THE UNITED KINGDOM – SINGAPORE STUDENTS’ COUNCIL 在籍英国新加坡学生理事会

Dear Pre-University & Prospective UK-Bound Students,

You have reached yet another crossroad in your life and are considering hi gher education, beyond Junior College or Polytechnic. We understand the difficulty and complexity of making this decision, especially when there are so many factors to be considered, some of which include variety/types of courses, location, cost, and career prospects etc.

To facilitate and help you in this decision-making process, the United Kingdom Singapore Students’ Council (UKSSC) and Partner Singapore Societies from the various UK Universities have come up with a University Write-up and City Guide. The Partner Societies have each come up with a succinct and informative write-up about their respective universities – the facilities, popular courses, student life etc. and we have compiled all of them together in to one single guide for your convenience and reading pleasure.

The write-ups contain information about life as a Singaporean student in the UK as well as the general Singapore student communities in the various universities which you would be looking out for when choosing a suitable university. There are also useful budget tips such as student meal deals that would help stretch your every £! Additionally, we have included a mini-UK Travel Guide featuring some of the major attractions within the UK so that you will be able to make full use of your time when visiting friends at other UK universities and cities.

We sincerely hope that this guide will be useful in enabling you to find out more about higher education in some of the universities in the UK. Do visit our website at http://www.ukssc.org to find out more about us, our initiatives and what we Singaporeans do while in the UK.

If you are looking for other universities that are not listed in this guide, do visit http://www.ukssc.org/partner-societies/and feel free to contact us via http://www.ukssc.org/contact-us/ if you would like us to link you up to representatives from any university or Affiliated Student Organisations (ASOs).

Thank you and hope to see you in the near future!

Yours Sincerely, The UKSSC 14th Executive Committee (2011/2012)

Contact Persons: Leong Shi Wei (General Treasurer) – [email protected] Haikal Yeo (Regional Director - Affiliated Student Organisations) - [email protected]

THE UNITED KINGDOM – SINGAPORE STUDENTS’ COUNCIL 在籍英国新加坡学生理事会 Featured Universities Greater London University of Cambridge City University London Imperial College London King’s College London London School of Economics and Political Science University of Oxford University College London The South University of Bristol University of Exeter University of Southampton The Midlands University of Birmingham University of Leicester Loughborough University* University of Nottingham University of Sheffield University of Warwick The North Durham University* University of Leeds* University of Manchester* University of York* Scotland University of Edinburgh University of Glasgow University of Strathclyde University of St Andrews City Guides

London City Attractions by London Universities’ Singapore Societies West Midlands & Stratford-Upon-Avon by University of Warwick Singapore Society by Oxford University Malaysian and Oxford Singaporean Students' Association (OUMSSA) Scotland – Glasgow, St. Andrews and Scottish Highlands by Scotland Universities’ Singapore Societies

* Contains information from 2011/2012 version **Most University Writeups also contain brief information about the attractions and food recommendations in the respective cities. University of Cambridge

Introduction The University of Cambridge was founded in 1209 and is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world. It is one of the most consistently top-ranked universities in the world, being ranked first in the world in both the 2010 and 2011 QS World University Rankings, and is famous for academic rigour and for producing distinguished alumni across many fields of study, both in the past and present. Want to see where the likes of Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin once studied in their youth? Or the lab where Watson and Crick discovered the structure of DNA? Or just sit on a punt and go down the famed River Cam? It can all be found in the beautiful city of Cambridge.

Academic Matters Cambridge is a multi-faculty university offering a wide range of subjects, and the most popular among Singapore students include Natural Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. That said, Cambridge is also popular amongst the non-science students for Law, Economics, and a range of many other arts subjects. The hallmark of the Cambridge learning experience is the supervision system – it is not unlike tutorials in Singapore JCs, but instead of having a class of some 20-odd people, you will experience learning in a small group of usually 2-3 people. Student Life Cambridge is a university town, with the University making up most of the town centre and population. As such, you will find that most things are a stone’s throw away.

Cambridge is made up of 31 colleges, and all students and most academics are attached to a college. All faculties, departments, research centres, and laboratories belong to the university, which arranges lectures and awards degrees, but undergraduates receive their supervisions within the colleges. Colleges provide accommodation to students, both undergraduate and postgraduates, with most students living on the main college sites. However, alternative housing arrangements such as living in college-owned houses is also possible. Some colleges have a higher proportion of Singaporeans than others, but generally one should be able to find a few familiar sounding Singaporeans in each college. Colleges have their own sports teams and interest groups, and often organise many college events. As such, college life is definitely an integral part of the Cambridge student experience!

Singapore Community There are around 200-250 Singaporeans studying in Cambridge, with a very active Cambridge University Singaporean and Malaysian Association (CUMSA). CUMSA aims to provide members with a home away from home, and organises various events throughout the year, ranging from a freshers’ camp, end-of-term gatherings, Oxbridge games, to the annual Asian Food Festival, where you can enjoy the taste of home despite being far away. The Singaporean community is close-knit and often get together for sports, formal halls, concerts and festive seasons.

Things To Do It is definitely true that the academic aspect in Cambridge is as challenging as one can imagine it to be (or sometimes beyond imagination), but Cambridge students do not study all day – in fact they play as hard as they work. Whether you are an avid sports person, a budding young music talent, or a skilled orator, there is something for everyone. Most colleges have their own rowing clubs, so you don’t have to be rowing at the University level to be able to enjoy Cambridge’s favourite sport. The Cambridge Union, the oldest student-run debating union in the world, is also famous for the speakers it brings each term. Cambridge also has a strong music culture, with music societies both at the University level and the college level, catering to a wide range of players with different skill levels. All in all, activities at Cambridge can be as rigorous or as laid-back as you want it to be, there is really something for everyone as long as you want to be involved. There are also many places to visit in Cambridge, with the King’s College Chapel being one of the most iconic images of Cambridge. Other places of interest include the Bridge of Sighs at St John’s College (they filmed a scene of Harry Potter here!), the Fitzwilliam Museum, as well as the Mathematical Bridge at Queens’ college, which was built by Isaac Newton without the use of nails or bolts.

In addition, being a university town, Cambridge also has fantastic student offers for all sorts of entertainment. Whether you desire a night out partying or simply relaxing in a nice restaurant overlooking River Cam, prices are definitely affordable for the average student.

Food Most colleges have a dining hall that serves both lunch and dinner, and having lunch at colleges located in town is a popular option for many. Many students also prefer to cook their own food. There is a range of cuisine available with well known restaurant chains such as Jamie’s Italian, opened by Jamie Oliver, as well as La Tasca for Spanish tapas. Local pub food offers good and affordable meals. Some examples are The Regal Wetherspoons and The Eagle, where Crick and Watson announced their discovery of DNA. Asian food is also readily found, with Seven Days and Hong Kong Fusion being common choices. You can even have karaoke sessions at Hong Kong Fusion!

Getting Around Cambridge is 50 minutes by train from London, which makes it readily accessible and convenient for a weekend down in London. The nearby village of Granchester is also known for its picturesque beauty and is especially popular in summer. Another landmark nearby is the tourist town of Ely.

Within Cambridge, most colleges are centralised in town and the Cambridge town centre can be traversed on by foot. Cycling is a particularly popular mode of transport, as Cambridge lies on fairly flat ground and has minimal traffic congestion, especially for colleges that are further out. Cycling is sufficient to get you everywhere in Cambridge, including the town centre and most departments and faculties.

Weather and Climate

The weather in Cambridge is mild, ranging from 0 to 20 degree Celsius depending on the time of the year. There is a fair bit of snow in the winter, but it is generally mild compared to many other parts of England. However, regardless of the weather, there is always something to see and do in Cambridge. The colleges are beautiful in different ways, whether covered in snow or decorated with cherry blossoms in full bloom in spring.

History City University London (informally known as City University or City) is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Located in Angel Islington, it was founded in 1894 as the Northampton Institute and became a university in 1966, when it adopted its present name. It is organised into seven Schools, within which there are around 40 academic departments and centres.

City University London is divided into 7 different schools. They are the

 Cass Business School  The City Law School  School of the Arts  School of Engineering & Mathematical Sciences  School of Health Sciences  School of Informatics  School of Social Sciences Why City?

City University London has always performed well for starting graduate salaries (The Sunday Times University Guide 2012) relative to universities in the UK, coming in 12th in the UK. Fees average for international students from £12000 per academic year.

Cass Business School - for business, management & finance (The Guardian University Guide 2013)  1st in London  2nd in United Kingdom Average A Level Offer: AAA Average IB Offer: 35 excluding bonus points with 766 at Higher Level

Social Policy – (Times Good University Guide 2013)  2nd in United Kingdom

The majority of Singaporeans in City are enrolled under Cass Business School, which aims to be the “intellectual hub of the City” by forging links with financial institutions and multinational companies in London as well as start-up businesses. They choose Cass as the school has an outstanding reputation with employers with its career-focused approach to education, which is why leading global companies such as Goldman Sachs and IBM recruit from Cass. There are also Singaporeans enrolled under the School of Social Sciences. Recently, SMU and City University London partnered to offer first Joint- Master’s degree in Applied Finance. Accommodation

City University London currently has 4 halls of residences that are open to both home and international students. To secure a room at these halls of residence, there are a couple of conditions students need to fulfil.

Guarantee Scheme: 1. Firmly accept via UCAS an unconditional or conditional offer to study a full time course at City University London. 2. Send in completed forms for University Accommodation by a certain date. 3. You must be a resident outside the traditional boundaries of the Greater London area. 4. You must be aged 18 years or above at the time of taking up residence in the hall. All halls of residence are within a 10 minute walk from the main campus, Northampton Square. Types of accommodation available range from shared flats to studios. Liberty Living is a third party housing provider to City University London students, offering Liberty Court and Liberty House.

Singapore Community The City University London Singapore Society (CULSS) officially started in 2011. The Singaporean community is relatively small, though we have an exchange programme with NUS, SMU and SIM for Cass Business School. CULSS strives to provide its members with a familiar environment despite being on the other side of the world. Though new, the CULSS has plans to organise several events to help Singaporeans all over the UK to connect and keep in touch. Such events include inter-school rugby matches, board game night as well as the occasional picnic where members can enjoy a taste of home. Things to do in the area

 Kennedy’s of Goswell Road - £6 for a huge plate of Fish n Chips! Extremely near to school, therefore, very convenient to drop by between lectures.  Kings Bakery – Kings Bakery is known and loved by anyone living in the area around Central Street. It has a warm, friendly environment and is extremely generous with sandwich fillers! Great for students on a budget.  Whitecross Street Market – Whitecross Street Market is one of the oldest markets in London, having started trading in the 17th century. It is a busy retail hub for local residents, workers and visitors of EC1. The weekly specialist food market runs every Thursday and Friday and offers a great selection of fantastic tasting grub.  St. Pauls’ Cathedral – Visit one of the most famous and recognisable sights in London! St. Pauls’ Cathedral is located near St. Pauls’ underground station. A large shopping mall is also in the vicinity!  Chapel Market – Chapel Market is a daily street market located in Angel, Islington. Find groceries, bargain household goods as well as reasonably priced clothes! Drop by M. Manze’s for the traditional Pie & Mash whose first branch opened in 1902.  Upper Street Islington – Upper Street is identified as one of the 35 major centres in Greater London. Catch a movie at N1, dine alfresco or even grab a Vietnamese Baguette. You might even see Emma Watson if you’re lucky! We know we have.  Emirates Stadium – Fancy yourself a football fan? The Emirates Stadium is a bus ride away! Watch Arsenal play at home or get tickets to concerts. Notable performers include Leona Lewis, Blue and most recently, Coldplay.

Questions? You can post questions on our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CitySingaporeSoc/ Or email the President of City Singapore Society at [email protected] !

The Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine is well-known for, well, science, technology and medicine. Quite self-explanatory. It’s also famous for its lopsided gender ratio and its geeky students.

JUST THE FACTS

Total student population 14,000 Total Singaporean population 400 to 500

Student: Staff Ratio 12:1 Average A-level entry grade AAA Average IB entry grade 38 Average School Fees Engineering £24,500 per annum Medicine £27,500 per annum (Year 1-3) and/or £39,150 per annum (Year 4-6) Mathematics & Sciences £22,500 to £25,000 per annum Average Living Expenses Approximately £10,000 for 9 months Accommodation £2,800 (triple room, standard) to £9,300 (single room, deluxe) for 39 weeks Food and toiletries £50 per week Travel £15 per week Entertainment £50 per week

COURSES OFFERED

Sciences Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Science, Chemistry, Geology/Environmental Geoscience, Physics, Mathematics Engineering Aeronautical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computing, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Information Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering Medicine Medicine Business MBA, Master’s, Doctorate

RANKINGS

UK Rankings • 3rd (The Complete University Guide) • 4th (The Times Good University Guide) • 10th (The Guardian University Guide)

Global Rankings • 3rd (Times Higher Education, Europe) • 8th (Times Higher Education, World)

A Student Perspective LIFE AT IMPERIAL Life in Imperial invariably means you’re living away from home. While this means all the freedom in the world, it also means more responsibility. Some of you may be used to doing your own laundry and cooking your meals; but for others, this may take some getting used to. All Imperial halls of residence (in which first-years are guaranteed a place) are self-catered. While it seems that cooking is time consuming,you’ll be able to find out whether you’ve got it in you to be a chef! All first-year international students are guaranteed a place in the university’s halls of residences. These are all either twin or single rooms, with few triple rooms in some halls.

