Costs associated with arrival

Aside from the cost of fees, accommodation and food, arriving in Cambridge and starting here as a student will have some further costs you may want to plan for in advance. 

The information on this page aims to help you think about what arrival costs you might need to consider, although actual costs may depend on where you’ve travelled from and your own lifestyle and preferences.  

Students can visit the following pages for information about more general living costs:

There are usually fees associated with applying for a UK immigration status. Students applying for a Student visa will need to pay the application fee and immigration health surcharge. 

In addition to the cost to travel to the UK, you may need to pay for transport to Cambridge when you first arrive. You may also incur costs travelling around Cambridge as a student. 

Your luggage allowance may restrict what you are able to bring with you to the UK, so you might want to consider buying the following items on arrival in Cambridge: 

  • Items for your accommodation
  • Winter clothing 
  • Sport equipment 
  • A bicycle (many students travel around the city by bike) 
  • IT equipment  
  • You will need an academic gown to matriculate. 
  • Aside from University and College fees, some Colleges may have additional charges, such as a kitchen charge. 
  • Joining a society may incur a cost. 

 

Many students choose to buy a mobile phone in the UK, although it is not a requirement to do this. If you plan to buy a mobile phone in the UK, there are two options: 

  • ‘Pay as you go’ where you buy the phone and separately purchase ‘top-up’ credit when you need it. 
  • A contract where the phone is often free or considerably discounted and you pay a monthly fee for an allocated amount of calls, texts and mobile data usage. 

There are many network providers to choose from. You can research online or visit a mobile phone shop to discuss your options. 

You may be able to use your current mobile phone in the UK. 

  • Check with your mobile phone provider before arriving if the phone will work in the UK. 
  • Check if this will incur any additional costs. 
  • Alternatively, check if your phone is ‘unlocked’. You may be able to buy a UK SIM card to use your existing phone. 
  • Opening a bank account can take time, so ensure you have access to funds for the first few weeks. 
  • Check with your current bank if they have a branch in the UK. You may be able to start the process before you arrive. 
  • Notify your current bank you will be using your account overseas if you will use your current bank account whilst in the UK. Foreign transaction fees may apply. 

If you are living in College, find out if the College has an insurance policy which covers personal possessions.  

Most do not, in which case, along with those in private accommodation, you should consider taking out insurance to cover loss of personal property.  

There are several companies in the UK that offer specialist insurance for international students, such as Howden Insurance. 

Research a range of offers and ensure you fully understand what is covered by the policy. It may be cheaper to take out insurance in your home country before travelling to the UK.