FIRST

STEPS
A pre-departure guide for international
students coming to study in the UK

2018 –19
‘It’s important to integrate into
the local community. I’ve made
lots of friends locally and it’s helped
me understand local behaviours.’

‘It is nice to know you are interested

in our safety.’

© Mat Wright
CONTENTS
Congratulations 3

Preparing to study in the UK 4

Preparing for your journey 6

Checklist for your place of study 10

Checklist for your journey 11

Arrival in the UK 12

Onward travel: how to get from

the airport to your final destination 16

Checklist for onward travel 17

Settling in 18

Well-being 24

Checklist for studying 24

Checklist for settling in 25

Out and about 26

Useful organisations 28

Further information and guidance 30

© Mat Wright

1
 We hope that the time you spend
visiting the UK will be an enjoyable
and rewarding experience.

© Mat Wright
2
C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S
Congratulations on your decision to study in the UK. Every In its pages, you’ll find everything you need to know,
year, the UK welcomes hundreds of thousands of students and what to do, before you leave home, as well as advice
from all over the world. Perhaps like you, they come here to about your arrival in the UK, settling in, getting organised,
experience the fantastic opportunities a UK education can and making the most of your new student life.
offer, and the amazing social and cultural mix you can enjoy
It includes information about immigration, fees and
while living here.
finances, preparing for your journey, travelling, the weather,
For those of you who are getting ready to come to the the clothing you’ll need, looking after yourself, studying,
UK you will benefit from excellent teaching, world-class shopping, enjoying yourself and more.
facilities and support and guidance from staff at your
We’ve also provided a list of useful organisations and a
institution. The website www.prepareforsuccess.org.uk
web address where you can download further guidance if
is a free resource containing activity-based interactive
you need it. We look forward to welcoming you to the UK.
learning to help you prepare for your study in the UK.

This guide is designed to help you get ready for what we

hope will be the experience of a lifetime, and it’s packed
with useful and important information. There’s a lot to
take in, so please take the time to read it carefully.

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 P R E PA R I N G T O S T U D Y I N T H E U K
Obtaining your visa Biometric residence permit
Unless you are a British citizen or an EEA or Swiss national, Your visa will be issued for a period of 30 days, which provides
or you already hold immigration permission that allows you you with time to travel to the UK, and then you must collect
to live and study in the UK, you will most likely need to obtain your biometric residence permit, which contains your
immigration permission before travelling to the UK to study. permission to stay longer.

The UK Visas and Immigration website: www.gov.uk/ When you complete your visa application you will need to
browse/visas-immigration gives up-to-date information provide contact details in the UK and/or those of where you
on how and where to apply as well as local application are studying and which post office you wish to collect your
procedures. You should read through the information BRP from. You can use your institution’s address for this
note on Tier 4 students: www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa purpose, so you may need to know the address of the
nearest post office.
As part of your visa application you will require a
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Information You will need to take your passport containing your visa and
on obtaining a CAS will be available from your institution. the letter which you received when your visa was issued when
You should be given a comprehensive guide to obtaining you go to collect your BRP.
your visa once you have received your CAS.
Accessing healthcare in the UK
Names on documentation You will be required to pay the immigration health
Occasionally, problems occur with the spelling of names surcharge before applying for your visa. Please check
and addresses, especially in connection with students from these details carefully for the surcharge required:
countries that use a different alphabet from English. It is www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/overview
best to decide on how you wish your name to be spelt in
English and then use this spelling at all times. Preferably,
this should be the spelling that is given in your passport.

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Students studying for less than six months
If you wish to stay in the UK for less than six months, it
may be appropriate to apply for a short-term study visa:
www.gov.uk/study-visit-visa

Tuberculosis (TB) screening

TB screening is compulsory for those applying for a visa
for longer than six months in certain countries. Further
information can be found here: www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa

Visiting Europe and the USA while in the UK

If you are planning to visit Europe or the USA either on holiday
or on a course field trip while you are studying, you may find
it easier to apply for an entry visa from the appropriate
embassy in your country before you travel to the UK.

© John Cooper/Ikon

5
 P R E PA R I N G F O R Y O U R J O U R N E Y
Make sure you have your student entry clearance before you life in the UK. Usually the international office or National
travel to the UK. Being well prepared for your journey makes Union of Students (NUS) runs a welcome international
life a lot easier. With this in mind, make sure you’ve got or orientation programme in September each year. The
everything organised with plenty of time to spare before programme will provide you with dedicated local support
you leave home. Your place of study should have sent you and information to help you to settle more quickly. This
information. Read it all very carefully: it will help you with includes support with opening a bank account, registering
your pre-departure preparations. You should also have been with the police, registering with a doctor or dentist,
provided with a 24-hour telephone number and the name of details about local shops and other useful information:
someone you can contact if you have any problems on your https://www.nus.org.uk/en/who-we-are/how-we-work/
journey, or if you arrive later than planned. You should plan
Visit Britain may have an office in your country – consult
your journey from your point of entry into the UK to your
their website at www.visitbritain.com – they will be able
final destination, and know when and where you are supposed
to give you help and advice on planning your journey.
to arrive.
It is assumed that you will be arriving at an airport in the
If you do not have the above information, contact your
UK, although other methods of transport are detailed
place of study as soon as possible so that you can be fully
in the ‘Arrival in the UK’ section on page 12. If you will be
prepared for your journey. You may also want to look up
studying in or near to London, you may wish to book your
your place of study on the internet before you leave.
flight into Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted or London
Many institutions offer a ‘meet and greet’ airport or railway City Airport: www.visitlondon.com/traveller-information/
station collection service for your arrival in the UK. If you travel-to-london/airport
want to use this service you will need to book it in advance.
If you are studying elsewhere in the UK, you should book
It is important you arrive in time for your institution’s a direct flight to one of the 24 commercial international
welcome or orientation week. This is a part of the institution’s airports, or book a connecting flight from a European
overall welcome and helps international students settle into airport or one of the London airports.