Most of the time, we get around on foot, since 30 minute walks in London weather can be very nice. Recently, public transport fares went up and a round trip on a bus or a train will cost you about £4. The South Kensington district where Imperial main campus is located at, is quite a posh area. So, you don’t have to worry about walking home at night as it is safe. However, don’t push it – London is not Singapore.

“But,” you ask, “how will I make friends?” And that’s where the Imperial College Singapore Society (ICSS) comes in. The ICSS is one of the biggest of its kind in the United Kingdom. With a membership of over 400 Singaporeans in Imperial, you’ll never feel alone, especially considering how nosy Singaporeans are. The ICSS is a very active society; if you come to Imperial, your first few months in London, you will be chock full of Society-organized trips and outings, all planned with freshers in mind.

But the ICSS journey doesn’t just start in London. It also organizes a pre-departure talk in July, an orientation in August, and a fresher pick-up service and tour on the day you move in to your halls of residence. All of these are organized by your seniors, who’ve put lots of effort and time into the planning and executing, and you won’t find many better college guides.

THE CAMPUS The South Kensington district is a fantastic place to stay in! There are affordable restaurants and convenient supermarkets for grocery shopping. Nearest to the campus is Essentials, a small supermarket which sells pretty much everything you need for a basic meal. There is also Tesco Express near Gloucester Road Tube Station. It’s got lots more stuff than Essentials, but is slightly further away from Prince’s Garden halls. For those living in Evelyn Gardens, all you need to do is head to Fulham Road and you’ll find a local Sainsbury’s, which is similar to a small NTUC Fairprice. The biggest supermarket in the area is the Sainsbury’s along Cromwell Road, west of Gloucester Road Tube Station. It’s got pretty much everything you need, including toilet paper, fruit juice, cakes, and ice cream. It’s the NTUC equivalent.

Stuff at the smaller supermarkets is generally a bit pricier, but they’re a lot more convenient, especially if you end school at 5 and just want to make a simple dinner. Elsewhere in the area, you’ll find a Waitrose (the UK equivalent of Cold Storage). It’s a little more ‘atas’ than Sainsbury’s, but it’s right next to Gloucester Road Tube Station. However, Sainsbury’s have greater variety.

For those who are too lazy to cook, here’s a list of restaurants and eateries you can find:

Oriental Canteen Price: £3.50-7 Location: Along Exhibition Road, north of South Kensington Tube Station This is a staple of many Imperial students dining out haunts. It’s fast, (relatively) cheap, and you can get char siew, siew yok and roast duck for about £5 here. Free flow rice for rice dishes! Except for the fried rice. You’ll get a funny stare if you ask for more free fried rice.

Bosphorus Price: £5-7 Location: Along Old Brompton Road, southwest of South Kensington Tube Station The best kebabs many of us have ever eaten! £5.50 will get you a chicken kebab, along with a small salad and a big piece of pita bread. It should be more than enough for a normal meal. Don’t forget to try the optional extras (which cost £0.70 more) of garlic mayonnaise or mint yoghurt!

Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) Price: £7-10 Location: Along Old Brompton Road, northwest of the Evelyn Garden Halls GBK is a burger chain that has pretty darn big and pretty darn good burgers. Fun to go with medium- sized groups, especially because you can sometimes get discounts form studentbeans.com or GBK itself for great offers like 40% off any burger, or 2 for 1 burgers. Not so great for dates, because eating burgers can get kinda messy.

Subway Price: £3 or £5 Location: Right next to South Kensington Tube Station, can’t miss it Subway has daily offers and lunch promotions. Sometimes, you may get a 6-incher and a drink for £3, or a foot-long sandwich and a drink for £5. Usually, we take away and have a feast back in college (then pass out in lectures later).

The Sandwich Shop Price: £2-4 Location: Along Gloucester Road, directly west of Imperial College Kind of like a ripped-off copycat of Subway. The sandwiches are slightly cheaper, but also slightly more dubious. What goes into your mouth orange will come out the other side orange, too.

BUDGET TIPS If you’re living abroad, chances are you’ll need to watch your money. Forget about converting into Singapore dollars and comparing it to stuff at home; life in London (and Central London, at that) is simply going to be much more expensive!

The most convenient method of travel is walking. You won’t get (too) sweaty, and it’s free! You can also consider buying a bike. However, ensure you get a good bike lock and chain, because there are people who will cut your lock or chain and swipe your bike. We’ve seen instances where only the part of the bike (the frame or the tire) that was secured to a railing remains; everything else, like the seat, the other tire, the handlebars, the chains, are all gone!

Another option is to go for the Barclay’s Cycle for Hire. It’s quite convenient, in that you don’t have to always look out for your bike, but there are other complications that arise from it, like looking for a parking spot. Remember that cycling in London means cycling on the roads. If you’re not confident, don’t try it! And always wear a bike helmet when cycling.

If you’re living in halls, consider meeting up with the other Singaporeans and form a cooking group of 4-6 people. This way, you can share groceries, which normally ends up being much cheaper, and you don’t have to cook every day. It’s very comforting to have a family of sorts, where you relax and complain about your day and practice your Singlish with other Singaporeans.

For more information, visit the ICSS website at http://www.union.ic.ac.uk/osc/singapore/. You may contact the secretary of the Society at [email protected] with any queries you have, or the president ([email protected]) or vice-president ([email protected]).

2012 UNIVERSITY & CITY GUIDE

ABOUT KING’S King's College London was founded by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington (then Prime Minister) in 1829 as a university college in the tradition of the Church of England. It now welcomes staff and students of all faiths and beliefs.

The College has grown and developed through mergers with several institutions who have their own distinguished histories. These include the United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals; Chelsea College, Queen Elizabeth College, and the Institute of Psychiatry. ADMISSION Qualifications: Students can apply with their A-levels or International Baccalaureate Diplomas. Polytechnic Diplomas are also recognised for most courses.

For students who apply with Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Levels, typically three H2 subjects are required, while an additional H1 subject is required in some cases. A H2 subject will be equivalent to a full A-level subject, while a H1 will be the equivalent to an AS level. Knowledge and Inquiry (KI) is generally accepted as one of the three subjects, but General Studies/Paper is not.

For students who apply with International Baccalaureate Diplomas, the estimated IB cut off points for respective courses are indicated on the prospectuses provided by King’s College London.

English Language Requirements: For students who are in the Integrated Programme (IP) that are applying for undergraduate studies, the need for an English Language Requirement Test such as IELTS will be waived if the Record of Achievement is provided through UCAS.

Important Deadline: UCAS Application Deadline (Medicine or Dentistry): 15th October 2012 UCAS Application Deadline (Others): 15th January 2013 KING’S COLLEGE LONDON

1 Produced By: King’s College London Malaysian & Singaporean Society (KCLMSS) WHY KING’S?

Besides being one of the top UK universities consistently over the past few years, King's College London students experience a variety of innovative teaching styles that train students how to think, not what to think. KCL fosters an enriching and stimulating learning environment, where students work alongside world-class academics and gifted and talented students from all walks of life. In today’s competitive world, everybody needs to have an edge and King’s has an enviable reputation for making sure our graduates are sought after by some of the world's most prestigious employers across a range of careers. King's graduates enjoy one of the best employment rates and starting salaries in the UK (ranked 3rd for graduate-level jobs and 5th for highest starting salaries in the 2012 Sunday Times University Guide).

Choosing King’s means choosing a university where staff and students work hard to achieve and sustain high standards of academic excellence. But working hard isn’t the only thing King’s is good at: it’s a friendly place too, with a great students’ union and lots going on.There is always something happening around University or in the name of the University, be it a theatre production or a pub crawl. There are almost every possible clubs, sports and societies available for students to join, and if there isn’t one that you are looking for? Simply submit a proposal to KCL Student Union to set up the society that you wish! Like the recently formed KCL Coffee & Tea Society.

SINGAPOREANS IN KING’S

At present, we have approximately 250 Singaporeans in both Undergraduate and Graduate degree courses. A significant number of those Singaporeans are in Law and Medicine. Of course, there are also Singaporeans in courses such as War Studies, Geography, English Literature, Music and Pharmacy. There is also a King’s College London Malaysian and Singaporean Society (KCLMSS) at the University for Singaporeans to join and mingle at events organized by the society. Fret not when there are plenty of opportunities for you to meet fellow Singaporeans 10847km away from home. Due to the huge number of Singaporeans in a variety of courses, Freshers need not worry about not having someone in their course. There will always be someone to help you out or advise you on anything ranging from academic concerns to accommodation queries. Furthermore, there will also be an orientation programme in Singapore before everyone jets off to London, a time for freshers to meet fellow freshers and also for them to pose questions to seniors who will be around at the orientation programme.

2 For threatre enthusiast, KCLMSS will provide you with the platform to express your creativity. The society had its first encounter with the theatre in 1990, when Yeo Joon Han, now an award-winning indie film director, wrote, directed and acted in an original production about the Malaysian New Economic Policy. The society’s musical culture was revived in 2007, and since then we have produced 5 more musicals: “Merdeka: The Rock Musical” (2007), “Beauty World” (2008), “Love Song For No One” (2009), “In Pursuit” (2010) and “Uniform” (2011). Regardless whether you can sing, dance or act, everyone is invited to join in this production.

LIVING IN LONDON

London is a multi-faceted city, full of opportunities for you as a student to make the most of the capital. London is a global hub for cultural, business, political, media, legal and sporting events which attracts the best from around the world. Prospective students may be put off by the city’s large scale and population; but London is a city made up of many towns, each with their own characteristics and hidden gems - there really is something here for everyone.

The classic university conundrum when it comes to considering London is:

A Campus university or a City university?

The great thing about studying in London is that you are not confined to a campus or your own University; there are always different people to meet and mingle around with. Yes, I am aware of the stereotyped University image with sprawling lawns and students strolling around their campus in great weather or having a quick game of football or Frisbee in that great weather that movies always depict, but we DO have the Hyde Park or any one of the city parks for that too.

3 The benefits of a city campus university is mobility, being not confined to the campus of your own university, there will also be opportunities to mingle with students from other London universities such as Imperial College London, University College London or London School of Economics. Due to the sheer number of Singaporeans in London, you won’t feel out of place or foreign in London at all as you will always hear that distinct Singaporean accent being spoken as you walk to school or go out to buy lunch.

London practically caters to every need and whim. For the football fanatics, you can be watching a football match at the Emirates Stadium one weekend and touring Stamford Bridge Stadium on the next. The thrill of watching a football match live at the stadium that you could only watch from in front of the television back in Singapore is exhilarating (even if it is not the team you support I have to say).

For the Theatre/Musical enthusiast, you will have a never-ending list of musical and theatre productions to attend for over the entire duration of your course. From The Lion King to Wicked, most of the productions are long running, and you never have to rush for tickets like back in Singapore where they only show for a limited time only.

For the Music Lovers, there are always international music artistes and bands performing at London’s Wembley Arena or the o2 Arena. On the rare occasion that your favourite band is not performing in London, you can easily hop on the national rail network and get to the city where they are without much inconveniences.

London itself offers its own education with a wealth of museums, universities and institutes which will allow you to extend your learning beyond campus. It is indeed difficult to find a reason not to like London.

QUESTIONS?

You can post questions on: KCLMSS Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2203437124/ Or email the KCLMSS Executive Committee using the emails listed on the KCLMSS website http:// www.kclmss.com/

4

University of Oxford

The University of Oxford is the oldest surviving English-speaking university, and is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in the world. Its organisational and teaching structure is rather different from most other universities as it is a collegiate university – there is a central administration as well as 38 colleges and 6 permanent private halls that are self-governing. Issues like accommodation and catering are done at the college level, and many recreational activities are organised by the Junior Common Room (JCR) committee or the individual societies from each college.

The academic year of the University of Oxford is split into three terms of eight weeks each, with a rigorous syllabus cramped into the short teaching time available and continuous preparation expected throughout the holidays. Lectures are held by the academic departments for all students taking the same course, whereas tutorials usually involve groups of 2-4 students at a time from a particular college. Most undergraduate degrees awarded are three-year Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees, but science and engineering courses span four years, culminating in a Masters degree. By tradition, BAs are eligible to be upgraded into an MA after seven years from matriculation with a nominal fee.

