Palash Academy

🇬🇧 Pre-Departure Guide

United Kingdom — Know before you fly

Everything Indian students need to prepare for United Kingdom: arrival, first week, culture, emergency contacts, and packing.

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Departure Checklist

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1Valid passport (BRP end date + 1 day minimum)
2Student Route visa vignette sticker in passport
3CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) letter
4University offer letter (unconditional)
5Financial statements (required amount: £1,334/month for London, £1,023 outside)
6TB test certificate (if from designated country)
7Accommodation confirmation
8Digital copies of all documents
9Indian driving license (UK DVLA conversion possible)
10NHS surcharge payment receipt

Arrival Essentials

At the Airport (UK Border Force)

  • Use e-gates if you have a BRP — otherwise join the non-EEA queue
  • Carry your CAS letter, bank statements, and university offer letter
  • BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) is usually collected from university or Post Office
  • Declare cash over £10,000

Collecting Your BRP

  • BRP collection details are in your visa decision letter
  • Collect from the Post Office or university within 10 days of arrival
  • Check all details on BRP match your visa — report errors immediately
  • BRP is your proof of right to study and work

Customs

  • Declare goods over £390 (gifts/items to use)
  • Food: cooked meats, some dairy from outside EU may be restricted
  • Prescription medicines: carry doctor's letter
  • Cash over £10,000 must be declared

First Week Checklist

HIGH

Collect your BRP

From Post Office or university — within 10 days of arrival. Carry passport + visa letter.

HIGH

Register with the university

Bring your BRP, passport, CAS letter. Get student ID and library card.

HIGH

Open a UK bank account

Monzo/Revolut for instant setup; Barclays/HSBC/Lloyds for full accounts. Need proof of address.

HIGH

Get a UK SIM card

Lebara, Lyca, Three, Giffgaff, O2 — all have great student plans from £5–15/month.

MEDIUM

Register with a GP (Doctor)

Register at your local NHS GP surgery — free for students on Student Route visa.

MEDIUM

Apply for NI Number (if working)

National Insurance Number — apply online via gov.uk. Needed before starting part-time work.

HIGH

Attend university welcome/induction

Mandatory for most programs. Meet your academic advisor.

LOW

Set up Oyster / contactless for transport (London)

Load Oyster at Tube stations or link your bank card for 18+ student discount.

Cultural Briefing

Do's

  • • Queue politely and never jump the queue — a serious social offence
  • • Say "please", "thank you", and "sorry" regularly
  • • Tip 10–12% at restaurants if service not included
  • • Greet with "How do you do?" or "Alright?" — "fine" is the expected answer
  • • Respect pub culture — it's a social institution
  • • Be understated — British humour is dry and self-deprecating

Don'ts

  • • Don't be loud or boisterous in public — "keeping it down" is expected
  • • Don't start eating before everyone is served
  • • Don't ask someone's salary or age directly
  • • Avoid "aggressive" directness — Brits prefer polite indirectness
  • • Don't confuse England, Britain, and the UK — they're different things

Pro Tips

  • ★ NHS dental registration: do it early — waiting lists are long
  • ★ Student Railcards save 1/3 on rail fares — £30/year, pays off in one trip
  • ★ Use Aldi, Lidl, Tesco (own brand) for affordable groceries
  • ★ City Mapper app is essential for public transport navigation
  • ★ Council tax exemption: full-time students are exempt — register with the council

Weather & Packing Guide

Summer (Jun–Aug)

15–25°C

Jun–Aug

  • Light layers
  • A light waterproof jacket (always)
  • Sunscreen
  • Mix of formal + casual

Autumn Arrival (Sep–Oct)

10–18°C

Sep–Oct

  • Medium jacket
  • Jeans and warm tops
  • Waterproof shoes
  • Umbrella (essential)

Winter (Nov–Feb)

2–10°C

Nov–Feb

  • Heavy coat
  • Thermal innerwear
  • Warm boots
  • Gloves and scarf
  • Multiple sweaters

Spring (Mar–May)

8–15°C

Mar–May

  • Light to medium jacket
  • Layers
  • Waterproof boots
  • Umbrella

Local Resources for Indian Students

Indian Grocery Stores

  • Tesco/Asda Indian sections
  • Indian Grocers (Wembley, Southall London)
  • Desi Street (multiple cities)
  • Spice Village / Asian stores near universities

Places of Worship

  • BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir (Neasden, London)
  • London Central Mosque
  • Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara (Southall)

Indian Restaurants

  • Dishoom (London/Edinburgh/Manchester)
  • Gymkhana (London)
  • Local Indian restaurants near every university

Student Communities

  • ISA (Indian Student Association) at all UK unis
  • UKISA national body
  • Facebook: Indians in UK / Indians in [City]