Students on campus socialising

Words by Rinta

The moment our visas arrive, the emotions in our heads and hearts run almost paradoxical. Where we carry hopes, dreams, and excitement in our hearts, our brains start wandering in the direction of anxiety and nervousness about moving to a different country and being amongst people with different cultural and racial backgrounds. With so many emotions running through us, it is so easy to lose sight of the things we ought to do once we reach UK. The to-do list for international students is double as compared to that of home students, and all the application forms that you have got to fill out would seem daunting. With an informative checklist in hand, your experience post-arrival to the UK would be stress-free.

I am putting down a list of important things international students should do after they arrive.

1. Get a sim card:

Getting a sim card is one of the foremost things to do after coming here. Many students get complimentary UK sim cards from the visa office in their home country, but if you haven’t got one, no sweat. You will easily find one here by either applying it online or visiting the nearest store. You must check out the providers that offer good network coverage in the area you intend to stay in. You would not want to have a sim that offers a low network. You could also check the plans and payment methods before you take a new sim. Some people prefer a ‘pay-to-go option’, and others choose to go for yearly contracts since that offer discounted rates and added benefits on data and international calling.  

Some of the best sim providers in the UK are: 

  • Vodafone
  • 3
  • O2
  • EE
  • Giffgaff
  • Lebara

2. Complete online enrolment and check your timetable:

Students should complete their academic registration before they arrive and financially register before or after they reach the UK. This important step makes you a part of the University and you can access your timetable and other facilities in the University. Only after the registration, can you get your Student ID card. 

3. Collect your Biometric Residence Permit:

The purpose of your biometric residence permit is to prove that you have the right to study, work, open a bank account, or any other benefits that you would be entitled to. Your BRP would be ready to collect within 10 days of your arrival in the UK. The collection point of the BRP could either be your college or the local post office, depending on what you requested in your visa application form. 

For more information, visit: https://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits

4. Apply for a National Insurance Number:

If you want to work part-time in the UK as a student, and you hold a Tier 4 visa, check that your visa permits you to do so. Students wanting to work part-time should apply for an NI number, as this reference number provided by the government enables you to get paid and taxed for your work. The application takes a maximum of 4 weeks for approval. Make sure you give the correct address as the NI number comes through the post, and you wouldn’t want to either lose the confidential document or end it up in the wrong hands. 

5. Open a bank account:

Carrying wads of cash around is not advisable. You could risk losing it or have it stolen. Scotland is mainly a card-based economy so opening a bank account would help you get paid if you intend to work, receive and send money overseas and pay for your transportation, utilities, groceries, and accommodation bills, practically anything that has got to do with money. The application to open a bank account is filled out online and they mainly ask for your BRP and passport. It takes a minimum of 5 working days to open an account, or could even be longer depending on the influx of fresher students applying to that particular bank at the start of the academic year. Opening an account is easy but choosing the bank and the account type can get tricky. Do some research on your part before you apply.

The Bank of Scotland, HSBC, Barclays, and The Royal Bank of Scotland are some of the banks that cater to international students. 

6. Register with the GP: 

Once you arrive in the UK, you must get yourself registered with the local GP to access healthcare. The immigration health surcharge you paid during your visa application entitles you to the same benefits as UK residents. To register with your GP, carry your passport, proof of accommodation, and letter of enrollment. 

7. Get a train/bus pass:

UK has numerous train lines that are interconnected, so traveling around is convenient. If you are a student aged between 16-25, you get 1/3 off of most rail fares with the Young Scot Entitlement card, and if you are a student under 21 in Scotland, you are eligible for free bus travel with the same card. Ah! What an age to be young!

And lastly, do not hesitate to ask for help from your university, peers, or locals. The best way to learn about life in Scotland is by asking questions to the natives. They are polite and friendly and if they do not have an answer to your question, they stick around until you both figure it out. I can vouch for that! Remember asking for help is okay because it is a new country and you are finding your footing here. And one day you would have learnt enough to help others yourself!

First published: 15 December 2022

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First appeared on Unibuddy.