Housing for students from overseas

This guide has been written for all students, whether UK-based or coming from abroad. However, if you are not used to the UK system, here are a few tips to get you started: Many halls or hostels may prioritise applications from international students, and may in fact be keen to offer accommodation to certain nationalities in order to ensure a diverse residential community.

If you opt for private accommodation, as many international students do, remember that a landlord will require a deposit and one month's rent straight away. As UK bank accounts can take some time to open, it is worth bringing enough money to cover your start-up costs in the form of travellers' cheques - do not bring cash!

Make sure you have somewhere to stay for the first few nights while you are looking for something more permanent. For short-stay accommodation, take a look at our website or check whether your institution's Accommodation Office can help.

Homesickness: this is a normal part of the adjustment process, but if you are feeling down try and speak to people - family, old friends, new friends, staff at your institution. You may also experience culture shock and feel like a "fish out of water" for the first few days or weeks - again this is normal and is part of the experience of encountering new people and places.

UKCOSA (The Council for International Education) produces a series of useful guidance notes for international students: www.ukcosa.org.uk/pages/guidenote.htm

British Council Website in the UK.