Student life in the UK: A guide to British festivals

PTE Author
PTE Author
Image- sparklers
Reading time: 6 minutes

Studying in the UK provides a great opportunity to immerse yourself in British culture and traditions. Not only can you meet new people, try new food and explore different cities, you can also experience a range of different festivals that you might not celebrate in your own country.  

While there are many British traditions and festivals, here are some of the oldest and most widely celebrated festivals that you can get involved in while you’re studying in the UK: 

The top 5 British festivals

1. Halloween

So what is Halloween? Also known as All Saints’ Eve, Halloween is a celebration in many countries on 31st October, which honours religious Saints and the dead.

The tradition dates back to an ancient Celtic festival held on this day, where people would light bonfires and wear costumes to frighten away spirits. Later, in the 8th century, Pope Gregory III chose November 1st as a time to honour the saints.

While it remained a religious festival for many years, in the last century it has turned into a fun, yet spooky, holiday to celebrate. Children and young adults particularly enjoy Halloween and take part in a number of activities.

These include trick-or-treating where they knock on neighbours’ doors and ask for sweets, carving faces into pumpkins and watching horror movies. Let’s not forget dressing up in scary costumes, like a vampire, witch or zombie, and attending a fancy dress party!

There are lots of different ways to take part in this festival as a university student. In the UK, most universities normally organize Halloween parties on October 31st. And if you don’t like dressing up, it’s also a common tradition for cinemas to show horror films as an alternative Halloween celebration.

2. Bonfire Night

Also known as Guy Fawkes’ Night, Bonfire Night is a British festival that takes place on November 5th each year. So why do people celebrate bonfire night? It is a day that commemorates the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

Guy Fawkes was a Catholic who didn’t agree with the King’s persecution of Catholics at the time. So, he developed a plan to blow up Westminster Palace in London while King James I and the members of parliament were inside. However, the plot was unsuccessful and he was sentenced to death.

When the people of London realized that the king had escaped assassination, they lit bonfires to celebrate. After this, King James I declared that November the 5th would be a public day of thanksgiving for the plot's failure. Nowadays, people celebrate this night with bonfires, fireworks, sparklers and toffee apples.

If you’d like to experience Bonfire Night, you’ll be able to attend organized outdoor gatherings with bonfires and fireworks displays around cities and in public spaces. Make sure to wrap up warm, as it gets cold during November evenings in the UK!

3. Christmas

Christmas is an annual religious festival celebrating the birth of Jesus on December 25th. However, both religious and non-religious people across the country celebrate this holiday. Although Christmas Day on December 25th is the main event, British people also celebrate Christmas Eve on December 24th and Boxing Day on December 26th.

There are a number of British Christmas traditions associated with this holiday. For instance, people eat turkey, hang up decorations and stockings, pull crackers, eat mince pies, give each other presents and even watch the Queen give a televised speech on Christmas Day.

If this is something that you’d like to experience you’ll have plenty of options in the UK. Many pubs and restaurants allow you to book a traditional Christmas meal. Moreover, many cities have a Christmas market in December where you can try mulled wine and buy gifts. It’s truly a magical time of year!  

4. New Year's Eve

Shortly after Christmas, people in the UK and other countries around the world celebrate New Year's Eve on December 31st. It is the last day of the year before New Year’s Day, which marks the start of a new calendar year.

A festival that has been celebrated for centuries, British people recognise it as a night where they can welcome in a new year. At midnight on New Year’s Eve, it is tradition to set off fireworks and firecrackers, as well as celebrate with food and drink. Some families dance to Auld Lang Syne, a Scottish folk song which means ‘long long ago’ and is traditionally sung to farewell the old year.

Cities and towns around the country hold fireworks displays, parties and other events to celebrate this festival. If you’d like to join in you’ll be able to search for an event near you. Similarly, you can watch the BBC or another major television channel from your home - each year they broadcast live performances, interviews with celebrities and the countdown to midnight.

5. Easter

The end of winter and beginning of spring is celebrated in many countries across the world, and Britain is no different. In the UK, Easter heralds a week of celebrations for those who are both religious and non-religious.

Easter begins with Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week. This week includes Good Friday, a public holiday, Easter Sunday and ends with Easter Monday, also a public holiday. The date of Easter Sunday varies from year to year - in 2022 it will be on April 17th.

