The Battle of the Somme was one of the largest and bloodiest battles of the First World War.  It lasted from 1st July to 18th November 1916 and resulted in a massive loss of life with more than 1.5 million casualties on all sides.  Little territory was gained by either side and it has gone down in British history as one of the battles that was the turning point in army tactics.   Below is an account of the struggle to capture Thiepval.

In Northern France, on  1st June 1916 the 2nd Salford Pals battalion were getting ready for the ‘Big Push’ after enjoying a few days relaxation five miles behind the front line.  Like most of the British soldiers during 1916 they were volunteers with none of them being either professional soldiers or conscripts.   Over one million men had responded to Field Marshal Lord Kitchener’s call for a new army as a wave of patriotic fervour swept the country.  The Pals battalions of World War 1 were specially constituted units of the British Army.  They comprised men who had all enlisted together in local recruiting drives, with the promise that they would be able to serve alongside their friends, neighbours and work colleagues (‘pals’) rather than being allocated to regular Army regiments.  The Salford Pals (16th Lancashire Fusiliers), along with the Ulster Division, played an important part of what is known as ‘The Big Push’ of 1st July 1916. Captain Thomas Tweed was the Commander of B Company of the 2nd Salford Pals

The Big Push was the British Army’s response to the French plea for British help after two years of trench warfare along a 350-mile front had taken its toll. German and French troops were locked in a vicious battle of attrition at the fortress town of Verdun and the German aim was to bleed France white. By mid-1916 the French army was on the brink of defeat and France was desperate for her ally to come to their assistance to help divert the German troops through a joint Anglo-French attack in the north of France at the River Somme.  So, in the early summer of 1916, more than 300,000 Allied troops assembled against just 100.000 Germans along a front that was only 25 miles long.  It was the greatest employment of British forces in the war so far.

General Baron Franz Von Soden commanded one of the eight German divisions facing the British Army and was fully aware of the British build-up of troops.  Outnumbered six to one, what Van Soden was relying on was the fact that, unlike Kitchener’s volunteer army, most of his men were veterans of trench warfare. Corporal Friedrich Hinkel was one of them.   Like the Salford Pals, Hinkel and his men were not professional soldiers, but many of them had done two years of compulsory service before the war.

Soden and his men held the Thiepval Plateau which was a key strongpoint in the German defences. This high ground dominated the entire northern sector of the Somme front and included the ruins of the village of Thiepval and a stronghold called the Schwaben Redoubt. Soden’s troops had turned the place into a fortress. Yet, on the morning of the 24th June, the strength of German engineering was put to the test.  For seven days and seven nights some 3,000 British and French guns fired more than 3 million shells into the German lines with the aim to obliterate the German defences entirely.  By the 1st of July, the day of the attack, it seemed to have worked.

The Salford Pals would all go over the top 30 minutes after zero hour.  The battle plan dictated that they would take Thiepval within one hour and 20 minutes. On their left, the Ulster Division was to capture the Schwaben stronghold to the north. It was all meant to go like clockwork.  On 1st July 1916 at 7.30 a.m. all along the 25 miles of the Somme front, 90,000 British and French soldiers began to cross into no-man’s-land. Many British infantry units were ordered to advance at walking pace and nobody expected there would be much left of the Germans and their defences.  However, the huge British bombardment of 24th June had failed and, within minutes of the attack, the Germans were out of their dug-outs and back in position.

Meanwhile, just 500 yards from the Salford Pals, Corporal Hinkel was facing the first waves of the Ulster Division. Three of Hinkel’s section had been struck down by shrapnel, but the rest had survived the British bombardment. However, Hinkel’s men were vastly outnumbered and could do little against the onrushing Ulstermen until,  just in time, there came vital support from German reinforcements.  Once the German machine guns started firing, the Ulstermen wavered and fled leaving a wall of dead comrades piling up behind them.  Not one of the Ulster Division made it through to what was left of the German trench.

By now the 2nd Salford Pals had made some progress and moved into the front trench.  At 8 am it was their turn to go over the top and through a storm of bullets the company advanced, ignoring the bullets that whistled around them and running for cover from shell hole to shell hole.  Many of them dropped, riddled with bullets, never to rise again.  But the cry was always ‘On!’   One hour into the battle, the picture was the same on much of the Somme front –infantrymen mown down by machine guns.  Those among the wounded who made it back to their trenches were the lucky ones.

There were, however, some Allied successes that day. In the south, the more experienced French army made rapid gains, taking thousands of prisoners during their advance. And in some places, the British had captured their objectives.  The German Corporal Hinkel’s section had so far held their own but, as Hinkel discovered, the battle had only just started.   600 yards from Hinkel’s trench, the Ulster Division on the left of the Salford Pals had broken into the stronghold of the Schwaben Redoubt and a British victory at Thiepval now seemed a real possibility.

Success now depended upon the core commander in charge of that section of the Somme front, Lieutenant General Sir Thomas Morland. Morland was positioned three miles from the battlefield and, from his tree-top observation post, he was trying to follow events and progress of the battle. The commander of Morland’s 12,000-strong reserves,  Major General Edward Perceval, went to see Morland in person. Perceval  suggested exploiting the success of the Salford Pals at the Schwaben Redoubt and to employ the entire  reserve division into battle to support the Ulstermen in their attempt to capture the Thiepval Plateau.  He doubted that a frontal assault on the village was possible because of  the position of German machine guns to the south  but, with the success of the Schwaben Redoubt to the north of  Thiepval, the village could be taken from the north.  However, Lieutenant General Morland thought it was too early to deviate from the original battle plan and did not agree to Perceval’s suggestion.

Morland’s failure to change the battle plan was just one of the many missed chances that day.   By the time Perceval saw Morland, two-thirds of Captain Tweed’s 120 men were already dead or wounded and for the survivors the situation was desperate.  A sheltering bank in no-man’s land became a haven of refuge and what was left of the Company stayed there for two hours, unable to move.   Tweed realised that he had to pull his men out, yet he dared not take the decision himself.   Three hours earlier Lieutenant General Morland had ordered a second frontal assault on Thiepval and, shortly after 2.30pm, his Chief of Staff informed him of the disastrous result.  On hearing that the second attack had also failed, Morland had two options available to him: He could send in his reserves to secure the British hold on the Redoubt, and encircle Thiepval from the north (as suggested by Perceval) or, he could stick to the original battle plan and attempt yet another frontal attack.  He chose the  latter.  Another attack on Thiepval was planned at 4pm by the 146 Brigade of the reserve division.  This unwillingness to alter the battle plan was typical of many British commanders that day and such unimaginative thinking would condemn thousands of soldiers to death.

