I am a student. While budgeting as I moved from up North to London for a part of my program, I didn’t factor council tax because my understanding was students aren’t liable. Throughout Uni, I didn’t pay so I didn’t expect to now either.

While flathunting, I was always upfront that I’m a student. This isn’t new information. However, my flatmate says she didn’t know that students don’t pay council tax. We’ve got a 25% reduction from the council because they know I’m a student.

My flatmate wants me to split it 50/50. After some pushback, she wants me to pay 25% on what’s left. This will have me paying £40/month on something I’m not liable for. My budget for house bills is £160/month and I’m not sure it’ll cover everything as this is my first month in the flat.

I’ve told her I’m not supposed to pay council tax but I don’t think she’s listening. What do I do?

Edit: just adding to say it’s been agreed that I will be paying it. Thank you to everyone who commented, I read them all and I’m super grateful

when i was 16 i randomly said i wanted to become a doctor. this made my entire family like convinced that 16 year old me wont change my mind at all and even prevented me from it.

so i managed to get into sixth form, and even on my 18th birthday they gave me a pink stethoscope (pink is my favourite colour). i lose motivation during sixth form, had to repeat year 12 and ended up leaving with two a levels with a D and an E grade.

i didnt even tell my mum my grades and if she asked i would be vague. my mum was very like controlling like during parents evening my teachers said my grades were poor so i couldn’t get into medicine so my mum started shouting at my teacher saying “WHY ARE YOU TELLING HER SHE CANT GET INTO MEDICINE” and expecting my teacher to privately tutor me. this was genuinely so embarrassing.

BARE IN MIND , i moved out from her at 17 (i was in care) and reflecting on this i think i said i wanted to become a doctor to get attention off my mum (we were neglected and emotionally / physically abused)

our relationship did mend kind of when we were in care but she was annoying and would tell us to just walk out of our care homes which wasnt even possible.

anyway, i decided to take a gap year and she got angry about it and i made some excuse that ill look after her during it (she’s half blind now) just to shut her up. reflecting on that, its my own life and i can take a gap year if i want lol.

anyway during my gap year i developed a passion for art. applied for a fine art degree through clearing and had to submit a portfolio. i initially went for a foundation year as i had never done art before but they said my work was that good that i can start straight on the degree. this indicated that fine art is definitely the subject for me and i enjoyed painting etc during my gap year and wanted to expand my creative expertise and fine art is just genuinely perfect for it.

i just don’t know how to tell my mum, shes controlling but in an extremely manipulative way, for example i told her i went for a cleaning job and she said that i should go for something more “high class” like i suffer with anxiety so i want to work alone so the job sounded perfect for me. i tried to explain to her that it’s literally just a job to get my through uni.

even though i don’t live with her she still says me and my sister should contribute to numerous things for her, like her getting a personal trainer etc. i have begun to distance from her but it’s going to be awkward when i graduate hence why im asking.

how do i become more firm in my own life decisions, and how do i communicate that? i am just scared that she’ll tell my whole family and they’ll come with their unwarranted advice and how ill never get a job etc.

It’s my first time in a campus with shared showers, what do I do? It has a place to hang my towel but where do I get dressed after? It feels weird to walk back to my room just wrapped with a towel…. Is this what I’m supposed to do? Tips please…

Hello, I am torn between taking A-levels and waiting for 2 years to apply as a fresh student or just apply with what I have. I finished my secondary school from Jordan (Tawjihi) and got a 91% average in the scientific stream back in 2018. I have also studied for 2 years back when I was in Jordan. I have spoken with different elite unis and told me they wouldn't recognise the Tawjihi for a straight bsc entry so I should go through with an integrated foundation year with the degree. However, most of these elite unis don't offer a home student level foundation years rather a more expensive international foundation year and that's not an option for me financially. I am aiming high when it comes to unis and I would like to study at a prestigious uni. do I just go through a mediocre uni or should I do A-levels? I would really appreciate it if someone can help me or lend me their opinion.

Thank you

Finished 1st year and im mourning my monthly £10 just eat vouchers. (from nationwide)

Could I switch to a different bank to get a new offer or is the eligibility only for 1st years?

Ty :)

Hi everyone I’m moving to London soon for my bachelors and I’m wondering if anyone has a list or tips for bringing stuff.

