i-studentadvisor
 

UK GUIDE

With top institutions, excellent teaching standards and world-recognised qualifications, it's no surprise that the UK is one of the world’s most popular study destinations. Whether you decide to stay in the hustle and bustle of one of the big cities, or prefer the backdrop of rolling hills and mountains, there's lots to do and people from all walks of life to meet.

 
 
 
 
 
 

LIVING AND LEARNING

Read articles about living
and learning in the UK
written by educational and
professional organisations.


i-studentadvisor

 
 
 
 
 

"It was really interesting and
helpful to see your company's
resources... You truly have some
great resources for students."

Anna Clara Gervi Pedersen, Student (Sweden)

"I particularly like the page
turning function. Easy to use
and easy to read."

Sarah Cassell, IB Coordinator (Azerbaijan)

"This type of advice is so necessary and useful for our students... A magazine such as this has been long overdue."

Chris Stokes, IB Coordinator (Thailand)

"This material really supports
the research and planning processes
that the students and their
families undertake."

Mark Colsey, Counsellor (Australia)

"Very creative and with
useful information."

Myriam de Molina, Guidance Counsellor (Colombia)

"I really enjoyed the modern and interactive style of the magazines
and think that it is very clever."

Liz Reece, Careers and Higher Education Adviser (UK)

"With each passing day, students everywhere are using technology with greater frequency and ease... i-studentgroup is breaking new ground in getting information about colleges and universities to students, parents, and guidance counsellors around the world."

Peter Loy, Director of College Counselling (The Netherlands)

"I went through some of the magazines on offer and was very impressed. The wealth of information on hand will certainly be very useful."

David Korsah-Dick, Guidance Counsellor (Thailand)

"I believe that your online resource is
a tremendous help to students and
even parents who are anxious about
university attendance."

Lisa Malabogo, Counsellor (Thailand)

"What an outstanding resource! I'm truly impressed, this perhaps is the best resource I've seen for students to identify schools outside going there personally."

Timothy Gartz, Guidance Counsellor (Hong Kong)

"The site is extremely helpful and a very
useful tool for us. Looking forward to
new issues of the web magazine."

Ina Hatziagelides, Counsellor (Greece)

"I truly think you've done an excellent job
on i-studentadvisor. It is colourful,
informative and user-friendly."

Cathy Curtis, Counsellor (Thailand)

"Terrific, fantastic, informative, appealing,
attractive, effective and wonderful!"

Jack Murphy, College Counsellor (USA)

"We recommend the i-studentadvisor magazines and websites to our
students and families as a great research companion."

Keith Layman, Guidance Counsellor (Germany)

"The site was not only strictly business, but also had the type of information that students, and future scholars, want to know about. I very much enjoyed the articles and found it quite resourceful."

Sunny Lee, Student (Brazil)

"I really enjoyed the way the site separates each category. This makes students able to analyse the things offered in each region."

Richard Song, Student (Brazil)

"i-studentadvisor supplements our programme with web resources that
give up-to-date, user-friendly guidelines to make the application process
more manageable."

Edwin Liew, University Counsellor (China)

"The online magazine was not only organised and detailed, but also very helpful in providing a glimpse of what a student’s life would be in college."

Anna Lopes, Student (Brazil)
 

Travelling to the UK

TRAVELLING TO THE UK

It is a good idea to have onward travel to your institution or accommodation arranged before departing for the UK. You are advised to carry the address and phone number of your accommodation in your hand luggage to make it easier to ask for directions or to get a taxi. Most airports have taxis readily available outside the terminal or have an office that will book taxis. Taxis are normally the easiest and most direct way of getting from the airport but can be more expensive than public transport. The UK’s public transport network is different in each area, but usually there will be buses or trains that depart from the airport. It is advisable to research the best mode of transport and book tickets before departing for the UK.

There are a large number of airports in the UK. Here is a guide to the country's major international airports:

England

i-studentadvisorLondon Heathrow

Heathrow Airport is fifteen miles west of central London. Flights are available to/from a large number of worldwide destinations, including Europe, Asia, India and America.

Onward travel:

  • There are coaches from Heathrow run by National Express to over 500 destinations, as well as local buses to central London and to nearby rail stations
  • There are express trains into London, and the London Underground Network also serves the airport - the journey into central London should take less than an hour
  • Taxis and minicabs are available from the airport. A journey to central London should take around 30-60 minutes and will normally cost around £50-55

To find out more, visit - www.heathrowairport.com

i-studentadvisorLondon Gatwick

Gatwick airport is located 28 miles south of London. Flights are available to and from various destinations - the majority are in Europe but there are also a number of long haul destinations.

