Social and cultural benefits of HE

Going into higher education is a huge step in life. It won’t just bring you educational gains though – your social skills and cultural awareness will also improve while you’re in HE.

Living away from home

A lot of people who go to University choose to move away from home. For most people, this is the first time that they have lived away from their family and it’s a huge step to take. For those who choose to move away from home, it probably means learning loads of life skills. This includes things such as doing your own laundry, making your own meals, cleaning your own room, buying your own food and managing your own money. This might seem a little daunting at first but these are all skills you’ll need throughout your life so why not learn them early?!

Watch this video to learn about the different types of accommodation available and how our students thought it benefited them:

Trying out a new hobby

Going into HE is a new chapter in your life so why not explore some new hobbies (or carry on with those activities you already love to do)?! At the Student’s Union, you can join societies. There are societies to suit everyone – sports societies, religious societies, wellbeing societies, volunteering groups- you name it, there’s probably a society for it. At UoM, we even have a Quidditch society! But not to worry, if there’s something you love and there’s not a society for it, just grab a few friends and set one up yourself.

Why not check out the University of Manchester’s Students’ Union website to see all of the societies available!

 

Meeting new people

One of the best parts about going into HE is the people that you will meet. There are loads of ways of meeting new people whilst you’re studying at HE. You’ll meet people on the same course as you, you can join societies to meet people who enjoy the same things that you do and let’s not forget, if you choose to move into Halls of Residence, then you’ll be living with loads of new people too. You’ll make friends with people that you wouldn’t normally have ever met and you’re sure to find friends for life.

 

Experience new cultures

HE is a great time to widen your horizons and learn more about the world around you. As well as being around students from the UK, you’ll have the chance to make friends with students from all around the world. There are also loads of opportunities to travel during your studies whether that is taking part in a volunteering scheme overseas, gaining a summer placement in a new country or even taking the opportunity to study abroad for a year – the world really is your oyster.

Read all about Emma’s experience of studying abroad in the United States as part of her Psychology degree here!

Now let’s move on to find out more about how HE can help you gain more employability skills and access to well paid jobs. Click on ‘Read more’ in the box below.

Employability and financial benefits of HE

Discover the financial and employability benefits of HE

Read more

Why Study?

Why not check out our Why Study? page to find out what our students really think about their courses and about student life.

Visit the University of Manchester's Why Study? page!