 There are four seasons, namely autumn, winter, spring and summer but it rains all year round. During autumn and spring seasons, it tends to get chilly and you will need heavy warm clothes such as Jackets, pullovers, sweaters, vests, waterproof shoes or boots, jumpers, coats, hats, gloves and scarves.
What is equally important to clothing in the winter is to ensure that you have heated accommodation. When the temperatures rise in summer you will start wearing, T-shirts, open sandals, sundresses, sunhats and sunglasses.
For the reasons highlighted above, wet weather clothing should be packed together with jumpers and other warm clothing. An umbrella is also essential regardless of when you visit.
Why UK?
Moving to the UK is a big decision, but you can rest assured that we have everything you need – an excellent education system that is recognised all over the world, many job and career opportunities, bustling cities with stunning countryside close by, but most of all a nation of friendly and welcoming people!
Along with England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Scotland forms part of the United Kingdom which is home to just under 60 million people from across the globe.
So what makes the UK so popular? There are many reasons why people are choosing to study, live and work here. The UK is easy to access from many European cities, as well as having many exciting cities of its own including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and of course Edinburgh, all full of interesting things to see and do. What’s more, they are easy to travel between - it’s only an hour by plane from Edinburgh to London.
Outside the main cities, there are many other towns and villages to explore as well as Scotland’s beautiful countryside whether you are looking for mountains to climb, historical landmarks to visit, great places to shop or a vibrant night life, the UK is an ideal place to live, study and have fun!
UK
These are some of the features of the UK which you may want to consider when deciding if you wish to study, work or live there:
Culture
Note that there are good and bad sides to each characteristic, and there are many exceptions to these stereotypes.
Diversity: There is a wide mix of cultures in the UK. In London there are foreign communities from most parts of the world.
Tolerance: British people are usually tolerant to foreigners, and respect the freedom to have different opinions and beliefs.
Freedom: People usually feel free to express their own opinions and wear what they want. Don't expect people to agree with you all of the time.
Humour: British people have a strong sense of humour, but it can be hard for foreigners to understand when someone is joking.
Cautiousness: People often avoid talking to strangers until they have been introduced, partly to avoid any possible embarrassment.
Creativity: Individual ideas are encouraged. Arts and music are creative. British people are often not so good at working as a group.
Modesty: People are quite modest. They do not like to complain directly: life is peaceful, but when there is poor service it is not challenged and changed.
Language
The UK is where the English language developed. There are more people using English as their first language in the UK than in any other country except the US (the countries with the most English speakers are the US: 230 million, the UK: 60 million, Canada: 20 million, Australia: 15 million, Ireland/New Zealand/South Africa: 3 million). British English is easily understood in many parts of the world. Many people like British accents, although it can take some time for a foreigner to get used to some of the regional varieties. For details, see: English.
Travel
It is easy to travel to the UK. There are flights to London from most parts of the world. You can travel around the UK by trains and bus, although the services are not very efficient. It is usually not necessary for a student to have a car. The country is quite small, so it is easy to make day-trips or to go on holiday to other parts of Britain. The UK is close to the many different countries of continental Europe. If you come to work or study in the UK, you may have the opportunity to experience a variety of different cultures of France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Germany, Spain, Portugal and other countries. For details, see: Travel.
Health
If you are on a course for more than 6 months, you should be able to obtain free health treatment if you become ill. However, the public health service is not especially efficient, and there can be delays seeing a doctor or obtaining treatment (unless you are seriously ill). For details, see: Personal/Health.
Safety
The UK is a relatively safe country. The police do not usually carry guns, and there are strict controls on the ownership of weapons. However, crime rates have increased in recent years, partly due to an increase in the use of illegal drugs. There are pickpockets in busy areas, so hold on to your belongings carefully. There are not many insects, snakes or dangerous animals in the UK. There is very little risk of earthquakes, hurricanes or other natural disasters, although flooding sometimes occurs in low areas. As in many other parts of the world, there is some risk of terrorist attack. For details, see: Personal/Safety.
Work
If you are given a student visa when you enter the UK, you are allowed to work part-time. The cost of living in the UK (for example, accommodation and food) is quite high, so many students want to find part-time or holiday jobs so that they can afford to stay longer. Employment opportunities exist: unemployment is quite low in many parts of the UK, and there are shortages in certain professions such as nurses and teachers. Voluntary work has a long history in the UK and is usually well-organised. The number of holidays people can take is quite high compared to some other countries, and members of staff are usually encouraged to take them. For details, see: Work.
Education
The British educational system has a good reputation. Accredited qualifications obtained from British schools and universities are recognised in most parts of the world. There are courses in a wide variety of subjects, including many which are open to international students. Language teaching methods in the UK are well developed, although the quality of teaching at language schools can vary a lot. If a language school is recognised by the British Council, it is regularly checked to check that general standards are high. For details, see: Course.
Food
British food does not have a good reputation overseas. However, there is in fact a very wide variety of food available (both traditional British food and international cuisine), especially in the bigger cities. There are many fresh ingredients which are delicious when cooked well. However, many busy people don't pay much attention to preparing food well and prefer instant meals. For details, see: Britain/Food.
Heritage
Britain has an interesting history and is good at preserving its traditions and old buildings and gardens. There are many museums and art galleries.
Environment
There are many green areas, including beautiful parks, gardens and public footpaths. There are many coastal areas, but only a few of these have sandy beaches.
The bigger cities sometimes appear dirty and polluted, but usually this isn't bad enough to cause any serious problems for visitors.
Weather
The British weather is quite moderate. In general the summers are not too hot, and the winters are not too cold. Days are short in the middle of winter (it gets dark before 4pm in December), and long in the middle of summer (it remains light until after 10pm in June). There is usually more rain in the west of the country, and more sunshine in the south. Britain is not an ideal location if you want to sunbathe on a beach or swim in the sea, but the weather is pleasant enough for studying or working, especially between the spring and autumn.
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