Every summer, once the exam results have settled, I watch a wave of my clients preparing for their children to head off to a UK university. It is one of the genuine milestones of family life — and invokes excitement and anxiety.

For the student, it is the start of real independence. For a parent, a mix of pride, nerves, and the quiet ache of an empty seat at the table.

For expat families there is an extra layer. Your child isn’t just leaving home — they are moving countries, often to a place that is “home” on paper but doesn’t yet feel like it. New systems, new admin, new everything, and family a long flight away.

So I’ve pulled together answers to the questions parents ask me most, with links to reliable sources you can go to directly.

Registering with a GP

Most universities have a GP surgery on campus or in halls, and there’s usually a good choice nearby. Anyone in the UK is entitled to emergency treatment straight away, but for full NHS GP services your child needs to register with a surgery.

That can only be done once they have a UK address, so it’s an early-days-of-term job.

A National Insurance number makes registration easier but is not required.

Action: Use the NHS “Find a GP” service, then follow the step-by-step registration guide for England or Scotland (links below).

UK National Insurance number

A National Insurance (NI) number isn’t essential for studying, but it’s worth having. It smooths access to services, and it becomes necessary the moment your child takes paid work — a part-time job or a summer internship.

They can apply online once they’re in the UK.

Action: Apply online using the link below, once the student in the UK.

Student finance

Students might be able to apply for a student loan.

From 2026 the relevant scheme is “Plan 5”

• Repayments are 9% of earnings over the £25,000 threshold
• Repayments only start once your child has finished studying and is earning above that threshold
• The £25,000 figure is fixed until April 2027

You can check eligibility status directly with the university’s admissions team and Student Finance England before assuming a loan is available. The MoneySavingExpert Plan 5 guide explains how the loan works once eligibility is confirmed.

Action: Discuss between parent and student whether finance is something to consider and investigate together. Use the resource below to understand the trade offs.

Budgeting

Budgeting is the skill that keeps the first year calm and sets great habits for life. It’s easy for money to slip away in the opening weeks in particular.

MoneySavingExpert has simple budgeting frameworks built for students — a worthwhile hour to spend together before term starts. There is a free Open University short course (online) about managing money, both now and in the future.

Action: Discuss budgets before going to the UK, perhaps run through some examples and/or take the Open University course.

Home contents insurance

Laptops, phones and the rest soon add up, so contents insurance is sensible. Before buying a separate policy, check whether your own home contents cover already extends to a child living away at university — many policies include this.

Action: Check if parents' home contents covers a child living overseas. If not, use the sites to see what good offers are out there.

A few practical extras

• Opening a UK bank account. A UK student account makes day-to-day life far easier. Most banks want proof of UK address and ID, so research the options before arrival and open one in the first few weeks.
• Mobile SIM. A UK SIM or contract is usually far cheaper than roaming on a home-country number. MoneySavingExpert covers the best current deals.
• Council tax. Full-time students are generally exempt from council tax, but it isn’t always automatic. In private (non-halls) accommodation, your child may need to give the council a student certificate from their university.

TV licence

If your child watches or records live TV, or uses BBC iPlayer at all, they need a TV licence, cost £180. There is a narrow student exemption: broadly, if you (the parents) hold a licence, they live with you outside term time, and at uni they only watch on a device that isn’t plugged into the mains or an aerial.

The catch most people miss is the charging cable — watch iPlayer on a laptop that’s plugged in and a licence is required.

A student may be eligible for a Summer refund. Don't pay by quarterly Direct Debit, as you'll pay £5 a year more than you would by paying weekly, fortnightly, monthly or annually. If you have one, pay on a cash back debit card.

Action:

Useful references

• ​NHS — Find a GP​
• ​How to register with a GP (England)​
• ​Register with a GP (Scotland)​
• ​Apply for a National Insurance number​
• ​MoneySavingExpert — Plan 5 student loans guide​
• ​MoneySavingExpert — student money hub​
• ​Applying for a TV license​
• ​information on Students and TV License​
• ​Getting insurance quotes​
• ​Open University budgeting short course​​
• ​The Complete University Budgeting Guide​

A final word

This is a significant milestone for a child, and all supporting family and friends. It can be made much easier with some advanced preparation.

A short checklist helps.

If it would help to talk any of it through, I’m always happy to spend time with you — or directly with your son or daughter — as they make this big move. Sometimes a calm conversation is all it takes to turn a long to-do list into something manageable and helps ensure some positive financial thinking and organisation.