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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
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GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE UK |
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If I fall ill, who do I contact? |
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The National Health Service (NHS) provides you with free and subsidised treatment if you
go to the UK for study for more than six months. If you fall ill, you also need to inform
your contact person in the college/university. You can dial 999 (free) or get someone to
take you to the hospital in an emergency. |
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What is the difference between the United Kingdom and Great Britain? |
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The United Kingdom is made up of the countries of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland. Its full name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Great
Britain, on the other hand, comprises only England, Scotland and Wales. It is the largest
island of the British Isles. Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic form the second
largest island. |
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What is the population of the UK? |
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The UK's population in mid-1999 was estimated at 59.5 million, the second largest in the
EU. England accounted for 49.8 million, Scotland 5.1 million, Wales 2.9 million and
Northern Ireland 1.7 million. |
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What are the UK's main imports and exports? |
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Having only one per cent of the world's population, the UK is the fourth largest trading
nation in the world. Machinery and transport, manufacturing and chemicals are UK's largest
export earners.
The UK is also a major supplier of plastics, aerospace products, electrical and electronic
equipment, and is responsible for 10 per cent of the world's export of services, including
banking, insurance, stock broking, consultancy and computer programming. The UK imports
six times as many manufactured as basic materials. Food, beverages and tobacco account for
half of non-manufactured imports, while machinery and road vehicles account for two-thirds
of finished imported manufactured goods. |
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What is the weather like? |
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The UK has frequent weather changes through the seasonal cycle of winter, spring, summer
and autumn, although temperatures rarely exceed 32 degrees or fall below -10. Rainfall is
fairly well distributed throughout the year. |
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Does the UK have a national day? |
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Yes in various parts of the UK, there are national holidays. Here they are.
Scotland
St Andrew's Day (30 November)
Wales
St.David's Day (1 March)
England
St. George's Day (23 April)
Northern Ireland
St.Patrick's Day (17 March) |
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What is Guy Fawkes night? |
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It's in remembrance of the UK's most infamous treason plot. In 1605, Guy Fawkes, a Roman
Catholic, and his fellow conspirators attempted to blow up the King and the Parliament, as
they disagreed with the King's religious policy. However, they were discovered and finally
executed for treason.
Since then, the 5 November has been celebrated in England by burning stuffed figures of
Guy Fawkes on bonfires, usually accompanied by firework displays. |
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Where can I get tourist information in various areas in the UK? |
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Visit Britain
This website gives you lots of information on places to visit in the UK, and tips for
booking your travel and holidays.
Northern Ireland Tourism
If you're thinking about going to Northern Ireland, this site has some great information
about the history of the country, and accommodation.
Visit Scotland
When you're in the UK, Scotland is a great place to visit. This site has lots of general
information, plus lots of accommodation ideas.
Wales Tourism
For general information about touring Wales, this is the site for you.
UK Guide
For links to UK timetables, street maps, tourist attractions, city websites and travel
books, take a look at this site. |
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Can I claim free medical and dental treatment? |
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If your course runs for six months or more, you are entitled to get free medical treatment
through the National Health Service (NHS). Your spouse and children are also entitled to
treatment. If your course duration is less than six months, you may want to register with
a health insurance company. |
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If you are living in a hall of residence, you will be dining from the regular menu there.
This menu is prepared to provide a balanced diet for you. The kinds of foods you might
expect to find on your plate are: bread, rice, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, etc.
If you plan to do your own cooking then the sky is your limit, most institutions have
well-stocked supermarkets nearby. |
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How do I register with a General Practitioner (doctor)? |
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If your course runs for six months or more, you can benefit from free medical treatment through the National Health Service (NHS). Your spouse and children are also entitled to treatment. If the duration of your course is less than six months, you may choose to register with a health insurance company.
Alternatively, if your country has a reciprocal medical arrangement with the UK, that could cover you. Check with your nearest British Council office. It is best not to wait till you become ill before you register with a doctor, think about doing this as soon as you arrive in the country.
To register you will need proof that you are a student. As soon as you've registered, you will be mailed a NHS card with your NHS number. Consultations are offered free of charge and treatment will be subsidised. |
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Unfortunately, there is a shortage of student accommodation in almost all UK institutions.
Generally, there are two types of accommodation available:
1. Accommodation owned, managed and provided by the institution. This is usually available within or very close to the campus.
2. Accommodation owned, managed and provided by private landlords. |
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Open learning is similar to distance learning. The main difference is that no specific
previous qualification is needed. All types of qualifications such as undergraduate,
postgraduate and vocational qualifications are available this way. |
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Can I, as an international student, take a course at a UK Open University? |
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No, you can't. In fact the only qualification they need is that you should be a resident
in the UK or a European community.
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I have seen the initials EEA on documents. What do they mean? |
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EEA stands for the European Economic Area, and refers to the 15 European Union member
states plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. |
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What are the countries in the EEA? |
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The countries in European Economic Area (EEA) are:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Portugal
- Spain
- Sweden
- United Kingdom. |
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What was the Magna Carta? |
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Historically, the Magna Carta is the UK's best known constitutional document. In 1215,
feudal barons forced King John to agree to a series of concessions, embodied in a charter
which became known as the Magna Carta. This listed 61 clauses setting out a clear
expression of the rights of the community against the Crown. Since that day, the Magna
Carta has become part of English law and established the important principle that the King
is not above the law.
How does the UK elect its Parliament?
Parliament, the law-making body of the UK, consists of the monarchy, the House of Commons
and the House of Lords.
House of Commons
The House of Commons comprises 659 Members of Parliament (MPs), whose main purpose is to
make laws and to discuss current political issues. Election to the House of Commons is an
important part of the UK's democratic system.
House of Lords
The House of Lords currently consists of 669 non-elected members. Its main legislative
function is to examine and revise bills from the Commons. It also acts in a legal capacity
as the final court of appeal. The Lords cannot normally prevent proposed legislation from
becoming law if the Commons insists on it.
Members of Parliament
For election purposes, the UK is divided into constituencies, each of which
returns one MP to the Commons. MPs are elected by the relative majority method, which
means the candidate with more votes than any other is elected.
Voting
All UK citizens, together with citizens of other Commonwealth countries and citizens of
the Irish Republic resident in the UK, may vote, provided they are aged 18 years or over
and not legally barred from voting.
The leader of the political party which wins most seats at a general election, or who has
the support of a majority of members in the House of Commons, is by convention invited by
the Sovereign to form the new government. |
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What is a 'Whip' in Parliament? |
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The term 'Whip' in Parliament refers to all the Ministers of the Crown. The principal task
of the Chief Whip is to manage government business in the House of Commons.
He or she must try to ensure that, despite of the activities of the opposition, Parliament
has passed all the legislation and carried out all the tasks that were planned for that
session.
The Whip also refers to a document sent out weekly to Members of Parliament detailing the
forthcoming business of the House. Items are underlined once, twice or three times to
indicate their importance to the party leadership. |
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Why does the Queen have two birthdays? |
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The Queen was actually born on 21 April, but it has long been customary to celebrate the Sovereign's birthday on a day during the summer.
Since 1805 the Sovereign's 'official birthday' has been marked by the Trooping of the Colour ceremony, normally held on the second Saturday in June. The Union Jack flag is flown on public buildings and the national anthem is sung. No particular ceremony is held on the Queen's true birthday.
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What does 'Right Honourable' mean? |
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Right Honourable (Rt Hon) is the form of address used for people holding the following
titles or offices: an earl or countess, a viscount, a baron, a lord mayor and a privy
councilor. All Cabinet members are members of the Privy Council, the private council of
the Sovereign. |
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