Top Websites and Apps for International Students

If you choose to study in the UK, you can be assured that there is a lot of support available to help you at every stage of your student journey. Here we tell you about the top places where you can find support online.

Great British Mag

Great British Mag is a digital magazine and podcast that helps students interested in studying in the UK decide whether it is the best place for them and provides insights about life as a student in the UK. The team behind the magazine are former national and international students so they cover topics that they know are of interest and helpful to overseas students. 

They also have a Survival Service—a subscription that will help you with the hardest aspects of moving abroad like setting up a bank account, getting a sim card and finding a job.‍

UKCISA

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) operates a helpline for international students, lobbies the Government on issues affecting international students and has a website packed with information on such things as how to apply for the student visa and who qualifies for the post study work visa.

Student Minds

The Student Minds website is the place to go if you are struggling with mental health. It is the UK's biggest website on student wellbeing and mental health, sharing student experiences of mental health difficulties and useful resources. These include links to charities, helplines, support groups on and off campus as well as articles giving tips on staying mentally healthy at university.

British Council

The British Council and their Study UK website offer practical information and insights on studying in the UK including information on how to apply for scholarships. The website also has a database of approved agencies in your country that you can use to apply to a UK university.

‍Citizens Advice Bureau

The Citizens Advice Bureau is a charity that gives free advice and support to people when they have a problem with things like debt, immigration, and housing. You can access general information from the website or have a consultation via phone, email or by visiting a branch near to you, which you will find by entering your address into the Citizens Advice Bureau’s website.

NHS website

The NHS (National Health Service) website provides a complete guide to conditions, symptoms, and treatments, including what to do in an emergency. it also has a database of how different medicines work including side effects.

BBC iPlayer

BBC iPlayer is a streaming and catch-up service from the BBC that’s also available online. The app has a range of TV shows, from the latest BBC news and current affairs to live sports and you can binge watch as they have box sets of new and classic comedies and dramas.

BBC iPlayer is the perfect way to integrate yourself into British culture as well as practice your English (or Welsh… or Scottish Gaelic).

XE

XE is a currency converter website that shows you the best time to transfer money to get the best exchange rate. The website can be used to transfer money to more than 130 countries and recipients can get the money within 24 hours.

Citymapper

Moving around a new city is always challenging - knowing which bus to catch or when the last train runs can be difficult. Thankfully, there are a whole host of transport apps, and our favourite is Citymapper.

The app helps you plan your route whether you want to walk, cycle, use the tram, train, or tube and even if you want to car share. And is available for larger UK cities, including London, Manchester, and Glasgow, and 

World Time app 

When you move to the UK you might struggle with the time difference so having a conversion app is especially useful so that you don’t accidentally call your mum at 3am.

This article was written by Great British Mag