Nowadays, this festival offers an opportunity for families to get together and eat a traditional roast dinner. Some people decorate the dinner table with painted eggs, little yellow chicks, bunnies and spring flowers like daffodils, white lilies and tulips. It’s also tradition to buy family and friends chocolate eggs from supermarkets or chocolatiers.

If you’re interested in celebrating Easter in the UK, you’ll be able to book an Easter roast dinner at most pubs and restaurants, as well as buy chocolate eggs. There are also a number of Easter egg hunts that you can try. In London, for example,  there’s an event where you have to search for chocolate eggs around the city. You can check your local area to see what they have organized.  

Study in the UK

The opportunity to study in another country is an invaluable experience. If you choose the UK as a study destination, not only will you improve your English, you’ll also learn about UK culture, celebrate British traditions, and make some memories that will last a lifetime!

If you’re interested in experiencing life as a student in the UK, PTE Academic may just be what you need. This test is recognized as an official language certificate that can be used for UK visas to access 99% of British universities.

Discover how PTE Academic can help you achieve your goals.

Related Content

  • Image- calculator-800px x451px
    Living expenses in the UK for international students
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Studying abroad in the UK can be expensive. International students need to budget for flights, tuition, textbooks, accommodation, and don’t forget the visa application.

    Of course, living costs in the UK for international students can vary depending on your lifestyle and where you live. So, in this blog, we’ll look at how much students in the UK spend on average each month – and explore how much it cost to live in a large city, compared to a smaller city.  

    Average student living expenses in the UK

  • Image- UK, 1080px
    Applying for the EU Settlement Scheme: what you need to know to get British citizenship
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 6 minutes

    At the beginning of this year, new Brexit-related rules went into effect in the UK and the EU.  They’ll have a big impact on immigration and travel – including on how people will be able to move to the UK to live, work and study. 

    If you’re an EU citizen—and started living in the UK before 2021—immigration rules won’t change for you until June. But after that, you might have to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme to stay in the country. 

    More than 4.3 million people have been approved for the scheme already. And, they’re on the path to receiving a British passport. With the EU Settlement Scheme, EU citizens can apply for British citizenship after 12 months. 

    In this blog, we’ll explore more about the scheme and how to apply for citizenship. We will also look at the English language requirements you’ll need to keep in mind as an EU citizen. 

    Keep in mind: We aren’t immigration agents. For the latest information and official updates, please visit the GOV UK website. 

    First, what is the EU Settlement Scheme?

    The EU Settlement Scheme is a program set up by the UK government. It allows EU, Swiss, and EEA citizens to keep living in the UK after June 2021. It’s free to apply, and once you do, you’ll be granted either: 

    • Settled status – You’ll get this if you’ve lived in the UK continuously for five years. You will be able to stay in the UK indefinitely provided you don’t leave the UK for 5 years consecutively.

    • Pre-settled status – You’ll get this if you’ve lived in the UK for less than five years. With pre-settled status, you’ll only be able to stay in the UK for another five years but can always apply for settled status later if you want to settle permanently. 

    With settled status, as we mentioned, you’ll also have the opportunity to apply for British citizenship. Although, many people have decided to apply for citizenship right away instead of going through the scheme – for example, if they have a British parent or spouse. 

    With citizenship, you’ll have the right to live permanently in the UK with a British passport, which means you’ll no longer be subject to immigration controls. You’ll also be able to work and study in the UK, sponsor your family members to migrate, access NHS healthcare, access public benefits and pensions  – and of course, vote in elections. 

    The Mayor of London’s website has a comprehensive FAQ on the EU Settlement Scheme. You can also find out more information on the official GOV UK page.

    How to apply for British citizenship 

    If you’re interested in applying for British citizenship, there are a few ways to do so. For example, you could be eligible if you: 

    • have a British civil partner or spouse;

    • were born in the UK;

    • have a British parent;

    • have settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. 

    The requirements for citizenship are often different, depending on why you’re applying and how you’re eligible. But if you’re applying under the EU Settlement Scheme, in most circumstances you’ll have to show you: 

    • have been living in the UK for more than five years and will continue to do so;

    • are of good character;

    • have passed the Life in the UK Test, which consists of 24 questions on British traditions;

    • are knowledgeable in English, Welsh, or Gaelic. You will also need to take an approved English test for UK citizenship.

