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'You don't have to trek very far to find what you enjoy. Living in the UK provides instant exposure to diversity and everyone is hospitable. The nightlife is fantastic! There is also a passion for sports – especially football and rugby – unlike any other country.'

The UK is a great place to live and study. It is vibrant, fun and multicultural with beautiful scenery, historic sights and some of the best museums, art galleries and cinemas in the world. 

Four nations in one
The UK may be relatively small, but it is extremely diverse. It is home to 60 million people and comprises four countries – England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales – each with a distinct history and culture. 

Good travel links and student discounts on fares mean exploring the UK and the rest of Europe is now quicker, easier and cheaper than ever before. There's so much to see, including: 

• the capital cities: London (the UK and England), Edinburgh (Scotland), Cardiff (Wales) and Belfast (Northern Ireland)
• Oxford, Cambridge, St Andrews, York, Bath and other historic cities
• ancient and mysterious places like Glastonbury, Avebury and Stonehenge
• natural spectacles like the white cliffs of Dover in England, the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland and Loch Ness in Scotland
• Hadrian's Wall, the Tower of London, Windsor Castle, Caernarfon Castle, Edinburgh Castle, Hampton Court, and many other stately homes and castles
• the mountains of Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, along with  England's Lake District and Peak District
• coastal paths and national parks giving unparalleled access to Britain's beautiful and vast countryside. 

A multicultural society
The UK is a truly multicultural society. In every major city you will find shops selling food from around the world, places of worship for all major world religions, and speakers of many of the world's languages. There are significant communities from the Caribbean, the Indian subcontinent, Africa, Southeast Asia, China, Italy, Cyprus, Poland, Australia, New Zealand, as well as the USA and Canada. 

UK institutions attract students from all over the world, so you will have the opportunity to mix with people from many other countries. A UK education will truly broaden your horizons. 

Student life
Every year 200,000 international students come to the UK, and they all receive warm welcomes at their institutions. From the moment you arrive, support will be at hand at your students' union. 

Joining student societies and other extra-curricular activities
Once you've found your feet, the fun can begin. You will discover that work at most UK institutions is very much balanced by play, and there will be a host of activities to encourage this. 

Many institutions have social and recreational facilities for their students, including:

• restaurants and cafÉs
• pubs and bars
• lounges
• sports facilities
• shops 

These will be inexpensive to use or will offer goods at a student discount. 

On top of this, a huge variety of events will take place on campus. Many activities are arranged by the students' union, and many are arranged by student clubs and societies. 

The students' union
This is the local representation on the campus of the institution of the National Union of Students (NUS), a national organisation set up to deal with student concerns and their interests. All universities and most larger colleges in the UK have a students' union. Every student in the UK is automatically a member and is entitled to a membership card (which has to be picked up from the local students' union) that entitles them to a whole range of student discounts, including cheaper rail and coach travel, and discounts in shops, cinemas and restaurants. 

In addition to the NUS card students can apply for an International Student Identity Card, which entitles the holders to many other offers.  

Students' unions provide a range of activities and services, including: 

• entertainment and social activities
• on-campus recreational facilities like restaurants, bars and shops
• information about student travel, sport and leisure facilities
• information and advice on local work opportunities for students
• welfare advice and information on issues such as accommodation, finance, health and welfare
• fundraising for local and national charities
• campaigning on student issues
  

Each students' union has many posts filled by students from the institution, who are elected to them annually. International students can stand for these while studying in the UK. These range from the president of the union to editor of the university newspaper. 

You will be able to sample what's on offer at a 'freshers' fair', laid on by the institution in the first week of term ('freshers' are first-year undergraduate students). You'll be able to see what the various clubs and societies have to offer, and have a chance to meet other students. 

Things to do off-campus
You will find a wealth of activities available outside your institution. Depending on where you are located – a rural campus might have less to offer – you will find plenty to do in your local town or city. 

Your local students' union will have information about any student discounts and what's on where. You should also consult the local newspapers and listings magazines like Time Out. By venturing further afield you can visit national events and institutions such as the Glastonbury Festival, the Tate Modern in London and the annual Edinburgh Festival.