Coming to London as an international student is extremely exciting, but it can be easy to get lost in the admin you need to do before you arrive. I’m Dharshini, a Master’s student at King’s. Today, I’m sharing some tips to help you easily adjust to international student life and make your first few weeks in London smooth and straightforward.
Prepare for travel
First things first, getting to London! Make sure all your documentation, including your student visa and any financing documents, is complete and valid before you travel to the UK. If you’re not 100% sure on what to bring, check out our article Setting into life in London as an international student for a full list of essentials. Be sure not to travel to the UK before the 'valid from' date on your student visa.
I also recommend you carry some cash and a travel money card to meet your initial expenses before opening a UK bank account (more on that later!) and have your route planned out to your accommodation so you can have a smooth onward journey.
Renting in London
Where possible, try to sort out your accommodation before arriving in the UK. The last thing you want is to turn up and have nowhere to stay. King’s residences are ideal for living within King’s community, plus residents get free access to King’s gyms and the Beactive programme which are both ideal for helping you to manage your stress and prioritise your wellbeing during your studies. Alternatively, private student accommodations offer opportunities to meet students from other universities.
If you’d prefer to rent privately, make use of King’s resources to find the right place. You can look up advice from Student Services Online on the Housing & Accommodation Support pages, contact the Money & Housing Advice team, and find resources from King’s College London Student Union (KCLSU) on finding housing. It’s important to be aware that students are occasionally targeted by accommodation scams. King’s has collated information and tips to avoid accommodation scams in the article What accommodation scams are there, and how can I avoid them?
Settle into your new life
Once you’ve settled into your accommodation, you’ll need to do some admin to get you ready for living in London.
First of all, to stay connected with your family and friends at home, get a UK Sim card. Choose a provider with low-cost international calls and good service coverage in the UK.
Next, open a UK bank account to manage your finances. Research and compare student bank accounts to find one to suit your needs. It may take a while to receive your debit card, so use that cash or a travel money you brought with you in the meantime.
Last but not least, you’ll need to register with a general practitioner (GP) to access support for your health. I’d suggest you register with the King’s NHS Health Centre, whose services are available exclusively for King’s students. Do this as soon as you arrive to ensure that you can see a doctor immediately when needed. If you’d like to find out more about accessing NHS services, check out our article How can I register with a doctor and/or dentist?
Get to know London transport
If you want to travel as efficiently as possible or to go further afield, make the most of the UK’s extensive transport networks.
In London, public transport is run by Transport for London (TfL). Since it’s a cashless system, get an Oyster card for easy travel. A student Oyster card offers a 30% discount on travelcards, bus, and tram pass season tickets.
If you’re planning on exploring the rest of the UK, consider getting a railcard for discounted national train tickets. You can also link the railcard to your oyster to get 1/3 off pay-as-you-go off-peak tube fares.
Download the TfL Go or Citymapper app to navigate the city. To see a different side of London, cycling is a great option, with many routes featuring cycle lanes.
Navigate London’s weather and streets
When it comes to British weather, expect the unexpected! Londoners can see the weather change from sunshine, rolling clouds, drizzling rain, and delicate thunderstorms, sometimes all within one day. Pack a variety of clothes, especially warm ones for winter, and always carry an umbrella or waterproof coat as it rains a lot in London – even in the summer.
One thing you will notice in London is the amount of traffic. Pavements can also be crowded with tourists, so walking around central London can be hectic. However, there are quiet spots and peaceful parks amidst the busy streets, so I still recommend you explore some of London on foot. Plus, you might even come across one of London’s famous hidden gems!
Ask for student discounts
In the UK, many places offer student discounts on food, clothes, electronics and more. This isn’t always advertised, so make sure to ask about student discounts when you’re out, from little cafes to big retail outlets.
To access discounts, download the Unidays app or get a Totum student card. You may also be able show your King’s student ID to get discounts.
Make connections
Moving to a new city can be daunting. To ease the transition, try to form connections before arriving in London so you can have people to chat with and meet up with when you first arrive. I recommend networking with your course mates through the offer-holder pages on Instagram, Facebook groups and LinkedIn.
If you can’t find friends before you move, don’t worry! You’ll be invited to attend the ‘International Student Welcome’, which introduces you to living in London and gives you the chance to meet other international students and feel part of King’s community. Beyond that, I’d highly recommend you attend Welcome to King’s events from Monday 9 – Friday 20 September 2024. There are loads of events on offer to help you to find opportunities, join societies, and meet people from different departments. Be sure to follow our official Instagram account @lifeatkings and check out the Welcome to King’s app to find out more about the welcome events.
Now that you know the basics, it’s time for you to make the most of your student life in London. Why not check out Akashika’s article How to feel at home in London: an international student's perspective for tips on transitioning to a new place and settling in.