International Students

Living Costs and Funds
As well as paying your fees, you need to ensure that you have enough to cover your living expenses while you are here. Around £675 per month is probably what you need to get by on. To open a bank account you will need written evidence of your university place and your passport.

It is a condition of entry to the UK that students should have sufficient funds to support themselves and their dependants for the duration of their studies. This means that most international students cannot claim social security benefits without risking deportation. But there are exceptions – especially if your funds have been disrupted from home. If in doubt, make a confidential appointment to discuss your options with an ISAS adviser (229-8791).

Registration with Police
If your passport stamp says that you are required to register with the Police, you need to do this within 7 days of arrival in the UK. You need a Registration Certificate at the Nationality Department in Fettes Avenue. It costs £34 cash and you need your passport, 2 recent passport sized photographs, your letter of acceptance from the university and confirmation of your address (your written tenancy agreement is OK) to register. The office is open Monday -Friday 13:00 - 15:15 hours. You then have to keep the Police informed of any changes to your address, visa status, marital status, passport status or change of course/university while you’re here. For more info – including information on extending your leave to remain in the UK beyond your current visa date - see the Survival Guide or contact ISAS on 229-8791 or Student Support Services on 455 2929. It’s very important that you follow the law on this – and it is currently changing – so get advice.

Working in the UK
Students with “work prohibited” stamped on their passports must not work while they are here. They risk deportation for working illegally. Other international students can work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time and full time in university vacations or after the course ends, as long as the visa has not run out. Be careful not to exceed 20 hours in term time, the Home Office do check up with employers, and if you breach immigration law, you could be deported.

Students from the EU Accession countries – Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia – but not Cyprus and Malta – have to register to work with the Home Office under the Worker Registration Scheme if they find a job that that will last more than 1 month. They must do this within a month of starting the job. Registration costs £90 and students must keep the Home Office updated about any changes in their employment. If you have been working legally in the UK for a year, you might not need to register – but check out the Survival Guide on this, or contact ISAS on 229-8791 or Student Support Services on 455-2929.

Like everyone working in the UK, you will have to pay tax and National Insurance and before you start work you will need a National Insurance number. Contact 0845 6000 643 for this. See the Survival Guide for more info.