Living in the UK
Cost of living
Your living costs will vary according to your circumstances. International students living and attending university outside London will need at least £800 per month to cover living expenses.
This includes accommodation, books and bills, but does not include course tuition fees.
People, culture and customs
The United Kingdom consists of four countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. English is the official language in England, but there are other languages spoken in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
You might find that the British have different ways of communicating to what you are used to.
Handshakes are generally used when you meet people or are introduced in formal situations. Kissing and hugging is reserved for family or close friends only.
People expect you to keep a space between yourself and the person you are talking to. Don't be surprised if a British person starts feeling uncomfortable if you stand close to them.
Calling young people by their first name is acceptable but in other circumstances Mr and Mrs should be used until you are invited to call them by their first name.
In the UK it is considered to be polite to say thank you or please instead of just smiling, for example when you order a drink in a bar or you get on or off the bus.
British people are normally punctual. Try to be on time for academic, business and social appointments or meetings.
It is common courtesy in the UK to phone in advance before visiting someone, and to offer to pay when using someone else's telephone. If you are invited to visit a family you should greet them with a smile and a handshake.
When you are travelling by bus, you pay when you enter. Whenever the bus is full, it is considered a nice gesture to offer your seat to elderly people or people with small children.
The British drive on the left side of the road.
British people have a reputation for being reserved, but you should not let that stop you trying to make friends with them. The British are equally reserved with each other and it is very important to respect the privacy of others. You should expect friendship to develop more gradually than you might have been used to.
Climate
England has a temperate climate and there is a clear change in seasons.
The university campuses are in three of the 'sunniest places in the UK' (Met Office, 2011). This means that this coastal part of England is significantly warmer than other parts of the country.
In the summer, people from all over the UK travel to the south coast to enjoy the warm weather at the seaside. The temperatures during the day vary from 20 to 30 °C.
Autumn brings colourful displays of red, yellow and golden leaves. In winter the days are much shorter, the temperature may fall below 0°C and it may snow for a short time, right down the seafront to the English Channel.
In spring, the days get longer again and the summer festivals of art, culture and sport begin.
You can buy coats and waterproof jackets easily and fairly cheaply in the UK, but if you are going to arrive at the end of September or October, you should bring a warm item of clothing with you to wear when you arrive.
We do not have a rainy or dry season – rain may fall at any time of the year but it does rain in this area less than in other parts of the country.
Health
If you are on a full-time course of at least six months, you are entitled to free medical treatment in the UK through the National Health Service (NHS).
The NHS is funded by the UK government and includes services provided by family doctors (general practitioners), hospitals, dentists, the ambulance service and opticians.
Some NHS services are free to everyone, some are subsidised and for some you will have to pay the full cost.
You should register with a doctor and dentist near to where are living in the UK. You can find out more in our health information.
Public holidays
There are eight public holidays called bank holidays in the UK. On bank holidays most offices, banks, schools, universities and a lot of shops are closed.
The bank holidays are:
- New Year's Day: 1 January
- Good Friday: Friday before the UK Easter (March or April date varies)
- Easter Monday: Monday after Easter (March or April date varies)
- May Day bank holiday: first Monday in May
- Spring bank holiday: last Monday in May
- Summer bank holiday: last Monday in August
- Christmas Day: 25 December
- Boxing Day: 26 December
You can find out more about living in Brighton, Eastbourne or Hastings in our information on living here.