Soden’s commanders, on the other hand, were trained to adapt battle plans to the situation on the ground. An example of this is the German counter-attack to reclaim the Schwaben Redoubt.  At 4pm, only one of the three groups designated to retake the Schwaben stronghold was in place, yet, the German battalion commander in the field had decided to act on his own initiative.  The counter-attack started with only one group.  For Hinkel and his men this counter-attack came just in time because it forced the Ulstermen to withdraw from the Schwaben Redoubt and by 10.30 that night the stronghold of the Schwaben Redoubt was back in German hands.

There were many reasons for the British failure on the Somme that day of 1st July 1916 and the battle for Thiepval illustrated most of them.  The most important reasons for failure have to include an excessive faith in the power of artillery, poor intelligence and the inflexibility of commanders who stuck to their battle plan regardless of events.  19,240 British soldiers were killed on the first day of the Somme and 37,000 were wounded. In contrast, the French casualties numbered 2,500.  1st July 1916 was the bloodiest day in British military history and, all over Britain, communities like Salford were devastated by the tragedy. And that is where the story of the Battle of the Somme traditionally ends.  The British Army defeated and the Germans victorious.  For the British at home the whole battle seemed a pointless tragedy and the Somme became a byword for the idiocy of war.   But it didn’t end there.  The 1st July was just the beginning of a battle that lasted for more than four months and in that time the British would learn from that terrible day and ultimately turn those lessons into victory.

As July 1916 progressed, allied forces made steady gains along the Somme front south of Thiepval and by the end of the month, 80,000 Germans were captured, wounded or dead.  More than anything, the failures of that first day triggered a period of radical change in the British Army.  Inflexible commanders like Morland were taken out of the front line and power was given for commanders on the spot to make many of the key decisions.

Brigadier General Herbert Shoubridge was one such commander who successfully made his own battle decisions based on the events that he and his brigade were experiencing.  Shoubridge’s brigade was charged with the next assault on Thiepval in September and leading the attack would be his star battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Maxwell VC.

Maxwell was a veteran of the Boer War and a hero to his men with a reputation for leading from the front.   Maxwell’s battalion, the 12th Middlesex, was to take on Thiepval on the 26th September and, with the 11th Royal Fusiliers, their task was to assault some of the most heavily defended German positions such as the ruins of the Thiepval Chateau.  On 26th September 1916 at 12.35pm the attack began.  Just as on the 1st July it began with an artillery bombardment but this time there was a difference.  Maxwell’s men were relying on a new, sophisticated artillery tactic known as ‘the creeping barrage’.  This was one of the many innovations that developed during the battle of the Somme and entailed an artillery barrage which started in no-man’s land and then crept gradually over the German trenches, according to a set timetable. The British infantry soldiers followed as closely as possible the curtain of shell fire that the barrage created.  This way, they could advance with constant artillery cover making it far harder for the Germans to shoot at them.  The creeping barrage tactic  seemed to work.

The Middlesex successfully over-ran the first German trenches with relative ease.  However, once Maxwell’s men had cleared the German forward trenches, they had to then move over open ground in order to reach the Thiepval Chateau.  It was then that things began to go wrong. The men were unable to keep up with the artillery timetable and, as the barrage moved on the distance between them and the infantry soldiers became greater.   As the barrage advanced the German defenders of the Thiepval Chateau had time to re-man their positions before the infantry arrived. The Germans  had captured Thiepval and its chateau in 1914 and their commanding officer had pledged to fight to the last man in order to maintain it.  For the British troops things were beginning to look very similar to the slaughter of 1st July.  But then a revolutionary new weapon made its appearance on the battlefield.  This was – the armoured tank.  Tanks had arrived in France just a few weeks earlier and it was on the Somme that they were used for the first time in history.  Although tanks would eventually become a key weapon in breaking the deadlock of trench warfare when first employed, in September 1916, the Army had yet to figure out how best to use them.  Nobody seemed to realise that for the best results the tanks should go ahead of the troops and not follow them.  Also they broke down.   Yet even one tank could make a huge difference.

Whilst the German Infantry Regiment 180 were battling to hold on to Thiepval Chateau,  General Von Soden was dealing with a distraction that he could have done without.  The Adjutant General to his Imperial Majesty the Kaiser -  General Hans Von Plessen who was the German ruler’s official representative had arrived for an update on the battle.   It was during this visit that Soden and Von Plessen  learnt that the British forces had penetrated the Thiepval defences.   Furthermore, all underground telephone cables had been destroyed and without accurate information Soden was helpless.  In contrast, this time British generals were fully informed about the course of the fighting with reports that were coming through from artillery observers and also aeroplanes.   Air observation had greatly improved since 1st July and this enabled headquarters to order a re-bombardment of the positions which were still in German hands.  But more than anything else, the senior British command left most decisions to the men on the ground. A tactic that had been completely ignored a short time ago on 1st July.

Lieutenant Colonel Maxwell had followed his troops onto the battlefield and set up a command post at the Thiepval Chateau.   The Kaiser’s representative, General Von Plessen had stayed at Soden’s headquarters hoping for news of the battle and it wasn’t until six hours later, when reconnaissance parties finally got through to Thiepval, that the situation became clear for them. It was then that the German commanders realised that a counter-attack would be impossible to succeed.  Thiepval was lost to them and the Germany strategy to bleed France white  had failed.   .

The loss of Thiepval was a major blow to the Germans on the Somme.  It would eventually allow the British army to achieve all their objectives of 1st July.  Objectives that had cost so many lives.  But the true importance of the battle should not be measured by the territory gained.  For the French at Verdun, the Somme offensive provided the relief that they so desperately needed and by October they were able to launch a large-scale counterattack pushing the Germans back by December 1916.  But perhaps the most important outcome of the Battle of the Somme was the lessons learnt by the British army.  After the disaster of the 1st July,  the British army developed new tactics which combined infantry, artillery, air power and tanks. These radical new tactics would ultimately help the allies to win the war.

