Pond were absolutely invaluable! They patiently took the time to answer all of my specific questions about anything that had to do with applying and moving to the UK. They guided me through what is a very complicated process step by step so that I was never overwhelmed by the things I had to get done to make it happen.
Their depth and breadth of knowledge about the UK, university applications, and VISAs make their services worth far more than I can express. They sent out timely guides on the topics that I needed to address before I needed to address them such that I never was in danger of missing a deadline or skipping something important.
They offer such a broad range of partner universities that I never once felt as though I had to limit my options as I worked with them. When I had selected my major, the advisors told me exactly which of their university partners offered it so that I could focus my research. Then they made the application process unbelievably easy. I filled out one form and sent all of the information to my advisor, and they took care of the rest!
Thank you, Across the Pond! I am studying in England now. Without your help, I never would have made this dream of mine a reality!
- Kory
I have made some great friends
I am now attending Oxford Brookes University in Oxford, UK doing a masters in International Studies (International Relations). Initially I chose this school because of its location in Oxford but since coming here the program is well rounded to provide different opportunities after graduation. Having visited Oxford before, the city was one of the biggest factors to move here. It is big enough to do some exploring in your spare time but nothing is ever too far away. Oxford has a good mix of being very historical and traditional but with all the students there are always new things going on.
The cost of living is a little more expensive from home (Ontario, Canada) but there are always things to do and see that are both interesting and free. Living in university accommodations made the transition of moving here and settling into the university almost stress-free. The wardens of the halls were extremely helpful and having the first week to take in your new surroundings made it that much easier. While classes keep you fairly busy, there are many activities that could keep you involved, give you a break from work and allow you to make new friends. For me personally, I have joined a salsa dancing group but more casually I enjoy walking through the Oxford University Parks or even the city centre in general.
Taking this time to relax and do something you enjoy or even something new is one piece of advice I would give to a new student coming to Brookes, or even Oxford in general. As important as it is to keep on top of your work, having some time to unwind is essential especially if you are living in accommodations where the rooms are not very big. One other thing I would say is to talk to and get to know your tutors. Especially at Brookes, they are very approachable, helpful and happy to talk to you no matter what is going on.
Since I have been here, I have made some great friends and we have done some travelling together. London is a quick, easy and, as a student, fairly cheap bus or train ride for a day or weekend in one of the most famous cities in the world that I have done often. Over the Christmas Break I was joined by 3 new friend who went on a 3 week vacation to Spain, the French Riviera, and Italy. Being in the International Studies MA also allowed me to participate in a trip to Brussels and The Hague for a few days seeing sights like the EU Parliament and the International Criminal Court. I also have some upcoming plans to travel to Poland and Prague during the Easter Break and to Greece at the beginning of the summer before my dissertation takes up all my time.
I had a fabulous experience with Across the Pond. My advisor was very helpful right from the start, recommending Universities and programs that would be suited to me, all the way through helping with my visa and answering question that both my parents and I had. One of the best aspects of working with Across the Pond were the quick responses I received to questions and the role my advisor played in communicating with the universities regarding things like application submissions and acceptance requirements.
- Gabriella
The best thing about my course is my professors
I was researching degrees that I was interested in and Biotech was the main thing that I had been considering. Oxford Brookes offered the degree, and when I saw that it was in Oxford, I was just like, ‘Oh this is perfect, I would love to live in that city.' I love the architecture of the city – absolutely beautiful, it’s a wonderful place.
In the UK you get a lot more research experience. They require you to do a project and submit a 10,000-word thesis. In the US that’s optional, and you can actually get your degree without doing it.
Also, you have two years to complete a master’s in the US because they make you take more electives that aren’t really related to what you want to study. Whereas here you get to do exactly what you want and you don’t waste a lot of time doing other stuff.
The best thing about this course is honestly my professors – they were all fantastic. Very helpful, very intelligent, and … they’re actually just like good fun, nice people too. They have a little bit more of a personal relationship with you because the classes are smaller … so I really like that.
- Alexandra
My experience has been amazing
My experience with Across the Pond has been an amazing one! I came across the website during my initial search of the different universities around the UK. After I had completed my undergraduate studies in the US, I knew that I wanted to study abroad in the UK.
I got in touch with Across the Pond and my advisor was very helpful! She answered all of my questions about the different partner universities to help me choose my program of study. For any questions that she did not have immediate answers to, my advisor made sure she spoke to her university contacts to get all the information I needed. Not only was she timely in her email responses, but the advisor was also very enthusiastic and helped to make the application process much more relaxed and less stressful for me. Before the start of term, my advisor organized a meet-up for students to ask her any last-minute questions about student visas, pre-departure, and school arrival procedures. This was very beneficial and I even made some new friends that were going to attend graduate programs at nearby universities in London.
My overall experience with Across the Pond has been very positive and I would highly recommend it to anyone that would like to study in the UK!
- Roshni
High Quality Education
Choosing to pursue further education is a big decision in and of itself, regardless of whether or not one also plans to pursue this education abroad. Without guidance it can be especially nerve-wracking to rely solely on your own understanding of the UK education system, the application processes, and the various reputations of its many universities. I am really glad that I came by Across the Pond before I embarked on the application process. Not only was their initial response to my queries expedient and informative but this rapport continued throughout my application and pre-departure process. My advisor was very helpful from providing feedback on my personal statement to explaining parts of the application process or education system that I did not fully understand. I found the information sent regarding visa applications and pre-departure considerations to also be of great convenience in the hectic months prior to my departure.
I am really pleased with the breadth of universities that Across the Pond represents, specifically the high proportion of those in the Russell Group. Studying law in the United Kingdom has far exceeded my expectations and I attribute that to the detailed information Across the Pond provides about their partner institutions. A UK law degree may seem like an unconventional route for Canadian students, however, with the proper guidance and research it will definitely be a rewarding experience. The quality of education and the high calibre of instruction here has served to reaffirm my choice in choosing to study law in the UK. For students looking to pursue the Graduate Entry (Senior Status) law programs I would strongly recommend thinking about whether you want to practice in the UK or gain accreditation in Canada as this will save you a lot of time and help to maximise your experience in the UK.
As well, living in right in central London has also been an unparalleled experience. There is plenty of extra-curricular activities for students both academic and non-academic. And while London does tend to have similar price-tags to other big cities there are always budget-friendly alternatives regardless of one's interests.
In all, I am extremely thankful for all the help and guidance Across the Pond has provided and I would strongly recommend their services to anyone considering to pursue further education in the United Kingdom.
- Julia
