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Studying in the UK has been a rewarding challenge
I’m currently pursuing my Master’s in Occupational Therapy at the University of Derby, and it’s been quite the journey so far. Derby is located in the East Midlands, which means it’s incredibly well-connected by train to many major cities, a huge plus for exploring the UK and getting to nearby airports for international travel. However, it’s also a relatively small city. While that makes it easy to navigate and settle in quickly, it can feel a bit quiet if you’re used to a more active student lifestyle. Looking back, I wish I had considered city size more carefully when choosing where to study, especially after coming from a larger program.
One thing that stood out to me when applying was that Derby was the first OT program certified by the NHS, which gave me a lot of confidence in the program’s quality. It’s also been backed by strong student experiences, and I’ve found the faculty to be supportive and approachable. I highly recommend reaching out to program leads before applying, they can give you practical details that may not be obvious on the course homepage, like term start and end dates, which is really helpful if you’re planning to travel home during breaks.
There are also multiple campuses at the University of Derby, so if you’re applying for accommodation, make sure to check where your classes will be held. That small step can save you a lot of commuting time!
Socially, being a postgraduate student means the age range among students is wider than I expected, which made making friends a little more challenging at first. But getting involved in societies made a big difference. I joined the hiking society, where I met some amazing people and had great experiences, I’ll even be serving as secretary next year. I’ve also joined the book club and plan to try the tennis society. The societies here are definitely one of the highlights of student life.
Overall, studying in the UK has been a rewarding challenge. I’ve grown so much both academically and personally. While there were unexpected moments along the way, I’ve found my rhythm. If you're considering studying abroad, I recommend researching not just the course but also the city size, student life, and support services, these factors really do matter.
And lastly, remember that it's okay to struggle sometimes. Even students who live close to home have a tough time adjusting, you’re making a huge leap by moving across the pond, and that takes courage. But it really is worth it in the end.
- Dana
Student Accommodation in the UK
Where do you live when studying abroad? Do universities in the UK offer student housing? How much does student accommodation cost? Did you know that as an international student, you are guaranteed on-campus accommodation for the first or all your years studying at most of our UK universities? You will need to apply by the housing application deadline, and of course the best student accommodation in the UK goes first - so that is a good reason to apply early! There are several different student accommodations, price levels and facilities to choose from!
Most students choose to live on campus in their first year. This is social and a fantastic way to get to know students from all over the world! After that, most students choose to move into privately rented accommodation with their new friends. We recommend everyone to live in university accommodation in their first year, as it is a great way to get to know other students (and not just those on your degree).
Learn more about the different options, on-campus accommodation, how to arrange private accommodation and everything you need before applying for student accommodation in the UK via this webinar!
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Visa for European Students who want to study in the UK
Do you want to study in the UK and are wondering if you need a visa? Maybe you have applied to British universities already, or are considering applying to university in London or elsewhere in the UK, but would like to know more about the UK student visa for European students? This webinar recording is about the UK Student Visa for students who will be starting their studies at a British university and are from European countries. We cover everything regarding the CAS, the application process, cost and other practicalities worth thinking about when applying for a student visa.
Did you know that all non-UK students need a visa to study in the UK? How much does a student visa cost? Is it difficult to get a student visa if you want to study in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland? For most European students in the UK, a student visa is now a fact.
After the UK left the EU, student visas have now become a reality for the vast majority of international students. It is therefore important to familiarise yourself with this process as early as possible, so that you are well prepared when the time comes to submit an application for a student visa. In this webinar recording, we will go through useful information about student visas, when to apply, what you need for the application, costs, and other tips and tricks that can make the process easier. This webinar is suitable for those who have already applied, those who have accepted an offer, but also those who are considering studies in the UK and want to know more about the visa process.
We have the information and tools most people need to be able to go through the visa process without the need for individual follow-up/advice beyond the general information and guide from us. Remember that Across the Pond cannot provide individual advice on your visa application, only certified immigration staff can. In this webinar recording, you will learn about a number of important points that are good to be aware of when you familiarise yourself with the visa process.
Take a chance, be brave!
Clarence Clark is from Phoenix, Arizona, where he lived for eighteen years until he moved to Kansas to play American football for Baker University. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in Sports Administration, he chose to get an MBA at the University of Derby.
Having never traveled outside the United States, Clarence decided to move away from home and family following the completion of his degree from Baker. It was a big step, he says, to move so far away from home. “In Kansas, I had family that stayed less than an hour’s drive away, so I could be with them if I was ever feeling homesick. I was a little anxious when moving over to the UK as I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to handle everything on my plate. I was coming over on a sports scholarship to play American football, but I also wanted to try out for the university’s soccer team on top of studying for my MBA.”
Although he’d already completed a bachelor's degree in Kansas, Clarence found studying in the UK different from the USA, which required some adjustment.
“At Baker University, the courses would have more graded work throughout the term, so teachers could track how you were doing and make sure you understood the material before moving on. Studying for my MBA at Derby, there were only two pieces of coursework that were graded and counted towards my final grade.”
And while this approach to learning may seem daunting to some, Clarence found it benefitted his broader understanding of the subjects he was studying: “I personally enjoyed this teaching structure because it required me to retain a lot of information for a longer period of time, and I believe that helped me to remember information better, too.”
Clarence believes studying abroad is all about having new experiences and despite differences in learning methods and culture, encourages international students tempted to study in the UK to push themselves.
“The one piece of advice I would give is to not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Take a chance, be brave, and live life to the fullest. Don’t look back years from now and wish you had taken the opportunity when it presented itself.
“As my mom and grandmother have always told me, ‘Be like a river and go with the flow – you’ll end up where you’re supposed to be’.”
- Clarence
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Digital meeting with a Student Advisor
Book an online session with an advisor with Across the Pond to learn more about studying in the UK!
- Make sure you book the meeting at least 2 days ahead of time
- If you want to talk over for instance Teams, just type that into the "Teams-ID" field and we'll arrange to send you a meeting link via Teams (you do not need a Microsoft Teams user)
