Living in the UK

Settling in

It can sometimes take a little while to settle in and adjust to your new home, but there is lots of support available to you and our international support team is always on hand to help.

Our international support team is dedicated to providing support and guidance for all students from outside of the UK. Whether you're looking for information about social groups and activities, support for common issues such as homesickness as you adjust to living in a new culture, or practical advice about living in the UK – such as local transport or finding a place to shop – we’re here to help.

You can arrange an appointment or we can give information and advice over the phone or via email.

• Email: internationaladvice@brighton.ac.uk
• Phone: +44 (0)1273 642888
• Keep up-to-date with news and events on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or our blog.

Cultural differences

You may find that there are some cultural differences between your home country and the UK.

Like all cultures there are some unspoken rules that you are expected to abide by, which you will soon pick up.

• You may find that the British have different ways of communicating to what you are used to. Handshakes are generally used when you meet people or are introduced in formal situations. Kissing and hugging is reserved for family and friends.
• People expect to keep a space between you and the person you're talking to. Don't be surprised if a British person feels uncomfortable if you stand close to them.
• In the UK it is polite to say please and thank you instead of just smiling, for example when you order a drink in a bar or you get on or off the bus.
• Whenever the bus is full, it is considered a nice gesture to offer your seat to elderly people or people with small children.
• British people have a reputation for being reserved, however you shouldn't let that stop you making friends with them. The British are equally reserved with each other and it's important to respect the privacy of others.

Read more about UK traditions and culture.

Culture shock

Culture shock describes the impact of moving from a familiar culture to one that is unfamiliar. All sorts of factors contribute to culture shock, such as a change in climate, different food, rules of behaviour that seem strange and hard to understand, and being away from your familiar support network.

Studying in another country can be a stressful experience; even if it is something you have planned and prepared for.

Opening a bank account

For help choosing the right account for you, see the UKCISA guide to opening a UK bank account for information on the different kind of accounts available. 

We have lots of advice about how to open your new UK bank account.

It can take two weeks or more to open a UK bank account once you have enrolled in-person on your course. Please make sure you have access to money to tide you over during this time.

Cost of living

Your living costs in the UK will vary according to your circumstances. It is estimated that international students living and attending university outside London will need at least £1,015 per month to cover living expenses. This includes accommodation, books and bills, but does not include course tuition fees.

Make a budget – using advice provided through UKCISA, find out how to budget your studies in the UK; with lots of useful advice on average costs for food, travel and utility bills.

We also have lots of advice about money and budgeting.

Academic support

The academic system in the UK may be very different to the one you're used to in your home country.

Studying in the UK

Before you arrive in the UK to start your course, it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the way that teaching and learning is managed in the UK.

UKCISA have produced information about the UK academic culture and student methods.

Prepare for Success

Prepare for Success is an interactive web resource which will help you prepare for studying in the UK. It has sections on independent study, critical thinking, academic writing, and much more.

Brighton Student Skills Hub

The Brighton Skills Hub gives you resources and support to help you to develop the skills you need for confident university study, so you can achieve your full potential in your education, and your career. 

The support offered by the Hub includes: 

• Academic writing support and development
• Library and research skills
• Employability skills
• Maths and stats support

Academic writing support and development includes personalised feedback on the structure and organisation of your written work, one to one tutorials to support with assignments. These can be particularly useful if you are new to the UK academic system, or would like to develop your academic English. 

Disability and dyslexia

We work closely with all students with disabilities or dyslexia, including international students, to make sure they are not disadvantaged by their disability or specific learning difficulty.

In the UK a disability is defined as any long-term condition (that lasts or is expected to last for more than 12 months) that has a significant adverse effect on your ability to study. It can include conditions such as:

• Specific learning differences (such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia)
• Mental health conditions
• Neurodiversity (such as autism, ADHD)
• Physical disabilities (including mobility and sensory impairments)
• Long term health conditions (such as epilepsy, cancer, HIV, etc.)
• Any combination of the above.

Find out more about the support available.

Health and staying safe

The National Health Service (NHS) is funded by the UK government and includes services provided by family doctors (general practitioners), hospitals, the ambulance service and opticians. Some NHS services are free to everyone, some are subsidised and for some you will have to pay the full cost. 

Student route/ student route visitors and Student Visa holders who are studying for more than six months, can use the NHS in a similar same way to an ordinarily resident person while their visa remains valid. This means you can get treatment from the NHS from the beginning of your stay. You will not have to pay to see a doctor or other health professional and all investigations (for example, blood tests and x-rays) and procedures are free. You may have to pay for some dental treatment and for medicines prescribed by a doctor, depending on your income. This also applies to your spouse or civil partner and children. Children under 16, or under 19 and in full-time education, do not normally have to pay for any treatment 

Even if you're entitled to free healthcare on the NHS you should consider purchasing insurance that covers other related costs such as the cost of returning home if a relative is ill, or loss of fees if illness prevents you from completing your course. You can find out more about healthcare in the UK at the UKCISA website. 

Students with a standard visitor visa can only receive certain services (see those listed under 'Treatment that is free for everyone'). This means it is especially important for visitors to hold comprehensive travel insurance when coming to the UK. If you are a visitor to the UK and are unsure about the services you can access please contact visas@brighton.ac.uk for further advice.

Social activities

There's lots to get involved in at the University of Brighton, including taking part on the events programme, joining a society or talking part in sports. 

Working during your studies

If you hold a Student route visa to study at the University of Brighton, it should be endorsed to show that you are permitted to work 20 hours per week in term time. ‘Term time’ is defined as the period when the university expects you to be studying. For undergraduate students this is usually the standard term dates as shown on the university’s website. For postgraduate students these dates do not apply, and once your course has started, you are considered to be in ‘term-time’ until you have completed your course. If you are unsure about the rules for working in the UK, please contact the International Student Advice Service.

There are restrictions on the kind of work you can do read about these on the UKCISA’s working during your studies.

Careers service 

The university careers service has information and sources of vacancies for students looking for work during or after your study.

In order to work in the UK you will need to apply for a National Insurance number. The careers service also provide useful information about national insurance and tax. 

Working after your studies 

For information on visa options for working after your studies visit our webpages and UKCISA's working in the UK after your studies.

Public holidays

International Student Support blog