There are many reasons why thousands of students each year choose to come to England to study. Here are just a few :

Improve your career prospects

British qualifications are respected and recognised around the world. Study in the UK and you'll gain valuable experience of speaking English in its native country and demonstrate to future employers your independence and personal drive. Of course, you'll also be gaining the skills, qualifications and experience you need to succeed in your chosen career.

The reputation of a British education is world-renowned

Britain has some of the most famous universities in the world, including Cambridge University and University of Oxford. Educational institutions across the country have earned a well-deserved reputation for high levels of quality and high standards of teaching. By studying in the UK, you'll be part of that educational heritage.

Broaden your horizons

Britain is a multicultural country with plenty to see and do. You'll meet students from all over the world and experience many different cultures. You'll have plenty of free time to socialise with your new friends and to explore the country. It will be an enriching and rewarding experience that will change your life.

If you are not familiar with the British education system, it can be a little confusing. Read this guide if you are not sure what the difference is between the exams, or why and when they are taken.

Students in England study General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) over two years, from the age of 15, and take GCSE exams at the end of this period. These are the final years of their compulsory high school education. At this point, students can either leave school and get a job, or go on to further studies.

The most traditional route for students wishing to go to university is to stay on at school or attend college for a two-year A Level course. This will allow the student to apply for any degree course at any university, providing they meet the entry requirements.

Alternatively, if a student has already decided on a path of study or career, they can take a Foundation course which will give in-depth tuition in that chosen area of specialisation and is a fast-track preparation course for a university degree in that subject.

Read more about :

GCSE

A Level

Foundation

Students from all over the world choose to study in England because of the opportunities it presents.

Upon receiving your offer of a place at Bliss College, the first step for some students will be to apply for a visa. This will depend on your nationality or country of residence, and how long you will be staying in the UK. Please bear in mind that if you do need a visa, the application procedure is time consuming. Therefore, you will need to submit your application well in advance of when you wish to travel to England to start your course. Visas cannot be obtained on arrival in the UK.

You can visit the UK visas website to find out if you need a visa, while the visa4uk website allows you to apply online. For in-depth and up-to-date information, you should contact the British Embassy in your country.

Submitting the correct documents

It is important that you fill out your application form carefully and include all of the required documents when you submit your visa application. These might include photographs, educational certificates, information about your accommodation in the UK, evidence that you can pay for your studies and your letters and offer of a place from Bliss College. Many applications are decided on paper only so failure to include all the necessary information may result in your application being rejected.

Getting used to British life

When you first arrive in England everything may not be quite as you expected - some things may be better, others less so. You are sure to miss your friends and family and it may take you a little while to adjust to your new life. Language difficulty is usually the biggest factor but other things may combine to make you feel overwhelmed. Try to be flexible and adaptable and keep your sense of humour at all times!

If you have any problems or are feeling unhappy, you can always talk to our friendly Counsellors or Student Services staff. We want your time at Bliss College to be a happy and successful one. Read on for tips about how to readjust to your new surroundings.

Climate

The British weather is well known for being unpredictable, so visitors should come prepared! There are four distinct seasons, although these may vary in different regions of the UK, where, for example, the mildest weather tends to be on the south coast. November to February can be cold, and jumpers, warm coats and boots are advisable, as is a raincoat and an umbrella. The south does not see a lot of snow, whereas the north and Scotland are more likely to have heavy snow falls in winter.

Houses in the UK are usually well insulated and have heating systems, so the cold is not always very noticeable indoors. In spring and autumn there are many bright, sunny days, but the evenings can be cool. Summertime in the UK is usually extremely pleasant, although possibly shorter and less reliable than in many other parts of the world. Visitors to Britain between June and September would be advised to bring light clothes and footwear. Below are the average monthly temperatures, rainfall and hours of sunlight in Greater London and the south of England.

Month	Max. temperature (ºC)	Min. temperature (ºC)	Hours of sunlight per day	Wet days
January-March	6-10	2-3	1-4	11-15
April-June	13-20	6-12	5-7	11-12
July-September	19-22	11-14	5-6	11-13
October-December	7-14	4-8	1-3	13-15

For more information about UK weather including forecasts by location, visit the BBC Weather website.

Food and Eating

Britain used to be famous for fish and chips. Nowadays, with the influence of modern, cosmopolitan life, there are many different styles of cooking! Each town has a variety of international restaurants and exotic food products are widely available.

The traditional English breakfast of bacon and eggs is still popular but it is now common for people to have a lighter breakfast of cereal and toast. Lunch is generally “on-the-run” and is usually a light meal such as soup or a sandwich. Evening dinner is usually served about 18.00.