432,000 British soldiers were killed or wounded in the Battle of the Somme.  The French lost nearly 200,000 men and the Germans an estimated half a million.  Thiepval is now the site of the largest British war memorial in the world and it commemorates more than 70,000 soldiers who have no known grave. The Salford Pals were at the very epicentre of the Battle and the men were decimated.  Like all the towns, villages, neighbourhoods and communities back in Britain, Salford suffered disproportionate losses and was shattered by the experience.

This article is dedicated to the 90 years since the Armistice of 11 of November 1918

Financial Support  and Loans for EU and EEA Students

Student Support is the name given to financial support provided by the Government to some students in the UK.

If you intend to study at an Undergraduate Degree, an HND/HNC, a Diploma of Higher Education or on a Teacher Training Course and you meet all the requirements to classify as a ‘home’ student it is quite probable that you will be entitled to some financial support. Student support is composed of a loan for tuition fees, a loan for living costs, a non-repayable maintenance grant of up to nearly £3,000 per year if you are from a low-income family and, finally, supplementary grants for special circumstances such as disability. With the exception of tuition fees, the loans and grants are based on yours and your family’s income.

You may not be eligible, however, if you have already received some form of student financial support to study at the higher education level, or if you have already obtained a qualification at a higher level, whether in the UK or in your home country.

Student loans will probably be the cheapest form of borrowing you will ever get. Student loan interest rates are low so the money you repay is the same in real terms as the money you borrow.

In 2009-10 the Tuition Fee Loan was up to £3225 a year and eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan (TFL) to pay all or part of their tuition fees. This loan is paid directly to the University on your behalf and, as previously mentioned, you will not have to pay anything back until you have graduated and are earning over £15,000 a year. Tuition Fee Loans are not means tested; provided you are eligible, you may apply for the full £3225 per year, regardless of your household income.

TFLs are available to full-time, undergraduate students from the UK or EU, following HEFCE funded courses. You can choose to take out a TFL to meet the entire cost of your tuition fees, £3225 in 2009/10. Or you could take out a proportion of the TFL and pay the rest of your fees yourself.

EU nationals and those with family living in the European Economic Area and Switzerland are only eligible for a loan to pay for their tuition fees.  EU/EEA nationals  can only receive full Student Support which includes supplementary grants and loans for living costs (maintenance loans), if they have been living in the UK for three years immediately prior to becoming a student. Visit the website below for full details of eligibility and categories:  http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/info_sheets/student_support_england.php

How to Apply for Student Support

You should apply direct to the EU Customer Services Team of the Student Loans Company at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance. . Your Local Education Authority or the EU Customer Services Team of the Student Loans Company will send you an application form and you must apply within nine months (six months for part-time courses) of the start of the academic year.

Overseas students or ‘international’ students are those who do not come from countries in the EU or EEA and Switzerland.  For fee purposes you will be classified as an ‘overseas’ student and will have to pay the higher rate of fees and unfortunately there is no government help in meeting these.  There are, however, sources of funding that you could try.

Thousands of scholarships and bursaries are offered by English institutions just for international students, while more than 21, 000 international students receive scholarship funding from the UK Government every year. Consequently, every university awards a number of scholarships each year to overseas students (both at graduate and undergraduate levels) of high academic standard.  Such scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis and selection takes into account academic ability and financial need.  Normally, the annual value of the scholarship is one-third or one-sixth of the tuition fee although some universities offer more.  However, scholarship-holders are expected to find the balance of the tuition fee and their living expenses from other sources.  Scholarships are also available for specific subject specialisms or those from particular countries. For example, The University of Kent currently offers a scholarship of £5,000 per year (for up to three years of study) for outstanding full-time students from China and Hong Kong. To find out if your intended institution offers scholarships you should contact them directly or look on their websites.  Many universities also offer early bird discounts and payment through instalments and some have set up a loyalty discount scheme for international students whose parents or brothers or sisters have also studied at the same university.  Discounts are usually around 10% of the first year’s tuition fee.

All universities also have a hardship fund where a limited amount of money is set aside each year for students who are experiencing financial difficulties. The provision of these funds is discretionary and is available to all full-time students of an institution (including overseas rate fee-payers). However such funds cannot be used for tuition fees. They are relatively small, providing perhaps up to £500 per year and are for students who are experiencing emergency financial situations.

Paid Work Regulations for Students

Students from EU/EEA countries are free to work whilst studying in the UK. Nationals from Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia or Slovenia may have to register under the Worker Registration Scheme

International students (non-EU/EEA) can work up to 20 hours a week when studying (term-time) and full-time during vacations.  It is important to note that if you work more than 20 hours during term-time (when you should be studying) you will be contravening the conditions under which you came into the country and your legal status may be in danger.  However, if your course of study includes a work-placement then this is seen as part of your study, even if it is full-time for a period of time and paid, and working in this way will not contravene your visa conditions.

You should be aware that no student, regardless of their nationality, is entitled to government welfare benefits such as Jobseekers Allowance (income-based) and Income support, Housing Benefits or Council Tax Benefit.

A useful website giving information about working in the UK during your studies is www.ukcosa.org.uk/student/eea_work.php .
Pastoral Support

Universities in Britain enrol a large number of international students with around half of them coming from Europe.  As a consequence all of them have an International Office which provides support and assistance to international students from application to arrival, and beyond.

The International Office team of each university is the first point of contact for international students who need guidance, but perhaps do not know who, or where, to go for help.  The team works closely with the Admissions office, academic departments and support services of the institution to ensure that every students coming from abroad, whether Europe or elsewhere in the world, will have an outstanding educational experience.  The primary focus of the International Office in a British university is to advise overseas students before they come to the university but they also provide a welfare liaison role as well as support the short-term overseas students and link with the Study Abroad offices of their home university.

Many universities have clubs and societies where students can meet up with others from their home country.  The International Office will liaise closely with these, sometimes meeting current and former overseas students and their families in their home countries.

Many institutions arrange for you to be collected from the airport and offer guaranteed accommodation for your first year. They will provide a dedicated international office, international student societies, planned social activities, academic support, counsellors and advisers. The system works: England has one of the lowest ‘drop-out’ rates (the number of students who leave before the end of their course) in the world.

