Introduction
Great Britain, the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century, played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two World Wars. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, a founding member of NATO, and of the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy; it currently is weighing the degree of its integration with continental Europe. A member of the EU, it chose to remain outside the European Monetary Union for the time being. Constitutional
reform is also a significant issue in the UK. The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1999.
Geography
U.K. lies near vital North Atlantic sea lanes; only 35 km from France and now linked by tunnel under the English Channel; because of heavily indented coastline, no location is more than 125 km from tidal waters.
Much of the United Kingdom is flat or low-lying. Scotland and Wales have more mountains and higher peaks. England can be divided into four main geographic areas. In the north of the country a ridge of limestone hills and valleys, known as the Pennies, stretches from Derbyshire 250 miles north to the border with Scotland.
To the west are the Cumbrian Mountains and Lakes District. The Midlands is the industrial heartlands and has the second largest city (Birmingham) in the country. The Black Country stretches from the north of Birmingham through Stafford shire and WolverHampton.
The southwest is a plateau with granite outcrops and a rigged coastline. This area has high rainfall with rich green pastures and Rolling Meadows.
The English lowlands are a mixture of farmland, low hills, an industrial belt and densely populated cities. Most of this region is totally flat.
Population
The population of the United Kingdom is 56 million. Just as the land is diverse, so are the people. Nearly 15% of the population was born outside of the United Kingdom and have ethnic ties with over 140 countries. This melting pot of cultures range from European groups, particularly Germany and Spain, to immigration from countries across the globe, including Australia, USA, South Africa, Hong Kong, Turkey, Caribbean, Pakistan and India.
Economic Growth
The UK, a leading trading power and financial center, is one of the quartet of trillion dollar economies of Western Europe. Over the past two decades the government has greatly reduced public ownership and contained the growth of social welfare programs. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with only 1% of the labor force. The UK has large coal, natural gas, and oil reserves; primary energy production accounts for 10% of GDP, one of the highest shares of any industrial nation. Services, particularly banking, insurance, and business services, account by far for the largest proportion of GDP while industry continues to decline in importance.
Presently, the United Kingdom has one of the most impressive economies in the world, with high growth, low-inflation, and low interest rates. There is an efficient government sector, a flexible labour market, and a very competitive business sector.
The Pound Sterling - coins (five, 10, 20, and 50 cent, and one and two pound denominations); notes (five, 10, 20, 50, pound denominations).
Culture
With the arrival of many different ethnic, cultural and religious groups over the past hundred years, the UK has seen a welcome injection of tastes, flavours and produce. In areas where a significant number of immigrants have made their home, you will find shops selling food to meet their needs. When you get to the UK, ask your international officer or other international students where you can find such shops. The bigger the town or city, the greater the number of differing ethnic, cultural and religious groups. Whether you are looking for a halal butchers, kosher food, ghee, dashy lentils, Chinese soybeans, Japanese shiitake mushrooms or African suya powder, if the local supermarket doesn't sell it, smaller shops in an area with a strong ethnic presence might.
Education
The United Kingdom education system is divided broadly into five areas:
- Preschool
- Primary School
- Secondary / Public School
- Career and Vocational Training
- University or other tertiary institutions
Children in Britain must attend school from the age of 5 (4 in Northern Ireland) until they are 16. Before the start of formal schooling, many children attend nursery schools or nursery classes attached to primary schools. In addition, some parents elect to send their children to private (fee-paying) nursery schools or kindergartens. In England and Wales, many primary schools also operate an early admission policy where they admit children under 5 into what are called reception classes.
Children first attend the infants' school or department. At 7 they move to the junior school and the usual age for transfer from junior to secondary school is 11 (12 in Scotland). In some areas, however, 'first' schools take pupils aged 5 to 8, 9 or 10, and pupils within the 8 to 14 age range go to 'middle' schools.
Over 85 per cent of secondary school pupils go to comprehensive schools. These take children of all abilities, and provide a wide range of secondary education for all or most of the children in a district from the age of 11 to 16 or 18. There are also other types of secondary school. Grammar schools offer a mainly academic education for the 11 to 18-year age group. Children enter grammar schools on the basis of their abilities, first sitting the '11' plus or entrance examination. Grammar schools cater for four per cent of children in secondary education.
The independent school sector is separate from the state educational system, and caters for some seven per cent of all schoolchildren in England and four per cent in Scotland. Parents of pupils attending independent schools pay for their education, and in some cases fees can amount to several thousand pounds a year. Some pupils gain scholarships and their expenses are covered by the schools.
Learning English in the United Kingdom
There are numerous English language programs available in the United Kingdom, which cater for adults and children with varying competency levels.
