How many of the following questions do you know about the UK? 

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1. How many countries are there in the UK? Can you name them?
2. What is the total population of the UK?
3. What is the capital city of Scotland?
4. What is the name of the ancient circle of stones in Southern England?
5. What is Scotland’s most famous drink called?
6. Which famous attraction in London is named after a part of the body?
7. What is the highest mountain in the UK?
8. What is the nickname for the London Underground?
9. What plant is the traditional symbol of Ireland?
10. Who is the new King of the UK?
11. Who is the current British Prime Minister?
12. What is the name of the UK flag?
13. Where does the UK Prime Minister live?
14. In which part of England do people speak with a ‘scouse’ accent?
15. Which of the following celebrities is from the UK?

• Ed Sheeran
• Taylor Swift
• Justin Bieber

16. What is the UK’s most popular food?
17. What musical instrument is traditionally associated with Scotland?
18. What is the largest lake in England?
19. What is traditionally eaten with roast beef?
20. What is the name of the famous annual race between Oxford and Cambridge universities called?
21. What does ‘BBC’ stand for?
22. In which UK city is the Clifton Suspension Bridge?
23. Which British author wrote Oliver Twist?
24. What is the smallest city in the UK?
25. In which London square is the National Gallery?
26. What is the name of the river that runs through Dublin, Ireland?
27. What name is given to the soldiers who guard Buckingham Palace?
28. What is the name of the flower worn on Remembrance Day?
29. What is the name of the tallest building in the UK?
30. What type of food is called a ‘butty’ in the UK?

There is no doubt that costs are rising globally, and things are no different in the UK and Ireland.  As students, your funds are limited so you need to be smart about where you can make some savings.

Here are some tips to make your £’s go further:

Smart Accommodation Plan

This is probably where most of your money goes when you are a student.  However, it is possible to make big savings so you can spend your money on more exciting things:

• Consider teaming up with friends and renting a whole property.  This will give you the opportunity to live in a larger property at a lower cost.  Because the bills will be shared, you can easily save a lot of money.  It can also be great fun to live with your friends! Give permission to share your email address and your university can group you with other students who are interested in sharing.
• Try to find a property that includes all bills (gas, electricity and broadband, etc)
• Consider getting together with friends to buy a car.  This will save a lot of money on transport costs when travelling to and from the university. And it will give you greater access to places you want to visit!
• Have you thought about homestay in a family house? This is a great option as it is usually cheaper than private or university accommodation. The meals will be home-cooked, and you will have the opportunity to practice your English skills.
• Why not find a place further away from the university?  Rent for accommodation is usually a lot cheaper away from town centres or close to universities.  If you are considering this option, you must check that the transport links to the university are regular and not too expensive.  
• Use specialist student accommodation websites, such as https://www.studentpad.co.uk/to help you find the best accommodation to suit your budget.

Money Saving Tips

Let’s face it, the cost of living is rising in the UK, so you need to think intelligently about where you can make savings. Here are some tips that can save you money:

• Always ask for student discounts in cafes, shops and restaurants. Your student ID card or library card is usually sufficient to get 10% discount (or more) in these places.  However, it’s worth getting a student discount card: https://www.totum.com/pricing(free – £9.99 for a year), as this will get you even bigger discounts and can be used online.  Hey, you can even get a big discount on an Amazon Prime subscription!
• Get yourself a student rail card https://www.railcard.co.uk/16-25/to save 1/3 off train fares in the UK. It costs £30 per year (that’s about £2.50 per month) and can save you a great deal of money if you use trains regularly.
• Always book travel (air, train, and bus) in advance, as the savings can be considerable.
• Use apps like Skyscanner https://www.skyscanner.net/or StudentUniverse https://www.studentuniverse.co.uk/ to check and book flights. 
• Did you also know that flights are usually cheaper to purchase on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays?
• Use a budgeting app on your smartphone. For example, https://www.moneydashboard.com/will help you to keep track of your spending.
• Many bars and clubs have ‘Student Nights’ with special offers on drinks and food.
• Get yourself loyalty/membership cards for shops.  They are free and can get you great discounts on a host of items. They also have ‘special offers’ on a wide range of goods.
• Always check to bottom rows of supermarket shelves when buying food.  You will often find the items are much cheaper here.

Finding Part Time work

A great way to make money and find new friends is by taking a part time job. You can work up to 20 hours per week in a wide variety of roles.  Use the following sites to search for part-time work in your area: https://uk.indeed.com/ or https://www.reed.co.uk/jobs/part-time. Facebook and Twitter are also excellent job finding resources.  Why not give  https://nextdoor.co.uk/ a look and ask about jobs in your local area?

Know your regions

London attracts thousands of international students every year, for very good reasons. Not only does it have a wide range of world-renowned universities to choose from, it has a huge variety of attractions to tempt intrepid students. From amazing museums and art galleries to world-class nightlife, restaurants and shopping, London offers everything you could ever need. Although it’s a large city, finding your way around London couldn’t be easier because if it’s excellent transport network.  Travelling to anywhere else in the UK is also straightforward, due to its extensive network of rail, bus and air terminals.

