Living in a new place as a student can take some getting used to. After all, for most international students, everything from the culture, the people, and the language is new. But with time, most students not only adjust to, but also come to love the experience of living and studying in the UK.

Most UK universities have websites through which you can make online applications to study. It is important to explore all the options from different universities. Websites like FindaMasters or FindaPhD can be quite useful to find courses offered by different universities in your chosen subject area and even to know a little bit about the course material. You can get rankings for different universities in the UK in league tables such as the Times Higher Education Guide or Guardian’s University Rankings. These tables are published every year and rankings are based on several markers of educational quality.

Most universities offer accommodation, either on campus or in university-managed houses off campus. Students have the option of applying for university accommodation or finding accommodation on their own. Nowadays, students can easily manage to find accommodation online; thanks to classifieds websites like Gumtree, or on students’ groups on Facebook etc.

Tuition and accommodation costs can usually be found on the university or college’s website. As for general living costs, these very much depend on the location. Per week cost for living, including rent, utilities, phone bill, internet, food and toiletries will depend on the location, what type accommodation you’re living in, and of course your own spending habits. Costs could vary between £90 per week to £180 per week.

As all courses that accept international students are taught in English, students whose first language is not English are required to take an English language exam while applying, such as IELTS or TOEFL. The test score enables the university to assess whether the applicant’s English language usage is at a level suitable to study the course. Different courses will have different English language requirements and it’s important to make sure you achieve the pass mark you need.

Many universities offer scholarships for international students and these will generally be advertised on the website. There can be bursaries or scholarships for specific courses, as well as general post graduate scholarships for the entire department. The fees and funding section on the institutions’ website usually contains information about funding. You can also find more information about funding opportunities from the British Council’s Study in the UK section.

International students from outside the EU will need a student visa to study in the UK. There are different visa requirements depending on the type of course. For instance, students applying for a short course will need a different visa from those planning to do a post graduate course in the UK. All the information about visa requirements can be found on the UKBA website.

The UK has a rich and varied history and culture, as well as a wide variety of educational institutions and courses. Living in a new country as a student has its own charm, and can be one of the most fruitful experiences of one’s life. So make sure you explore and make the most of your life as a student in the UK!

Richard McMunn is a writer for How2become; a leading career and recruitment specialist for public sector careers. For the last 8 years How2become has helped numerous people prepare for and pass tough recruitment processes and assessment centers in order to secure their dream job. You can also connect with How2become on Google Plus