Arriving and living in the UK
The International Student Advice team understand that as an international student coming to study in the UK, there will many things you need to do when you first arrive and information you'll need to settle in. In this section, we hope to provide you with the guidance you need to be able to adjust to life in the UK.
You will find important information for when you first arrive, such as how to register with a doctor (GP) and how to open a bank account.
You will also find information on living in the UK, for example, healthcare advice and travel information, as well as signposting links that you may find useful.
Faq Items
Healthcare in the UK
Most migrants and their accompanying dependants who come to the UK for a stay of more than six months will be required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of their visa application. The IHS fee is currently £776 per student and each dependant per year of leave. This entitles you to use free health services under the National Health Service (NHS), although you may be required to pay for some services such as prescriptions and dental treatment.
Please note: You can’t opt-out of paying the IHS even if you have private medical insurance.
If you plan to be here for less than six months, you should take out private health insurance before you come to the UK. Without this, you will be charged for any healthcare services you need.
However long your course, we recommend that you obtain additional health insurance prior to travelling to the UK. Your policy should cover medical costs plus any additional possible costs resulting from illness (such as lost fees if you are unable to complete your course and the cost of returning to your home country for treatment). Please check that your health insurance covers any pre-existing medical conditions, as you are likely not to be covered under the NHS.
If your doctor prescribes you medicine, you will usually have to pay a prescription charge of £9.90 (as of April 2024). If you are receiving ongoing treatment it may be worth your while getting a Prescription Payment Certificate, which costs £32.05 for three months and £114.50 for 12 months. The certificate covers all prescription charges during that period.
Please note: if you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 you should visit the NHS website - Covid symptoms.
Healthcare services available to you
Your GP (doctor)
This is often your first point of contact for medical treatment. Most illnesses and other problems can be treated by the GP. Please see the drop down box below on how to register with a GP.
Pharmacies
As qualified healthcare professions, pharmacists can offer clinical advice and provide over the counter medicines on a wide range of health issues. You don’t need an appointment for this and many pharmacists will have extended opening hours and be open over the weekend. Find out more about how pharmacists can help you and how to locate your nearest pharmacist.
Walk-in centres
If you have a minor injury or illness you may wish to visit one of the Walk In Centres. The Walk In centres can offer advice on a wide range of health issues such as minor infections and rashes, stomach upsets, superficial cuts and bruises and strains and sprains. There are walk-in centres in and around Liverpool. Liverpool Walk In Centres are open 8am to 8pm seven days per week. Make an appointment via 111.nhs.uk or call 111. Alternatively, you can simply walk in without an appointment.
Call 111
For advice on an urgent medical problem and you are not sure what to do you can call 111.
Accident and emergency (A&E)
Only go to A&E if you have a serious accident or emergency, which requires urgent care. A&E can get very busy and their waiting times can often be long.
Find out more about healthcare issues depending on whether you are an EEA or a Non-EEA national:
*Leaflet produced by Royal Liverpool Hospital
EEA National Healthcare Leaflet
Non-EEA National Healthcare Leaflet
Call 999 if you have a medical emergency.
COVID-19 symptoms and testing
For more information on healthcare services in Liverpool please read the Healthwatch leaflet.
For further general information on healthcare please go to the UKCISA website.
Registering with a GP (doctor) and dentist
You are advised to register with a GP (doctor) as soon as it is possible after you arrive in Liverpool. Please don’t wait until you are ill. By registering with a GP you can get an appointment and urgent treatment when you need it.
Once you are in Liverpool, you can find a GP in your local neighbourhood by visiting the NHS website and searching using your post code. Once you find the GP you want to register with, please contact them (by phone) to see how they register their patients.
Under the NHS, appointments with doctors are free (except for certain things such as vaccinations for travel or getting a sickness certificate).
If your doctor prescribes you medicine, you will usually have to pay a prescription charge (£9.90 as of 1 May 2024. If you are receiving ongoing treatment it may be worth your while getting a Prescription Payment Certificate, which costs £32.05 for three months and £114.50 for 12 months.
What documents will I need to register with a GP?
You will usually require the following documents, however, please ensure that you ask the GP surgery that you are registering with for the documents they require to register you.
- Confirmation of your UK address
- Your passport/BRP
Registering with a dentist
You can also search for a dentist via the NHS website. You must pay for the cost of any dental treatment you receive in the UK. The cost varies depending on whether you are registered with an NHS or a private dentist. Dental treatment can be very expensive, so you should check the cost before embarking on any course of treatment.
Please see information about registering with a doctor or dentist in Liverpool city centre.
Opening a UK bank account
Which bank should I choose?
There are a number of factors you should consider when choosing, and opening, a bank account as an international student in the UK. Many banks offer online-only accounts, and there are also accounts available from building societies.
Usual branch opening hours are from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, although bigger branches may open outside these hours. Many banks also offer customer services phone numbers outside these times as well. The main high street banks - NatWest, Barclays, Lloyds TSB, Royal Bank of Scotland, HSBC and Halifax - all have branches in Liverpool city centre.