Onward travel:

  • There are coaches to over 400 destinations operating from the airport, as well as local bus services to the surrounding areas
  • The airport is 30 minutes from central London via the non-stop Gatwick Express, and also has rail links to destinations all around the UK
  • Taxis are available with the airport’s partner - a journey to central London takes approximately an hour and costs around £70

To find out more, visit - www.gatwickairport.com

i-studentadvisorLondon Stansted

Stansted airport is about 40 miles from central London. Flights are available to/from primarily European destinations and Egypt.

Onward travel:

  • There are coaches and buses to a number of local and other UK destinations, including London
  • Direct trains are available to London and the Midlands, with connections available to other destinations
  • There is one taxi service available from the airport to London. Fares are quoted in advance - a journey to London will take around 70-80 minutes and will cost around £80, depending on the final destination

To find out more, visit - www.stanstedairport.com

i-studentadvisorManchester

Manchester airport is approximately eight miles from the city centre. Flights are available to/from many destinations worldwide including America, the Middle and Far East, and Europe, among others.

Onward travel:

  • There are a number of local and regional bus services available from the airport, as well as National Express coach services to most major destinations in the UK
  • There are train services available from the airport to a number of destinations, mainly in the North of England. For other destinations, connections can be made at Manchester Piccadilly station. This can be accessed by train or the tram system, Metrolink
  • Metered taxi services and private hire taxis are available from the airport

To find out more, visit - www.manchesterairport.co.uk

Scotland

i-studentadvisorGlasgow

Glasgow airport is located about eight miles from Glasgow city centre. Flights are available to/from a number of European destinations as well as some other destinations, including the USA and Dubai.

Onward travel:

  • There are a number of bus services to Glasgow city centre and nearby areas. Coaches to further afield destinations can be taken from the bus station in central Glasgow
  • The nearest train station is Paisley Gilmour Street, which is a mile from the airport and can be accessed by bus or taxi. Trains run to Glasgow central, where onward connections can be made
  • There are metered taxi services available from the airport. A journey into Glasgow city centre should cost around £20

To find out more, visit - www.glasgowairport.com

i-studentadvisorEdinburgh

Edinburgh airport is approximately eight miles west of the city centre. Flights are available to/from destinations in Europe and the USA.

Onward travel:

  • There are a number of bus services to central Edinburgh and local areas. Coaches to long-distance destinations can be taken from the bus terminal in Edinburgh
  • There are two main train stations in Edinburgh city centre, which can be accessed from the airport by bus or taxi
  • There are three taxi service operators that can be accessed from the airport. An average journey to the city centre takes around 25 minutes

To find out more, visit - www.edinburghairport.com

Wales

i-studentadvisorCardiff

Cardiff airport is located twelve miles west of Cardiff. A large number of destinations are available, with flights to/from worldwide airports including those in the USA, Europe, Canada and Asia, among others.

Onward travel:

  • Buses are available from the airport to the city centre
  • Train services are available from a nearby station to Cardiff Central and Bridgend. A free shuttle is available between the station and terminal
  • There is a taxi service available from the airport, which runs 24 hours a day. A taxi from the airport to Cardiff Central takes about 30 minutes and is approximately £20

To find out more, visit - www.tbicardiffairport.com

Northern Ireland

i-studentadvisorBelfast

Belfast airport is located eighteen miles north-west of the city. Flights are available to/from various destinations including Europe, Canada and the USA.

Onward travel:

  • There are a number of bus and coach services available to Belfast, Lisburn and Londonderry, where more services can be accessed to other destinations
  • There is a taxi service offered from the airport to local destinations, and a taxi share service is also available

To find out more, visit - www.belfastairport.com

For more information about airports in the UK, visit - www.airportsinformation.co.uk

Travel across the UK

i-studentadvisorUseful travel links

Transport for London
www.tfl.gov.uk

Coach services across the UK:
www.megabus.com
www.nationalexpress.com

Trains in England
www.nationalrail.co.uk
www.thetrainline.com

Trains in Scotland
www.citylink.co.uk

Trains in Northern Ireland
www.translink.co.uk

Trains in Wales
www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk

Last updated: 30 November 2011