Student support
Everyday answers for your new life in the UK.
Support at every stage
From packing your case to feeling at home
Before you fly
The weeks before departure are full of decisions. We help you prioritise and prepare.
The result: You board the plane with a clear plan for your first 48 hours.
- What to pack — and what's cheaper to buy in the UK
- Documents to carry in your hand luggage
- Planning money for your first month
- Your arrival-day plan, from airport to front door
- Questions to ask your accommodation before check-in
Arrival week
The first few days are about getting connected and finding your feet.
The result: By the weekend you're connected, registered and know your way around.
- Choosing a UK SIM or eSIM plan
- Opening a student bank account
- Finding your way to campus and the nearest supermarket
- Setting up utilities if bills aren't included
- Registering with a local GP
First term
Once lectures begin, new questions appear. We're still here for them.
The result: Day-to-day life feels manageable, so you can focus on your course.
- Student travel cards and Railcards for cheaper trips
- Council tax exemption and your TV licence
- Budgeting for food, travel and winter heating
- Finding student societies and community groups
- Understanding letters from your landlord or council
Anytime
Some questions don't fit a category. Ask them anyway.
The result: You always know who to ask — and get a straight answer.
- Moving rooms or cities later in your course
- Booking transfers for trips home
- Recommendations for trusted local services
- Making sense of something unfamiliar about UK life
- Connecting with our team whenever you need
Common questions
What students ask us every week
UK SIM or eSIM
Contract or pay-as-you-go, which networks work well in your area, and how to keep your number.
Bank accounts
Which documents banks usually ask for, app-based options and how to avoid fees on transfers from home.
Registering with a GP
How to find a local practice, register online and when to use NHS 111 or a pharmacy instead.
Getting around
Bus passes, Railcards, journey-planning apps and the cheapest way to travel between cities.
Budgeting
Realistic monthly costs in your city, student discounts worth signing up for and where to shop.
Bills & council tax
Applying for student council tax exemption, TV licences and splitting bills in a shared house.
A typical first week
Your first week, mapped out
Day 1
Arrive, collect your keys, buy bedding basics and rest.
Day 2
Activate your SIM and walk your route to campus.
Day 3
Complete university registration and collect your student ID.
Day 4
Apply for a bank account and sort a travel pass.
Day 5
Register with a GP and do a proper food shop.
Weekend
Explore the city, join a society fair and meet your flatmates.
About visas and immigration
We don't give immigration advice — in the UK that's reserved for regulated advisers. For visa questions we'll direct you to official GOV.UK guidance and your university's international student team.
In an emergency
Call 999 if anyone is in danger or seriously ill, and NHS 111 for urgent medical advice. Then message us — we'll help with whatever comes next.
Free resource
Prefer to work through it yourself?
Our interactive arrival checklist covers documents, bookings, packing and your first week — and saves your progress as you go.
FAQs
Student support questions
Can my parents contact you too?
Yes. Many families like to be part of the conversation. With your permission, we're happy to answer your parents' questions directly or add them to a group chat so everyone stays informed.
Is student support only for before I arrive?
Not at all. Plenty of students message us months into their course — about moving house, booking a trip home or simply something about UK life that doesn't make sense. We're here for as long as you need us.
Can you help me find part-time work?
We can share practical tips on where students look for part-time roles and how UK CVs differ from those at home. Your right to work depends on your visa, so always confirm your conditions with your university's international student advisers before accepting a job.
Can you help me find a community?
Yes. We can point you towards student societies, cultural associations, places of worship and community groups in your city — often the quickest way to feel at home.
What if I need help out of hours?
Send us an enquiry any time and we'll reply when we're back. For emergencies, call 999; for urgent medical advice, call NHS 111. Most universities also run a 24-hour security or wellbeing line — save the number on arrival.
Everything else for your move
Compare all services- Student AccommodationVerified rooms in student-friendly areas, sorted before you fly.Explore student accommodation
- Airport TransfersA familiar name at arrivals and a fixed fare agreed in advance.Explore airport transfers
- Academic SupportTutoring and study guidance for Bachelor's and Master's students.Explore academic support
Ask anything
No question is too small.
Whether it's which adaptor to pack or how to read your first energy bill, send it over. A real person will reply with a straight answer.