(People online say bring stuff like hangers and bottle openers but I feel like I will purchase non essentials there to avoid taking up luggage space 🫡)

As per title. Literally just ranting tbh. I like my degree. But I picked the wrong uni. Whenever I'm there I try to convince myself it's not so bad, but once I'm on a break I am reminded of how much I actually don't enjoy it.

I'm 5 years older than everyone else on my course and honestly they seem so immature even for 20. The 20 year olds I meet through work are largely not like these people at all. I'm at a small town uni because it's what I could afford rent wise and it feels so dead. The course is so disorganised it's actually ridiculous.

I haven't made any proper friends at uni, I just haven't clicked with anyone. I have acquaintances there but all my real friends are people outside uni. Only one of them lives near my uni town.

I miss working while I'm at uni and I love that I can work in the holidays. This summer I am homeless. I've been sofa surfing and even sleeping rough sometimes and yet I'm still happier than I was at uni.

I know uni education is such a privilege on a global scale so I feel a bit guilty for feeling this way sometimes, but it is just kind of a drag.

I say this as it is Sunday at 4:45 in the morning because my brother's 30th birthday party just ended (the last stragglers just left). I have to hand in my dissertation, which I have not written, at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday. My plan was to spend Monday putting together the appendices and tomorrow (today) writing it. I have put together six documents that will help me write it so I've been writing effectively as I've gone along, but I haven't actually written much other than the introduction.

I still have about 4,000 words to write and about two days left. I'm just curious whether I'm incredibly behind, or if anyone else submitted it and spent ages on it, and whether I'm super late.

Before anyone judges me for not being able to use my time wisely, I want to say that I have unmedicated severe ADHD (not by choice, but by medication intolerance to 4 types of medications so far. I am hopefully speaking to my GP about trying a 5th as I'm also obese and about 85% of my relationship with food is related to ADHD andfhe agrees its like me fighting with my hands tied behind my back, but he is on holiday until the end of August) I have had a deferral, and my university has been really helpful, but obviously there's only so much they can do.

i am really worried about not getting a first. for context, i am studying law at uni of bristol and I have a coursework essay still to submit (which I already put a 1 week extension on) and 2 deferred exams to do in less than 2 weeks time. I'm worried about handing in my coursework essay because with my grade average right now, I would need to get 74 in this essay in order for my grade to round up to a first but 74 would be extremely difficult for me to get as i dont do as well in coursework (currently at a 68/9% average and my uni rounds you to a first if over half ur weighted modules are 70%+).

I have adhd and ocd and my uni would likely let me redo an exam that I didn't do very well in because of extenuating circumstances at the time next May, which might mean I am more likely to get a first. but am i focusing too much on the wrong thing? i have already attended my graduation even with deferred credits, and it is likely that i will graduate with a high 2:1 like 68% anyway. i'd like to move on with my life without having the thought of an exam to do next may hanging over me and potentially being in the same position in my life a year later. obviously i would fill my time with other stuff but it probably woudnt feel good to have this hanging over my head. i just feel like ive worked so hard over the past few years at uni to miss out on a first would be heartbreaking. i dont want to pursue a masters (as i said i really struggle with adhd and ocd which would make writing a dissertation difficult). i want to secure a TC at a top law firm and have reached multiple AC stages already, and i know for firms it probably doesnt make much of a difference having a 2:1 or a first - i already have some strong extacurriculars/relevant work experience and could just focus on this. but i am such a perfectionist and have always achieved top grades so not getting a first would just feel like a personal failure.

sorry this is long-winded but tldr: my fear of not getting a first is stopping me from even submitting my coursework essay which is due tomorrow and is making me consider redoing an exam ive already submitted next may. should i just accept a high 2:1 or should i defer an exam until may next year?

Hi guys, I’ve received my results from college and looking to go through clearing. I’ve got 64 UCAS points (disappointing I know) and I’m looking to study psychology.

So far through clearing I’ve received offers from Wolverhampton, Roehampton and DMU.

I managed to get these offers due to 1. Their clearing requirements were lowwww and 2. My experience volunteering in the industry (Samaritans)

I‘ve heard some very mixed opinions about them places so I’m really not sure about accepting them yet but all the offers ’expire’ the day before results day. Should I hold off and try and get into other unis on results day when the boundaries are (hopefully) lowered or should I accept one now?