Visitors to the UK will find that there are many different customs associated with eating and that the English may have different ideas about acceptable ‘table manners’ and eating rituals.

Public Transport

There is a very extensive rail and coach network around the UK, as well as local bus services within towns and cities and the efficient underground network (known as “the tube”) in Greater London.

Local bus services operate in all towns and cities. Weekly or monthly ‘Saver Bus Tickets’ are the cheapest and most flexible form of local travel. Prices very from approximately £5- £20 per week according to location.

There are coach services linking all major towns and cities in the UK. Trains are normally very comfortable and faster than coaches, though more expensive. As a student, you will qualify for a ‘Young Persons Railcard’, which gives you a large discount on standard train fares. Ask staff in our Student Service departments for more information.

Safety and the Law

Here are a few tips on UK safety and law :

	Use only licensed taxis with official council plates on the back
	Put your litter in the bin - dropping rubbish in the street is
	illegal and ruins the environment
	Do try to be considerate about noise, especially at night when
	people are sleeping
	Don't carry your passport unless absolutely necessary and
	keep your money hidden away
	Don't attempt to buy alcohol if you are under 18 - it's against
	the law in the UK
	Be careful when sunbathing - use a high sun protection cream
	and don't stay out in the sun for too long
	Look both ways before you cross the road - remember that
	traffic travels on the left in Britain
	It's polite to form a queue for buses and services
	Drugs like cannabis and LSD are illegal - the police can stop
	and search you if they think you are carrying them

Money

Long term students can open an account at any bank. Bliss Colleges have links with a local national bank and the Student Services department will help you to complete the necessary forms to open an account at Induction.

It is best to exchange money or cash travellers cheques at any bank or at a large travel agency with an exchange desk. Your College can advise which is the most convenient. It is better not to change money at a small exchange bureau, usually situated in the tourist areas of the town, because they usually charge a high commission or have a lower rate of exchange.

At Bliss campus you can be sure of a warm welcome from people who are committed to help you, from the moment you step off the Airport.

Arrival

We suggest that you arrive two days before the start of your course. This will allow you to recover from your journey and settle into your accommodation.

Immigration

You should have your passport, visa (if required), air tickets, enrolment and accommodation documents from Bliss College with you as you go through immigration. You must be clear and know where you are going in the UK, which course you are studying and how long you will be at Bliss College. You should also be clear as to where you are staying in the UK. This will assist you to enter smoothly into the UK.

If on entering the UK your visa is stamped with the words "Register with UK police on arrival" this must be done shortly after arrival. Staff at Bliss College will help you with this. They will direct you to the appropriate police station and advise you which documents you need to take with you.

Taxi transfer/airport pick-up

If you have booked a taxi transfer from the airport to your host family or to the College residence you will be met at the airport and taken to your accommodation. A Bliss College representative will be waiting (If you given an advance request) for you in the airport arrivals halls holding a Bliss College sign.

If you cannot find the representative, go to the airport information desk and ask the staff there to make an announcement giving your name and the name of the school (Bliss College).

Induction

During your first few days and weeks we will help you to settle in as quickly as possible. You will have a full induction programme so that you can meet your tutors and other members of College support staff. You can also get to know your fellow students and start to make the friendships that will last a lifetime.

The induction programme can be from one to three days depending on your start date, the college you are attending and the number of students starting their course with you. The topics that are usually covered at induction are :

	Medical, dental and other support services
	Police registration
	Advice on opening a bank account
	Sports and social activities
	Library facilities
	Computer facilities
	Study Care insurance information
	Introduction to college staff
	English language testing
	Meetings with your course programme managers
	Getting to know your fellow students

Security and happiness are not only desirable during a course of academic studies abroad - they are absolutely essential. We have developed an exceptional care and support which is designed specifically around the needs of international students.

There are many staff at Bliss College who are dedicated to solving any problems which International students might encounter. They will ensure that your stay at Bliss is a happy and successful one. We shall keep a close watch on all your work and will report regularly back to your parents to make sure that you are personally part of the success story that first drew you to Bliss College.

Student Counsellors

There may be times when you would like to talk to someone in your own language. We have a team of Student Counsellors who speak all the major languages of our students and who are fully trained to deal with personal matters in a caring and confidential way.

Student Services Department

What ever you need, Student Services staff are there to make your life easier so that you can concentrate on your studies.  They will help you with :

	Registering with a doctor and dentist
	Registering with the police
	Opening a bank account
	Queries about your accommodation
	Counselling and welfare issues
	Sports and social programme information
	Travel advice
	Communication with home
	Extending your visa
	Student identity card application