There are many unique traditions to Oxford. Academic dress such as gowns are LSE Library compulsory for examinations and for some colleges’ formal dinners. Latin is the language of choice during the matriculation ceremony as well as for grace during formal dinners.

Oxford Town

Oxford was established and developed much earlier than many other towns in the UK, hence the architecture of the buildings is more ancient and much grander. Another unique fact is that the town is built around the university (or vice versa); there is no ‘campus’ per se, but instead buildings and private houses scattered everywhere that are owned by the university (or one of its constituent colleges). Each college has its own line of history and famous alumni, and is open to the public on weekends. It is possible to travel around on foot in Oxford, but many students staying further from the town centre choose to cycle to save time.

Singaporean Population

The Singaporean population in Oxford make up one of the larger international societies, with around 40 undergraduates per undergraduate batch as well as a number of graduate students as well. The Singaporean Society (OUMSSA or Oxford University Malaysian and Singapore Students Association) provides information and support by regularly organising various activities to foster interaction and bonding, as well as opportunities to meet Singaporean leaders from the private and public sectors. While many Singaporeans have British and other international friends, they typically like to hang out with each other over a cup of coffee or a meal in an Asian restaurant, or study together in the library. Singaporeans also have a tradition of inviting each other to their college’s formal dinners, making it a point to try as many different formals as possible.

A Very Brief History

ññ Founded in 1826, the first in London, and the oldest and largest constituent college of the University of London

ññ The first university in England to be established on an entirely secular basis, and admit students regardless of their religion and gender

ññ Known as “London's Global University”

and boasts a large proportion of The UCL Main Quad international students for a diverse university experience

ññ Notable alumni include Mahatma Gandhi, Francis Crick, Alexander Graham Bell, Christopher Nolan, the whole of Coldplay, Chaim Herzog and Chao Hick Tin

Academic Rankings

ññ Currently ranks 7th in the world on the QS World University Rankings (ranked 4th in 2010 and 2009)

ññ Individual faculty rankings are also extremely impressive

ññ Boasts a wide range of courses and faculties – you can easily obtain a free hard copy of the undergraduate prospectus online (www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate-study/form-request)

ññ UCL graduates are extremely employable, and there are numerous career and networking events with potential employers for graduate employment and internship opportunities

Tuition Fees

Most Arts, Humanities and Social Science courses; Law; Mathematics and £13,410.00 Statistics Most Science and Engineering courses; Archaeology; Fine Art; Built £17,560.00 Environment and Architecture courses Medicine £26,190.00 Fees quoted are the 2011/12 figures

Student Life from a Singaporean Perspective

The City ññ UCL is located in the heart of London, and it is really as central as you can get

ññ The campus consists of the iconic main quad and

many decentralised faculty buildings which are located nearby

ññ A short walk to Oxford Street, Tottenham Court Road, Chinatown, and several tube and train stations (Euston, Euston Square, Russell Square)

ññ Most students live within 5 to 10 minutes from a good plate of char kway teow or hor fun, which can be really good even by Singaporean standards!

ññ UCL students live where the action is, in one of the world's most bustling cities, and will never be bored – there's something for everyone:

ññ There are musicals for the arty, football matches for the sporty, shopping for the stylish, museums for the history and art buffs, good food for the hungry, and you'll UCL SingSoc batch photo of 2011 be hard pressed to find anything that can top what you can find here in London for any of these categories!

ññ The area of Bloomsbury (in which UCL and most student residences are located) is also reasonably safe, and comparatively much safer than many other areas in the city

ññ Well-equipped student accommodation by UCL and the University of London, most of which are well within the vicinity of the campus

ññ An unofficial student accommodation guide by the UCL Singapore Society is also available to prospective Singaporean students

Weather & Climate ññ Approximately 12-23°C in summer, 6-18°C in autumn and spring, 0-8°C in winter

ññ Really not as rainy as most people are led to believe (far less rainy than Singapore!)

ññ Living in London is relatively warmer compared to other regions of the UK, as the cold winter winds are far less treacherous in the city

UCL Singapore Society ññ UCL is notable for a very strong, supportive and active Singaporean community

ññ Singaporeans comprise the second largest group of international students in UCL, currently 450 in total

ññ An active social calendar organised by the UCL SingSoc

ññ Expect a variety of fun events such as boat parties, plays and musicals, movie nights, dinners, sports matches, celebrations of Singaporean festivals, bar events and a Freshers' Camp

ññ Prospective students with any queries should feel free to contact the President of the UCL Singapore Society, Mr Ashley Ong (E-mail: [email protected], Facebook: www.facebook.com/ashleyong)

The University of Exeter received its Royal Charter and became the freestanding University it is today in 1955. The St. Luke’s College of Education was incorporated in 1978 and in the year 2000, the Peninsula Medical School was established, in partnership with the University of Plymouth and the National Health Services in the region. The University of Exeter Cornwall Campus (Tremough) was opened near Falmouth in 2004.

The University of Exeter now has three campuses (Streatham, St. Luke’s and Tremough) with the Streatham and St .Luke’s campuses based in the city of Exeter, Devon.

Academics The University is part of the 1994 Group of Universities, making it one of the nineteen internationally renowned research-intensive universities in Britain. Exeter has consistently been placed among the top-tier universities in the country, coming in 10th in the Times Good University Guide and 11th in the Guardian league table.

It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses with a diverse range of combined and joint honours programmes as well. Majority of the courses are held at the Streatham Campus. Medicine, dentistry, clinical science, sport sciences and health sciences are held at the St. Luke’s Campus. The bulk of Singaporeans are enrolled in the School of Law and Business School.

The UoE attracts applicants from all over the world, where about 25% of the students are International students, lending to a truly global experience one can expect from their time at this University. Sports The Athletic Union (AU) is responsible for administering all aspects of Sports Club activity at the University. There are currently 49 sports clubs, ranging from Archery to Windsurfing. The sports societies also perform well in the British Universities & Colleges Sports (BUCS) competitions. The University is expected to finish 6th in the overall 2011- 2012 rankings, with strong performances by the Hockey, Tennis, Lacrosse and Rugby Union teams.

The University has recently announced a plan for an £8 million investment in sport. The new facilities at the Streatham Campus will include a state-of-the-art health and fitness suite, new studios for exercise classes and upgraded tennis and netball courts, making the UoE home to one of the largest indoor tennis centres in the United Kingdom.

Student Life @ Exeter

Getting Around Accommodation

The Exeter city centre is just a 10-minute All first year students are guaranteed walk from Streatham Campus and a 15- university accommodation. The newly built minute walk from St. Luke’s Campus. Lafrowda accommodation is a short 5- There are also frequent buses from High minute walk from the main Academic Street to the University with stops at buildings. Other student accommodations different student accommodations along are at most, a 20-minute walk form the the way. main campus.

The accommodation for St.Luke’s students is at most a 15-minute walk from campus. Shopping and Food Exeter is home to the Princesshay Shopping Mall, which houses 60 shops and seven restaurants. Top Shop/Topman, River Island, Gap and HMV can all be found within these shopping premises.

There are also a few Asian grocery stores available in Exeter, to cater to the large number of international students who attend the University every year. Favourites such as Milo and Maggi Mee are readily available as well as a wide variety of sauces and spices.

There are also many little restaurants serving Chinese, Lebanese, Thai and Indian cuisines. at affordable prices, with a number of them offering delivery options as well.

Places to See The Exeter Cathedral is the city’s main attraction and is a very beautiful gothic building. It lays claim to having the longest unbroken stone beam of any building in the world. The Cathedral holds frequent Choir and Orchestra performances throughout the year.

The Royal Albert Memorial Museum re-opened its doors on 15th December 2011 after a re-development project. The new museum maintains its original Victorian splendor while adding new architectural features and is home to collections ranging from Fine Art to Zoology.

Little towns such as Topsham and Exmouth are a short train ride away from Exeter. Broadway House is a Bed & Breakfast located in Topsham and is known for their award winning cream teas. Beautiful beaches can be found in Exmouth, which is a favourite destination for students and families in Exeter during the Spring and Summer seasons. Bigger cities like Bristol and Cardiff are also a convenient drive away from Exeter. UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON About the University The University of Southampton is part of the Russell Group of universities, a collaboration of 20 UK Universities that are highly regarded in research. It is also ranked number 14 in the University League tables. The origins of the University can be dated back to the founding of the Hartley Institution in 1862 by Henry Robertson Hartley and is currently rated as the top 10 in the National Student Survey.

The Campus The University has 4 campuses in Southampton and 1 in Winchester. The main campus situated in Highfield which houses the main student facilities such as the Jubilee Sports Centre, the Students' Union, the Hartley Library, a range of cafés and restaurants, a bookshop, a post office and four major banks. Avenue campus provides a purpose built environment for the School of Humanities along with the Centre for Language Study. The Southampton General Hospital is one of the country's leading teaching hospitals and the base for the University's School of Medicine. Last but not least, the Winchester School of Arts is located 12 miles north of Southampton; in the historic city of Winchester, a short journey by train or bus. Its purpose-designed buildings include specialist art and design studios, workshops and a library with special collections.

The Student Union The Student Union is located in the Highfield Campus and houses a cinema, a nightclub, various restaurants and activity rooms. The student union is very active with events taking place throughout the year. There is also a union shop where you can get university merchandise, food and stationeries at discounted prices.

Popular Courses The top 3 popular courses amongst Singaporeans are Law, Podiatry and Medicine, with a handful studying Engineering and Accounting. The University’s Law and Medicine programs are well recognized by the respective professional bodies in Singapore. There is also a strong international community of more than 5000 international students in the University, allowing one to engage with a myriad of different people and learn about their cultures.

The Singapore Society The Singapore Society is a closed-knit Singaporean community that aims to create a “home away from home”. It connects members through various activities and socials organized throughout the year. Our annual activities include a summer chalet and orientation program for Freshers to bond with current students. We also organize Christmas parties, Chinese New Year celebrations, shopping trips to nearby Portsmouth among others. We currently have approximately 50 members comprising mainly of Singaporeans and Malaysians. The University of Southampton’s Singapore Society can be contacted at [email protected].

Halls

There are various halls all

over the town of Southampton to cater to the needs of students. The nearest halls to the University are Glen Eyre Halls and Wessex Lane Halls while the furthest is Orion's Point which is in the heart of the city centre. Rooms in these halls range from standard rooms to premium rooms. Further, the University guarantees accommodation in halls for international students during their full course of study.

Student Life in Southampton Southampton is a student-oriented town with shops catering to the student crowd through special sales and discounts. The University is conveniently located 15 minutes away from the city centre and 5 minutes away from Portswood high street, which houses many restaurants, takeaways and shops like Sainsbury, Waitrose and Farmfoods for your groceries and daily necessities.

The nightlife here is always buzzing with various socials. In order to cater to the large student population in Southampton, cover charges and drinks are considered one of the lowest in UK. There is also a wide variety of clubs and pubs which are easily accessible by the Uni-link Bus.

Getting Around

Getting around Southampton is really easy

and convenient as the University runs an award-winning bus service “Uni-link”, which runs throughout the day at frequent intervals of 10 minutes. As long as you are living in one of the Southampton halls, you get the free bus pass for the year.

Southampton is also well connected by the rail system to other cities in the UK, with direct trains going all the way up to Newcastle. It is only an hour and a half away from London, making it a frequent weekend getaway for most Singaporeans who miss the hustle and bustle of the city life.

Shopping and Eating Southampton's city centre consists of a few shopping malls such as Westquay and Marlands, as well as a few large retail buildings like Ikea and Asda. You can find most of the high street labels such as Topshop, River Island, Hollister in Westquay and if you prefer affordable fashionable finds, there is Primark just round the corner. We often head to Portsmouth, a half hour train ride away, for some factory outlet shopping at shops like Ralph Lauren, Ted Baker etc.

Due to the large Asian community in Southampton, it is very easy to find decent Asian food all over Southampton. Also, being one of the main docks on the south coast, Southampton has developed an area called Ocean Village which boasts a few posh restaurants by the sea. Pubs are located island wide in Southampton but one of our favourites is “The Cowherds”, a pub that was historically the Titanic captain’s favourite.

Weather/Climate Southampton has one of the best weathers in UK. Being located along the southern coast, it has relatively warmer temperatures and sunnier days. However, winters can still be chilly and the wind tends to get pretty strong at times so warm clothing is very much a necessity. Places of Interest There are countless parks in every corner of Southampton such as The Commons, Riverside Park and Mayflower Park to name a few. These parks boast huge areas for recreational activities for everyone that ranges from soccer to watching flocks of swans float by.

One of the popular places in Southampton is Town Quay where you

could watch the sunset as ferries enter

the famous docks where Titanic once

sailed from. Southampton is connected

to the Isle of Wight by a half an hour ferry for pretty beaches, quaint little shops and beautiful views to be enjoyed on the island. You could also visit Bath and Stonehenge for a day trip.

