Practical guides to everyday student life in the UK and Ireland — accommodation, cost of living, opening a bank account, and accessing healthcare.
Settling into student life in the United Kingdom or Ireland means sorting out the practical essentials: where you will live, how much daily life costs, how to manage money, and how to access healthcare. These guides explain how each works in clear, neutral terms — from university halls and private housing to the NHS and the Immigration Health Surcharge — and always point you to the official sources for current figures, because costs, fees, and rules change every year. They offer general information to help you plan, not financial, legal, or medical advice.
Last updated
Guides for United Kingdom & Ireland
24 of 24 guides in this hub are for the UK & Ireland.
Studying in the UK vs Other Destinations
How studying in the UK differs from other popular destinations on degree length, cost, language, and work rules — with links to the official sources.
Read guideUK vs Ireland: Which to Choose for Study
How the UK and Ireland compare for study — how you apply, degree length, cost, and visa and work rules — with links to the official sources.
Read guideStudent Accommodation in the UK Explained
How student housing works in the UK — university halls of residence versus private and shared housing, how to apply, deposits and contracts, and the cost factors to plan for.
Read guideStudent Accommodation in Ireland Explained
How student housing works in Ireland — on-campus residences versus private and shared rented housing, how to apply, deposits and tenancy basics, and the cost factors to plan for.
Read guideCost of Living for Students in the UK
The main living costs for students in the UK — rent, food, transport, and other essentials — with realistic ways to plan a budget and where to find official figures.
Read guideOpening a UK Bank Account as a Student
Opening a bank account as an international student in the UK — the documents usually needed, the typical steps, and what to check before you choose an account.
Read guideHealthcare and the NHS for International Students in the UK
How healthcare works for international students in the UK — the Immigration Health Surcharge and NHS access, how to register with a GP, and where to find the official, up-to-date facts.
Read guideSettling In as an International Student in the UK
A practical arrival checklist for new international students in the UK — university registration, finding a GP, opening a bank account, getting a SIM, and where to ask for help when you land.
Read guideUK Student Life and Culture Overview
Student life in the UK — how the academic year is structured, societies and the students' union, campus life, and what the weather and pace of study are like.
Read guideTransport and Getting Around as a Student in the UK
How students travel around the UK — buses, trains, the Tube in London, walking and cycling — plus student railcards and travel discounts. Fares and discounts change, so check current prices on the official sites linked here.
Read guideHealthcare and Insurance for International Students in Ireland
How healthcare works for international students in Ireland — why private medical insurance is typically required for non-EEA students, how to access care, and where to confirm the current official rules.
Read guideStaying Safe and Student Support Services in the UK
Staying safe as a student in the UK — the emergency number, campus safety services, and the academic, welfare and wellbeing support universities provide.
Read guideEnglish Language Tests for UK and Ireland Universities
The English-language tests universities in the United Kingdom and Ireland commonly accept — IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and the Duolingo English Test — and why the accepted tests and minimum scores vary by university and course.
Read guideIELTS for UK and Ireland Study and Visa
How IELTS is used for study in the United Kingdom and Ireland — the difference between IELTS Academic and IELTS for UKVI, how the band scoring works, and why required bands and the accepted version vary by university and visa use.
Read guideTOEFL and PTE for UK and Ireland Universities
Using TOEFL iBT (ETS) and PTE Academic (Pearson) for university applications in the United Kingdom and Ireland — what each test is, how acceptance varies by university, and why you should confirm scores on the official course page.
Read guideDuolingo English Test for UK and Ireland
What the Duolingo English Test (DET) is, how it is taken online, and why acceptance for study in the United Kingdom and Ireland is not universal — with a clear reminder to confirm both university acceptance and any visa use on official sources.
Read guideEnglish Requirements and Exemptions Explained
When you may not need to sit an English-language test for study in the United Kingdom or Ireland — including prior English-medium study and nationality-based exemptions — and why the authoritative rules must always be confirmed with the university and the official government source.
Read guideIs the UK a Good Place to Study for International Students?
Studying in the UK as an international student — academic structure, degree length, cost, work options, and the things to weigh up before you decide.
Read guideFrequently Asked Questions About Studying in the UK and Ireland
Plain answers to common questions about studying in the UK and Ireland: applying, visas and permissions, cost, English requirements and working while you study.
Read guideStudying in London as an International Student
Studying in London — its universities, the higher cost of living, transport, the Student visa basics and student life — for international students considering a UK degree in the capital.
Read guideCost of Studying in the UK for International Students
What studying in the UK costs international students — tuition ranges, living expenses, the difference London makes, and the official sources to confirm every figure before you budget.
Read guideCost of Studying in Ireland for International Students
What it costs international students to study in Ireland — non-EU tuition ranges, living expenses, the visa financial requirement, and the official Irish sources to verify every figure.
Read guideBudgeting and Living Costs for UK Students
Budgeting as a student in the UK — the main living-cost categories, why London differs, and how to build a realistic monthly plan using official figures.
Read guideStudying in the UK & Ireland
Continue exploring the UK & Ireland
Universities, entrance tests, costs and visa facts for the UK & Ireland — all in one place, each linked to its official source.
Not sure where to start?
Ask GSB for guidance tailored to your situation.
Ask GSB →