8 Things to Know Before You Come to Study in UK (Culture Edition)

The UK is a fascinating country full of culture and history, which is part of the reason why hundreds of thousands of international students choose to study in UK each year. However, many of them do not know what to expect before their journey. This is a personal account of a few things I wish I had known before coming to study in UK. You can expect to find topics covering weather, pub culture, football, tea-drinking, and more. 

1. Why Talk About the Weather? Because It’s the Only Thing More Unpredictable Than Your WiFi.

The UK is notorious for its bad weather - cold and rainy. We all know that. British people also moan about it. It’s the most common conversation starter. But what gets on everyone’s nerves is how unpredictable it is. You can experience all four seasons in a single day, especially up north. One minute it’s gloomy, the next it’s hailing, and then it’s suddenly sunny. As international students coming to study in UK, you'd better keep an umbrella at the ready, although often you’d forget to do it because the morning sun would trick you into believing that it’d be a consistently good day.

2. Pubs Are Brits’ Homes Away From Home.

If you're looking to experience authentic British culture, pubs are the place to be. Pubs, or public houses, are the heart and soul of social life in the UK, where people gather to unwind and grab a pint. There are a staggering 46,800 pubs in the UK! You are bound to stumble upon one at every corner. Even if you are not a drinker, you’ll find the lively atmosphere infectious. Plus, you simply can’t miss out on traditional pub fare like scotch eggs and sausage rolls, despite the fact that the whole world is collectively rejecting British food. It’s also a tradition for British families to have Sunday lunch together. So, when you study in UK, make sure to pop into a few pubs to absorb the essence of British culture. Cheers!

3. Football Unites the Nation But Also Divides It.

Brits’ overwhelming passion for football sometimes can be puzzling for someone who isn't into the sport or doesn't support a football team. This passion is often inherited within the family. It’s not uncommon to see different generations in a family all have had their kicks on the pitches. If the weather is the number one conversation topic, football could be the second. When people find out they support the same teams, they immediately become the best mates, cheering each other on with a pint of beer. English football fans have never ceased to have faith in the World Cup trophy coming home since 1966. However, they can also despise each other for being born in a place where they support different clubs. If you study in UK, going to a football game can be an unforgettable experience, where you find yourself surrounded by fans sporting team T-shirts and engulfed by the passionate chants of the crowd.

4. English, English Everywhere, and Not a Word to Understand!

When you try so hard to pass your IELTS test and still find yourself lost in translation, it’s debilitating. But don’t worry, sometimes even British people feel the same. There are almost 40 different British accents. Even within London, there are variations in accents from the north to the south, and the east to the west. So, don’t be surprised if people don’t sound like the British royalties or fictional characters portrayed in the media when you first come to study in UK. Before you arrive, you can research the local accent in your region. Will it be Cockney in London, Scouse in Liverpool, Geordie in New Castle, or Scottish in Scotland? Familiarising yourself with the regional accent can help reduce culture shock and make your experience more enjoyable!

5. A Day Without Tea? That’s Like a Day Without Breathing!

Fun fact: Did you know that in the UK, people drink a whopping 165 million cups of tea every single day? That's an average of 2.5 cups per person! This is somewhat baffling because the UK doesn't even grow its own tea due to the cold and wet climate. So why do the Brits love their tea so much? They’ll simply tell you that it’s warm and comforting. The most poetic answer that I’ve ever heard is that it’s like a hug in a mug. The most common household teas are PG Tips and Yorkshire Tea, which were as in demand as toilet rolls during lockdowns. British tea-making is not as elaborate or ceremonial as it is in other cultures. Rather, it’s a daily routine without any fuss. If you ever get invited to a British household when you study in UK, do take their offering of tea as a welcoming gesture. Perhaps you can also learn to make a cuppa from a proper Brit, and in no time, you’ll be able to customise your brew.

6. The Great British Paradox: Masters of Queuing, Champions of Jaywalking.

You would think that if people obeyed society's order, they’d do it consistently. The Brits are civilised queuers. They queue instinctively at a bus stop, in front of a gallery; in the wind, in the rain; round the corners, down the roads. It doesn’t matter if there are no barriers, they line up perfectly in a sequence. On top of that, when they go to a restaurant, they wait patiently at the door to be ushered by a waiter. Paradoxically, they also jaywalk, when there is no car in sight, when they find their companions. Hence, there is a need for international students who study in UK to pick up this life skill quickly, as‘the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives’ (Games of Thrones).

7. ‘Are You All Right?’ Means Absolutely Nothing.

This is something I wasn’t used to. Every time somebody asked me, ‘You alright?’, I felt a little self-conscious, thinking that I might look a bit concerning. Over time, I improved my cultural understanding. British people like to say ‘You alright? (or a slurred ‘y’rite’) to whoever they meet. Although delivered as a question, it is simply a casual greeting. When you study in UK, these encounters are inevitable. So it's best to take it as a simple 'hello' instead of a deep inquiry into your well-being. A casual 'yeah' is usually sufficient as a response; no need for a detailed well-being status update!

8. London VS The Rest of the UK: A Tale of Two Very Different Worlds.

The UK attracts students to its universities across the nation; however, there are different social codes inside and outside the capital. No matter how crowded the train or streets are, Londonders will steadfastly avoid eye contact at all costs and stay in their own bubbles. If you are not used to the fast tempo, it can take you some practice to navigate yourself through the busy stations during peak hours. Striking up a conversation with a stranger on public transport is unheard of. Once you step out of London, it is a different England. The pace is a lot slower, and people are generally a lot more approachable. 

Studying abroad is a fulfilling journey, during which you can broaden your international horizons and witness your personal growth. If you want to study in UK, hopefully, this article has provided you with some insights into British culture. That said, this article only offers a little glimpse of what you can experience during your time in the UK. Immersing yourself in a culture is the best way to fully appreciate it. If you are interested to study in UK, UAPP can make your dream a reality! Book your consultation today!