Higher education in the UK is post-compulsory education for students over the age of 18. Higher education offers a diverse range of courses and qualifications, such as PhDs, Post-graduate degrees, first degrees, higher national diplomas and foundation degrees. Many courses take place in universities, but plenty are also taught at higher education colleges, specialist art institutions and agricultural colleges. You can choose to study different courses depending on your preferences: there are thousands of options available that can complement your skills and interests.

Britain is a very cosmopolitan place to live. Over the years, many thousands of families from all over the world have made the British Isles their home. This has created a richly diverse, multicultural, open-minded society. Consequently, as a destination for international students wishing to study at a higher level, England and the United Kingdom generally, is a very popular choice. Statistics show that around 13% of the university population throughout the United Kingdom are international students and, at any one time in England, there are about a quarter of a million international students. In the UK last year there were 1.8 million full-time undergraduate students in higher education, which included over 104,000 international students.

As with all the UK, qualifications from an English university are recognised and respected throughout the world. The stringent quality standards that all English institutions have to meet are considered to be among the best in the world. This is because every university, college and school continually has to prove that their courses meet these strict criteria. Many other countries are now trying to follow the example of England and the rest of the UK. Thus, by studying in the United Kingdom you will gain recognised and respected qualifications.

Personal and Career Advantages
The adventure of studying abroad is, for the vast majority of international students, an enriching and eye-opening experience. Living and studying in a foreign country enables you to gain detailed knowledge of the customs, language and people of another culture. Studying abroad can broaden your intellectual horizons and deepen your knowledge and understanding of international, political, and economic issues.

In the fields of business, international affairs and government service your employment prospects are distinctly enhanced. Furthermore, English language skills will be important for your future career prospects. Where better to learn the international language of business, science, IT and the internet, than in the country of its birth? Studying English in England allows you to immerse yourself in the language and to live and think in English. Future employers are often very interested in students who have studied abroad because as well as possessing international knowledge and. in some cases, second language skills, they have also developed important skills and competencies such as independence, flexibility, personal growth, confidence, initiative and coping skills.

Employers want employees who can think effectively, creatively and independently. This is an essential part of the British learning experience. At a British educational
institution you will experience a variety of teaching and assessment methods which encourage independence, as well as mastery of the subject. At degree and postgraduate level in particular, students are encouraged to read widely, to question and analyse what they have read, and to discuss openly their own ideas in seminars and tutorials. Career-based courses are designed to equip you for specific roles in the modern world of work

Planning
Having considered the benefits it is important to be clear in your mind why you wish to study abroad. There are many different reasons that include wishing to learn or perfect a second language, experience another culture, have the opportunity to travel more or simply to diversify your studies. Whatever the reasons it is important that they are positive ones and not just because you wish to escape from problems at home. Moving to another country to live and study has its stressful moments and you need to have clear, positive goals to focus on to get you through these.

It is very important to plan carefully. There are hundreds of study opportunities in Britain and you need to consider many things before you apply. Such considerations should include the following: what and where you wish to study and why; are the qualifications you currently hold acceptable for the entry requirements of your chosen institution; is your English fluent enough to be accepted or will you have to take a preliminary English course before you can embark on your final programme. (See section on ILETS).  Furthermore, university courses throughout the United Kingdom vary in cost, duration and also structure, therefore you should make sure you look at all the different options available for the subject/s you wish to study. You need, too, to consider the how long you can afford to stay in England, both in academic time and economic resources.

With regard to cost, you should investigate whether you are eligible for financial assistance and if so, how you can obtain this. Even if you can obtain help with tuition fees you still need to think about how much money you must allow for food and accommodation as well as travel. The latter is very important for students wishing to come from countries outside the EU or EEA as such students will need to apply for a student visa where having adequate means of support are taken into account. .

Many universities run educational exchange programmes, for example Erasmus for European students or the Study Abroad Programmes for international students. In both instances these programmes are for students, currently studying in their home country and wishing to spend part of their Higher Education studying in another country. You should investigate this and other exchange programmes as funding is often available. However, you should also ensure that credits you receive from such exchanges are acceptable in your country of origin. English universities offer accommodation to first year students at a reduced cost, you should consider this and also be aware that subsequent years of your degree course will probably involve alternative sources of accommodation such as house sharing with other students.

Health Care
Anyone who comes to the UK to pursue a full-time course of study of not less than six months’ duration will be fully entitled to free NHS hospital treatment in England. This means that you can also take advantage of National Health Service (NHS) treatment, as well as reduced-cost medicines, dental treatment and eye tests.
Students studying in the UK for less than six months from countries with which the UK holds bilateral healthcare agreements will only be entitled to free NHS hospital treatment that is needed promptly for a condition that arose after your arrival in the UK. For further details and a list of bilateral healthcare agreement countries, see here
Leaflets explaining your rights to NHS health care are available from Social Security offices, hospitals, doctors, dentists and opticians and from the Department of Health website: www.dh.gov.uk
You can download the UKCOSA guidance note Keeping Healthy here

Because there is so much to consider it is important to begin planning at least one year before you leave home. This is especially important in England as applications to study at English universities are made during the autumn before the year you intend to study. Once you have been offered a place/places and accepted one it is advisable to contact the International Office of the chosen institution to organise accommodation and other services that the university may offer.

Making a University Application in the UK

If you intend to follow an undergraduate course at any university in the UK, you should make your application through UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service). Applications can be made online or application forms, known as UCAS forms can be obtained through your local British Council. Your local British Council office can be a great source of support, offering advice and information on choosing courses and will even help you with your application as will as giving you information about translating your qualifications into English.

If you intend to study at a post graduate level or at a Further Education College then you should apply to your intended educational institution directly. More information about applying to university can be found on the UCAS website www.ucas.com. Contact details for all British Council offices can be obtained from here. And further helpful information on applying to UK institutions is produced by the British Council Education Information sheets. Visit www.educationuk.org and check out the Subject Zone section.

