London calling? Or Manchester? Maybe Bristol? No matter where you’re heading, these tips for studying abroad in England will make your experience smoother and more budget-friendly.
Take our advice and sign up for the ultimate English study abroad adventure.
With its student-centered education system and high-quality universities, England constantly ranks as one of the best countries to study abroad. Take your education to the next level, boost your resume, and see what the country has to offer. Whether you’re traveling abroad for the first time or you’re an experienced jet-setter, these studying abroad in England tips will help you make the most of your experience.
Here’s our advice for studying abroad in England, organized by what you’ll need and when:
Planning & Paperwork
1. Know which visa route you need
The single most consequential pre-departure task. Staying longer than six months (a full academic year, for example) means applying for a UK Student visa and paying the immigration health surcharge, about $1,000 (£776) a year for students. Many nationalities studying for six months or less, including Americans on a typical semester, can instead enter on the visitor route with no advance visa, but the rules are specific, so confirm your situation with your program and the official guidance early; our passports and visas resource covers the basics.
2. Remember: England is one of four UK nations
England and the UK aren’t interchangeable: the United Kingdom is England plus Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It matters practically: your visa and railcard work UK-wide, but program searches, university systems, and even bank notes differ by nation. This article covers England; the neighbors make excellent weekend trips.
3. Look outside London to stretch your budget
England is an expensive country overall, but choosing a destination other than London will make a big difference in your budget. According to ECA International’s Cost of Living report, London is the fourth most expensive city in the world. Birmingham, another major city in England, ranks 115th on the same list. Smaller cities such as Sheffield, Norwich, and Exeter are also home to some great universities and offer a cheaper cost of living than big cities.
4. Book your accommodation early
You’ll get used to different teaching methods when you study in England.
In England, there are different teaching methods. Most universities have lectures, where the university professor speaks to a large group of students, and seminars, where students work in smaller groups. Assessment methods also vary—you might have to sit an exam, complete a group project, or write an essay.
Money & Banking
5. Go digital: England is nearly cashless
Britain has gone almost entirely contactless; plenty of cafes and venues no longer take cash at all, so the old advice to "bring enough cash" now works against you. Before you fly, set up a digital bank or multi-currency card (Monzo, Starling, Revolut, and Wise are the names you’ll hear from other students) or ask your home bank about international plans; degree students can open a UK student account. Compare options in our finances and credit cards resource.
6. Stack the student discounts
The 16–25 Railcard (£30 a year) takes a third off train fares; National Express’s Young Persons Coachcard (£15) does the same for coaches; and an ISIC card covers you internationally. Then download UNiDAYS and Student Beans, the two apps British students actually run their shopping through, for discounts at cinemas, restaurants, and shops.
7. Use student transit passes
In London, the 18+ Student Oyster photocard discounts travelcards and season passes, and other cities run their own student bus and rail deals. One modern note: for pay-as-you-go, tapping a contactless bank card works on London transit at standard fares, so the Oyster is about the season-ticket savings.
Health & Staying Connected
8. Register with the NHS
If you’re in England for most of the year, register with the National Health Service so you can see a GP and access care; the health surcharge you paid with a Student visa is what funds this access. On a shorter program, your provider often handles health coverage, so check before duplicating it.
Get those student discounts and hop on a train to see more of England!
9. Sort your phone before you fly
Maps, translation apps for your French weekend, banking apps, society group chats: your semester runs on data. Set up an eSIM or a UK SIM plan before departure rather than paying roaming rates while you queue for a SIM at the airport.
Academics & Campus Life
10. Learn the education system before your first seminar
Keep the live copy (lectures vs. seminars, varied assessment), then append: "One thing to check early: some courses weight most of your grade on a single final exam or essay, so know your assessment structure before you plan a term of weekend trips."
11. Join societies.
Societies are university clubs that bring together students with shared interests. These could be sports, performing arts, hobbies, and anything else you can think of. Clubs like Chocolate Lovers Society or Harry Potter Society aren’t unheard of! By joining a society, you can meet like-minded people, enjoy fun events, and learn new skills.
12. Use the support services
Everybody talks about how great it is to study abroad. While it’s an amazing experience that will open many doors, it can also be overwhelming to be in a different country. Luckily, universities in England offer different support services to international students struggling with mental health issues, university courses, or orientation.
Culture & Exploring
13. Expect culture shock without the language barrier
Especially if you’re fluent in English, you might expect the culture shock in England to be less intense. While it is true that you won’t have as much of a language barrier as you would in a non-English-speaking country, it’s still important to factor in cultural differences.
For example, the same words might have different meanings in British English and American English. Plus, in England, they use different types of plugs and drive on the left side of the road.
14. Pack for four seasons a day
England’s weather is famously changeable: rain, sun, and wind can share one afternoon. Layers, a genuinely waterproof jacket, and comfortable walking shoes beat a heavy coat; build your packing list around them.
15. Experience pub culture
Get a pint of beer. Grab some fish and chips. Find a local pub that serves the traditional Sunday roast, a British classic.
Or check if your university is organizing a pub quiz. Going to the pub is a big part of English culture, and you will experience it firsthand.
16. Time your semester to a festival
From the famous Glastonbury Festival to the colorful Notting Hill Carnival, England has many fun festivals you can go to. The country also regularly hosts international artists in music and performance venues across the country. You’ll have the perfect opportunity to crown your study abroad experience with a festival or a world-class concert.
If time is speeding by and you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to use the many support services available to you.
17. Explore on a student budget, free museums included
Budget coaches, advance train fares, and low-cost flights put the rest of the UK and Europe’s highlight cities in weekend range. And some of the best exploring is free: England’s national museums, from the Natural History Museum to the Science Museum, don’t charge admission.
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Next steps to study abroad in England
- Decide how long you want to go: A year, a semester, or for the summer—how long would you like to study in England? Decide depending on your budget, career goals, and academic responsibilities.
- Browse the best study abroad programs in England: From psychology to medicine, creative writing to physics, English universities offer a wide range of study programs.
- Choose where to go: England has big, cosmopolitan cities as well as smaller student cities. Research the best cities in England and decide which one has the most suitable program for you.
- Plan your budget: To get an idea of how much your study abroad experience will cost, use travel resources that give information about scholarships, insurance, accommodation, and visa costs.
- Gather necessary documents and apply: Your university or program provider might require additional documents, such as a visa or passport copies, or a minimum GPA to consider your application.
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These tips for studying abroad in England will help you make the most of your time abroad.
Our advice for studying abroad in England will get you ready for a life-changing experience. With interesting courses, friends from all over the world, and off-the-beaten-path university societies, student life in England can be pretty cool. Now it’s your turn to experience it!
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Yaren Fadiloglulari
Freelance Writer and Linguist
Originally from Cyprus, Yaren is an island girl who writes about all things travel and expat life. As a Languages major, she loves learning about different languages, cultures, and countries all over the world. After studying in the UK and France, interning in Belgium, and backpacking in Latin America, Yaren wants to continue traveling for as long as she can. She wants to show that the best things in life come when we push our limits and broaden our horizons.
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