Are you leaving to study abroad or to study English in UK? Congratulations! You are probably already dreaming of a feast of fish & chips, a cool beer with your new friends while you watch a football game in the pub of your choice, afternoon tea followed by shopping spree and evenings in the sparkling nightclubs of the city. In addition to these daydreams, you are probably also at the mercy of pre-travel planning stress, what to pack and organize everything you need to ensure a smooth journey. Don’t worry – we are here to help you with a practical guide on how to get organized to go to study in the UK!

Things to do before leaving for the UK universities

Starting from the simplest and most obvious advice possible: you need to know where you are going to study. Whether it’s an Erasmus experience or an exchange program with another university, an English course , an internship program in the UK or even a part-time job combined with an English course, this is the first thing to do.

Second thing: Where are you going to live? In a university residence, in a typical English house with a host family or in a student apartment? This is a fundamental aspect of your study abroad experience. The good news is that the consultants of your language study or university stay will be well informed about all these options and can get in touch to find the one that suits you best.

Third thing: will you need a student visa UK? Students from other parts of the world will probably have to apply for a short-stay visa. Once again, your study agency abroad or your university will be able to guide you towards the correct procedure.

Fourth thing: formalities. Contact your doctor’s office and find out if they offer coverage while you are in the UK or request a European health card. Perhaps you are worried about Brexit’s impact on your UK study project, but for the moment everything continues to work as before!

What to pack for the UK universities?

Once you have prepared all the documents and stored the most complicated things, all you have to do is prepare your suitcase. With four well-defined seasons, it can be difficult to pack up for the UK, but it’s certainly feasible!

Things to do as soon as you arrive in the UK

You have finally arrived, now to take advantage of it! After settling in and unpacking, there are still some simple things to do to make your stay more comfortable.

First thing: try to understand how public transport works. In London, you will need the Oyster Card, but each city offers its own public transport pass to save you the hassle of having to pay a single ticket every time you use the subway or get on a bus.

Second thing: if your telephone plan does not cover the United Kingdom, get a prepaid mobile phone or a SIM card. Don’t forget to use Skype to keep in touch with your friends and family at home for free! If you wish to enter into a mobile phone contract, you will need to open a student bank account.

Third thing: identify the route from your accommodation to the school. Taking a test walk ahead of the first day of school, you will be sure to arrive on time and help you relax your nerves!