Applications for the Study Abroad Programme should be made directly to the International Office of individual universities. Applications are considered on academic merit and, as a general guide applicants are expected to have at least a B average or equivalent. It is obviously important to fully discuss this option with your home university advisors as this programme is part and parcel of your degree in your own home country. It is usual for students embarking on this programme to be in the third year of a four-year degree scheme. In assessing your application evidence of a strong academic background are looked for. A full transcript and academic reference should be sent in with your application form. Most universities do not charge an application fee.

Applications for European students for a place on the Erasmus Exchange are made at the university where you are currently studying in your home country.
Most subject areas allocate their Erasmus places in January/February for exchanges taking place during the next academic year.
Some subjects (such as Business Studies) allocate their places earlier, so you may wish to contact your Departmental Erasmus Coordinator at the beginning of your second year.

Application procedures may vary from subject area to subject area. You may be required to complete an application or form to express your interest. Or you may simply be required to put your name on a list. Your application for an Erasmus place is made through your university’s Departmental Coordinator, not the International Office. Once your home university has nominated you as an official Erasmus candidate then you can apply to the British university where you wish to complete your exchange programme. It is important to understand however that you can only apply if your home University has an existing Erasmus agreement with the British University of your choice in the area of your study.

Read more about entry requirements for a British university,   how to choose a course in a British university , cost of living for students in the UK, student accommodation, student visas for non European  students.

The Lakes of Lancashire

The Lakeland region of Lancashire is different from that of Westmorland and Cumberland, with a different dialect and landscape. The red sandstone buildings around Barrow-in-Furness and white limestone outcrops among the sheeplands of the Furness Peninsula give a stony ruggedness amongst the gentle scenery. The picturesque Duddon Valley, with its waterfalls, fern covered hills and woodlands inspired Wordsworth to write 34 sonnets about it.

Coniston. This is Lancashire’s major lake and the atmosphere of a past mining industry is still retained in this tourist village which lies about half a mile from the head of Coniston Water. The scenery around the village is superb and it is an ideal centre for scaling The Old Man of Coniston, at 2635 ft. the highest peak in Lancashire, and for climbing on Dow Crag. The 19th century writer, John Ruskin, lived at Coniston at Brantwood on the east shore of the lake and his house is open to the public. He is buried at Coniston church. The village museum contains some of his drawings and models of geological structures in the area. The disused copper mines, one mile north west of Coniston are a popular attraction with visitors. Coniston Water, 5.5 miles long has excellent shore side walks. It was here that Donald Campbell was killed in 1967 when attempting a new world water speed record. There is a memorial to him on the lakeside. At Coniston Water you can enjoy a unique experience by cruising the lake on the steam powered Gondola yacht. Cruises can be combined with stop offs at the grounds of Monk Coniston estate where you can walk through the beautiful walled garden and on to Tarn Hows. Tarn Hows is a picturesque place for a stroll and is also one of the best places to go for wheelchair users. The National Trust site consists of several small tarns (lakes) which are surrounded by woods and open fells. In the distance are the majestic Langdale Pikes. There are good pathways around the tarns that are suitable for wheelchairs and ample car parking space (including a car park specifically designed for disabled persons) at Monk Consiton. Cruises also sail to John Ruskin’s spectacular lakeside house, Brantwood, which is on the eastern side of Coniston Waters and one of the many beautifully situated houses in the Lake District. The Brantwood estate is 250 acres of pastures, ancient woods and high moors, plus eight splendidly restored gardens to walk in. Every year there are special exhibitions and displays, family activities, events in the outdoor theatre and lace making demonstrations. In the winter, Brantwood events include art workshops, a Craft Fair, Ruskin Readings, concerts and talks. The estate also includes a restaurant, arts and craft gift shop and bookshop.

Hawkshead. Tree covered hills and picturesque stone cottages make this village one of the leading beauty spots of the Lake District. It is near the head of the 1.5 mile long Esthwaite Water. There is a one mile long footpath from Hawkshead to Hawkshead Hill, west of the village, that offers splendid views of nearby mountain ranges. There are also beautiful walks in the surrounding Grizedale Forest.

In the village of Hawkshead you can visit the delightful Beatrix Potter Gallery. Here you can browse through a very interesting display about the making of the film, Miss Potter and the life of this fascinating writer of children’s stories. Also on display are some of the original watercolour paintings and sketches that Beatrix Potter did as illustrations for her books. 2 miles south of Hawkshead is the tiny hamlet of Near Sawrey where Beatrix Potter used to live. The house is called Hill Top and is open to the public from mid-March to the beginning of November. It was from this house that Beatrix Potter wrote and illustrated many of her stories. The house is bursting with her personal treasures, furniture and china. The garden is laid out and planted with many of the flowers, vegetables and herbs that she would have been familiar with. Discount tickets are available if you visit both Hill Top and the Beatrix Potter Gallery.

Esthwaite Water at Hawkshead is a natural lake covering 280 acres with extensive shallows and deep basins to the north and south. These characteristics create a rich and varied fishing environment and an excellent fishery has been established here for boat or bank angling. The Esthwaite Water Trout Fishery is located at The Boat House at Hawkshead. The lake provides long drifts for loch-style fishing and wind lanes to give a more exciting fishing experience. It is a perfect fishing lake for beginners and experts alike. The lake is stocked on a weekly basis with rainbow and brown trout throughout the season and, in winter, there is plenty of specimen pike to catch.

One of the first things a visitor to Ulverston will notice is a huge stone tower on the summit of Hoad Hill. This is a replica of Eddystone Lighthouse and is a memorial to Sir John Barrow, founder of the Royal Geographical Society. There are many interesting walks in the area. The town of Ulverston is where Stan Laurel, of Laurel & Hardy, was born in 1890. The Laurel & Hardy Museum is situated in the centre of the town and contains letters, photographs, personal items and furniture that one belonged to them both. There are also day long showings of films and documentaries about the duo. Good disabled access. The Cornishead Priory is also situated at Ulverston. This priory was founded as a hospital for the poor in the 12th century by Augustinian monks. The present romantic Gothic mansion was completed in 1836 as the home of the Braddyll family. The mansion is dominated by two octagonal towers and has some splendid decorative features. The site is also home to the Kadampa Buddhist Temple for World Peace and provides a place for quiet reflection and spiritual inspiration. It is used everyday for meditation and prayers and is open to the public in the afternoons. The mansion and temple are set in beautiful gardens and woodlands on the shores of Morecambe Bay and is a beautiful place to relax in peace and quiet.