There are UK-based consumer websites you can use to get comparisons, such as Money Saving Expert, MoneySupermarket and GoCompare.
Types of bank account
Most banks will offer a ‘basic bank account’. This is usually different to a standard ‘current account’ and offers limited facilities, is usually fee-free, and allows you to receive money and pay bills but does not allow you to have an ‘overdraft’ facility.
Many banks will also offer an account specifically designed for international students. This may be similar to, a basic bank account, but may also offer limited overdraft facilities.
Some banks offer accounts and services that meet Sharia principles, also known as Sharia-compliant accounts. There are also a few specialist banks that operate in accordance with Sharia principles. See information from MoneyHelper on Sharia-compliant savings.
Changing personal details
You should let your bank or building society know as soon as possible if you change your address or any other personal details.
If you are leaving the UK for a long break, you should let your bank know, in case they treat your account as 'dormant' and close it.
It is a good idea to keep copies of any correspondence you have with your bank / building society where possible.
Proving your identity and immigration status
Banks and building societies must make a status check on all new applicants for a current account. They must not open a current account for a person who requires immigration permission to be in the UK but who does not have it (that means, someone who is in the UK as an overstayer).
You may need to provide documentation, such as:
- Identification (ID) in the form of a passport and eVisa
- Verification of your UK address such as a signed Tenancy agreement
- Evidence of your student status: you can get this letter by going to MyLJMU and clicking on My Services and then Letter Request (You can do this a maximum of three times. A letter will be generated instantly for you.)
Please note:
Check with your bank what documentation they will need to open your account.
Council tax information
Council tax is set by local authorities in the UK to help pay for services such as the police, fire brigade and bin collections. To be eligible for council tax exemption, you must be on a full-time course for a period of more than 24 weeks.
Your eligibility will also depend on whom you live with. Council tax exemption forms can be requested through My Services (opens in a new tab).
You can find more information on the UKCISA website (opens in a new tab) about council tax.
Driving in the UK
Before driving any vehicle (car, motorbike, van, etcetera) in the UK, you should check that you meet all the legal requirements which apply to the driver and to the vehicle.
It is a criminal offence to drive using a licence that is not valid in the UK. In addition, if you do so, your car insurance will be invalidated and you will be committing a further criminal offence of 'driving without motor insurance'.
If you hold a driving licence issued outside of Great Britain (that is England, Scotland and Wales) then you can use the tool on the Government website to check whether you can use it to drive in the UK. You may be allowed to do so for a limited period of time only.
For further information on driving in the UK, including learning to drive, insurance, road tax and buying a vehicle please see UK Council for International Student Affairs.
Visas for the Schengen Area (Europe)
Many of our international students like to travel to Europe during their stay in the UK. Some international students may need to apply for a Schengen visa before they travel.
The International Student Advice team at LJMU have produced an information sheet with answers to FAQs about the Schengen visa. Please see our Schengen Guidance: Information on applying for the Schengen visa
Travel to Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
If you hold a valid UK visa you will not need to apply for a visa for travel to Northern Ireland as it is part of the UK.
If you wish to travel to the Republic of Ireland, you may need to apply for a visa to do so. You can read more about applying for a visa for Ireland (opens in a new tab).
Chinese and Indian nationals holding a UK Standard Visitor visa can travel to the Republic of Ireland under the British-Irish Visa Scheme (opens in a new tab).
Travel safety advice
Before you travel
- Ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance, which covers your belongings as well as your health care
- Make copies of your passport and BRP card
- You should make a copy of your passport and BRP before you travel and keep this with you, but separate from the actual documents (i.e. in a different bag). You can also keep an electronic copy
- Note down details like your insurance policy number and important phone numbers such as those of your credit card
- Tell friends/family where you will be going and where you will be staying
- Put contact details inside your luggage in case it goes missing and needs returning to you
During your travels
- Split your money and cards and put in different bags – never carry all your personal belongings in one place
- Never leave luggage unattended or locked
- Keep passport/BRP safe at the hotel and carry photocopies
- If you are carrying BRP/passport with you keep it safe (not in a backpack)
- Be vigilant!
If your passport is lost or stolen while abroad
- Report the loss or theft of your passport to the police as soon as possible and ask them for a reference number
- Apply for a replacement passport at your national embassy
- Do not attempt to travel until you have your new passport and new visa
Travel advice
- Check Foreign Travel Advice on the FCO Website (opens in a new tab)
- Check out UKCISA Travel in Europe (opens in a new tab) guidance sheet
Frauds and Scams
Recently we have had reports of international students in Liverpool being targeted by fake calls claiming to be from the National Crime Agency and demanding action or threatening huge fines. In some cases, the scammers have known personal details such as a student’s name and National Insurance number.
A legitimate organisation (such as the National Crime Agency or the Home Office) will never call to request payments or ask for personal details. If you receive such a call, do not give information about yourself and do not make any payments. You should hang up the phone.
You will need to contact your bank straight away if you're worried someone might have access to your account.
If you think you've been targeted or are a victim of fraud please speak to the International Student Advice Team as soon as possible. We will support you in reporting the crime to Action Fraud (opens in a new tab).
For further guidance please see: