When researching universities, there’s only so much you can learn from looking at university rankings. After all, what does it really mean if one institution is ranked above another?

QS Stars is designed to give you the information which a university ranking might not. By assessing institutions more broadly, and across a range of categories, QS Stars allows universities to publicly highlight their areas of strength.

How do QS Stars work?

Whereas university rankings are limited to assessing a narrow range of indicators, QS Stars performs a thorough and extensive audit of each university, gathering vast amounts of data in the process.

Universities are then assigned a Star rating in at least eight categories, including Teaching, Employability, Research and Internationalization. An overall Star rating is also given to each institution.

Does every university have a QS Stars rating?

Not yet! Universities have to opt in to participate in QS Stars due to the sizable amount of information which is required to give an accurate rating. This is why some institutions won’t have QS Stars ratings.

However, we’re adding more universities every month, so keep checking back and you might find a university you’re interested in has been added.

How can I use QS Stars to learn about a university’s teaching quality?

When speaking to students as part of our International Student Survey, concerns about teaching quality are often at the forefront of their minds.

Fortunately, teaching is one of the areas assessed by QS Stars, so it’s possible to filter the QS Stars table by this category and easily find the top universities for teaching around the world.

Click here to see it for yourself.

Universities with 5 Stars in Teaching include Aalborg University in Denmark, Bournemouth University in the UK, and Bond University in Australia.

In order to achieve this 5 Star rating, universities will need to show high levels of student satisfaction and a significant proportion of students continuing with further study after graduation, among other factors.

How can I use QS Stars to learn about the employability of a university’s graduates?

While the QS Graduate Employability Rankings provide some insight into this, the Employability category of QS Stars is also worth examination.

Universities with 5 Stars in Employability include Aston University in the UK, the Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation in Malaysia, and Bina Nusantara University in Indonesia.

A 5 Star rating in this category is dependent on the graduate employment rate as well as other metrics including the level of careers service support available to students.

Check out which universities have a QS Stars rating for Employability.

How can I use QS Stars to learn about how international a university is?

While practically every QS ranking considers internationalization to some extent, it can be hard to get an accurate picture of whether a university has a thriving international community from this alone.

QS Stars assesses the diversity of the student body, the proportion of international faculty and exchange students and several other aspects, in order to give a more complete perspective on each university.

For example, Coventry University in the UK, CESINE Design & Business School in Spain and Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand have all scored 5 Stars in this category.

You can find out how other universities performed in Internationalization here.

Where can I learn more about QS Stars?

If you have any further questions about QS Stars and how they work, you can find more information on the methodology here. We also have an FAQ which tackles some of the other most commonly asked questions.

Sponsored by John Cabot University

Travelling and moving abroad to study for a degree is increasingly popular – an article published by the BBC in September 2012 reported the number of students studying abroad was increasing by 12 percent each year. Fast forward to 2019, and the number of students crossing borders for an international study experience continues to increase, with the US, UK and China all sending record numbers of students abroad.

As the world continues to become increasingly globalized, it’s inevitable that, no matter where in the world you study, you will meet and get to know new groups of people from various cultures and backgrounds. This cultural diversity is one of the most significant aspects of studying abroad, or at a university which attracts students from around the world.

Now more than ever, it’s vital universities lead the way in promoting and embracing cultural diversity. To find out more about why this is so important, we spoke with John Cabot University, an American university in Rome.

What universities are doing to encourage a culturally diverse learning environment

Whether it’s through the services they offer or program curriculum, universities are working hard to encourage and promote cultural diversity and internationalization on campus.

John Cabot University for example, offers a number of international exchange programs as well as a diverse range of English-taught undergraduate programs which attract students from all over the world. Take a look at this short video and discover the stories of John Cabot University students who feel that they’ve found their place, not just at the university, but in Rome – whatever their background and interests. 

You’ll develop traits that reflect a ‘global citizen’

Degree programs are inherently global now. It doesn’t matter what you’re studying – whether it’s history, English literature or psychology – you’ll be expected to take a global outlook. The idea of ‘internationalization’ is woven into almost every curriculum, and although it’s important to appreciate how internationalization is relevant to your studies, it’s also important to understand how it’s relative to you as an individual away from academics.

