Pre Departure

The information shared here are not absolutes. They are formed based on our experiences. Regulations and circumstances may have changed. So please exercise your own discretion. These tips are meant as a guide. But do your own research. Find out about things on your own. Be inquisitive.
Moving to a new country – on your own – is a daunting experience. Enjoy it! You’re not just here to get a degree, you’re also going to learn how to be independent and be responsible for yourself. So embrace it, and cherish the journey. Open your mind and be prepared to dust yourself off each time you stumble and fall. And continue on the journey. With a smile. You’ll be alright. In Sha Allah.

Before Departure

Visa Applications

Apply for a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa

To apply for the visa (www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa)
To make an appointment (www.vfsglobal.co.uk/singapore/)
Cost of application fee 348 pounds (https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa#:~:text=It%20costs%20%C2%A3348%20to,per%20person%20for%20any%20dependants)
Cost of Health Surcharge fee 300 pounds per year of study (Check how much does your Health Surcharge cost – https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration- application/how-much-pay)

At the Visa Application Centre (Important)

Arrive 10 mins earlier
Ensure you bring all the documents required
You will have to enter alone and switch your phones off
Say “Bismillah”
Visa DocumentationDocuments to bring along: Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) statement Passport(s) remember to renew if necessary
Visa Documentation

Visa Documentation

Documents to bring along: Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) statement Passport(s) remember to renew if necessary

Printout of your online application form
Visa appointment letter
Evidence of meeting financial requirements (Bank statements, scholarship letters)
Evidence of qualifications such as CAS (Make sure to check that your CAS details are accurate, if not bring the matter up with your university) Inaccurate details will result in refusal of visa by the visa administration)
Double check for any other supporting documents

Accommodation

University Dorms

Minimal problems: Accommodation fees paid according to school terms upon signing of contract, maintenance and bills administered by the university
Accommodation help desk are available to help students if any problems arise during the university term
University dorm allow students to make new friends and also look after each other especially in the current situation

There are also independent student accommodations:https://www.studentcrowd.com/article/best-student-accommodation-providers-2019
At these places you will have access to, among others, study rooms, recreation rooms, screening (cinema) rooms, gym memberships, etc;
They can be cheaper than the uni dorms, but comes with the same perks as one.

Private/Shared

Accessibility and connectivity (Research on the area to ensure it is safe, make use of the house viewing appointment with the agent/landlord to survey on the area you are living)
Use websites such as Rightmove, Openrent & Zoopla for property information (Questions to agent/landlord: Do they accept students? How much is the monthly payment + deposit payment? Bills included? Do you need a UK resident as a guarantor? Do you need to pay at least 3 months in advance if you can’t provide a guarantor?)
If there are any doubts, please clarify with your university international student advisor. There will be a department to assist you if there are any disputes in your tenancy agreement (Read the legal documents outlining the terms of your stay carefully before you sign your tenancy agreement)
If you have friends who are already in the UK, and they are in the city where you plan to stay, consider asking them to help view your housing options if they canClothing/FootwearWinter wear

Clothing/Footwear

Winter Wear

The weather in the UK is generally gloomy, rainy and windy (Advisable to get a hooded waterproof jacket/parka as it will easier for you to commute around without getting soaked and cold)

Invest on a good outerwear to get you through the harsh weather and the other outerwear can be used for those sunny days in the UK during winter
Get multiple long-sleeved clothing to layered with your outerwear

Footwear

Waterproof trainers (Tip: You can buy those water-repellent spray for your trainers, also keep your trainers clean)
Advisable to invest on a good pair of boots that are waterproof and comfortable
Slippers to use for your accommodation

Others

Traditional clothes and Formal wear for special events/networking
Primark is a good place to shop

Kitchenware

Necessary utensils
Sertu soap
Bulky items can be purchased from Argos, M&S, Waitrose, Amazon (Online)
Get your comfort food such as Maggi, Prima, Old Town etc. from http://singaporemakan.co.uk
There are plenty of Halal eateries. They don’t have a cert from MUIS, but they will usually indicate if the meat is Halal. And don’t be afraid to ask. Some places will not be fully Halal and will indicate which meat of dish is. Practice your own discretion.
Fast food chains like Subway, KFC, Nandos have Halal outlets. Make sure you’re eating from the Halal ones.
Halal meat can be purchased quite easily, depending on where you are. You can get them at selected supermarkets, grocery shops as well as online. MasyaAllah!

Homeware

Bedding & pillow sheets
Get a thick duvet as the nights can get really cold
Checkout Primark for good and affordable pillows, linens & other homeware items

Important Documents

Take note of your maximum baggage allowance and pack smart

Checklist for your hand luggage to clear customs:

Passport
Flight Tickets
CAS (University letter of acceptance)
Visa decision letter
Financial statements
Medical Records (just in case)
Tenancy agreement (just in case)
Some cash to tide you over for approx. 3-4 weeks before you set up your bank account
International Driving License (optional)

Upon Arrival

Transportation

Check if your university offers an airport pick up service if you are staying in a student hall
Otherwise, book an airport transfer to save the hassle http://www.englandtransfers.com/ (Useful for your first arrival – unnecessary for future arrivals once you know how to get around and are familiar with the public transport system
If you are seasoned traveller/adventurous/want cheaper alternatives, get advice from your seniors on the best route by coach/public transport
Download GoogleMaps, CityMapper, Uber, TubeMap

