Communication
Mobile Phones, Phone Calls, and International Calling Cards
On your arrival the International Office will provide you with a free phone card to let your friends and family know you have arrived safely.
The Post Office sells £5, £10 and £20 phone cards which offer reasonable rates for calling within the UK and abroad. These cards can be used with mobile phones, landlines and public phones. Special offers include free calls on Saturdays between 12.00 noon to 12.00 midnight UK time.
Many local shops also sell international phone cards, but remember with all cards to watch for hidden fees, especially when calling to or from a mobile phone. Alternatively you could search online for phone cards that you can use to call home, or that your friends and family can use to call you.
You can dial direct from the UK to over 180 countries. To dial internationally you need to dial this sequence:
00 + Country code + Area code (minus initial ‘0’ or ‘9’) + local number
Choosing a Mobile Phone
Many international students choose to purchase a mobile phone whilst in the UK. There are two primary forms of mobile use in the UK: contract (usually 12, 18 or 24 months), and pay-as-you-go. Contract phones provide a certain number of minutes calling time (and often texts) for a fixed monthly fee, whilst with pay-as-you-go you put money on your phone account that can be used for both texts and calls when you need it.
Please keep in mind that providers offer many different mobile phone packages and we encourage you to speak with providers before you commit to a contract. Use price comparison websites such as www.moneysupermarket.com to compare the best prices and offers for you.
Postal Service
This is available at the Post Office. Post Offices are usually open from 9am -5.30pm Monday to Friday and between 9am and 4pm on Saturdays. Mail can be posted at the Post Office or standard letters can be posted in the red post boxes located on the side of the street. Your nearest post office can be found on the Post Office website.