TIME

The standard time in the UK is Greenwich Mean Time or the Universal Time Co-ordinated (GMT/UTC) during summer. In March the clocks go forward one hour for British Summer Time. At the end of October the clocks go back one hour to Greenwich Mean Time.

Time difference

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

Although the UK converted to metric coinage in the 1970s, you will find that many weights and measurements are still given using the imperial system. In shops and supermarkets you’ll usually find both systems used. Distances are often still given in miles, fruits and vegetables may be sold in pounds and beer and milk are still sold in pints. A brief conversion table is given below.

Imperial	Metric
1 mile	1.6093 kilometre
1 inch	2.54 centimetre
1 pint	0.5683 litres
1 gallon (UK)	4.546 litres
1 pound	0.4536 kilograms
1 ounce	28.35 grams

TELEPHONE

The UK country code is +44. To dial another city/town in the UK you’ll need to first enter the regional code and then the number. To dial an international number dial 00 then the country code, then the phone number. A list of regional and international dialling codes is given below.

National dialling codes

International dialling codes

Other countries

Other useful numbers

Public telephone boxes are operated by British Telecom (BT) and are either coin- or credit/debit card-operated. The minimum charge for making a call within the UK from a public call box is 30p for the first fifteen minutes and lOp for every fifteen minutes thereafter. Call charges are different for residential telephone lines. Call charges within the UK are cheaper between 6.00pm and 8.00am, and during weekends and bank holidays. For reverse charges dial 100 and ask the operator for a reverse charge call.

For international calls there are several other private telecommunication companies whose call charges may be lower than those of BT. You can buy their phone cards from newsagents, Students’ Union shops and vending machines. International phone cards are available to the value of £5, £10 and £20. Check the charges of various cards to see which one is the cheapest to your country. When buying a phone card do remember to check whether there is a connection fee, daily maintenance fee or an expiry date.

Non-geographical and premium numbers

There are certain non-geographical and premium numbers that you need to be aware of. These are mainly used by businesses with a national presence and their numbers begin with 05, 08 or 09. Calls to non-geographical numbers can cost more than a geographical number (one with the local area dialling code) and are charged at an even higher rate when calling from a mobile. Check with your service provider.

Directory enquiries

Directory enquiry numbers in the UK begin with 118 followed by another three digits and are generally referred to as the ‘118 service’. There is no single directory enquiry number in the UK. There are more than 20 companies offering a directory enquiry service and the cost varies as they do not all charge at the same rate. Some companies charge a fixed fee for enquiries while others may charge by the minute, by a connection fee or simply limit the number of searches offered. Directory enquiry calls from your mobile phone are subject to additional charges by your service provider. Remember that the 118 service that offers you the best deal from your landline may not necessarily the best from your mobile.

The following is a summary of some of the directory enquiry numbers and their tariffs.

Rates for international directory enquiries are different and are charged from around £1.50 per minute.

Free directory enquiries for personal or business numbers are available online at:

• www.bt.com
• www.yell.com
• www.thomsonlocal.com

Mobile phones

Britain has the largest number of mobile phones used per capita in Europe. Nearly 70 per cent of the population own a mobile phone. If you are in the UK for long enough, you might consider getting your own mobile phone. The five major established networks are 02, Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile and Three. Other service providers are Virgin Mobile, Easymobile and One Tel. Mobile phones in the UK are either on GSM or PCN networks. Phones from North Atlantic countries may not work in the UK unless they use a tri-band.

There are two main types of mobile phone tariffs in the UK – ‘pay as you go’ and a monthly rate. ‘Pay as you go’ phones cost from £25 (or £10 for a SIM card only). However, charges are expensive and calls cost around 25p a minute. You can top-up your phone credit over telephone or online using a credit/debit card, at most cash machines or by buying a top-up card. Top-up cards can be bought at newsagents, post offices, Students’ Union shops and other local stores.

Mobiles with a monthly charge have cheaper call charges but you may find that you have to sign a contract with the phone company for at least a year. You will also have to produce proof of ID, proof of address in the UK and undergo a credit check before you are accepted. Three, Orange and T-Mobile are generally relaxed on their credit check rules and most overseas students get accepted by them. However, their coverage is limited and not as good as that of O2 or Vodafone. Some companies may ask you for a deposit which is usually returned in three to six months.

You can find stores selling mobile phones in and all around town centres. Mobile phone companies have their own brand stores selling their phones. However, if you prefer an independent dealer then try one of the private shops on the high street. Carphone Warehouse is a reputable dealer that offers independent advice. The Link is another dealer that has plenty of branches in and around town. Other dealers are Phones4U and Mobile Phones Direct. Remember, it is a good idea to try to get a mobile phone on the same network that most of your friends use – calls between the same network are usually cheaper.

INTERNET

There are numerous cyber cafes around Britain that give you access to the internet for about £2–3 an hour with additional charges for printing or scanning. You can also access the internet at some of the BT phone boxes but these are expensive and cost around £1 for ten minutes.

Your university or college usually provides you with free internet access on site. You will be given a user name and password at the beginning of term. Free internet access is also available from local council libraries.

EMERGENCY SERVICES

The standard number for all emergencies in Britain is 999 (or 112 from a GSM phone). Calls to these numbers are free. You will then need to tell the operator which emergency service you require (ambulance, fire or police). You will be asked for your location and emergency details by the service. Assistance will then be despatched to you immediately.

Police

Police in the UK have a good reputation for maintaining law and order. The overall policing in the UK is divided into several regional police forces. Every regional police force has its own website which contains information and advice about police activities in the local area. You can find further details about police service in your area online at www.police.uk

PERSONAL SAFETY

Britain is generally a safe country. However, you should take certain precautions to keep yourself and your possessions safe. Keep valuable possessions with you or locked up in your room. Do not carry large sums of money on you or keep large sums in your room. Carry your money in an inside pocket or in a closed bag. It is wise to insure all your possessions so that you can replace them if they are lost or stolen. Remember that valuable jewellery, mobile phones and watches can be a target for theft if they are worn openly.

At bars and clubs avoid accepting drinks from strangers. There has recently been an increase in incidents in some bars where drinks are spiked. Avoid travelling alone at night. Try to travel with someone you know and keep to busy, well-lit and familiar areas (or take a taxi). If travelling by bus at night, sit near the driver. Avoid walking through subways or in dark deserted streets. Open areas such as parks or commons are not safe at night. During the day be alert to what is happening around you. As an extra precaution you can buy a personal alarm to carry for about £5.