1. Get a budget.  
   Budgeting will help you manage your money while at university. You can use an app or a spreadsheet to track your income and outgoing spends to make sure you don’t run out of money! 

2. Learn the currency if you prefer cash transactions. 
   Getting your head around the British currency will help things make a lot more sense, and make it much easier to budget your money. 

3. Get railcards and coach cards for a discount on travels.  
   If you are 25 or under, a 16-25 Railcard can get you up to a third off the original price of train tickets. If you’re a bit older, a 26-30 Railcard can also get you a discount. Find out more about railcards available in the UK here! 

4. Work – always let employers know your visa status. 
   During term-time, international students studying an undergraduate or postgraduate course full time in the UK can currently work for up to 20 hours per week. You can find out more about working as an international student in the UK here. If you would like support looking for work or applying for jobs, click here to make an appointment with the Talent Team 

5. Get a National Insurance number.  
   If you want to work in the UK, you will need a National Insurance number. It is free to obtain and will take about 8 weeks for it to come through after you apply. Click here to apply for a National Insurance number. 

6. Learn how the grading system works.  
   Universities across the UK generally use the same grading system, including Coventry University. It’s different to other countries’ systems so get familiar with how it all works before you do your first assignments. Click here for an explainer on the UK university grading system.  

7. Make use of the amenities provided by the University.  
   The University offers a lot of services and spaces for you to get the most out of your time here. You can visit the Library to work or get ahead of your reading. You can also make appointments with various student services to get help and support with your work including the Academic Writing Service, Talent Team, and Student Success Coach. There are also online services like Sigma (for Maths support), all of which are available for you to use. 

8. Don’t be afraid to ask for help  
   If there is something you aren’t clear about in your studies don’t hesitate to ask for help from the members of staff. Your tutors or the Helpdesk team will be able to answer your question or direct you to someone who can help you. 
   At CU Scarborough you can contact the Student Support Team who can provide free welfare support by emailing welfare.cus@coventry.ac.uk. 
   Alternatively you can make use of Your Advice Service which offers free, independent and confidential advice and support. We won't share anything you tell us with the University without your permission. Click here for more information on Your Advice Service. 

9. Get a club card, a nectar card and other point rewards apps to get discounts on groceries  
   Supermarkets in the UK often have points and rewards cards which can get you discounts on your groceries. It’s well worth signing up to these if you shop somewhere regularly, and make sure to scan it when you do your shopping. Ask a staff member for help if you’re not sure! 
   Supermarkets with points cards local to campus include: 
   Tesco (Clubcard) 
   Sainsbury’s (Nectar Card) 
   Morrisons (More Card)

10. ​Enjoy the many scenic spots in Scarborough while you can!
    Check out our Unlocking Scarborough page to see more of what Scarborough has to offer. 

Found this useful? Click here to see Emma's first ten tips!