Navigating uni life as an international student

Hi! My name is Oshan, and I'm in my second year of BSc (Hons) Computer Science. I'd like to share some tips and advice to help you navigate uni life with confidence.

Know your rights

It's critical to know your rights as an international student. There are plenty of visa sessions you can attend online before you begin your studies or decide on your university. These sessions are great for learning more about the rules and regulations regarding visas and your rights as a student.

If you have any further queries or issues, you can always contact your personal tutor or the University's international student support services.

Housing

Anyone living in student accommodation has rights in terms of deposits, privacy and maintenance.

You can find more information about the rights of students living in halls on the citizens advice website.

Equality, access, and disability

Students are protected under the Equality Act 2010, which prohibits discrimination, harassment and victimisation to protected characteristics in education. If you experience any behaviours like this, you can report it to the University or the Students' Union. 

Work rights

Having a part-time job whilst studying can help with your finances and budgeting, but you have to be careful that you are sticking to your visa conditions. International students enrolled in a full-time degree programme may be permitted to work under specific visa conditions. You can visit the employment information for international students webpage to find out more.

Working alongside your studies

Working part-time while studying is beneficial in terms of finances, personal growth, work experience and time management; however, it requires a proper balance between work and studies.

• look for jobs on a business's website or use job-finding platforms like Indeed or Totaljobs.
• you can also visit places in your local area to ask about job vacancies
• try to find jobs in your field of study, to gain experience and skills for the future

Take advantage of Bradford's Career and Employability Services to get help in building your portfolio. You can book an appointment with a member of the team to help you with writing a standout CV and Cover Letter.

Managing finances

It is crucial as a student to manage your finances and have a budget to be a better, financially responsible person. Some of my top budgeting tips are:

• you should open a UK bank account to ensure a safe and smooth banking experience. You can even receive cashback on some of your purchases, depending on which account you choose
• many of the supermarkets offer membership cards which enable you to buy things at reduced prices and earn points. With certain supermarkets, these points can be redeemed for money-off vouchers
• don't forget to ask if stores accept student discounts. Some stores may ask to see your university student ID to confirm you are a student
• you can use apps like Student Beans or UNiDAYS to see the latest student discounts and offers
• create a weekly or monthly budget plan to track your expenses

Gaining experience

Growth takes time, so don't rush the experience. There's nothing wrong with starting early and going at your own pace. Look through opportunities from time to time and go for the ones that you think will lead to development and growth.

Some of my tips are:

• build your portfolio through volunteer roles, part-time work, and exchange programs
• apply for summer experience internships through the University’s Career and Employability webpage
• engage in sports and societies to learn transferable skills
• network and don't hesitate to reach out to people

Final thoughts

It's okay to feel lost; do not hesitate to reach out to people. There are numerous services around you to help you anytime, about anything.

Got questions about studying in the UK?

You don't have to be born here to be made in Bradford.

Check out our dedicated International Students webpage or make an enquiry, and a member of our enquiries team will get back to you.