Everything you need to know about studying and living in the UK (1.06Mb) in this one handy

VisitBritain
VisitBritain works in partnership with the national tourist boards in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to promote Britain overseas as a tourist destination. Its website at www.visitbritain.com provides practical advice on planning a trip to the UK, including information on accommodation, attractions, events and transport.

Direct Gov
Direct Gov provides a guide to the UK public services, including information on crime, justice and law, health and well-being and travel and transport in the UK. Visit their website at www.direct.gov.uk/en/index.htm

BBC
Keep up-to-date with the latest news and current affairs in the UK at www.bbc.co.uk

UK Now
If you've ever wondered why Queen Elizabeth has two birthdays, what a whip does in the Houses of Parliament, where you can find the rules of cricket or just what makes that famous British sense of humour, look no further! Here are the answers to 100 of the most common and some of the more interesting questions asked about Britain around the world: www.uknow.or.jp/uknow_e/about/100faqs/

Weather

• www.weatheronline.co.uk
• www.bbc.co.uk/weather

The British Council and UKCOSA – the Council for International Education – have collaborated to produce a free booklet for international students on how to find sources of funding for UK study. Download or view this booklet here:

• Sources of funding for international students (190KB)
  
  (This link is to a PDF file which you will need Adobe Reader to view.)

Our First Steps guide will help you prepare for obtaining entry clearance, It summarises the immigration rules and procedures, helps you answer questions on the visa application form and tells you what to do if entry clearance is refused. Download or view our guide here:

• First Steps – guide to immigration and entry clearance (180KB)
  
  (This link is to a PDF file which you will need Adobe Reader to view.)

The UK is generally a very safe country in which to live and study.  But as with any country in the world it is important to know what to do if you encounter any difficulties, which is why we’ve put together some really practical advice on personal safety in the UK. Download or view this free booklet here.

• Safety first – a personal safety guide for international students (720KB)
  
  (This link is to a PDF file which you will need Adobe Reader to view.)

You might come across a lot of abbreviations when reading about UK education. To help you unpick the jargon, we have produced a definitive list of all the most commonly used abbreviations (PDF).

UKCOSA
UKCOSA: The Council for International Education provides advice and information to international students studying in the UK and to staff who work with them. All UK universities and most colleges of further and higher education with international students are members of UKCOSA. Visit their site at www.ukcosa.org.uk

UK NARIC
UK NARIC is the National Agency for the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). They are the only official information provider on the comparability of international qualifications from over 180 countries worldwide. Visit their website here www.naric.org.uk