# Settling in — your first weeks as a student in the UK

> First weeks: enrol, register with a GP, sort a phone and transport, and join societies.

Your first weeks as a UK student involve practical setup and settling in: completing university enrolment and registration, attending welcome/orientation events, registering with a local GP (doctor), getting a UK SIM and a transport card, opening a bank account, and confirming your council tax position (full-time students are generally exempt). Joining societies and the students' union is the fastest way to make friends. Study UK Now helps you plan an orderly, low-stress first month.

## Quick facts
- **First days:** Enrolment + welcome/orientation events
- **Healthcare:** Register with a local GP early
- **Council tax:** Full-time students generally exempt
- **Make friends:** Join societies + the students' union

## Key takeaways
- Complete enrolment and attend welcome/orientation events in your first days.
- Register with a local GP (doctor) early — you have already paid the health surcharge.
- Get a UK SIM and a transport card, and open a bank account.
- Full-time students are generally exempt from council tax — keep proof of enrolment.

## The practical setup
In your first days, complete your university enrolment (which confirms your student status), collect any ID, and attend welcome and orientation events. Register with a local GP (doctor) early — you have already paid the immigration health surcharge, so NHS care is available, but you need to be registered to use it routinely. Get a UK SIM card, set up transport (a student travel or railcard saves money), and open a bank account. If you live in private accommodation, apply for the council tax exemption that full-time students are generally entitled to, keeping your enrolment certificate as proof.

## Settling in and making friends
The social side matters as much as the admin. Your students' union runs a welcome (freshers') period with events, and joining societies — by interest, subject or nationality — is the quickest way to meet people. Use your university's international office and student support if you feel homesick or overwhelmed; it is normal, and support is there. Study UK Now helps you arrive with a clear plan for both the practical setup and settling in, so your first month is about studying and making friends, not firefighting.

## Frequently asked questions
### Do international students pay council tax in the UK?
Full-time students are generally exempt from council tax. If you live in university halls you usually need to do nothing; in private accommodation you may need to apply for the exemption and provide a council tax certificate from your university as proof of full-time enrolment. Confirm the details with your local council.

### How do I register with a doctor (GP) in the UK as a student?
Register with a local GP surgery near where you live, usually by completing a registration form and showing ID and proof of address; many universities have an on-campus practice. Because you have paid the immigration health surcharge, NHS care is available, but registering early means you can be seen routinely when needed.

## Sources
- [NHS — how to register with a GP surgery](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/how-to-register-with-a-gp-surgery/) — NHS
- [GOV.UK — Council Tax: students](https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/full-time-students) — GOV.UK

Canonical: https://studyuknow.com/guides/settling-in-uk-first-weeks
Verified: 2026-06-16