Tips for International Students in London

If you’re coming to study in London from overseas, all the change can be a little daunting. It’s vital that you make sure you’re fully prepared so that when you arrive you know what to expect and can enjoy both studying and living abroad. Here’s a guide to help you get ready, so you can get the most of your time in the capital once you’re there.

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First Steps Firstly, if you know anyone already in London, or anyone who’s studied abroad before then get in touch with them to ask their advice – you can’t get better than real life experience. After that, or if you don’t know anyone in that position, head to the Internet – there’s a wealth of resources out there. The first ports of call should be your guest institution’s website as they’re likely to have plenty of advice for incoming overseas students. If you still have questions then don’t be afraid to contact the university or college directly to ask about the course or other arrangements, they’ll be happy to help. In terms of funding your studies, it’s important to plan and manage a budget for the your time in London. There’s a useful international student budget calculator by UNAID here. This is a great tool to help you figure out a reasonable budget for studying and living abroad.

Documentation Perhaps the most important thing to make sure of before you travel is that you have the right documentation. You need to make sure that you have all the right paperwork to study and live in the UK. You should ask your local government what paperwork is necessary for your study abroad. If you’re from Europe, you should obtain a European Health Insurance Card – this will entitle you to free or reduced health care under the NHS for the duration of your stay. You should also bear in mind that you may not be able to work on your study visa, so double check this before you get any part-time work.

Accommodation Your university or college is the first place to look for accommodation in London. At least to begin with it’s a good idea to live in student halls or other university accommodation – it’s easier to meet people in the same position as you, as well as usually offering security services on site that wouldn’t be provided in private rental accommodation. Often international students will need to move their stuff from abroad to the UK and back again. In general the best way to do this is by shipping most of your things, and then bringing a suitcase with the essentials. It means you can travel lighter, and you can take all of the things you need rather than being restricted by baggage allowances.

Tags: Accommodation, documentation, overseas students

Category: College and Careers