Student life Life in the UK
Two KICL students near the classic London phonebooths

Life in the UK

The United Kingdom is a hugely popular destination for international students, thanks to its cultural diversity, vibrant cities and highly regarded universities.

“When I first arrived, I was struck by the diversity in the UK. I was actually surprised at just how much representation there was at my College.”

Wallace from Uganda,
University of Brighton graduate

UK locations 

Find out more about the different locations where you could study with Kaplan.  

  • Birmingham

    A lively city that offers a diverse student experience with great nightlife.

  • Bournemouth

    A seaside town known for its laid-back atmosphere and natural beauty spots.

  • Brighton

    An exciting, artsy town close to London, with a beautiful coastline to explore.

  • Bristol

    A harbourside city bursting with art, culture and history.

  • Cranfield

    A rural village offering a peaceful lifestyle and a close community of students.

  • Essex

    A picturesque county close to London with scenic countryside and beaches.

  • Glasgow

    Scotland’s largest city with a vibrant arts and music scene and impressive architecture.

  • London

    The UK’s multicultural capital city with so much to see and do.

  • Liverpool

    A fun city known for its rich musical heritage and sporting culture.

  • Nottingham

    A historic city with a big student community and lots to explore.

  • York

    A charming city with a unique heritage and a welcoming atmosphere.

Food, sport and culture 

The UK has a wide range of sporting and cultural attractions, as well as food from around the world. 

Gray, Cutlery

The best food to try when in the UK 

Fish and chips

Best enjoyed by the seaside, you can’t go wrong with this classic dish, which you can get your hands on pretty much anywhere.  

Full English breakfast

There are many different takes on this crowd-pleasing breakfast, but it typically contains eggs, bacon, sausages, black pudding, baked beans and tomatoes.

A Sunday roast

You can’t beat a hearty roast on a Sunday, served in a traditional English pub. Usually featuring roasted meat, roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, vegetables, stuffing and gravy.

Gray, Cutlery

A snapshot of the UK’s top summer music festivals 

Glastonbury

One of the world’s biggest and most famous music festivals.

Mighty Hoopla

A London festival showcasing the best artists on the pop music scene.

British Summer Time

Hosting some of the biggest artists from around the world at London’s Hyde Park.

Latitude

A laid-back festival in stunning countryside surroundings.

Reading and Leeds Festival

Always a popular choice for UK festival-goers with a variety of music.

Creamfields

A legendary weekend for anyone that loves dance music.

Gray, Cutlery

The top 5 sporting events in the UK 

  • Six Nations Rugby

    This much-loved tournament is played on big screens in pubs all across the UK.

  • Premier League Football

    August to May 
    Games are played across the UK throughout most of the year. 

  • Cricket bat icon

    Test Cricket

    April to September  
    Some famous places to watch cricket include Lord’s and The Oval in London.

  • Wimbledon

    June to July 
    The sporting event of the summer has been held at the All England Club in London since 1877. 

  • Racing wheel icon

    British Grand Prix

    July 
    This adrenaline-pumping race always attracts a passionate crowd creating an electric atmosphere. 

UK: things to know