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overing the Lesser-Known Facts about British Universities When we think about British universities, esteemed institutions such as Oxbridge or Imperial College London often come to mind. However, there are many lesser-known facts that shed light on the unique quirks and traditions of these esteemed establishments. Below are some of the lesser-known, but interesting, facts about British universities. The Unconventional Curriculum of Cambridge's Natural Sciences course While it is common for universities to offer a variety of courses under the umbrella of Science, true to Cambridge’s unconventional nature, their Natural Sciences degree allows students to mix and match courses from biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, and materials sciences to create their own unique course. Students have to study three “principals” of their choice in their first year, and then specialise in two for their final two years. This approach provides a bespoke curriculum that suits each student's academic interest, skills, and career aspirations. Durham’s Unusual Graduation Gowns Graduation gowns are an essential part of university tradition in the UK, but Durham University's gowns are a little different. The gowns have sleeves that are completely open at the end, which is said to symbolise the fact that Durham graduates are prepared to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty. Another interesting feature is the frog, a small button in the centre of the throat that can be fastened or unfastened to identify whether a graduate is from the Bachelors or Masters programme. St. Andrews' Royal Connections St. Andrews is no ordinary university: it enjoys a unique connection with the British royal family. Prince William and Kate Middleton famously met and fell in love here while studying Art History. In addition, St Andrews still holds the title of “Scotland’s first university”, having been established in 1413, almost 200 years before the University of Edinburgh. St Andrews University is also the only Scottish university to offer a 4-year undergraduate degree program as standard, with students having the option of studying abroad in their third year. The Bed and Breakfast College Founded in 1361, the All Souls College in Oxford is one of the oldest colleges in the university. However, besides being known for its academic excellence and architectural beauty, the college also operates a hotel that provides Bed and Breakfast to visitors. Known as “The Sun Inn”, the hotel is open to the public for much of the year and allows visitors to stay amidst the historic college surroundings. The Magical Harry Potter Association A fascinating connection between British universities and pop culture is the link between Harry Potter and Oxford’s Christ Church College. The Hogwarts dining hall in the Harry Potter franchise was modelled after the college's Great Hall, which is now a popular tourist destination that also serves as a dining hall for the students. In addition, many scenes from the Harry Potter movies were filmed on location at the college. In conclusion, the above-mentioned facts are just a few examples of the rich history, culture, and tradition of British universities. These institutions not only provide students with a world-class education but also have unique features and traditions that make them stand out from each other and from universities around the world.