Arriving in the UK

Here’s what you need to know before you step off the plane and arrive in the UK as a new student.

Immigration and Customs (at the Airport)

Immigration procedures at British airports can be stringent and may result in a considerable delay at the end of your flight, especially during peak traffic periods (at the start of term and at UK holiday periods).

You should ensure that you have the following available in your hand luggage when you arrive in the UK:

• valid passport
• valid visa or entry certificate
• proof of residency
• evidence of funding; personal or family resources, confirmation or sponsorship
• the letter from HIC confirming your place of study as a full-time student (offer letter)
• recent medical report (including x-ray results if this applies to you)
• you may be asked for additional information regarding your proposed studies in the UK

Travelling to Hertfordshire International College (HIC)

Please contact us with your flight details as soon as you book them and if you are staying in private accommodation details of a UK address and telephone number. We can then ensure that your arrival into the UK is as smooth as possible. A mobile phone number is also needed in case we have to contact you when you first arrive.

HIC Can help in pre-arranging your transport after your flight.

Cost of living

When travelling to the UK to start your degree, remember to bring enough funds to cover the cost of living plus all your fees (including tuition and accommodation fees). 

You will need access to funds until you have registered at the University and opened a bank account. Having a UK account means that you can take up a mobile phone contract, get paid for part-time work and pay your utility bills in a much more straightforward way 

It can take 2 – 4 weeks to open a bank account in the UK, so bring a small amount of British pounds (GB£ sterling) for your day-to-day expenses. Once your bank account is opened, managing your day-to-day expenses will become a lot easier.  

Living expenses 

As part of your visa application, you will need to show £1,023 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside of London, however your actual living expenses may vary depending on your personal spending habits. We estimate that you can expect to pay up to £1,600 a month, to cover accommodation, bills, food and other living costs.
Below is a breakdown of this figure showing average costs. 

• Food £200
• Laundry £40
• Telephone £20 (dependent on provider and contract)
• Travel £80 – £200

Travel costs can vary quite a bit depending on how much exploring you wish to do in your free time and whether your accommodation is within walking distance to your lectures. A weekly UNO bus ticket travelling between Luton and Hatfield costs £35. A day return train from London to Hatfield is £18.80 (costs correct July 2024). Check the commute cost before committing to an off-campus property as these can add a significant amount to your budget. 

• Entertainment £60
• Rent £500 – £966 (dependent on location and quality of accommodation

Cost for rent will vary depending on if you live on or off campus and in a shared or single room. Some properties, including living on campus, will include the utility bills in the cost of your rent, so ensure you check to see what is included to get yourself an affordable contract.  

If you are looking for family accommodation you will need around £1,150 – £1,450 + bills. 

• Utilities (Lighting/Heating) £80 off campus £0 on campus (included in accommodation cost).
• TV License £13.25 (£159 per year for the whole residence)

If you plan to watch TV in the UK, you need to ensure your residence has a TV licence. Check if you need a TV licence for your subscription services online.

• Childcare Costs £560 (based on an under 2 year old at two day sessions per week at the on campus Nursery)
• Miscellaneous costs £80

You should also consider the cost of one-off purchases throughout the year, such as;

• Warm Weather Clothing £300 – £400
• Personal Computer or Laptop up to £1000
• Trips or holidays £500

Budgeting 

There are many resources to help you keep on top of a budget plan. Once you have enrolled, you will find lots of budgeting tips and tricks on your student Infohub.  

Here are some tips for managing your money when you arrive in the UK: 

• Buy shop-brand food 

• Carry a water bottle and refill from the tap – lots of public spaces now offer free refill stations 

• Set up direct debit bills – just make sure you always have the correct amount in your account, otherwise you could be charged an overdrawn fee. 

• Look into which transport is the most convenient and cheapest, and make sure you use concession ticketing 

• Buy a British SIM card for your phone 

NUS Card can be applied for via the NUS website for student discounts in many major high street stores. 

You can apply for a rail card or coach card for discounted travel tickets. 

By entering your university login details on the Unidays website, you can unlock a multitude of discount codes for retail stores. 

Similar to Unidays, Student Beans offers discount codes after logging into your university portal via their website.