Tuesday 15-09-2026 - 11:00

Going to uni can be a big life change, new friends, new city, exciting opportunities around every corner. But sometimes it can be a little daunting, especially if you're finding yourself in a new country - and we totally understand it!

That's why we've put together a go to guide of the important things you might need to do or know before and during your time here at UWTSD and in the UK.

Visa & Immigration

• Student visa (formerly Tier 4): Apply once you have your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your university. You'll need proof of funds, proof of English proficiency (if required), and a valid passport.
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): Paid as part of your visa application — this gives you access to the NHS for the length of your visa.
• eVisa: Most students now get a digital eVisa rather than a physical card. Create a UKVI account online to access it — you'll need this to prove your right to study and work.

Open a UK Bank Account

• Popular options for students: Monzo, Starling, Revolut (fast, app-based, easy for newcomers) or high-street banks like Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds (useful if you want in-branch support).
• You'll typically need: passport, proof of address (tenancy agreement, university letter, or sometimes a "bank letter" from your university confirming enrolment), and your visa/eVisa details.
• UWTSD can provide you with a bank letter - you can download it on your MyTSD account 

Get a UK SIM / Phone Plan

• Pay-as-you-go SIMs (giffgaff, Lebara, Lycamobile) are cheap and require no credit check — good for your first weeks.
• Once you have a bank account, you can switch to a contract SIM if preferred.

Money Matters

• Bring enough cash/card access for your first 2–4 weeks (deposit, initial living costs) — UK bank accounts can take a few weeks to set up.
• Notify your home bank you're moving, and check international card fees.
• Consider a multi-currency card (Revolut, Wise etc) for the first few weeks before you get a UK account.

Registering with a GP (Doctor)

Register with a local NHS GP practice as soon as you have an address — don't wait until you're ill.

England:

Use the NHS website to find practices near you and register online through their website or in person by visiting the nearest practice.

Wales: 

Using Wales' NHS 111 website, you can find your local practice and contact them directly to register as a patient 

• Note: Once the IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) is paid, NHS care is free at the point of use (with some exceptions like dental and prescriptions in England).

Healthcare Beyond the GP

A&E (Accident & Emergency): A&E is for serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies. It's also known as the emergency department or casualty, you can also contact this emergency care through phoning 999 or by visiting an A&E department in certain hospitals as a "walk-in" patient 

NHS 111: if you're not sure if you need to go to A&E NHS 111 can check your symptoms and tell you what to do.
Check your symptoms on 111 online, or call 111 to speak to someone if you need help

Dental & optical care: Not fully free make sure you include this in your budgets separately, depending on the practice and treatment, student discounts can sometimes apply.

Housing

If you haven't already sorted accommodation, or find yourself needing to find a place mid way through your studies there are a few things to consider:

Common platforms to find private rental properties: SpareRoom, Rightmove, Zoopla.

• Beware of scams: Never send a deposit before viewing a property (in person or via a verified video call) and never pay via bank transfer to someone you haven't verified. Legitimate landlords/agents use protected deposit 

Ask about a “deposit protection scheme” - by law, your landlord must protect your deposit in a government-approved scheme (e.g. DPS, MyDeposits, TDS) within 30 days of receiving it, and give you the details.

You're entitled to a written tenancy agreement: the legally binding contract between a landlord and tenant that sets out the rules and conditions of renting a property

UWTSD can provide you with a Council Tax exemption letter (This is available to all eligible full-time, enrolled students who are entitled to council tax exemption) this can be downloaded from your MyTSD account

Our Housing Resources: 

https://www.uwtsdunion.co.uk/advice/housing

https://www.uwtsdunion.co.uk/articles/moving-tips-before-you-sign-on-the-dotted-line
 

Working While Studying

• Most student visa holders can work “up to 20 hours/week during term time” and full-time during official holidays — but this varies by course level and visa conditions, so check your specific visa restrictions.
• You'll need a “National Insurance (NI) number” to work legally and pay tax correctly - apply as soon as you arrive via the UK government website.

Budgeting

Typically you will find rent is usually your biggest cost, followed by food, transport, and bills, it might be useful to create a spreadsheet or document that shows you your incoming money and outgoing costs, this will allow you to spend within your budget

Look into student discounts: 

TOTUM - we work with TOTUM to offer you exclusive student discounts. You can access over 400+ discounts online and in-store for brands like Apple, Samsung, ASOS and Amazon with TOTUM. https://www.uwtsdunion.co.uk/venues-and-shop/student-discount

International Student Identity Card (ISIC) - we are proud to work with the International Student Identity Card to give you access to discounts and to verify your student status worldwide.
The ISIC card is the only internationally accepted student identity card. As a UWTSD student, you can buy an ISIC card to verify your student status and access discounts in over one hundred countries, from travel to tech, accommodation and food, to culture and shopping. https://www.uwtsdunion.co.uk/venues-and-shop/isic

• both of these discount cards help support the work we do, we receive a commission for every purchase of a card made using our affiliate links, which is reinvested into our work to support our projects and services. 
  
  Others such as Student Beans and UniDays also are available to sign up for

Building a Support Network

You might be feeling a little home sick - that's totally normal, it might be nice to create or find a support network or community of people that you share the same interest with, experiences or hobbies so you can connect and help create a home away from home.

• Join your Students' Union — societies, clubs, and international student networks are usually the fastest way to make friends and get practical advice from people who've been through it https://www.uwtsdunion.co.uk/
• Look for cultural/community societies connected to your home country — often a good source of both friendship and practical tips.