I need help moving to England?

Question

I'm 16 and a US citizen, and I want to live the rest of my life in England. It's been my dream for as long as I can remember. I've decided to attend a university there, but I am unsure of the costs and which universities are best. I've narrowed my destinations down to either London, Liverpool, Manchester, or Sheffield. What are the pro's and con's of all these cities? What are the best universities in England? And do they accept US students? Please give me any information you can regarding my situation. Thanks!

Tyler

Answer 1

London, everywhere else is small fry.  You'll need to apply to the Universities as a fee paying student, but be prepared London is very expensive, you'll need a few grand in the bank first.

Please don't go to Liverpool.  you'll be sorely disappointed coming from the States and it will ruin your impression of the Uk forever.  To be honest I'd consider staying in the States.  I'd live there if I had half the chance.

Maybe the grass is always greener...........

Answer 2

UK Universities will let anybody in who has enough money to pay.  there were always yanks at my uni, they came for sandwish courses, or for one year-out periods because they made the university a lot of money.  Most of them were thick as p*gsh*t but the money subsidised other needs.  Come to think of it most students are, regardless of where they come from, and universities are only interested in research really, but the students bring in income so they have to look interested.  So, if you have the money, you'll get in somewhere.  But it will be expensive, and London, although by far the best option, will cost you a fortune, so I hope you are a wealthy American!

(don't go to Liverpool..)

Answer 3

this is Britain, not England

Answer 4

London, Liverpool and Manchester, I can understand - but Sheffield???!!!

Answer 5

Don't do it, honestly, I'm not sure where in the States you are but it's better than the UK!

but, having said that let me think of some pros and cons of your chosen cities -

Liverpool - forget it, really.  Crime City.  Full of loud scousers.  Whatever fantasy impression you have of England, this isn't it.

Sheffield - dreary depressing industrial northern town not near anything interesting.  You'd kill yourself in a week.  However Yorkshire people are very friendly.

Manchester - great city, quite trendy now, and a good alternative to London with lots happening, however it's damp damp damp, believe me I come from there.  The weather is a big down side and also it's not really near any good coastal towns, however there are the Lakes nearby which are beautiful (more rain).  Cheaper to live in than London.

London - the best and worst of things.  Multi-cultural, some would say too much so, expensive as h**l especially for a student, but you gotta love it.  I think if you're moving here it's the only place to live really, also near the coast for trips to France etc.  If you want an experience it has to be London.  All UK universities accept oversees students as they are fee paying and it's what keeps their budgets healthy!

Answer 6

CADS is very negative about the whole thing... true, London is "expensive as h**l", and you'll spend the rest of your life making tracks out of there. but if you want to move to England, take the practicality of his advice, and don't let it put you off.

Answer 7

I'm the opposite to you, I live in England but want to move to the States!

London is fantastic, there's plenty of nightlife, clubs, bars, restaurants, and a few good universities. I can understand you wanting to study over here as our degrees are recognised more.

I'm afraid I haven't been to Manchester/Liverpool/Sheffield so I can't really comment on those places.

I would say to hit London though, there are plenty of universities to apply to, and it's a very historical city. You will never get bored as you will always find something new to do.

The only problem with London is that because it is so busy and popular, the accommodation for the universities tends to be quite a bit more expensive than other places, but if it's for your education which will get you a job to set you up for life, then go for it =] good luck with your studies!

Answer 8

Hi Tyler,

I am excited that you are following your dream of living in the UK. I think the universities you have chosen are great. Remember to apply to a couple more (and did you know applications are free to apply??)  Living costs are quite expensive here in the UK, much more than the US. Do you already have funding in place for your studies and living expenses? I know at the moment, the student visa allows foreign students to work 18 hours a week legally. This might help to get some beer money. Of course universities accept US students, just keep your grade up like you would in the US. Here are the universities rankings for 2007:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_an...

I think the cities you have chosen are quite large. There are other universities and cities that are nicer....I also wouldn't rule out going to York, Leeds or Edinburgh....great cities!

Good luck with everything!

Answer 9

I found this, it has some information about different universities:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_an...

Well London is very good for shopping, sight seeing and socialising. There are lots of places to go and things to see. There are a wide range of museums and theatres and the communication links are brilliant. You can get almost anywhere by either bus , train or the underground. It can be very busy and hectic though.

Answer 10

I would come here for a week or 2 first just to see what its like. To be honest I hate it here and I highly doubt it will be what you are expecting. Consider yourself lucky to be living in America, I wish I lived there.

I knew an American student that went to Liverpool JMU but she didnt stay here very long before going back to LA.

As for accepting US students? The UK accepts ANYONE!

Answer 11

I was born in the U.S but moved when i was 11 to the u.k love the u.k but alot diffrent to the u.s i miss my school in the u.s the schools there are much better then the u.k but i think you would like the u.k I realy like it! My sister goes to Northumbria University!

My parents took care of all the details sorry.

Answer 12

Tyler,  do yourself a favour and scrub Liverpool off your list right now.