International Students in the UK: Pre-Departure and Pre-Arrival Checklist

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Samarpita Goswami
Updated on Feb 15, 2023 09:25 AM IST

International students in the UK must be aware of certain pre-arrival and post-arrival formalities that will make their study and stay in the UK smooth. Read on to find out the international student checklist: what to do before and after arriving in the UK.

International Students in the UK: Pre-Departure and Pre-Arrival Checklist

Moving from one country to another requires pre-planning and meticulous organisation. Once you have boarded the plane and started your journey, you cannot turn back. It is essential that you make a pre-arrival checklist that will ensure you have everything you may need once you have reached your destination.

Even after your arrival in the UK, you will have to complete several important tasks and formalities. And often in the midst of all the preparation for studying at your dream university, you may have not considered creating an ideal checklist to make the process easier.

So, if you have received an unconditional offer from a UK university and wondering where you should start, here is your checklist to ease your upcoming experience in the UK.

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Pre-Departure and Pre-Arrival Checklist for International Students in UK

To avoid a last-minute rush, it is always advisable to begin preparations beforehand. This will ensure that your journey is devoid of troubles and once you reach the foreign land you feel settled. Here is a list before going to study in UK:

Check for Passport Validity

Check if your passport is valid for the next 12 months. If it is due to expire then it is necessary that you renew your passport before you travel.

Apply for Visa

It is recommended that you apply for a visa as soon as possible after you get the offer letter. Applying for visa six months before will be a good idea as visa approvals generally take time during the peak seasons. If your course is for less than six months then you will require a short-term visa and if it is more than six months you will require a student visa for UK.

Book Your Accommodation

There are numerous options for student accommodation in UK. You can choose to stay on campus or in privately-rented apartments. Given that the rent will take up a substantial part of your budget, finding cheap accommodation will help you save money. You should hence consider starting your accommodation hunting as soon as you get your offer letter from the university. Universities generally have guaranteed accommodation for first-year students and you can stay with your friends in residence halls. You will be provided basic utilities like kitchen, laundry, wifi, etc., at both on-campus and off-campus accommodations.

Set Up Your Bank Account

Students need to have sufficient funds to afford their education in the UK and that should be reflected in their bank accounts. With your student visa, you can set up a basic bank account. Or, you can open an overseas bank account in advance to save time. A bank account will be necessary to pay utility bills. Also if you work, your salary will be sent to your bank account. An overseas bank account in UK will help you to get your debit and credit card before you leave for the UK and you can also transfer and manage funds.

Plan Your Budget

A student in the UK needs approximately GBP 12,500 per year as estimated by the British Council apart from the tuition fees. If you apply for a scholarship, then a certain amount of the expenses will get covered. The living expenses will vary from city to city, however having a budget and note of the expenditures will help you to manage the finances well.

Complete Health Checkup

The students going to study in the UK must conduct a health check-up and meet the vaccination requirements. Apart from the Covid-19 vaccines, students must test for Tuberculosis. During visa application to UK, you will have to pay a healthcare surcharge that enables you to benefit from the National Health Service (NHS).

Consider Travel Insurance

You can consider purchasing one-way comprehensive travel insurance for your belongings, delay in travel, airline failure or missed departures.

Read the guidelines of the UK Government

Travelling abroad on your own entails involves risk factors. In order to stay safe and secure, read the guidelines provided by the UK government and your university. This will ensure safe travel and living in the UK.

Double-Check Your Documents

Before moving to the UK, get your documents ready, scanned and saved. Carry the hard copiesof all the documents with you. Check for your mark sheets and certificates, visa, passport, study permit and other important documents related to your admission to the university. Here, we will provide you with the list of documents that you need to study and travel to the UK.

Pack and Carry Luggage Carefully 

It is important to carry all essential clothes, kitchen items, toiletries and electronic devices along with you while also remembering the luggage weight restrictions set by airlines. Make sure that you keep your passport, UKVI decision letter, European Health Insurance Card, evidence of funding, gadgets,  around GBP 400 currency notes, tuberculosis certificate and travel insurance policy number in your handbag so that you can hand them over easily to officials when and wherever needed.

The weight of checked luggage is around 22-23 kg and there are strict restrictions on size and weight. It is necessary to update yourself with your airline regarding the weight before flying.

Documents Checklist for International Students to Travel to UK

The international students in the UK must pack all the necessary documents with them before starting their journey. It is better to have digital copies, photocopies and hard copies of the documents. Here is a comprehensive list of documents that you will require to carry for your journey to the UK.

  • Passport

  • Photos

  • Letter of Recommendation and Academic CV

  • Exam certificates

  • CAS letter

  • University admission documents and enrollment confirmation

  • Bank account details

  • Proofs of finances and funding

  • Room insurance

  • Accommodation contract

Note: Double-check if you have carried all the documents with you.

Packing List for Studying in UK

You will have to pack your luggage judiciously and learn to include only the essentials and eliminate all the extras as the airlines have weight restrictions on the luggage. Here is the Indian student packing list for UK:

Clothes

The weather in the UK varies on a day-to-day basis.In winters, the temperatures drop below freezing points. It is advisable to carry light clothes that can be worn inside in layers and some warm outer clothes. It is mandatory to carry waterproof jacketsand umbrellas. Thick socks, hats, gloves and scarves are essential to beat the cold weather.

Kitchen Items

The items in the kitchen item will depend on your student accommodation in UK. If you are in off-campus accommodation,you will need utensils to carry to UK from India like a saucepan, a pressure cooker, cups, plates and spoons. You can even purchase them from local grocery stores.

Electronic Items

The technological world has made us dependent on electronic devices and gadgets. While you travel to the UK, you may carry your mobile phone along with a charger, laptop, camera, headphones and etc.

