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Are you thinking of moving to the UK for your higher education? UK is one of the most preferred places for students around the world because it offers endless opportunities, be it for world-class education, career growth, or even a fresh start. Did you know 700,000 people move to the UK annually for better opportunities? But relocating to the UK is also a big hassle; you have to sort out ten different things, which is why we have listed below all the things that’ll help you with your move. Read on!
Table of Contents
First things first, why should you Study in UK? And move there?
As we mentioned above, the UK is a great place for anyone who wants to advance their career. It not only provides great opportunities, but it also has some of the top universities in the world, like Oxford and Cambridge.
So, as a student, you won’t only gain a degree but also valuable skills that you might not be able to find anywhere else. Students graduating from the UK are also highly employable and sometimes even receive offers before they complete their education.
What’s more?
The UK offers great academics, one of the most welcoming environments, and is a multicultural country. As a student, your life in the UK will also be filled with rich experiences where you will not only build a future but also create memories that will last a lifetime.
As a student, you might have a few expectations about your student life in UK, probably because of the large portrayal in pop culture. But the reality is quite different from what you see on the screen.
For example, even though London provides some of the most amazing opportunities, it also has a high cost of living. Similarly, while most of the big towns and cities have a diverse population along with great night-time economics, the same is different for the smaller towns and cities.
Below are some of the things you should research and prepare before moving to the UK, such as:
Firstly, during your visa and immigration process, you must remember that if you are 16 or above and want to study a course that’ll last longer than six months, you will have to apply for a visa through Student Route.
The general cost of this application can be around £490. Additionally, it can cost you a little extra if you want it as a priority or super priority.
Also note that from January 2025 you will have to first register with UKVI, which is UK Visas and Immigration and then apply for an eVisa.
As an Indian student moving abroad, your first concern might be around the cost of living in UK. Everyone knows that the UK is not a cheap place to live, but how much will it cost you as a student?
Even though the cost of living depends heavily on the region you live in, knowing what to expect in terms of everyday living costs can be very helpful.
So, to help you and give you a general idea, we have created a quick comparison of the standard of living in the UK and India:
| Everyday Living Expenses | Average Cost In The UK | Average Cost In India |
|---|---|---|
| Basic monthly utilities | £191.08 (INR 19,276) | £30.57 (INR 3,083) |
| Loaf of fresh bread (500g) | £1.02 (INR 102) | £0.39 (INR 39) |
| Meal for 2 people - mid-range restaurant | £55.00 (INR 5,549) | £10.05 (INR 1,013) |
| Monthly public transport pass | £65.22 (INR 6,578) | £8.04 (INR 811) |
| Monthly rent - 1 bedroom city centre apartment | £901.22 (INR 90,947) | £149.62 (INR 15,098) |
UK Healthcare services are also a big part of student life in UK. As a student, you can get treatment and medical assistance through the NHS, which includes hospital treatment and doctor’s appointments.
Additionally, one thing you should know as a student from India is that you will have to pay surcharges if you want to get free NHS treatment. These surcharges can cost you around £624 (INR 70,025) per year for the overall duration of your visa. For example, if your visa is for 5 years then it will cost you a total of £3,120 (INR 3,50,119).
Another important aspect you need to keep in mind while Moving to the UK is banking and finance. If you are studying a course that’ll lasts longer than six months, you have the option of opening a bank account in major banks like HSBC, Santander, and Barclays.
You can choose any one of these banks based on your preference, as each bank has different services for international students.
Note: Sometimes opening a bank account can take a while, so it is a better option that you have a few weeks’ worth of living expenses available in your home bank account.
So you are done with researching and preparing for your move to the UK, but what about where you are going to live?
One major concern of students is that they don’t know when exactly they should start looking for their UK student accommodation. Depends on the type of accommodation you are looking for; you should start looking for a place to stay as soon as you accept your university offer.
To make things a little easier for you, we have mentioned all the basic information you might need for Student housing in UK below:
As a student, you have an option to choose from various types of accommodation based on your needs and budget. Below are the main types:
To find a good place to live in the UK, you should start searching for places on the internet. You can get help from housing websites like GraddingHomes.com. Additionally, to make things faster and easier, you should get a general idea about what you want and where you want to live. You can also get help from the international student office and create a checklist of other similar bodies that can help you.
