Introducing British culture

British higher education places a large emphasis on independent learning. You will be expected to read widely around a topic and research it thoroughly, to reflect on ideas you have encountered and to analyse and describe them. 

Lectures are the most traditional form of teaching and are often a lecture to a large group. Even if notes are provided, you should listen carefully and make your own notes on the important points.  

Seminars and tutorials are discussion groups with your tutor and a group of students. They are more informal than lectures but you are expected to prepare for the discussion topic and participate in that discussion. Always tell the tutor if there is something you have not understood.  

Most courses provide opportunities for students to work in a small group on an assigned task. You will learn from each other and improve your collaborative skills. 

If you are studying a subject with a practical element some of your time will be spent in a workshop, laboratory, field work or studio environment. Afterwards you may have to write up the results and give a presentation.  

You may be assessed in any of the following ways: examination, course work, assignments, projects or essays.  

Academic misconduct could result in failed units or reduced marks. Academic misconduct includes plagiarism (copying work from another student, or using, in your work, text or ideas from a publication or source without referencing it correctly) and using AI outside the university guidelines.  

It’s never too early to ask for help! 

The Pastoral Mentors across both campuses are a point of contact, embedded within departments, who can support you if you are facing challenges that impact your ability to study and be successful in your programme. 

The English Language skills development teams (Exeter, Cornwall) provide free English language skills development courses and workshops covering everything from literacy skills, communication and intercultural competence.

The Education Welfare teams (Exeter, Cornwall) offers you support if your psychological or physical health or wellbeing is affecting your studies, or your studying is creating health problems for you. The team is available to talk to you in a confidential and non-judgemental way about any issues you may need support with. 

 And finally for academic skills support, you can reach out to the Study Zone (Exeter) or ASK Academic Skills (Cornwall). The online study resources include practical advice and tips to develop your academic skills such as time management, research, and subject specific writing, and you can book an appointment for one-to-one support. 

Tap water is safe to drink in the UK. No need to buy bottled water and remember to carry a reusable water bottle with you.

British electricity works on 230 volts/50 cycles and most sockets take 13 amp square pin fused plugs. Make sure your electrical equipment can be used safely at this voltage. We recommend you buy adapters in the UK. 

The UK has 8-10 national holidays (called Bank Holidays). These are usually on Mondays or Fridays. The university will be closed on these and some additional days.

Generally the streets are kept clean and to maintain this the council can issue fines to residents who break the rules. In the UK we try to recycle glass, cardboard, plastic and food waste as far as possible. You will receive instructions for which bins to use for which items when you get to your accommodation. If in doubt, ask your accommodation manager or read here.

British toilets are flushing, pedestal type. Toilet paper is provided and should always be flushed away after use. It is expected that you will leave the toilet as clean as you found it.

Traffic drives on the left hand side in the UK. Make sure you look both ways before stepping out. If you are thinking about driving in the UK, ensure you have the correct license and any car you use is appropriately taxed and has a valid MOT.

UK climate features wet winters and warm, wet summers! We don’t experience large variations in temperature but have four distinctive seasons. Always check the weather forecast before leaving home for the day as it can be changeable. Generally, people in the UK continue with their activities as normal despite the rain. And we love talking about the weather.  

The UK is predominantly a Christian country although the UK is spiritually and ethnically diverse. Our Multifaith Chaplaincy offer pastoral and spiritual support to students of any faith or none. The University of Exeter has a very diverse student body and over 140 nationalities and many religions are represented. 

In British culture the focus is more on the individual. This may be new to those coming from a collective culture where the needs of the community as a whole come first.

It will be your responsibility to decide how to progress your studies, within the rules. Your individual responsibility will extend to seeking support when you have challenges. This is seen as a strength and is almost always confidential.

Asking for help will not impact your grades or academic record. Any issues will remain private, unless there is a concern for your safety, or the safety of others. 

Attitudes to dress are generally quite informal in the UK and what someone is wearing often does not correspond to social status or the job they do.

For example, both staff and students at the University might often wear jeans and a t-shirt. This is not seen as disrespectful but reflects the generally held British attitude that individuals should live their lives in the way they want as long as they are not harming anyone else.  

The UK is known for its drinking and pub culture. Pubs are typically spaces where people gather to eat, drink, and socialise. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available in pubs and bars, and if you do not drink, or do not want to, you can say no to alcoholic drinks. There is a culture of ‘rounds’ in pubs and bars where one person buys drinks for everyone in the group, then when that drink is finished a different person buys a drink for everyone in the group, the process repeating until everyone has bought a ‘round’. If you don’t want to take part in rounds, politely decline when the first person offers to ‘buy a round’. Drinking to excess and getting very drunk are considered a problem in the UK, if you do not want to take part in drinking culture, there are still plenty of other things to do!

Smoking is illegal inside buildings and on public transport in the UK. Additional outdoor spaces may be non-smoking zones which will be signposted.

Men and women have equal rights in the UK. It is illegal to discriminate against anyone according to race, gender, ace, class, sexual orientation, religion or disability. Harassment, bullying, intimidation and discrimination go against all we stand for and will not be tolerated. If you experience or witness any of these we encourage you to report in and get support through our Speak Out platform.

A high value is placed on privacy, and this extends to personal space. It is likely to be considered impolite to stand very close to someone, or listen to conversations you are not involved in. Playing loud music or having loud conversations on your mobile phone is also frowned upon by older generations.   

This concept is taken very seriously but we know that it is also very culturally specific! Simple politeness is always expected but British people are generally relaxed. They like to her ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ during interactions. People are friendly but can be perceived as reserved, especially when talking to strangers. It is considered polite to hold the door open for the person following you.

High value is placed on fairness and equality. When you are in a bank, shop or waiting for a bus you are expected to queue; stand in line and wait your turn. People can get very angry if you ‘jump the queue’. 

There is generally respect for authority and rules in the UK. However, people are often informal in their interactions with authority figures which may be an adjustment for some. This might include being asked by some professors to use their given name and not their title.

People’s attitudes may be different from yours based on personal lived experience and backgrounds. You are free to live according to your own personal standards, ethics and beliefs and not feel pressured to adopt those of any of your fellow students.

It is generally expected that things will take place at exactly the time agreed. It can be considered impolite to be even a few minutes late for meetings or events. If you are late, please let people know in advance where possible.