British culture

You can learn about British culture, from currency and language to acceptable manners, by reading the guidance provided by the British Council.

There is also lots of practical and cultural information available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs

Religion and faith

You are free to follow any religion and faith in the UK.

The largest faith community is Christian, followed by Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism and Buddhism. There are also many people who are non-religious, secular, atheist, agnostic and humanist.

The University of Bath Chaplaincy can provide a list of local religious groups and places of worship in Bath.

The Students' Union also has a range of faith societies.

Public holidays

There are several public holidays a year in Britain, known as bank holidays.

Driving

In the UK, people drive on the left-hand side of the road. Check to see if you can use your licence to drive in the UK.

If you intend to drive in the UK there are other requirements to be aware of including vehicle tax, MOT certification and insurance. For more information, visit the UK Government's Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency website.

Healthcare

Read our guidance on how to get healthcare if you are an international student, including what costs you may have to pay.

Food shopping

You can find supermarkets and grocery stores in every town and city across the UK. Some of the biggest supermarket chains are:

• Tesco
• Sainsbury's
• Asda
• Morrisons
• Aldi
• Co-op
• Lidl
• Waitrose
• Iceland

Find a supermarket near where you live.

Working in the UK

If you are a Tier 4 visa holder there are restrictions on working in the UK. Please see our visa advice pages for details.

You also need a National Insurance Number to work in the UK. The SU Jobs Team can offer advice regarding National Insurance and paying tax.