well, you can start by looking at how the universities go about
their grading...
not too sure about the UK ones but the US ones have different
modules and stuff like that... you can do electives such as "tap
dancing", "bowling" and "scuba diving".. and without some of these,
you do not graduate... most are 4-year courses..
if the UK ones are anything like the australian ones i went
through, they are module based, and depending on subjects, usually
3-year courses...
ultimately, all universities (good ones that is) guide you to
develop yourself.. and teach you how to think, rather than what to
think... you will be give a lot of freedom to learn what you need
to learn without someone looking over you like a gargoyle...
and most of all, if you are going abroad for your studies, take the
opportunity to broaden your horizons.. see what others in other
parts of the world live like.. make friends with a wide spectrum of
people.. for ultimately, it's an education in itself, which will be
more valuable than actually getting that education you went
for
good luck 
