Student Discounts

Who doesn’t love a good deal? I recommend getting Unidays and Student Beans from the start. Keep an eye out for discounts on everything from fashion to travel!

SIM Card

One of the first things you’ll need is a UK phone number. Here are some of the main options:  

– EE  

– Vodafone  

– O2  

– Three  

– Giffgaff  

– VOXI  

If you’re living in campus accommodation, you might find a Giffgaff SIM card waiting for you in your room. However, you’re free to choose any provider you like! I’d suggest checking Unidays or Student Beans, as you might score a free month or a great deal.

Railcard

A Railcard offers a 1/3 discount on most UK transport, like National Rail, National Express, and TFL. But before buying, check Student Beans or Unidays—you might find a discount on the card itself. You can get it for one year or three years.  

If you’re not up for buying a Railcard but still want discounts, check with your bank to see if they offer one. For example(as of now), Monzo Perks includes an annual Railcard with a £7/month premium plan.

NHS

Since we’ve already paid for the IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge), make sure to register with a GP. There’s an NHS center on campus if you need help with registration. It might take a bit of time, so if you run into any issues, you can always pop in for assistance.

Finance

There are plenty of banks in the UK to choose from—Lloyds, Santander, HSBC, Barclays, to name a few. These are your traditional banks.  

For something a bit different, consider virtual banks like Monzo, Starling, or Revolut. Virtual banks often have referral rewards, so don’t hesitate to ask senior students for a referral code—they’ll likely be happy to help!

Supermarket’s Membership Card

Most supermarkets—like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose & Partners, and Co-op—offer membership cards that can get you extra discounts on your grocery shopping. It might feel like a hassle to sign up for all of them, but it’s definitely worth it, especially since you’ll be doing grocery runs more often now.

Traveling Around The UK

Planning to explore the UK during your stay? You have plenty of options:

1.Train

If you want to travel by train, download Trainline to check prices and schedules. It’ll also keep you updated on any train status changes. Remember to select your Railcard (if you have one) before purchasing tickets—it can make a big difference!

2. Bus 

There are plenty of bus options too, like National Express. Again, make sure to apply your Railcard for discounts before checking out.

3. Plane 

The UK is pretty big, so if you’re traveling long distances, consider flying. It can save you a lot of time compared to a full day’s journey by train or bus.

4. Car

You can consider renting a car with your mates to travel around with a driving license. Do check if there’s any student discounts as you might find some. 

Traveling Outside Of The UK

Planning a holiday getaway outside of the UK?

1. Eurostar

Watch out for sales! You can sometimes snag a Eurostar train ticket to Paris for as low as £37.

2.Plane

Budget airlines like Ryanair are great for affordable flights across Europe. Keep an eye out for deals!