Stationery and Miscellaneous items

You can carry basic stationery like textbooks, pens, notepads and calculators along with you. Apart from these, you may need a sewing kit, safety pins, bedsheets, pillow covers, toiletries and etc for your daily living.

On Arrival Check List for International Students in UK

Once you have safely landed in the UK, you must undergo certain formalities to ease your stay and studies in the country.

Contact Home

As soon as you reach UK, you must contact your home and inform them that you have landed safely in the UK. After this, you move on to complete other formalities related to arrival in the country. 

Collect your Biometric Residence Permit

Biometric Residence Permit is a secure identity card that provides proof of the right to study in the UK. If you have digital immigration status you will not get BRP.

Check into Your Accommodation

As soon as all the formalities are completed at the airport, you must head towards your accommodation. You may contact your university beforehand for the arrangement of transport or book a taxi and uber and reach your on-campus or off-campus accommodation. Make sure you contact your accommodation provider in advance and let them know the date when you will arrive.

Complete Right to Study Check

New students must complete their study check before completing online enrollment. They will receive the personalised link in their email IDs. You will have to upload some of your documents as stated by the university.

Register with a Doctor

Students should enlist in the medical service of the university to get health support.

Explore University Campus and Make New Friends

Upon arrival, students must explore the university campus, find the social clubs where they can join and look for shopping centres. They should interact with other students in their class and accommodation and start enjoying their university days.

Look for Work

Students are allowed to work part-time while they study at a UK university. They can work for 20 hours during sessions and full time during the holidays.

Learn About University Support Services

As an international student, you may encounter some unexpected challenges along the way. Therefore universities have a range of support services to help students. There are student hubs to assist you if you encounter any problems. The career services support you in your career through workshops, events, mentoring, one-to-one appointments, job resources, etc. There are other services related to academic skills, settling into university life, promoting equality and inclusion, and reporting any crime or abuse. 

Get Your National Insurance Number

If you want to work part-time in the UK, you will need a National Insurance Number which must be printed on your Biometric Residence Permit. If it is not there, you will have to apply for one. It can take around eight to nine weeks to get your NI number. 

Chalk Out Your Budget

Your exact cost of living in the UK can only be determined once you reach the country. Therefore, once you get a bit accustomed to the prices of the country, make your budget. Also, you must take safety measures to protect your money. Do not bring a large amount of cash. Around GBP 350 will be sufficient for the first week of the term till you open a bank account. 

It is important to be stress-free when before and after you arrive in the UK. This will help you to sort the formalities with the least pressure. Maintaining a checklist and ticking off as you complete helps to keep everything in order. You must take enough time to settle yourself into the new environment and ask for help whenever required.

If you have any other queries related to visa or other pre-departure and post-departure formalities, write to us at abroad@collegedekho.com.

Clear You Doubts Related to Studying in the UK!

FAQs

Can international students enter the UK now?

Yes, international students can enter the UK now without any restriction. All restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic have been lifted. Neither do they need to fill up the passenger locator form nor do they need to take the Covid-19 test before arriving in the UK. 

Is vaccination necessary to enter the UK?

Yes, double vaccination is necessary to enter the UK. International students travelling to the UK need to take two doses of any approved vaccine by WHO or by the UK health department. The recommended vaccines are Covishield, Covaxin, CoronaVac, Covovax and others. One dose of Janssen and Johnson and Johnson is also permitted. However, it is not mandatory to take a booster dose.

Do I need to get quarantined on reaching the UK?

No, you do not have to get quarantined on reaching the UK. You can start your post-arrival formalities with the university upon arrival. Though there are no general Covid-19 rules and regulations to be followed still international students are cautioned to keep safety and security in mind.

When can I arrive in the UK with my student visa?

You can arrive in the UK with your student visa within one week before your course starts if your course is for six months. If it is for more than six months, you can arrive one month before the course begins. One thing you must keep in mind is that you should not travel before your visa start date.

Which documents should I carry to the UK as an international student?

The documents which you should carry as an international student to the UK are a valid passport, student visa, CAS letter, photos, admission documents of the university, bank account details, financial sufficiency proof, examination mark sheets and certificates, letters of recommendation, academic resume and other documents as required by the university.

What to do after getting the CAS letter from a UK university?

After getting the Confirmation for Acceptance to Studies (CAS) letter from a UK university, you will have to start your visa application process. You must know that visa applications can be made only before 90 days of the course start date. Using the CAS number it will be possible for you to initiate the visa process.

When should I book the flight to arrive at the UK university?

You should book the flight to arrive at the UK university at least three months before your departure date. This will ensure that you have to pay less fares to the airlines. If your university has airport collection services, then you can contact them to pick you up. Also, you should check the baggage weight allowed by the airline so that you can bring maximum essentials with you.

What to do after arriving in the UK?

Once you have arrived in the UK, you will have to open a bank account to perform monetary transactions and get yourself registered with a General Practitioner (GP). These are the two most important things related to finance and health that you need to complete once you are in the UK.

When should the student accommodation be booked in the UK?

Once you have finalised the UK university you are planning to study in, start applying for on-campus or off-campus residence. The earlier you book, the better the chances to get cheap accommodation as they get filled fast. Once you have finalised your selection, you will have to sign an accommodation contract and carry it while travelling to the UK.

What airport formalities do I need to go through after arriving in the UK?

Once you have arrived in the UK, you need to go through certain airport formalities. You will have to fill out a landing card from the airlines. You will have to then face an immigration interview with the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) officials. You will have to answer some basic questions in English. You will have to show CAS mail, medical certificate and proof of funding.

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