Joining the UK’s 679,970 international students (HESA, 2022/23) is an exciting step, but the first week can be overwhelming—especially when you consider that the Home Office issued 486,107 study visas in the year to September 2023, and UCAS saw 115,730 international applicants for 2024 entry. Settle in smoothly with this essential first-week checklist for your first seven days.
1. Immigration and Customs
- Complete arrival card/eVisa registration (Australia SmartGate, Singapore MyICA, UK landing card)
- Declare cash over USD 13,000; declare medications, food, plant matter
- Australia: Strict biosecurity—do not pack any meat, eggs, seeds, or plants
- UK Student Visa: Present CAS, bank statement, and accommodation proof to border officers
2. Mobile Phone SIM (Complete at Airport)
- Australia: Amaysim, Vodafone, Optus, Telstra, Aldi. Student plans (AUD 30–40/month) include unlimited calls + 20GB data
- UK: Giffgaff (best value), EE, Three, O2. Many support pre-order to your accommodation
- New Zealand: Spark, One NZ, Skinny (NZD 30/month adequate for study)
- Singapore: Starhub, Singtel, Circles.Life (5 minutes at airport)
- Ireland: Three, Vodafone, Eir (student rates ~EUR 20/month)
- Malaysia: Hotlink, U Mobile, Celcom (MYR 35/month standard)
3. Airport to Accommodation
- Pre-arrange pickup (UNILINK provides free airport pickup for partner students)
- DIY options: Uber, Bolt, Grab, international Didi
- UK Heathrow: Elizabeth Line is fastest to central London
- Sydney Airport: Uber or airport rail link (quick but premium price)
Day 1–2: Accommodation Handover & University Enrolment
Move-In Inspection
- Photograph the entire space: Furniture condition, carpet stains, wall marks, appliance function — document everything
- Read meter: Note electricity, water, gas meter starting readings
- Report issues immediately to property manager via email (not verbal) — never communicate problems face-to-face only
- Confirm utilities: Ensure WiFi and included bills are active
University Enrolment
- Bring passport, CoE/CAS, and offer letter to International Student Office
- Collect Student ID Card (qualifies for transport discounts)
- Attend Orientation Week (mandatory — covers programmes, systems, regulations, visa obligations)
- Activate university email and review course timetable
UK Specific: BRP/eVisa
- Student Visas issued from 2025 are now digital eVisa (no physical card)
- Log in to your UKVI account within 7–10 days to confirm details
- eVisa appears in your immigration record, valid for employment and studies
Day 2–3: Bank Account Opening
Documents Required (All Countries)
- Passport
- Visa vignette or eVisa printout
- University enrolment letter (some banks require)
- Accommodation proof (tenancy agreement or landlord letter with address)
Australia
- Recommended: Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, Westpac, NAB
- Commonwealth Bank: Pre-open account in China (Migrant Account), activate within 7 days of arrival
- All offer student accounts with no monthly fees
United Kingdom
- Recommended: HSBC Advance, Barclays, Monzo, Starling, Revolut
- Fintech option (Monzo/Starling/Revolut): Open online in 5 minutes — fastest
- Traditional banks (HSBC/Barclays): Book appointment, complete in 2 weeks
New Zealand
- ANZ, ASB, Westpac, BNZ, Kiwibank
- Student accounts are fee-free; some waive international transfer fees
- PayNow system used nationwide for domestic transfers
Ireland
- AIB, Bank of Ireland, Revolut, N26
- Revolut and N26: Open digitally in 10 minutes
- Brick-and-mortar banks: Book appointment, receive card in 1–2 weeks
Singapore
- DBS, OCBC, UOB
- PayNow transfers work across all banks nationally
- DBS My Account offers seamless digital banking
Malaysia
- Maybank, CIMB, Public Bank
- Requires Student Pass + university letter
- DuitNow is the national instant transfer system
Day 3–5: Health Insurance Registration
Australia: OSHC
- Mandatory before arrival (Student Visa 500 requirement)
- Register policy number in your provider’s member portal upon arrival
- Four major providers: Bupa, Medibank, Allianz, NIB
- Related: OSHC Comparison Guide
United Kingdom: NHS
- IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) is paid upfront with visa application (£1,552/year)
- Register with a local GP (General Practitioner) immediately
- Bring passport, eVisa confirmation, and accommodation proof to nearest GP surgery
- Many GPs now allow online registration via NHS App
- Critical: Without a registered GP, you cannot access routine NHS care (only A&E emergency care)
New Zealand
- No free public health cover for international students
- Universities mandate Studentsafe or equivalent insurance (NZD 450–650/year)
- Insurance must be active before you visit a GP (privately funded)
Ireland
- Visa conditions require private health insurance (EUR 400–800/year)
- Registered GPs can offer direct billing through your insurance
- University health centre offers free or discounted care to enrolled students
Singapore
- University health insurance is mandatory (SGD 500–1,000/year, varies by institution)
- Campus health centre provides free or subsidised care
- International student medical plans cover overseas emergencies
Day 5–7: Tax Numbers, Student Benefits & Practical Setup
Tax File Number (Required for Work)
- Australia (TFN): Apply online via ATO, free, arrives by post in 10 days
- UK (NI Number): Apply via Gov.uk, free, processed in 2–4 weeks. You can work with a temporary number
