Studying abroad at UCA: Living in the UK

The UK including Surrey and Kent are generally a safe place to study and socialise, but it is advisable to:

• Keep your passport and visa in a secure place.
• Stay aware and vigilant of your surroundings when travelling.
• Avoid travelling alone at night.
• Always use registered transport and accommodation services.
• Keep your belongings close to you.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and valuables; use your bank card for payments.
• Be alcohol and drug aware and know your limits.
• Stay connected to friends and family and always let someone know where you are going and when you will be back.
• Be cautious of phone, email, or text scams.
• In an emergency, call 999 for the police, fire brigade, or ambulance service. For non-emergency minor crimes, call 101.

Life-threatening emergencies

When there is a life-threatening emergency, such as a medical emergency, fire, criminal activity, or road accident, that requires immediate assistance, call 999 for an ambulance, police, and fire services.

If you require immediate emergency medical treatment, call an ambulance or go to the nearest accident and emergency hospital (A&E). A&E is open 24 hours and operates a walk-in service (there is no need to make an appointment).

Non-emergency services

• For police services call 101.
• For medical advice call 111, which can give you advice or direct you to the best local service to treat your injury.

We understand that studying and living overseas can have its challenges, here at UCA we want to ensure that wellbeing support is available if and when you need it. All the below services are free for all students:

1. Spectrum.life: A 24/7 student support service, call +44 (0) 800 031 8227.
2. UCA myWellbeing App: Easy access to mental health and wellbeing support. Students can:
   • Access mental health resources and self-help tools
   • Find tips on maintaining emotional wellbeing and managing stress
   • Contact the UCA wellbeing team for advice and support (wellbeing@uca.ac.uk)
3. Togetherall: A digital mental health and wellbeing platform, offering safe online peer support.

For more information please check the UCA Wellbeing Support Guide.

Mobile Phones

To use your mobile phone in the UK, check the roaming service rates provided by your home country service provider to ensure compatibility and inquire about any additional costs. If your phone is unlocked and compatible, you can use an international or UK SIM card. Providers such as EE, VOXI, O2, and Tesco offer these pay-as-you-go SIM cards. SIM cards can be purchased from most supermarkets or phone shops.  

Wifi

Many cafes, restaurants, accommodation providers, train stations, airports and shops in the UK offer free Wi-Fi for customers. All UCA campuses also offer free Wi-Fi.

TOTUM (National Union of Students – NUS Card)

You can apply online with a small fee for the card. TOTUM also includes a free ISIC (international student identity card), which provides global discounts and at major brands likes ASOS, Boots, Apple, Co-op and a variety of shops and restaurants from 10% to 50% discount.

UNiDAYS

You can sign up with your UCA email address through the UniDays website or app which is a free platform that provides students with online and in-store discounts from many top brands like Nike, ASOS, Boohoo, Apple, Levi’s, Domino’s Pizza, Urban Outfitters, and others. Discounts typically range from 10-30%.

Student Beans

Like UNiDAYS, Student Beans is a free app that offers you exclusive discounts and promotions for brands like JD Sports, Domino’s Pizza, PrettyLittleThing, Missguided and Samsung, typically between 10-40%.

Amazon Prime Student

You can register using UCA email address on the Amazon Prime Student website. Amazon offers students a six-month free trial of Prime Student which includes free one-day delivery, access to Prime Video, Prime Music, and exclusive student deals.

Apple Education Store

Apple provides up to 10% off on Macs, iPads, and accessories for students through their Apple Education Store. Special offers sometimes include free AirPods with certain purchases. Access the Apple Education Store online and verify student status.

Microsoft Office 365

UCA students can get Office 365 Education for free, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft apps through the Microsoft website with a valid UCA email address.

Tech Discounts

• Samsung: Offers up to 20% off phones, laptops, and accessories through the Samsung Student Store.
• HP: Provides discounts on laptops and accessories through their HP Student Store.

Food & Restaurants

• Domino’s Pizza: Up to 35% off through UNiDAYS or Student Beans.
• McDonald’s: Free items with purchases using a student ID.
• Burger King: 10-15% off with a valid student ID.

Public Transport

• 16-25 and 26-30 railcards are downloadable as an app that gives you 1/3 off rail fares for £30 for the year. If you take the train often, this is a great option.
• National Express Young Persons’ Coachcard costs £12.50 for one year. It offers 1/3 off coach fares on National Express (bus). It is available online or at National Express stations.
• International Student Identity Card (ISIC) costs £12 for the card and can be applied through ISIC website provides travel discounts on various forms of transport (airlines, trains, coaches) within the UK and globally.

• Canterbury travel information
• Epsom travel information
• Farnham travel information

Walking

All UCA campuses are in walking distance of many services, shops, restaurants and more.

Cycling

Is a cheap and easy way to travel locally in the UK, many cities in the UK have clearly marked cycle paths or lanes, and all campuses have bike storage and lock up facilities.

Buses

Buses are the main mode for travelling short distances in the UK and around the local area.  In most cities and towns, you can now pay by card, or via the local provider's mobile app. Buses are haled from bus stops and stop when signalled. Routes and timetable are available online on the local providers' sight or via google maps.

Trains

Trains are typically the most convenient way to travel around the UK, between major cities and towns. To save money, it is advisable to book tickets in advance, ideally as early as 12 weeks before your travel date. Discounted tickets can be found on various online train booking sites or directly from National Rail.

If you are between the ages of 16-25 or 26-30, you can apply for a discount railcard for £30 a year, which saves you 1/3 off most rail fares across Britain.

Trains from Farnham, Epsom and Canterbury to London’s Waterloo are frequent, with direct trains taking between 35 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes depending on the specific train service and time of day. The last train back to from London is around midnight. For the most accurate and current schedule, it's best to check the National Rail website or a train scheduling app.

In London, the tube is the fastest way to get around, and the most economical option is using an Oyster card or a contactless bank card.

Coaches offer a cheaper, though typically slower, alternative to trains. It is best to book tickets in advance. National Express coaches connect Farnham, Epsom and Canterbury to various parts of Britain, and full-time students can save 1/3 on standard fares with a Young Persons Coachcard.

Taxis and ride sharing

Ride Share (Uber) operates in big cities in the UK, and you can find them in Canterbury and Epsom. Uber is not available in Farnham. Local taxi services are available across the UK, including Canterbury, Epsom and Farnham.

Driving in the UK

Before driving in the UK you should check you are eligible to drive in this country with the licence you have. All airports in the UK and most cities have car rental services.

Getting directions

Google maps is a great application to use on travel times and options, and works across the UK.