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Documents required for your journey ◆◆ Documentary evidence that you have enough money
Certain documents are needed when you arrive at to pay your tuition fees and accommodate yourself
the airport in the UK, where you will be interviewed while you’re in the UK (recent bank statements, proof
by immigration and health officials: of scholarship or sponsor’s letter).

◆◆ Your completed landing card given to you during your ◆◆ Originals (or certified true copies) of any degree
flight (if you’re not from an EEA country). certificates or technical qualifications.

◆◆ A valid passport, with a visa or UK entry clearance Make sure you keep the above documents and the following
(if applicable). in your hand luggage:

◆◆ Your UKVI decision letter which sets out the leave ◆◆ Some warm clothing.
granted and explains the BRP collection process in the
◆◆ Some British currency.
UK; and your short-term visa vignette in your passport.
This visa will have a validity of only 30 days from the ◆◆ Insurance documents.
expected date of travel to enable you to travel to
◆◆ A list of what you are carrying in your luggage in case
the UK and to collect your BRP.
you have to make an insurance claim.
◆◆ An air ticket.
◆◆ Any prescribed drugs or medicine you are taking, plus
◆◆ Vaccination certificates, if required. a letter from your doctor explaining what they are.

◆◆ An X-ray certificate, if required: www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa ◆◆ An address, telephone number and travel instructions
to your final destination.
◆◆ A letter of acceptance from your place of study (Tier 4) or
work (Tier 5). Keep information about the course you’re ◆◆ The First Steps pre-departure pack.
studying (Tier 4) or the place you are working (Tier 5) in
◆◆ A reference letter from your bank in your own country –
your hand luggage. This must be a paper copy (not an
this will be useful when you come to open a bank
electronic copy on tablet or phone). This includes your
account in the UK.
university Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
number or Confirmation of Sponsorship (COS) if you Check hand luggage restrictions:
are coming as a Tier 5 applicant. www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/overview

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 Medical insurance If you are travelling to the UK from a country outside the
You may be entitled to free NHS treatment while in the EU and carrying more than €10,000 you will need to declare
UK (see pages 21–22), but you should still consider taking this to customs.
out insurance which covers other medical-related costs.
It is also likely that you will have to pay a deposit for your
An insurance policy may cover, for example:
accommodation before you move in. This is normally the
◆◆ Lost fees if you are unable to complete your course. equivalent of one month’s rent but it can be substantially
more, depending on the type of accommodation you are
◆◆ Costs of returning home if a relative is ill.
renting. You will need to ensure that you have sufficient
◆◆ Costs of a relative visiting you in the UK if you fall ill. funds immediately available to cover this. The international
student calculator will help you work out how to manage
◆◆ Cost of returning to your home country for treatment.
your money and build a budget for living and studying in
◆◆ Or in the worst possible situation, returning a body the UK: http://studentcalculator.org
home for burial.
To check the banknotes used in the UK and for further
There is often a long wait for NHS treatment, sometimes information visit www.bankofengland.co.uk. See also
many months. An insurance policy which gives you access ‘Banks and money’ on page 20.
to private medical care could give you much quicker access
Transfer of funds
to the treatment you need.
If you are planning to transfer extra money to the UK you
If you already have medical insurance in your home country, should arrange this before you leave your home country.
check whether you can extend it to cover your stay in the UK,
Also before you leave home, check whether you need
as well as looking at options available from UK insurers.
permission to transfer money to the UK and whether your
Money government has restrictions on the amount of money you
You need to order British currency and travellers’ cheques can take out of your country. Opening a bank account in
and bring enough money to cover your immediate needs the UK can take a few weeks.
on your arrival in the UK, including customs charges, rail
fares and any emergency expenses. About £250 should be
enough, but if you have any family with you, you will need
correspondingly more.

8
Clothing and other items Insurance
You should have enough warm clothing for your flight You should always take out travel insurance covering
and subsequent journey. Several layers of lightweight your journey to the UK. This should cover delays, medical
clothes are better than a single shirt or dress. It is probably emergencies and the cost of replacing any belongings if
cheaper and easier to buy warm winter clothing in the UK, they are lost on your journey. If you are coming to the UK
rather than in your home country. for less than six months you should also take out travel
and medical insurance for the duration of your stay.
It is worth bringing items of your national dress to wear
at social events, and photographs of family and home may Personal security
be of interest to new friends who would like to learn about The UK is generally a safe place to be, but as with anywhere
other cultures. – especially if you’re new to it – it pays to take a few common
sense precautions.
It is useful to bring some passport-sized photographs
of yourself. See also ‘Climate and clothing’ on page 22. For example, always carry your money in an inside pocket, not
in your back pocket or the outer pockets of coats or jackets.
Luggage
If you want to leave your coat or jacket anywhere, then take
You will have a free baggage allowance, which will be shown
your money with you. And if you carry a handbag, keep it by
on your air ticket; this is usually from 20kg with a restricted
you and don’t leave it unattended, even for short periods.
weight of 32kg per single item of luggage. Only essential
personal possessions may be brought in addition to research Don’t carry large amounts of cash with you – just enough
materials. You may be charged for excess baggage if you to meet your day-to-day needs. Order travellers’ cheques
exceed the baggage allowance, so check with the airline in small denominations – £5, £10 and £20 – and remember
before you leave if you are not sure of your allowance. to keep a note of their serial numbers in case you lose them.

