This part of the world has a lot to offer when it comes to fascinating history. Through subsequent conquest over the following centuries, kingdoms lying farther afield came under English dominion. The UK has kept the British Pound because the ⦠UK These are some of the features of the UK which you may want to consider when deciding if you wish to study, work or live there: Culture Note that there are good and bad sides to each characteristic, and there are many exceptions to these stereotypes. Whenever I tell someone in the UK that I don't drink, they're often a bit shocked. The UK, with its GDP having grown during World War 2, felt a closer union with Europe would weaken its economic strength and so refused to join. Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription. To the west of Wales and northern England and to the southeast of Northern Ireland, the Irish Sea separates Great Britain from Ireland, while southwestern England, the northwestern coast of Northern Ireland, and western Scotland face the Atlantic Ocean. Apart from the land border with the Irish republic, the United Kingdom is surrounded by sea. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. The UK undertakes 5 per cent of the worldâs scientific research and produces 14 per cent of the worldâs most frequently cited papers. Since World War II, however, the United Kingdom’s most prominent exports have been cultural, including literature, theatre, film, television, and popular music that draw on all parts of the country. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. England, occupying most of southern Great Britain, includes the Isles of Scilly off the southwest coast and the Isle of Wight off the southern coast. In fact, England, Scotland, Wales and the Offshore Islands all offer great vacation and holiday destinations with something for ⦠The United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SCO37733 (Scotland), English training for educational institutions, EnglishScore for Business - mobile English test. From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, simply called the United Kingdom (UK), Great Britain or just Britain, is a sovereign country. The UK has a temperate climate. A simple walk down the street can turn into an impromptu history lesson as you pass historic churches, homes, and even castles. The UK is the home of English hence an ideal place to develop language skills and enhance employment prospects. It also benefits from historical and cultural links with the United States and is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). They also want people with a grasp on English â what better way for you to lear⦠During this time, Britain held trade agreements primarily with its Commonwealth under the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The United Kingdom consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Relations between these constituent states and England have been marked by controversy and, at times, open rebellion and even warfare. Northern Ireland contains a westward extension of the rock structures of Scotland. To start with, there's the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. UK universities are among the best in the world, and consistently perform well in world rankings. With traditions of excellence dating back hundreds of years, high class institutions on every corner, and much more flexibility than many other countries, the United Kingdom has much to offer international students that other English-speaking countries cannot. Sean362 on August 21, 2014: Author of. It is a constitutional monarchy that is made up of four separate countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The UK undertakes 5 per cent of the worldâs scientific research and produces 14 per cent of the worldâs most frequently cited papers. The capital, London, is situated on the tidal River Thames in southeastern England. Thus, on January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom would become the first country to withdraw from the EU. The house of Lords and the monarch would be best replaced by elected experts, in order to get rid of cronyism in the house of lords and ⦠The United Kingdom, while part of the European Union, does not use the euro as a common currency. The archipelago formed by Great Britain and the numerous smaller islands is as irregular in shape as it is diverse in geology and landscape. If youâre looking to study a program at one of the top higher education institutions at a price that doesnât exceed your budget â check out our UK partners. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK or U.K.) or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northwestern coast of the European mainland.The United Kingdom includes the island of Great Britain, the northeastern part of the island of Ireland, and many smaller islands. We are with Europe, but not of it. Other major cities include Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester in England, Belfast and Londonderry in Northern Ireland, Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland, and Swansea and Cardiff in Wales. Everywhere you look in the UK, youâll be surrounded by thousands of years of history. The origins of the United Kingdom can be traced to the time of the Anglo-Saxon king Athelstan, who in the early 10th century ce secured the allegiance of neighbouring Celtic kingdoms and became “the first to rule what previously many kings shared between them,” in the words of a contemporary chronicle. The UK is not particularly democratic. On a global scale, this natural endowment covers a small area—approximating that of the U.S. state of Oregon or the African country of Guinea—and its internal diversity, accompanied by rapid changes of often beautiful scenery, may convey to visitors from larger countries a striking sense of compactness and consolidation. These common rock structures are breached by the narrow North Channel. There are lots of unique historic buildings that you can visit. