My tips for students

Open a bank account

Knowing that in my country the currency is in euros, I therefore had to ask my bank advisor for information about the use of my French bank card abroad to know the costs in case of withdrawal, payment... He advised me to open an account directly in Scotland, as this would be easier to use on a daily basis.

However, many of my French friends have taken the 'international option' in France to be able to use their French card in Scotland without having to pay too much extra.
I therefore advise you to check with your bank to find out the best possible options.

Personally, I use the 'Revolut' application which allows me to convert euros into pounds sterling free of charge. It is very fast and very easy to use. My Revolut account is linked to my French bank account with which I can make instant transactions.

The only costs that this application can generate for you are the manufacturing of a physical credit card (€7).

The standard subscription (€0) allows you to:
- Free withdrawals up to €200/month. Additional costs of 2% thereafter.
- Spend, transfer, exchange money all over the world up to €6000/month. Additional costs of 0.5% thereafter.
- Possibility to convert into all possible currencies.

Knowing that I pay everything by contactless card even for very small amounts, no need to pay a higher subscription.

'Revolut' also provides you with a Bank Identity Statement if you need to receive a salary, have rent deducted, receive or make a transfer...

Opening an account on an online application is much easier than opening a bank account in a local bank in the country because you are asked to provide the bank with various administrative documents, not to mention the fact that it is necessary to close the account after you leave the country.

There are various online banking applications but having used the 'Revolut' application all year round and having never encountered any problems, I recommend it to you.

Where do you cheap shopping?

Here are some shops to do useful and cheap shopping:

• Aldi is located in High Street and is really the cheapest and best store to shop for food for students. There are also household products, cosmetics but mainly food. I really advise you to do your shopping in Aldi if you live not far from High Street, because by saving on food, it will allow you to take advantage of it to do more leisure, outings...

• Poundland is a store concept where everything is sold for £1. I advise you this store for purchases at the beginning of the year (crockery, tupperware, cutlery...), for household products (crockery, sponges, garbage bags...) or for emergency purchases (super glue, scotch or others).

• Savers is a store where cosmetics, medicines, household products are sold for a low price as well.

• Primark is advantageous for early year home purchases such as duvets, pillows, bed sheets and others. In September, all the students gathered in Primark to buy all the equipment in the house!

• TJ Hughes is a good store to buy kitchen equipment such as pots, pans, cutlery, plates... Besides, it's good quality material!

• TK Maxx offers a selection of brand name and designer products at prices up to 60% less* than the RRP and at a significant discount to the prices in a department store or on the high street. So if you want to buy brands at a low price, it's a good address!

Young transport card

If you have to take the train regularly, I advise you to buy the 16-25 year old Railcard at the beginning of the year. Its price is £30 for whole year and allows you to get a 30% discount on train tickets to travel through Great Britain after 9:15 a.m.
You will make it profitable fairly quickly over the year or see it directly over a semester like me.

You can ask for it at the reception desk of a station.