ABOUT THE UK

United Kingdom (UK) small island country between the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean. The country's official name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The island of Great Britain comprises England, Scotland and Wales, Northern Ireland is the area in the north eastern corner of Ireland, an adjacent island.
The UK is one of the 25 member states of the European Union (EU).
The UK's total population of 60 million is unevenly distributed, with 5 million people living in Scotland, 3 million in Wales, 2 million in Northern Ireland and the majority of 50 million people in England. Nearly one third of the people in England live in the South East (an economically rich area) and in London, the capital.

TIME

The standard time in the UK is Greenwich Mean Time or the Universal Time Co-ordinated during summer. In March the clocks go forward one hour for British Summer Time. At the end of October the clocks go back one hour to Greenwich Mean Time.

MOBILE PHONES

There are two main types of mobile phone tariffs in the UK - 'pay as you go' and a monthly rate. 'Pay as you go' phones cost from £25 (or £10 for a SIM card only).Top-up cards can be bought at newsagent, post offices and other local stores.
Mobiles with monthly charge have cheaper call charges but you need sign a contract with the phone company at least one year. For this you need bank account, proof of ID and proof of address in the UK.

TELEVISION

There are five national terrestrial channels (unless you want to pay extra for satellite, cable or digital TV). These are BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, Channel 4 and Channel 5.

EATING OUT

Fish and chips is a traditional British meal. The lower end of the market is dominated by burger chains (such as Mc Donalds, Burger King and KFC). There are also medium-priced restaurants that offer good Indian, Chinese, Italian, Thai, English and Turkish cuisine. There are usually a couple of vegetarian restaurants in every town and city. Many restaurants also serve Halal food.

ENTERTAINTMENT

Towns and cities have clubs offering diverse events during the week, although these can be expensive if they're not designated student nights. Clubs in town will have a stricter dress code and trainers an jeans are usually not allowed. The best way to find out what is going on in your town is by looking in your local newspapers, local entertainment guides and keeping an eye out for posters around your town or university campus.

Most towns now have a multiplex cinema screening the latest movies. Almost all offer student discounts on production of a valid student ID card.
The main focus of social life in Britain is the pub, where most people meet to talk and drink.

WEATHER

The weather is a favourite topic of conversation nationwide and you will probably hear it mentioned several times a day. The weather is very unpredictable- it can rain and be cold in summer and there are sometimes pleasant day in winter. January and February are usually the coldest months with temperatures falling to zero and snowfall common in Scotland ann Northern England. In summer, temperature can rise to 30°C.

HEALTH

The United Kingdom has a nationally funded health service – the National Health Service (NHS). Students from EEA countries and from those countries that have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK are entitled to receive free healthcare regardless of the duration of their stay here in the UK. All international students and their dependants studying on a course of more than six months are also entitled to free healthcare. If your course lasts for less than six months and your country does not participate in a reciprocal healthcare agreement then you will not be entitled to receive free treatment except in emergencies.

EMPLOYMENT

All EEA nationals and their dependants can work freely without any restriction during their stay in the UK.
International students can bow work without a work permit while studying, as long as they are not prohibited from doing so on their entry clearance or visa. However, there are still some restrictions on the type and hours of work that they can do. They are not allowed to work for more than 20 hours per week during term time. They cannot engage in business, self-employment, the provision of services or take up work as a professional entertainer or suportsperson.
Occasionally a student may have a prohibition on working stamped in their passport. This will indicate that they have 'Leave to enter for/until (a specified time). No work or recourse to public funds.' Check your visa before seeking work.
The best place to look for part time work is at your institution' s careers advisory service, local job centre, local employment agencies, local press, local shop windows and employer stalls at your university freshers fair.
The current national minimum wage is £4.85 per hour(if you are aged 22 or over) and £4.10 per hour (if you are under 22).

TELEPHONE

The UK country code is +44.To dial the UK number from your country dial 00 then the 44, then the phone number. For call to your country dial 00 then your country code, than phone number.