UKCISA - international student advice and guidance

Where and when to travel

Last modified: 11 July 2019

Where?

If you have come to the UK from outside Europe, you have a fantastic opportunity to travel around during breaks from your studies. There are many online guides to help you choose where to go and which offer lots of advice about travelling. For example:

Rough Guide
Lonely Planet

When?

It's a good idea to plan as far as possible in advance. You will need to plan travel around your studies, you may need to obtain a travel visa and if you book travel in advance by rail or by air, prices tend to be cheaper. We strongly advise you not to take time out of your studies to travel. Your institution may have regulations against this and UK Border Force Officers may also question you on your return if you are travelling during term time (and not at the weekend).

If you need a visa to travel, embassies may require you to have three to six months left on your UK study visa so although you may have time at the end of your studies, it may be more difficult to travel outside the UK at that time. If you have a Tier 4 Student visa, you should be allowed to enter the UK if you return after the end date of your course and before your Tier 4 permission expires. This will depend on whether Border Force officials are satisfied when you enter the UK that you will either complete the activity you intend to carry out and leave the UK before your permission expires, or that you will submit an in-time application to extend your leave in the UK. You should carry any documentation relevant with you when you travel to show to the Border Force officer if required.

You may be able to obtain a letter from your institution confirming your graduation date if you travel between the end of your course and before your graduation.

Discount travel

Last modified: 25 January 2016

Some bus companies travel very cheaply to Europe, for example Megabus.

Train travel tends to be more expensive although you can obtain discount as a student on a number of travel tickets.

Bus? Train? Plane? This Australian website has a useful summary and advice for travel on a budget

If you use a budget airline check where the airport is, as it can sometimes be quite far from where you'd like to go. You can compare costs of flights online with price comparison sites such as Skyscanner.

If you live in London, you may want to join the International Student House Travel Club which organises discounted trips inside and outside the UK. Your institution does not need to be a member for you to join.

Your Students' Union may also run discounted or cheap trips or be able to advise you how to save money on travel. And ask other students.

Before you travel in Europe, you may want to buy an International Student Identity Card which can give you benefits and discounts across Europe and beyond.

The Budget Traveller website has 75 tips for budget travel in Europe

Travel insurance

Last modified: 21 March 2017

If you require a visa to travel in Europe you will need to obtain travel insurance. Even if you don't need a visa, it is strongly advisable to obtain travel insurance before you travel.

Schengen visas

Last modified: 08 August 2016

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What's a Schengen visa?

How to choose your Schengen visa

Where to apply

How and when to apply

How long will the application take?

Documents to apply

A completed application form: No application for a visa will be accepted without the appropriate application form. Each country produces its own application form although the same questions are asked. The fee varies between countries.
Original passport or official travel document.
Recent photograph(s): The exact number required varies between countries
Proof of purpose of the visit: Invitation letters from friends may have to be verified by the local town or city hall where they are based. This may take time and you should start making arrangements as early as possible. Bookings and reservations for accommodation or tours may need to be shown.
You should check that your current UK student immigration permission will allow you to return to the UK after your trip. Most Schengen countries insist that your immigration permission to be in the UK should last for a certain period after you return from your trip. Some countries insist on as long as six months.
Evidence of sufficient funds to complete the trip: You have to show that you can support yourself during your stay in a particular country. Evidence confirming this can be recent bank statements, and credit card statements showing the current credit limit. Cash is not always accepted as proof. Not all countries state how much is required although The Netherlands suggests a minimum of £30 a day.
Visa fee: The visa fees charged by the different embassies vary, and you should check the current fee and which forms of payment are acceptable before you submit your application. The fee should be paid in UK pounds (or euros in some cases). Please note that most of the embassies state that the fee should be paid either in cash or by postal order and they will not accept cheques or credit cards. The fee is usually not refunded, even if a visa is refused.
Evidence of student status: You will have to show documentary evidence from your institution explaining that you are a full-time student.
Medical insurance to cover the period: Most Schengen countries require proof of medical insurance which covers the entire trip.

Safe travel

Last modified: 22 March 2018

Be aware of things to avoid to stay safe. There are tips on staying safe at:

Go Europe

Before you travel, make a paper copy and photograph of your passport, your student visa and/or your student Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) and keep them separate to your travel documents. If your hostel or hotel has a safe, it is a good idea to leave your passport and BRP and spare money there. If you lose your Tier 4 documentation while outside the UK, you won't be able to return until you apply for new permission. This is costly and takes a long time.

Lost passport or BRP while outside UK

Last modified: 22 March 2018

Before you travel, make a paper copy and photograph of your passport, your student visa and/or your student Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) and keep them separate to your travel documents. If your hostel or hotel has a safe, it is a good idea to leave your passport and BRP and spare money there.

If you lose your passport or BRP or these are stolen you will not be able to re-enter the UK and will have to apply for new permission to enter the UK. This can take several weeks. Contact your institution to inform them (and you will need to update your institution with your new documentation when you return to the UK). How you apply to re-enter the UK depends on the kind of permission and documentation you had:

If you had an entry clearance sticker in your passport

If you had a BRP

Travel in Europe