The New Forest National Park is one of the biggest forests in the Hampshire region which is surrounded by small villages. New Forest is also a common sight for wildlife such as horses, cattle and deer (to name a few) that graze the woodlands freely. You can never get bored in New Forest with activities like cycling, horse riding and feeding of the animals to engage in.

Should you require more information about studying in the University of Southampton, please do not hesitate to contact the Singapore Society at [email protected].

University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham is a traditional British redbrick university that is part of the prestigious Russell Group of research universities and a founding member of Universitas 21. It has attracted students from more than 150 countries worldwide, making up one of the largest international student community in the United Kingdom. With the latin motto Per Ardua Ad Alta (translated as: Through efforts to high things), the university strives to push the boundaries of knowledge and develop great minds, moulding youths into independent thinkers that are capable of giving back to the

society.

Birmingham City Birmingham is coined as the heart of England- literally located in the Midlands, it is home to three universities and two university colleges. A buzzing city empowered by youth, its vibrant city lifestyle is what that makes it attractive to students from all around the globe.

Student Living

Housing is provided for first-year students and it consists of three villages named the Vale Village, Pritchatts Park Village and Selly Oak Village; creating a safe, welcoming and sociable environment for students who are living away from home for the first time. Each village is made up of different halls and is home to approximately 3000 students during the school term. It is self-contained, and has basic amenities such as the laundry room.

Singapore Society

The Singapore Society is a student body that functions as a platform for all the Singaporeans living or studying in Birmingham to gather. It also provides support for all students studying in the University of Birmingham. The Singapore Society aim to foster a greater bonding of the Singaporeans living in Birmingham through hosting monthly socials and activities. Activities include chinese new year dinner and baking events.

Shopping

Birmingham is also home to the Bullring, which is the glamorous heart of Birmingham. It is THE shopping destination that is located just a mere 10 minutes train ride from the University station. It houses over 160 shops including Debenhams, Selfridges and Hollister. It is an absolute shoppers' paradise interspersed with plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants.

Nightlife

Everyday can be a student night out in Birmingham, making it an absolute treat for night owl. The clubbing scene in Birmingham is so vibrant that it attracts students living in nearby Coventry and Leamington Spa. Apart from clubs, there are also bars, champion comedy clubs, gigs and classics from the Birmingham Royal Ballet. With a wide variety of selection to choose from, your options for a good night out will never run out, thus providing some good consideration for the very much coveted pure and unadulterated fun.

University of Leicester

Why Leicester

Leicester is a relatively small city (73km2) that we have learnt to call home. Located in the heart of the East Midlands, it is extremely well---connected via various modes of transport. One of the most affordable cities in UK, Leicester is also safe and has a multi---cultural population only rivalled by London. You can find almost everything here – from Chinese groceries to high street fashion, any trendier and you’ll have to head to London.

Location/Transport

Leicester is served by Arriva & Central bus services. An unlimited term bus pass cost £140 while single trips cost £2. Most people walk if the journey on foot takes them less than 30 minutes, even in the snow.

Buses ply Leicester and London (and to almost every other major city) from St Margaret’s bus station, which is at the edge of the city centre. There are regular train services linking Leicester to the entire UK as well, with many commuting daily to Leicester from cities such as London, Nottingham and Birmingham. The spanking new David Wilson Library The nearest airport, besides London, is East Midlands Airport. You can also travel to Brussels or France via Eurostar trains from London.

Weather

Spring brings a fresh wash of greenery across the city until the heat of summer drives us outdoors. Autumn is beautiful, with red crumbling leaves scattered along busy pathways. The cold of our quiet winters is bearable although we have had lashings of snow over the past two years due to the changing climate.

Cost

With its proximity to London, Leicester is very affordable. Prices of some common grocery items (Morrisons Feb 2012):

2L milk --- £1.30 Loaf of white bread --- £1 Carton of 18 eggs --- £1.50 4 Braeburn apples --- £0.30 500g dry pasta --- £0.80 1 7---inch baked cherry pie --- £1.25 250g raw bacon – £1.50 1 can baked beans --- £0.30

Attractions

The National Space Centre has been strongly recommended by astrophysics students for the intellectual types while the New Walk Museum (a stone’s throw from campus) offers surprises for the archaeology aficionado. Picnic lovers can choose from the picturesque Abbey Park (1 mile north of city centre) or Victoria Park (in full view of all your schoolmates). For those craving for spicy food, our ‘little India’ is located in Belgrave, where a golden mile of colourful Indian shops welcomes the enraptured visitor. Our nearest castle is located at Melton Mowbray (a 30---minute bus ride away).

Youth hangouts

High Cross Mall is the largest and most modern shopping centre in Leicester City Centre, although the narrow streets house party gimmick shops, vintage fashion stores and health food shops. Popular party spots include the multi---storey Republic, edgy MOSH and the on---campus O2 Academy. London Road is home to many trendy youth pubs such as The Loaded Dog and Old Horse Pub, while the Dry Dock (conveniently outside Nixon Court) is a favourite ch illing venue of the Singapore Society. Alcoholic drinks in most pubs start from £3/glass and some pubs have a selection of more than 30 types of beers.

Visitors are spoilt for choice in terms of affordable (about £10) food, as there are many restaurants serving Spanish, Italian, Chinese food or even pub grub (think fish and chips with peas). We Singaporeans get our dose of Chinese food from Shanghai Moon, Red Lantern, Terracotta and Fatty Wang.

Leicester also hosts the annual Leicester Comedy Festival every February, which is a crowd---puller with more than fifty different gigs all over pubs and cafes in the city.

Venturing further

Birmingham, Nottingham and London are only an hour or two away. If you’re adventurous, you can walk to Market Harborough (warning: not a market, but a quaint town) from Leicester City Centre. It takes 4.5 hours on foot, and 15 minutes on train.

The University

Diversity

Does the idea of getting to know people from more than 100 countries (from as far as Iraq and Syria) appeal to you? With a melting pot of nationalities, the University of Leicester puts racial harmony on a global scale. Make friends from every continent, especially if you live on campus or partake in university activities. Students embrace the vibrancy that embodies Leicester, reaching out to others from different cultures and reiterating our identity as international citizens in a shrinking world. Good academic standing

The University of Leicester belongs to the 1994 Group of internationally renowned universities engaged in leading---edge research and high quality teaching. Graduates of the university remain in demand, notwithstanding the fact that it is in the top 2% of universities worldwide (QS World University Rankings 2011).

The University of Leicester is proud to be at the forefront of scientific discovery, especially when it was where DNA genetic fingerprinting was developed by Sir Alec Jeffreys. Unsurprisingly, it has been th th ranked 4 within the UK in Biosciences and 7 in Medicine (Guardian University Guide 2012). Accolades from Times Higher Education include “University of the Year 2008” and “Outstanding Contribution to Information and Technology 2011”.

Also a popular choice of potential lawyers and doctors hoping to attain a recognised qualification, the University of Leicester is accredited by the respective legal and medical associations in Singapore.

Cost

Undergraduate programmes start from £11,450/year for arts courses to £26,515/year for clinical (medical) courses, while postgraduate programmes start from £11,450/year for arts courses to £17,530/year for an MBA to £23,645/year for a PhD.

Scholarships are available and students receive a further £200 discount for full payment of fees before registration.

Student Accommodation A typical room in Nixon The student village of Oadby is located 30 minutes away from campus Court (on-campus) by bus and is close to the newly built sports complex, inclusive of indoor swimming pool. Popular student accommodation includes the ever---expanding apartments at Nixon Court and high---rise Opal Court. Those preferring more traditional British housing (with no elevators and Harry Potter---like environments) may opt for Mary Gee Houses or Salisbury Houses. Off---campus housing is always an option, although rental often does not include utility bills and some effort is required to house---hunt.

Activities

The University of Leicester is home to many clubs catering to almost every interest. Many clubs charge about £20/year, excluding purchase of equipment/kit. This fee may include optional entry to weekly social events, which mostly take place in a (decent and trendy) pub. Some highlights:

Sports: Lacrosse (a typical British ball game formerly played in private schools using a net on a stick), hockey, fencing, badminton, rowing, golf, tennis. Most outdoor sports are played at the Oadby Sports complex. This stretches all the way to Stroughton Road, where the soccer pitches play second fiddle to the landscape. Imagine small undulating hills and endless fields as you train. Societies: Cheerleading, anime club, astro society, finance society, criminology society, Pro bono society, campus radio station (LUSH), ballroom dancing, curry society (endless culinary fun), and at least sixteen different religious societies.

Our SingSoc

A close---knit community of Singaporeans is the nearest thing we have to family here in the UK. Having shared much laughter, food and new travelling experiences together, the warmth of this community makes the cold weather ever so bearable. Good food and fun is a staple, and friendship is never lacking! We look forward to welcoming you here at Leicester and share with you the place we have learnt to call home.

PS: If you have any further enquiries, do feel free to contact us at [email protected] or find out more at www.le.ac.uk!

Snowboarding in France Skydiving If you still have questions on anything about the university, town, people, food or anything at all, Please feel free to contact any of us below.

Nick de Cruz Oliver Lim BSc Sport and Exercise Science BSc Aeronautical Engineering [email protected] [email protected]

Justina Chan Wee Xin Jie BSc Sports Science with Management BSc Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry [email protected] [email protected] University of Nottingham

Affectionately referred to as ‘Notts’ by the 130 or so Singaporeans studying here, the University of Nottingham is highly regarded academically and professionally, particularly in the areas of law, medicine, business, and architecture. In particular, the law faculty is consistently ranked top 10 in the United Kingdom, and is very popular with Singaporean students and employers. School fees range from £11,420 for Arts-related courses to £15,780 for medicine.

A beautiful university in the Midlands

Spanning five campuses in the UK, as well as two others in China and Malaysia, the University of Nottingham is located in the East Midlands – approximately 2 hours by train from central London, and a short ride away from major airports in Birmingham, Manchester and the East Midlands.

The main campus on University Park is where most students will find their schools located. Comprising 300 acres of lush greenery and Trent Building, University Park rolling hills dotted with period and contemporary buildings, halls of residences, meadows and even a lake, it is widely regarded as one of Britain’s finest campuses and the only one to be awarded a Civic Trust Green Flag Award every year since 2003.

Djanogly Library, Jubilee Campus A 15-minute hopper bus ride away from University Park is Jubilee Campus, site of the Business and Computer Science schools. This smaller campus is a multiple award-winning site with modern architecture and warm wooden exteriors. Both campuses are known for being filled with natural beauty – you can often see squirrels darting between the trees or ducks and swans swimming in the lakes.

Located midway between the two campuses is Queen’s Medical Centre – the local hospital and the location of the medical school. Due to the school being situated between the two campuses, medicine students can often be found staying in halls on either one.

Life and living

Because of its premier location in the Midlands, the University is privileged to have access to sports facilities you wouldn’t otherwise find in London or city universities. There is a fairly comprehensive gym and sports centre (including an indoor heated swimming pool and an artificial rubber crumb football where we try to get a kick-about on every Sunday) on University Park, a scaled-down version on Jubilee and a smattering of sports grounds in the surrounding areas.

The University has plenty of learning space to suit your needs, whether it is a rustic wood-panelled library in your hall of residence, a quiet spot on the meadows, a conducive room filled with like-minded students in your school or a solitary booth in the library you require, the University has it all.

The weather in Nottingham is generally bearable – it never goes below -15℃ even in the dead of winter and rarely above 20℃ even in late spring or early summer. It never pours like it does in Singapore, and even when it rains, it’s barely a drizzle you don’t even need an umbrella for it. Being a beautiful award-winning campus, the flora and fauna of University Park and Jubilee follow the seasons, and burst into joyous bloom in spring and fade into melancholy nostalgia in autumn. While winter is reminiscent of Narnia, but only when the typically temperamental UK weather decides to snow.

Accommodation

Staying in one of the University’s halls of residence is an experience in itself. You will find that we have an honest and laidback attitude to hall life, with most Singaporeans going down to dinner in the typical shorts and slippers, even when it’s freezing outside! Each hall has its own bar with cheap drinks (sometimes serving food as well), a Junior Common Room with games tables, a telly (with SkySports) and couches to laze about on before or after a wild night out on the town. Most halls are well-furnished, and facilities are constantly being tweaked with each year’s feedback. The support staffs are great, helping to receive your parcels when you’re away and fixing or replacing broken stuff in a jiffy.

Cost of rooms on both Campuses range from £113 to £183 per week, inclusive of meals. Those who want to roll up their chef sleeves from the get-go can elect to stay at one of the private non-catered halls of residence that sit right outside both the University Park and Jubilee Campuses. These generally have you sharing a kitchen with up to 6 others, and start at £90 per week for a single bedroom, to £135 for an en-suite room with an attached kitchenette that you can call your very own!

