Going to university guide Getting ready for university or college
Arrange student loans and bank accounts
As a student, you'll be able to get discounts off some forms of public travel
A three-year degree course is likely to cost the average student at least £30,000, so getting your student finances in order before you go is a must. Read our Student loans and finance section for advice on choosing student finance.
Find a job
The more money you have coming in during university, the less debt you’re likely to build up.
Some universities request students do not work during term time – check with your university for guidance. If you can work, look for vacancies as early as possible to beat the beginning of term rush. Good places to look include university notice boards, local newspapers and newspaper websites, employment agencies, online job boards, such as monster, shop/business windows. and speculative phone calls and letters
Read our CV and interviews advice guide for job-hunting tips.
Paying tax on earnings
You'll have to pay income tax and National Insurance if you earn over a certain amount from your part time job.
Our tax basics explained guide can help you work out when and how much tax you need to pay.
You’ll pay income tax if you earn more than £7,475 a year and make National Insurance contributions if you earn more than £139 a week.
If you're a full-time student with a holiday job, you may not need to pay tax if you're a full-time student in the UK, only working in the holidays; you're returning to full-time education after the holiday and your total income for the year is below the personal allowance.
To avoid paying tax on your holiday job, fill out a P38 (S) form and give it to your employer.
Council tax exemption
If you are a full-time university student living with other students, your household is exempt from council tax and you shouldn’t get a bill.
If you think you should be exempt but still receive a council tax bill, you can apply for council tax exemption through the DirectGov website.
TV licence
Every student using a TV at university to watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV (including on a PC or laptop) needs to be covered by a TV licence.
If you've signed a joint tenancy agreement with your housemates, you'll only need one TV licence to cover all the TVs in your house. If you've signed a separate tenancy agreement and you're taking a TV to use in your room, you'll need a TV licence of your own.
If you live in halls, your hall probably has a licence covering TVs in communal areas, but this may not cover a TV in your room. So, if you're planning to watch TV in your room, check with your university housing office whether a TV licence is needed.
Get to know the local area
If you are moving to a new area, it’s a good idea to buy a pocket-sized map and check out your university town before term begins.
Explore everyday essential destinations such as a local supermarket, cash point, bank branch, convenience store, doctor’s surgery and public transport facilities.
Useful numbers
Create a back up of phone numbers stored in your mobile phone, either in a paper telephone and address book, or electronically using a back up service or device. Useful numbers you should find out for term time include local taxi firms, doctor surgery, housemates’ phone numbers, local police station, http://www.nhs.uk, local takeaway numbers and the university switchboard number.
Find a doctor and dentist
Register with a doctor and dentist as soon as you can. Many campuses have their own health services, and some also have their own dentists and opticians. If yours doesn’t, the NHS Choices website can help you find a doctor. For advice on finding a dentist, read our guide.
Travelling to and from university
Decide how you’ll travel home from university for visits. As a student or young person you can get discounts off rail and coach journeys.
Rail travel: a 16-25 railcard (formerly called a young persons’ railcard) saves you a third off most off-peak journeys. It’s available to anyone aged 16-25 and people of any age in full-time education. The railcard costs £28 for one year or £65 for three years.
Coach travel: you can get up to 30% off National Express coach travel with a Young Person's Coachcard. It’s for anyone aged 16-26 or who is a full time student and costs £10 for a one year card or £25 for three years.
Car travel: Check out our car insurance review for tips on reducing the cost of insurance premiums for young people. Use the Petrol Prices website to find out where petrol is cheapest in your area.