“Being part of such a diverse community makes me more considerate of the effect that my words might have on other people,” says Russian student Toma, who is studying BA International Affairs at John Cabot University.

“With some of my classes having seven or more nationalities, I get a broad and varied point of view on each topic because everyone comes from different backgrounds and has something different to say.

“I don’t think students from other schools get that kind of everyday exposure to a multinational environment. This kind of interaction is so important to us as future policy makers.”

Becoming more aware of cultural differences and considering these differences when faced with adverse situations or experiences is ideal preparation for a workplace which is likely to be highly globalized.

You’ll learn to understand and appreciate different cultures

Wherever you study in the world, walking through your university’s campus can be like opening the door to a whole new world. As you meet new people from your degree, student accommodation or student club, your social circle widens, and your social development enhances as you build new friendships and professional network connections.

This is doubly powerful if the people you are meeting come from drastically different backgrounds to your own. Far-flung countries, distant cultures and foreign religions can become much more easily understood and appreciated, allowing you to draw on a much wider range of experiences.

This ability to connect and empathize with people from vastly different backgrounds to your own is so important, particularly when others try to marginalize or dehumanize people who don’t look, or sound like them. This can then help you prepare for a career within a global setting.

You may even get to grips with a new language

The benefits of moving abroad to study in a new country surrounded by a diverse mix of cultures can also help you learn a new language or two as well.

Students who study at John Cabot University will be exposed to Italian on a daily basis. Add that to the English-taught undergraduate programs and you could be multilingual before you know it.

The benefits of this will be immediately apparent once you enter the workplace and can use your language skills while travelling abroad for business meetings and work events, networking and building friendships with people from all over the world.

For Ann-Sophie, who is also a BA International Affairs student from Belgium at John Cabot University, the decision to move to Rome to live and study has been a good one: “I’m a very family-orientated person, and I’ve discovered that the John Cabot University community is really like a big family.

“I’ve met so many people that share the same interests as me, like my love for exploring and an active lifestyle. Rome is an amazing city and the people I’ve met here have really made it feel like home.”

By Jenny Scott Russell – Local Leo

Sometimes all you want is a change of scene and studying at your university or at home doesn’t quite cut it. Luckily for all of you studying in London there are some great public workspaces dotted across the city, all free to use and with pretty decent Wi-Fi. Whether you’re part of a study group or it’s just you and your laptop, there is a place to suit everyone’s needs. From cafés to museums and libraries, London is a great place to work from in public. Read on to find out the best study spots in London.

The British Library

The British Library is huge and has lots of different areas perfect for studying in. There are booths and tables to suit any size study group and equally fitting spaces for some solo study time. The library is peaceful and easy to get to, located a few minutes’ walk from Kings Cross station, and the Wi-Fi is free. There are also multiple cafes on site so you don’t have to venture far for a well-deserved coffee break.

Your Local Library

The British Library is impressive and worth visiting regardless of how much studying you have to do! But your local library is likely to provide free Wi-Fi and study spaces too, while probably being a little less busy. London is dotted with libraries and it’s really easy to sign up for a library card online which gives you access to catalogs, computers, books, films and much more.

The Ace Hotel

The lobby of The Ace Hotel was specifically designed for freelancers, students and groups of people wanting to hold meetings and work with their laptops. It’s ideal for a full day’s work, and also of course features a bar to finish in with your fellow students!

Google Campus

It’s free to become a member of Google Campus, which was founded with start-up businesses and entrepreneurs in mind. Students are also welcome to this co-working space with a café downstairs to work from. It tends to get pretty busy so probably isn’t the best place to go if you need to concentrate on something properly. However, for group projects or critiques it’s perfect.  

The Wellcome Collection

Everyone is welcome at the Wellcome Collection Reading Room and Library with ample space for you to spread out and study. You can book study rooms in advance or sign in as a day visitor to access the library materials and Wi-Fi. You can’t take food or drinks in here which is worth mentioning if you plan on spending a long time studying. 

The Barbican Centre

There are so many places to settle down and work from in the Barbican, not to mention their onsite library which has free and fast Wi-Fi. You can stay there all day and also get the chance to explore the museum exhibitions which are always amazing. There are plenty of restaurants and cafés to break up your day too.

