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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.
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.
You have two main options when it comes to student accommodation in the UK:
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.
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.
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
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)
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.
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.
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.
Medical insurance is also an option, as both private and public health care is available 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.
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
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.
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.
Most international students in the UK opt to work to support their studies. There are different rules for different visas and study:
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.
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.
You can’t work in the UK if you hold a short-term visa as an international student.
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.
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.
The Summarize Group Discussion task is one of the most comprehensive speaking challenges in PTE Academic. It tests your ability to listen actively, take effective notes, and deliver a coherent summary that captures multiple perspectives.
Understanding how to approach this task strategically can significantly boost your speaking score.
The "Respond to a Situation" task in the Speaking section of PTE Academic tests your ability to handle real-world university scenarios using appropriate language. This task simulates everyday campus interactions, requiring you to respond naturally and effectively to common situations you might encounter as a student.
Knowing your English level helps you pick the right course, get visas, and make strong applications for work or school. In short: proficiency levels are standard descriptions of what you can do in reading, listening, speaking, and writing.
You can check your level with trusted online tests or official exams like PTE Academic or PTE Core, which give scores based on global standards. Below, we explain how levels are defined, how they’re tested, how to estimate your current ability, and what different goals usually need, so you can plan your next step with confidence.
Language proficiency levels show how well you can read, listen, speak, and write. These levels follow shared standards so schools, employers, and governments around the world can easily understand your skills.
The most common system is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which rates language ability from beginner (A1) to highly advanced (C2). A recent overview explains CEFR’s role as a standard for designing tests and interpreting scores across countries and programs and notes ongoing efforts to keep it up to date for modern assessments.
Pearson’s Global Scale of English (GSE) provides a more granular 10–90 scale that also aligns to CEFR tiers. This makes it easier to see fine-grained progress and map scores to CEFR bands.
Typical CEFR levels at a glance:
A1: Understand and use everyday expressions; introduce yourself; ask and answer simple questions
A2: Handle routine tasks; describe immediate needs and simple aspects of daily life
B1: Understand main points of clear standard input; produce simple connected text; manage travel or work situations
B2: Interact with fluency on familiar topics; write clear, detailed text; follow lectures with some support
C1: Use English flexibly and effectively in academic and professional contexts; understand demanding texts
C2: Understand virtually everything heard or read; summarize information coherently; express nuanced ideas precisely
Common uses:
A1-A2: Mainly used for basic immigration visas, family reunification, entry-level work or training programs, and integration courses where simple everyday communication is sufficient.
B1–B2: Many vocational programs, initial professional roles, and some visa pathways
B2–C1: Most undergraduate admissions and professional certifications
C1–C2: Postgraduate study, specialized professions, and roles requiring complex communication
Proficiency is measured across four core skills:
Reading:Understanding texts, identifying main ideas and details, and interpreting vocabulary in context
Listening : Following speech at natural speed, recognizing key information, and inferring meaning
Speaking: Producing clear, organized speech; using accurate grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation
Writing: Composing well-structured texts suited to purpose and audience; demonstrating control of grammar and cohesion
The scoring for most English language tests is measured against the CEFR. For The scores for PTE Academic (for studying and work) and PTE Core (for general use and migration), align to CEFR with scoring between 10 and 90. Learn more about PTE scoring alignment.
Build a reliable picture by mixing official tests with quick checks and reflective habits:
Take a recognized practice test: Use an official Pearson PTE Scored Practice materials Test
or other reputable online assessments to estimate your CEFR level and identify strengths and gaps
Practice with PTE-style items: Work through sample reading tasks (e.g., fill-in-the-blanks), listening summaries, and short spoken responses to simulate real test conditions.
Use self-analysis prompts that match the CEFR level you are aiming for: For example, ask, “Can I follow a university lecture?”, “Can I write a formal email with clear structure?”, “Can I explain a process or opinion for 60–90 seconds?”
Requirements vary, but many universities, colleges, professional bodies, and visa authorities set minimum thresholds around B1–C1, or the equivalent GSE score range of 43-84 for PTE Academic and PTE Core. . Some UK family and settlement visas require A1 or A2 level. Always confirm details with the program or government authority.
Typical requirement ranges (illustrative):
University / College admission:
Undergraduate: Often B2; competitive programs may prefer C1
Postgraduate: Commonly C1
Professional certification:
General professional registration: Frequently B2–C1
Visa/migration pathways:
Skilled migration: Typically B1–B2+ equivalents; some routes require higher levels depending on occupation
Family visas: Often A1-A2.
For Canadian migration scenarios, explore PTE Core requirements and pathways here.
For UK migration, consider PTE UK visa SELT tests.
For many learners, English isn't just the goal; it’s the way to get degrees, licenses, and international jobs. Universities and employers look at test scores to decide who to admit or hire. Once students are in university or at work, success depends on great communication (reading, listening, speaking, and writing) skills, whether it's doing research or talking to clients.
Research indicates that higher English proficiency supports academic performance and integration for international students, improving classroom participation and social engagement. In the workplace, clear communication underpins teamwork, safety, and advancement, making ongoing skill development a career investment, not just a test goal.
Target all four skills with short, consistent practice:
Daily core routine (20–40 minutes):
Listening: Listen to 2–3 minutes of a podcast or lecture; note new phrases
Speaking: Answer one daily Q&A aloud (60–90 seconds) on familiar topics
Reading: Skim a news article; summarize the main idea in two sentences
Writing: Draft a short email or 120–150 word paragraph; focus on structure and linking words
Quick wins:
Grammar and vocabulary: Do 10 fill-in-the-blank or sentence completion items; build a personal word bank with examples
Reading for context: Underline signal words (however, therefore) and infer meaning of three unknown words from context
Listening focus: Practice identifying the overarching meaning first, then the key details and numbers
Feedback loop: Swap writing with a friend or use self-scoring checklists; act on one improvement point per day
To prepare for your English exam, practice with practice tests that are similar to your actual test and check the scoring guidelines to make sure your answers meet the expectations. If you aren't sure where to start take our 'Which test is right for me?' tool. You can also read our article 'How to pick an English test that works for you'.
Practice short answers to everyday prompts like “What did you do today?” and “What do you like to eat?” to build fluency and reduce hesitation.
Use clarifiers such as “Could you repeat that more slowly?” or “Do you mean…?” to confirm meaning and keep the conversation clear.
Do fill-in-the-blanks, sentence completion, and synonym/antonym matching to reinforce patterns and expand word choice.
Study common task types (reading comprehension, short writing, gap-fill, brief speaking responses) and practice them under timed conditions to build accuracy and pacing. You can also try practice tests to get used to the format of a specific test, like PTE.
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