6 tips for international students moving to London
Moving to a vast, metropolitan city like London can be both daunting and exhilarating at the same time – especially if you’re an international student moving far away from home.
In this guide, we'll lay out 6 key tips to keep in mind as you embark on your exciting new journey in the capital.
Prepare as much in advance as you can
Preparing to move abroad as an international student goes far beyond getting your paperwork in order. Once you’ve got all the critical tasks out the way, such as organising your student visa, the next thing to look at is how you’re going to fund your studies.
Open a UK bank account:
To help you get ahead of the game, you can get to work on setting up a UK bank account before you arrive here. Head to a comparison site to compare student accounts, and weigh up what type of account will be best for you. Also check if any provider offers perks or deals when you open an account with them. Some banks offer perks like free railcards or special discounts on brands when you open an account with them.
Assess your healthcare options:
Another thing to keep in mind when you’re preparing to move to London, is healthcare. It’s likely that the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) will entitle you to some basics – but looking at exactly what this covers for you depending on your nationality and visa status is critical. It’s worth getting health insurance for anything that’s not covered and save yourself the hassle of navigating the system down the line.
Research where you want to live
Finding a place to live in London can seem like an overwhelming task. It’s not just the location you have to think about, but the type of accommodation you would like to make you feel safe, settled, and at home.
Best areas for student accommodation in London
First, think about what area you would like to live in. A good place to start is by asking yourself: where will I be spending a lot of my time? If you will be in university or college most days because of lectures, library study sessions, or meeting friends on campus, this could be the most important location to consider.
Living in central London, while exciting, can be quite busy and loud, especially if you’re going to be studying at home.
West London can be a much calmer spot to live as a student. It’s a vibrant, beautiful part of the city that offers a wealth of attractions, historic sites, and green spaces – many of which are on Beaumont House’s doorstep.
Types of student accommodation in London
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to ‘which student accommodation in London is best’: it’s about what’s right for you.
Some London students rent privately (through a private landlord or agency) rather than living in student-specific housing. Some choose to live in housing designed specifically for the student community like on-campus halls.
Another option to consider is renting private accommodation designed specifically for students, such as Beaumont House. Here, you get all the benefits of university accommodation, like living alongside students, along with many other benefits that university-owned residences and private rentals don’t usually offer.
These include high-speed WiFi, 24-hour security services, a dedicated International Student Services team and a prayer room with an ablution area.
Try out different forms of transport
London is renowned for its great range of public transport that can get you around the city from day to night.
London transport options
On top of the vast Underground and bus network, there are also Overground rail lines and bicycles to rent throughout the city.
If you choose to cycle on a Santander Cycle, you’ll get unlimited 30-minute rides from £3 a day with a day pass. There are plenty of docking stations around the city, so it’s likely you’ll spot them on your first trip out!
You can also travel across London by water with the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. The boats stop at 24 piers along the Thames between Barking Riverside Pier in the East and Putney Pier in the West, and they're a fascinating way to see the city.
All of these can be paid for by tapping your contactless card or with Apple Pay.
TfL student discount cards
It’s also worth noting here that students in London can get discounted travel. If you're 18 or over when you’re a student living in a London borough, you can get discounted travel with an Oyster photocard. With this, you’ll save 30% on adult-rate travelcards and bus and tram pass season tickets. To get the discount, just apply on the TfL website.
Figure out a budget
It’s no secret that living in London – like most major cosmopolitan cities – is expensive. That’s why budgeting each month is wise, so you can get the most out of the money you have each month.
Key student outgoings
Here’s a handy list of the most common outgoings you’ll likely have as a student in London each month or term, depending on the nature of the expense.
Essential outgoings
Tuition fees
Rent
Food
Bills (broadband, water, gas, electric, phone bill, TV licence)
Health insurance
Travel costs
Toiletries
It’s worth noting here that at Beaumont House, home-related bills are included in the rental value of your room.
Other outgoings
Books or equipment for your course
Leisure activities such as eating out and social activities
Clothing
Food on a budget in London
Other than rent and tuition fees, your biggest essential expense in London will likely be your groceries. There are plenty of grocery chains in London that offer cheaper prices, such as Lidl and Aldi, but most major chains like Tesco and Sainsburys also offer customer cards like Clubcards or Nectar cards. These cards can unlock cheaper prices for customers. You’ll also be able to earn points on purchases and convert these to vouchers down the line.
Another student-friendly way to save money on the food bills each month is to cook together. You could host a ‘potluck’ – a communal gathering where each guest brings a different, homemade dish to be shared – with your classmates. You could also get parts of your weekly shops, say, your cleaning supplies, together to save on costs. Researching some budget-friendly student recipes to help you meal prep is also a great thing to keep in mind here.
If you do want to treat yourself to a meal out while saving funds, you could try a food-saving app like ‘Too Good to Go’. It’s a fantastic eco-friendly app that offers food that would otherwise be wasted at reduced prices.
Best student budgeting tools
There are plenty of budgeting tools out there that will help you get your finances on track. A platform like Chip or Plum could help you save, while a tool like Snoop could help you monitor your bills.
Take advantage of student discounts
There are plenty of student discounts available in the UK, on everything from essentials like groceries and banking fees to luxuries like clothes and gallery tickets.
In many cases, you’ll just need to show the vendor your photo student ID from your university or college to get the discount. But we would also recommend getting a Totum card (formerly an NUS card) to get plenty of discounts online and across the high street.
Brush up on your English speaking skills
Whether you’re fluent in English or you would like to practise before you start your course, it’s always worth trying some local English conversation classes to brush up on your skills.
The classes are also a great place to meet fellow international students, share tips about moving to London, and build your confidence in speaking the English language conversationally.
To check room availability in Beaumont House, or to find out more about our building, contact us or give us a call at +44 (0)203 195 3214.
