When moving to the UK as an international student, the checklist of things that you need to do is unavoidable.
From ensuring you have all the right documentation to start your university study, to joining clubs and societies that will help introduce you to new people and make some friends, getting settled in the UK is as much about formalities as it is about creating a life for yourself.
In this article, we consulted several international students across all university years, to find out their advice on the best steps to take to make the UK your home away from home.
1. Get All Your Documentation in Order
If you’ve made it this far and are already considering how best to settle into life in the UK as an international student, the chances are you already have your documentation and ID sorted out.
As a quick check though, making sure that you arrive armed with your Right to Study certification, identity card, visa, and passport is crucial.
2. Open a Local Bank Account
From funding your time at university to receiving payment from any part time jobs that you decide to take on during your study, opening a bank account is the best and easiest way to manage your finances in the UK.
One big tip from international students we spoke to was to open one of the app-based accounts that connects to your smartphone, ensuring that you can easily split bills with housemates and keep an eye on your finances while out and about.
3. Register with a Local Doctor
The NHS in the UK offers healthcare to everyone, with your local GP able to offer advice and treatment during your time at university.
Most campuses will have a clinic or university medical centre where you can register for healthcare advice and treatment when required, or if you live off campus then you can register easily online for your local GP clinic.
4. Find out as much as you can about your Course and Timetable
One of the best ways to feel settled when you arrive at university is to familiarise yourself with your course timetable, where your lectures and seminars will be, and what your commute to campus will involve every day.
Taking the time to get to know your surroundings and to better understand the way your university timetable is laid out will give you a sense of control over your time and will help you to feel more at home – even before you move into your accommodation!
5. Discover New Clubs and Societies
UK universities are renowned for their diverse selection of clubs and societies that students can join. Not only will this give you an outlet for creativity and enable you to immerse yourself in hobbies and activities that you enjoy, but it will also help you to meet new people and make some friends.
And let’s be honest, as an international student arriving to study at a UK university, making friends will be pretty high up on your to-do list.
Joining clubs that you are interested in is an easy way to meet people who share common interests with you and who will likely want to spend their free time in similar ways between lectures and deadlines.
6. Find the Right Accommodation
From halls of residence to private flats and shared apartments, finding the right accommodation in terms of living arrangements and location is important.
If you are offered a place on campus, then this can be a good way to immerse yourself in university life during first year – though this isn’t the only option. For example, our Liv Student accommodation blocks combine a high standard of living with a sense of community, bringing together students in halls-style accommodation that is more flexible and often more modern in design.
With a social calendar, countless communal spaces, and the benefit of both private and shared living situations for students, a Liv Student block is considered top-tier by local and international students alike.
7. Surround Yourself with Things You Enjoy
There is no escaping the fact that moving to the UK will come with some challenges and may leave you feeling homesick in the early days. Surrounding yourself with things that make you feel safe and that bring you comfort will help you to turn your own personal living space into a home from home – and could even become a talking point among your new friends as you share more about your home life.
Over time, your reliance on home comforts will likely start to wane – but it’s always good to know that they’re there.
8. Stay Connected with Family and Friends
From letting your parents know that you’ve arrived safely to keep in touch with your best friends (and telling them about the questionable SU bar’s cocktails), staying connected is all part of balancing your home life with your time at university.
Regardless of your plans following the completion of your studies, it’s important to stay connected and let them know how you are getting on.
TOP TIP: Make sure that you sort yourself out with a UK SIM early on, to ensure you don’t lose connection with your loved ones.
9. Embrace Opportunities
University is a place where you can discover new interests, unlock new potential career paths, and uncover countless opportunities.
As part of your time in the UK as an international student, it’s important that you grab hold of any opportunities that come your way and keep an open mind. It could be a weekend away with friends to a new part of the UK or a potential part-time job opening in your field of interest – whatever it is, being an international student is about immersing yourself in local culture and using it for your own growth.
We hope this advice helps you to not only navigate life in the UK as an international student but also embrace and enjoy it. Happy studying!
