Settling in the UK, sorted
Practical guides for international students — banking, council tax, NHS, visas, housing and the bits no one explains.
Budgeting for your first month in the UK as a student
What your first month in the UK actually costs — deposits, food, transport, SIM cards — and how to manage your money before things settle down.
19 Oct 2026
NHS prescriptions for international students: costs and exemptions
International students in England pay a fixed charge per NHS prescription item. Find out who's exempt, when to buy a Prepayment Certificate, and what's free in Scotland and Wales.
16 Oct 2026
Setting up bills in a UK student house
How to set up gas, electricity, broadband, and water in your UK student house — what to do on moving day, how to split costs, and what each bill typically runs.
14 Oct 2026
How to find and register with a dentist in the UK
NHS dentists are open to international students, but many surgeries aren't accepting new patients. Here's how to find one with available NHS appointments, what you'll pay, and what to do in a dental emergency.
12 Oct 2026
Student visa life in the UK: everything you need to know
A practical guide to UK Student visa life — working hours, NHS access, eVisa, NRPF, travel rules, and what to do when your visa expires.
9 Oct 2026
Cheap intercity travel in the UK: best options for students
Coaches from £1.99, advance train tickets with a 16–25 Railcard, and budget flights compared — the cheapest ways to travel between UK cities as a student.
7 Oct 2026
Documents you need to open a UK bank account
The documents UK banks ask for when opening an account as an international student — ID, immigration status, and proof of address explained.
5 Oct 2026
I got a council tax letter as a student — what to do
Got a council tax letter and you're a full-time student? You're almost certainly exempt. Here's how to claim it.
2 Oct 2026
Guarantor services for international students in the UK
Most UK landlords require a UK-resident guarantor — which rules out parents abroad. Professional guarantor services like Housing Hand act as your guarantor for a fee, usually 3–6% of annual rent. Here's what they cost, how they work, and the free alternatives.
30 Sept 2026
Best UK phone plans for international students
A plain-English breakdown of the best UK SIM-only plans for international students — from budget no-contract SIMs to networks with free international roaming.
28 Sept 2026
Sending money to or from the UK: Wise vs Revolut vs banks
Wise, Revolut, and high-street banks compared for international transfers to and from the UK. Exchange rates, fee structures, and which option saves you most.
25 Sept 2026
Accessing mental health support as an international student
Where to get free mental health support in the UK as an international student — university counselling, NHS Talking Therapies, and crisis lines explained.
23 Sept 2026
Switching from BRP to eVisa: what international students need to do
BRPs have been replaced by digital eVisas. Here's how to create your UKVI account, link your BRP, and use share codes to prove your status.
21 Sept 2026
Living with non-students: what happens to your council tax
Full-time students are disregarded for council tax, not simply exempt. When you share with a non-student, the rules change — here's how the discount works and what you need to do.
18 Sept 2026
How to get a UK address letter for opening a bank account
Getting a UK address letter as an international student isn't complicated — but you need to know exactly what banks accept. Here's what to ask for and who to ask.
16 Sept 2026
Can you open a UK bank account before arriving?
Yes — Monzo, Starling, Revolut and Wise all let you sign up from abroad with just your passport and a selfie. High-street banks need a UK address first.
14 Sept 2026
How to avoid rental scams as a student in the UK
Rental scams target students before they even arrive in the UK. Here is how to spot fake listings, verify landlords, and protect your deposit before you hand over any money.
11 Sept 2026
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) explained
The IHS is the fee international students pay for NHS access when applying for a UK visa. Here's what it covers, what it costs, and how it works.
9 Sept 2026
Tax on part-time work as a UK student: do you owe anything?
Working part-time in the UK as a student? Here's what you owe in income tax and National Insurance — and how PAYE handles it all automatically.
7 Sept 2026
TfL student Oyster card explained
The 18+ Student Oyster photocard gives London students 30% off Travelcards and Bus & Tram Passes. Here's who qualifies, how to apply, and what the discount actually covers.
4 Sept 2026
How much a UK Student visa really costs
A clear breakdown of the UK Student visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge, with worked totals for a one-year Master's and a three-year degree.
2 Sept 2026
16–25 vs 26–30 Railcard: which one to get as a UK student
Both railcards cost £30 a year and cut a third off National Rail fares. Find out which suits international students best, by age and course length.
31 Aug 2026
UK scholarships for international students: what exists and how to apply
UK scholarships range from fully-funded government programmes like Chevening and Commonwealth to £10,000+ university awards. Here's what exists, who qualifies, and how to apply.
28 Aug 2026
University halls vs private renting: which is right for you
Halls or private renting as an international student in the UK? A plain breakdown of costs, guarantors, bills, and contracts — with the details most guides skip.
26 Aug 2026
Monzo vs Starling vs Revolut for UK students
Monzo, Starling and Revolut compared for international students opening a first UK account — with the fees, transfers and setup that actually matter.
24 Aug 2026
The Life in the UK test: do students ever need it?
Most students on a Student or Graduate visa don't need the Life in the UK test right now. Here's who does, what it costs, and how to prepare.
21 Aug 2026
Managing money as an international student in the UK
Everything you need to know about banking, budgeting, tax, and sending money as an international student in the UK — from opening your first account to building a monthly budget.
19 Aug 2026
UK Student visa requirements: what you actually need
Everything you need to apply for a UK Student visa — CAS, maintenance funds, English tests, ATAS, TB test, and how long decisions take. Updated for 2026.
14 Aug 2026
Healthcare in the UK for international students
Everything you need to know about using the NHS as an international student: GP registration, what's free, prescriptions, mental health support and emergency care.
12 Aug 2026
How to apply for a student council tax exemption (step by step)
Full-time students are exempt from council tax in the UK, but the exemption isn't automatic — you have to apply. Here's exactly how to get your certificate and submit it to your council.
10 Aug 2026
Affordable UK universities for international students
Tuition at smaller UK universities starts around £13,000 a year — half the Russell Group rate. Here's where the real savings are and how to compare total cost, not just fees.
7 Aug 2026
Getting around the UK as a student
How to travel the UK on a student budget — rail, bus, coach, cycling and driving explained, with Railcard discounts and London Oyster tips.
5 Aug 2026
Where to live as an international student in the UK
A practical guide to university halls, private student halls, and private renting — covering costs, timing, contracts, deposits, and guarantors.
3 Aug 2026
How to apply for a UK National Insurance number as a student
Step-by-step guide to getting your NI number as an international student in the UK — what you need, how to apply online, and what to do while you wait.
31 Jul 2026
The UK post-study work visa (Graduate route) explained
Everything international students need to know about the Graduate route: who qualifies, what it costs, how long it lasts, and what changes in 2027.
29 Jul 2026
How to register with a GP as an international student
Registering with a GP in the UK is free for international students who paid the IHS — here's how to find a surgery, what documents to bring, and how the process works.
5 Jul 2026
Your first 30 days in the UK: the international student checklist
BRP collection, bank accounts, GP registration, council tax exemption and National Insurance numbers, in the order that actually works during your first month.
30 Jun 2026
Council tax student exemption in the UK: the complete guide
Full-time students don't pay council tax in the UK. Here's exactly how to claim the exemption, what proof you need from your university, and what happens when you live with non-students.
Luodi team · 26 Jun 2026
How to open a UK bank account as an international student
A step-by-step guide to opening a UK bank account as an international student — digital banks, high-street options, the documents you need, and what to do if you don't have a UK address yet.
Luodi team · 26 Jun 2026