location, relocation, expansion, portal

Housing

There is a wide range of available property to buy or rent in cities, towns and villages across the UK. Buying residential property is a relatively straightforward process and there are no separate procedures for foreign nationals. House purchase prices vary substantially from location to location Foreign executives relocating to the UK have a wide range of living options.

With major cities (such as London, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff) located throughout the country, executives have the choice of living in or around major population centres, or to live in smaller towns or villages within easy reach of larger cities. Indeed, travelling to work is relatively easy, with the average commuting time in the UK taking just 27 minutes (Source: Department for Transport, 2010).

For detailed information on local location options available throughout the UK and additional location-specific data on key quality-of-life issues, please visit the Office for National Statistics website.


Average regional property prices in the UK*
 

Source: Land Registry (November 2010); University of Ulster (November 2010); Registers of Scotland (November 2010).
*Prices can vary substantially at local level, depending on the type of property being purchased and the specific location.

For further details on regional and local property prices, please visit the Land Registry website

Renting is also a straightforward process in the UK and there are no separate procedures for foreign nationals. House rental prices are negotiated on a local and individual basis and vary substantially across the UK. For further information, please contact us here

Education

The UK has some of the best academic institutions in the world and offers a comprehensive state education, along with a range of international and private schools.

Provision of education in the UK is generally through the state system, where over 90 per cent of people attend non fee paying schools. However, there is also a strong private school (independent) sector and a wide selection of high-calibre international schools. Full-time education is compulsory for everyone up to the age of 16 and the majority of children are educated in state-sector schools, of which only a small proportion select on the grounds of academic ability.

There is a strong network of international schools throughout the UK, reflecting the large numbers of international executives who relocate to the UK each year with their families. International schools in the UK offer a variety of educational programmes such as standard USA college preparatory and/or a standard UK education. Many offer an international curriculum – the Primary and Middle Years Programmes of the International Baccalaureate Organization – followed by preparation for the Diploma of the International Baccalaureate, a credential recognised worldwide for university entrance. For further information about international schools in the UK, visit the European Council of International Schools.

There are numerous colleges and universities throughout the UK that offer a wide range of courses. Of the two million full-time and part-time students in the UK, over 200,000 are international students from more than 180 countries worldwide. UK Universities charge for tuition fees and precise information on the fees that apply for a particular course, as well as the schedule for how and when these need to be paid are available from the individual university or college.

Culture

The UK has a rich and diverse cultural heritage. It is an ancient land bursting with incredible art, historic monuments and some of the world’s most prestigious museums. From Shakespeare and Stonehenge, to the Tate Modern and the British Museum, there is such a wealth of cultural attractions, you’ll never run out of things to see. Find out more at Visit Britain