For adults, there is an endless number of universities over the country that offer varying levels of English courses. For children, there are a number of programs within the school system. Schools may also have special programs to help classroom teachers with the English language needs of
Health Care Services
If you intend to take up residence in the United Kingdom for more than six months, you may have access to medical services similar to those enjoyed by people who are ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom. General Practitioners (GPs) are not, however, obliged to accept anyone as a National Health Service patient, and will offer only private treatment if they believe the patient has come to the United Kingdom specifically for the purpose of receiving medical care. Once registered with the NHS, foreign patients are entitled to receive treatment and prescriptions from GPs, dentists and opticians in the same way and at the same price as other NHS patients.
There is also an extensive private health system, for those wishing to pay an additional fee to receive extra benefits for optical, physiotherapy and dental treatment when they use private health care services.
Living
The 'Cost of Living in the UK' really does depend on each individual's situation. However, often a person only staying a few years in the UK can effectively minimise major expenses, like rent and car, by sharing a house and using public transport. That leaves only a few other major expenses like weekends away, accommodation, entertainment and transport. Usually that leaves you with more than enough to save for bigger trips.
| UK cost of Accommodation |
| Flat-Share Rental per month |
One Bedroom Flat Rental per month |
| East London |
£400 |
East London |
£600 |
| West London |
£500 |
West London |
£700 |
| South London |
£400 |
South London |
£600 |
| North London |
£500 |
North London |
£700 |
| UK cost of Food & Drink |
| Average weekly grocery bill |
£60 |
| Average pub meal |
£6 |
| Average restaurant meal |
£18 |
| Pint of beer |
£2.5 - £3 |
| Average bottle of wine |
£8 |
| Average meal for two in mid-priced restaurant |
£40 |
| UK cost of Transportation |
| Weekly Zone 1-6 Travel card |
£30 |
| Monthly Zone 1-2 Travel card |
£70 |
| Train trip to Edinburgh |
£92 |
| Train trip to Cambridge / Brighton |
£20 |
| Avg mid-sized car rental for a weekend |
£70 |
| Return budget flight to Spain |
£150 |
| Euro star return ticket to Paris |
£110 |
| Return flight to Ireland |
£100 |
| UK cost of Entertainment |
| Movie |
£7 - £10 |
| West End play |
£25 |
Transport
Travel to any city in the UK is easiest on the British Rail system, departing from the appropriate station for the direction in which you are travelling out of London.
London Transport Services
The Tube
The Underground or the Subway is known as the 'Tube' in London. It is fast and convenient (when operating) and allows you to shoot across the entire length of London without a clue as to the traffic chaos above. It is relatively inexpensive and there are weekly or monthly passes know as Travel cards. Stations are easy to come by and usually within walking distance of each other. Because of its convenience the tube is often crowded and can be stifling in summer.
Red London Buses
The famous red London buses are very easy to use and a popular means of transport. They are frequent and, because of the lack of doors, you can hop on hop off whenever the bus slows down enough. If traffic jam strikes, hop off and you'll be there before your bus catches up. The current mayor of London is trying to phase out the old buses in favour of new double-deckers with doors - let's hope it doesn't happen!
Buses link residential areas of London where the Tube tracks don't go, and also criss-cross Zone 1 as an alternative to the Tube. A ride on the bus in Zone 1 is £1.
Travel cards can be purchased that are also valid for bus travel. Travel cards can be bought at any London Underground station or from News Agents bearing the Travel card sign. To purchase your first Travel Pass you will need to bring a passport sized photograph, of yourself of course.
British Rail
British Rail is the above-ground equivalent of the Tube. These trains can be excellent to use if you live out of Zone 1 and just off a Tube line and want a speedier option than the bus. British Rail will take you in to Zone 1, but not far, as the Tube takes over from there for obvious town planning reasons. Main British Rail stations closest to the centre of London are Paddington and Victoria servicing the West and South West, King's Cross and Euston servicing the North, and North East, Waterloo servicing the South and London Bridge and Liverpool Street servicing the South East and East.
If you'll be using this service frequently, you can purchase a British Rail Travel Card.
Black Cabs
These famously shaped taxis, where you can face the other members of your party limousine-style, are a good way of getting around. The drivers know London like their own backyard and you will see would-be drivers zipping around town on mopeds with books open in front of them. They are studying for their Black Cab test. Quick trips in and around Central London aren't too expensive but this probably wouldn't be your main mode of transport.
Mini Cabs
Can be useful because they travel into parts of London, i.e. Zone 2 and beyond, where you will be pushed to find a Black Cab. But be wary of them too. These are not registered or licensed or checked-out in any way. These are the normal looking cars parked on the side of the road asking if you need a lift. They are not metered and you will need to agree on a fixed price for the ride before getting into the car.
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