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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.
I am now pursuing my career in the world of fashion!
My experience with Across the Pond has been incredible. From the moment I decided to search for a university in England until the day I settled in, I received exceptional support and personalized guidance.
My advisor was fundamental throughout this process, and I am very grateful for her dedication and kindness. She was always there to clarify my doubts and keep me informed of each step I needed to take. Her positive attitude and attention to every detail made me feel always supported.
It's evident that Across the Pond has great experience in the market, as they proved to be a reliable and effective agency, making it possible for me to gain admission to the university I desired, where I am now pursuing my career in the world of fashion.
My experience studying in the United Kingdom has been very satisfying. It has not only met my academic expectations but also provided me with an enriching life experience. I chose to study at the University for the Creative Arts because it is a school focused on creative disciplines. Since I want to pursue a career in the fashion industry, this institution perfectly aligned with my professional aspirations. Additionally, the study methodology, which is largely based on research projects, suits my learning style very well.
I opted for the MA Fashion Business and Management program, which is enhancing my creative focus and allowing me to apply it in the business field. So far, my experience has been very positive. I have learned a great deal from my classmates, who come from various parts of the world, enriching the academic and cultural environment even further.
The school projects are very challenging and push me to use critical thinking to propose innovative solutions to improve the fashion industry. Life in the United Kingdom is amazing, with an abundance of art events that I can attend as a student. I greatly enjoy these activities with my friends from school, who have been very open and always willing to share their experiences and knowledge.
- Anaid
Great opportunity to see more of the world
During my gap year, one of my friends from England recommended that I apply to schools in the UK. I decided that studying abroad would be a great opportunity to see more of the world while furthering my education. I researched many universities and towns and found five I really liked. I also found “Across the Pond” which was a massive help when it came to applying to the universities and using UCAS. My advisor was always able to give me answers to questions I had, and she still continues to do so even after I have been studying in England for two years! If I didn’t use Across the Pond I would have struggled a lot with the application and visa process as it was quite complicated on my own. I am so glad it is a free and easy to use service!
Studying at University for the Creative Arts
The university I chose to go to was University for the Creative Arts in Farnham. Out of all the universities I applied to, this one was the cheapest, had the best location as it’s only an hour train ride from London, and had a great program for Film Production which I was studying. Now that I’m nearly done with year two, I have had the chance to adjust properly to uni life. I love that it is a fairly small university because you get the chance to meet more people. I have found that every time I go out into town I see at least one person I know which is a very comforting feeling especially since I live so far away from home. Since it is a smaller university it is easier to get one on one help from the staff. I have never had a problem connecting with the staff, they all genuinely want you to succeed and you can feel that with how they try to help you. Overall, the University for the Creative Arts is a really wonderful university that I am proud to study at!
Adjusting to Student Life
Life in England vs America seemed like it would be a bigger leap than it actually was. It definitely is very scary leaving family and friends for the first time to come to England but after a little bit you get used to it. I hadn’t visited England before coming to study here and once I got here everything seemed so new. After only living in America my whole life it was hard not to notice the little things that were different but it got easier as most things do with time. The hardest part was getting groceries and taking them back to my accommodation but once I found a friend who offered to drive to get groceries it was way better! It was very interesting being able to buy alcohol without needing to be 21 and that was a strange adjustment. Living without your family gives you a whole new sense of independence which is a cool feeling! Being able to travel anywhere I wanted to was great! On days off from university I would go on the train to a different city and just explore. The public transportation here is amazing and something I wish we saw more of in America. Overall, life in England is fairly easy to transition to from America as there are some differences but for the most part it’s the same just with cooler accents!
Advice for Studying Abroad
I feel like I came fairly prepared and aware of differences in England but there were still some things I wish I was aware of or that I would have done differently. Here are some of them:
- Buy the 16-25 railcard for trains. Saves so much money and is so worth it
- Get a bank account ASAP!
- Try to work for your university while studying as their work schedule will revolve around the school year so you won’t have to work over summer break!
- Water tastes different here which took some getting used to
- Everywhere closes much earlier on sundays
- Portion sizes are smaller, which I was aware of, but they are MUCH smaller
- Movies have different release dates than the US (Most of the time they are later than US release dates)
- Justine
I recommend UCAS to any creative-minded student
I would recommend UCA to any creative-minded students because of its easy access to London, the amazing studios and workshops, as well as the professor's connections for job placements after uni.
From the second I walked onto campus, my tutors have given me loads of opportunities for networking and work experience. Not only that, but they created workshops for us in the city to see different design agencies and meet potential colleagues.
- Gaebriel
