Ayr College is a Highly Trusted Sponsor (HTS) on the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) Tier 4 Register
Plan Your Trip > 3. Plan Your Finances
Money
There is no limit to the amount of money that you are allowed to bring into the UK with you, however, you should check that there are no controls in your country of origin that restrict the amount of money your take with you.
It is not advisable to carry large amounts of cash as this cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. It is better to bring either a banker’s draft or travellers’cheque which can be changed when you arrive. If you do decide to bring some money with you in your home currency, check that you will be able to change it into UK Sterling as there are some currencies that UK banks will not accept for foreign exchange.
You should bring enough travellers’cheques or UK Sterling for your first few days in Scotland to cover the cost of accommodation, food and travel within the UK £250 - £350.
How much money will I need?
| Item | Cost (GBP) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (Including bills) | £50 -£65 per Week |
| Course expenses (Books) | £60 per Academic Year |
| Food (based on cooking own meals) | £20- £25 per Week |
| Local Travel | £7 per week |
| Laundry, Toiletries, Postage, Telephone | £20 per week |
| Weekly Total Cost for One academic year (44 weeks) | £3600 - £5800 |
The UNIAID International Students' Calculator
The UNIAID International Students' Calculator has been developed by two independent charities, UNIAID and UKCISA, to help you plan and manage your money for your studies in the UK.
Working During Your Studies
Many international students are allowed to do some work whilst they study in the UK. However, this is not true for every international student, and even if you are allowed to work, there are certain restrictions on the type of work that you can take.
If you wish to work whilst you are studying in the UK you must apply for permission from the UK Border Agency. They will put a sticker or stamp in your passport telling you what conditions apply to your stay. These will conditions will be detailed in your entry clearance visa.
It is important that you apply for a visa that allows to work during your studies before your arrive in the UK. Attempting to change the status of your visa after you have arrived in the UK is a difficult process.
For more information on how to apply for a visa go to
Find out how past and present International Students have experienced working and studying in our student case studies.
What Sort Of Work Is Available?
It is important that you bring enough money to support yourself during your studies. You should not have to rely on obtaining a part-time job as it may be difficult to find one which does not interfere with your class timetable.
It is also very important that you are realistic as to the type of work you are likely to be offered in the UK. Do not expect to be offered work at a high salary. Most part time jobs pay the UK minimum wage which is currently £5.80 per hour. If you work in a highly skilled job in your home country it is unlikely that you will find work in the same field or position as you did back home on a part time basis here in the UK.
Below are a sample of some typical jobs which international student usually undertaken during their studies.
Will I need a National Insurance number?
Everyone who works in the UK and earns more than £89 a week must pay national insurance (NI) contributions.
Where you don’t have a number but do need one Jobcentre Plus will arrange an Evidence of Identity (EOI) interview for you. Jobcentre Plus will confirm the date, time and location of the interview and will tell you what information/documentation to bring with you.
'Evidence of identity' interview
Jobcentre Plus will use this interview to check that you are who you say you are, where applicable, your eligibility to work in the United Kingdom and to protect your national insurance and security accounts.
What to expect
The interview will usually be one-to-one (unless, for example, you need an interpreter). The interviewer will ask you questions about who you are, why you want an NI number, your background and circumstances. The interviewer will also ask to see the information/documentation you were asked to bring with you to the interview. During the interview an application for an NI number form will be completed and you will be asked to sign this form.
Many employers do not understand the rules about working for international students. Please seek expert advice from the Benefits Agency.