Located between Barrow and Dalton, and set in the beautiful wood valley, Vale of the Nightshade, are the stunning red sandstone remains of Furness Abbey. These are the ruins that inspired Wordsworth’s poem, The Prelude’. It was founded by King Stephen in 1123 as a Cistercian monastery and remained an abbey until it was plundered in 1537 during the reign of King Henry VIII with the dissolution of the monasteries. The abbey, even in its ruined state, is still an impressive building and it is easy to see the importance and wealth that the Cistercian monks had in the area during the middle ages.

The Kirkstone Pass

This mountain pass derives its name from a large boulder nearby that resembles a little kirk (church) and is the highest point in the region that is accessible by car.  With a gradient of 1 in 4 in places, it connects Windermere to Patterdale in the Ullswater valley.  The summit of the Pass  reaches 1489 ft. close to the Kirkstone Pass Inn. This inn, which used to be an important coaching inn, is the third highest public house in England. It is full of character, with low beams, stone flagged floor and welcoming open fires. It also is supposed to be haunted by various spirits and a poltergeist.

The Pass can also be reached from Ambleside along a minor stretch of road called The Struggle. The story behind this name dates from when horse drawn coaches would struggle to make the ascent, requiring passengers to disembark from the coach and walk the remainder of the journey to the top. The junction of these two roads is at the inn. On the descent into Patterdale the views are stunning as the fells sweep majestically down towards the small lake of Brothers Water. There is a car park to the west of this road where the idyllic scene can be admired. Also to the west is the towering black mass of Dove Crag, a rock face 2603 ft. up in the hills.  The crag is one of the most strenuous climbs in the country.

Kendal tourist information

The completion of the M6 motorway in 1970 made Kendal the gateway to the Lake District. Known as ‘the auld grey town’ because of its many fine old houses and other buildings constructed in grey limestone, Kendal was made a barony by Richard Coeur de Lion in 1189.  In 1331 the Flemish established a woollen industry in the town, from which came the town’s motto: ‘Pannus mihi panis’ – wool is my bread. The cloth made here, Kendal Green Cloth, became famous throughout England. The 12th century ruined castle was the home of Catharine Parr, Henry VIII’s sixth and final wife.  It stands on a green hill where its overgrown moat and weathered battlements make an impressive sight.

At the south end of Kendal  is Abbot Hall, an 18th century mansion  houses an art gallery  and The Museum of Lakeland Life. This award winning museum gives the visitor an enchanting insight into the life, customs and traditions of people in the Lake District before the region was opened up by the arrival of the railways in the 19th century. Rooms and workshops have been recreated to show how rural people lived and worked. There is a traditional kitchen, including recipes and utensils, a bedroom with spectacular four-poster bed and a farmhouse parlour. Exhibits also include the tools and methods used for farming and mining during Victorian times. During the school holidays, the museum puts on craft demonstrations by local people of traditional Lake District crafts such as spinning, weaving, basket making, carpentry and rag rugging.  These demonstrations take place on most Wednesdays.  There is a room dedicated to Arthur Ransome who wrote the famous children’s classic, ‘Swallows and Amazons’ and a new display of Fashion Through the Ages, which shows the development of fashion from the eighteenth century to the present day.  The museum has partial wheelchair access and is open all year.  There is a pay and display car park, gift shop and coffee shop.  At the north end of the town is Kendal Museum.  Founded in 1796 this is one of the oldest surviving museums in England. It is located in a former wool warehouse and has exceptional displays of archaeology, geology, natural history and local history.  There are incredible exhibits of stuffed animals from all over the world, many of which are now extinct, rare or endangered. It also houses one of the largest collections of minerals fro the region as well as a display dedicated to Alfred Wainwright who wrote the famous handwritten guides to the Lake District, ‘Pictorial Guides’ between 1955 and 1966.

For a more active experience the visitor can go pony trekking or hacking at the Holmescales Riding Centre, 5 miles north of Kendal and 5 minutes away from junction 36 on the M6 motorway.  This centre offers daily courses for the complete beginner or the more experienced rider in the surrounding beautiful countryside. About one mile from Kendal railway station, at the Lake District Business Park, is the Lakeland Climbing Centre.  Here the visitor can learn how to climb on the indoor climbing walls. There are taster sessions as well as beginners and improvers courses/sessions.  For those who have completed a beginners indoors course there is the opportunity to climb outdoors with their Moving Out climbing sessions.

There are many lovely river walks by the River Kent.  On the south side of this river, about one mile from the town centre is the site of the Roman fort of Alauna.  Other interesting walks in the area are along Scout Scar, 2.5 miles north east of Potter Fell, above Burneside village,.  The walk is a beautiful wilderness of bracken and heather.

Close to Kendal is Sizergh Castle and Gardens. This beautiful ivy-clad castle began life in the 14th century as a pele tower. Many such structures can still be seen around the districts of Cumberland and Westmorland.  They were built originally as defences where people could take shelter from the border clashes that occurred throughout the reign of Edward 1 between Scotland and England.  The original building was extended during Tudor times to become a fortified mansion. For the last 750 years it has been the home of the Strickland family. Inside the visitor can see a fine collection of English and French furniture as well as some of the most outstanding examples of Elizabethan carved fireplaces.  The garden is stunning and includes a National Trust limestone rock garden that exhibits a superb national collection of hardy Ferns. The castle also has a cafe serving tasty locally produced food and a gift shop.

Bowness is popular centre for tourists in the Lake District,  is surrounded by many vantage points giving spectacular views of the countryside and the lakes.  One of the best panoramas can be obtained at  Orrest Head, a 238m hill which lies just north of the town.  Its summit can be easily reached by following the meandering path through the woods, which begins opposite Windermere station next to the Windermere Hotel. The route is signposted all the way and culminates in rough stone steps leading to the top.  The distance from Windermere Hotel is approximately 1.5km.  A short distance south of Windermere is its suburb, Bowness-on Windermere and when most visitors speak of Windermere they really are referring to Bowness.  In fact Windermere town itself is about a mile away from the lake and before Victorian times was called Braithwaite not Windermere.   Bowness-on-Windermere is a charming little town on the banks of Lake Windermere which at 10.5 miles long is the largest lake in England.  The lake  has 14 islands, including the privately owned 30 acre Belle Isle.  Bowness itself has many quaint narrow streets and St Martin’s Church, which dates back nearly 1000 years, has some of the oldest stained glass windows in Britain.  It is thought that some of this glass may have come from the Carmel Priory.