Timber Yard UK

People are encouraged to come to Timber Yard to work, the idea behind the workspace being a cross between an office and a coffee shop. There are also meeting rooms which you can hire, however these are pretty pricey starting at £80 for two hours. Depending on how many of you need the room this could be an option but the coffee shop itself is free to use. There is free Wi-Fi, great coffee and high-quality food to keep you going too.

The Hoxton Hotel

There are a few hotels in London which welcome students and freelancers needing a place to work. The Hoxton Hotel is one of the best with a cozy atmosphere and free Wi-Fi in their bars, restaurants and courtyard. You can basically work anywhere in the hotel, which is located less than a 10-minute walk from Old Street station.

Coffee Shops and Cafés

Coffee shops and cafés are great for casual study groups and there are lots in London which welcome students and people who are looking to spend a day working. The most popular spots with relaxed staff and free Wi-Fi include The Book Club and Ozone Coffee Roasters in Shoreditch and The Riding House Café just off Oxford Street. Obviously, you can’t expect to stay all day and only drink tap water but within reason, they’ll be happy to have you.

Victoria and Albert Museum Art Library

This is a particularly beautiful place to study, located in the center of Kensington in the Victoria and Albert Museum. It’s free to become a member and you can register online or in person. The space is popular but always quiet so great if you need to seriously concentrate on something. 

Want more content like this? Register for free site membership to get regular updates and your own personal content feed.

Sponsored by EU Business School

Barcelona is a diverse and cosmopolitan city full of exciting prospects and opportunities. Having shot up to 21^st place in this year’s QS Best Student Cities 2019, it’s not hard to see why it’s one of the best destinations for studying abroad.

Once you move to Barcelona, you may never want to leave, thanks to its 68 parks, 55 museums, 22 Michelin-starred restaurants, nine UNESCO-protected monuments, almost 5km of sandy golden beaches and an array of architectural gems. It’s also home to a fanatic cluster of innovative tech talent and innovative startups, making it a magnet for businesses and business schools alike.

Barcelona is easy on the student pocket

Let’s face it – as a student, money is never far from your mind and when you’re contemplating the idea of moving abroad, the cost of living is one of the most important things you should take into account.

Although the cost of living in Barcelona tends to be more expensive than other Spanish cities (with the exception of Madrid), it’s still 44 percent cheaper than New York, and 41 percent cheaper than London, so living on the cheap side here is most definitely possible.

How much you pay for your accommodation essentially comes down to how much you’re willing (or able) to spend and whether you can compromise on factors such as location. Students at EU Business School’s Barcelona campus can rent a shared flat for a cost between €300-500 per month, while a private apartment can start from €650 per month.

If you live in a fairly central neighborhood, you should be able to get about on foot just fine. However, should you find yourself wanting to hop on the metro or bus, you can purchase a T-10 ticket for only €10.20 which gets you 10 journeys.

Barcelona is considered the Spanish Silicon Valley

Image credit: EU Business School

Although Barcelona is a small(ish) city, it has big ambitions and is making a name for itself in the world of entrepreneurs. This year alone, more than 1,300 startups have already been created here, so it should come as no surprise that the latest MWCapital Report ranked Barcelona as the sixth top startup hub in Europe.

22@Barcelona is an urban renewal area, now the face of Barcelona’s technological and innovation district. The city is also home to some of the world’s largest multinational companies, including Amazon, Facebook and the Siemens Innovation Center.

Echoing Barcelona’s agenda for innovation and entrepreneurship, many business schools have also looked to the city to set up base – with EU Business School being one of them. It shouldn’t be too much of a challenge to pursue your dream job after graduating either, considering the hustling and bustling city was ranked 27^th in the world for employer activity in the QS Best Student Cities 2019.

Everyone is welcome in Barcelona

Image credit: EU Business School

Despite 8.9 million people having visited Barcelona in 2017, and with that number set to rise year-on-year, there’s still a very relaxed and laidback feel to the city.

Barcelona is one big international community and offers warm welcomes to everyone from students to expats, who are all looking to call this place ‘home’.

One in five people who live here are from a different country, meaning over 179 nationalities are represented in this multicultural city! English is also widely spoken in Barcelona, so there’s no doubt you’ll be able to make a friend or two here.

Hola! ¿Cómo estás?

Image credit: EU Business School

We’ve established that English is widely spoken in Barcelona but, considering Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the world, and is one of the main languages of global business communications, you would do well to add it to the number of languages you can understand. 

