The United Kingdom has a rich history of education. Its Oxford University is considered the second-oldest continuously operating university in the world (or third, depending which online list you look at). And it seems that almost every city in the country has its own dedicated, globally-ranked university, making it a study destination for many.

If you have an offer to study in the UK, or are in the process of applying for British degree programs, this article is just for you. But these tips can easily be applied to other regions as well. That’s because while studying abroad is a thrilling and enriching experience, it inevitably presents many trials to overcome. Visas, bank accounts, university administration, finding a place to live, packing… many hurdles will crop up well before classes ever start, no matter where you choose to study.

If you’re interested in other regions, be sure to check out our articles about studying abroad in the US and studying abroad in Europe. Either way, read on for some serious guidance on how to move abroad to study — especially if you’re interested in studying in the UK.

Step One: Applying

The first thing to do, of course, is to find a program to apply to! You can study abroad at the undergraduate or postgraduate level, and in each case you’ll likely encounter many of the same challenges. Take note though that in the UK, postgraduate courses tend to come with additional requirements that some regions like the USA may not have — such as writing a research proposal.

Unsure how you should narrow down the sea of universities into an appropriately-sized list of applications? Check out our tips on how to search for a PhD program (many of these tips could apply to a Master’s or even Bachelor’s program search, too).

Step Two: Getting your UK Student Visa

Once you’ve been accepted to a program, first of all, take some time to celebrate!

You’ll need a student visa to study in the UK, which you can officially apply for after being accepted to a UK university. The process for applying is fairly standard: you’ll need a university acceptance letter, identity documents, and sometimes specific pieces of medical history (vaccinations, etc.) depending on where you’re coming from. Be sure to check the UK’s official website for an updated list of specific requirements based on your citizenship.

Take note: the UK visa process is clear, digitalised and quick – but it can be expensive, especially if your local currency is weaker than the British pound. Not only is there an application fee (over £500 at the time of this writing), but you’ll need to pay for insurance as well (about £1000) and you may additionally need to show proof of sufficient financial resources (savings of up to about £1,500 per month). If finances are tight, don’t forget that you can search for scholarships to help you out. If you have all of these ducks lined up, the visa process — assuming you gather all the necessary documents and complete the required steps sufficiently — is likely to go relatively quickly compared to other countries (at least in this author’s personal experience).

Once your UK student visa is approved, you should receive clear instructions for generating and downloading your personal eVisa. These are 9-digit codes that you’ll be able to share with relevant authorities to prove your right to enter and stay in the UK. Do this before you arrive, and make sure to record the code that you’ve generated for easy access. You can re-make a new code at any time and for no cost, but doing so relies on an Internet connection that you might not have while in transit!

Step Three: Preparing to Enter the UK

Of course, you’ll most likely need to book a plane or train ticket and start packing before you travel to the UK. And, you’ll need to bring your eVisa code as well as proper identity and travel documents like your passport. Make sure to keep a copy of your university acceptance letter on hand in the off-chance that you need it as well, and any letters proving that you’ve received a scholarship if applicable.

But there are plenty of other things to think about before entering the UK. Especially if you’re an adult postgraduate who isn’t planning to live in university housing, take note of the following tips:

First, your UK university likely has several to-dos once you’ve secured your student visa but before you arrive. This may result in you becoming “pre-enrolled” or “temporarily enrolled”. To actually become “fully enrolled”, you often must successfully enter the UK (and then provide evidence that you’ve done so, for instance with a boarding pass). Be sure to keep in contact with your university and check their official application portal or student portal in order to be compliant with enrollment needs.

Next, you ought to convert some money into British pounds to ensure you have a stash of cash available (without needing to pay heavy transaction fees to take out pounds at the airport or an ATM). While the UK is very card-friendly and most places accept cards without problems, some cash in hand will at least mean you can get a train ticket or a hotel room in the event that there is a problem with your non-UK card!

Additionally, you will benefit from having a UK bank account, or a bank account that you can access from the UK. One way to accomplish this is to consider an online mobile banking option like Wise, Revolut, or Monzo — these are easy to set up and use, and allow you to transfer and store money across multiple currencies, but they don’t have traditional physical locations.

Note that we cannot endorse any specific bank. Rather, the knowledge that these options exist can be very helpful for someone unable to open a UK bank account from abroad (indeed, you will usually be asked for a UK address before you’re allowed to do so, which is impossible for many prospective international students). Online bank options can help you transition to the UK smoothly, and you can close the accounts in favor of a more traditional, physical bank after you arrive if you desire.

Next, consider housing. Finding a place to live can be a very difficult step if you aren’t simply moving into university housing. Often, the best method for finding a flat is to stay with friends or relatives while you search for one, but of course not everyone has friends already in the UK!

Further, consider how you’ll operate your phone (in the  UK often referred to as a “mobile”). There are two main options here — consider paying for an international roaming plan with your current phone carrier that will let you use your mobile data in the UK. Or, consider installing a temporary SIM card when you arrive in the UK (most major international airports include vendors that sell these). Temporary SIM cards will give you a UK phone number on a relatively cheap (but usually quite limited) data plan, which will be sufficient to get you on your feet, and allow you to shop around for a full phone plan when you have time (and an address!) later.

Step Four: After Arriving

After you successfully enter the UK, find your new student housing or hostel room, and sleep off the travel weariness, you’ll have a few more things to do.

First, be sure to follow up on your university’s enrollment procedures to ensure you clear your pre-enrollment status and become fully enrolled. This might include sharing your plane or train tickets or boarding pass, or a stamp in your passport (if you got one) to prove that you entered the UK legally and successfully. It may also require paying tuition if you did not do so before arriving (and don’t have a scholarship).

If you aren’t staying in university housing, then finding your own place to live is critical and should be top of your list. The rental market can move quickly in some areas, particularly London, so you ought to move quickly yourself. There are plenty of websites where you can search for rentals in the UK, and you can begin your search there.

But before you look for housing, remember that nifty eVisa you generated on the UK government website? You should return to it and generate a “right to rent” code — a separate 9-digit code from your eVisa that’s generated via the same website. This code must be shared with the landlord once you apply for a place to rent, as they’ll need proof that you can legally rent in the UK.

It’s highly recommended that you search for accommodation in person, so also consider staying at a hostel for a week or two while you search. Beware of housing scams, and know that in the UK, landlords are required to give new tenants a copy of the official “How to Rent” guide (you can also view this beforehand at the provided link).

If you know others starting on the same course, or if you meet them while you are house-hunting, consider teaming up and searching together. Applying as a group will open up more options. In many parts of the UK there are plenty of three- or four-bedroom houses available (a very typical “student house” size in many university cities), but you may well find there is a more limited number of one-bed flats, making the search trickier for the lone accommodation seeker.

If all of this sounds too stressful, keep in mind that you can always try to live in student housing for at least your first year. This will help you get acclimated to the city, learn about its neighborhoods and rental prices, and meet other people you could flat-share with.

Keep a thorough list of outstanding tasks, and remember to finish any other lingering to-dos to ensure you’ve finalized your enrollment, found a place to live, and taken out a phone plan. If all goes well, you should be able to transition smoothly enough, and finally turn your attention towards the main event: your studies!

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