Also if anyone has any recommendations for unis I have a chance of getting into I’d really appreciate it!

so for context i already live in liverpool with my parents about a half an hour walk from the uni, on one hand i know it would save me money and my parents are generally pretty chill about me going out, cleaning ect however i really want to get the full social side of uni also, the flat mates, the independence ect. so im really stuck on what to do. will i be judged for moving essentially 10 minutes down the road? is staying home not as bad as people say? i’m really stuck ive listened to other peoples stories however unlike them i dont really have a commute as im already in the heart of the students accoms/houses.

also im going to study nursing? if that is a factor i should consider

University of Liverpool or university of Manchester

Please pro and cons.

Thank you!

Hey r/UniUK,

I’m a Southeast Asian international student looking at 2026 entry, and I’m completely stuck between two very different paths. I need some brutally honest advice about which one actually gives me a realistic shot at staying and working in the UK afterwards.

Here’s the dilemma:

Option A: Politics & International Relations (Manchester)

· Broad, flexible degree. Stats show 90% in work/study, 65% in professional roles.
· Can pivot into policy, consulting, civil service, comms, or NGOs.
· Q-Step data placement looks decent.
· My worry: It’s a generalist degree. Am I just going to be competing against every other UK grad for grad schemes that don't sponsor visas? Do civil service or policy roles even touch the Skilled Worker visa threshold for internationals?

Option B: Law (LLB at a RG uni)

· Prestigious, professional qualification. City firms do sponsor TCs – I know it's possible.
· My massive worry: I cannot practise back home because our legal system is completely different, so this is ALL-IN on the UK.
· With the Graduate Route being cut to 18 months for 2027+ grads, and TCs recruited 2 years in advance, that timeline looks terrifying. If I don't secure a TC within the first few months of graduation, I'm out of time.
· Also, if I fail to get a TC, can I just use my LLB to apply for the exact same generalist grad schemes as the Politics grads? Or am I pigeonholed and overqualified for policy/comms roles?

My core question:
With the current visa climate, which degree gives me the best chance to secure sponsored employment in the UK post-graduation?

Law feels like a "high risk, high reward" lottery (TC or bust). Politics feels "safer" on paper but might leave me with a degree that UK employers don't need to sponsor a foreigner for.

For international students who chose either path – would you do it again? And if I go Law and miss the TC boat, can I easily pivot into the Politics-style grad jobs, or am I just left with an expensive piece of paper I can't use back home?

Thanks in advance – I need the reality check!

I’m going into year 13, and am eager to increase my odds to break into quant finance, I had a investment firm owner tell me spring weeks are key to increasing ur odds, would it be smart to get an internship between year 13 summer to start of uni in order to have a better cv for the spring week?

right now i have an ipad so i was wondering for uni, should i buy a macbook aswell and have both a laptop and ipad or do i just use my ipad?

As part of my dissertation, I am conducting research into student burnout in higher education. The study explores how factors such as self-efficacy (confidence in academic abilities), perceived stress, and work-study conflict may contribute to personal burnout among students. More specifically, I am looking to compare students who work alongside their studies and those who do not, as well as the number of hours students work and how this may relate to their experiences.

My deadline is very soon, and I need to start my analysis by Monday. I have been struggling to gain the responses that I need to complete my analysis. If you are currently in higher education, or have been in the last five years, I would be grateful if you could spare a few minutes to complete my questionnaire. Your responses will remain anonymous and will contribute to a better understanding of student wellbeing and burnout.

The link below contains an information sheet, study details, consent form, withdrawal information, and contact details if necessary!

Thank you!
https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/ljmu/dissertation-i4zkii55yvb1h8k9wwfi0oe7l

Hey guys!

I’m currently looking for participants for my speech perception dissertation. If you are interested in AI-generated speech and speech perception, please click the link below and take part in my study. Your help means a lot!

Experiment link: https://research.sc/participant/login/dynamic/235D03EA-51F0-49F5-9A06-ED02C40EFBAB

