Studying in the UK is not only a wonderful opportunity to benefit from a world-class education but also a chance to experience the country's vibrant culture.

Although the UK is relatively small in size, it offers a wealth of attractions. Look beyond London and you will find a nation as diverse as it is accessible and affordable.

UK cities and towns have a rich and varied historical and cultural heritage. For seaside fun, you could head to the palm-fringed English Riviera, or west to the surfing culture of Wales. Great civic centres, such as Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds offer some of the best nightclub scenes in Europe. Further north, Edinburgh welcomes, with its blend of old-world architecture and up-to-the-minute arts, while Glasgow is one of the coolest cities in the country.

And because of the UK's excellent transport links, you can visit all these places easily and cheaply.

Sports

Sport is popular in the UK. Football, cricket and rugby are the national games but UK colleges and universities will have a range of sports teams and clubs. If you prefer to go along and watch, look out for cricket (at cricket grounds and village greens from May to September), international athletics events, golf tournaments, the Wimbledon tennis championships, the London Marathon, horse-racing and the Oxford and Cambridge boat race.

Sightseeing

There are many places in the UK you will not want to miss, such as the sights of cities like London, Edinburgh, Oxford, Cambridge, and York.

Outdoor Adventure

The UK boasts a wide variety of landscapes and an equally wide choice of outdoor fun. Miles of rivers and sandy coastlines are ideal for rowing, sailing, white water rafting, canoeing and fishing. Tennis courts and swimming pools can be found in almost all towns. And thousands of acres of countryside, many of them in national parks, offer ideal terrain for walking, cycling and horse riding. For the more adventurous, mountaineering, and bungee jumping are among the breathtaking possibilities.