5 Tips to Succeed as a Student in the UK

Living and Studying in the UK has its own perks, and there are certain things you should always bear in mind before going ahead with your studies in the UK. Several things change for international students and, in particular, for Indian students. British society is very inclusive, and people are helpful, but certain things are different from Indian universities.

With a bit of homework and research, you can ace their study life in the UK. You can make a considerable change just by incorporating these 5 tips before proceeding with their studies in the UK:

1. Choose accommodation smartly

Choosing the accommodation smartly can save money and the precious time that you can utilize in your studies. You as a student in the UK will have the following accommodation options:

• Living in Halls: These are accommodations provided by the universities and one of the most preferred options for first-year students.

• Living close to university: After the first year of studies, many students choose to move out of the University accommodations. They tend to choose places near the university that reduce their overall cost of living.

• Living in an affordable locality: Many students use public transport or pre-owned cars and live in inexpensive places. This helps them in saving tons of money which they can direct for other purposes.

You can also read our blog on the student accommodation trends and how to book them.

2. Know the weather

The UK has wet and cold weather, which means you need to keep certain things in mind if you plan to move there for higher studies. The shifting weather will have a direct consequence on your health. Thus having the right set of clothes will help you live comfortably, and you can buy the apparel beforehand as clothing is a bit expensive in tier-1 cities like London.

• Keep ample warm clothes as the temperature dips below 10 degrees very often, so you should have clothes like blazers, sweaters, and body-warmers.

• The rains of the UK are also unpredictable, and it rains very often in the winters. So having rainproof apparel is a must for your stay in the UK.

3. Open a bank account

Opening a bank account for the period of stay in the UK will help you save a lot and remain financially ensured during their stay. Many students don’t do ample research beforehand then end up getting confused. One should always know the financial environment of a country before moving in for living or studying. For a student opening a bank account helps them a lot as they already don’t have any idea about the spending culture. There are several Indian banks too in the UK, but it’s always better to go with the local banks as they have better perks for students than any Indian bank.

Benefits of having a bank account in a local bank in the UK

• Easy access to overdrafts makes you financially secured against unforeseen situations.
• Helps you conserve a lot in terms of bank charges if you are using an Indian bank account in the UK.
• Saving extra charges for small spending in terms of shopping and bank account withdrawal when paid from an Indian debit/credit card.
• Acceptability of cards in local shops.

Things to keep in mind for opening a bank account in the UK

One needs to have all their paperwork to avoid any clearance-related issues. Few points can help you in averting those situations:

• Keep all your visa-related documents with you.

• If possible, talk to your bank in India about their tie-ups with banks in the UK.

• Check for overdraft limits as not all banks provide the overdraft facility.

• Do keep track of your credit scores, as it will help in assessing your credit limits.

• Banks provide additional facilities for students, so compare offers from different banks before opening the bank account.

4. Choose the best means of transport

People tend to take a blanket approach while thinking that public transport is always the best mode of transport. However, other circumstances should be considered, which will make a considerable difference in the travel experience of a student. There are different ways to save money for intra-city and inter-city travel. The cost of transport should also be seen from the perspective of rents and other travel-related expenses. If you own a private vehicle, you can comfortably live off-city limits that help you save a lot of money. Rents are pretty high in cities like London, and they are at times as high as £1400/month.

However, the transport options are pretty broad in cities of the UK. Most cities have a well-developed public transport network, but exploring all the options and then settling for a mode of transport definitely helps students in the UK. These are a few tips for students moving to the UK for their higher studies and planning to live for an extended time period:

• Local means of transport save a lot in travel expenses but are not applicable for all cities. For a city like London, public transport is the best way to traverse from one place to another.
• There are places in the UK where students tend to live on the outskirts and buy pre-owned cars. This helps them save a lot in rent, which is minuscule compared with the fuel charges or the price of the vehicle.
• Using a travel pass is always the best way out as it’ll help you save a couple of bucks and make the payment hassle-free.
• Using student discounts will help you in saving a considerable amount. Travel passes are accessible from universities, and they are provided at discounted prices for students.

5. Having all the vaccinations

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, this became very important as countries have made stringent vaccination norms. So not only the COVID-19 vaccines, rather a whole range of vaccinations should be done to avoid any medical situation in a foreign country. There are various vaccines that the WHO recommends for students moving to the UK.

• Meningitis
• Polio
• Measles
• Mumps and rubella
• Shingles
• Pneumonia
• Influenza
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Rabies
• DAP (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis)
• Chickenpox

These vaccines not only help students in living a tension-free life but also helps them save a lot in terms of their medical expenses. The cost of medical treatment can be very high in the UK. This is one of the reasons students have to mandatorily take health insurance for any unforeseen situations that may warrant extensive medical care.

These tips will help you in focusing more on your studies than some petty problems. The cost of education is very high in countries like the UK, so it’s always advised to have an intelligent strategy for their stay in the UK. Other tips include the following:

• Spending less on eating out and cooking primarily at home.
• For cheap international calls, you can take SIM cards from service providers like Rebtel and Lebara.
• See the scope of part-time work based on your present skill-set as it will help you considerably cover your expenses in the UK.
• Interact with student unions and people from the Indian diaspora via social media to help you a smooth transition from India to the UK.
• The UK has magnificent landscapes, so don’t miss out on those and don’t become a geek. Explore a great range of places of historical importance.
• Focus on your health as the change in climate will definitely affect your body in the initial days. So do take precautions and remain healthy in the midst of health-related uncertainties.

Studying in the UK can give a significant boost to your career. However, it comes with a cost. Overseas education loans are the best option when it comes to financing the highest studies abroad. If you are also planning to do higher studies in the UK, you can apply for an abroad education loan via GyanDhan. It is India’s first education financing marketplace that provides help in getting education loans to study abroad. You can also read our blog on UK visa for Indians.

What’s more? Their loan assistance service is free of cost. So, contact GyanDhan and get expert help in financing your education in the UK now!

Become an amber Ambassador

As you navigate through the intricacies of living and studying in the UK, there's an extraordinary opportunity awaiting you – the Amber Ambassador Program. In a landscape where every decision counts, this program stands out as a beacon of innovation and community. Joining the Amber Ambassador Program means stepping into a world of boundless opportunity and unparalleled rewards. It's a unique blend of community building, personal growth, and enticing financial incentives. Here, you're not just a participant – you're a key player in connecting students with top-notch accommodations, enriching their lives while paving the way for your own success.