First 7 Days

First 7 Days in the UK Checklist for International Students

A practical first-week checklist for international students in the UK: accommodation, SIM, bank account, university registration, GP and emergency contacts.

Last reviewed: 2026-06-04 Reading time: About 3 min Risk level: High
International student planning the first week in the UK with a notebook and phone

Short answer

In week one, focus on accommodation, phone access, university registration, payment backup, GP registration and emergency contacts.

Who this is for

For new international students and families who want a simple first-week structure.

  • New students arriving in the UK
  • Parents checking in from overseas
  • Students without a UK bank account yet

What to prepare

  • UK address and postcode
  • University registration email
  • Phone number
  • Payment backup
  • GP registration information

Steps

  1. Confirm accommodation and send a safe-arrival message.
  2. Make sure the phone and internet work.
  3. Complete university registration tasks.
  4. Prepare bank account documents.
  5. Check how to register with a GP.
  6. Save transport and emergency contacts.

Common pitfalls

  • Shopping before completing essential setup.
  • No backup payment method.
  • Not saving the UK address and emergency contacts.

Official links

Check these sources before making decisions, especially for visa, healthcare, border, deposit and safety topics.

Final checklist

  • Accommodation confirmed
  • Phone working
  • Registration status clear
  • Bank documents ready
  • GP route saved