Scottish weather is often unpredictable but one thing is sure is that winters are cold and wet, so don’t forget to pack accordingly.

• Buy a waterproof jacket not just a warm one

• Layer your clothes instead of wearing one thick layer – inside buildings tend to be warmer than outside
• Pack warm socks for your flat
• Finding out if heating is included in your accommodation bill is important. This will let you know if you’ll have to budget for it each month.

The main mobile networks are:

• Giffgaff

• Vodafone
• Three
• O2
• EE
• Lebara

Visit the store or the provider’s website to research the plans available:

• Look for student-exclusive plans as they usually have added benefits and are sometimes cheaper.
• If you’re only staying for only 1 year getting a new SIM card isn’t a necessity. However, the longer you stay in the UK the better and more convenient it will be for you to have one.
• Every year during Freshers (the week before your classes start) we have free Lebara SIM cards available for you to pick up! 
  • You can check Lebara's website for more information on their deals.

Choose a GP close to where you live.

• You can research this by using the NHS GP directory at or on our website!
• Complete the Registration Form:
  • Contact the GP to find out how they’ll receive your application as this varies by practice. Some prefer email, while others are done online.
• Confirm your registration:
  • If your registration is successful, you’ll be notified by telephone or email.

A bank account is needed for rent, wages and generally paying for stuff!

Top picks for international students:

• Revolut
• Bank of Scotland
• Royal Bank of Scotland

Go to the website for the bank of your choice

• Select the account type that is best for you. It may be helpful to visit the bank to ask about the account types
• Fill out the online application
• Bring your supporting documents to the bank’s branch near you to confirm
• These include passport, student status letter*, proof of address.
• Wait for your debit card in the mail!

* Your student status letter is available through OASIS on your My Abertay Dashboard.

Here are some tips for flat hunting:

• Always view the property before paying if possible

• Read the contract carefully and check what bills are included

Where to look for flats:

Student Accommodations:

• Telephone House (new)
• Mezzino Dundee
• IQ Parker House
• Keiller Court
• Stanley Studios
• Meadowside Court
• Campus Apartments (helpful if you already have flat mates

 Private Flats and Houses:

Most students live in private flats after halls. For cheaper prices you can look at renting flats or houses with your friends or join a flatshare on websites such as:

• Zoopla
• RightMove
• SpareRoom
• TSPC

To work in the UK, you will need a NIN!

• Apply on their website!

• It usually takes 4 weeks to be created.
• So, don’t forget to apply for it before or while you apply for jobs

You will need:

• a passport
• a photo a photo of yourself holding your passport (this is done during the application process using a smartphone, tablet or computer)
• photos of other identity documents
• This is an online process; no local office visit is needed.

Students often work in retail, cafes, hospitality or caring positions

If you are interested in getting part-time jobs, placements or internships; use websites such as:

• Check for jobs on campus first here!
• LinkedIn
  • For example, you can find opportunities on the Abertay Careers Service LinkedIn!
• Target Connect
• Target Jobs
• Handshake

Attend part-time, volunteer and careers fair held during the year by the career’s team to find a variety of jobs.

Having a well formatted CV is important for getting a job

Do:

• Keep your CV to one or two pages
• Use clear headings and simple language
• List part-time work and volunteering
  • Align these with the impact you have made in the role
• Adapt the content of your CVs to the jobs you are applying for

Do not:

• Write long paragraph
• Do not include photos or age

Check your CV with the Abertay Careers Service here!

• If you don’t have time to book a meeting with the careers service, you can use the Abertay Careers CV360 tool!

The Scottish Parliament elections happen every 5 years. The most recent one was held on May 7th 2026.

The Scottish Parliament can vote on:

• Education and training
• Environment
• Equality legislation (some aspects)
• Health and social services
• Housing
• Justice and policing
• Local government
• Sports and the arts
• Taxation (some aspects
• Transports(some aspects)

You can vote if:

• You live in Scotland and Wales
• You are aged 16 and over
• You have permission to enter or stay
• You can register here!
• To register you need your NIN and your address
• On the day of voting, you’ll need photo ID to vote at a polling station

The printers might seem intimidating, but they are easy to use!

• Go to https://myprinting.abertay.ac.uk
• Add money to your wallet by selecting “Add funds”.
• From the sidebar menu on the left of your screen select “Start Printing”
• In the section that says send file via drag and drop, select “browse” and add the file you need printed from your computer or phone
• Log into the printer by scanning your student card or by using your Uniflow Pin Code (you will have received an email)
• Select “Secure Print” then “Print Jobs”

*The notch on the side of the printers is a stapler!

This visa is for short trips in Europe. If you are not a European Citizen, you will need to get this visa as the UK is not in the Schengen area.

• The rules depend on your nationality. However, applications usually start online and appointments are done in Edinburgh or London.
• Complete the application for the country you plan to visit first. Example, Schengen Visa France.
• Once you have gotten the visa, you can travel to any other country in the Schengen area, after the country you applied for of course.

Get more information here!

• Edinburgh for history and festivals
• Glasgow for shopping and concerts
• St. Andrews for beaches and walks
• The Highlands for nature trips (suitable with a friend and transport)

Groups like Friends International organises trips like these for international students.

For fun activities:

• Block10 (bouldering)
• Tenpin (bowling, laser tag etc)
• Dundee Rep Theatre
• Heather’s Street food
• Escape Dundee
• Cake or Dice (board game cafe)
• The DCA (cheaper movies)

To explore Dundee:

• City Centre
• Broughty Ferry for Seaside Walks
• The Law
• Waterfront
• Perth Road (food, shops and coffees)
• Magdalen Green and Baxter Park

To get around in Scotland you will either need a car or public transports.

Buses:

The great thing about Scotland is that if you are under 22 years old you can travel for free on all buses traveling through Scotland!

To access free travel you will need to apply to get your NEC (National Entitlement Card). You can apply here!

To apply, you will need:

• your proof of identity (passport, driving licence, biometric residence permit etc)
• a proof af address (council tax bill or bank statement)
• a recent digital photo showing your head and shoulders

Companies you will probably use the most are:

• Xplore (Dundee buses)
• StageCoach(Scotland buses - more expensive locally)
• >Lothian buses (Edinburgh)
• Flixbus (cheap transport, especially for long distances such as London - Scotland)
• Ember (Electric buses for fair prices for city linking - you can take it to go to the airport from Dundee for £9 one way)

Trains:

Trains are usually a bit more expensive than buses unless you buy a railway card for £35 a year (or £80 for three years), which will give you a 30% discount on all journeys.

For long journeys they are often more comfortable and have a better view than buses (especially if you go from Edinburgh to Aberdeen).

You can buy your railcard here!

If you are over 25 but are a full time student you should still be able to apply to the 16-15 railcard. You will need to complete a Mature Student Application Form to prove that you are still in full time study

During your time at Abertay and in Dundee, you will have the opportunities to get involved with lots of different activities such as ASA Societies, Sports Clubs, Part-Time Jobs, University and ASA events.

Another great way to get involved in your new community is to volunteer for your local groups!

Volunteers are always needed and are great opportunities to meet new people, in different fields than yours while helping others who need it. 

For this you can look through the Dundee Volunteer & Voluntary Action website to see if any offers spark interest, or on the Restless website.

If you need more any information on any point of this guide please don't hesitate to reach out to us at hello@abertay.sa.com