- New Zealand (IRD): Apply online via Inland Revenue, 5–10 days
- Ireland (PPSN): Book appointment via MyWelfare, 2–3 weeks
- Singapore (FIN): Printed on back of Student Pass card
- Malaysia: International students don’t register proactively; employers handle it
Student Transport Concessions
- Australia: Opal Card (NSW) / Myki (VIC) / Go Card (QLD) — request transport concession proof from university
- UK: 16-25 Railcard (£30/year) / Student Oyster Card for London
- New Zealand: AT HOP or Metrocard — student discounts available
- Ireland: Leap Card (Student version) — purchase at university bookshop with student ID
- Singapore: Concession Pass — university applies on your behalf
- Malaysia: My50 monthly ticket (MYR 50) unlimited bus/train travel
Additional Setup
- Apply for International Student ISIC (optional, museum/attraction discounts)
- Join university Facebook student groups and WeChat study groups
- Memorise emergency numbers: Australia 000 / UK 999 / New Zealand 111 / Ireland 112 / Singapore 999 / Malaysia 999
Week One Critical “Do Nots”
- ❌ Avoid airport money changers — use ATM or official currency exchange
- ❌ Don’t skip accommodation handover photos — missing evidence makes deposit recovery difficult
- ❌ Never hand over passport/CoE to unofficial agents or “brokers”
- ❌ Don’t assume you don’t need GP registration (UK) or OSHC (Australia) — both are legal requirements
- ❌ Avoid credit cards and phone payment plans in your first week — build credit history first
- ❌ Visa monitoring: Australia Student Visa 500 Condition 8202 requires 80%+ attendance and satisfactory progress each term — do not skip classes
UNILINK’s Free Arrival Support
UNILINK provides complimentary arrival assistance to all partner students:
- Free airport pickup (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, London, Manchester, Dublin, Auckland, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur)
- Day-one orientation: Supermarket, pharmacy, bank, university location introduction
- Bank & health insurance support: Staff can accompany you to sign up (selected cities)
- 24/7 emergency contact: Text, WhatsApp, or WeChat for visa, accommodation, health, or other urgent issues
Contact details:
- Intake form: #chat-with-unilink
- WhatsApp / WeChat: #chat-with-unilink
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the average cost of a mobile phone plan for international students in Australia or the UK?
A: In Australia, student plans range from AUD 30 to AUD 40 per month (e.g., Amaysim, Vodafone) and typically include unlimited national calls plus 20GB data. In the UK, Giffgaff offers plans starting at GBP 10 per month (10GB data), while EE provides student plans around GBP 20–25 per month with higher data allowances.
Q2: How long does it take to open a bank account as an international student?
A: It depends on the bank type. Digital-only banks like Monzo, Starling, or Revolut in the UK and Europe can open your account within 5–10 minutes online. Traditional brick-and-mortar banks (e.g., Commonwealth Bank in Australia, HSBC in the UK) require an in-branch appointment and usually take 1–2 weeks to deliver the debit card and PIN.
Q3: What are the mandatory health insurance costs for students in Australia and the UK?
A: For Australia, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) costs approximately AUD 450–600 per year for single coverage (varies by provider). For the UK, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is £1,552 per year (as of 2025) and is paid upfront when you apply for your student visa.
Q4: How long does it take to get a Tax File Number (TFN) in Australia or a National Insurance (NI) number in the UK?
A: In Australia, you can apply for a TFN online via the Australian Tax Office (ATO) for free; it arrives by post in approximately 10 working days. In the UK, you apply for an NI number through Gov.uk; processing time is 2–4 weeks, but you can start working with a temporary number while you wait.
Q5: What student transport discounts are available in Australia and the UK?
A: In Australia, students can get a concession Opal Card (NSW) or Myki (VIC) with proof of enrolment, saving up to 50% on public transport fares. In the UK, the 16-25 Railcard costs £30 per year and gives one-third off rail fares; additionally, a Student Oyster Card for London reduces tube and bus fares by 30% compared to adult rates.
Q6: What is the typical cost of student accommodation in major cities like Sydney or London?
A: In Sydney, shared student accommodation ranges from AUD 250 to AUD 400 per week (studio apartments cost more). In London, average student rent is £200 to £350 per week for a room in a shared house or university halls; central locations are significantly higher. Budgeting for 52 weeks is essential.
References
- Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, 2025, Student Visa (Subclass 500) – Conditions 8202 and 8501, Canberra: Australian Government.
- UK Home Office, 2025, eVisa for Students: Digital Immigration Status, London: Home Office.
- NHS Business Services Authority, 2025, Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) Rates and Registration Guidance, Newcastle: NHSBSA.
- Australian Taxation Office, 2025, Tax File Number (TFN) for International Students, Canberra: ATO.
- UK Department for Transport, 2026, National Rail Concessionary Travel Schemes, London: DfT.
Last updated: March 2026