Moving to a new country is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Read our student tips to help make your transition as smooth as possible.
Welcome to Queen Mary! Moving to a new country is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming at first. This guide combines transportation, arrival essentials, daily living expenses, and student tips—all in one place—to help make your transition as smooth as possible.
1. When you arrive in the UK
Arriving in the UK is exciting as you begin this new chapter of your life! However, many of you will be arriving on your own and have a lot to think about when you land.
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Immigration & Documents: After landing, follow the “Arrivals” sign to immigration control. Join the “All Other Passports” line. Keep both digital and physical copies of key documents (passport, CAS – your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies --, offer letter, proof of address, university acceptance letter, etc.).
2. Travelling to Queen Mary from the airport
Queen Mary’s main campus is in Mile End (E1 4NS, East London). Here are the main transport options from major airports. Please note that all costs and times are approximate and can vary depending on the time of day.
If you are taking the London Underground (aka “the tube”, characterised by coloured lines in our guidance below), you will be able to purchase a travel card at the train station. The self-service machines should be easily spotted, but if you can’t find one, ask a friendly member of staff to help! Once you’re settled, you can use Oyster cards and debit cards to pay as you travel – more on this later.
Top tip: Google Maps and Citymapper are great apps you can download on your phone for real-time routes and fares. These are used and recommended by local Londoners! However, we’ve put some recommended routes below.
If you arrive to London Heathrow (LHR)
If you arrive to London Stansted (STN)
Please note that you can book taxis through apps like Uber and Bolt, however this can be expensive and timely. We recommend taking public transport where possible. Plus, you can get used to the underground quickly!
3. First steps once you have arrived at your new home
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SIM Card: Get a SIM from EE, O2, Voxi, Giffgaff, or Lycamobile. Many providers will offer student-friendly SIM-only deals (which you can just put into your phone). Buying a UK SIM card as soon as possible means you won’t be paying international roaming charges, and you can purchase online ahead of your arrival and get it delivered to your new address or pick one up at the airport.
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Residence Check-in: Head to your accommodation right away to ensure everything is ready and so you have a safe space to keep your luggage. Bring your passport, offer letter, and proof of payment. Inspect your room carefully and report damages immediately. Say hi to your new flatmates!
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GP (Doctor) Registration: A doctor who handles general health queries are known as a General Practitioners (GP). These are then located in GP Surgeries. Once you get here, you will need to register with a GP Surgery, so you’re prepared if you ever need help. Enter your postcode on the NHS website and follow the steps to register. Appointments can take weeks, so apply early. If you’re living on campus, you can register through the Student Health Centre, more information can be found here.
Have you got all the essentials for your new home? Here’s a reminder of things you might have forgotten!
Top tip: Check out our online shop to pre-order bedding, kitchen sets and more essentials. Preorder now to pick up on-campus at our Village Shop for extra ease!
4. Setting up your bank account and finance
Once you’re here, open a UK bank account quickly so that you can make purchases and receive income. Common student-friendly banks include Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest, and Santander. Check out websites like MoneySavingExpert.com for comparisons of student deals. You’ll usually need: passport, visa, proof of address (tenancy agreement or uni letter), and student ID/acceptance letter.
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Once you’re settled in, you might want to look for part-time work for additional sources of income. Make sure you check your visa rules on how many hours you can work in addition to your studies, before you apply! Here’s some reminders and tips for your job search:
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National Insurance (NI) Number: If you plan to work, you will need a National Insurance Number (NI) to be correctly processed. You can apply online via the UK government website. Please note that sometimes an identity interview is needed, so we recommend applying early to avoid issues with tax and salary.
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Agencies: For flexible event and hospitality work, consider applying to agencies like Delaware North, ARC, and Mint. These often provide shift-based roles at stadiums, concerts, and events.
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On-Campus Jobs: There are plenty of on-campus jobs which are designed for student schedules. At your Students’ Union, we offer part-time jobs from Receptionists to Baristas. Visit our webpage to see what opportunities are currently available or set up a mailing list alert of when there are vacancies.
5. Transportation in London
Once you have a UK bank account, you will be able to use your contactless to “tap in” and “tap out” of the tube. When you enter tube stations, you will see barriers where you can simply tap your card, and it will calculate your train fare based on where you tap out. Tubes are more expensive during peak hours, and the fare varies on where you are traveling. For more information on tube fare visit the TFL (Transport for London) website here.
Similarly, if you take a bus, you can just tap to get on. Buses are charged at £1.75, and once you tap in you have unlimited buses within the hour.
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Oyster Card: Though your contactless payment will automatically work out the cheapest fair, you may also choose to purchase an Oyster card. As a full-time student, you can get a “18+ Oyster card” which costs £21 and gives you 30% off adult Travelcards and bus season tickets. This is a good choice if you’re doing regular travel across London as for a price, you can have unlimited trips. More information here!
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16-25 Railcards: Also, as a full-time student, you can get a 12-25 Railcard for £35 a year, which gives you 1/3 off rail travel – a great way to save money if you’re planning to do some sight-seeing outside of London! You can also link this railcard to your Oyster card, which saves you 1/3 on off-peak fares on the London Underground!
6. Where should I shop?
Here are some shop recommendations that you can visit across London and locally for everything you may need during your time in London!
Supermarkets:
Cheap shops for essentials:
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Poundland: £1–£1.50 items—cleaners, detergents, storage, toilet roll, etc.
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Primark: A student favourite for affordable clothes, shoes, bedding, cushions, and décor.
Toiletries and personal care:
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Superdrug and Boots: the main, leading drugstores in the UK. Cheap essentials like shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant. Look for 3-for-2 or £5 bundle deals. Plus, get loyalty card and use student discount!
7. Money-saving app & discounts
Whenever you frequently visit a shop, make sure you get a loyalty card if it’s available. Most supermarkets have loyalty cards, which will give you access to exclusive offers and sometimes freebies! Get in the habit of asking at checkout if stores offer student discounts – if you don’t ask, you’ll never know!
Here are some handy apps to download for more discounts:
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Student Beans & UNiDAYS: Student discount platforms giving savings on fashion, tech, food, gyms, travel, and more.
Top tip: Many seniors sell second-hand items (rice cookers, bedding, drying racks) via student groups—much cheaper than buying new. We also have a Reuse Fair on Saturday 12 September and Sunday 13 September, where past students donate items they no longer need, for students to claim! Purchase your entry ticket here.
8. Events & social life
There’s so much to see and so many people to meet in London! Here are some ways we recommend meeting your London squad:
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Official QMSU events: As your Students’ Union, we host lots of events that are curated with you in mind! From Scavenger Hunts to Boat Balls, there’s events for every type of student. Check out our ‘What’s On’ page for updates on what’s happening throughout the year.
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QMSU Societies & Clubs: Explore societies through the Queen Mary Students’ Union to meet people with similar interests. Meet lots of the people behind the clubs and societies at our Welcome Fair on Thursday 18 September and Friday 19 September, and watch out for taster sessions all throughout September!
Plus, keep an eye out on our social media and website for recommendations of off-campus events and activities throughout the year!
9. Take note of these safety & emergency numbers!
10. How much will my expenses be monthly?
You may find it helpful to know roughly how much you should expect to spend each month. Here’s some approximate numbers you may find helpful for your budget-planning!
Please note this excludes tuition fees and rent.
Total: £390–£665 per month.
Top Tip: Prioritise essentials like food, transport, and phone bills. Save on entertainment by joining free student events or exploring London’s many parks and museums.Final checklist to make sure you’re all ready for Freshers!
With all this sorted, your student journey at Queen Mary is off to a strong start! We can’t wait to greet you!