A practical guide to moving to the UK as a student

PTE Author
PTE Author
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Reading time: 7 minutes

Studying abroad is the experience of a lifetime. You’ll have an untold number of opportunities,  make friends, grow your network and broaden your horizons. But there are nerves too – and lots of questions before you start packing your bags.  

So, if you’re considering moving to the UK to study for a pre-sessional English language course, a degree, or even a Ph.D., we have some top tips.  

Read on to explore our short guide to studying in the UK for international students. 

1. Setting up a bank account 

Unless you plan to stuff your money in your mattress (not recommended), you’ll probably need to open a bank account in the UK. The process is usually completed in one or two days and is much simpler if you do it once you’re living in the country.   

If you’re a student and come from abroad, you’ll need to show the bank a number of things before you can open your account, including: 

  • A valid passport and visa; 

  • Proof you are studying in the UK (your student ID or a letter from your university); 

  • Recent proof of address in the form of a utility bill that’s less than three months old (e.g. electricity bill); 

  • A bank or credit card statement that’s less than three months old. 

Note that the requirements may differ from bank to bank and you may also need to show proof of employment. Some banks, like HSBC, also allow you to set up your account in your own country before leaving for the UK.  

2. Student accommodation in the UK 

You have two main options when it comes to student accommodation in the UK:  

On-campus accommodation 

In the UK, on-campus student accommodation is often referred to as living in halls. When you apply to live in halls, you are given a room in shared accommodation. Your room is usually private, however you will often share bathrooms, kitchen, and other communal areas with other students.  

Living in halls is recommended if you’re coming from abroad. Not only does the university manage the housing, but it will be easier for you to find a place with other students.  

Shared student accommodation 

You can also opt to go through the university and find a place in privately rented accommodation. Second and third year students usually choose this option and move in with friends. Generally, this type of housing has been approved by the university, but you will be responsible for paying rent to a private landlord.  

Ask your university admissions department or student services about the right option for you.  

Alternatively, you may wish to rent privately, through a real estate agent. However, this is likely to be a far more expensive option and you won’t necessarily have university support. 

Average student rental prices 

The cost of living in the UK varies from region to region. According to a Save the Student survey in 2021, the average rent for students in the UK is £146 per week.  

Here’s the breakdown of costs: 

  • Scotland: £127 per week 

  • Northern England: £122  

  • Wales and the Midlands: £119 to £129 per week 

  • East Anglia: £132 per week 

  • Southwest: £147 per week 

  • Southeast:  £146 per week 

  • London:  £152 per week 

Living cost in the UK for international students 

On top of rent, you also have to consider how much food, leisure, transport, and other expenses will be. Our handy guide to living expenses in the UK for international students, outlines the following, and also compares costs in different cities: 

  • Groceries – £100 per month  

  • Going out – £46 per month  

  • Transportation– £46 per month  

  • Household bills (like electricity and water) – £37 per month 

  • University tuition fees for international students – £10,000–£38,000 per year (Reddin survey of university tuition fees) 

3. Health care systems in the UK 

Image - scientist

The UK National Health Service (NHS) is a group of publicly funded healthcare systems. Each covers the healthcare needs of residents in England, Scotland, and Wales. In Northern Ireland, it’s officially known as the Health and Social Care system.  

UK residents are not charged for most medical treatments. However, they may have to pay for some prescriptions and standard charges apply for dental treatment.  

So what about the NHS for foreign students? 

If you are from the European Economic Area (EEA) and need emergency treatment, you may use the NHS free of charge with a valid European Health Insurance Card. Likewise, you may be entitled to free emergency treatment if your country has a reciprocal arrangement with the UK.  

On the other hand, if you are not an EEA national, and will be in the UK for more than 6 months, you will be required to pay an immigration health surcharge on top of your visa cost. This will entitle you to free NHS treatment. This includes international students, however you receive a discount on this fee.  

Find out more about your healthcare payment obligations as an international student in the UK.  

