The Simplest Ways to Become a UK Resident as a Student

The UK is one of the highly regarded names when it comes to studying abroad. Be it the national education policies or the pleasant and welcoming environment; the English country attracts a large flock of young minds every year. According to recent numbers, the UK hosted over 750,000 international students in 2020 and is expected to cater to over a million students this year.

Being a great education provider, the country holds esteemed pride in delivering a par education model to many international students. These students, who are interested in growing their network and expanding their career path, visit many popular UK cities that cover exotic names like London, Birmingham, and Leicester and include many well-renowned university holding cities such as Coventry, Nottingham, and Sheffield.

To make sure our readers get the utmost information about what to expect before coming to the UK, we have collected a series of crucial topics like best universities, common ways to commute, best UK cities to live, and the prevalent lifestyle of the UK that will cover our student guide for the UK-2021. So read more to find out about this magnificent country which you haven't heard of before.

How much can it cost you to live in the UK?

As the international source of affordable education, various student-centric policies have been recently introduced in the UK. These policies, which apply to both local and international students, allow ample opportunities to live life in the UK at the least possible expenses. Here is a quick breakdown of the average monthly costs linked with students living in the UK to show you an example.

1. Rent for accommodation - £240‍

2. Food and other eatery shopping - £120

3. Local Transport - £55

4. Books and stationery - £35-48‍

5. Internet and mobile phone - £30‍

6. Social and leisure activities - £100

With many local producers living in various parts, the United Kingdom always had an advantage of discounted essential goods and utilities such as student housing, food supplements, furniture, and many more. This allows students to leave all their worries under their mattresses and explore the city's utmost parts. It is advisable to have a monthly budget of around £700-800 to live comfortably in the English country.

(Note: All the above expenses are average monthly expenses and exclude tuition fees).

Different types of accommodation in the UK that you should know

The United Kingdom can be perceived as a confusing country when it comes to living as a student. Being home to many private and government city administrations, the country hosts various forms of student accommodation in every major city. That's why students are advised to choose the best suitable student accommodation that fits their budget and is compelling with daily activities.  

Be it London, Sheffield or Leicester; you will find most of these pocket-friendly accommodation options. However, to help you out, here we enlist some of the significant student housing options which will help you choose your place in a more informative manner.  

1. University Managed Rooms

University-managed rooms are dorm-like structures that are present in every UK university that offer single-room spaces for students. These are mostly liked by the sophomores and second-year students due to the shorter distance to the college. University-managed rooms will be the best place for you if you aim towards less-expensive accommodation in the first few years.  

2. Studio

Studios are the 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom rental homes that offer unique rooms and have slightly high-grade room qualities than university-managed rooms. These student accommodation are a great choice to live in and deliver quality living conditions perfectly if you are looking towards pocket-friendly student accommodation outside the university.

3. En-suite

En-suite housing options are private rooms that come with a better privacy option for students. This student accommodation delivers ample space for students. Also, it includes separate bathrooms & a kitchen so that you don't have to waste unnecessary time standing in queues and ultimately work more productively.

4. Sharing accommodation

Sharing accommodation is considered the rising star of student accommodation in Newcastle. These housing options are shared between a group of students and are withheld within an agreement of a landlord or an estate agent. A significant benefit of sharing accommodation is sharing expenses between the students and the opportunity to gel up with other students.

5. PBSA

PBS, commonly known as the Purpose Built Student Accommodation, are those properties in Newcastle that are rapidly becoming one of the UK's highly searched locations. These locations are present at affordable prices and often come with student-oriented resources and facilities.  

You can always check out the nearest and money-saving student housing in the UK here.

Tips for eating more at lower prices in the UK

As we discussed earlier, many UK cities are well-connected to their nearby county areas. These areas are well within reach of local producers who deliver fresh fruit and vegetables to many UK restaurants and cafes. That's why you may find delicious and finger-licking food at every corner in every UK city.

But to commit to your cravings, something has to be done. Going out every day may sound exciting and exploring to your mind, but not similarly safe to your pocket. That's why here we include a series of crucial points that can help you to save a lot of bucks while eating out in the UK.