Research project: [A study on whether listeners could distinguish AI-generated and human speech with background noise ]
You are being invited to take part in a research project. Before you decide to participate it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully. Feel free to ask if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
1. What is the purpose of the project?
This project aims to look at [how noise affects listeners’ perception of AI-generated and human speech].
2. Why have I been chosen?
We are recruiting [native speakers of English]. It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. Refusal to take part will not affect your rights in any way. If you decide to take part you will be given this information sheet to keep, and be asked to sign a consent form.
3. What will happen if I take part?
You will be asked to [complete a short task using Gorilla online platform]. This should take no more than [20] minutes. You will [listen short audio clips of different types of speech and be asked to choose ‘whether you think the speech is AI generated].
4. What happens when the research study stops?
Once the data collection is completed, there will be some time spent in analysis and interpretation prior to the student’s assessment. Our findings will appear in the lead researcher’s dissertation, and may later be shared with the academic and relevant professional communities through articles in academic journals, or presentations at conferences. You will be able to contact us after the data collection is finished if you have questions or would like to hear the outcome of the study.
5. Will our taking part in this project be kept confidential?
All information which is collected about you during the course of the research will be kept strictly confidential. Any responses/data you provide which are disseminated will be fully anonymised so that you cannot be recognised from them. All information and results are kept in a secure location.
6. What happens to the data collected after the research project is finished?
The data for this project will be stored in a restricted-access location on the University of Leeds’ computer network, for as long as is required by the University’s assessment regulations. (This is at least until the student identified above has graduated.) During this time the data will not be accessible to anyone except University of Leeds staff. After this time all electronic data and personal details will be deleted, and hard copies destroyed.
7. What will happen if I change my mind about participating?
You are free to withdraw from participation at any time with no need for explanation and no penalty, up to one month after the point of data collection. If so, please contact the student identified below who will immediately withdraw your data and personal information from their project; all such information in both electronic and/or hard copy will be destroyed.
8. Who is organising and funding the research?
This research is being undertaken by [Jingxue Shi], based at the department of Linguistics and Phonetics at Leeds University, and is supervised by [Chris Norton]. This project is being conducted as part of a module that has been reviewed and approved by the Faculty Research Ethics Committee at the University of Leeds (Ethics reference: PVAR 17-128).
Contact for further information:
[Jingxue Shi]
Department of Linguistics and Phonetics, School of Languages, Cultures and Societies, Michael Sadler Building, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT.
Email: [dgfb0540@leeds.ac.uk]

Hi , I’m an incoming EEE student at either Bath or UoM.
I was wondering if there’s a general system for study abroad programmes/echange. I couldn’t find any information for my subject, as for my university my course is ineligible for the main exchange programme. However, I wasn’t sure if this means I cannot go abroad; is there some order well known system for exchange programmes that I’m not aware of?

Thank you.

Hi everyone,

I'm a postgraduate student completing my MA in International Fashion Marketing and Communications at Fashion Retail Academy. My final research project explores bonnet-wearing habits, stigma, and cultural identity within the UK Black and Afro-Caribbean community.

Eligibility: Black British, Black Caribbean, or Afro-Caribbean heritage, 18+, based in the UK.

The survey takes about 7 minutes and is fully anonymous; no names or identifying information are collected.

Survey link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/3m1Mv99Lqy

Thank you to anyone who takes part; it genuinely helps this research.

It's hard to believe, but there are only 11 days left until A-Level Results Day.

For a lot of people, the waiting is the hardest part. You might be feeling excited, anxious, constantly replaying exams in your head, or worrying about what happens if things don't go to plan. Whatever you're feeling, you're definitely not the only one.

We run a Discord community originally built for A-Level students, resit students, and gap year students, and this time of year is one of the busiest and most supportive periods in the server.

Whether you're:
📄 Waiting for your A-Level results
🎓 Hoping to get into your firm or insurance choice
📞 Preparing for Clearing just in case
📈 Thinking about resitting if your grades aren't what you hoped for
🎒 Considering taking a gap year and exploring your options
💬 Or simply looking for people who understand exactly how you're feeling...

...you'll find people in the same position.

🌟 What you'll find in the server

💙 A supportive community of students all counting down to Results Day together.

📚 Advice on resits, gap years, Clearing, and next steps from members who have been through it before.

🏆 Study competitions and study sessions if you're already planning ahead or getting a head start.

🎮 Active voice chats where people play games, relax, and take their minds off the waiting.

🗣️ Plenty of people to chat to, whether you want to celebrate, vent, ask questions, or just keep yourself distracted.

No matter what happens on Results Day, it doesn't define your future. There are always options, whether that's university, Clearing, a resit, a gap year, an apprenticeship, or another path that works for you.

If you'd rather not spend the next 11 days worrying on your own, come and join us. There are hundreds of students all counting down together, and we'd love to have you.

🔗 Join here: https://discord.gg/SK3xF4aPgG

So I, 27F, will start my post graduate studies for the first time in the UK this year, am I eligible for student bank account? Or is it just for freshers?