Education
The country has a range of education systems and services from early childhood to later education. Schooling is compulsory in UK for all children from their sixth until their 16th birthday. The tertiary education system includes universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

Health
If you intend to take up residence in the United Kingdom for more than six months, you may have access to medical services similar to those enjoyed by people who are ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom. General Practitioners (GPs) are not, however, obliged to accept anyone as a National Health Service patient, and will offer only private treatment if they believe the patient has come to the United Kingdom specifically for the purpose of receiving medical care. Once registered with the NHS, foreign patients are entitled to receive treatment and prescriptions from GPs, dentists and opticians in the same way and at the same price as other NHS patients.

There is also an extensive private health system, for those wishing to pay an additional fee to receive extra benefits for optical, physiotherapy and dental treatment when they use private health care services.

Legal System
The United Kingdom is a stable democracy, but voting is not compulsory for those over 18 years of age. Freedom of speech is a cornerstone of any democracy and people have no hesitation in expressing their views on political and controversial issues.

There are three levels of government:

House of Commons
Led by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, responsibilities at this level of government include nation-wide matters such as health, education, defense, trade, foreign affairs and telecommunications.

House of Lords
This level of government consists of Lords Spiritual and more than 1100 Lords Temporal and Lords of Appeal. None are elected by the general population.

The Queen
This monarch is the titular head of state, but the current Queen is a figurehead who acts almost entirely on advice of the ministers and parliament.

Common law is the basis of the legal system.

Economy
Presently, the United Kingdom has one of the most impressive economies in the world, with high growth, low-inflation, and low interest rates. There is an efficient government sector, a flexible labour market, and a very competitive business sector.

Currency
The Pound Sterling - coins (five, 10, 20, and 50 cent, and one and two pound denominations); notes (five, 10, 20, 50, pound denominations).