But where do you start if the most you can offer is; “Hola! ¿Cómo estás?” (Hello, how are you?)?! First of all, you should do some research and see whether the university or business school you’re going to offers language lessons.

At EU Business School, for example, their Language School offers a range of language courses, including Intensive Spanish and Business Spanish. If you’re studying at EU Business School, you can also enjoy General Spanish (or French or German) classes.

When it comes to everyday language learning, simple things such as listening to the local radio station instead of your everyday music playlist, watching local television instead of Netflix, reading magazines and books in Spanish, as well as setting your phone and/or tablet to Spanish are all great ways to keep up the practice.

Barcelona offers a quality of life like no other

Image credit: EU Business School

Just thinking about the city’s growing gourmet food scene is enough to get your stomach rumbling! From fresh fish straight from the Mediterranean Sea, to the delicious aroma of paella and tapas, you’re never far from a legendary meal.

For those who want to get a real taste of Barcelona, head to La Boqueria, one of Europe’s largest and most famous food markets. 

When it comes to exploring the city’s distinctive architectural gems, you might be asking yourself where to even start. It’s not always a bad thing following the crowd as you make your way to the Sagrada Familia, or make an active effort to spot all of Gaudí’s urban projects that line the city’s streets.

Barcelona is the only city in the world to have been awarded the Royal Gold Medal by the Royal Institute of British Architects, and it’s easy to see why, especially when you pay a visit to Park Güell, which offers some of the best views of the city.

It would, of course, be rude to not mention that Barcelona is home to some of the most passionate and devoted football fans in the world. Football is big business in Barcelona, so you might want to consider getting involved with the celebrations as Barcelona FC, or Barça, as the club is also known, continues to dominate the world of football.

Lead image credit: EU Business School

If you’re starting university in the UK this year, chances are you may be too swept up in the excitement of it all to worry about money. No worries, we are here to help with all things finance.

Read on for some top tips on managing your money as a student.

Get a student bank account

Student bank accounts are like regular bank accounts but usually offer extras, such as interest-free overdrafts or freebies.

To get a student bank account, UK citizens will be required to show some form of photo ID (such as a driving license or a passport), proof of address (such as a bank statement or a utility bill), and proof of student status (a letter of acceptance or UCAS offer letter).

You’re best to go for the bank account with the largest overdraft as you never know when you might need it. Here are some of the top UK student bank accounts available this year.

Be aware of your credit score

Having a good credit score is vital, even as a student. In the future, when you decide to apply for a loan, mortgage, bank account or mobile phone contract, this is one of the first thing banks will check before considering you.

Your credit score is based on a range of factors, including:

• How often you’ve applied for credit over the past year
• How reliable you’ve been on making payments in the past
• What credit is available to you already
• Other less obvious factors – for example, whether or not you’re registered to vote

So, what can you do to improve it? Believe it or not, having some debt you regularly pay off can drastically improve your credit score. Try to use a credit card often, but stay well below your limit, register to vote and pay your bills on time!

You’ll be pleased to know you can check your credit score for free on websites such as Experian, ClearScore and Credit Karma. Each of them has more information regarding credit ratings if you’re keen to find out more.

Take advantage of the discounts available as a student

As a student there are many opportunities to save some money on everyday costs, such as food, clothes, rail travel and mobile phone contracts. Here are several things you should definitely sign up for.

16-25 Railcard – These cards are a godsend. They cost just £30 a year (although it’s free with several student bank accounts) and mean you save one-third of all off-peak rail travel – perfect for visits home in between terms at uni. You’ll make back the money spent on it in no time.

Totum cards (previously called NUS cards) – Totum cards are the top student discount card in the UK, allowing you to save money at hundreds of top retailers. Example discounts include 10 percent off at ASOS, and 25 percent off Odeon cinema tickets.

Unidays – Similar to Totum cards, Unidays offers loads of top discounts on student brands, from fashion to technology and beauty products.

Calculate a budget and try sticking to it

Nobody has ever arrived at university and been able to perfectly stick to a budget, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try!

Take into account the money you’ll receive from your student loan, maintenance grant, any part-time work or family income and then subtract the amount you’ll have to spend on accommodation, bills etc.