When you are packing your suitcase you should be aware that Avoid leaving luggage, bags or briefcases in waiting rooms,
some food, plant and medicines are made from endangered on railway platforms or on luggage racks where you can’t
species and are not allowed through UK customs. see them. It’s much safer to carry valuables like cameras,
radios and computers with you, and again, make a note
Advice on importing personal effects and goods into the UK
of their serial numbers.
may be obtained from www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods

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 C H E C K L I S T FO R YO U R
P L AC E O F S T U DY
Take care of your mobile phone and try to avoid using it in Once your preparations for arrival are complete, you should
crowded places or when you’re walking along busy streets. ask yourself the following questions:
If your phone is stolen, report it (and give your number)
◆◆ Have you checked if you are able to book an airport
to the network operator and the police – to minimise the
collection, and have you booked it?
chance of thieves using it.
◆◆ Have you received information on how to get to your place
Finally, take special care of your passport, tickets and
of study from the airport, and how much it will cost?
other personal documents. For further tips read the
Creating Confidence booklet (a personal safety guide ◆◆ Do you know exactly when and where you are supposed
for international students) or the Safety First booklet to arrive at your place of study?
(a personal safety guide for dependents, workers and
◆◆ Have you told your place of study when you are likely
visitors) to make sure that your time in the UK
to arrive?
is safe and enjoyable: https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/
planning/advice-support ◆◆ Do you have a 24-hour telephone number for someone
you can contact at your place of study, in case you have
Preparations for your course
problems on your journey?
Some courses require you to write a dissertation or seminar
papers. If you are on such a course you should bring with ◆◆ Do you have a contact when you arrive at your place of
you important documents relating to your own country, study or other meeting point, e.g. the railway station?
which may not be available in the UK.
◆◆ Have you planned your journey from your point of entry
If you want to bring items of high value such as a computer into the UK to your final destination?
or audio equipment, you should also bring receipts showing
when and where they were purchased. British customs
officials may ask you to certify that the equipment is for
your own use and that you are not importing it permanently.

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C H E C K L I S T FO R YO U R J O U R N E Y
Once your preparations for arrival are complete, ◆◆ Have you checked with your local British embassy what
you should ask yourself the following questions: you must declare at customs and what you are not
allowed to bring into the UK? www.gov.uk/bringing-
◆◆ Have you bought travel tickets (including
food-animals-plants-into-uk
connecting flight to regional airports, if required)
and travel insurance? ◆◆ Have you weighed your baggage to ensure that
it is within your baggage allowance and is easily
◆◆ Have you made all the necessary arrangements
transportable for your onward journey?
for family members that are coming with you?

◆◆ Have you obtained a letter from your doctor for any

prescribed drugs you may need to bring with you?

◆◆ Have you ordered British currency and travellers’

cheques for your immediate arrival expenses?

◆◆ Have you checked whether you need permission to

transfer money to the UK?

◆◆ Have you checked whether your own government has

restrictions on the amount of money you can take out
of your country?

◆◆ Have you read the Creating confidence or Safety

first booklets?

◆◆ Have you taken out personal possessions and

medical insurance?
© Glossop

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 A R R I VA L I N T H E U K
If you are travelling by sea you will probably arrive at one of There are also excellent connections to UK regional
the UK ports – Dover, Folkestone, Harwich, Hull, Portsmouth airports through European airports such as Amsterdam,
or Southampton – from where you can travel to your final Paris or Frankfurt.
destination in the UK. These major ports have many onward
Through Europe you can reach several UK regional airports,
coach and rail connections.
such as Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool, Norwich and
You can also arrive in London on the Eurostar train using the Southampton, that are not connected to the major
Channel Tunnel. Rail services throughout Europe connect in London airports.
Paris and Brussels with the Eurostar service and, on arrival
If you pass through another European airport check
in London, connections can be made by rail throughout the
beforehand whether you require a ‘transit visa’, which
UK from one of the main London stations. You may need to
will normally give you a fixed number of hours or days after
travel into central London in order to catch a train or coach
arrival in which to complete your onward journey. Certain
to your final destination.
nationalities require a ‘direct airside transit visa’ even to
However, most international students travel by air and transit to another flight within the airport, which means
your first sight of the UK is likely to be an airport. If you that you cannot leave the airport under any circumstances.
are travelling by air you will usually arrive at Gatwick, Certain other nationalities can ‘transit without visa’ provided
Heathrow, London City, Luton or Stansted airports, all of that the transfer is within the same airport, and you remain
which are convenient if you are studying in London or the within the airport to take an onward flight.
south-east of England.
If your air journey involves a connection, whether in Europe or
If, like many international students, you are studying in the UK, ask the airline staff to check you and your baggage
elsewhere, there are many international regional airports through to your final destination, as this will make your
located throughout the UK, and your journey is likely to be transit through the connection airport much easier.
much easier if you fly to the regional airport closest to your
place of study. Many intercontinental flights now serve
UK airports such as Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and
Manchester; direct and onward connections are available
from these, as well as from the London airports, to
destinations throughout the UK.

12
At first sight an airport can appear a difficult and confusing ◆◆ If you are studying in the UK the immigration officer must
place, but if you follow the steps below, getting through it is also be satisfied that you speak English at the required
actually quite easy. level, without needing an interpreter:
www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/knowledge-of-english
These are the steps you must take:
◆◆ If you do not require prior entry clearance or a visa, you
◆◆ Follow the sign for ‘Arrivals’ unless you are transferring
will also need to show a letter of acceptance as a student
to another plane at the same airport. If you are
from a UK institution and proof that you are able to pay
transferring to another plane, follow the ‘Flight
for your course and living expenses without working in
connections’ sign and any further instructions.
the UK, for example, bank statements for the last three
◆◆ ‘Arrivals’ will take you to passport control. months and/or a sponsor’s letter: www.gov.uk/tier-4-
general-visa/eligibility
◆◆ As you approach passport control you will see electronic
screens; these will show you which zone you will need ◆◆ If you are bringing family to live with you in the UK,
to go through. Make sure you join the right queue or and they are not EEA nationals, they must have obtained
you could waste a lot of time. entry clearance from a British embassy before travelling
to the UK: www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/family-
◆◆ All passengers must go through the immigration zone
members
dealing with their flight. Note that there is one zone for
passengers who have UK, European Economic Area (EEA)* ◆◆ The immigration officer needs to be satisfied that you
or Swiss national passports and one or more zones for all meet the immigration rules for students and that you
* The countries of the
other passport holders. intend to leave the UK at the end of your studies. EEA are Austria, Belgium,
Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus,
◆◆ The immigration officer will want to see: that your ◆◆ If you are coming to the UK as a Tier 5 applicant you Czech Republic, Denmark,
Estonia, Finland, France,
passport is up to date, that your documents are in will need to ensure you bring with you all the documents Germany, Greece, Hungary,
order, your landing card from the plane, and, if required, you must show the immigration officer – details can be Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Liechtenstein, Lithuania,
a valid visa. found here: https://www.gov.uk/tier-5-government- Luxembourg, Malta,
authorised-exchange/documents-you-must-provide Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Romania,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden and the UK.

