LIVING IN UK
Your 101 guide to beginning a new life in the UK, covering what to do before you leave, how to navigate your first days, and how to start working. Get practical tips on paperwork, daily living, and employment to help you feel confident and prepared every step of the way.
Pre-Departure
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Tier 4 (General) Student Visas
To study in the UK at higher education level, you’ll need a Tier 4 (General) student visa. You can apply up to 3 months before your course starts, once you have an unconditional offer and a CAS from your university. Visa processing takes around 3–4 weeks, so apply early.
Short-term study visas are also available for courses up to 6 months, or English language courses up to 11 months.
Length of stay permitted
Your stay on a Tier 4 student visa depends on your course length and previous studies:
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Course 12 months or more: Course duration + 4 months
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Course 6 to 12 months: Course duration + 2 months
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Course less than 6 months: Course duration + 7 days
Things to bring
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Clothing: Warm clothes and waterproof jackets (it rains often).
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Household items: Towels, basic toiletries, first aid kit, small sewing kit.
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Kitchen essentials: Plates, spoons, pans, cooker, masalas, and some ready-to-eat meals for the first few days.
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Electronics: Laptop, phone, chargers, UK socket adapters, power bank.
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Accessories: Eyeglasses, sunglasses, watches.
Innitial Days
Accomodation
The UK offers a range of safe, modern student accommodation, and most universities have dedicated teams to help you find a suitable option.
For general guidance and short-term stays, visit the UKCISA website.
Universities often provide on-site or nearby halls of residence. If you prefer private rentals, sites like SpareRoom, Rightmove, and OpenRent are helpful. Always view the property before signing any contract
Bank Account
When you arrive in the UK, it’s important to open a UK bank account for receiving part-time work payments or scholarship stipends. Banks like Barclays, HSBC, Santander, and NatWest offer accounts for international students. Check their websites for details and book an appointment online or call a local branch. Account setup may take 2–3 weeks, especially at the start of term.
You’ll need your passport, BRP, proof of address, university letter, and student ID for KYC checks. Once set up, you’ll get online banking access and a debit card.
Alternatively, you can use virtual banks like Starling or Monzo, which allow you to open accounts through their app within minutes.
Healthcare
The NHS (National Health Service) provides state healthcare in the UK. Some services are free, while others like dental and eye care may require payment. For a full list of NHS treatments, check the UKCISA website.
Tier 4 visa holders must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) to access NHS services. More info is available on the IHS website.
On arrival, register with a local GP (general practitioner)—many universities have on-campus health centres. Check your university’s website for healthcare details or find local doctors via the NHS website.
For urgent medical concerns, call NHS 111 to speak to a trained adviser.
Employement
Working while on Student Visa
Many international students in the UK take a part-time job, work placement, or internship alongside their studies. The hours and type of work you do will depend on the type of visa and your sponsoring university or college. You can work a maximum of 20 hours per week if you are studying at degree level or above on Tier 4 (General) student visa.
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Check out UKCISA to find out more about the hours and types of work you can do.
National Insurance Number
To undertake a part-time job whilst on a Tier 4 visa, you are required to apply for a National Insurance (NI) number. This usually takes up to 2 weeks to arrive by post so make sure you apply for one, well in advance.
Work after Studies
Most Tier 4 students have immigration permission that extends beyond the end of their studies. You can work full time for this extra period once you have completed your course, but you may not be able to work at all if you have not finished your course.
For details, refer to Work with Tier 4 leave when you are no longer studying.