What to do and Where to go in and around Bowness:

The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction is a fascinating experience regardless of your age. It features all 23 of Beatrix Potter’s Tales brought to life in an indoor recreation of the Lake District countryside. There is also a great gift shop and tea room.

Windermere Lake Cruises offer a variety of interesting cruises some of which stop off to connect with the Mountain Goat minibus or incorporate visits to Brockhole National Park Visitor Centre and Wray Castle.

Brockhole National Park Visitor Centre is a wonderful place to visit, whatever the weather. Its lakeside setting is located in 30 acres of beautiful terraced  gardens giving spectacular views and boasting many unusual trees, plants and shrubs.  There is an abundance of wildlife at the Park and a bird hide in which to look for rare species. There is an exciting adventure playground and a games lawn where you can play croquet or putting.  There are plenty of wonderful places to sit and have a picnic and enjoy the spectacular lake and mountain scenery. Brockhole house was built in 1895 as a residence for a wealthy Manchester silk merchant.  It now houses exhibitions, film and slide shows as well as a restaurant with terrace and a gift shop. The whole park  has good wheelchair access . Throughout the year the Centre puts on special event activity days that all the family can enjoy. These could include such things as kite making and flying, taster sessions at rafting, canoeing, biking or geocoaching as well as fascinating film shows and talks/exhibitions.

On the east shore of Windermere, near Newby Bridge, is the lakeshore Victorian park, Fell Foot Park. It is an ideal place to enjoy access to the lake at this point and perfect for picnics.  There is a children’s play area and activities as well as boat hire facilities.  There are fantastic views of the fells and lake and, in spring and early summer, the park has glorious displays of daffodils and rhododendrons.  Also, at Newby Bridge is one of the finest examples of early 20th century Arts & Crafts houses, Blackwell. now given a Grade 1 listing.   It was designed by the Arts & Crafts architect Baillie Scott at the end of the 19th century as a spectacular holiday home for a wealthy Manchester brewery owner. Beautifully restored, its original decorative interiors are still intact. In line with the essence of the Arts & Crafts movement, the design of the house is light and airy with decorative panelling, inglenook fireplaces, stained glass, ceramic tiles, and plasterwork all crafted from traditional local materials. All the downstairs rooms are open to the public and around half of the upstairs. There are no roped off ‘no go areas’, as the visitor is encouraged to experience the house as it was originally intended.  A lift has been installed to give access to the upper floor for disabled visitors. All the rooms are beautifully furnished and decorated with wonderful views of the lake. There is a cafe with a garden terrace that looks out over the lake and mountains. Blackwell also has a contemporary craft shop where studio ceramics, glass, jewellery and textiles of very high quality can be purchased. A book shop sells a wide selection of books on arts and craft and architecture.

The Lakes Aquarium is situated on the southern shore of Lake Windermere at Lakeside, Newby Bridge. In March 2008 the aquarium installed a new feature, the Virtual Dive Bell.  This comprises a virtual journey to the bottom of an African lake and the traveller encounters hippopotami, Nile crocodiles and bull sharks. With the use of interactive screens, multiple choice quiz questions and exciting computer games the attraction has been extremely popular with all age groups.  The virtual journey then moves through different continents of the world to explore and discover hundreds of creatures that live in lakes across the globe. There are also otter feeding sessions twice daily and the aquarium’s mascot, Oscar the Otter is introduced to spectators.  The Aquarium also has a lakeside restaurant and regular events, quiz trails and craft activities as well as two gift shops to make the visit an unforgettable experience for all the family.

The Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway runs a steam train service between  the Lakeside Aquarium and The Lakeland Motor Museum. The steeply graded railway takes an enchanting route through  lake and river scenery of the Leven Valley.  The service operates from April to the end of October but throughout December they run Santa Special trips for children.

1.5 miles north of Newby Bridge is Stott Park Bobbin Mill which has been a working mill since 1835 producing wooden bobbins for the Lancashire spinning and weaving industries.

At the further northern end of the Lake, at Troutbeck village in the beautiful Troutbeck valley, is Townend.  This charming white-washed stone yeoman’s farmhouse was lived in by the Browne family from 1626 until it passed into the hands of the National Trust in 1943.  the house itself is a beautiful example of vernacular architecture of the 17th century.  The building has tall chimneys gracing its slate roof and beautiful mullioned windows in their oak frames. It is an amazing museum, that gives the visitor a fascinating insight into how life was lived in the Lake District during these times. The interior has fine oak panelling and beautiful carved oak furniture, much of which was crafted by a long-dead ancestor of the Browne family. Also on display are papers and books linked to the family throughout this period as well as some fascinating domestic implements. Opposite the house is a wool barn with a spinning gallery where fleeces used to be stored.  Visitors can meet the latest Mr Browne, ancestor of the original George Browne and his wife Susanna in 1626. Craft sessions are also held at the house where the visitor can try their hand at making rag rugs.

Eating and drinking in Bowness: There are numerous restaurants and pubs in Bowness.  The pedestrianised Ash Street in the centre of the town is full of a variety of good restaurants with cuisine from all over the world.  There are fine Mediterranean restaurants, Italian, traditional British, Thai, Chinese and an American restaurant.  For a substantial meal following a day’s walking on the fells, try Gibbys, a traditional British restaurant where you can get great roasts, steaks or bistro-style dishes for very reasonable prices.  For something a bit different try the relaxed informal Lucy4 cafe/restaurant.  It offers a fabulous pick and mix menu with a wide range of wines and beers to accompany the food.  For Mediterranean dishes there is the traditional, family run Italian restaurant, Villa Positano which serves good pizza and pasta dishes at very reasonable prices. Alternatively, the atmospheric Spanish Tapas Bar, Bodega Bar & Tapas has an excellent choice of tapas where you can fill up for as little as £4.00.  For something really special visit the magnificent oak panelled restaurant of the Holbeck Ghyll Country House Hotel. As well as boasting the Michelin Star it has also received a rating of 7/10 in the Good Food Guide. The cuisine is a mixture of English and French and the restaurant setting has stunning lake and mountain views.  One of the most charming pubs in the towns is the ancient ‘Hole int Wall’.  This is the oldest pub in the town (circa 1612) and retains its olde world charm. A small building constructed of the traditional grey slate.  Inside, the decor is very quaint and charming with lots of low beams and roaring log fires. It sports a plaque that Charles Dickens frequented the premises when he visited the area.  This pub does get very busy at the weekend but its well worth visiting, especially when they have free, live folk musicians performing. For visitors who are looking for a pub which also offers accommodation The Brown Horse Inn set in the Winster Valley close to the lake is a beautiful 1850’s coaching inn that offers great accommodation as well as bar and restaurant facilities.

