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A Rewarding Experience
Even though Humanities are not a valued field in general, I always had the impression that in the UK they were appreciated more than in my country. From the number of museums, activities and, of course, university degrees. I studied English Literature and, in my case, degrees in Chile, including masters, are very limited (even Hispanic Literature ones). I was looking for an opportunity to learn a bigger variety of subjects and to have more freedom of choice in my career and, thus, study for a postgraduate degree. I found it at the University of Southampton.
While the academic load was not exaggerated, I spent most of the time preparing for classes, which turned out to be extremely rewarding. I think I learned a lot about different topics, some of which I didn’t know or hadn’t studied in depth. Most of the classes involved discussing the material, which made me not only learn new ideas, but also polish and expand my own. I had the opportunity to audit undergraduate classes and university talks, so I think I made the most of the university to deepen my knowledge. Actually, practically everything I learnt broadened my horizons in one way or another.
I managed to make friends in my degree, with whom I enjoyed classes and gave me more confidence to participate, but, overall, had a good time and stopped worrying about university so much. They were pillars in my experience outside the country because I had someone that was also getting used to studying for a masters, with whom to walk around and feel that I belonged to the place. University of Southampton receives many international students, so I had the opportunity to know other cultures and expand my knowledge outside academia. In my degree, English Literary Studies, I studied literature of different countries and times, and a lot of importance was given to the context of what read; therefore, I also learned about other cultures because of my modules.
Aside from what I learned in my classes, I am taking with me the importance of balancing my academic and personal life. Having space for myself and spending time with others was very important to enjoy my studies and residence in another country.
Since I applied with Across the Pond and my advisor, who gave me useful information about this experience, I found myself considerably prepared for what life in the United Kingdom would be like. More than formalities, I would have liked to have made more opportunities to explore other cities and countries. Obviously, the possibility is not always there due to economic matters, or the university itself, but I think that, if I had created more opportunities to get out of town, my experience would have been even more rewarding.
- Samantha
Excellent academic resources
Hi, I’m Juan Carlos from Chile, and a year ago I decided to take a big step. I put my life on hold in Chile, my job, my family and my friends, to pursue a dream and study in the United Kingdom. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I wanted to deepen my knowledge of finance in one of the most renowned countries for it, immerse myself in a completely different culture, adapt to new challenges and discover new ways of seeing the world. That’s how I arrived at the University of Birmingham to study the MSc Financial Management, and I can say with absolute certainty that it has been one of the best decisions of my life.
Preparing my application was a huge challenge. I was working full time and had to balance my responsibilities with the application process. There were moments of uncertainty, but thanks to the support of Across the Pond everything became much easier. Their guidance at every stage gave me the confidence I needed to take this big step. Today, I can say the effort was worth it. I have learned so much, made friends from all over the world and lived experiences I will never forget.
The University of Birmingham impressed me with its vibrant campus, excellent academic resources and the quality of its professors. But the most enriching part has been the diversity, meeting people from different cultures, sharing experiences and learning from unique perspectives. This journey has opened my mind and prepared me for a globalized world.
Before arriving, I was worried about finding accommodation, but there were plenty of options at reasonable prices, which gave me peace of mind from day one. And when it comes to Birmingham, it is a city full of life. As a Latin American, the nightlife is something you cannot miss, there are parties every week and always something new to discover.
If you are thinking about studying in the UK, go for it. There will be fears, but the experiences, friendships and opportunities you will gain will far outweigh any uncertainty. Come with an open mind, enjoy every moment and if you can, rely on Across the Pond, they will make your journey so much easier.
- Juan Carlos
A unique and unforgettable experience
What motivated you to study in the United Kingdom
After working for six years, and facing the uncertainty of leaving my professional and financial stability, I decided to take the leap and pursue my dream of living abroad. I felt ready to take the next step in my career, as I have always wanted to continue growing and developing both professionally and personally. I was mainly looking for an English-speaking country to practice the language, and what better choice than the United Kingdom? The country where my favourite book and movie series, Harry Potter, was created, and the home of great musicians like Oasis and Dua Lipa, whom I also love. Additionally, there are daily direct flights from here to Chile, so my parents and family could visit easily. Last but not least, the academic excellence of UK universities and their internationally recognised prestige offered an incredible opportunity to develop in a highly competitive and multicultural environment.