Are you studying in Scotland? This northern part of the UK hosts some of the finest universities in the world and is situated in one of the most beautiful parts of the world.  Point your smartphone here and check it out: 

ZAYAN SHABBIR KAZI

Course: MSc in Data Science

University: South East Technological University Carlow (Republic of Ireland)

Zayan has been studying for his Data Science MSc at South East Technological University (SETU) since September 2022. Originally from India, his first impression of Ireland was how cold and windy it can be. However, the warmth and friendliness of the Irish people has more than compensated for the inclement weather often experienced on the Emerald Isle. 

Starting a new course, let alone moving to a different country, can be a challenging time but Zayan’s experience at SETU has been extremely positive.  Interactive sessions, friendly staff and a good infrastructure made the transition seamless; helped by an excellent induction programme that included trekking and rugby matches.

Naturally, there are always challenges to be faced when undertaking a new phase in life. Finding accommodation can often be difficult and Zayhan’s experience was no different.  Through his own resourcefulness and assistance from the university, he secured a great place with excellent amenities.  If this sounds too good to be true, it’s also (in Zayhan’s own words) ‘cheap’.

When asked about advice he would give to students about to start their international university journey, Zayan recommends a range of strategies. Firstly, he suggests that flights should be bought at least 45 days before travelling – whether you have a visa or not. He also stresses that students should have the correct gadgets for their course – laptops, iPads, etc. On the issue of finding decent accommodation, he highly recommends doing plenty of research before arriving in the destination country, as this will alleviate a lot of stress when time should be focused on making new friends and preparing for your studies.

Zayan is thoroughly enjoying his studies at SETU and loving his time in Carlow, Ireland. The combination of an excellent university and a beautiful environment is contributing to a wonderful life experience. 

On a final note, Zayan is planning to enrol on GSP’s online internship programme to enhance his future employment prospects.

Vocational education and training (VET) is the second most popular study option taken by a majority of foreign students in Australia. These courses are administered by private or government-funded Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), which include certificates I to IV, diplomas and advanced diplomas that can be studied anywhere between 6 to 12 months. With the growing demand for skill-based employment, VET graduates find jobs with an average of 78% employment rate according to a study by Skilling Foundation Australia.

The most popular education provider that offers VET courses is Technical and Further Education (TAFE), the largest education and training sector in Australia. TAFE qualifications provide an excellent pathway to further studies or the workforce due to its practical, industry-focused and unique learning environment. International students can take advantage of the wide range of courses from trades to business, health, creative arts, hospitality and more.

Many TAFE institutions have recently begun offering courses from the higher education field, providing the same choice of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees as universities. Some offer secondary school studies and short courses to upgrade skills in specific industries.

Why choose TAFE?

1. Pathway to further studies and employment

A TAFE certificate or diploma can open doors to some of Australia’s best universities. It helps students meet entry requirements and provide credit towards some courses in higher education programs. Up to two or three-semester credits can be applied towards a degree, depending on the institution, program, and TAFE qualification completed, so it is important to confirm credit and pathway arrangements with the university. Studying at TAFE can also help students adapt to the Australian education system.

TAFE courses are designed with extensive training for entry into the workforce through its partnerships with over 25,000 established Australian companies. Graduates are competent and career-ready with skills, knowledge and nationally recognised qualifications.

2. Practical approach

TAFE qualifications provide more hands-on learning than a university degree since it focuses on practical skill development relevant to industry needs. Most courses have embedded workshops, training, and work-integrated learning to apply theories into practice. TAFE institutions have world-class facilities and use industry-led equipment to replicate actual work environments.

3. Accessible and flexible study option

TAFE institutes take pride in their accessibility. They typically have fewer and much lower entry requirements than any university. Some courses may also require the students to complete tests, interviews, portfolios and submit records of employment if any. One should note that higher education degrees at TAFE institutes will have higher entry requirements similar to universities. 

Students can finish their course at their own pace. The majority of TAFE institutions provide a variety of study options, including full-time, part-time, block study, distance learning or online.

4. Great value for money

International students can jumpstart their education and career goals with TAFE institutes’ affordable but high-quality education. Tuition costs per semester can range from $4,000 – $15,000 for VET and $6,000 – $11,500 for degree courses.

TAFE Institutions in Australia

Over 50 TAFE institutions regulated by territory governments across Australia are available to international students so they can choose which location best suit their interests and lifestyle. Students can search for TAFE campus locations in the following states: 

• TAFE Western Australia
• TAFE New South Wales
• TAFE Queensland
• TAFE Victoria
• TAFE South Australia
• TAFE Tasmania
• TAFE Australian Capital Territory 

Enrolling in TAFE institutions is a great option for post-secondary study towards more practical, work-based skills to improve students’ employability. With the vast range of courses and levels of study available, students are bound to find a course that fits their needs.

If you’re interested in sending your students to TAFE institutions, talk to our experts or visit the GSP platform for more details.