Studying in Wales

Wales is the friendly green hilly bit on the western side of England. It is part of the United Kingdom with England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It's about 2 hours west of London by rail or by road. Wales is quite small, it covers an area of around 8,000 square miles (or 20,800 square kilometres), but it offers quite a lot: rugged coastline, sandy beaches, lush valleys and forests and rolling hills and mountains. The natural environment is stunningly beautiful and is highly recommended for a healthy lifestyle. Wales also has more than 400 castles! The main languages spoken in Wales are Welsh, and English. Welsh (Cymraeg) is one of the oldest languages in Europe, spoken fluently by about one in five of the population. Although they all speak English as well, Welsh is a thriving mainstay of their way of life. The population currently stands at around 3 million people. Two thirds of the population of Wales live in the coastal parts and valleys of the south, and in the north east. Wales' largest city, Cardiff (Caerdydd) was formally recognized as the capital of Wales in 1955. Wales offers an exciting choice of lively and cosmopolitan cities, bustling with cultural events, galleries, museums, pubs and restaurants. Wales' cities are contemporary, energetic and fashionable featuring a dynamic lifestyle in a safe environment. Wales has the lowest crime rates in the UK. Wales also has some of the lowest costs of living in the UK although 90% of people in Wales enjoy a very high standard of living. Studying in Wales. Higher Education in Wales has a reputation for world class teaching and research. Wales has 13 Higher Education Institutions which are closely linked to industry through networks, technical centres and incubator units which provide a major source of technology expertise for Welsh and international businesses and encourages collaboration. Working. Students from the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland can work in the UK without any restrictions on the type or amount of. International students need to pay tax and National Insurance at the same rate as a UK citizen. This means that in order to be employed in the UK you will need to register for National Insurance. More information: Visit Wales Living in Wales Student Employment Services