Diverse and vibrant student population

The University of Nottingham boasts a large and diverse student population, with international students making up about 25-30% of the student body. Many international students are from China, Malaysia, Canada, Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, Korea and Africa – there is plenty of opportunity to make friends from many different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

The University has a very active Student’s Union that supports over 250 clubs and societies spanning a vast range of different sports and interest groups. Plus, if there isn’t something that suits your taste, there is always the option to start your own club or society! This is a very real prospect with new clubs or societies constantly being added to the total tally on a regular tri-monthly basis! So there is no excuse to hole yourself in your room studying when there are countless amazing opportunities for you to make the most out of your university life!

Exciting urban living

Nottingham has been dubbed one of Britain’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities – while it boasts an impressive history and famous legends, it is also modern, culturally diverse and ideally suited to student life. The city centre is fairly small but has everything you might need. There is a wide range of restaurants and most of the high street shops you’ll need for Boxing Day sales, two shopping centres, a theatre, a stadium, several cinemas Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham and many pubs and clubs. The city also holds many events in the central market square, such as mini Christmas markets, outdoor ice skating rinks, and even a Ferris wheel. For nature-lovers, there are beautiful parks and open green spaces that make up over 20% of the city’s total land area.

Transport in Nottingham is great. Unlike the major cities, there’s no need to contend with heavy traffic, strikes or maintenance works on an everyday basis. Transport is largely served by an extensive network of buses and a multitude of efficient taxi companies, and if you split the fare six ways you just might end up paying less than a bus would have cost. Further, certain buses cost a mere £1 for students, what a way to save up for your Christmas shopping budget (the sales are AMAZING)!

There is always something new to do in Nottingham. The Goose Fair carnival and Bonfire Night are two notable major events on the Nottingham agenda. The former is an impressive travelling fairground that sets up shop in a field for several nights, with seven-storey rides that allow you to take in the city lights for a second before plummeting you back down to terra firma and greasy finger food. Big name music acts regularly perform at the Arena, as well as a whole host of sporting events happening in between. For the culture vulture, there are regular art shows and film festivals; theatre productions are held almost every week and there are orchestral performances every few weeks. The city also boasts a thriving nightlife with a wide range of bars, clubs, and even karaoke rooms.

Home away from home

Representing the Singaporean community is the Nottingham Singapore Society, informally referred to as the ‘SingSoc’ or plain ‘NSS’. With over 140 members from Singapore and other countries, we serve as the point of contact for agencies and organisations back home as well as conduct a wide variety of activities such as shopping trips, Chinese New Year dinners, karaoke sessions, barbecues, film nights, an annual theatre production and even paintball competitions. Your family away from home, the Singapore Society is very welcoming and we look forward to seeing more Singaporeans in Nottingham!

Nottingham Games

The most notable of the events organised by the Singapore Society is the annual Nottingham Games held in Winter, which sees Singaporean students from most of the various UK Universities converging here for a day for ‘lahs’ and ‘lors’. The Games is traditionally a major event featuring a variety of sports and games and has come to be regarded as the foremost sports and games competition in the UK for Singaporeans, its purpose to gather Singaporeans and Singapore societies from around the UK and foster strong relations between them. The wide range of sports and games participants can compete in range from 5-a-side football, touch rugby and floorball to Mahjong, Poker and even an adventure game around the main university campus! It is very much a friendly competition where sportsmanship and participation comes first and winning is secondary. The Singapore Society prides itself in organising the Games and looks forward to welcoming all Singaporean students in the UK at this prestigious event.

For any questions/enquiries, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]. University of Sheffield

The University of Sheffield, founded in 1905, has since become a premier research-led institution with a population of over 25000 students from 131 different countries.

In 2011, The University of Sheffield was awarded University of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards. We have also been previously named Sunday Times University of the Year and our Students´ Union has been consistently ranked as the best in the UK. The University is ranked amongst the top 10 universities in the UK and the top 100 in the world.

A city built on seven hills, Sheffield tends to be quite windy. As with most of the UK, we experience light showers rather than tropical thunderstorms. That aside, the weather is fairly sunny and pleasant for most of the year.

Every year, the University awards a bond-free scholarship to one student from Singapore. There are also bond-free scholarships (essentially discounted tuition fees) if you have a sibling or spouse who has studied or is currently studying in the University.

Our Singapore Society is relatively young as we used to be part of the Malaysian and Singaporean Society. Despite that, we are a close-knit society of about 70 members and organise and participate in a variety of events (e.g. Warwick Summer Games, Nottingham Games) in addition to organising our own (e.g. Mid-Autumn festival dinner, potlucks, picnics, day trips).

Feel free to contact us at [email protected] if you have any queries.

Student Life

Most freshers choose to stay in student villages or communities – namely Endcliffe, Ranmoor or Opal – and move out after their first year, though international students are welcome to stay in student accommodation for the duration of their course. You can choose between self- catered (six to ten students share a kitchen) or catered (a kitchen for the whole floor) – the only difference is that catered students will have credit added automatically weekly to their eatwithUS dining card. Student communities offer a free weekly movie night and a fortnightly board games night amongst other events such as yoga or Zumba.

Most students walk, cycle or take a bus to their campus. Buses for students are 50p for a single trip.

Goodwin Sports Centre is situated close to the union and offers memberships as well as pay- as-you-use facilities including a gym, heated pool and sauna, bouldering, tennis/squash/badminton courts etc. Students staying in student accommodation enjoy free access to Goodwin on Friday evenings from 7-9pm.

Our university has various cafes scattered around the campus and you can pay in cash or with the eatwithUS card for convenience. This card can be bought online from the University shop and topped up as and when needed (credit never expires).

The Union offers a Give It A Go scheme where you can try your hand at different things without having to commit. You can expect our 250 clubs and societies to offer a variety of activities, such as snowboarding, tap dance, language classes, pizza-making and coffee- brewing. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!

The City Sheffield is the 4th largest city in the UK and we are one of the safest large cities. Living costs for Sheffield students are the third lowest in the country, about 10% cheaper than the UK average or 25% cheaper than London. Many restaurants, cafes and shops such as New Look offer promotions or discounts for students – just present your student card and ask if there are any student offers – you could get up to 20% off! J On Thursday, entry to our ice skating arena IceSheffield is just £1 for students.

Situated in the heart of the Peak District, we can easily access the gorgeous Peak District National Parks. Places to start your walks include Derwent Dam, Edale, Bakewell and Dore.

Peak District: Bakewell

Travel to surrounding cities is also convenient and fast – it takes just 45 mins to travel to Nottingham and 2 hours to London by rail – which is ideal for weekend getaways. The closest airport is Manchester Airport. The Union regularly organises day trips to different cities such as Cambridge, York and Oxford as well.

For all your shopping needs, we have the city centre about 5 mins’ walk from the union as well as Meadowhall, Europe’s largest shopping complex. Travelling to Meadowhall takes 20 mins by tram.

If you’re keen on sports, watch a football game at our Sheffield stadium – we have two local teams – Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday, or visit Sheffield Ski Village, Europe’s largest indoor ski village. For those more inclined to the arts, you can go to the Lyceum Theatre or to the Crucible to watch a play.

Looking for Chinese/Asian food? London Road is your best bet. Don’t worry about Asian groceries either – our Oriental marts will supply you with your familiar favourites such as Indomie, Lee Kum Kee oyster sauce, pak choi and even Yeo’s bandung!

As always, there are plenty of things to do and see without having to spend a single penny. You can find live music being played at certain venues such as The Bowery. Weston Park Museum and the Botanical Gardens are also free to enter. For two weeks a year, students are entitled to free Domino’s Pizza (just be sure to keep your vouchers from Freshers’ Week!). Furthermore, you can visit the Millenium Galleries and Winter Gardens in the city.

Lastly, here’s an interesting bit of trivia: English indie band Arctic Monkeys was founded in Sheffield! The University of Warwick (pronounced ‘warrick’) is as old as Singapore, having been founded in 1965. Since then, the university has grown to its current intake of about 23,000 full-time students (of which 6,400 are international students) across 30 departments in Arts, Social Science, Science and Medicine. Warwick consistently fares well in university rankings, coming in as 6th in the UK1 and the 2nd most preferred university by UK employers2. Full-time undergraduate tuition fees for 2012/13 entrants stand at £13,800 or £17,600 per year, depending on course. Full-time postgraduate tuition fees for 2012/13 entrants range from £12,800 to £30,000 per year, depending on course.

The University of Warwick Singapore Society is a 185-member strong community of Singaporeans and non-Singaporeans. Warwick SingSoc serves to take care of the needs of Singaporeans, provide opportunities for Singaporeans to make friends from different parts of the world and to share all things Singaporean with the rest of the Warwick student population. The events calendar for Warwick SingSoc is packed through the year, with sporting events like the annual Warwick Summer Games, festive gatherings like Christmas and Chinese New Year Warwick Summer Games dinners, our annual theatre production and a ski trip.

Being a campus university, Warwick boasts an array of amenities to cater to your needs, all within walking distance. Warwick Accommodation provides and maintains 6,900 beds for students, with priority given to first-year and final-year international students. Retail outlets on campus include cafes, restaurants, bars, a hair salon, banks, a travel agency, a pharmacy, a post office, a Costcutter supermarket and an in-house printing company. The nearby Cannon Park Shopping Centre is where you can find a Tesco supermarket and Seoul Plaza, a store selling a wide range of Asian foods. The campus is also home to the Warwick Arts Centre, a professional arts venue which hosts performances and exhibitions throughout the year. Warwick Sport manages numerous well- equipped facilities, including a swimming pool, squash and tennis courts, a running track, astroturf and grass sports pitches, an indoor rock climbing centre, a gym and multiple sports halls. Production 2012: Chicken Rice Brawl, held at the Warwick Arts Centre 1 According to The Complete University Guide (2013) and The Guardian (2012) 2 Reported in The Graduate Market in 2011 by reputed market research firm High Fliers The campus is constantly buzzing with activity, and this is no surprise with the 260 student societies and 76 sports clubs that we have. Students are spoilt for choice with the variety of societies and sports clubs that you can join; from break dance to curry society, and Thai boxing to canoe polo. Warwick Volunteers links up students with the local community through volunteering projects, such as tutoring at local schools and environmental conservation. There is also a range of part-time and holiday jobs available for students to CNY Dinner 2012, held at Birmingham Chinatown take up on campus.

Outside of campus, the neighbouring city of Coventry (commonly referred to as ‘Cov’) and nearby town of Leamington Spa (commonly referred to as ‘Leam’, pronounced ‘lair-m’) are places to go for Warwick students. Despite its name, the University of Warwick is actually located nearer to the city of Coventry than to the town of Warwick. Coventry city centre is 30 minutes from campus by public bus, where students can shop at the popular retailers like Topshop and H&M, buy household items from IKEA, eat at the many Asian restaurants like Noodle Bar, or spend the night at the popular nightclub Kasbah. Leamington is 45 minutes away from campus by public bus, and it too has the common high street brands, many good restaurants and several nightspots like Saint Bar, Smack and Evolve, which are frequented by Warwick students.

With its location in the Midlands, it is also ideal to travel out of Warwick and explore other parts of the UK. You can catch a train from Coventry or Leamington Spa rail stations, or take a coach from the Megabus boarding point at Cannon Park Shopping Centre or the National Express boarding point at Pool Meadow Bus Station in Coventry city centre. Birmingham is 20 minutes by train from Coventry rail station, where you can have dim sum at Chinatown or shop at the mega-mall that is Bullring Shopping Centre. London is 1.5 hours away by train or 2.5 hours away by Megabus, where you can spend a weekend exploring the many things that the capital has to offer. Should you wish to go to further destinations by plane, the nearest main airports to Warwick are Birmingham International (which can be reached directly by train from Coventry) and the London airports (which are slightly more difficult to get to).

Visit www.warwick.ac.uk to discover more about the University of Warwick, or www.warwicksingsoc.com to find out about the Singapore Society at Warwick.

If you have any queries/concerns, please feel free to send us an email at [email protected], we would love to hear from you.

You can also connect with us on Facebook, through our page ‘Warwick Singsoc’ or dropping the executive committee a message at our account ‘Warwick SingSoc Exco’.

We look forward to seeing you at Warwick! Durham University Durham essentially embodies everything that Singapore isn’t – for all the right reasons. The cobbled pavements, quaint architecture, rivers, bridges, castle and cathedral form a picturesque brilliance unlike any other and it easy to see w hy it is England’s favourite city, second only to Edinburgh in the UK based on a national poll in 2011.

Collegiate System An exciting aspect of studying at Durham is that it operates on a collegiate system, with 14 colleges in the main campus. Students at Stockton are not left out, with 2 colleges of its own. Besides residential purposes, the college is a great support system for students, from bonding with your fresher’s reps and groups on your first week to the weekly activities organised by the exec, there is not a moment of sheer boredom. Such activities include battle of the bands and inter- collegiate sports competitions to bigger skill events like a night out to Newcastle, etc.

