Welcome to UK Buddy – Your Trusted Guide to Living, Studying, and Working in the UK

   - 🎓 FAQ: What Do Students Wish They Knew Before Arriving at a UK University? Introduction Starting university in the UK is an exciting step, but it also comes with plenty of questions. For many international students, moving to the UK means adjusting not just to a new education system, but also to a completely new way of life. Even home students, who may only be moving from one part of the country to another, often say there are things they wish they had known before arriving. I remember vividly my own arrival at the University of Wolverhampton. I had packed clothes that were completely unsuitable for January weather, carried a CV that wasn’t tailored to UK standards, and got lost more than once because I wasn’t used to navigating with maps. On top of that, the first time I submitted an assignment, I had no idea how strict the referencing rules were. Looking back, I can laugh at those early mistakes—but at the time, they felt overwhelming. This guide is a collection of the...

  📈 The Best Ways Students Can Start Investing in the UK When most people hear the word “investing”, they immediately imagine wealthy professionals in suits putting thousands of pounds into the stock market. But the truth is, you don’t need to be rich to start investing — and you certainly don’t need to wait until you graduate. Even as a student, you can begin building financial habits that set you apart from your peers. In today’s world, with just a smartphone and a few pounds, you can access tools that help your money grow. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to multiply. This is the power of compound growth — and as a student in the UK, you have a golden opportunity to take advantage of it. This guide breaks down the best ways students can start investing in the UK, focusing on savings, ISAs, and beginner-friendly apps like Trading 212. --- 💡 Why Students Should Care About Investing Being a student often comes with financial struggles — tuition fees, rent, food...

  Unlocking Career Opportunities: The Value of Apprenticeships in Nigeria and the UK When Chinedu graduated from university in Nigeria, he felt a mix of excitement and dread. Like many young graduates, he had spent years studying, hoping that a degree would guarantee a well-paying job. But the reality was different. Despite his qualifications, Chinedu struggled to find employment. The positions available either required experience he didn’t have or were unpaid internships he couldn’t afford. It was during this time that he discovered an alternative path: apprenticeships. Apprenticeships offer a unique approach to career development. Unlike traditional higher education, which often emphasizes theory, apprenticeships focus on hands-on experience and real-world skills. In countries like the UK, apprenticeships are well-structured, offering both educational qualifications and practical experience. Nigeria, though slowly catching up, still has much to learn from this model. Understandin...

  --- How to Make Money Writing eBooks: A Comprehensive Guide In today’s digital age, writing an ebook is one of the most accessible ways to share knowledge, tell stories, and earn income. Unlike traditional publishing, which can involve long approval processes, high printing costs, and limited reach, ebooks allow authors to directly reach a global audience with minimal upfront investment. This guide explores how to make money writing ebooks, with tips on storytelling, marketing, and monetization strategies, supported by examples and references. --- 1. Understanding the Potential of Ebook Writing Ebooks have become increasingly popular over the past decade due to the rise of digital reading devices and online marketplaces. According to a 2021 report by Statista, digital book sales accounted for over 20% of global book revenues, reflecting growing consumer interest in electronic formats (Statista, 2021). The key advantage of ebooks is the low barrier to entry. Writers do not need a ...

  Part-Time Jobs for International Students in the UK – How to Find the Right Opportunities Introduction Studying in the UK offers excellent academic opportunities, but living costs can be a challenge. International students often seek part-time jobs to support themselves while gaining valuable experience. This post explores the rules, opportunities, and strategies for securing part-time work in the UK, illustrated with the story of Lina, a student who successfully balanced her studies and work. --- Lina’s Part-Time Journey Lina, a 21-year-old student from Nigeria, had just started her Business Management degree at the University of Leeds. She was excited to learn and meet new people, but quickly realized the financial pressures of studying abroad. Rent, transport, groceries, and textbooks could easily add up to over £1,000 per month. Determined to manage her expenses without compromising her studies, Lina decided to search for a part-time job. She explored university job boards, l...