    Learn more about how to apply for British citizenship with the scheme here. 

  • Image- Singapore, 800px x 451px
    How to study in Singapore
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 5 minutes

    Asian students have long been drawn to Western universities. In fact, in 2018 and 2019, China sent more students to study in the UK than any other country. But now as Asian countries seek to attract more international students themselves, many learners are choosing to study closer to home instead.  

    After all, studying within the region offers plenty of benefits. Not only do Asian universities provide a world-class education at a more affordable price. But they are also “among the world’s best at enhancing their alumni’s job market prospects,” states the QS Graduate Employability Rankings. This is a big draw, considering a recent report found that 81% of respondents from eight Asian countries wanted to study at a foreign university to improve employment. 

    So, what are some of the top study abroad locations for Asian students? And what do learners need to keep in mind when choosing a destination? In this guide, we’ll focus on Singapore: 

    Singapore at a glance 

    Singapore is modern, sustainable, and multicultural. This makes it an attractive place to study for students from around the region. Malay, Mandarin, Tamil, and English are all recognized as official languages, although English is most commonly spoken. In fact, almost 40% of the population in Singapore speaks English at home.  

    Singapore invests heavily in human capital. For example, it spends more than 20% of its budget on education each year. It comes as no surprise, then, that Singapore’s education system is listed as one of the best in the world by OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). 

    Universities in Singapore 

    There are dozens of universities and colleges in Singapore. The two most popular universities are the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Both universities are ranked among the top 20 in the world. According to QS World University Rankings 2021, NUS holds the spot for 11. NTU is ranked number 13. About a quarter of learners at both universities are international students.  

    Even more, according to QS, NUS ranks number 24 for graduate employability.  

    To study at a Singaporean institution, you must apply directly through the admissions office. This is usually done at the beginning of the year. 

    If you’re a second language speaker or haven’t studied full-time at an English institution, you will also need to prove your English proficiency. PTE Academic is a computer-based language test that provides unbiased and secure results and can help you qualify for studying and migrating abroad.  

    Students wanting to attend a college in Singapore – including the Singapore Institute of Management Global Education (SIM GE), the East Asia Institute of Management, and LASALLE College of the Arts – will need a PTE Academic score of 42. In general, universities look for a minimum PTE Academic score between 55 and 62. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of what some popular universities require: 

    • National University of Singapore–62 

    • Nanyang Technological University– 55 

    • Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) – 62 

    However, students are strongly advised to always check with their own university or college to see exactly what PTE Academic score is needed.  

    Getting your visa 

    If you want to study in Singapore, you will need to have a Student Pass. To apply, you must already be accepted as a full-time student at an academic institution. With a Student Pass, you’ll be able to work up to 16 hours a week during the school term. However, you can only do this if you go to an approved institution.  

    Find out exactly how to apply for a Student Pass here.  

    Cost of living 

    Singapore is considered one of the best student cities in the world; it has great weather, a vibrant mix of cultures, and an excellent food scene. However, compared to other Asian countries, it is on the expensive side. International student tuition fees sit at about $18,700 USD a year. To get an idea about how much it costs to live in Singapore, check out the government’s cost of living calculator.  

    Financial aid 

    It’s important to keep in mind that Singapore does offer financial aid for citizens, permanent residents, and international students. The Ministry of Education provides these grants under The Tuition Grant Scheme.  

    The amount of money offered depends on the area of study and the status of each student in Singapore. This table is a good resource, showing what was available to students studying at NTU in 2020. You can see that for international students, the grants start at about $7,700 USD.   

    To accept a Tuition Grant, students who aren’t citizens must sign a Tuition Grant Agreement. This states that they will work in Singapore for a minimum of three years after graduation.  

    For more grant information, visit the Ministry of Education website.  

    Want to study in Singapore?

    With PTE Academic you can achieve your dreams.  

    Our unbiased English tests are trusted as proof of English proficiency by universities in Singapore –  and results are typically ready within 2 days. 

    Find out where you can take PTE Academic now.