The 10 Best Apps for International Students in UK

Living abroad is a daunting task to begin with. Add in the fact that you would most likely be on your own in a new country, taking care of yourself. But it doesn’t need to be a stressful affair! With the advent of technology, human life has become more and more connected to our phones. You can use this to your advantage with the help of our list of the 10 best apps for international students in the UK. Be it part-time gigs, finding the most happening gigs around you, or tracking your expenses. These best apps for university students UK definitely make your life much easier when living abroad.

The Best Apps for International Students in The UK

These best apps for international students in the UK can not only help you stay in touch with all of your daily necessities in the country but also make you feel less alone. Take a look at our curated list of the best apps for students because there is an app for everything you need!

1. Your University App

Most universities in the UK deploy their own personalised websites and applications to help their students stay in the loop with key announcements or notices. Your university app should be one of the first apps you should be downloading when pursuing your studies abroad. A typical university app will equip you with information such as timetables, lecture notes, an inbox, and more. You will mainly be studying at your university, so taking a look at the best study apps for students can be worth your while.

Some universities even include interactive maps of the campus, making it easier for students to navigate their student lives in a new space. One can easily find their uni apps on popular stores such as the Android Play Store or iOS App Store.

2. Stint - Make Some Cash on The Side

Thinking about undertaking some part-time gigs that fit your skill set and earn some extra cash on the side? Well, look no further! Stint helps you flexibly look for and perform jobs that fit your study schedule and time. What's more? You don't even need a CV or resume to get started and become a part of a Stint team. Looking to save even more money? Gander at the best money saving apps for students.

With Stint, you get the opportunity to collaborate with local UK businesses and dedicate 2-3 hours of your day towards something productive. Stint is one of the best apps for international students in UK looking to learn new skills and earn some extra money.

Android - Stint

iOS - Stint

3. National Rail Enquiries - Travel Around the Country

Come out of your caves, urban explorers! One of the best apps for university students UK is the National Rail Enquiries application. This app is your one-stop shop for all your railway travel needs in the English countryside.

The National Rail Enquiries app lets you buy tickets from their platform, plan your trip, get live updates regarding your journey, and provide you with cheap fares and recent offers. Wanna know something cool? If you're like us, you probably tend to nap a lot or accidentally forget important events. The app has a built-in "wake me up" function that sounds an alarm so that you don't miss your train. We think that's enough to make it one of the best apps for international students in UK.

Android - National Rail Enquiries

iOS - National Rail Enquiries

4. Just Eat - Cheap Meals At Your Doorstep

As an international student, more often than not, you would be cooking most of your meals, or maybe grabbing a bite at the university canteen. But some days, maybe you just wish to eat outside and enjoy some delicious grub. One of the best apps for international students in UK is the Just Eat app. Popular amongst students all over the UK, the Just Eat app has a wide selection of cuisines from restaurants at attractive price ranges. Feeling homesick? Order your home's cuisine and Just Eat!

Android - Just Eat

iOS - Just Eat

5. Amber App - Fulfil Your Student Accommodation Needs

The Amberstudent app is the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle that will bring your student life in the UK together. The platform provides you with a diverse range of ensuites, non-ensuites, shared apartments, dorms, studios, and more to choose from within your budget. In addition, students can access exclusive deals on the Amber App with the help of Amber+. Amber+ provides students with app-exclusive deals from brands such as Anytime Fitness, lastminute, Surfshark, Balance Coffee, and more! Students can learn more about the app at the official Amber+ website.

Android - Amber app

iOS - Amber app

6. Citymapper - Interactive Maps at Your Fingertips

Living as an international student in the UK, Citymapper is arguably one of the best apps for university students UK. Citymapper provides you with a live feed of daily transport options for supported areas. The app includes all modes of urban transportation for you to choose from, such as walking, cycling, driving, and even public transport. As of 2023, Citymapper is trusted by over 50 million users in more than 100 cities around the globe. London transit system, here we come!

Android - Citymapper

iOS - Citymapper

7. eMed - Healthcare Made Easy

When you come to the UK as an international student, you need to pay the IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge), which lets you access the country's socialised healthcare system. eMed helps you with additional healthcare control. How? The app, powered by artificial intelligence, puts you, the user, in direct contact with healthcare professionals all over the UK. What makes this one of the best apps for international students in UK is its simple interface and quick virtual appointments with healthcare professionals through its subscription model.

Users can send questions to eMed's team of professionals (doctors, nurses, therapists), similar to how one would text message. Users can even video call doctors about common issues such as colds, coughs, cases of flu, etc. The professional can then send the patient's prescriptions over the mail.

Android - eMed

iOS - eMed

8. SpareRoom - Crash For The Night

Perhaps the biggest flat-share app in the UK, SpareRoom helps to put you in direct contact with people looking for a flatmate or if you wish to look for someone to share your flat with you. Student accommodation is one of the biggest concerns for international students. Every 3 minutes, someone finds a flatmate using SpareRoom UK!

Android - SpareRoom UK

iOS - SpareRoom

9. Too Good To Go - Spare Food 4 Cheap

As the name suggests, every day tons of food in the UK goes to waste. This is because restaurants and cafes across the country have to dispose of unsold food during closing hours due to the UK's stringent laws. This means that even delicious and perfectly fine food items need to get thrown away to avoid backlash. 

Too Good To Go matches restaurants looking to clear out their food with people looking for food for free or discounted prices. This makes it one of the best apps for students, as it means they don't have to splurge their cash on daily nourishment!

Android - Too Good To Go

iOS - Too Good To Go

10. RefME - Citations and References Made Easy

If you've ever spent some time in academic circles, we are sure you have come across the scourge of academic citations and references. While ethically sound, crafting references can be a hassle, especially when you are finishing your assignments a day before the deadline (guilty!). This is where RefME comes in. What makes this one of the best apps for international students is that by scanning the barcode found on the back of your reference book, RefME can generate citations based on your preferred style - be it Chicago, APA, or MLA. You can also use RefME to turn physical copies of books into a digital format.

Android - RefME

iOS - NA

That wraps up our list of the best apps for international students in UK. From saving money on food to finding part-time work opportunities, this list has it all. This list of helpful apps is never-ending. Therefore, it is imperative you check out our list of 14 must-have apps for students. Take full advantage of this opportunity and make the most of your time in the UK!

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