Mobile Service/Data

Giffgaff: Monthly plan of minutes, texts, and data ranging from 5-20 pounds
Three: Good for travelling – Passport plan (Feel at home destinations available onmonthly basis
Vodafone, Orange, T-mobile: Slighlty more expensive and less flexible compared toother service providers
For Londoners: There are WIFI enabled tube stations that you will be automaticallyconnected to when you activate this service using your number

BRP

Collect ASAP once you’re in UK
Collect from your Uni or a Post Office near you
Ensure there are no errors on the BRP, make sure all info is correct
Bring it with you when you travel outside UK, you’ll need it for re-entry
Indicates the max no. of hours you can work during term time, usually 20hrs/week for degree level and above

Admin Matters

Uni

Look out for info from Uni regarding registration date
Or get in touch with Uni and find out when is it
Some Unis will issue your BRP to you upon registration
Get the necessary documents for council tax exemption form, if you need it
Get the necessary documents to set-up bank account

Opening a Bank Account

Choose the right bank for yourself. Consider accessibility, offers, perks, etc.
Some of the Banks to choose from: Barclays, Santander, Lloyds, RBS, HSBC, etc
Some Unis might have a bank branch on campus. Consider signing up with it. Might have a shorter wait time.
Wait time to set up a bank account can be up to a month, especially during peak student enrolment period.
Try different branches for an appointment, some might have shorter wait times.
Clearly verify with the bank what documents you will need to set up a bank account as a student, and make sure you have ALL the necessary documents with you at the appointment, or else you might need to make another appointment and wait some more.
Most ATMs will allow withdrawal from multiple banks. Some ATMs charge a fee for withdrawals
For international money transfer (eg: SG acct to UK acct), Transferwise is a good site to use. It costs nothing to set up an account.

Healthcare

Bring your necessary personal meds from Sg
For less serious illnesses, there are pharmacies, and drugstores like Boots and Superdrug. Supermarkets like Tesco, ASDA, Lidl and others will also stock vitamins and meds like paracetamol, cough syrup and etc.
Register with a GP – you are supposed to register with one within your catchment area based on your post code: http://www.nhs.uk/Service- Search/GP/LocationSearch/4
Visits to the GP are by appointment. It’s different from Sg. https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/gps/gp-appointments-and- bookings/
Different ppl hv different views and experiences when it comes to the NHS. Do your necessary research.
For Emergencies/ A&E, call 999. For non-emergency medical enquiries, call 111.

Settling In

Expenditures

Your monthly expenditure will depend on a range of factors, but roughly £300-£500 monthly should suffice
Eating out can be expensive, so consider cooking your own food. Learn how to cook. The food will not be as good your mom’s/ grandma’s/ (insert relevant person)’s, but In Sha Allah it will be edible and give you the necessary nutrients.
Working part-time is an option, but make sure you know how to manage your time. This is your first steps into adulthood.
UK has a national minimum and living wage: https://www.gov.uk/national- minimum-wage-rates
London Living Wage is higher than the UK Living Wage. Find out and be informed.
Predominantly a card society, and since the onset of COVID-19, most businesses prefer contactless payment
£50 note rarely used
Use apps like Monzo, Splitwise, etc to manage your finances

Supermarkets

Big chains like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, ASDA, Lidl, Aldi, Iceland can be found easily. Some of this supermarkets also stock Halal meat. Alhamdulillah.
Compare which chain has the best deals. They always have offers and discounts.
Shopping at Lidl and Aldi can result in huge savings if ‘brand’ is not an important consideration
Tesco, Morrison’s and Sainsbury’s and ASDA are the big four supermarket chains. They are everywhere.
M&S and Waitrose are atas supermarkets. So more pricey. But they do have clearance sales, especially for baked goods at the end of the day, so look out for that.
Do your research when shopping. Look out for discounts and offers. Compare prices at different supermarkets. Sign up for loyalty programs.
If your area has a significant Muslim populations, there will be smaller groceries stores that will sell fresh produce and most importantly, Halal meat. Research and explore your area

Culture Shock

Always remember that you are in a new place, so things will be different.
You are the guest, so be respectful of how they do things and adapt where you can.
British Muslim culture differs from Singapore Muslim (Malay) culture, so don’t stress. Take this opportunity to learn and expand your understanding and appreciation of Islam’s beauty and diversity.
Going to pubs for a pint is an intrinsic part of British culture. They socialise and have meetings there. Your uni will have a pub. If you’re not comfortable going to a pub, be frank about it. They will – most likely – understand. Remember, be yourself.
And pubs and clubs are different. They both serve alcohol. In pubs you sit, stand and chat with alcohol in your system. But in clubs you dance with alcohol in your system. You can lose some calories in a club. But remember, consumption of alcohol is Haram.
Reports of anti-immigration sentiments have risen since Brexit. And since COVID-19, there have been reports of attacks on Asians, especially those who are Chinese or look Chinese. Do not be overly afraid or paranoid, but be aware that this is possible.
UK is not as ‘safe’ as Singapore. There is more crime. So take the necessary precautions.
The different accents can be intimidating, but don’t stress, it’s still English. And don’t feel the need to try and sound like them. Be yourself lah. Enunciate and ariculate your words. No need to slang. Listen to Kumar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgBT6Gie-sY