Also make sure that the place you choose has everything you need to live comfortably and has the basic requirements so that you won’t have to rent it from somewhere else.
Okay, so you know the types of housing options you have and how to find them, but what about the initial considerations you need to keep in mind when moving to the UK and finding a place?
Also Read: Tenancy Agreement In UK
Now that your accommodation is sorted, let us give you advice and information about settling in and managing your student life in UK. Check out how you can sort Public transportation and other utilities in the UK.
To manage your commute, you can use the UK’s extensive public transportation system. You can familiarise yourself with the buses and train routes and get a student Oyster card (for London), which can help you reduce your commute cost.
The next thing you should sort is your utilities and internet. You can do this easily by checking if the rent of your student housing in UK includes important utilities like electricity, gas, and water. For the internet, you can choose from various options like BT or Virgin Media and even get help from various comparison sites that can help you save money.
As you may already know, the UK has the most unpredictable weather. The temperature keeps changing, and the rains are too frequent, so make sure you pack appropriately for colder and wetter weather.
Most students who study in UK take up part-time jobs and internships to support their education. Luckily, various courses will allow you to work for up to 20 hours per week. Below is everything you need to know about work and employment in the UK as a student:
As a student, the main essence of finding a job in the UK is preparation and extra focus, which you can start by tailoring your CV and LOR to the job needs. You can also use various online Job portals like:
Once you find a job, the next thing you should understand is how the UK’s work culture is. Because UK workplaces run highly on punctuality, teamwork, and extreme professionalism, which can be a little difficult for international students to understand. However, one great thing about working in the UK is that you will have a better work-life balance where you can manage your work and student life in UK easily.
As a student, the next thing you need to sort out is taxes and insurance. These taxes are based on how much you are paid and will automatically get deducted from your paycheck. But this highly depends on how much you earn; for example, if your pay exceeds a certain amount, you’ll have to pay taxes and contribute to the national insurance.
Also Read: Highest Paying Jobs In The Uk
As an international student, moving to the UK can be quite emotionally draining. The fear of living alone in a foreign country can take a toll on you, but you can overcome this by maintaining a social life and finding a peer group. But how can you do that? Find below:
One of the best ways to make friends and network with peers is through “fresher’s week,” which almost every university in the UK hosts. These events are filled with club sign-ups and mixers to help students meet new people and potential flatmates. You can also attend workshops and fairs to help yourself find professionals and other fellow students in the same field as you.
When you move to a new place, it becomes extremely important for you to understand the cultural norms and etiquette of that particular place. So when you move to the UK, you’ll also have to understand its cultural norms, like extreme politeness and simple yet important gestures like please and thank you. The British are also highly particular about punctuality, so it can become extremely important for you to reach classes, meetings, and other places on time.
Even if you understand English perfectly, the British language can be quite different from the ones you are used to. For example, in British English, fries are called chips, whereas elevators are called lifts. If you want to improve your English proficiency, you can start by watching British TV shows and movies. You can also use apps and language exchange groups that are made specifically for this.
We understand that moving to the UK can be extremely difficult and emotionally tolling; you have to sort ten different things at the same time all while preparing to move within months of getting an offer from your preferred university.
If you are also extremely overwhelmed about moving to the UK and want to make things easier and need someone who can reduce your burden, then you can contact our experts at GraddinHomes.com. Our experts will help you sort your student accommodation in UK and find a place that suits your needs and budget.
Yes, you need a visa to move to the UK. This also depends on where you are from and what your motive is i.e. if you want to study or work there. You can also check the UK government website for additional requirements.
Before you move to the UK, you need to have at least £8,000–£10,000 which will help you cover your initial costs like visa fees, travel, accommodation, and living expenses until you settle.
The cost of living in UK highly depends on the place and city you choose. While it can be extremely expensive to live in places like London, it can be relatively cheaper to live in smaller towns and cities.
There are many cultural differences that you need to get used to. However, the main one is that the British are extremely keen on punctuality, politeness, and queuing. Next tea is a cultural staple and you need to respect other people's privacy.
Yes, if you are working or living there then you have to pay taxes. However, your taxes also depend on how much you earn and how long you have been living there. As a non-resident, you’ll be taxed on your UK-based income.
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