13
 ◆◆ Another part of the immigration process is health control: Check if you need to register
you might be asked to undergo a brief, routine health https://www.gov.uk/register-with-the-police/who-needs-
check by the airport doctor, which may include an X-ray to-register
as part of a short medical examination. The health check
If you applied outside the UK
will take place in a separate room. Afterwards you will
Check your visa ‘vignette’ (sticker in your passport). You
have to return to immigration control.
must register if it has ‘Police registration’ or ‘Register with
◆◆ As long as your documents are in order, you should pass police in seven days of entry’ on it.
through immigration smoothly. But if you find you need
If you applied inside the UK
any help for any reason, you can ask the immigration
Check the letter you get from the Home Office when your
officer to telephone your college or university (keep the
application’s approved. It will tell you if you must register.
telephone number with you).
If you don’t register, your permission to stay might be
◆◆ If you have travelled by Eurostar train through the
shortened and you’ll have to leave the UK. You can also
Channel Tunnel your passport and documents will be
be stopped from getting or extending a UK visa in future.
checked, and you may be asked further questions when
you arrive in London. If you are driving you will pass Police registration
through UK immigration at the terminal in France If you live in the area of London covered by the
before taking your car on to the shuttle train. Metropolitan Police (https://beta.met.police.uk/advice-
and-information/registering-as-an-overseas-visitor/),
UK visas and registering with the police
you must register at the Overseas Visitors Records Office.
Some people need to register with the police after arriving
Overseas Visitors Records Office (OVRO)
in the UK with a visa, or after getting permission to stay
for longer in the UK. 323 Borough High Street
London
If you need to register, you must go to the police within
SE1 1JL
seven days of:
+44 (0)20 7230 1208
◆◆ arriving in the UK if you applied for a visa from outside
the UK https://www.met.police.uk/advice-and-information/
registering-as-an-overseas-visitor/planning-your-visit-to-ovro/
◆◆ getting your biometric residence permit if you applied
to stay for longer from inside the UK. Contact your local police station if you are elsewhere
in the UK to find out where to go: www.police.uk

14
When registering you will be charged a registration fee At UK airports there are normally three exits through
(currently £34 so please try to take the correct currency if customs – a green channel if you are travelling from outside
you are paying by cash), and must take your passport and the European Union and have nothing to declare; a red
two photographs of yourself. Your student adviser at your channel if you are travelling from outside the European
place of study will explain, if necessary, how to register. Union and have goods to declare; and a blue channel if you
are travelling from an airport within the EEA, where your
The above link will give you advice on how to register, fees,
luggage has already been cleared through customs control.
documents you need to supply and details about how to
find your local police station. The notices in the customs areas will tell you if you need
to declare anything you have brought into the country.
Each time you change your address or status, or extend
If in doubt, check with one of the customs officers before
your permission to be in the UK you must renew your police
passing through customs control.
registration. There is no charge unless you have lost your
original registration document. Even if you pass through the green channel, the customs
officers may ask you to open your luggage for checking.
EEA nationals and Commonwealth citizens do not have
to register. To check what goods are banned or restricted go to:
www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/banned-and-restricted-goods
Customs control
Once you are clear of passport control you can proceed When you have come through customs, you will have
to the baggage reclaim area, where you can collect your completed all the formalities and will have officially
luggage. Above each baggage carousel is an electronic arrived in the UK.
display unit. Find the one that shows your flight number,
as this will be the carousel that has your luggage on it.
If any item of your luggage does not appear, find a
representative of the airline on which you travelled
and in a lost-luggage form.

15
 O N WA R D T R AV E L : H O W T O G E T F R O M
T H E A I R P O R T T O Y O U R F I N A L D E S T I N AT I O N
Onward travel Telephone
There are increasing numbers of direct flights to the larger Public telephones or ‘payphones’ are available in the UK.
non-London airports such as Birmingham, Edinburgh, They operate either with cash or a phonecard (which you
Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle. You can check out the can buy from post offices and some shops), or with a credit
institution’s website for onward travel details and Visit Britain card. If necessary, you can contact the operator by dialling
should be able to provide travel information if they are 100 (155 for the international operator).
contacted well ahead of time: www.visitbritain.com
To access the directory enquiries service for information
If you have not already arranged onward travel from the about telephone numbers, dial 118 500 for UK numbers,
airport, the general information desk at the airport will or 118 505 for international numbers.
advise you on the best way to travel to your destination.
You can sign up for a mobile phone service in the UK and
There are also commercial information desks where you
you can usually use an existing handset. When you first arrive,
can find information about onward travel.
you can use your existing mobile phone service from home
Some places of study send a staff member to meet new to make calls within the UK, but you are likely to be charged
international students at the airport or local railway station. for an overseas call. Check with your home provider what
If they offer this service they should have sent details of rates they will charge for calls and text messages when you
Travelling on the it in your information pack. https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/ are outside your home country. You can also send emails
Underground is Information--Advice from internet cafes and public access computers in public
generally the quickest libraries in the UK. www.gov.uk/local-library-services
way to get around You may need to use a telephone to contact your
London and is one of place of study.
the best ways to get
to London’s mainline
stations for trains to
take you to your place
of study.

