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Bienvenue au Royaume Uni ! Greetings !
The United Kingdom has one of the oldest and best educational systems in the world. Since the founding of the prestigious universities of Oxford and Cambridge in the Middle Ages, higher education has become more diversified and open to everyone: today, students can choose between 303 universities and more than 20,000 programmes!
To guide you through this academic labyrinth, our experience is at your disposal for all aspects of your orientation, from the choice of your school to helping you to adjust to life on site.
The United Kingdom is comprised of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and Northern Ireland. It also includes fourteen Overseas Territories, vestiges of the emblematic British Empire, which, at the height of its glory, covered more than a quarter of the world’s population! The influence of the “Empire” is still very much alive in the language, the culture and the legal systems of all its former colonies, in particular Australia.
The United Kingdom was one of the first countries to reach the industrial era and is now the world’s sixth largest economic power. The country exists since 1707, when its four territories accepted to unite in order to form one single political entity. As its name implies, the country is the kingdom of one of the oldest monarchies in the world, governed by Queen Elizabeth II since 1953. Many people say that the role of the monarchy today is mostly symbolic and that the political system of the country is based on a parliamentary democracy with the Prime Minister as the head of the government.
Vestiges of the British Empire and the cultural influence of the United Kingdom can be observed all over the world : Australia, New Zealand, Canada… The meeting and the exchange of cultures also shaped British identity and created the true melting pot that the United Kingdom is today.
Sport is a way of life in the United Kingdom, crowds gather in the football and rugby stadiums every weekend. This leads to a spirit of rivalry between some clubs and regions, as well as a strong feeling of national pride.
Less known for its cooking than its French counterpart, the British are characterized by their stoicism, their sense of humour, as well as their affective bond to traditions and their love for tea. However, you can taste some traditional meals: Roast beef, Haggis, Fish and Chips or Bangers and Mash!
The cost of living is similar to that in France. While there was a time before the crisis, when the value of the pound kept visitors at bay, today the cost of living is much more reasonable and the cost of education has become very affordable.
History of the United Kingdom
- The history of the United Kingdom, as we know it today, began with the Roman invasion in 45 A.D. An important part of the road network was created by the Romans.
- In 122, the Emperor Hadrian tried to invade Scotland without success. He built a wall to protect the border (Hadrian’s Wall).
- In 793, it was the Viking's turn to occupy Great Britain – this event marked the beginning of the Anglo-Saxon influence.
- The mythical medieval era started in 1066, London’s population exceeded 30,000 inhabitants and monuments such as the Tower of London were built.
- In 1348, the plague arrived and decimated half of the British population.
- Henry VIII and his 8 women took centre stage starting1509 - Descendant of the Tudor family, he marked the beginning of the monarchy as we know it today.
- William Shakespeare staged his first play in 1591.
- Guy Fawkes attempts a coup d’Etat in 1605 by trying to dynamite the Parliament but was arrested in time. The day of his execution (November 5th) is a British national holiday.
- 1652: Tea arrives in Great Britain!
- Napoleon is defeated by Lord Nelson at Waterloo in 1805.
- The Victorian era began in 1809 with the coronation of Queen Victoria.
- The London Underground was inaugurated in 1861, the first underground in the world!
- The concept of retirement was introduced in the United Kingdom in 1902.
- Queen Elizabeth II, of the Windsor family, ascended the throne in 1952.
- In 1966, England won the Football World Cup (don’t worry if you forget the date, the English will remind you from time to time).
The British society
- Every Tuesday, the British Prime Minister visits the Queen.
- The Queen sends a letter to every British person who reaches 100 years of age.
- A license fee is to be paid to the state for each television set you own (about £100/year).
- The British have dinner very early - generally around 5 pm.
The United Kingdom at full-scale
- In size, the United Kingdom represents half of the French territory - or 243.000 Km2
- The highest peak in the United Kingdom is Ben Nevis in Scotland, which rises to 1.343 metres above sea level.
- Malta is the country of the Commonwealth, which is the closest to the United Kingdom.
- Great Britain is the third most populated island in the world.
Units of measurement
- Distances
1cm = 0.39 inches (1 inch = 2.54cm)
1m = 3.3ft (1 ft = 0.3m)
1km = 0.62 miles (1 mile = 1.6km)
- Weights
6.35kg = 1 Stone
1kg = 2.2lb (1lb = 0.45kg)
1g = 0.04oz (1oz = 28g)
- Temperature
-10 degrees Celsius = 5 degrees Fahrenheit
0 degrees C = 32 degrees F
10 degrees C = 50 degrees F
20 degrees C = 68 degrees F
30 degrees C = 86 degrees F
These laws still exist... Really.
- It is illegal to die inside the British House of Parliament.
- It is an act of treason to stick a stamp with the head of the king or the queen upside down.
- A woman cannot be "topless” in Liverpool, except if she is working in a tropical fish shop.
- In Scotland, you have to let anyone in who knocks at your door and asks to use your bathroom.
- A pregnant woman can relieve herself wherever she wants, including into the helmet of a Bobby (policeman).
- It is illegal to hide information to the tax assessor, however you have the right to withhold information that you do not want to hide.
- It is illegal to enter into the House of Parliament wearing a complete suit of armour.
For further information, here are additional websites to visit about key aspects of the British culture:
News
- BBC : The national British channel
Culture
Music
- Festivals : A selection of the best music events
- Glastonbury : THE festival that cannot be missed, which takes place every 2 years
- Proms : A series of classical concerts during summer at the Royal Albert Hall, London. A MUST for every true Brit
- Brits : The British version of the Grammy’s
Sport
Fashion
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