  --- Finding Affordable Housing as an International Student in the UK Introduction Moving to the UK for higher education is exciting, but one of the biggest challenges for international students is finding safe, comfortable, and affordable housing. Rent, location, and facilities vary greatly, and without proper guidance, students can feel overwhelmed or even fall victim to scams. This post combines practical tips with a real student story—David’s experience—to help international students navigate the UK housing market successfully. David’s Housing Hunt David, a 22-year-old student from Kenya, had just received his offer to study Computer Science at the University of Birmingham. Excited to start his academic journey, he quickly realized that securing affordable housing near campus was more complicated than he expected. He scrolled through countless online listings, contacted multiple landlords, and visited several flats. Many were either overpriced, poorly maintained, or located fa...

  --- Top Scholarships for International Students in the UK 2025 Introduction Studying in the UK is a dream for students worldwide, but tuition fees and living costs can be daunting. Fortunately, there are numerous scholarship opportunities designed to help international students achieve their academic goals. In this guide, we explore the top scholarships available in 2025, tips for applying, and strategies to maximize your chances. To make it relatable, we begin with the inspiring story of Amina, an ambitious student whose persistence turned her dream into reality. Amina’s Dream Scholarship Amina, a 24-year-old from Bangladesh, had always been passionate about environmental science. She dreamed of studying in the UK to gain the knowledge and experience needed to contribute to sustainability projects back home. However, like many international students, the financial barrier seemed insurmountable. Tuition fees, living expenses, and visa costs created a mountain of obstacles. Determ...

  Surviving as a Student in the UK: Balancing Studies, Work, and Social Life Introduction Studying in the UK is exciting, but for many international students, the first year can feel overwhelming. Between lectures, assignments, part-time work, and trying to have a social life, it’s easy to feel stressed or burnt out. This guide will explore practical strategies for balancing academics, work, and social life while studying in the UK. We’ll also share a real student story to make the advice relatable and actionable. Liam’s First-Year Challenge When Liam, a 21-year-old student from Nigeria, arrived in the UK to start his undergraduate degree in Business Management, he was full of excitement. But within the first month, reality hit him hard. He was juggling: Early morning lectures Long library study sessions Part-time shifts at a local café The desire to make friends and explore the city “I felt like I was constantly running against the clock,” Liam recalls. “I loved studying here, but...

  How to Write a Strong UK Personal Statement That Gets You an Offer Introduction Applying to a UK university can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to writing a personal statement. For many international students, this is the first time they are asked to describe themselves in such detail. Yet, the personal statement is often the deciding factor in whether or not you receive an offer. In this guide, we will break down what UK universities expect, common mistakes to avoid, and provide a step-by-step approach to writing a winning personal statement. Amina’s Story: From Doubt to Acceptance When Amina, a 23-year-old student from Lagos, Nigeria, first sat down to write her UK university personal statement, she felt overwhelmed. She had the grades, but her mind went blank every time she tried to put her passion into words. > “What if my English isn’t good enough? What if I don’t sound interesting?” she kept asking herself. Instead of giving up, she started by writing small n...

Preparing for Your Pre-CAS Interview: Common Questions and Answers Applying to study in the UK is a big step, and one of the final hurdles before receiving your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) is the Pre-CAS interview. Many students feel nervous about this stage, but it is not meant to trick you—it’s simply the university’s way of confirming that you are a genuine student who understands your course, has thought about your future, and can manage life in the UK. In this article, I’ll walk you through common Pre-CAS interview questions with sample answers, share a bit of my own experience, and provide practical tips to help you succeed. My Personal Experience with the Pre-CAS Interview When I received my conditional offer from the University of Wolverhampton, I was excited but also slightly nervous about the Pre-CAS interview. I had already prepared my documents, paid part of my deposit, and started planning for my visa. But I still wondered—what if I gave the wrong answer? ...

  Navigating the Job Market After Graduation: My Personal Journey Graduating from university is a milestone many of us celebrate with excitement, but it also marks the beginning of a daunting journey: finding a job. I still remember the mix of hope and anxiety I felt after completing my Master of Research (MRes) degree. Like many of my peers, I had dreams of landing a high-paying, prestigious position immediately. However, reality had other plans. After submitting countless applications and attending several interviews, I realized that opportunities in my field were scarce. The competition was intense, and many employers prioritized experience over academic qualifications. It was a humbling moment—but it also became an important turning point in my career perspective. The Challenge of Expectations vs. Reality One of the biggest challenges for new graduates, especially in the global south, is the mismatch between expectations and reality. Many students enter the job market believing...