16
CHECKLIST FOR
O N WA R D T R AV E L
Once your preparations for arrival are complete, you should
ask yourself the following questions:

◆◆ Have you got instructions on how to get to your place

of study?

◆◆ Have you checked out your place of study on the internet?

◆◆ Have you seen a map of the UK and the location of your

first place of study?

◆◆ Do you know the length of time of any onward journey

from the airport?

◆◆ Do you know about the information desks at the airport?

◆◆ Do you know how to use public transport, e.g. the

Underground, buses and trains?

◆◆ Have you arranged accommodation if you need to

stay overnight in London?

◆◆ Have you made sure you obtained a receipt for your

deposit that includes the date, the amount paid and
the words ‘deposit for accommodation’?
© Glossop

17
 SETTLING IN
Accommodation Where it is not possible to book accommodation in advance,
It’s always best to arrange accommodation in the UK before you will be asked to meet the accommodation officer at
you leave home, but if for any reason you haven’t been able your place of study, who should be able to help you find
to do this, here is some practical advice. permanent accommodation.

Think carefully about your needs. For example, how close University/college accommodation
is the accommodation to your place of study? Is there good Most universities and colleges have their own accommodation
public transport? How much will it cost? Are you near shops office and this should be the first place you go to ask about
and facilities? How big is your room? How secure is it? Will you accommodation. Most institutions provide accommodation
have enough quiet and privacy for study? And so on. for single and unaccompanied married international
students in a hall of residence (either full-board or self-
Then start by going to the accommodation office at your
catering) or a self-catering shared house or flat. Space is
place of study, where they will be able to advise you on all
usually limited, so applications for such accommodation
of this and more.
should be made as soon as you have been accepted on
To have the best chance of securing accommodation at your course and certainly before the required deadline.
your place of study you must:
Private accommodation
◆◆ Apply as soon as you can. The accommodation office at your institution may be able
to help with this too. The office may keep lists of private
◆◆ Fully complete any accommodation forms and return
accommodation available in the area, and some offices
them before the deadline date.
may even help you arrange a booking.
◆◆ Confirm your accommodation arrangements with the
The most usual type of private accommodation is a room
accommodation office at your place of study before
in a house, sharing facilities. Renting a furnished house or
you arrive in the UK.
a flat is likely to be expensive, especially in city centres, and
◆◆ Be prepared to have to pay for accommodation quite difficult to find. A good way of making this affordable
in advance, if necessary. is to share with other students. If you do this, make sure you
agree beforehand on how you will share costs.
◆◆ Not bring any family with you unless you have booked
accommodation for them in advance.

18
You will have to do your own cooking and cleaning, and in If you rent a property from a private landlord or property
some cases, will need to provide your own bed linen and management agent and you pay a deposit, they must
cooking equipment. Ask the landlord about these things. protect your deposit in a government-authorised scheme.

You may decide to stay in lodgings, as part of a family. You can get further guidance at the websites below:
This will give you the opportunity to speak English on
www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection
a regular basis. But be sure to discuss any ‘house rules’
www.gov.uk/private-renting
with your hosts first.
www.gov.uk/private-renting-tenancy-agreements
Whatever type of private accommodation you decide on,
You may be asked to sign an inventory for all the items listed
you will need to meet the owner of the property so that
in the property. Get a copy of this and a receipt for all the
you can see it for yourself, and discuss the rent.
rent payments that you make. Always ask for a rent book
Do not sign any accommodation contract you do not in which your payments can be recorded.
understand, as contracts are legally binding. If you are unsure,
You may have to use a card for the electricity and gas that
take a copy of the agreement to your college accommodation
you use. In some situations it will make more sense to share
officer or student welfare officer for their advice.
bills for lighting and heating with other tenants, but make
If you decide to move in, ask for a tenancy agreement sure you agree beforehand on how the costs are to be shared.
that both you and the owner will sign. This will set out
You should not bring your family to the UK until you
the agreement between you.
have found suitable accommodation for them. University
You will probably be asked to pay a deposit before you can accommodation is very limited and it can be extremely
move in (usually equivalent to one month’s rent). This will distressing and very expensive for a family if they have to
be given back to you when you leave, provided all the bills stay in a hotel for a long time. The best thing is to travel
have been paid and there is no damage to the property or to the UK first to arrange family accommodation. This also
its contents. Make sure you get a receipt for this. gives you time to consider the amount of space you need,
heating costs, safety, local amenities, and so on.

19
 Disabled students Checklist
UK institutions are legally required not to discriminate against ◆◆ View the property.
disabled students, and not to treat them less favourably
◆◆ Tenancy agreement.
than students without a disability. Institutions are also
required to make adjustments to services for disabled ◆◆ Deposit.
students so that they are not disadvantaged in comparison
◆◆ Inventory.
with non-disabled students. These laws apply to international
students as well as to students who are UK citizens. ◆◆ Rent book.

Council Tax ◆◆ Payment of bills.

