Nav aids is also taught in the UK as well. Its part of the required ICAO syllabus.
And there are several ways you can use a gps which arn't just direct to a way point.
For example if you are operating close to a boundary and don't have an airspace warning capability you can make a waypoint up and run a track from it (persudo VORTAC) so that you can always keep to the one side of that track to remain clear of the airspace. Handy if you taking photo's near CAS.