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The UK education system is flexible, so you can study in a way that suits your lifestyle and career aspirations. Your English language journey starts here. The peoples who, over the centuries, have hewed an existence from this Atlantic extremity of Eurasia have put their own imprint on the environment, and the ancient and distinctive palimpsest of their field patterns and settlements complements the natural diversity. In general, this means that Britain gets cool, wet winters and warm, wet summers. The United Kingdom is a great place to visit. Scotland, ruled from London since 1603, formally was joined with England and Wales in 1707 to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain. To add even more to the confusi⦠In 2014 the top 40 countries in terms of the number of scientific papers published were listed in order. We are linked, but not comprised. If you are a history buff then you will definitely want to think about visiting the United Kingdom. The UK's score in this measure was 11.5, compared to the OECD average of 7.3. The United Kingdom contains most of the area and population of the British Isles—the geographic term for the group of islands that includes Great Britain, Ireland, and many smaller islands. Know more about the Library offer across our British Council centres, Search for UK universities or colleges that teach your chosen subject. One of the worldâs leading destinations for international students, second only to the USA. Great Britain is the name of the largest island in the British Isles and is also a political entity consisting of three countries: England, Scotland, and Wales. Wales lies west of England and includes the island of Anglesey to the northwest. The teaching and study methodology used in the UK give you the freedom to be creative and develop skills sets and confidence. Please select which sections you would like to print: Corrections? These tensions relaxed somewhat during the late 20th century, when devolved assemblies were introduced in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. 40) The Great British Fry Up The name Britain is sometimes used to refer to the United Kingdom as a whole. The supremacy of Northumbria and the rise of Mercia, The church and scholarship in Offa’s time, The decline of Mercia and the rise of Wessex, Alfred’s government and his revival of learning, The Danish conquest and the reigns of the Danish kings, The reign of Edward the Confessor and the Norman Conquest, Rebellion of Henry’s sons and Eleanor of Aquitaine, Political struggles and Richard’s deposition, Domestic rivalries and the loss of France, The exclusion crisis and the Tory reaction, William III (1689–1702) and Mary II (1689–94), Domestic responses to the American Revolution, Ireland and the return of the Conservatives, The return of the Conservatives (1970–74), The Margaret Thatcher government (1979–90), The Falkland Islands War, the 1983 election, and privatization, Racial discrimination and the 1981 England riots, “Black Wednesday,” epidemic scandals, and Major’s “Citizens Charter”, New Labour, the repeal of Clause IV, and the “third way”, Navigating the European monetary system and the EU Social Chapter, London’s local government, House of Lords reform, and devolution for Scotland and Wales, The royal family’s “annus horribilis,” the death of Princess Diana, and the Millennium Dome, The battle for the soul of the Conservative Party, Weapons of mass destruction and the Iraq War, Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition rule (2010–15), The 2011 riots, the European sovereign debt crisis, and Cameron’s veto of changes to the Lisbon Treaty, The 2012 London Olympics, Julian Assange’s embassy refuge, and the emergence of UKIP, The birth of George, rejection of intervention in Syria, and regulation of GCHQ, The resignation of Cameron, the rise of May, and a challenge to Corbyn’s leadership of Labour, The Manchester arena bombing and London bridge attacks, The Grenfell Tower fire, a novichok attack in Salisbury, and air strikes on Syria, The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Chequers plan, and Boris Johnson’s resignation, EU agreement and Parliamentary opposition to May’s Brexit plan, Objections to the Irish backstop and a challenge to May’s leadership, Parliamentary rejection of May’s plan, May’s survival of a confidence vote, and the Independent Group of breakaway MPs, “Indicative votes,” May’s pledge to resign, a third defeat for her plan, and a new deadline, Boris Johnson’s ascension, the December 2019 snap election, and Brexit, Prime ministers of Great Britain and the United Kingdom, https://www.britannica.com/place/United-Kingdom, British Library - Windrush Stories - How Caribbean Migrants Helped to Rebuild Britain, British Library - Windrush Stories - Windrush and the Making of Post-Imperial Britain, Central Intelligence Agency - The World Factbook - United Kingdom, United Kingdom - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), United Kingdom - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). The United Kingdom comprises four geographic and historical parts—England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. To the south of England and between the United Kingdom and France is the English Channel. As a student you get the opportunity to be taught by the world's leading academics and experts; you also benefit from their constant academic support. From the northern tip of Scotland to the southern coast of England, it is about 600 miles (1,000 km). Updates? The republic of Ireland gained its independence in 1922, but six of Ulster’s nine counties remained part of the United Kingdom as Northern Ireland. Great Britain is traditionally divided into a highland and a lowland zone. However, if you wish to move from outside the EU then you will need official permission to enter and stay within the UK. Versus other European countries, the United Kingdom has a big problem with expensive food. Our events like various information sessions, exhibitions are all designed for you. Although England is the biggest and superior country/region, obviously. Together England, Wales, and Scotland constitute Great Britain, the larger of the two principal islands, while Northern Ireland and the republic of Ireland constitute the second largest island, Ireland. A new, more infectious variant of the COVID-19 virus is wreaking havoc in England, so now everyone is panicking and cutting off travel and commerce with the ⦠UK institutions offer flexibility of choice and enable you to blend academic and vocational courses of your choice. Scholarships and STEM guides for students, UK Council for international Student Affairs. Read on to know why the UK is preferred by students as opposed to their home country. 