In the UK most people over the age of 18 have to pay a charge
◆◆ Council Tax.
for local community services, such as the police, fire brigade,
rubbish collection and leisure services, and this is called Banks and money
Council Tax. Long-term students need to open a bank account as soon as
possible, ideally with one of the banks on campus, or nearby.
If you live in an educational institution’s halls of residence,
Many banks offer special facilities and schemes for students
a hostel owned by a charity, or share a home with other full-
and the bank’s financial advisers can help you organise your
time students or with your family, then you should not have
account. You will need to take your passport and the letter
to pay this tax. If you live anywhere else you may have to
of acceptance from your place of study with you, together
pay it. The exact amount will depend upon where you are
with proof of your addresses at home and in the UK, and
living: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/
a reference and statements from your home bank when
Fees-and-Money/Council-Tax
you go to open your account.
Your students’ union or Citizens Advice Bureau can usually
Most banks in the UK are open from 09.30 to 16.30 Monday
help with Council Tax problems: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
to Friday (some are also open on Saturday mornings). But
if you have a cash card for your account you can use a cash
machine at any time of the day, on any day of the week.

20
Banks in Scotland and Northern Ireland issue their own Medical reports
notes. While they can be accepted as currency in England You should have a health check at least four weeks before
and Wales they are not ‘legal tender’, so can be refused. If you leave for the UK. Don’t leave this to the last minute, as
you have a large number of Scottish or Northern Irish bank you won’t have enough time to readjust to any medication
notes and are travelling to England, it is advisable to have before starting out on your journey and course of study.
them changed to English notes at a bank before your visit.
You should also obtain a copy of your chest X-ray certificate
Try to find out as much as you can about banking in the UK (if required) and carry it with your offer letter, as you may
before you get here and visit https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/ have to produce this at passport control. This may avoid
Information--Advice/Studying--living-in-the-UK/Opening- having to have another X-ray.
a-bank-account and ask your college or university what your
Medical costs in the UK
options are for paying fees, so you’ll know what facilities
◆◆ If you are using the six-month ‘student visitor’ route
you’ll need. Then contact your bank in your home country
or the six-month ‘short-term student’ route you should
and ask:
make sure you have private health insurance from the
◆◆ How best to transfer your money to the UK. beginning of your stay.

◆◆ About running a bank account in the UK. ◆◆ Those who have paid the health surcharge are entitled
to free healthcare under the UK’s National Health
◆◆ Whether your bank has a special relationship with
Service (NHS): https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-
any UK banks.
immigration-application. This includes access to
◆◆ Whether you can use cash cards from your home bank a family doctor (called a general practitioner or GP)
in cash machines in the UK. and most hospital treatment, although there are
charges for some services such as prescriptions.
It is important not to overspend on your account, as you can
More about prescription costs on the NHS website:
incur charges if your account is overdrawn. If you need to
https://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts
spend more money than you have in your account, then you
/Pages/Prescriptioncosts.aspx
need to talk to the bank’s student adviser about arranging
an overdraft: https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en

21
 ◆◆ Many students who will be here for less than six months ◆◆ If you are ill and unable to attend your training
can also access free NHS healthcare, for example, EU course you must inform your academic tutor of
students and nationals of countries with which the UK the cause of your illness.
has a reciprocal health agreement. Full details of your
Climate and clothing
healthcare entitlement, as well as advice on staying
The UK has a temperate climate, with few extremes. But the
healthy, can be found at: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/
weather here is famously changeable, so be prepared. It can
Information--Advice/Studying--living-in-the-UK/
be quite wet and cold in the winter (roughly November to
Opening-a-bank-account
March). A warm topcoat, hat, scarf, gloves and an umbrella
◆◆ If you are entitled to NHS care, you should register are a good idea. It also gets dark early. Summers can
with a GP near your accommodation within the first occasionally be showery and overcast, but are mostly
few days of arriving in the UK. Find your local GP on pleasant and rarely extremely hot. The days are long
the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/ and it stays light until late in the evening.

◆◆ We advise you to register separately with a dentist. Keeping healthy

You should ask for NHS treatment when you register The best way to stay healthy while you’re in the UK is the same
but be aware that there is a charge for dental treatment. way to stay healthy when you’re at home: eat healthy foods,
You can find local dentists using the NHS website: exercise fairly regularly, and make sure you get enough sleep.
www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/. If you are registered
Eating a balanced diet (a selection of foods) can be a
with the NHS you are entitled to the services of an
challenge when you first arrive – the food in the UK may
NHS dentist, although dental treatment is not free.
be very different from what you’re used to.
◆◆ You can register with any local optician of your choice.
Try to eat, every day:
There is a fee for eye tests and all eye treatment.
◆◆ Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.
◆◆ NHS inform is a new national health information service
for Scotland. It provides a co-ordinated approach and ◆◆ Some bread, potatoes, rice, noodles or pasta.
a single source of quality-assured health information
◆◆ Some protein, such as beans, lentils, eggs, fish or meat.
for the public in Scotland: www.nhsinform.scot
◆◆ Some milk, cheese, yogurt or soy products
◆◆ Reciprocal healthcare agreements are limited to hospital
(e.g. soy milk, tofu).
treatment of some illnesses that arise during your visit
to the UK (i.e. which did not exist before your arrival).

22
Try to get some exercise several times a week. Most colleges Further information is available from your college or
and universities in the UK offer lots of opportunities to university nurse or from the Meningitis Research Foundation:
practise your favourite sport or learn a new one. If you call the free helpline on +44 (0)80 8800 3344 or visit
don’t like sport, try an exercise class, or go for a long walk. www.meningitis.org/symptoms/young-people

Travelling to a new country with a different climate and Studying

different foods can cause small health upsets. You may Study methods in the UK may be very different to your own.
develop minor illnesses such as coughs and colds. If you Students in the UK use a variety of textbooks and often have
haven’t had these symptoms before, they may seem worrying to write extensively, use computers, and draw their own
at first, but don’t be alarmed – these problems are usually conclusions and analyses. In lectures and seminars note-
easy to treat and advice can be given by a pharmacist at taking is encouraged, and in small group tutorials you should
your local chemist. You may need to make an appointment be prepared to participate actively. You may have to carry
to see your doctor, and remember to explain any changes out original research or participate in practical experiments
in your lifestyle that might be affecting your health. and projects.