Accommodation in Bowness: Bowness is a great choice for accommodation.  There are plenty of very good hotels and guest houses, try Virginia Cottage, a charming traditional guest house ideally located in the very heart of Bowness and less than a minute’s walk from Lake Windermere.

Being born at the start of 1949, I have quite strong and frightening memories of the Great Smog in England of 1952 in which at least 4,000 people died as a direct result of the appalling weather. Most of these fatalities were the very young, the old and people with breathing or heart problems. At three years old I suppose I was lucky!! Living in London, with its traffic and population density, it was probably one of the worst hit areas. I remember being frightened to go out because trotting alongside my mother, holding her hand, I couldn’t see her face as I looked up. You could hear people and traffic but not see anything until it was just in front of your nose. I recall too, my Uncle being stranded as all the buses had stopped running and he couldn’t get home. Waiting that night and hoping that my father would be able to return from work, I have vivid memories of the smog creeping in through the tightly closed windows. 
By the time the next bad foggy winter hit us I was 6 years old and going to school. This was 1956 and for me now it was strange and exciting and even more so as the school was shut for a few days because the conditions were too dangerous for the children walking to and from school. By this time too I was old enough to be aware of news stories and recall a train crash during this time as well as some soldiers, who were coming back from what I now know as the Suez Crisis, being held up at sea for some time.

The main reasons for the smog, was the dark smoke and grit from chimneys which combined with fog and freezing temperatures to produce the dense sulphurous “smog”. These were the days when everybody kept their houses, offices, station waiting rooms, and sometimes school classrooms heated by coal fires. Hardly anyone had any other form of domestic heating.

The government of the day realised that something needed to be done that would control and prevent these hazardous weather conditions. Not only did they cause many accidents, illnesses and deaths from respiratory problems but also played havoc with the economy causing industries and businesses to be disrupted. In the summer of 1956 the Clean Air Act was introduced. This Act banned the emission of dark smoke from chimneys, industrial furnaces and trains by restricted the burning of domestic coal in urban areas and expanded the amount of smokeless zones, although some urban areas, like the City of London, had already created these zones after the Great Smog of 1952. The 1956 Act also contained measures to limit the discharge of grit into the atmosphere. This meant that new coal fuels were introduced which were ‘smokeless’ and gas, oil and electricity were given an extra advertising boost to encourage people to switch to different types of energy. Diesel trains were introduced and the old ‘puffer trains’ were history. However, it was a few years more before industries and homes changed over to the new sources of energy and until this was fully implemented some emissions were still allowed during the change-over period. Grants were offered to people to convert their domestic coal-burning grates to smokeless fuel but it wasn’t a popular move because there wasn’t much smokeless fuel to be had and it was a lot more expensive than conventional coal.

Three years later, in 1959, came the last awful smog that I remember. This time, at ten years old, my memories are very clear. I vividly recall people wearing what looked like gas masks to protect themselves, although my mother, years later, told me that these were ‘smog masks’ bought at the local chemist shops. There was also a lot more traffic on the roads in 1959 than in 1952 so big cities and, especially London, were thrown into chaos again. However, it wasn’t until 1968 that The Clean Air Act was revised to include a law that industries burning coal, gas or any other fuels would have to use tall chimneys.

Since those days of 1959 the ‘old foggy London town’, thankfully, has become almost a thing of the past – well at least as far as chimney smoke went. The latest pollutant sadly though is that created by motor vehicles. In 1974 the first Control of Air Pollution Act introduced regulations on the composition of motor fuels, although throughout the 1980s and 1990s increased motor traffic has led to a new kind of smog that is caused by the chemical reaction of sunshine and car pollutants and it remains to be seen whether the latest Act, the 1995 Environment Act, which has introduced new regulations for air pollutants with all local authorities having to reach air quality targets, will reduce the amount of premature deaths each year from the effects of pollution.

It has been only 7 days since, in a small village of Surrey, Eric Clapton and friends had their annual gig dedicated to the AA. Since then there have been thousands of postings and articles on the net about it. This is, I believe, because this year there were some big names of the music world with Eric and his usual band..  Pete Townsend of the Who, Ringo Starr of the Beatles, Joe Walsh of the Eagles., as well as the usual top musicians who join Eric like, Andy Fairweather Low, and Gary Brooker. The internet news started from a blog posting of someone who was there and, because I was there as well, I want to also say that the evening was a fantastic gig. But, lets not forget the excellent supporting band that opens the gig every year.  It’s a fantastic band with many of the musicians coming from the same family, the Griffiths.  Dave plays fantastic guitar and his son Nicky is a great singer and performer on the stage.  This year, Dave’s wife (and Nicky’s mum), Jackie, even joined them playing guitar for one number.

Secondly, some articles on the net state that the event was made for some selected VIPs. This is not true at all. The annual event is mostly like a family event with a limited amount of tickets. This year was possibly a bit different because with Joe Walsh coming from the States he probably brought some friends with him. I did notice that several times when I went outside for a cigarette there was a fair amount of Americans out there too.  The side of the hall where we usually sat in past years,  was cordoned off this year with reserved tables for friends and family of the musicians. That was all, no VIPs or Celebrities. As usual many of us brought from home our new year’s eve food and soft drinks in  plastic containers and carrier bags like on a picnic. Of course you can  get hot food at the premises until 11.30 but most people bring their own stuff. Finally I want to thank all people that made that night unforgettable. Good Show Chaps.