1. Those include Abbotsbury Abbey, Alfredâs Tower, Amberley Castle, Antony House, and many more. .uk is the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for the United Kingdom.It was first registered in July 1985, seven months after the original generic top-level domains such as .com and the first country code after .us.. As of February 2016, it is the fifth most popular top-level domain worldwide (after .com, .cn, .de and .net), with over 10 million registrations. United Kingdom (UK) has a very remarkable history and they are good in preserving their traditions along with the old buildings and gardens. The UK has been the preferred choice for some of the most important minds in history. The reason it did so well was the consultation on rule-making that exists in the United Kingdom. (The adjective “British” came into use at this time to refer to all the kingdom’s peoples.) What is the world’s largest archipelago? The United Kingdom comprises the whole of the island of Great Britainâwhich contains England, Wales, and Scotland âas well as the northern portion of the island of Ireland. The UK is one of the worldâs most popular destinations to study higher education, with more than 500,000 international students enrolling each year. From our world-recognised universities to our innovative teaching approach and the leading minds who deliver it, we have what you need to reach your potential. The benefits of studying in the UK The UK institutions consistently rank among the best in the world and qualifications are internationally valued and recognised. The United Kingdom retains links with parts of its former empire through the Commonwealth. Cheaper Tuition in the UK. The United Kingdom will be very much in the international spotlight. Remember, United Kingdom (or the U.K.) is the country, Great Britain is the island, and England is one of the U.K.'s four administrative regions. A UK education opens doors, wherever you go in the world. Scotland, occupying northern Great Britain, includes the Orkney and Shetland islands off the northern coast and the Hebrides off the northwestern coast. Nonetheless, even with the establishment of a power-sharing assembly after referenda in both Northern Ireland and the Irish republic, relations between Northern Ireland’s unionists (who favour continued British sovereignty over Northern Ireland) and nationalists (who favour unification with the republic of Ireland) remained tense into the 21st century. At its widest the United Kingdom is 300 miles (500 km) across. The capital is London, which is among the world’s leading commercial, financial, and cultural centres. The name Britain is sometimes used to refer to the United Kingdom as a whole. If you need any more reasons to study in the UK you will find StudyLinkâs UK Universities & Studying in the UK guide very helpful. But we have our own dream and our own task. Omissions? The cost of living may be high but it is a safe country and unemployment is low. Terminology for the British Isles, the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and Ireland. Moreover, the United Kingdom became a member of the European Union in 1973. Why is the whole of Ireland not in the UK? Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Education is very great in UK , but the only negative and main drawback is it does not allows students to stay in UK for longer periods in UK after the completion of our study , gives only 4 months of post study work visa while U.S. , CANADA, AUS are giving 2,3,2 years post study work visa respectively. The North Sea lies to the east. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the official term! In the past few years, the average price of food in England has risen at a much faster rate than the rest of the European Union. Before 1922 the UK included Ireland in the definition, but when the Irish Free State ceased to be part of the Union the title changed to include ' Northern Ireland ' . Higher education is expensive, but youâll be pleased to know that tuition fees are less expensive in the UK than in the US. The excellent educational infrastructure, top-notch distinguished teaching methodology, quality research, rich heritage and diverse culture of the UK make it an amazing place to study. A line running from the mouth of the River Exe, in the southwest, to that of the Tees, in the northeast, is a crude expression of this division. Many Britons, however, were sometimes reluctant EU members, holding to the sentiments of the great wartime prime minister Winston Churchill, who sonorously remarked, “We see nothing but good and hope in a richer, freer, more contented European commonalty. British Empire, a worldwide system of dependenciesâ colonies, protectorates, and other territoriesâthat over a span of some three centuries was brought under the sovereignty of the crown of Great Britain and the administration of the British government. Wales, a congeries of Celtic kingdoms lying in Great Britain’s southwest, was formally united with England by the Acts of Union of 1536 and 1542. The North Channel coast south of Torr Head, Northern Ireland. Nancy on August 28, 2014: Royal family and English literature were the things why England was love. Why take an exam with the British Council? In todayâs world economy, you need specific skills and qualities to be able to succeed in your field. Stonehenge, prehistoric circular earthwork and stone religious site, Wiltshire, England; late Neolithic Period to Early Bronze Age (1800–1400. After much negotiation, several deadline extensions, prolonged domestic political discord, and two changes of prime minister, an agreement on “Brexit” (British exit from the EU) was reached that satisfied both the EU and the majority of Parliament. From football hooligans to endless rain, here are some of the worst things about living in the UK. It is sometimes used interchangeably with the term "United Kingdom," but to prevent confusionâand to avoid possible offense to those from Northern Irelandâit's best if you don't do this. If you live within the EU you can move to the UK without too much red tape being involved. If you can think of any other reasons why the UK is the perfect place to ⦠It's perhaps more obvious to me because I don't drink, but the fact that alcohol is central to a large part of the population's everyday life here was a bit of a shock for me. The UK institutions consistently rank among the best in the world and qualifications are internationally valued and recognised. Usually comprising of beef, lamb, pork or ham, roast potatoes, veg, Yorkshire Puddings and lashings of gravy, the Sunday Roast or Sunday Carvery is a staple on most weekend menus in pubs and venues throughout the UK. The United Kingdom comprises the whole of the island of Great Britain—which contains England, Wales, and Scotland—as well as the northern portion of the island of Ireland. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Because the UK is in denial, and because it is in denial it refuses to fix things. The course of the 700-foot (213-metre) contour, or of the boundary separating the older rocks of the north and west from the younger southeastern strata, provides a more accurate indication of the extent of the highlands. 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