How was your academic, personal, and cultural life
Everything in the UK has been a unique and unforgettable experience. I won’t lie, academic life is demanding if you want to achieve distinction, but everything at the university has been amazing. From the facilities to the academic quality, everything is spectacular. The university provides high-tech facilities, events, talks, emotional support, and everything is so well organised that you can focus fully on your studies and enjoy your time. On a personal level, it has been a journey of significant growth. Even at 30, I have always been very close to my parents, and being away from my family was something I had to manage. However, communication through social media and WhatsApp today makes the distance much easier to handle. Time has flown so quickly—it feels like I just arrived, and now this journey is already coming to an end. Culturally, I have learned a lot. The UK is a country with a large immigrant population from all over the world. I have friends from India, China, and the Arab world, and it has been amazing. I’ve tried foods I never imagined eating, learned a few words in Chinese and Hindi, and experienced cultures very different from my own firsthand, which has been incredibly enriching. Finally, being here also allows you to travel easily to other parts of the UK and even Europe, which is amazing.
What you have learned
My experience in the UK has been incredibly enriching. Academically, it allowed me to approach accounting and finance from a critical perspective, developing the ability to analyse practices I had never questioned before. Personally, living alone abroad taught me to be more independent, to face problems on my own, and to appreciate cultural diversity. Practicing English in everyday life helped me gain confidence and fluency, while stepping out of my comfort zone allowed me to make friends and seize new opportunities.
What you wish you had known before arriving
I wish I had known about the StudentBeans app, which offers discounts at many stores and apps of all kinds.
- Ivania
Takes you to a world full of possibilities
Studying in England has been one of the best experiences of my life, not only because of the knowledge I gained from studying at such an important university but because of all the people I met, the experiences I lived and the personal and academic growth that this adventure left me with. When I arrived I didn't know what to expect from my new life, but I was surprised by how different it is from Mexico, from the way of teaching and evaluation, to the food, architecture, climate, and customs!
My reasons
I chose Birmingham because of the prestige of the University (it is ranked 80th worldwide in the QS World University Rankings), because of the course they offer and because the language, culture and accent seem incredible to me. Besides, having a master's degree in my second language is a way to show myself what I am capable of while expanding my possibilities when entering the job market.
Student life
The campus is beautiful, it looks like a museum. It is huge and has the best technology and infrastructure. I was amazed by everything the university has, from one of the largest libraries to bars and cafes on campus! The library is open 24 hours during assessment period and there are even blankets in case you get cold! Aside from academic activities, there are events all the time, for example, a carousel at Christmas or ice cream vans with free ice cream in the summer.
The way of teaching and grading is different from that in Mexico because the guidelines are different. For example, grades go from 0 to 100 but 70 and above is outstanding, something that personally surprised me. I liked that there are students from so many cultures that each class is made up of different points of view and cultural backgrounds.
There are student societies, which are clubs where you can do activities from academic to religious and social. For example, there is the pasta society, Latinos, Christians, darts, volunteering, comics, pole dancing, karate, rugby, Harry Potter, insulin appreciation, etc. There are more than 300 to choose from!
Social life
Birmingham being one of the largest cities in England has thousands of things to do. Living in this city not only helped me experience English culture but opened the door to different cultures. I made friends from India, China, Korea, Japan, Ecuador, and Turkey and even from countries I had never heard of like Tonga. So I could say that studying in England opened the doors to the world for me.
Work life
When I arrived I found a job where I was also able to meet many people who became a key part of my life in this country. Since I could only work 20 hours, I had a good balance between student, work and social life.
In this job I learned a lot about how English labour laws and rules work and it motivated me to try to find a full-time job once I graduated.
Convenient Accommodation
The accommodation was one of the things I liked the most. I lived in Jarratt Hall, a student residence. The online process was very easy to do. What I found very convenient is that when I booked the place, I answered a personality and interests questionnaire and they placed me with like-minded people. Thanks to that, I was able to make friends and enjoy my stay with a very low risk of having conflicts with my roommates. As for security, I found it perfect because there is a 24/7 reception, also if something breaks down and stops working, the repair is very fast once it is reported to maintenance.
The location was very convenient because the campus was a 6-minute walk away and the shops, bus stops, gyms, restaurants and parks were very close.
Finances
In order to finance my studies, I took out a student loan through FIDERH, a support from the Mexican government. The best thing is that they have an agreement with the University of Birmingham with which they discounted 20% of my tuition fee. Thanks to my part-time job, I was able to pay my rent, food, and extra expenses like social activities and gym membership.
In conclusion, if you are thinking of coming to England to study, rest assured that it will be an unforgettable experience that will help you grow not only academically but also personally because leaving your comfort zone takes you to a world full of possibilities. Studying abroad is not just about learning from books but about discovering new perspectives, growing in ways you never imagined, and making your future and possibilities reach a global scale.
- Izta
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!
