1–2 year Masters. No filler.
UK PGT programmes are 12 months — sometimes 16 with a placement. That's the same qualification as a 2-year US degree, for significantly less tuition and living cost.
Most Popular Homes for Students
Discover the best student housing near top UK cities and universities
Why the UK
What no one tells you before
you go but should.
Straight from students who've made the move. The real reasons to go, and the real things to prepare for.
The Graduate Route is real.
After you graduate, you get 2 years to work in the UK without needing a job offer first (3 years for PhDs). You can switch sectors and build UK experience safely.
NHS access from day one.
You pay the Immigration Health Surcharge with your visa, but once you're here, GP visits, A&E, and most treatments are completely free.
Genuinely diverse cities.
London, Manchester, Birmingham — you will find international grocery stores, places of worship, and communities in every major UK city.
The honest bit: rent is real money.
London is expensive. Not "slightly pricey" — genuinely expensive. A studio in London runs £1,200–£1,600/month. The play is to go to Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, or Glasgow — same Russell Group quality, half the rent. Outside London, £600–£800/month gets you a decent shared place. Budget for this before you apply.
Visa Readiness Engine
What are your visa chances?
Find out in 60 seconds.
Answer 7 questions. Get a personalised visa likelihood score and specific tips to improve it.
Your profile
All fields affect your score. Be accurate.
Your nationality
Degree level
University tier
IELTS overall band
Prior UK visa refusals
Gap years since last qualification
Proof of funds status
Readiness score
Based on UKVI data & outcomes
84%
Strong chances
Strong chances → Your profile is strong. Focus on documentation quality — ensure financial evidence is clear and CAS is correct.
This is an indicative tool based on published UKVI data. It is not legal advice. For a complex case, consult a regulated immigration adviser (OISC).
Pre-arrival roadmap
The journey from offer letter
to front door.
Six steps. Know what happens at each, how long it takes, and what trips people up.
Offer Letter
ImmediatelyWait for unconditional.CAS Letter
4–8 weeksExpires in 6 months.Book Accommodation
As soon as CAS is issuedSecure your home early.Visa Application
3 hours onlineFee + IHS required.Biometrics
1–3 weeks for apptBook immediately.Pre-departure
1–2 months beforeVisa in hand first.Arrival & Setup
First 7 daysBRP deadline strict.
Cost of living
What your money
actually buys in the UK.
Monthly estimates for 2025/26. Shared accommodation, including rent, food, and transport.
Budget — cooking at home, deals
Moderate — eating out 1-2x/week
Comfortable — regular outings
London
Rent (shared): £850–£1,100
- Budget / mo
- £1,350
- Moderate / mo
- £1,800
- Comfortable / mo
- £2,400
Manchester
Rent (shared): £550–£750
- Budget / mo
- £950
- Moderate / mo
- £1,250
- Comfortable / mo
- £1,700
Edinburgh
Rent (shared): £650–£900
- Budget / mo
- £1,100
- Moderate / mo
- £1,450
- Comfortable / mo
- £1,950
Birmingham
Rent (shared): £500–£700
- Budget / mo
- £900
- Moderate / mo
- £1,150
- Comfortable / mo
- £1,550
Nottingham
Rent (shared): £480–£680
- Budget / mo
- £850
- Moderate / mo
- £1,100
- Comfortable / mo
- £1,450
| City | Rent (shared) | Budget / mo | Moderate / mo | Comfortable / mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | £850–£1,100 | £1,350 | £1,800 | £2,400 |
| Manchester | £550–£750 | £950 | £1,250 | £1,700 |
| Edinburgh | £650–£900 | £1,100 | £1,450 | £1,950 |
| Birmingham | £500–£700 | £900 | £1,150 | £1,550 |
| Nottingham | £480–£680 | £850 | £1,100 | £1,450 |
City Explorer
Find your city.
Then find your home.
Every city Acolyte covers in the UK — with verified properties ready to browse.
First week essentials
Banking & SIM, sorted in 24 hours.
Do these two things before anything else. They unlock rent payments, phone plans, and discounts.
Monzo
Best for arrivalOpens in 10 minutes at the airport before you've collected your bag, just your passport and a selfie. No UK address needed upfront. Instant notifications, no foreign transaction fees. This should be your first account.
This should be your first account.
Starling Bank
TransfersSlightly more polished than Monzo for international transfers, better exchange rates on sending money home. Also opens fully digital. Open both; use Monzo day-to-day, Starling for transfers.
Recommended SIMs
giffgaff
£10/month
8GB data, unlimited calls & texts on O2's network. No contract, cancel anytime. Sold at airports and Tesco. Hands-down the most popular SIM among Indian students in the UK — order one online before you fly, it'll be waiting at your accommodation.
Smarty
£14/month
Unlimited data plan on Three's network. If you're a heavy data user (streaming, video calls home), this beats everything else at this price. No contract. Download the app to manage it.
Work rights
What you can do, and when.
The actual rules — no hedging. If your situation is complex, the UKCISA helpline is free.
During term time
- You can work up to 20 hours per week. This is strictly enforced.
- Your CAS letter will specify this limit.
- Allowed: retail, hospitality, office work, campus jobs.
- Not allowed: sports professional or dentist/doctor in training.
During official vacations
During official university vacation periods (Christmas, Easter, summer), the 20-hour limit is lifted — you can work full-time. Check your university's official academic calendar.
The Graduate Route
After graduation, you automatically qualify for 2 years (3 for PhDs) to live and work in the UK in any job, at any skill level, without needing a sponsor. Apply before your student visa expires.
Join 700+ students planning their UK move.
Acolyte's UK community — questions answered, areas compared, scams flagged. When you join, you're matched with an Aco Buddy who is already there.
Refer friends. Earn cash.
When a friend books a verified property through your link, we transfer £50 straight to your bank.
£50Per successful referral
Student reviews
From students who've done what you're about to do.
“I was convinced the listing I found on Facebook was real until my friend showed me the same photos on a scam alert page. The fact that Acolyte physically visited the flat changed everything. I slept properly the night I confirmed the booking.”
“Moved to Manchester for my Masters. Messaged Acolyte support at 11pm when I couldn't get the heating to work on my first night , someone replied within 20 minutes and had the landlord call me by midnight. The support makes the difference.”
“My parents in Hyderabad were more nervous about housing than I was. I showed them the Acolyte verification report for my flat , the physical inspection notes. My dad read it three times. They finally stopped worrying.”
Ready to find your home in the UK?
Every listing verified. Every city covered. Support from day one.