Choosing a university to study is not such a simple task to do. There are a lot of factors to carefully consider like cost of living, facilities, learning resources, proportion of international students, etc. There is also a very important question you need to ask yourself: do you want to live on campus, in the countryside, in a medium-sized city or in a big city?
It is common for international students to consider large cities such as London or Edinburgh as their favorite places to go. And indeed, they are exuberant cities – whether in the diverse culture, the comprehensive transport systems or the reputation for the lively nightlife.
But over the last few years, international students have been experimenting with living far from the big centers and, with that, exclusive opportunities and incredible experiences have also been acquired, experiences that even big cities have the ability to offer.
With that in mind, we've put together 4 reasons why you should consider living outside London when studying abroad:
1. Reduced cost of living
Living in the UK countryside means you will save a lot of money, especially with the cost of accommodation. For example, some students in London pay £250-£400 (around R$1,042 to R$1,668) a week for student accommodation, but in Liverpool or Leeds it can be as little as £90 (around R$375 ). There is also the economy in transport. If you live close to campus, transportation will be free as it's usually just a 10-minute walk from your room to your classes!
2. Cheaper nightlife
Nightlife in smaller cities may not be as vibrant as in cities. They are definitely more student-friendly. Clubs, pubs and bars usually cooperate with student associations or societies so that students can enter free of charge. A free evening bus service is also provided for students, so there's no need to worry about heading home after you've had your fun. Best of all, in order to attract students, some clubs have different themes each day. So be prepared to party in the same pub two nights in a row, paying practically 50% less than you would in the big cities.
3. Enjoy the festivals
Most smaller cities in the UK host many festivals. Some examples are Cambridge Jazz Festival, V Festival, Salford Music Festival, Reading Festival, Leeds Festival, Glastonbury, among many others. Music, food and entertainment for all tastes, without exception.
4. Fast and cheap access to London, Glasgow, Ediburgh, Cardiff and other UK cities
Like it or not, at one time or another, it's obvious that you're going to want to get to know the big cities of the land of the spider. And you can, whenever you want, paying very cheaply for it! If you want to travel within the UK, you have three options: car, bus and train. The bus option is the most common, as prices range from £4 to £20 (R$16 to R$83) for a round trip to London. By train, the journey can be longer, but it certainly offers incredible views (from Edinburgh to Dundee or St Andrews, the journey costs on average £8 and has one of the most sensational views of lakes, mountains and the typical British look) . Did you get excited about the tips? Search for a course at a UK university that suits you and contact loveUK (contato@loveuk.org.br) so we can help you study abroad.
