The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain located off the north-western coast of continental Europe. The country includes the island of Great Britain (a term sometimes loosely applied to the whole state), the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland, and many smaller islands. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK that shares a land border with another state: the Republic of Ireland. Apart from this land border, the UK is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, with the North Sea in the east, the English Channel in the south and the Irish Sea in the west.

The United Kingdom is a developed country and has the world's sixth-largest economy. It was the world's first industrialized country and the world's foremost power during the 19th and early 20th centuries. UK remains a great power with considerable economic, cultural, military, scientific and political influence internationally.

History - Roman invasions of the 1st century B.C. brought Britain into contact with continental Europe.
The early modern period saw religious conflict resulting from the Reformation and the introduction of Protestant state churches in each country. Wales was fully incorporated into the Kingdom of England, and Ireland was constituted as a kingdom in personal union with the English crown. In what was to become Northern Ireland, the lands of the independent Catholic Gaelic nobility were confiscated and given to Protestant settlers from England and Scotland. The UK's form of government is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system, and its capital city is London. The current British monarch—since 6 February 1952—is Queen Elizabeth II.

Climate and Environment- The United Kingdom has a temperate climate, with plentiful rainfall all year round. The temperature varies with the seasons seldom dropping below −11 °C (12 °F) or rising above 35 °C (95 °F).The prevailing wind is from the south-west and bears frequent spells of mild and wet weather from the Atlantic Ocean, although the eastern parts are mostly sheltered from this wind since the majority of the rain falls over the western regions the eastern parts are therefore the driest. Atlantic currents, warmed by the Gulf Stream, bring mild winters; especially in the west where winters are wet and even more so over high ground. Summers are warmest in the south-east of England, being closest to the European mainland, and coolest in the north. Heavy snowfall can occur in winter and early spring on high ground, and occasionally settles to great depth away from the hills.

Culture and Religion- The culture of the United Kingdom has been influenced by many factors including: the nation's island status; its history as a western liberal democracy and a major power; as well as being a political union of four countries with each preserving elements of distinctive traditions, customs and symbolism. As a result of the British Empire, British influence can be observed in the language, culture and legal systems of many of its former colonies; including Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States. The substantial cultural influence of the United Kingdom has led it to be described as a "cultural superpower."

On graduation, there may be opportunities to work with leading UK and international corporations in the UK, or to join national and international firms in Europe, the United States or, indeed, in any part of the world.

At the end of your course, you may be able to stay and work in the UK. To be eligible for this scheme, you will have to do one of the following:

• Undertake training leading to a recognized professional or specialist qualification
.
• Follow a graduate training programme leading to international employment.
• Join a work experience scheme where you gain up to 12 months work experience with a UK employer.
• Most students on courses of more than 6 months will be given a passport stamp that allows them to work part-time during the term (up to 20 hours a week) and any number of hours during the vacations.

Most students on courses of more than 6 months will be given a passport stamp that allows them to work part-time during the term (up to 20 hours a week) and any number of hours during the vacations.

Most of our work-based categories are part of the UK's points-based system for immigration.
Most old English cities have distinct characteristics, making the UK a very interesting place to visit, study, or work in. People in large numbers from all over the world settling here have made UK a truly multi-cultural place.

It may be possible for you to stay on in the UK for practical training or work experience. Under the ‘Training and Work Experience Scheme’, employers can apply for permits to employ a person in a particular post. It may also be possible to stay on in the UK under the ‘Innovators Scheme’. Note however, that it is very difficult to stay on in the UK after your studies under the ‘full work permit scheme’.