Register with a general practitioner (GP) 

Once you arrive in the UK, you’ll need to register with a GP at your local doctor’s surgery​​ so you can access health care. Note that hospital Accident and Emergency departments (A&E) are only for urgent medical care.  

Private health insurance 

Medical insurance is also an option, as both private and public health care is available in the UK.  

4. Driving in the UK 

You probably already know that you have to drive on the left in the UK (if you don’t – that’s important!). But how can you drive legally in the country?  

  • To drive a car or motorbike in the UK, you must be at least 17 years old. Bus or lorry drivers need to be at least 21. 

  • If you have a full, valid driving license – you can drive for 12 months before you need to take a driving test or exchange it  

There are different rules, depending on where your driving licence was issued. 

If you’re a European Union license holder: 

You can keep driving without an International Driving Permit. You will need to carry an insurance green card (or similar) to prove your vehicle is insured if it is registered in: 

  • The EU 

  • Andorra 

  • Iceland  

  • Liechtenstein 

  • Norway 

  • Serbia  

  • Switzerland 

You must change your EU license to a UK one: 

  • 3 years after you become resident 

  • Or if you reach the age of 70 

If you’re a non-EU license holder: 

You can drive in the UK for 12 months. After this time, you’ll need to get a provisional UK license, then pass the UK driving test. 

Car insurance requirements 

At a minimum, you must have third-party coverage to drive in the UK. If you have an accident or injure someone, the insurance company will cover costs. However, third-party insurance doesn't cover repairs to your own vehicle.  

For more information on driving, please visit the UK government website or this helpful guide. 

5. Employment options  

Most international students in the UK opt to work to support their studies. There are different rules for different visas and study:

Degree-level for more than six months 

If you are studying at degree-level for more than six months, you will probably be permitted to work up to 20 hours a week in term time and full-time during vacation time. 

Foundation subject for more than six months 

If you are studying a pre-sessional English course or a foundation subject, you will only be permitted to work for ten hours a week. 

Studying on a short term visa 

You can’t work in the UK if you hold a short-term visa as an international student. 

The new Graduate Immigration Route 

The Graduate Immigration Route is a type of post-study work visa, which was implemented in July 2021. Graduates can work for up to two years after a degree-level qualification and up to three years after completing a Ph.D. 

In all cases, be sure to confirm your visa conditions with an immigration adviser before starting work. For more information, see the UKCISA website. 

Student life in the UK: Your next great adventure 

Once you have control of all your paperwork, student life in the UK is exciting – and we’re sure it will be full of positive adventures.  

While it might seem a little overwhelming, remember you won’t have to do everything yourself. Your future universities will provide support, advice, and resources to help you. And when you arrive, you’ll be joining a thriving international community of students.  

PTE Academic helps you prove your level of English for visa and study purposes – and is accepted by 99% of UK universities.  

Find out more about how it can help you achieve your goals of living and studying in the UK. 

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    Getting a student visa for the US can be a long and stressful process, and one of the final hurdles is the visa interview.

    Conducted in English, it’s one of the parts of the US visa application process that causes international students the most stress.

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    Understanding the different types US student visas 

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    On interview day, you’ll need to bring documents, such as your passport, academic transcripts, and travel history, as well as details of your intended travel to the US.

    You’ll have an interview with a consulate officer and your visa will either be approved or may require further “administrative processing”.

    The visa application process does vary depending on the local embassy or consulate, so check your local branch’s process on their website.

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    The interviewer is looking to understand your qualifications, study plans, and ability to support yourself during your time in the US.

    They also want to make sure that anyone applying for a student visa intends to return to their home country after completing their studies.

    You can find more information on what questions to expect at a US student visa interview on the International Student website.

    Building your speaking confidence

    A high-stakes English interview can be daunting, often making it tough to speak as confidently as you normally would when you’re in the classroom or chatting with friends. Here are four ways to build your speaking confidence ahead of a US visa interview.

    1. Prepare answers to likely questions

    Knowing the purpose of the interview makes it easier to anticipate the types of questions you’ll be asked. Make a list of anticipated topic areas and spend some time crafting concise answers. Once you’ve written your responses, it’s time to speak up! Practice saying the answers aloud every couple of days so that they feel familiar on the day. You don’t have to memorize the responses, but by planning out roughly what you’d like to say, you’re removing that extra pressure of thinking on the spot.