1. Write a shopping list: Always make sure you have an idea of what you want to buy to get attracted by other market items.
2. Buy frozen: Various street vendors will be selling frozen and chopped veggies and fruits ready to be cooked. These are a great option to buy more daily usable at lower prices.
3. Try local brands: The UK is famous for its local brand variety. So, make sure you always have an open mind for the local brands as well.
4. Lookup cheap recipes: Check out Change4Life's healthy recipes and find some of the best dishes filled with minor ingredients.
5. Cut down on luxuries: Having your eyes narrowed down to only the necessities will help you save a lot of money from choosing short term luxuries.
6. Beware of BOGOF offers: Always be cautious of the Buy-one-Get-one-Free scheme. This can look lucrative but can be heavy on the billing side if unnecessarily bought.
7. Shop during 'Happy Hours': Many cities often provide weekly offers to find heavy discounts termed 'Happy Hours' discounts. Try choosing this particular hour to land great deals at affordable prices.

Easy ways to travel in the UK

The UK is one of the most popular places to visit in the world. Every year, the country welcomes more than 37.9 million tourists who visit various architectural marvels and city skyscrapers of the UK. To assess such large fellow travellers, the UK government has maintained a strengthened name in a local and national travel system.

To make sure our Student Guide UK 2021 won't leave a stone unturned, here are the top commute options for students in the UK.

1. Flights

Air travel is the most extensive dominated area of public transportation in the UK. The county has more than 471 airports, accounting for more than half the local and international visiting points. Here, London's Heathrow Airport is the most significant and busiest country, followed by Gatwick Airport and Manchester Airport.

2. Roadways

Roadways are the second most used public transport system in the UK. Currently, the country has roughly around 247,523 miles which carry over 90% of motorised passenger travel. Many local and national bus services such as NationalUK and Stagecoach can be found quickly and offer the least bus fares up to £4.6-6/ride added with special student discounts.

3. Metro

Metro or popularly known as the Tubes are the significant parts of the UK's history. Being present in many of the cities, these metro lines run underground or above the ground, differing from city to city. You can also avail certain discount cards such as "Oyster Card" which allows students to travel at the least cost through a one-time membership.

4. Rail travel

Connecting every major city and local country shires, the rail travel of the UK is one of the densest public transport networks in the world. Hosting over 10,072 miles, the UK has many fast rail trains such as Speed 1 and the TGV, which offer the quickest travelling time for you at the lowest cost, going up to £0.3/mile.

5. Waterways

A significant part of the British land shares its borders with many water channels, making the UK one of the most scenic beauties in ports and water transport. The country has three major ports, and many small ports, which allows you to travel to most exclusive cities like Cardiff, Aberdeen, Newcastle upon Tyne, and many more.

What to pack while going abroad to the UK?

Going abroad for the first time and have no clue what to pack? Well, fret not. Because every year, thousands of students go through the same phase as you. With more, they seek several articles, which leaves them hitting a wall. With that said, here are some of the vital stuff that you should carry with you before going abroad to the UK.

1. Charger/adaptor converter (UK houses have different moulds of charging points than those of the US and Asian countries. Make sure you buy a universal adaptor converter before leaving)
2. USB memory stick (for backing up important documents)
3. All required paperwork with an extra photocopy (official university correspondence, acceptance letter, student loan correspondence, details of accommodation, and bank account details)
4. Student discount cards (Railcard, Oyster Card, and NUS Card).
5. Double layered duvets and pillows (you'll thank us during the long chilling winters)
6. Both warm and cold winter clothes, scarf, thick socks, and winter cap.
7. Essential medicine along with their prescription.

Some tips to be aware of when going to the UK

1. Stop by your local bank to exchange your cash more cheaply than anywhere else. Don't fall for local currency converter exchanges as they can be found misguiding or scam.
2. Student accommodation in the UK starts filling well before the start of the term. So, make sure you aim to book well before you reach your destination.
3. Use student discount whenever applicable.
4. Keep a close tab on your credit or debit card spending. Aim to prefer cash over credit cards.
5. Always consult the seniors or particular society council about rental frauds/mismanagement of your student housing. Don't behave as an evil character. It will only reflect negative results.
6. Keep all your documents safely covered in your room and take them out only when necessary.
7. Try buying regular materials in bulk, such as stationery, toothpaste, brushes, shaving cream. This will allow you to save a lot of money due to heavy discounts.
8. Buy free drinks at your local pubs during 'Happy Hours' to avail complimentary or least price beverages.