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 

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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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    UK student loans for international students
    By PTE Author
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    The United Kingdom is a cornucopia of leading education facilities and employment opportunities – but such world-class education comes at a cost. With university courses quite easily exceeding £20,000 (US$24,830), studying in the UK is known to be costly (and that’s not even taking into account rent and other costs of living!).

    It’s understandable then that many students in the UK require some financial help to see them to the end of their education. Working while studying can be an option – but what about UK education loans for international students? 

    Can international students get loans in the UK? 

    The answer to this question is quite simple, and it lies in your citizenship. It is also set to change once the UK leaves the EU.  

    EU citizens/Student loans UK

    If you’re a student from a European Union country – such as Italy, Germany, France, Spain or Sweden – your education costs will be capped as though you were a UK student. This means that you won’t pay more than £9,250 a year for your university degree. 

    You will also be eligible for a government student loan. This will cover your tuition fees, as well as your living costs if you’re studying an undergraduate course. This UK education loan for international students is not paid directly to you; instead, it will be paid to your university, and you will be required to pay it off in increments once you graduate. 

    A wide number of degree types will allow you to access student financial assistance. These include (according to gov.uk): 

    • A first degree, for example BA, BSc or BEd

    • A Foundation Degree

    • A Certificate of Higher Education

    • A Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)

    • A Higher National Certificate (HNC)

    • A Higher National Diploma (HND)

    • An Initial Teacher Training course

    • An integrated master’s degree

    • A pre-registration postgraduate healthcare course.

    Interestingly, if you are an EU student and plan to study in Scotland, you might not pay any tuition fees. The costs are covered by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for first degrees and PGDE courses. 

    International student loans UK 

    We wish that there was good news on this front – but unfortunately, UK education loans for international students (excluding students from the EU) are not available. Additionally, the cost of your tuition fees can potentially be far more than home students, with laboratory-based degrees set to cost up to £30,000. 

    If you plan to study in the UK as an international student, it’s also worth remembering that you’ll need to prove that you have £1,015 in your international student bank for each month of study up to nine months in order to be eligible for your visa. This number increases to £1,265 if you’re studying within London. This means that you’ll need to have saved between £9,135 and £11,385 in your bank account (depending on your university’s location) before you can obtain your student visa. 

    So, what can international students do to support themselves while studying in the UK? 

    Working while studying in the UK 

    While it can be difficult to balance work and study – especially if you’re studying in a country that is not your home – it is one of the best ways to ensure a steady income if you cannot apply for an international student loan. Your visa may restrict you to a set number of hours, but that doesn’t mean you can’t work to get a little extra cash into your bank account. 

    An international student visa (Student route visa, formerly known as Tier 4), will allow you to work up to 20 hours per week during the term. A number of casual jobs will grant short shifts that do not exceed this limit, including: 

    • Retail worker

    • Receptionist

    • Waiter/barista/bartender

    • Shelf packer

    • Mystery shopper.

    When UK vacation periods come into effect, however, you are able to work full-time hours. This means you could potentially undertake higher-paying jobs such as: 

    • Private tutor

    • Sales representative

    • Event assistant

    • Call center operator

    • Amusement park staff member.

    Students should check out Indeed, Reed, or Monster to apply for part-time work.

    Apply for an international student loan 

    Depending on your country of origin, you can still apply for a loan to study abroad. The USA and Australia have such loans in place, but these may be restricted to particular countries, courses and universities. This is likely the closest equivalent to an international student loan in the UK. 

    Consider an exchange program 

    Although these may not be as extensive as full-time study in the UK, it can be a chance to test out the experience for up to a year. You will have to check that your university in your home country has an exchange program set up with a university in the UK, but it could be an excellent experience if you can partake in it. 

    Apply for a scholarship 

    This is likely your best chance for getting a foot in the door if you’re an international student looking for a loan to study in the UK. There are many scholarships open to international students, with varying levels of criteria to meet. They also tend to differ depending on the country in which you live. Some examples of these include: 

    If you have your heart set on studying in the UK, it’s best to explore every avenue available to you to ensure you end up studying in the country and university you love.

    Learn more about PTE Academic if you need to undertake an English language proficiency test before you depart.

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    How long will I wait for my PTE Academic results?
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    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Most test scores are now returned within just 2 days

    During 2018 students, migrants, and professionals that sat PTE Academic received their scores in even less time than ever before. In fact, during 2018, 85.7% of PTE Academic test takers received their results within just 2 days.

  • A female model watching movie
    Great movies to help you learn English
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 5 minutes

    Learning a language is much easier when you’re enjoying yourself – which is why watching movies can be a great way to immerse yourself in the language.

    What better way is there to pick up new phrases and slang terms that you would not learn in the classroom, all with popcorn in hand?

    It can be hard to know which movie to choose so here are our top ten to help you get started. These films are chosen for their language clarity and cultural insights, offering a fun way to improve English skills for beginners and advanced learners alike.

    If you are not feeling confident, watch with subtitles and you will soon pick things up.

    1. Forrest Gump (1994)

    A fantastic choice for beginners, this film teaches English while taking you through the heart of American history. This movie is one of the best English movies for learners as Forrest speaks so slowly throughout the entire movie. It is also an iconic 90’s movie which will make you laugh and cry in equal measure.

    2. Harry Potter series

    Perfect for all ages, these films are a treasure trove of rich vocabulary set in a magical world. Many things make the Harry Potter series great for your linguistics skills! Aside from the rich vocabulary, due to the sheer number of films in the series you will get to build up your understanding of different characters, their personalities, accents and ways of communicating.

    3. The King's Speech (2010)

    What a great idea for learning English – watching a film where the main character – a historic British figure – is learning to speak! King George VI struggles to communicate due to a speech impediment, which means pronunciation is a very big focus in this movie.

    4. Pride and Prejudice (2005)

    For lovers of classic literature, this film offers a window into historical British English. The movie adaptation of Pride and Prejudice will also expose you to societal norms, colloquial expressions, formal language and phrases as this movie is set in the early 19th century England.

    5. Home Alone (1990)

    This is one of the best English movies to watch, especially for beginners. It is full of day-to-day phrases and a slower pace, so it is easier to follow along. It is also a Christmas classic for all the family.

    6. Love Actually (2010)

    Great for picking up informal turns of phrases, slang and expressions used by British people. It also showcases a variety of British (and Irish) accents, so you can expose yourself to a breadth of British ways of speaking.

    7. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

    A charming film for mastering conversational American English.

    8. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

    Immerse in everyday conversational English set in contemporary America.

    9. Brave (2012)

    Animated and perfect for beginners, this film is set in Medieval Scotland so you will get to experience the Scottish accent and culture as well as learning some everyday phrases and idioms.

    10. Inception (2010)

    This movie should be on your list if you are focusing on advanced language learning. The language and the plot are both really complex. You will be exposed to advanced vocabulary and narratives which are really thought-provoking.

    These films offer an immersive, engaging, and often emotionally resonant context for language learning. Whether you're just starting or looking to refine your skills, each movie is a step forward in your language-learning adventure.

    More ways to prep

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