Each college has a ‘personality’ and come in ‘different sizes’ to fit everybody. You can opt to go to a cosy, small college where literally everyone knows everyone (John) or a bigger college, which is bursting from so much energy! Of course, there’re the go-betweens as well for people who want something not too small to be stifling but also not too big so they won’t get lost in the crowd. In short, there is something for EVERYONE.

Moreover, every week or two, depending on the college, students get an opportunity to wear gowns and attend formals, which are not unlike the banquets seen in the Harry Potter films (minus the floating candles and ghostly companions, of course). Every college also holds a ball every term, with various themes so it’s obviously a very exciting place to be

Given the range of events to be involved in, and the closeness shared with other students, belonging to a college is certainly a perk. No matter what you do, or have not done, there is definitely something for you to do here, from dance to rowing, etc. If there is no society or club (yet) catering to your hobbies and interests, feel free to START IT UP! The possibilities of what you can do here in Durham are simply endless.

Most of the colleges are catered for. This means that students get their meals in college, 7 days a week during term time. However, there are some colleges that are self-catered for aspiring chefs/people who don’t want to eat in college every day. So you have the option of choosing between these two.

Entertainment

Coming to Durham University provides an excellent opportunity for an unadultera ted cultural experience in the UK, away from the industriali sed hustles and bustles of city life – which can be easily found in Newcastle, a 20-minute train ride away. There you can get your quick fix for authentic Japanese/Chinese cuisine amongst other local fare, short of our classics like Char Kway Teow and Nasi Lemak. In Durham itself, Golden Pearl, Zen and Fat Buddha provide the avenues for satisfying local cravings if college meals don’t strike a chord with your taste buds (which is unlikely, but does happen).

As such, Durham is a thriving city which Singaporeans will find no trouble assimilating into. The sensible balance struck between the rustic and the urban provide the best of both worlds, exemplified by the lovely indie coffeehouses and fashion boutiques on one hand; Starbucks and Topshop on the other, the latter providing customary relief to the everyday labels we are used to seeing in sunny Singapore. When night falls the students come out to play, revelling either in cheesy tunes from Klute or the more contemporary flavours of LoveShack and Studio, which is hardly any different from what you’d be used to on a night out at Zouk or St James!

Singapore Student Community

For those who yearn for home and find the harsh winter winds a little difficult to bear, Durham has a strong Singaporean presence thriving in a small university, with amembership of 50 people in the Durham University Singapore Society (DUSS) for the academic year of 2010-11. DUSS is active in bringing Singaporeans in Durham together through organising annual events such as Freshers Meet-up over summer, Guy Fawkes Fireworks night, Christmas, Chinese New Year, post- exam activities, with socials scattered throughout the school year. With everyone being very involved and welcoming, incoming Singaporean students will not feel homesick. The nervousness of going overseas and making friends will dissipate within minutes from meeting the friendly people of DUSS. There is also a parent- child system, with 2 seniors attached to the fresher, who are always there to help through the massive adjustment. Indeed, DUSS is a home away from home.

Coupled with the internationally renowned establishment of Durham University, the compact city life and historic charm speaks very much for itself and no words can do enough justice to it. If you’re looking for an experience in a distinct class of its own at an institution with all the right credentials, look no further than Durham University!

Originally founded in 1831 as the Leeds School of Medicine, the U niversity of Leeds was established as an independent institution in 1904 and continues, today, to be one of the leading research universities in the UK.

modernity meets heritage The City of Leeds… § Is situated in West Yorkshire, in the North East of England, within which it is the main cultural, financial and transportation hub. It is also the UK’s largest centre for business, legal and financial services outside London. § Is the 5th largest UK city by population, behind only London, Birmingham, Glasgow and Liverpool…although it is a student-oriented city, where the cost of living is considerably lower than in other UK cities. This means that there are many services catering to the blooming student population. § Provides a healthy balance between the hustle and bustle of a metropolitan city and the laidback charm of a quintessential English town. teaching excellence The University: Facts and Figures § The University of Leeds is a member of the prestigious Russell Group, which represents 20 leading universities in the UK which are committed to the highest levels of academic excellence in teaching and research. Through these, and unrivalled links with businesses and a commitment to civic responsibility, these universities make an enormous impact on the economic, social and cultural wellbeing of the UK. § Our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Arthur, is Chairman of the Russell Group board. § An enormous range of courses is offered: 560 undergraduate and 300 postgraduate, with the most popular courses being: Accounting and Finance, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering, Anatomy and Physiology, Art & Design, Chemical Engineering, History, Law, Medicine, Business & Management Studies, Economics, Literature, English and Pharmacy & Pharmacology. § Our Dentistry, Law and Medicine programmes are recognised by the respective professional bodies in Singapore. § The student population is diverse, with 33,002 students from over 142 countries – of which there are 25,000 undergraduates and 8000 postgraduates. § We have won more environmental awards than any other UK university, including the 2009 Green Gown Award for Continuous Improvement in relation to our transport plan. developing futures Development funding § The University is particularly committed to putting fees back into building and improving a wide range of student facilities. § By 2015 the University will have spent £194m on state-of-the art new buildings and facilities - crucial in our vision to be in the top 50 universities of the world by then. § Students and staff - and Leeds residents - are benefiting from new sports facilities including a swimming pool and health and fitness complex. § Fees are also actively pumped into providing scholarships and bursaries to students. Thinking about studying law? At Leeds all successful Singaporean applicants receive a yearly scholarship of £1500 for the LLB.

Student life at Leeds

Getting around Shopping We are a single site campus, so Leeds is identified as the principal everything is easily within reach! If you regional shopping centre for the whole live in halls on campus, look forward to of the Yorkshire region. With a generous getting up 15 minutes before lectures. range of indoor shopping centres and a sprawling network of pedestrian The city centre is a 15 min walk away. shopping streets in the city centre, Leeds Hate walking? The free city bus runs has nearly every major brand and store a frequently to town, 6 days a week. student will need.

Accommodation Leisure Wide range of accommodation The Leeds University Student Union is available to all students. known to be one of the best amongst all Universities in the United Kingdom. We have the modern (Charles Morris Hall) as well as the vintage (Ellersllie Some examples of activities organized Hall and Lyddon Hall). by the union include day trips to other cities in the UK, and give-it-a-go In addition, most accommodations are sessions (Paintballing, Go-Karting etc). situated on campus. There is something to look forward to every month in Leeds! For instance, Guy Fawkes Day is celebrated every Facilities November in Hyde Park with a A state of the art Sports Centre (The beautiful display of fireworks. During Edge) was recently built. It houses a the Christmas period, a German well furbished gym, two large sports Christmas Market and ice skating rink halls as well as a heated swimming is set up at Millenium Square. pool. The Edge is situated on campus, and is thus convenient for all students To add, the Singapore Society also to utilize. organizes activities which aim to make Singaporeans feel more at home. To add, there are many places to chill (Trips: Alton Towers & Peak District) and hang out after class. These include (Christmas & CNY gatherings) our two union bars (The Old Bar & The (Clubbing events with other societies) Terrace), cafes (The Hidden Café, Cool Beans etc) and not forgetting our communal dining area (The Refectory).

The University of Manchester (informally Manchester University or Manchester) is a public research university located in Manchester, United Kingdom. It was formed in October 2004 by the merger of the Victoria University of Manchester (established 1851) and the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (established 1824). It is a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive British universities, the N8 Group and a "red brick" university, its Victoria University predecessor having gained a royal charter in 1903. As of 2012, the University of Manchester has around 39,000 students and 10,400 staff, making it the largest single-site university in the United Kingdom. More students try to gain entry to the University of Manchester than to any other university in the country, with more than 60,000 applications for undergraduate courses alone.

In the 2011 Academic Ranking of World Universities, Manchester is ranked 38th in the world, 6th in Europe and 5th in the UK. The university has also been ranked 29th in the world, 8th in Europe and 7th in the UK in the 2011 QS World University Rankings.

The University has invested more than £400 million in state-of-the-art buildings, major refurbishments and public realm works; traditional Victorian buildings are joined by modern lecture theatres, laboratories and computer labs, with contemporary study facilities. The Alan Gilbert Learning Commons will also offer students a flexible, ultra-modern and stimulating space in which to relax and learn. The University of Manchester is committed to its sports teams – we have 2 student gym facilities on campus with the Manchester Aquatics Centre nearby. The Athletic Union is made up of 46 sport clubs that mostly compete against other Universities, while Campus Sport provides the opportunity for fun play with friends in a series of leagues within the University.

With more than 9200 spaces available for student accommodation, one need not worry about securing accommodation. The University also guarantees accommodation for all international students throughout their studies. A range of accommodation is available, from collegiate halls to modern flat styled halls.

The Singapore Students’ Society of Manchester (SSSM) is one of the largest Singapore Society in the United Kingdom. We organize 4 main events: Dinner and Dance, Chinese New Year Dinner, Graduation Dinner and Orientation Camp. If you are an incoming fresher to the University of Manchester, you can attend the Orientation Camp held from 16-18 August at the NRSCC Chalet. After arriving in Manchester, SSSM will be organizing a welcome dinner for the freshers to enable them to get to know each other. There will be a series of other fun activities to be expected, such as sports sessions at Sugden Sports Centre, or shopping for at Cheshire Oaks Outlet. For more details and to stay updated, please go to our website: www.sssmuk.com.

Manchester as a city The shopping capital of the North West, Manchester is packed with the high-street brands, eclectic retro shops and designer boutiques. Market Street and Arndale Shopping Centre should satisfy even the most addicted shopaholic with its range of shops. The list of stores in Arndale can be found on this website: http://www.manchesterarndale.com/stores.aspx.Of worthy mention is Northern Quarter, tucked away in a corner of the city centre, it is where bohemian shoppers scour for their next statement piece. You can also find a nice place for tea at Teacup. (http://teacupandcakes.com/). City Attractions include the Imperial War Museum, Town Hall, Cathedral. You can also visit the Old Trafford Stadium, by taking the bus 250 or X50. Housing one of the largest Chinatowns in Europe and the ‘Curry Mile’ where there are more curry houses per square mile than anywhere else in the UK, comfort food is always at hand. Prices are also wallet friendly with student discounts at most places. For gourmets, restaurants such as San Carlo and Panacea offer gastronomic experiences where one may also find oneself rubbing shoulders with football stars.

Pearl City is a restaurant that sells Chinese food and has a karaoke lounge in the topmost floor, and is a good place to have a gathering with your friends. You can either order rice with dishes, or individual dishes. You should try the prawn mee at Pearl City. For dim sum, Pacific is affordable (30% discount from 12-5pm) and the food is great. Try the wanton in chilli paste. Beside Pacific is The New Emperor, which also sells dim sum, and there is a 50% discount on Thursdays and Sundays from 12-5pm. For roast duck and chicken, you can go to Happy Seasons where you'll probably spend about £8. For good Japanese food, Yuzu is a cosy place to go to. There are also restaurants selling Thai food (Try Thai). For desserts, Wasabi sells ice shavings in a variety of flavours including durian. They also sell bubble tea. You can go to Ocean treasure at Deansgate for dao huay and custard buns. For Korean food, Baekdu at Northern Quarter is good but can be a bit pricey. Seoul Kimchi at Victoria Park is very affordable, and I suppose, more catered for students.

M anchester boasts one of the biggest nightlife scenes in the UK with a whole host of clubs fighting to conquer the student market. It boasts the best club in the world – Sankeys, which brings in world- class DJs weekly. Pure and Tiger Tiger are also crowd favourites for a good night out. For those in search of a watering hole, Revolution and Baa Bar provide drinks for a reasonable price while The Rampant Lion hosts a traditional pub evening with a weekly quiz. The crown in the jewel is Hilton’s own Cloud 23 where one can lie back and enjoy a panoramic view of the cityscape while sipping on a cocktail.

Home to The Smiths, Oasis and The Ting Tings, Manchester has a vibrant music scene to boot. Gigs are regularly scheduled at the Manchester Academy (live music at the Students’ Union!) with student- friendly prices. The Academy hosts a wide range of acts from Joshua Radin to Explosions in the Sky, with Nerina Pallot and Far East Movement slated to appear later this year. The Apollo and MEN Arena also host a whole array of gigs and shows such as the X Factor Live.

Old Trafford and the City of Manchester Stadiums are not to be missed for any football fan. Tours around the football clubs and watching football matches adds to the quintessential Manchester experience. There is so much to see, hear and experience in Manchester that it is impossible to run out of things to do.

For the times when one needs a quick getaway from Manchester, the Lake District and Peak District are nearby. Manchester is connected by train and bus to most major cities in the UK – less than an hour away from Leeds and Liverpool, 1.5 hours to Birmingham, and only 2 hours 8 minutes to London Euston; travelling is made easy.

