Top 10 Things to do in the UK

Nearest universities: University of Oxford, University of Cambridge

Back in the south of the UK, we return to Oxford and Cambridge, home to the two oldest and most famous universities in the UK. Both are highly historic and picturesque towns, so even if you’re not studying at an ‘Oxbridge’ college, you’ll probably want to make a visit.

If there’s a traditional Oxbridge activity, it’s undoubtedly punting. This refers to the use of ‘punts’ – a type of flat-bottomed boat, propelled by using a large pole to push against the bottom of the river (the Cherwell and Isis rivers in Oxford and the River Cam in Cambridge).

Plenty of punts are available for hire in both cities. Recommended punting accessories include a boater hat, Pimms and lemonade, and the most extravagantly pretentious book you can lay hands on (for purely ornamental purposes, of course).

Nearest universities: University of Edinburgh; University of Glasgow; Herriot-Watt University

No matter where you happen to be studying, there are plenty of good reasons to spend some time north of the English border during your stay in the UK. Walk Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, take in the view from Arthur’s Seat, check out the beautiful architecture of the historic Edinburgh University, and explore the ‘haunted’ vaults that run underneath the city – and if it’s New Year’s Eve, get ready to join in the fun at the legendary Hogmanay party.

If you’re going to visit Edinburgh just once, try to plan your trip during August, when the city hosts an array of arts and cultural festivals known collectively as the Edinburgh Festival, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world. The two oldest of these festivals are the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which is the world’s largest arts festival.

Over the three weeks of the festival, the city’s streets and venues are filled with an incredible selection of theater, comedy, music and dance performances, creating a party atmosphere that makes a visit to the Fringe an essential part of any study abroad experience in the UK.

Nearest universities: See point #1

Also in August (not bad timing for students, as this is during the summer vacation for UK universities), is London’s Notting Hill Carnival. This weekend event sees around one million people flock to the Notting Hill area of the capital, to take part in one of the world’s largest street parties.

A celebration of Caribbean culture, the Notting Hill Carnival certainly isn’t for the shy and retiring – hundreds of sparingly attired dancers and performers get their groove on to booming reggae, dub, hip hop, grime, dubstep and drum ‘n bass music, played through huge sound-systems.

For those willing to go with the flow, the energy and exuberance of the carnival make it a one-off experience that will open your eyes to yet another side of UK culture.

Want to feel like you’ve really conquered the UK? How about signing up to the 4 Peaks Challenge? This means attempting to climb the highest mountains in each of the UK’s four states (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) within 24 hours.

Admittedly, the UK’s mountains are all relatively small when viewed on an international scale. The highest is Scotland’s Ben Nevis, at 1,344m (4,408ft) above sea level.  But tackling these peaks should nonetheless give you a sense of achievement – and if you’re lucky you should get some great views too.

Of course you don’t have to do the 24-hour version; why not set yourself the challenge of visiting all four peaks within a year? That way you can also spend some time exploring the surrounding areas.

Glastonbury Festival has come a long way since organizer Michael Evis first booked a few blues bands to play on his farm to 1,500 people in the summer of 1970. Nowadays Glastonbury is the largest outdoor music festival in the world, with around 175,000 people joining in annually, and tickets typically selling out almost as soon as they’re released.

If you don’t manage to get a ticket, or would prefer a more intimate festival experience, there are numerous other UK music festivals to choose from. In fact for its size, the UK has more music festivals than any other nation. And for many young Brits, the festival experience (including the almost inevitable rain and mud) is a keenly anticipated annual tradition.

Other relatively large festivals include the Reading and Leeds Festivals, V Festival, T in the Park and Latitude – but there are literally hundreds more, of all sizes and covering all genres of music, from classical through to heavy metal.

The UK is typically represented as being on two islands – the main, larger island which contains England, Scotland and Wales, and the smaller island which Northern Ireland shares with the Republic of Ireland. However, there are lots of smaller islands around the UK, which are well worth a visit, especially if you enjoy exploring more peaceful and rural locations.

Among the most popular islands to visit are the Channel Islands, located in the Channel between the UK and France. The largest of these are Jersey and Guernsey. The Isle of Man, located in the Irish Sea roughly in between all four UK states, is also popular, and there are also many beautiful islands to visit off the coast of Scotland. These include Skye, Orkney, Rum, Eigg, and the Hebrides and Shetland groups.

Some of these islands (such as Man, Jersey and Guernsey) are self-governing, and some are very remote – particularly those off the north coast of Scotland. Visiting is a chance to see yet another aspect of UK life, and if you choose, to get that feeling of having been on a real adventure.

Finally a list of the top 10 things to do in the UK would not be complete without mentioning sports, a major part of life for many UK residents. Football (soccer) is probably the UK’s largest sporting obsession, with some of the most popular teams including Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur. In Scotland the two most successful are Glasgow-based rivals Rangers and Celtic, while the top Welsh team is Swansea City.

Other popular sports in the UK include rugby (similar to American football), tennis (the crowning event of the year is of course the annual Wimbledon Championships) and cricket. But of course many other sports are popular, from amateur up to international level.

Even if you don’t make it to a big stadium event, at least check out your local teams, or get involved with university sports teams – either by playing or supporting.

Ticked off all these 10 things to do in the UK? Next up:

• Eat some traditional fish & chips served wrapped in newspaper
• Go surfing in Cornwall (then try a real Cornish pasty)
• Visit the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland
• Follow the Robin Hood trail in Nottinghamshire
• Go in search of the Romans at Hadrian’s Wall

Find out more about studying abroad in the UK >

UK’s top universities by region

1) East Midlands: University of Nottingham; University of Leicester; Loughborough University

2) East of England: University of Cambridge; University of Essex; University of East Anglia

3) Greater London: University College London; Imperial College London; King's College London; London School of Economics; Queen Mary, University of London; SOAS; Royal Holloway University of London; Brunel University; Goldsmiths, University of London; City University London

4) North East England: University of Durham; Newcastle University

5) North West England: University of Manchester; University of Liverpool; Lancaster University

6) South East England: University of Oxford; University of Southampton; University of Sussex; University of Reading; University of Surrey; The Open University; University of Kent

7) South West England: University of Bristol; University of Bath; University of Exeter

8) West Midlands: University of Warwick; University of Birmingham;Aston University

9) Yorkshire and Humber: University of York; University of Sheffield; University of Leeds; University of Bradford; University of Hull

A) Scotland: University of Edinburgh; University of Glagow; University of St Andrews; University of Aberdeen; University of Dundee; University of Strathclyde; Herriot-Watt University

B) Wales: Cardiff University; Swansea University; Aberystwyth University; Bangor University

C) Northern Ireland: Queen's University of Belfast