International Student Packing List For Studying in UK

Weather is the major trait of UK. Though there are sunny days time to time, unexpected rainy days are a common thing. Anyway, this doesn’t mean you must bring every your garments with yourself, but a list of essentials is a necessity.

1. Underwears
2. Coats & Jackets
3. Pair of shoes
4. Sports clothing
5. Trousers
6. Dresses
7. Sweaters
8. T-shirts
9. Long-sleeved shirts
10. Shorts
11. Skirts
12. Socks
13. Hat
14. A pair of gloves
15. Suits for any special event

Bring with yourself some items you’re going to need to complement the place where you’re going to reside. First, check if there’s an opportunity for you to pursue them when arriving in UK so you won’t need to carry them from your home.

Here are some household items you must have in your accommodation place

1. Reading Lamp
2. Air freshener
3. Shoe Brush
4. Towel
5. Iron
6. Skin care creams
7. Hairbrush

Your personal hygiene and that of the place where you’ll be living at is very important. No matter where you go, your packing list must involve some essential toiletry elements.

1. Toilet Cleaning Brush
2. Floor and Carpet Cleaning Brush
3. Shampoo
4. Nail Clipper
5. Small Mirror
6. Toothbrush
7. Skin care creams
8. Hair gel
9. Blades
10. Shaving lotion
11. Hairbrush
12. Cosmetics

As an international student, you will be living independently. This means that you will often have to cook on your own. Below are some of the essential elements your kitchen must contain:

1. Cups
2. Spoons
3. Plates
4. Knives
5. Dishwashing detergent

Technological devices are an important part of our daily life. First, make sure you have your cell phone with yourself. You’re going to need it often for browsing the Internet, communicating and capturing moments in the UK.

1. Cell Phone
2. Adapter
3. Laptop
4. USB
5. Headphones
6. E-Book
7. Digital Camera

 

Note:

You’re going to need internet access while you’re in the UK, especially in the first few weeks while you’re settling down and getting to know your city. We highly recommend you order a pre-paid SIM card, so you can start using your phone as soon as you arrive. We highly recommend you check out this prepaid SIM card.

Every one of us has favorite accessories which in a sense, we’re emotionally related to, or simply are an inseparable part of our daily look. There are usually small in size, like a clock hand, and probably won’t overload your luggage. There is the option of buying one in the UK, but it will certainly not replace your favorite one.

Here are some accessories you must have in your packings

1. Watch
2. Sunglasses
3. Wristband
4. Photo Albums
5. Hat
6. A personal diary

First, before rushing to fill your packs with whatever it comes in your mind, you must see if those products or items are not included in the list of banned items or goods. There are certain British laws that compose the list of items or goods you’re not allowed to bring with yourself when entering the UK:

1. Banned items
2. Illegal drugs
3. Cold weapons like knife
4. Self-defence spray
5. Endangered animals or plant species
6. Rough diamonds
7. Obscene materials
8. Meat or dairy products from non-EU countries

Foods and plant products are restricted in the following circumstances

1. Aren’t free of pests and diseases
2. Aren’t for your own use
3. Weren’t planted and grown in EU

Also, if you’re carrying goods that violate someone’s rights like “pirate music” you won’t be allowed to enter UK.

Are You Settled Into Your University Program? Do not leave for UK until you’re absolutely certain that you have done everything related to your studies. Have you completed all of your applications and any extra paperwork that they asked for? Do you have a schedule ready?

Housing Arrangements

This is just as important as making sure that your university arrangement is settled; on other areas of the site, we have discussed the options available to you for housing arrangements. Do not step foot on a plane without having your security deposit paid (or arrangements to do so once you’ve arrived). Use the internet or make a call in order to double check a day or two before your flight so that you don’t end up stranded once you arrive in UK.

What About Your Visa and Passport?

Without having these settled, you will not be able to get into the country. As soon as you know that you are studying abroad, apply for visas and passports as necessary. If you need help with this, we have all the resources you need in this article (author note: link to the article on visas and passports). Many people actually forget these items and end up in bad situations because of it. You also should have up to three photographs to go along with your passport. Make sure that these are all in a spot that is easy to access (your carry-on or a handbag is a good spot for these), and keep them together.

Do You Need to Register?

Because of the strict immigration laws in the United Kingdom, you may need to register yourself with the police within a week of arrival in UK. Your passport stamp will make it clear whether or not you have to do this. All you need is your passport, two passport pictures, and £34 in order to register. If you do not register within the time frame, you could face fines and extra fees. The United Kingdom Border Agency website has more information about registration.

Have you Opened a Bank Account?

One of the best things you can do when studying abroad in UK is to have a bank account in the country. This will help prevent delays in paying for items such as bills and rent. Make sure to do a lot of research before opening a bank account in UK; some banks will offer basic accounts that don’t give credit, but will allow you to use ATM’s and other technology in order to make payments. If you aren’t sure where to start looking, check out the British Banker’s Association for information on British banks.

Are your Finances Settled?

On other areas of the site, we have explored the cost of living in UK and how much you will need in order to live comfortably while studying there. Do you have cash ready for when you head there? How much will you be converting to Euros, and do you know what the exchange rate will do to your cash? Make sure that you’re saving up before you even arrive in UK, so that you can survive for a few months in case obtaining income is delayed or your financial aid takes longer than expected to come in.

What About Work?

You can work part-time while you study in UK, and many degree programs will accommodate this. If you are even considering finding a job in UK, start the process before you leave. Make sure that your resume is up to date, and go for it. The internet has made this a simpler process. Here are some sites that you can use in order to find a job in UK.

• Monster’s UK site – http://www.monster.co.uk/
• Universal Job Match, provided by Gov.uk – https://www.gov.uk/jobsearch
• Fish4Jobs – http://www.fish4.co.uk/

Current law regulations in UK allow foreign students to work part-time. Fortunately, there are countless types of jobs you can seek to get. As such you the opportunity to be a bit more selective. So we suggest you get a job which won’t interrupt your studies, help you earn some money and be attractive at the same time.

Here are some preferable part-time jobs for students in UK

1. Bookseller
2. Tutor
3. Waitress at the University’s cafeteria
4. Newspaper distributor
5. Fitness instructor
6. Guide
7. Admission Staff
8. International Students Office Staff
9. Photographer

 

Local mobile carrier

While you’re in UK you are going to need a UK mobile phone carrier to start calling for job listings, ordering food, or just keeping in touch with friends. For more information on mobile phone carriers and networks in the UK check out our article on this topic.

The transportation available to you will greatly depend on what part of the United Kingdom you are in. UK has a much denser public transportation infrastructure than some of its developed counterparts (i.e. The United States). Here are some of the ways that you can get around in UK:

• The London Underground (rapid transit system)
• The Docklands Light Railway (London and surrounding area)
• The British Rail (all over England and other parts of the UK; even goes into mainland Europe)
• Tram systems (all over England and the rest of the UK)
• Ferry systems (varies)

Familiarize yourself with all of the options available before arriving in UK. If you live close enough to your university, you can walk or bike as well. If you need more information about the public transportation available to the area of UK you are studying in, check out Traveline; this website can help you plan long trips around the country via public transportation as well.