Once you know roughly how much money you’ll have to live off, try to calculate how much you should be spending per week on food, drinks, nights out and so on. It will take a few weeks to figure out what’s a realistic target, so keep receipts and track your spending.

Hopefully, by the end of your first term, your budgeting skills will have gradually improved, and you won’t be dipping into your overdraft too much.

Sponsored by Universidad de Palermo

From being able to study wherever and whenever you like, to immersive learning experiences, the university of the future promises to be an exciting place.

With students arriving at university increasingly comfortable using high-tech software and gadgets, and universities needing to innovate in a rapidly changing world, the pace of change at the world’s top higher education institutions is likely to be rapid.

We’ve teamed up with the Universidad de Palermo to explore what the future of education holds.

Immersive learning experiences will no longer be a perk, but a necessity

The intensity that comes with a physical or virtual learning environment stimulates and accelerates learning in a way that traditional learning methods sometimes can’t.

Over the last two decades, the reality of an academic world filled with rapidly advanced technology is, well, a reality. Such learning environments are transforming education, and the Education Lab at the Universidad de Palermo in Argentina is one such example, which facilitates student-centered learning, while also pioneering research into online education.

An innovation lab with a focus on applied education and a mandate to reimagine education, the Education Lab looks to reinvent the way it teaches, capitalizing on state-of-the-art technology and the latest discoveries in the science of learning, while offering the academic community access to world-class education technology.

Blending traditional and non-traditional teaching methods will become the norm

According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, an estimated 120 million people will be in higher education by 2030, with 2.3 million of those studying overseas.

As a result, universities and business schools are beginning to offer a wider range of degree programs than they did traditionally, allowing students to study at a time and pace that suits them. This is especially important when you consider how many more students are entering education while balancing family life, a career or both.

One university that does this is the Universidad de Palermo, which offers a range of online, on-campus and blended programs.

With study options going as far as blended learning, students can pick and choose how many online courses and how many on campus courses they take each semester, combining both modalities. This means you could potentially spend your first year studying on campus, before transferring abroad for one semester at a partner university and then finishing your degree online.

Moving between borders and gaining an international outlook

As we’ve already established, more and more prospective students are looking to study abroad. Higher education institutions around the world are therefore continuing to establish strong links and official partnerships with other top global universities and business schools as a way of encouraging international relations between both students and faculty.

As a result, the ability to travel overseas for education and work is becoming much easier. MBA students at Universidad de Palermo have the opportunity to take part in an international exchange program, so whether you take part in an exchange program, study abroad for a semester, or study your entire degree in a whole new country – such experiences allow you to mix, work, and live alongside a wide range of individuals who are from various backgrounds, cultures, races and faiths.

Such international opportunities can enrich your learning experience, and will also allow you to understand and appreciate others’ points of view, which can then help prepare you for a career in a global setting.

Student-focused learning will be essential

Rigid, traditional teaching methods are no match for state-of-the-art technology and e-learning platforms, as universities and business schools cater for the individual student.

Gone are the days when students needed to fit within strict time schedules and inflexible academic boundaries. But what does a student-centered learning education experience actually look like?

Perhaps the biggest change you can expect to see is more schools switching the focus from the teacher to the student. Each student will be allowed to take charge of their own education by choosing their own modules and mode of learning, whether it’s on campus or online.

By doing this, students are active in their own learning and are able to foster the technical and transferable skills when it comes to taking the responsibility of learning in their own hands.

Lead image credit: Universidad de Palermo

St Petersburg is known as the cultural capital of Russia, but did you know it’s also one of the country’s major tech hubs? ITMO University, one of its three universities included in the QS World University Rankings®, has created the video above to showcase just that.

The video, which was inspired by cult science fiction films and series, imagines a futuristic version of St Petersburg which presents a completely different reality in which the city of poets, musicians, and philosophers had instead been the abode of tech visionaries and artists of laser and code.

St Petersburg was the place where researchers launched Russia’s first quantum communication network, and among ITMO’s students is the world’s six-time Google Code Jam winner, Gennady Korotkevich. The city is also home to one of the world’s top 20 universities for mining engineering, St. Petersburg Mining University, which has a museum that boasts one of the world’s finest collections of gems and minerals.