    2. Immerse yourself in English

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    3. Find a language exchange partner

    One of the most effective ways to brush up on your speaking skills is to find a language exchange partner. This could be a language swap, where you find someone who speaks English as their first language and who is learning your language, or conversation clubs where everyone is working on learning English. If you can’t find a local tandem partner, take a look at online communities, such as MeetUp, InterNations, or even Facebook, to find someone you can practice with online.

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    With 50 states to pick from, choosing where to study in the US can be overwhelming.  

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    Studying in the United States is a dream for many international students, but with the price tag of a four-year degree hitting more than six figures, cost can be a significant barrier.

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    Based on merit, need, or specific talents, scholarships and grants are one of the most sought-after forms of financial aid. These financial awards cover part or all of the tuition fees and don’t require repayment.

    Most students focus on university scholarships, but there are also government, private, and sector-specific options to explore, as well as work-study programs where students can offset fees by working on campus.

    1. University scholarships

    Many US universities offer scholarships specifically for international students, such as New York University or the California State University International Programs.

    2. Government scholarships

    The US government also provides funding for international students to study in the US through programs like the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program and the Fulbright Foreign Student Program which helps 4,000 students each year.

    3. State scholarships

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    4. Private scholarships

    Various organizations and foundations offer scholarships to international students, such as the AAUW International Fellowships, for women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and the Aga Khan Foundation’s International Scholarship Programme, for academically outstanding students from a range of countries who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford to study.

    5. Sector-based scholarships

    There’s a shortage of workers in key sectors like leisure, hospitality, and nursing in the US. If you’re planning to study an in-demand field, research sector-specific scholarships like the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program to find financial support.

    How to find US scholarships for international students

    With so many different financial aid and scholarship options available for international students wanting to study in America, it can be hard to know where to start.

    A great first step is contacting the Financial Aid team at the universities you’re interested in, as well as searching online databases for relevant scholarship opportunities.

    1. University financial aid offices

    Almost every university in the US has a financial aid office. They’ll have many years' experience helping international students with funding options and be able to provide detailed information about available scholarships, grants, and work-study opportunities specifically for international students.

    2. Online scholarship databases

    Don’t limit yourself to what’s available from your university. Online scholarship databases can help find more specific financial aid from a wide variety of sources.

    Popular databases include:

    • StudyPortals is one of the largest databases and brings together everything you need to know to explore your study options all in one place. They have dedicated scholarship portals for bachelors, masters and PHD study.

    • International Education Financial Aid (IEFA): A resource for financial aid, college scholarships, and grant information for international students.

    • The US Department of Labor has a scholarship search tool where you can filter by level of study.

    • Scholarships.com: Offers a searchable database of scholarships for international students.

    3. EducationUSA

    EducationUSA is a US Department of State network with advice centers in more than 170 countries — check if there’s a center near you with their online search tool. From financial aid right through to the documents you’ll need for immigration, they offer advice and support with all aspects of studying in the US.

    Which US universities offer the best financial aid for international students?

    If you’re looking for universities with great support for international students, the East Coast is the place to start.

    With the exception of a few institutions in California, the U.S. News “Best Value Schools” research found that institutions in Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut gave the most generous support to international students.

    Here are just a few of universities offering specific support for international students:

    Narrowing down your university search to institutions with a strong track record of supporting international students can help maximize your chance of receiving financial aid.

    Applying for financial aid

    The most important thing to remember when applying for financial aid is to allow plenty of time.

    Researching the different options, writing applications, and waiting to hear back can be a long process, and many scholarships and grants have early deadlines.

    You’ll also want enough time to tailor each application to the institution, as well as getting important documents translated and completing English proficiency tests, such as the Pearson Test of English (PTE) — the faster, fairer, simpler English test. The test only takes 2 hours with results typically in less than 2 days and is approved by most universities across the US.