OVERVIEW On behalf of the Singapore Society at the University of York, we are more than happy to welcome you with open arms! What makes York special, you ask? Well, firstly, York is a beautiful and scenic place with very rich history! Did you know that after London, York is the 2nd most visited tourist destination in the UK? You will be awed by the traditional and picturesque city centre. Unlike London, York is a refreshing breakaway from the hectic metropolitan atmosphere. So if you are one for tranquil and serenity, York is definitely the place for you!

Since the founding of the University in 1963, York has powered its way to a consistent top ten ranking in the UK and is one of just six post-war universities to appear in the World Top 100.

York currently has over 60 Singaporeans studying a wide range of programmes at undergraduate and master’s level. Popular programmes with Singaporeans at York include Accounting, Business Finance & Management, English, History, Philosophy, Politics & Economics and Psychology.

The University of York, established Located in a safe and beautiful in 1963 is known as “one of Britain’s parkland campus, in the historic academic success stories” (The Sunday City of York.

Times). Guaranteed on campus accommo-

Currently ranked 8th best university in dation for the full duration of your the UK (The Sunday Times studies at York.

st 2011) and 81 in the world (Times Higher Located only 2 hours from London by Education World University rankings train and close to international airports 2010-11) such as Manchester and

An international leader in research, Leeds/Bradford. ranked in the top 10 in the latest RAE 2008. The University of Offers excellent support for our students, with over 180 religious, cultural York named and sport societies including the University of Singapore Society. The Year, 2010

ACADEMICS Judges recognised York’s academic excellence, The University offers undergraduate and social inclusion and impressive track record in postgraduate opportunities in the arts, sciences and scientific discovery, by awarding it University of social sciences. York provides its students with a the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards supportive and cosmopolitan learning environment. 2010 International students make up around 18 per cent of the student population across all subject areas. Excellence in teaching and research is at the heart of the University of York. The University By coming to York, you will have a fulfilling and endeavors to create an environment, which is fun-filled 3 years (or more), while graduating with a supportive, driven by innovative teaching and strong degree. The Singaporean community in York underpinned by world-class research, whilst is relatively small as compared to our London and maintaining high standards of quality. Manchester counterparts, with a population of an estimate of 60 to 70, since we are always expecting Internationally renowned for its teaching and Singapore exchange students to join our research, our students find themselves challenged community midway into school term. But this is and inspired to excel their expectations, what makes the bond between the Singaporeans in improving their employability and fulfilling their the York community strong. We hold events on the ambitions. average of once a month. We will ensure that no one is left out! Our university is a town in itself! York's campus is huge and contains everything from a supermarket For any questions pertaining to anything about to restaurants to gyms and you do not have to university at all, please feel free to email Aaron at step out of the comfort of the university to have [email protected] or Daryl at [email protected], fun with your friends! the University of York SingSoc's President and Vice- President respectively. We hope to see you in York!

Undergraduate Programmes: ☛ http://www.york.ac.uk/admin/uao/ugrad/courses/programmesbydept.cfm Scholarship Information: http://www.york.ac.uk/admin/intnat/before/finance/scholarships.htm ☛ www.york.ac.uk/international www.york.ac.uk/admin/intnat/countries/singapore.htm The University of Edinburgh Edinburgh University Singapore Students Society [email protected]

At the heart of Scotland’s Capital − 13 million tourists per annum − UNESCO City of Literature & World Heritage Site − Home to the Scottish Executive − Population of 450,000 − A European financial centre − Top-ranking city in the UK in terms of quality of life − Best Small City of the future 2010/2011

The University − Founded 1583 − 4th University established in Scotland, 6th in UK − Only Scottish University to be a member of the Russell Group, and the League of European Research Universities − University campus deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many buildings in the historic Old Town of Edinburgh

Academic Rankings − THE-QS World University Rankings 2011 o 20th worldwide, 6th in the UK − Times Good University Guide 2012: 11th in the UK − The Guardian University Guide 2012: 16th in the UK

Individual subjects (UK) − 1st for Nursing, 2nd for Veterinary Medicine, 3rd for Medicine − 3rd for Geography & Environmental studies − 6th for Anthropology, Architecture & Sociology

Tuition Fees Medicine: £20,600 (per year for 2 years pre- clinical), £34,850 (per year for 3 years clinical) Veterinary Medicine: £22,600 (per year for 5 years) Science & Engineering: £14,000 - £16,000 per year Arts & Humanities: £11,000 - £13,000 per year

Weather The rain in Edinburgh is often a source of complaint among both visitors and locals. The winters can be cold with average temperatures about 0oC in January. In general, expect to experience strong winds, rain, hail, snow, and occasionally sun.

Transport Most of the campuses, supermarkets and shopping streets are within walking distance. Students most often walk from home to school, although cycling is also popular. A single bus trip costs £1.40.

Accommodation Catered accommodation is available at Pollock Halls of Residence, where breakfast and dinner are provided for most of the academic year. Alternatively, self-catered accommodation, also managed by the University, is also a good option for those who prefer to do the cooking. Internet access and weekly cleaning is provided in all University accommodation.

Support Academic support is provided by Director of Studies and Class representatives. The Edinburgh University Student’s Association (EUSA) is run by students for students with student shops and cafes around the University. The International Office provides support for all International students.

The Singaporean Community in Edinburgh The Edinburgh University Singapore Students Society acts as a base of interaction between Singaporeans in Edinburgh compromising 200 students. The society will have its own pre-departure guidance and social in Singapore shortly after the British Council pre-departure briefing so watch out for those!

We also have a mentoring scheme where a Year 2 of the same course will help a Year 1 in settling down, finances, registry and any other matters.

The society also organizes orientation trips around the city and to Glasgow, events like the Singapore Food Festival, Chinese New Year dinner & Mooncake Festival and short getaways to the Scottish Highlands.

Singaporean students per year (2012) Medicine: 6 Bio Sciences: 5 Economics: 4 Law: 3 Vet Med: 5 Engineering: 4 Linguistics: 5 Post-grad: 4 NUS Exchange: 4 NTU exchange: 5

The University Of Strathclyde The University of Strathclyde Singapore Society (USSS) [email protected]

Introduction

The University of Strathclyde, Glasgow was founded in 1796 as the United Kingdom’s first Technological University taking its name from the historic Kingdom of Strathclyde. The University of Strathclyde has 4 faculties: Engineering, Strathclyde Business School, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences. Both its Engineering Faculty and Business School are internationally renowned.

The Strathclyde Business School is ranked 7 th in the UK and the highest ranked University in Scotland for business. (Guardian University Guide 2012)Glasgow and the University

By virt ue of its strong engineering faculty, the University ranks as the Top European Technological University. It has over 250 knowledge transfer partnerships along with the highest research power in Scotland and is within the top 10 in the United Kingdom. (6th Research Assesment Exercise)

Location

The University is situated in the heart of the city. Less than a five minute walk from George Square, Buchanan Street (one of the main shopping thoroughfares), Argyle Street, and Sauchiehall Street, it is an ideal place to live and study at the same time. Other popular attractions like the Gallery of Modern Art, the Glasgow

Cathedral and Glasgow Necropolis are just round the corner. Getting Here The University is a five minute walk from Buchanan Bus station; providing

express transport to various parts of the UK as well as the Glasgow Airport. The Central, Queen Street stations and the subway are all within walking distances from the university.

Student Life

Since the University is a stone’s throw away from the city -centre, there is a variety of night-life entertainment for one to enjoy; from the

Propaganda Music festival at the O2 ABC for indie music lovers, to the countless other night -clubs for the more mainstream music lover.

Since 1911, Glasgow has proudly been organising its annual music festival, with over 7000 performers of all ages and skill. For theatre, dance and drama lovers, the prestigious Glasgow Royal Concert Hall always has its doors open for a wide range of shows.

Being a UNESCO Creative City, Glasgow is the chicken soup for one’s creative soul.

Adding to the atmosphere the city has to offer, the University has a ten storey union building with pool tables, pubs, a club and several more. Weekly themed parties and various other exciting activities including pub quizzes are organised by the union.

Another great bargain is the University centre for sport and recreation; with an £82.50 annual membership, this gym has to offer spectacular facilities along with over twenty different exercise classes ranging from fitness yoga to Zumba. Accommodation

Various multi-storied halls make up a University Village within the campus. These halls have their own feel and tradition, making the choice very important.

There are plenty of hostels and hotels for non-students to stay at; from Collegelands and Excite student accommodation for non-students to Premier Inn, Hilton and Radisson for those who prefer a more distinguished stay in Glasgow.

Food There is no shortage of eateries within or around the campus. Eateries include restaurants, fish and chip takeouts, kebab and donner shops and even a local Kopitiam serving Singaporean and Malaysian food.

Apart from the range of restaurants to choose from, there are stores like Aldi, Sainsburys, Marks and Spencer and Tesco which cater to the everyday needs of a student.

Weather Pleasant temperatures of around 19°C along with light rains are common during summer. Winters in Glasgow look like they are right out of a postcard, with beautiful snow adding to the landscape. Although sub- zero temperatures do occur, winters are rather pleasant compared to other European countries.

Scotland

Lovely music, be it from bagpipes or from talented buskers, the streets of Glasgow are always filled with life. Glasgow and Scotland are tremendously rich in its culture and heritage. As one of the Celtic nations, Scotland and Scottish culture is represented at inter- Celtic events such as Celtic Connections in Glasgow, and the Hebridean Celtic Festival in Stornoway.

From Glasgow, one is conveniently located to explore some of the heritage sites that Scotland has to offer. These include the Stirling Royal Place, Loch ness in Inverness and Isle of Skye. One can get to all these places easily from the Buchanan bus station or Central Station; walking distance from the University of Strathclyde.

University of Strathclyde Singapore Society (USSS)

The USSS is a newly established society aimed to accommodate the increasing number of Singaporean students coming to Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian University. From full-time to exchange students, there is always a healthy number of Singaporeans in the USSS. The USSS provides orientation sessions for Singaporeans new students to the University. New students can also look forward to the Glasgow-Edinburgh Trip organised by our partner societies early in the semester.

Another point to note is that all members of the USSS are automatically members of Glasgow University Singapore Society (GUSS) and are invited to fun-filled events that Glasgow University organises; keeping a united Singaporean Diaspora in Glasgow.

The Glasgow Spring Games and an introductory ceilidh (Traditional Scottish Dance) party are some of the earmark events organised by the society. The USSS also takes part in events organised by the UKSSC. The best part of the USSS is that you don’t even have to be Singaporean or even studying at Strathclyde to be a member.

Have a look: http://www.strath.ac.uk/comms/publications/prospectus/

or email us at [email protected]!

London Tourist Attractions

Westminster Attractions Be sure to check out free walking tours from groups such as Sandeman Tours when you first arrive in London, which will probably bring you to locations in the borough of Westminster, such as 'Big Ben', Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament by the river Thames and Westminster Abbey. These are all must-visit attractions that are located within a walking distance of each other, and no trip to England is complete without a picture of you pretending to make a call in the iconic red telephone booth, of the Big Ben and of you trolling one of the Buckingham Palace guards. Buckingham Palace

Big Ben Buckingham Palace Houses of Parliament London Eye River Thames St Paul's Cathedral Tower Bridge Tower of London Trafalgar Square and Nelson's Column Westminster Abbey

Markets Don't dismiss these immediately – these are nothing like the wet markets you will find in Singapore! Borough Market sells the freshest of produce, seafood, meats and bakery products, so head down one morning with an empty stomach, and be sure to try out the cookies, scallops, fruit juice, hot cider, barbecue grill and punnets of fruit. You're more likely to find an array of clothes, accessories and delightful oddities at the Camden and Portobello Markets.

Borough Market

Borough Market Camden Market Portobello Market Spitalfields Market

Museums The museums in London are renowned and varied. As far as free entry museums go, everyone should check out the British Museum which is a stone's throwaway from UCL. The Tate Modern features an excellent collection of modern art, and the Natural History Museum is a huge crowd-pleaser for everyone.

As for museums which charge for entry, Madame Tussaud's at Baker Street is the place for pop culture fanatics and really, anyone who wants a photo with David Beckham, the Queen or Britney Spears. If you have time, you could also check out the Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum in Piccadilly, and the Sherlock Holmes Museum in Baker Street.

British Museum Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum National History Museum Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum Sherlock Holmes Museum Tate Modern

Parks Parks are a great place for recreation, jogging, sports and picnics, especially when the weather isn't too cold. Green Park is located near the Westminster tourist attractions and features a few prominent statues. Regent's Park is a great place to spend a weekend afternoon, with sprawling green spaces, ducks and swans in the lake, and paddle-boats are also available for hire. Russell Square Gardens is a smaller garden situated near UCL, and is ideal for a picnic or a morning jog.

