What American Students Need to Know Before Studying in the UK
Moving from the U.S. to the UK for university is not usually a huge culture shock. The language is the same, everyday life feels relatively familiar and American students tend to settle in quickly.
But there are some differences that can take a little getting used to.
Here are some of the things I tell my tell my American student they need to know before studying in the UK!
1. University Learning Is Much More Independent
This is probably the biggest academic adjustment for American students.
UK universities generally expect students to take much more responsibility for their own learning. You may have fewer scheduled classes, fewer assignments and far less of what American students might think of as “busy work.”
That does not mean there is less work.
Instead, much more of your time is expected to be spent reading, researching and studying independently.
You may also have far fewer graded assessments. Rather than accumulating points through homework, quizzes, participation and frequent assignments throughout the semester, a significant portion of your grade might depend on just a few essays or exams.
Nobody is going to check that you have completed three hours of reading before your seminar. You are simply expected to do it.
For some American students, this freedom is one of the best things about studying in the UK. But it does require good time management and a willingness to take responsibility for your own education.
2. A Grade of 70 Is Excellent
This one can initially be alarming.
UK university grading is completely different from U.S. grading.
At many UK universities, undergraduate degree classifications broadly work like this:
- 70%+ — First-Class Degree
- 60–69% — Upper Second-Class (2:1)
- 50–59% — Lower Second-Class (2:2)
- 40–49% — Third-Class
So if you receive a 72 on an essay, do not panic because you think you have earned a C. You have in fact done extremely well!
More common, especially in the first year when you are adjusting to the new system, is to receive a grade in the 50-65% range. – solidly in the B range and not a failure at all.
Getting into the 80s is unusual. A 70 at a UK university does not mean the same thing as a 70 at a U.S. high school or college!!
The University of St Andrews grades differently to most other UK universities – read more here.
3. You Will Need to Learn UK Times and Dates
If your exam is scheduled for 14:00, that means 2:00 p.m.
The UK uses the 24-hour clock much more commonly than the U.S., particularly for exam times, university schedules, train times and other official information.
Dates are also written differently. In the UK, the order is day, month, year, rather than month, day, year.
So 05/10/2026 means October 5, 2026, not May 10.
This is one difference worth remembering when you are booking travel, checking deadlines or looking at exam dates.
You will get used to both surprisingly quickly.
4. WhatsApp Will Probably Become Essential
Texting is certainly still a thing in the UK, but WhatsApp is everywhere.
University societies, sports teams, group projects, student organizations and groups of friends commonly communicate through WhatsApp.
If you have never really used it in the U.S., download it before you leave. There is a good chance that within a few weeks you will have more WhatsApp groups than you know what to do with.
5. Healthcare Works Very Differently
One of the nicest surprises for many U.S. students is how straightforward healthcare can be.
International students studying in the UK on a Student visa generally pay the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of the visa process. Once this has been paid, NHS medical treatment is free at the point of use.
There are no deductibles, doctor copays or hospital bills for NHS medical treatment.
When you arrive, one of the first things you should do is register with a GP (General Practitioner, the UK equivalent of a primary care doctor).
If you become sick, your GP will usually be your first point of contact and can refer you to a specialist if necessary.
There are separate rules for prescriptions, dental treatment and eye care, but the basic system is much simpler than many American students expect.
Related: Can American Students Use the NHS? UK Healthcare Explained
6. Know the UK Emergency Numbers
In an emergency, call 999, not 911.
999 connects you to the police, ambulance or fire service. 112 also works in the UK and connects to the same emergency services.
For urgent medical help that is not an emergency, call NHS 111 or use the NHS 111 service online.
Hopefully you will never need 999, but it is one number worth knowing before you arrive.
7. Getting Around the UK Is Easy Without a Car
One of the great advantages of studying in the UK is how easy it is to travel without owning a car.
Trains connect university cities across the country, and students can buy a 16–25 Railcard, which gives a discount of one-third on most rail fares. Booking ahead can make train travel considerably cheaper.
Public transportation also makes it relatively easy to get around within many university cities.
For an American student accustomed to needing a car to get almost everywhere, this can be a big change.
8. Europe Is on Your Doorstep
Studying in the UK also puts much of Europe within easy reach.
Low-cost airlines offer inexpensive flights from UK airports to destinations across Europe, making a weekend in Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam or Rome entirely realistic.
Depending on where you study, you may also be able to take the Eurostar from London directly to continental Europe.
Just remember that the UK is no longer part of the EU, so you will need your passport when traveling to Europe and should always check the entry requirements for your destination.
One of my favorite pieces of advice for students is to take advantage of this. Your university years are a wonderful opportunity to explore not just the UK, but Europe too.
9. You Will Learn a New Language, Sort Of
You already speak English, but occasionally it might not feel like it.
Your schedule becomes a timetable. Your classes may be called modules. Your grades are marks. You live in a flat, take the lift, stand in a queue, and put your trash in the bin.
Then there is the slang, which changes depending on where in the UK you study.
In London, someone’s gaff is their home. In Scotland, scran means food. Cheers can mean thank you. You alright? is usually just hello. And quite good may not be nearly as enthusiastic as it sounds.
Give it a few months and you may find yourself asking your flatmates if they want to get some scran before heading back to your gaff.
You do not need to start speaking British English. You will just become surprisingly fluent in translating it.
10. University Life Comes With More Independence
The academic independence you experience at a UK university extends into everyday life too.
UK universities generally assume that you are an adult from the moment you arrive.
There may be less institutional oversight than American students are accustomed to. You will be expected to manage your own schedule, appointments, meals, laundry, finances and academic responsibilities.
For many students, this is part of the appeal.
You are not just going to college in another country. You are learning how to live independently in it.
My Advice: What American Students Need to Know Before Studying in the UK
Do not worry about trying to understand every British expression or cultural difference before you arrive. You will learn most of them surprisingly quickly.
The adjustment I would prepare for most carefully is the academic one.
Fewer assignments and fewer hours in class can initially look like less work. They are not. UK universities simply expect much more of that work to be directed by you.
Embrace that independence. Register with a GP. Download WhatsApp. Get a Railcard. Remember that 14:00 means 2:00 p.m. and 05/10 means October 5, not May 10.
And once you have settled in, take advantage of everything that studying in the UK gives you the opportunity to experience.
