Preparing For UK Arrival: Setting Up a UK Bank Account, SIM Card and NHS Registration
Arriving in the UK as an international student is exciting. But before you step onto the training pitch or walk into your first lesson, there are three practical things you need to sort out and the sooner the better to prepare for your UK arrival.
Opening a UK bank account, getting a local SIM card and registering with an NHS doctor. None of these are complicated, but not knowing how to do them can leave you without access to money, without a working phone number and without healthcare when you need it.
This guide walks you through all three step by step, in plain language. By the end, you'll know exactly what to do, what to bring and what to watch out for.
Tip: Keep your passport and copies of you enrolment letters and visa documents to hand, as you'll need them.
Getting Connected: Your UK eSIM
Your first priority when you land in the UK should be getting a working phone connection. You'll need it almost immediately to contact your welfare officer, to set up your bank account and to register with a GP. Without a working connection, almost everything else becomes harder.
The good news is that you don't need to queue at an airport kiosk or hunt for a local SIM card shop. PitchPlay has partnered with Saily, an eSIM provider trusted by travellers in hundreds of countries, so you can get connected before you even get on the plane.
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM is a digital SIM card built into your phone. Instead of buying a physical card, you download your plan directly to your device in minutes — no swapping, no waiting in queues, no dealing with sellers at the airport. Most modern smartphones (iPhone XS and later, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, Google Pixel 3a and later) support eSIM.
Why We Recommend Saily
Saily is built by the same team behind NordVPN, one of the world's most trusted digital security companies. It's recommended by Lonely Planet, featured by Forbes, CNN and TechRadar, and holds a 4.7 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot from over 97,000 reviews.
For international students arriving in the UK, Saily is ideal because:
You can set it up at home before you travel as your plan activates automatically when you arrive in the UK
Plans range from 1GB to unlimited data, starting at very affordable prices
No physical SIM needed so no airport queues, no lost cards
One app manages everything including top up, switch plans or add new destinations as your travel changes
Built-in security features including ad and malicious site blocking
24/7 customer support via live chat
Opening a UK Bank Account
Having a UK bank account is essential. Your programme may need one to process any payments, you'll need it to pay for everyday things without paying expensive foreign transaction fees and it's how your family can send you money from home at a much lower cost.
The good news is that opening a UK bank account as an international student is much easier than it used to be, especially with digital banks.
Bank | Best for |
Monzo | Most popular with students. Fast setup, no proof of address needed, excellent budgeting tools, instant spending notifications and fee-free spending abroad. |
Wise | Best for international money transfers. Multi-currency account with very low transfer fees, ideal if you receive money from home regularly. |
Starling | Clean app, good customer service and full UK current account features. Often slightly faster than traditional banks for setup. |
Revolut | Good for managing multiple currencies and if you travel between countries. Hold and exchange 30+ currencies in one account. |
Digital Banks — The Fastest Option
Digital banks like Monzo, Wise and Starling are by far the easiest option for international students. You can open an account from your phone in as little as ten minutes, with no UK credit history required and no need to visit a branch.
Traditional High-Street Banks
Banks like HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds, Santander and NatWest also accept international students, but the process typically takes longer, requires a branch visit and may have stricter document requirements.
HSBC has a dedicated international student bank account that doesn't require a UK address history. Barclays and Lloyds have flexible ID procedures at branch level. Santander's Basic Current Account is a solid option with no monthly fees and fee-free international ATM withdrawals.
If you eventually want an overdraft or want to build a UK credit history for the future, a traditional bank account may be worth opening alongside your digital account.
Registering With the NHS
The NHS provides free healthcare to people living in the UK. As an international student, you are almost certainly entitled to use it and registering with a GP (a local doctor) in your first week is one of the most important things you can do.
Many students put this off because they feel healthy and don't think they need a doctor. Don't. Register now, while everything is straightforward. If you wait until you're unwell, you'll be trying to navigate an unfamiliar system at the worst possible moment.
Are You Entitled to NHS Treatment?
Most international students studying in the UK for six months or more are entitled to use the NHS free of charge because you will have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your visa application. This surcharge gives you access to the same NHS services as a UK resident for the duration of your visa.
What Is a GP?
A GP (General Practitioner) is your local doctor. In the UK, a GP is your first point of contact for almost all non-emergency health concerns. They can diagnose illness, prescribe medication, provide mental health support and refer you to specialists when needed.
You don't go straight to a hospital for most health issues in the UK, you go to your GP first. This is why registering with one early is so important.
How to Find a GP Near You
Enter your postcode or the postcode of your school or accommodation
A list of GP surgeries near you will appear, showing whether they are accepting new patients
Choose one that is close to where you live as most GP surgeries only accept patients who live in their local area
Tips: Ask your school, welfare officer or host family which GP they recommend as many have a preferred surgery nearby.
Some universities and colleges have their own on-site health centre, so check whether yours does before searching elsewhere.
How to Register
Registering with a GP is free and straightforward. It takes about ten minutes to complete the form and a few days to be processed:
Find a GP surgery near you that is accepting new patients (see above)
Visit the surgery's website or go in person, most surgeries have a registration form online or at reception
Complete the GMS1 registration form, this asks for your name, date of birth, address and some basic health information
Bring supporting documents if visiting in person: your passport, your enrolment letter and your UK address
You do not need your NHS number to register as one will be issued to you automatically when you join
Wait for confirmation which typically takes 3–5 working days. The surgery will contact you by text or letter
Once registered, you can book appointments either online, by phone or via the NHS app
*Please be aware each GP surgery will have their own process
Important: GP surgeries cannot legally refuse to register you based on your nationality or immigration status. If you experience any difficulty, speak to your welfare officer immediately.
What Happens After You Register
Once you're registered, you'll receive your NHS number that is a unique ten-digit number used across the entire NHS to identify your health records. Keep this number safe.
You can then book appointments with your GP for any health concern whether that is physical or mental. To book, you can call the surgery, visit in person during opening hours or use the NHS app.
Using the NHS App
The NHS app (free on iOS and Android) makes managing your NHS registration and appointments much easier. Once set up, you can:
Book and cancel GP appointments
Order repeat prescriptions
Access your health records
View test results
You've Got This
Getting set up in a new country feels like a lot at first. But these three things will make your first weeks significantly easier, safer and less stressful.
Take them one at a time. Start with the SIM (you'll need a UK number for everything else), then the bank account, then the GP. Most students get all three sorted within their first week and wonder afterwards what they were worried about.
If you have any questions along the way, make PitchPlay your first call. That's exactly what we are here for.