Meningitis and septicaemia Personal and academic support during your stay
When you have registered with a local doctor you should make You may find that you need to speak to someone regarding
an appointment to be immunised against meningitis and problems you are experiencing that are adversely affecting
septicaemia. This immunisation is free of charge and provides your studies. In the first instance, you should discuss any
protection against the disease for three to five years. problems affecting your studies with your personal tutor
or welfare or personal supervisor.
Meningitis and septicaemia can kill in hours. Meningitis is
the inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal Interview with a university counsellor
cord. Septicaemia is the blood poisoning form of the disease. Anne Bentley is a Counsellor and Manager of the Student
The two forms of the disease have different symptoms – Wellbeing Services at the University of Plymouth.
see www.meningitis.org/symptoms. Early symptoms
We asked her a few questions about the work of counsellors
of meningitis are similar to flu, such as feeling feverish
in UK universities. To see the full interview and other
or suffering from an aching back or joints, headaches and
interviews go to: https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/
vomiting. If any of the symptoms develop then you must
planning/advice-support
get medical help urgently.

23
 W E L L- B E I N G C H E C K L I S T FO R S T U DY I N G
Whatever the problem, you’re never alone. Ask for help at ◆◆ Keep in regular contact with your personal academic
your place of study. There may be an international student tutor/supervisor at your place of study and let them
advisory service, welfare tutors, main tutors, security staff know about any problems you may have that affect
or police on campus who are trained to offer advice and your studies.
support to those who are experiencing personal problems.
◆◆ The student counsellor at your place of study, as well as
You can always contact www.samaritans.org or call the academic staff in your department, and your fellow
116 123 free anytime, from any phone, 24 hours a day, students, can offer support and advice if you are having
365 days a year. You can also contact the Papyrus HOPELineUK. difficulties of any kind.
It also gives confidential suicide prevention advice and
◆◆ Punctuality and attendance are particularly important.
support to young people and others worried about them.
Absence without a valid reason, e.g. illness, will be
Call +44 (0)800 068 4141 or text +44 (0)7786 209697.
looked upon very seriously and may be reported to
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

◆◆ You should let your place of study know of any doubts

you have about the relevance or level of your course
of study before you depart for the UK. It is extremely
difficult to make changes to your course, course level
or extensions to the agreed period of study after your
arrival, and these are sometimes simply not permitted
by UKVI.

24
CH E CK LI S T FO R S E T TLI N G I N
◆◆ Have you arranged suitable accommodation?

◆◆ Do you know about Council Tax?

◆◆ Have you arranged your finances?

◆◆ Have you had a health check?

◆◆ Have you arranged medical insurance if you are not

covered under the NHS?

◆◆ Do you know what to do if you become ill?

◆◆ Are you prepared for the differences in study methods

used in the UK, and do you know where to seek advice
if you have any difficulties?

© Guzelian

25
 OUT AND ABOUT
Shopping HOST – a unique opportunity for international students
If you are living in self-catering accommodation, shopping HOST is a voluntary organisation supported by the
for food is likely to be a priority. Eating the right food, and British Council, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
enough of it, is vital for keeping healthy (see the previous and many universities and colleges: www.hostuk.org/
section, ‘Settling in’). about-host-visits

You may find it easier to shop in self-service shops or Volunteer hosts offer a friendly welcome and an insight
supermarkets, where you can use a basket or trolley into their customs and way of life. They enjoy meeting
provided for you to carry the goods you intend to buy. people from other countries, and can help you practise
your English conversation.
There are smaller shops, where you can buy specialised
foods from overseas, and street markets, which are There are hosts in most regions of the UK. Wherever your
particularly good for fresh fruit and vegetables, often visit, you will be a guest rather than a tourist. Eating home-
sold at low prices. cooked meals and discovering regional practices are
important parts of a HOST visit.
Because of the unpredictability of the British weather it is
a good idea to wear several layers of clothes, a waterproof If you are interested, contact your international student
coat and sturdy shoes. An umbrella is essential. You can find adviser or HOST on info@hostuk.org. Alternatively, complete
good-quality, reasonably priced clothes in high street stores, an application form on the HOST website:
but you can find bargains in street markets, and in the www.hostuk.org/application
second-hand shops run by charities. These shops often
Religion
have clothes that are almost new, at very low prices.
Exploring life in the UK does not mean having to give up
Leisure activities your own culture or religion. In the UK there are many
On campus, the students’ union usually organises all people practising various faiths, and as the number of
kinds of social functions and supports the many clubs and people from different cultures has grown, so have the
societies that you can join. Joining clubs is a good way of facilities that allow them to lead a life according to their
making friends. religious beliefs. Places of worship in most major cities and
towns almost invariably include Hindu and Buddhist
Various activities are organised by local authorities, and you
temples, mosques and synagogues, particularly if there
can join evening classes, including English language classes,
is a large ethnic minority population. Today there are few
which you can find out about at a local library or college.

26
places, other than remote areas, where the religious needs Your time in the UK can be a truly happy and
of people from other countries are not met. rewarding experience – all you need to do is plan properly
and keep in mind the information you are given at your
The UK is a multicultural society: people from ethnic
pre-departure briefing.
minorities now live in most areas and are a well-accepted
and well-integrated part of the population. However, if you Take the opportunity to read this booklet and you can be
do experience any racial prejudice, speak to your student assured that there will always be people you can turn to
welfare officer. for help and advice, wherever you choose to study in the UK.

Travelling around
Once you have established your study routine, you may
want to take a break from your studies and travel beyond
the town or city where you are living. Your time in the UK
would be incomplete without spending some of that time
enjoying what the country has to offer.

The cheapest way to travel is by coach – trains are more

comfortable, and a lot quicker, but more expensive.

