Student accommodation in the UK
Most international students who study in the UK live in accommodation provided by the university, with main accommodation types being halls of residence, student houses and student flats. These can be catered or self-catered, with home stays (staying with a UK family) being fairly uncommon.
You can also choose from a range of private accommodation, either living by yourself or sharing with a group of friends. Try to secure your student accommodation before you arrive in the UK. International students are usually given preference for places in student halls, while there are plenty of websites to help with house-hunting. The Student union and the Student Housing Office at your university should also be great sources of information on how to find accommodation.
Settling in to the UK
You’ll probably find your UK university will hold a series of welcome events for international students, including social activities, workshops and ‘orientation sessions’, with a chance to explore the campus and local area. You can also join in with ‘Freshers’ Week’, a week-long (or sometimes fortnight-long) calendar of events designed to welcome all new students (‘fresher’ is an informal term used to describe new university students). There will also be a Freshers’ Fair, which is a chance to join student clubs and societies that interest you, including sports, art and social groups.
It is recommended that you open a UK bank account as soon as you can after your arrival in the UK. This can take a few weeks, so make sure you have access to enough cash until then. Residents of some countries may be required to register with the police.
