Living in the UK
Money and credit: The UK is one of a small number of European countries who have not adopted the Euro. Therefore, the currency in the UK is still Pounds Sterling and £1 is made up of 100 pence (p). The UK has several different types of bank note in values of 5, 10, 20 and 50 pounds. There are also a range of coins which are, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 pence pieces and 1 and 2 pound coins. Each banknote has a picture of the Queen on one side and the picture of a famous Britain on the other. For example, the £10 note has a picture of Charles Darwin and there are in fact two versions of the £20 pound note: one with a picture of Elgar, a famous composer and another with a picture of Adam Smith, the famous economist.
There are many high street banks in the UK all of which have products designed specifically for students. The type of bank account you can open and the facilities available to you will be determined by the type of visa you have (a student visitor visa or a full student visa). No matter what your visa you should be eligible for a basic bank account at almost any bank you choose. The majority of bank accounts do not require an initial deposit to open but some may require a nominal £1 to open your account. This basic account will allow you to transfer money, get money from ATMs and pay bills. However, it is likely you will not have access to credit. If you require an account with a credit facility you are advised to pop into your local branch and have a chat with them.
When living in the UK you will need to pay bills, obtain cash, save money and be paid by your employer if you will be working. Therefore a bank account is essential.
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Health: Once you have settled in the UK it is a good idea to register with your local doctor’s surgery as if you require any health treatment your GP (General Practitioner) will be responsible to arranging it for you. Your GP will be able to provide access to treatments for both physical and mental illnesses such as stress. Many students have found that just popping in to see them during the stressful exam period can be a great help. But do remember, if you find yourself in an emergency always dial 999 and ask for an ambulance. You will be taken to hospital and will receive immediate, expert medical attention. If you’re worried about a particular symptom you may be experiencing you can go to NHS Direct to find a detailed self-help and advice resource.
Council Tax: Whilst living in the UK you are likely to hear about a thing called Council Tax. This is a local tax in the UK which is used to pay for the services in your local area including libraries and rubbish collection. If you are living in student accommodation provided by your school there will be no council tax to pay. In fact, you won’t ever have to worry about it. However, if you choose to live in private accommodation you will need to apply for a council tax exemption from your local authority.Contact us today for expert guidance on informing your council that you are council tax exempt.
Utilities: Utilities are the water, electricity and gas supplies to your accommodation. If living in Halls of Residence there will be no need to worry as they will all be provided to you. If you choose to live in private accommodation you will be told who currently provides the utilities to the property. Remember that you don’t have to use the current supplier. In fact, you could save a good amount of money by researching other suppliers before you set up accounts with them. You can use this useful
Energy Price Comparison Calculator
to get an estimate for your bills. Electricity in the UK is rated at 240 volts and uses three prong plugs, so be sure to bring some adapters for any electric equipment you are bringing with you.
Telephone: Most accommodation will already have a landline in place. Like utilities, you should shop around to find which option is the best for you. For example, you may want to combine your telephone, broadband Internet access and satellite TV all together in one package, saving you a lot of money.
Get an idea of costs from Talk Talk.
Compare mobile prices at Mobile Phone Comparison.
Sky? ntl? Telewest? Freeview? - Find out what is available in your area here.
