Study In London - How To Plan Your Stay
There are a few very easy steps to follow to make sure your arrival and stay is a good one when you study in London. Leaving home to go to a new city can be a pretty scary prospect, but London is home to a number of international groups that can make you feel welcome right away. Consider the few steps below and you will make your stay in London unforgettable.
Visa Issues & Immigration
Visa regulations are pretty complex, so make sure you understand them before you start the process. The UK Border and Immigration Agency (UKBA), UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) and British Council are great sources of information to get you on the right track.
Prior to You Leaving for London
You should never attempt navigating London without a map so Google your college location even before you leave home. You should not ignore the internet as a source of information as many people share their experiences on blogs and the information can benefit you. Colleges and schools with social bookmark pages like Facebook help students understand what they should expect when arriving in London... be sure to ask if there is one.
Transport System in London
There are 6 zones on the London underground (or "Tube") and travellers are chugged in accordance with how far they travel. Zone 1 is "the City" and 6 are more towards the suburbs. Fortunately all students gate a 30% discount on their public transport fares. Your student card is the key to getting these discounts on almost any duration ticket you buy. Your college should point you in the direction of the TFL (Transport for London).
Young Persons Railcard
Anyone aged 16-25 can apply for the railcard and benefit greatly when travelling in the UK. The card is valid for a year and available at most railway stations at a small cost. Check it out at 16-25railcard.co.uk .
Where to Live?
Accommodation in London is plentiful and there will be more than enough options available. Almost all colleges have either their own accommodation or are in partnership with a provider that would suit every student's needs.
Student Health and Safety
Full time students that are on a 12 month or longer course will have access to the NHS (National Health Services) network from the beginning of their stay. Apart from dental treatment almost all other medical treatment is for free while you study in London. Your college will help you with the process of registering with the NHS.
Working as a Student
Students are allowed to work whilst they study in London. You must check the latest working conditions before you start working as this is tightly regulated by the UKBA. With so many international companies operating in London there are many job opportunities available. A good place to start looking for job opportunities is the internet. There are also newspapers that students can look at and some of them are free (Metro & Standard).
Banking for Students
Many international bank have students account and it is worth trying opening a bank account before you leave for London. Student accounts are generally available at most London banks, but be sure to take your passport with when going to a bank. Student accounts come with different options and there are so many available you should take your time to select the best one for you.
Keeping in Touch
Any sensible student will have a mobile phone when in London. Mobile packages to choose from are plentiful and you will have more than enough options to choose from. Pay As You Go (pre-paid) sim cards are available with cheap international rates and there is no reason to sign lengthy contracts. There are many international options and it is worth spending time getting the best one for your home country.
What Next?
You have to of course make sure you go to the right school for you. Fortunately there are so many sources and guides to help you make the decision in selecting a school that is right for you. Choosing the right place for you is so important, so take you time when making this decision. It is worth going to London during the European summer break and check out a number of schools. London is now just waiting for you to arrive!
Visa Issues & Immigration
Visa regulations are pretty complex, so make sure you understand them before you start the process. The UK Border and Immigration Agency (UKBA), UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) and British Council are great sources of information to get you on the right track.
Prior to You Leaving for London
You should never attempt navigating London without a map so Google your college location even before you leave home. You should not ignore the internet as a source of information as many people share their experiences on blogs and the information can benefit you. Colleges and schools with social bookmark pages like Facebook help students understand what they should expect when arriving in London... be sure to ask if there is one.
Transport System in London
There are 6 zones on the London underground (or "Tube") and travellers are chugged in accordance with how far they travel. Zone 1 is "the City" and 6 are more towards the suburbs. Fortunately all students gate a 30% discount on their public transport fares. Your student card is the key to getting these discounts on almost any duration ticket you buy. Your college should point you in the direction of the TFL (Transport for London).
Young Persons Railcard
Anyone aged 16-25 can apply for the railcard and benefit greatly when travelling in the UK. The card is valid for a year and available at most railway stations at a small cost. Check it out at 16-25railcard.co.uk .
Where to Live?
Accommodation in London is plentiful and there will be more than enough options available. Almost all colleges have either their own accommodation or are in partnership with a provider that would suit every student's needs.
Student Health and Safety
Full time students that are on a 12 month or longer course will have access to the NHS (National Health Services) network from the beginning of their stay. Apart from dental treatment almost all other medical treatment is for free while you study in London. Your college will help you with the process of registering with the NHS.
Working as a Student
Students are allowed to work whilst they study in London. You must check the latest working conditions before you start working as this is tightly regulated by the UKBA. With so many international companies operating in London there are many job opportunities available. A good place to start looking for job opportunities is the internet. There are also newspapers that students can look at and some of them are free (Metro & Standard).
Banking for Students
Many international bank have students account and it is worth trying opening a bank account before you leave for London. Student accounts are generally available at most London banks, but be sure to take your passport with when going to a bank. Student accounts come with different options and there are so many available you should take your time to select the best one for you.
Keeping in Touch
Any sensible student will have a mobile phone when in London. Mobile packages to choose from are plentiful and you will have more than enough options to choose from. Pay As You Go (pre-paid) sim cards are available with cheap international rates and there is no reason to sign lengthy contracts. There are many international options and it is worth spending time getting the best one for your home country.
What Next?
You have to of course make sure you go to the right school for you. Fortunately there are so many sources and guides to help you make the decision in selecting a school that is right for you. Choosing the right place for you is so important, so take you time when making this decision. It is worth going to London during the European summer break and check out a number of schools. London is now just waiting for you to arrive!
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