Advice For International Students In The UK

10/20/2020
Guest Author
Advice for International Students

The UK is a magnificent study destination for international students who want to get the full study abroad experience. It is home to some of the world's most prestigious universities, it has a wide range of landmarks and visit-worthy destinations, the official language is English, and, well, everyone is simply willing to socialise, create connections, and be friendly. Besides, as one of the most popular study destinations for international students, it is guaranteed you will earn just so much knowledge about different cultures, customs, and languages. But, as an international student either in the UK or heading towards the UK soon, you might be wondering about the crucial pieces of tips and information to acquire in order to make the most of your journey. Since we know what the UK has to offer and we also know what a full student experience looks like, we have compiled a list of tips. Considering you already have information on the university entry requirements and the visa application process, below you will find 4 essential pieces of advice for international students in the UK. You can thank us later!

1. Learn How to Budget

It is of absolute importance to get your finances in order before heading to the UK. Add to this the skill of budgeting. It takes skill to learn how to manage finances, especially if you are on a student budget in a foreign country. As one of the most important bits of advice for international students in the UK, being efficient in managing your finances will prove to be extremely useful. Here’s what you can do to reduce your expenses:

Make use of the numerous student discounts across the UK.
Spend some of your time doing budget-friendly activities (visit parks, go sightseeing, stroll around the city).
Create a strong bond with public transport.
Last but not least, eat at home instead of going to a fancy restaurant.

How to learn the skill of budgeting? Create a budget calendar (before the start of each week/month) and keep track of your spending.

2. Absorb the Wonders of UK

The UK has a wide variety of famous landmarks people usually visit once in the country. This usually includes Stonehenge, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, or even Abbey Road Beatles crossing or the birthplace of Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon. You will have time to visit each of these and many more. However, an advice we would suggest all international students in the UK take, is not to forget that the UK has just so many other not-so-famous visit-worthy spots. Some of the not-so-touristy UK wonders include:

The beaches (depending on your location).
The coffeeshops (even the tiniest most-hidden coffee shops will find a way to surprise you).
Banksy’s street art (Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, London, etc).
London Fields (if you decide to go on a barbecue party or simply relax).

3. Immerse in International Perspectives

The great thing about being a student in the UK is the fact that you get to learn so much about different cultures and international matters that you might actually feel like a different person once you graduate. To get the most out of this experience, you should make sure to immerse yourself in international perspectives as much as possible. Create friendships, socialise, and get out of your comfort zone every once in a while. Not only you will become more knowledgeable but you will also get to practice the language as well as your socialising skills.

4. Make the Most of Your Studies

UK universities are prestigious, world-class, and highly-qualified, this is a fact. Oxford University, for example, has been listed as the best university globally, for the fifth time. And, numerous other British universities fall not-so-far behind. UK universities teach through discussions, encourage critical thinking, and provide continuous assessment, among others, only to better sharpen skills, knowledge, and chances of success. Although the workload might feel overwhelming at first, recognize your potential, commit to earning knowledge, and it will all be worth it in the long run. To make the most of your studies means taking every chance you get to enhance your skillset. Whether you join clubs, enter training or workshops, or simply carefully go through the study material and make sure you learn from the experience of the highly-qualified academic staff, it is all up to you. Being among the most popular study fields in the UK, the country has some of the best universities to study economics. But, it also has thousands of other degree programmes to choose from (in all fields of study), which are recognised internationally and help you successfully enter the labour market. Make the best use of this expertise!

5. Bonus Advice: Start Early

If you are required a visa to enter the UK (check if you need a visa), and you have not begun your study abroad experience yet, one of the most important bits of advice for international students is to start early with everything, including the admission requirements, visa application, financial stability, scholarship hunt, and preparation. If you start early, you will have the time to ensure you have chosen the right university, are not missing any documents, and you meet all the admission/visa requirements. The more time you have, the better!

Please share: