New to forum. Never been to UK but thinking of pursuing a PhD at Bath Spa U.

Hello.  My name is Laura.  I currently live in Chicago with a husband, a 3 year-old daughter named Ciara, and two dogs.

I have never been to England, but my husband and I want to make London our first European vacation. Recently, I have started looking at Bath Spa University for possibly pursuing a PhD in Creative Writing.

Of course, I am not jumping into anything yet.  I would want to visit England first and get everything in order before I apply on the chance I would be accepted into this rigorous program(mme).  I also know that if this did happen in addition to getting Visas and other living necessities in order, we would have to board our dogs for six months or longer.  However, life in the U.S. is becoming more and more stressful.  I know the grass is always greener, but the amount of shootings along with the declining intellectual and educational standards have upset me.  Last year Chicago closed 50 elementary schools.  And while the ACA has made changes to our health care system, I am still finding the same upsetting practices by companies.  I have lived with multiple sclerosis for over 15 years.  I know one of the reason living in the UK is so expensive is because of the taxes, but the NHS definitely seems appealing.

I would like to hear from expats about your experience and if you have heard anything about higher education in the UK.  My cousin received his Master's from the London School of Economics; he raves constantly about when he lived overseas.

Thank you. 

Best, Laura

I did my MA at Bath Spa and I had a great time. I was single when I went, so my experience would be different than yours, but I don't regret a minute of it. Living in Bath was wonderful (if expensive) and I was able to travel around the UK quite a bit. Oh, and I brought my two cats. As long as you get everything in order before you leave, you shouldn't have to quarantine them for 6 months. There is lots of advice on the Pets board.

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions. 

Would you be boarding your dogs in the US for the duration of the program?  I'm confused why you would have to board them...

It sounds like you are interested in more of a permanent move?  If so, you'll need to be prepared that a student visa does not lead to settlement and it is very unlikely you would be able to stay in the UK at the end of your course.

Hello Laura!

I studied in Bath as an undergrad and LOVED that city! It's a wonderful place to live, with amazing schools (I was in a teaching programme there, so had first hand experience!) and a great atmosphere - very friendly city, easy to get around, and gorgeous! 

I will say to be careful when you're applying for your visa. The UK Border Agency is pretty paranoid about people moving to the UK to take advantage of the NHS, so there will be a number of questions about your health. If you go to visit the UK, try to avoid using the healthcare system at all while you're there, because those questions will probably come up in your visa application - they did in mine!

I also agree with KFdancer that your transition from student visa to settlement may not be as easy as you imagine. Does your husband have a job which will transfer? Could he be sponsored by his work for a visa? A student visa will only get you so far ...

On a lighter note, if you need good suggestions for things to do in Bath, let me know! I love that city!

I will say to be careful when you're applying for your visa. The UK Border Agency is pretty paranoid about people moving to the UK to take advantage of the NHS, so there will be a number of questions about your health. If you go to visit the UK, try to avoid using the healthcare system at all while you're there, because those questions will probably come up in your visa application - they did in mine!

There's no issue with using the NHS while in the UK as a visitor - you just have to make sure you pay for any treatment you receive. The reason they ask about the NHS in the visa application is because the visa will be refused if you have more than £1,000 of unpaid NHS debt.

I also agree with KFdancer that your transition from student visa to settlement may not be as easy as you imagine. Does your husband have a job which will transfer? Could he be sponsored by his work for a visa? A student visa will only get you so far

Her husband probably won't even need work sponsorship...while the OP is studying, he will be able to get a student dependant visa, which will allow him to work in any job he likes without sponsorship. Then when her student visa finishes, it will be easier for her to get a work visa to stay in the UK if she has a degree from a UK university than it would be for her husband to get visa sponsorship (she will be exempt from the resident labour market test), which will also allow her husband to stay and work in the UK on a work dependant visa.