Everyone prepares obsessively for the visa and then lands in the UK with no plan for the part that actually matters; the day to day. The first month is a blur of admin, and getting it right early saves you weeks of stress, and sometimes real money. Do it badly and you’re three weeks in with no bank account, no phone number and a GP you haven’t registered with.
This is the practical, roughly in-order checklist we give students. Not the packing-list version, the “what you actually have to sort out once you land” version.
Before the admin: the first 48 hours
Get the basics down first. Reach your accommodation, sleep off the jet lag, and buy a UK SIM card (providers like Giffgaff, Lebara, EE and Vodafone have cheap student-friendly plans). A local number is a requirement for almost everything, so sort it first. Find the nearest supermarket, grab some groceries, and locate your campus. Don’t try to do everything on day one.
Your immigration status: eVisa and confirming your permission
Check how your immigration status works, because the UK has moved to a digital system. Most students now get an eVisa (an online record of your status) rather than the old physical Biometric Residence Permit. Set up your UKVI account, confirm you can view and share your status online, and keep your login safe. Your university and, later, employers and landlords may ask you to prove your status through the “view and prove” service, so make sure it works early.
Register at your university
Complete your university enrolment / registration as soon as your induction allows. This confirms your student status, which several other steps depend on, and it’s often what unlocks your student email, library access, and the details you’ll need to open a bank account. Attend the international student induction even if it feels optional. It usually walks you through half of this list.
Open a UK bank account
A UK bank account makes everything cheaper and easier, from rent to part-time wages. To open one you’ll typically need your passport, your visa/eVisa status, and proof of your UK address plus a student status letter from your university (which is why enrolment comes first). High-street banks (Lloyds, Barclays, HSBC, NatWest) offer student accounts, and app-based options (Monzo, Starling) are fast to set up. Don’t rely on international transfer fees all year; a local account pays for itself quickly.
Register with a GP (do not skip this)
This is the step students most often put off and most regret. Register with a local GP (doctor) near your accommodation early, while you’re healthy, not when you’re ill at 2am. You’ve already paid the Immigration Health Surcharge, so NHS care is available to you, but you need to be registered with a GP to use it smoothly. Registration is free and usually just needs proof of address and ID. Do it in week one.
Sort your finances and budgeting
Now that your account is open, set up your money properly:
- Understand your real monthly budget. Rent, food, transport and phone are the big four. Track them for the first month so you know your actual burn rate.
- Set up your transport. In London, get an Oyster card or contactless and a 16-25 / student railcard for cheaper travel. In other cities, look for student bus passes.
- Know your part-time work limits. Your visa typically allows up to 20 hours a week during term, so if you plan to work, understand the rules before you start.
- Claim your council tax exemption. Full-time students are generally exempt from council tax. Your university can issue a certificate, so make sure your household isn’t billed by mistake.
Build your practical life
The rest of the first month is about settling in:
- Get your student ID and travel discounts sorted (TOTUM and similar cards unlock student pricing).
- Learn your local area: the cheap supermarket, the Indian grocery store, the nearest pharmacy, the library.
- Find your community. University Indian societies and course groups make the transition far easier, and they’re where you’ll hear practical tips.
- Keep digital and physical copies of your passport, visa/eVisa share codes, CAS, offer letter and bank details.
Look after yourself, not just the admin
The paperwork gets the attention, but the first month abroad is also a big emotional adjustment, and that’s normal. Homesickness, the weather, the pace, cooking for yourself, all of it takes a few weeks to settle. Build a routine, stay in touch with home, use your university’s student support services (they’re free and confidential), and give yourself time. The students who settle best are the ones who treat the adjustment as expected, not as something going wrong.
The one-week priority order
If you only remember one thing, do these in this order in week one: SIM card, confirm your eVisa status, enrol at university, open a bank account, register with a GP. Everything else can follow. Those five unlock the rest.
This is the kind of practical, been-there guidance our alumni pass down to new students every year. If you’re heading to the UK and want a settling-in plan tailored to your city and university, talk to our team, or connect directly with students who have made the journey through our
peer network at Alumni Connect. Before you fly, make sure your visa steps are locked down with our
guide to the UK Student Visa Process 2026 and verify your finances with our
detailed UK Visa Bank Balance Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do first when I arrive in the UK as a student? Sort a UK SIM card, reach your accommodation, and rest. Then, in roughly this order: confirm your eVisa status, enrol at your university, open a bank account, and register with a GP. A local phone number is needed for almost every step, so do it first.
Do UK students still get a BRP card? Mostly no. The UK has moved to a digital eVisa system, so most students now get an online immigration status rather than a physical Biometric Residence Permit. Set up your UKVI account and confirm you can view and share your status online.
How do I open a bank account in the UK as a student? You typically need your passport, your visa/eVisa status, proof of UK address, and a student status letter from your university, which is why you enrol first. High-street banks and app-based banks like Monzo and Starling both offer student-friendly accounts.
Do I need to register with a GP in the UK? Yes, and do it early while you’re healthy. You’ve paid the Immigration Health Surcharge, so NHS care is available, but you need to be registered with a local GP to use it smoothly. Registration is free and quick.
Are students exempt from council tax in the UK? Full-time students are generally exempt from council tax. Get an exemption certificate from your university so your household isn’t billed by mistake.
How much should I budget for living costs in my first month? Expect higher one-off setup costs (deposit, kitchen basics, travel card) on top of rent and food. Track your spending for the first month to learn your real monthly burn rate, then plan the rest of the year around it.