You can travel around quite cheaply with a student railcard

or coach card. Full-time students attending courses of at
least 20 weeks at a UK educational institution can buy
a young person’s railcard. You can get more information
about student travel discounts from information centres
at coach or railway stations, or ask at your place of study.
© Glossop

27
 U S E F U L O R G A N I S AT I O N S
British Accreditation Council for Independent
Further and Higher Education (BAC)
14 Devonshire Square
London EC2M 4YT, UK
+44 (0)300 330 1400
info@the-bac.org
www.the-bac.org

British Council
Customer Service
Bridgewater House
58 Whitworth Street
Manchester M1 6BB, UK
+44 (0)161 957 7755
www.britishcouncil.org
https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/

English UK
219 St John Street
London EC1V 4LY, UK
+44 (0)20 7608 7960
Fax: +44 (0)20 7608 7961
info@englishuk.com
www.englishuk.com
https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/
www.britishcouncil.org/education/accreditation
© Guzelian

28
National Union of Students Scottish Youth Hostels Association
Macadam House 7 Glebe Crescent
275 Gray’s Inn Road Stirling FK8 2JA, UK
London WC1X 8QB, UK +44 (0)1786 891 1400
+44 (0)845 5210 262 info@syha.org.uk
www.nus.org.uk www.syha.org.uk
(offers practical advice and information on student issues)
UKCISA: UK Council for International Student Affairs
Tourism Northern Ireland 9–17 St Albans Place
Floors 10–12, Linum Chambers London N1 0NX, UK
Bedford Square, Bedford Street T +44 (0)20 7288 4330
Belfast BT2 7ES, UK www.ukcisa.org.uk
+44 (0)28 9023 1221
Visit Britain
info@tourismni.com
Thames Tower
Dublin Black’s Road
Block F2, EastPoint Business Park, London W6 9EL, UK
Clontarf, Dublin 3, Ireland +44 (0)20 8846 9000
+353 (0)1 865 1880 www.visitbritain.com
infodublin@tourismni.com
Visit Wales
www.tourismni.com
+44 (0)333 006 3001
Visit Scotland info@visitwales.com
Ocean Point One www.visitwales.com
94 Ocean Drive
Youth Hostels Association (YHA) – National Office
Edinburgh EH6 6JH, UK
Trevelyan House
+44 (0)845 859 1006
Dimple Road
info@visitscotland.com
Matlock DE4 3HY, UK
www.visitscotland.com
+44 (0)1629 592 700
+44 (0)800 0191 700 (Freephone)
www.yha.org.uk

29
 F U R T H E R I N F O R M AT I O N A N D G U I D A N C E
Student advice line Textphone users
The information in the Student Advice Zone at If you have difficulties with speech and/or hearing and
www.ukcisa.org.uk will answer most of your questions. you use a textphone, you can call the advice line using
But if you cannot find the information you need, you BT TextDirect.
may want to speak to someone for further advice:
+44 (0)151 494 1260
◆◆ If you are currently a student in the UK, contact an
In both cases, you will be connected to an RNID Typetalk
international student adviser in your college, university or
operator who will translate your typed words to voice and
students’ union. They may be located in the international
their spoken words to text.
office, student services or an advice centre.
Alternatively, you can write to them at:
◆◆ If you are not yet in the UK, you could contact your local
British Council office or the international office at the UKCISA
college or university where you plan to study. 9–17 St Albans Place
London
◆◆ Alternatively, you can telephone the UKCISA advice line.
N1 0NX, UK
The advice line is open from Monday to Friday, 13.00–16.00
hours (UK time). UKCISA answer about 8,000 calls annually,
so the telephone advice line is very busy. This is why they ask
you to try to find the information on their website first, or
contact an adviser in your college or university. If you do
have difficulty getting through to the advice line, please
keep trying, and you should get through eventually.

+44 (0)20 7788 9214

Standard national/international call charges apply.

Please note that UKCISA only give advice by telephone.

They do not offer personal appointments or advice by email.

30
© Guzelian

31
 https://act.campaign.gov.uk/ These are just some examples of suspicious activity and
behaviour which could potentially be terrorist related:
Why Act?
The police and the security and intelligence agencies ◆◆ Anyone hiring or acquiring large vehicles or similar
depend on information from the public. By looking out for no obvious reason.
for suspicious activity and reporting it to the police, in
◆◆ Anyone buying or storing a large amount of chemicals,
confidence, the public can help keep themselves, their
fertilisers or gas cylinders for no obvious reasons.
family and their local community safe. They may see
or hear something that could be that vital piece of ◆◆ Anyone taking notes or photos of security arrangements,
information needed to stop a terrorist attack. or inspecting CCTV in an unusual way.

Although terrorism is rare in the UK, recent events clearly ◆◆ Anyone visiting the dark web, ordering unusual items
demonstrate that an attack could happen at any time or online or carrying out unusual bank transactions.
place without warning. The current threat to the UK stands
◆◆ Anyone who has illegal firearms or other weapons
at severe, which means an attack is highly likely.
or has shown an interest in obtaining them.
By working together with the police, staying alert and
◆◆ Anyone holding passports or other documents
thinking about your safety and security at home or when
in different names, for no obvious reasons.
you are out and about, you can make it harder for terrorists
to plan or carry out an attack. ◆◆ Anyone who goes away travelling for long periods
of time but is vague about where they’re going.
You should report suspicious activity or behaviour –
anything that seems out of place, unusual or just doesn’t Report potentially crucial information about suspicious
seem to fit in with everyday life. activity confidentially to the police free on +44 (0)800 789 321.

If you would prefer to report information online rather

than over the phone, you can do so via www.gov.uk/act

Always remember, if something is occurring now, call 999.

32
© Guzelian

33
study-uk.britishcouncil.org
#StudyUK

www.police.uk
www.gov.uk/register-with-the-police

British Council
Bridgewater House, 58 Whitworth Street
Manchester M1 6BB

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