YOUR GUIDE TO UK STUDENT LIFE
Moving overseas is the adventure of a lifetime, but it can be daunting too. So we’ve put together a few points to make it easier. From choosing where to live, to how to get your travel card, we’re here to help. Take a look…
Choosing your home
CRM Students offers student accommodation designed with you in mind. With so many of our tenants from overseas, we understand what’s important when it comes to creating your home from home.
Living with us brings you…
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Great locations
Wherever you’re choosing to study, most of our student accommodation is in the city with great transport links for those trips home
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Peace of mind
All of our student accommodation is secure, supported by CCTV, security patrols and your own key-fob access to your room
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Plenty of room
Whether you choose a room or a studio, there’s plenty of space for your home comforts (and your suitcases)
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Great flexibility
You can stay with us during the summer vacation and other holidays if you wish
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Fantastic features
Free broadband, home cinema, gym, games room and more at no extra charge (not all features are applicable to all sites - please check each property for a full list of 'Facilities' and 'Features')
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New friends
Live with us and you’ll be mixing with students from the UK and beyond – what better way to make friends?
Booking with us
It’s a good idea to start making accommodation arrangements with us as soon as you’ve been accepted on your course. Booking is easy. You can reserve your accommodation with us online today. If you’d like to pay in instalments, you need a UK based guarantor – your university may be able to help you. If you pay for the year in one go, a guarantor isn’t necessary.
Moving In
You may arrive at a different time or date to the UK-based students, so let us know if this is the case. Wherever possible, we are happy to arrange a key collection service during the evenings and can even book a taxi to collect you and bring you to us. Just make sure you let us know in advance.
Student life essentials
Your money
If your course is lasting more than six months, you should open a UK student bank account as soon as possible. But which bank do you choose?
Don’t be distracted by the free gifts. The most important aspect of any student bank account is the size of the interest-free overdraft. Most students depend on their overdraft, so securing one that’s interest fee will help save your precious pennies.
Going beyond your interest-free overdraft facility can be very expensive, with rates for further authorised borrowing running at about 9%-10%. So shop around and try to find accounts with incentives that are going to help you live your student life – such as travel or store discounts.
The main high street banks in England are…
Barclays
HSBC
Lloyds TSB
Natwest
Royal Bank of Scotland
Credit cards
When it comes to student banking, there are two main things to avoid: unauthorised overdrafts and credit cards. The interest rates are massive and debts can build up very quickly. So if you can avoid them, do.
Your discounts
The International Students and Youth Exchange Card (ISE) is for students under the age of 26. It gives discounts from 5-50% on things such as accommodation and transport. Much more than just a discount card the ISE card has a 24-hour worldwide assistance service to help with lost passports, travel documents, or legal problems, as well having information about travelling and teaching abroad.
Go to www.globalchoices.co.uk/contact_serv.php?title=ISEC to find out more.
Your travel
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Student Railcard
This costs £26 and will save you up to 1/3 on rail fares throughout Great Britain for a whole year. To apply, you’ll need a letter from your university confirming your course, as well as an ISIC card (International Student Identity Card).
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16-25 Railcard and Oyster Card
You can get the 16-25 Railcard discount applied to your Oyster Card. This gives you reduced rate travel across London. Really very useful if you visit and travel around London frequently. To get the discount, simply take your registered card (if it’s not registered, you can do it all at the same time, there’s just an additional form to fill in) to an underground station, with your railcard, and ask for the student discount form. Fill it in and the discount will be applied straightaway.
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Your driving licence
You may be able to drive using your current licence for up to 12 months while in the UK and then take a driving test – it depends on when your licence was issued. Or you may be able to exchange your licence for a British licence, or apply for a provisional licence and then take the full driving test. The choice is yours.
Your mobile
If you opt to ‘roam’ in the UK with your current mobile phone, be careful as it can be very expensive. One way to save money, while staying in touch with family and friends, is to get a UK prepaid SIM card. There’s no contract or monthly bills and you just add credit when you need it. You could cut your call charges by up to 80% while keeping your existing handset (just make sure it’s a GSM mobile that operates on the 1800 MHz – check your user manual or current carrier if you’re unsure). Once you’ve replaced your SIM card for a UK SIM card you’ll receive all calls for FREE, be able to call home for less and control your costs. Ideal for every international student.
Find out more at uk.internationalstudent.com/sim_card
Your health
Is your course running for six months or more? Then you’ll be pleased to hear that you can get treatment from the National Health Service (NHS) from the beginning of your stay. You won’t have to pay for hospital treatment, but you may have to pay for some dental treatment as well as a standard charge for medicines prescribed by a doctor (depending on your income). If you’re studying in Scotland, you get free NHS treatment, irrespective of how long your course is.
Your insurance
Some of our accommodation comes with contents insurance included. However, if you need to buy your own, Endsleigh, in association with UKCISA, has designed an insurance policy specifically for international students. You can protect your belongings with Possessions Insurance and protect yourself with Medical Insurance. Visit www.endsleigh.co.uk to find out more.
USEFUL LINKS
www.ukcisa.org.uk
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) is the UK’s national advisory body serving the interests of international students and those who work with them.
www.uk.internationalstudent.com
Your guide and online portal for information, advice, help and assistance for studying in the UK and obtaining an education in the United Kingdom.
www.endsleigh.co.uk
The only insurance provider recommended by the NUS.
Rail Information
0845 748 4850
www.nationalrail.co.uk
www.trainline.com
National Express Coaches
0870 580 8080
www.gobycoach.com