ITMO’s video demonstrates the exciting mix of old and new on offer in the city - “This is our Petersburg, a place where the future is made in the present: high art meets high tech, classicism coexists with cyberpunk, and the city’s history and culture are inseparable from technological progress.”

Sponsored by Queen’s University Belfast

Belfast may be celebrated for its good craic*, outstanding education, and diverse culture, but we bet there are still a few things you didn’t know about life in the historic Northern Irish capital.

So, before you pack your bags for the study experience of your life, take a look at what else you’ll discover when you live and study in Belfast. 

You’ll experience world-class education in Northern Ireland’s most prestigious university

Established in 1845, Queen’s University Belfast attracts students from 85 countries across all four corners of the globe.

Well known for its very high research output and state-of-the-art facilities, Queen’s University Belfast was ranked 173^rd in the world and 26^th in the UK in the QS World University Rankings® 2020. It also has 14 subjects sitting comfortably in the top 200 in the world according to the latest QS World Rankings by Subject 2019.

Phew! It seems as if it’s fairly safe to say that Queen’s offers an academic experience like no other.

You’ll follow in the footsteps of some of Queen’s University most notable alumni

From Nobel Prize in Literature winner, Seamus Heaney, to Annie Mac, who you may recognize as the voice of BBC Radio 1’s Future Sounds show, it’s exciting to know that you’ve walked down the same corridors, sat in the same lecture theaters, and potentially borrowed the same books out of the library as some of the university’s most notable alumni.

You’ll be inspired by the C.S. Lewis Reading Room at Queen’s University Belfast

Speaking of big names, the world-famous author, C.S. Lewis was born in Belfast and the surrounding countryside was considered to be a source of inspiration for his classic tales of The Chronicles of Narnia. 

So, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to learn that at Queen’s University Belfast, they have their very own C.S. Lewis Reading Room to commemorate the author and his renowned novels. The relaxing study space has glass-engraved inscriptions which line the walls to boost student motivation. 

Belfast is where the Titanic was built

Ok, so you may know this one already, but the incredibly fascinating history of the doomed ship is still prominent in Belfast, today.

An absolute must-see in between studying and lectures is Titanic Belfast, which tells the story of the Titanic, from its construction all the way through to its place in history. The museum was even awarded best visitor attraction in the world, in the World Travel Awards 2016.

Belfast has been voted ‘Best in Travel’

Belfast is a dynamic and modern city with a rich heritage and even richer identity. Renowned for its eclectic artistic murals and lively music scene which excites the city’s cobbled streets, you’ll also experience a warm and welcoming atmosphere from the friendly locals. Get down to any pub or live music venue and you’ll experience good craic* in no time.

Belfast is also a stone’s throw away from miles of endless coastline. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that in 2018, Lonely Planet declared Belfast and the Causeway Coast the number one region in the world to visit.  

Studying in Belfast means you’ll have access to all of this, while still getting the city life experience. At weekends you should explore the great outdoors and get up to the Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast – Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Nature Reserve.

The film industry loves Belfast

Forget Hollywood, Northern Ireland is the hottest new filming-location. Thanks to its stunning coastlines, castles and countryside, Northern Ireland is the new go-to filming location for a whole host of big-budget productions.

If you’re considering pursuing your undergraduate or postgraduate degree in film studies here, there’s no better place for it. From Game of Thrones to Line of Duty, as far as filming locations go, it’s one of the most popular for national and international film companies. 

Belfast is also a city of innovation and great entrepreneurial spirit

Belfast is a city of innovation, and is becoming a hotbed for innovative technological advances. In fact, it was ranked second in the world’s Top 10 Digital Economies of the Future, and was also named as one of the top 10 cities in the UK to develop a digital career.

So, it’s no wonder that Queen’s University students are making the most of the city’s resources and facilities in order to make their way on to the booming tech startup scene alongside their studies.

Despite being a capital city, Belfast is one of the most affordable student cities in the UK

Having been voted the eighth most affordable university town in the UK, Belfast is a real crowd pleaser when it comes to student living.

It’s also small enough to get around, but still has everything you could possibly need in a university city. With efficient transport links, including two airports (one of which is named after the country’s famous football star, the late George Best), and 99 ferry sailings each week, getting to and from mainland Europe and the rest of the UK is both cheap and within easy reach.

*Craic: An enjoyable time spent with other people, especially when the conversation is entertaining and funny.