Regent's Park Boating Lake Green Park Regent's Park Russell Square Gardens Hyde Park

Other Attractions Chinatown is one of the most frequented places (if not the most) by Singaporean students in London, and an obligatory stop for students visiting London. You can get great Chinese food (refer to the Restaurants guide) and lots of familiar local products in the many Chinese supermarkets around the area (New Loon Moon, See Woo, etc.). The nearest tube station is Leicester Square on the Piccadilly line. Soho is right next to Chinatown and is packed with bars, clubs and notable for its gay community and nightlife.

Chinatown Harry Potter fans will definitely recognise the King's Cross St Pancras train station, and you will want to look for the wall which reads 'Station 9 and ¾'. There are also a lot more Harry Potter locations around London, namely Tottenham Court Road (the Muggle street), Millennium Bridge and even St Mungo's, all of which JK Rowling derived her inspiration from, so keep your eyes peeled!

NEW & RECOMMENDED: Harry Potter Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter organized by Warner Brothers 30minutes away from London at Watford Junction Katy Perry at the O2 Arena There are always lots of concerts every month; in the last academic year we had acts in London such as Katy Perry, Britney Spears, the Arctic Monkeys, Boyce Avenue, Coldplay and Westlife's final tour. You might also be able to get free tickets to live recordings of shows like Britain's Got Talent and The Voice!

Also, there are seasonal attractions such as the Winter Wonderland, which has a Christmas market and, lots of themed rides.

Chinatown Soho King's Cross St Pancras The O2 Arena Wembley Stadium

Shopping You can really shop till you drop in London, and best of all, many of these locations are within walking distance of UCL.

Covent Garden Oxford Street Tottenham Court Road Westfield

Musicals You definitely have to watch musicals when you are in London. If you are from a university in London, do check with your SingSoc to see if there are any musical outings where you might be able to get a group discount. The biggest crowd-pleasers are Les Miserables and Wicked. Note: all students can get student discount of up to half price for best seats (most expensive) tickets of most musicals on the very day of the musical subjected to availability so be sure to make full use of this!

Wicked the Musical Restaurants In Bloomsbury: Bubasa – Thai restaurant near Charlotte Street China House – Nearby many of the halls and ideal for satisfying a late night hunger craving; closes at midnight Chop Chop – Cheap and good food near King's Cross; their sweet and sour chicken is not bad Ecco – Cheap pizza place near Charlotte Street Gourmet Burger Kitchen – A whopping 40% student discount from Sunday to Thursday; one outlet is in Brunswick shopping arcade. China House Hare & Tortoise – Serves great Asian food, and frequented by Singaporean students, most often for char kway teow and prawn mee; located in Brunswick shopping arcade North Sea Fish & Chips – Great fish and chips, although a little pricey The Japanese Canteen – Quick Japanese food on Tottenham Court Road Valtaro's Snack Bar – Cheap, big servings of tasty pasta between £3 and £5 Yog – Delicious and cheap frozen yogurt near Charlotte Street, ask for a 10% student discount In Chinatown: C&R – Serves great Singaporean food such as Hokkien mee, laksa, nasi lemak, Ipoh hor fun and mee hoon kway (only on certain days); located in a small alley so do find out where it is

London Chinatown

Four Seasons – Has 2 branches in Chinatown and 1 in Bayswater; one of the 2 great roast duck restaurants; discount available with the SingSoc card Misato – Cheap and good Japanese food in massive portions Rasa Sayang – Has a wide range of Singaporean food but less popular among students than the other restaurants; discount available with the SingSoc card Wong Hei's – Cheap and tasty Chinese food, if you're willing to let the dismal service slide Misato

Other locations: Assa – Great Korean food near Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street Hummingbird Bakery – Beautiful cupcakes (try the red velvet ones) for those with a sweet tooth and don't mind lots of icing Gold Mine – One of the 2 roast duck powerhouses other than Four Seasons and is arguably the best; located in Bayswater; discount available with the SingSoc card Kimchee – Great Korean food in Holborn My Old Dutch – Sweet and savoury pancakes, all for £5 on Mondays Gold Mine Shanghai Blues – Dim sum restaurant; 50% off on Saturday lunches and Sundays

UKSSC Regent’s Park Picnic

Oxford Travel Guide Places of Interest

- Colleges: many of the University of Oxford’s colleges have beautiful architecture and a unique history to match, making that one of the main reasons why tourists come to visit Oxford.

- Christ Church: The scenes from the dining hall in Harry Potter were filmed in this very location. Other movies filmed here include Alice in Wonderland and Brideshead Revisited. Christ Church has a breathtaking quad (Tom Quad) by the entrance, and has other grand buildings like the cathedral and library. - Magdalen College: Many people reckon that Magdalen is the most beautiful out of all the colleges in Oxford. It has huge grounds which include the Grove (a deer park with deer inside!), Addison’s Walk (a footpath next to the River Cherwell), and other gardens and meadows filled with beautiful flora. - Worcester College: Its sprawling grounds house buildings that range from different points of time in history; there are medieval buildings amongst the oldest in Oxford known as ‘the cottages’. It also has many picturesque gardens, as well as a number of playing fields and a lake.

- Museums: There are a number of museums in Oxford that have year-round special exhibitions and tours. The Ashmolean Museum has ancient treasures from different cultures across the ages, and is has some of the most important art and archaeology collections in the UK. The Oxford University Museum of Natural History (geology, mineralogy, zoology and entomology) and the Pitt Rivers Museum (archaeology and anthropology) next to it are also interesting finds.

- Churches: There are several churches in Oxford but the most popular among Singaporean students is St Ebbes, an Anglican church with a vibrant youth ministry located at Pennyfarthing Place just behind Westgate Shopping Centre. The second most popular would probably be St Aldates, located opposite Christ Church College; there is an equally dynamic and active student community but the style of the services here, being more charismatic, differ from that of St Ebbes’s. These two churches are centrally located, as is another less popular church, the Wesley Memorial Church. There is also the Oxford Community Church, which is slightly farther – a 15-minute bicycle ride away from town centre.

- Bodleian Library /Gladstone Link/Radcliffe Camera: The Bodleian Library is the main research library of the University of Oxford and is the second largest library in the England. It has expanded over the years to receive the growing collection of books and articles. The Radcliffe Camera is a standalone expansion that has a distinct circular architecture; it is connected by an underground passage (Gladstone Link) to the Bodleian Library.

- Oxford City Centre: The city is centred on Cornmarket Street, a pedestrian-only walkway during the day, and includes High Street, Queen Street, Broad Street and George Street. You can do all the shopping you want here for clothes, groceries, as well as take your pick from a large range of restaurants specialising in various cuisines!

- Oxford Castle: This is a partly ruined Norman medieval castle that sits on a hill in the west of Oxford. The castle played a part in the Anarchy and was later destroyed during the English Civil War and converted to a prison. Today, there are shops and cafes and even a hotel to be found in the surviving parts of the castle.

- University Parks: Fancy a peaceful stroll to admire the great weather and scenery? University Parks is one of the more central and large parks in the area, and colleges often hold sporting activities here. You can always sit down on the grass for a picnic or take a jog around the perimeter to clear your mind.

Activities - Punting: Only available in the summer, this is an experience that everyone should definitely try! Oxford is famous for its river and punting involves standing at the rear of a punt (a type of boat) and using a pole to push oneself forward. Beginners are often unable to get the hang of it at the start, which results in many interesting and awkward situations that add to the fun!

Recommended Food

- There is a wide variety of food in Oxford, including a reasonable price range as well, with anything from £2 to £15 – be sure to check out www.studentbeans.com for regular food-related discounts. This section does not take into account the option of cooking, which many but not all Oxford students like to do.

- Midnight pick-me-ups: The only options available to those who are hungry around midnight are the kebab vans scattered all over Oxford; you’re not limited to kebabs either and can get just about any type of fast food, from burgers and fries (or ‘chips’) to chilli con carne. Prices are around £2 to £4, once again, depending on what you order. Literally set in a trailer van, these are not difficult to spot at their various locations: High St, Cornmarket St, Broad St, towards Westgate Shopping Centre, etc. In fact, you can smell them before you see them.

- Cafes: Aside from the quintessential Starbucks, Café Nero and Prete a Manger, there are a couple of other quaint and arguably better options for say, a chat with a friend over a coffee and a sandwich. Some choice picks include The Missing Bean (along Turl St) – known for its good coffee but forever crowded, Heroes Café (along Ship St) – which serves tasty hot food (think lasagne) in addition to sandwiches and one of the best milkshakes the author has ever tasted, and Olives (along High St, closer to Magdalen College) – known for making healthy and delectable sandwiches, in particular, the Parma Ham and Buffalo Cheese baguette. There is also G & D’s, a popular homegrown ice-cream establishment that can only be found in Oxford, which serves bagels and sandwiches as well; this opens until midnight every day. Prices start from £3 for sandwiches but could, once again, go up depending on what you order; drinks range from £2 or slightly less to £4.

- Italian: We are spoilt for choice when it comes to Italian food; it appears that every alternate restaurant you walk past in Ox ford serves Italian but not all serve good or even decent Italian fare. The author’s subjective picks for the better Italian establishments in town are La Strada (located near St Giles) and Zizzi (located along George Street). Farther up in Cowley, there is also La Cucina. Prices range from £7 to £15.

- Asian: The Chinese food in Oxford is decent, although not mindblowing. Some of the more popular options include dimsum at Liaison (located near Oxford Castle), Koi (along George St) which also has a £10.95 all-you-can-eat a la carte buffet for Sunday lunch, Sojo (near the train station), Sze Chuan Restaurant (at Gloucester Green Square), and Opium Den (along George St). As for Thai, the most popular option would be Angrid Thai – one could literally find a Singaporean there whenever you walk into Angrid Thai, and for good reason too, as the food is good (the author highly recommends the duck panag curry) and relatively affordable. Other insignificant options for Thai food include Chiang Mai Kitchen and At Thai, both located along High St. For Japanese, unfortunately, there is only one decent option available and it opens at erratic hours – Edameme (along Holywell St); avoid Wagamama at all cost.

- Random: Other popular dining options include the Gourmet Burger Kitchen, which serves good burgers that are a notch above those you get from fast food restaurants or kebab vans; they often come up with interesting items as well, such as a chicken katsu sandwich. There are also little gems inside the Covered Market: Browns Café does a delicious all-day English breakfast for £5, Moo Moo’s serves an impressive range of milkshakes (comparable to the bubble tea shops in Singapore), and Ben’s Cookies has delicious huge chewy cookies in various flavours.

The Scottish Highlands From sheep shearing, whiskey tasting, castle hunting to snowboarding, there are things to do for everyone in the Scottish highlands. Those with a thing for Gaelic history and photography will be largely rewarded by its breathtaking sceneries and Scotland’s rich culture. ‘Bad’ weather and its inaccessibility are things you have to bear in mind when you’re here, and umbrellas are generally not advised. Edinburgh & Glasgow are good starting Stirling & Linlithgowlocations for Highland trips. Often termed the ‘Gateway to the Highlands’, Stirling has been strategically significant since ancient times and have been one of the principal royal strongholds of the Kingdom of Scotland. Linlithgow is an ancient town with a magnificent historic attraction – Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of James V and Mary, Queen of Scots, and probably Scotland's finest surviving late medieval secular building. What to see: Stirling castle, National Wallace Monument, Linlithgow Palace Getting there: £8 day return tickets from Edinburgh & Glasgow Thoughts: ‘Can be kinda boring if you are not interested in Scottish history’. ‘Good day weekend trips which can be done from both Edinburgh and Glasgow due to their Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle proximities.’ Best known and world famous from the alleged sightings of “Nessie”, the loch (Irish and Scottish Gaelic for lake) is the largest by volume and attracts thousands of visitors annually. What to see: Urquhart Castle, one of the largest strongholds in medieval Scotland. “The Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition” at Drumnadrochit examines the natural history and legend of Loch Ness, definitely worth a visit. Getting there: By car (preferred) or buses from Inverness. Thoughts: ‘Value for money, especially the Loch Ness Centre which really explains to you the history, sightings and appreciation for the Loch and its monster in it. Good to explore with tours or small groups of friends.’

Ski/Snowboard in Scotland A snow sports lover or an amateur willing to go for your first snow sports experience? Scotland boosts magnificent ski slopes, excellent weather conditions and good value for money leaving you coming back for more. Where: Glenshee, Glencoe or Cairngorm (given its variety of slopes and closeness to major cities Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness) Time of year: Winter break! (No snow in summer) Costs: Approx £350 for 5D4N including accommodation, equipment, suits, transport, food (self-catered) Thoughts: ‘Need for care hire and drive up, self-catered, good for short winter trips with small groups 4-8. Nevertheless, we had great fun!’

A Pre-Departure Welfare Initiative by:

THE UNITED KINGDOM – SINGAPORE STUDENTS’ COUNCIL 在籍英国新加坡学生理事会 in collaboration with all Partner Societies