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• First few weeks

First few weeks

Bank account 

Your salary can be paid into any UK bank and there are branches of most banks on the high street in Exeter city centre and Falmouth town centre.  

Banks in the UK are legally obliged to undertake identity and address verification, which may lead to a delay in individuals from outside the UK opening a UK bank account. Please check with your chosen bank the items of documentation they require before you make the appointment to open your account. They will normally require proof of a UK residential address such as a tenancy agreement and a letter from the University confirming your employment details. If you require a letter confirming your employment to open a Bank account, please email human resources and this will be prepared for you. 

Once you have opened your account, please notify the payroll department as soon as possible. 

National Insurance 

You will need to pay National Insurance contributions (NICs) whilst you work for the University of Exeter (subject to earnings). NICs are collected by HM Revenue & Customs through the Payroll system and go towards benefits, such as unemployment benefit, the National Health Service (NHS) and the state pension. You will need to obtain a National Insurance number and let the payroll department know your number as soon as you have it. It can take up to 4 weeks to obtain but you will be able to start work without it. 

If you are a Skilled Worker visa holder you might have a National Insurance number already. Please log into your UKVI account to view your eVisa. If you don’t already have a National Insurance number, please contact the Department of Work and Pensions or Apply online. You can only apply when you are in the UK. 

Further information can be found on the Directgov website. 

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Long term accommodation 

Renting a property 

Monthly rental costs will vary depending upon size and condition of the property, inclusion or exclusion of bills, and proximity to the city centre and the University. Please be aware that quite often deposits are required when signing private-sector tenancy agreements, which can range from one to two month’s rent payable at the time of signing the agreement. 

When signing on with a letting agent, be proactive. Make sure you keep in frequent contact to remind the letting agent you are still searching for accommodation. 

Letting agencies that are a member of a professional body, such as ARLA Propertymark or safeagent, must comply with the body’s code of conduct and you can lodge a complaint if things go wrong and the code of conduct is not followed. If you decide to work with an agency, it is recommended that you look for those that are registered with one of these organisations. You can find a letting agent through PropertyMark. 

You must prove that you have a right to rent property in England. To confirm this, you will be required to present your passport/biometric permit to your landlord. Full details of the document checks required can be found here. 

If you have children, consider that the choice of school varies based on where you choose to live, this is known as the school’s catchment area. Most properties are advertised one month before they become available. The rental market moves quickly, so it is a good idea to visit letting agencies in the city to register your details, then agencies can contact you as soon as something suitable comes on the market. 

You should keep a close eye on websites such as Rightmove and Zoopla. These websites are an easy way to browse properties from all the different agencies. 

Buying a property 

A useful overview about preparing to buy a property, making an offer and the associated costs can be found on the Gov.uk website https://www.gov.uk/buying-a-home 

You should keep a close eye on websites such as Rightmove and Zoopla. These websites are an easy way to browse properties for sale in the area. 

Utilities/bills 

When you move into your new home there should already be an electricity and (in most cases) a gas supplier. You should take the meter readings when you first move into your new home to ensure that you only pay for the energy you use. 

Insurance 

It is advisable to make a list of everything you bring to the UK for insurance purposes. If you are renting it is advisable to obtain contents insurance and if you are buying a property, it is likely to be a condition of the mortgage to have building and/or contents insurance. You can use a comparison site like Money Supermarket or Confused.com to obtain an insurance quote based on your needs.

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Health 

Doctor 

For details of how to find and register with a doctor/general practitioner (GP) use your residential postcode on the NHS website below to find services within your area. It is free to register. https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/ 

Dentist 

For details of how to find and register with a dentist use your residential postcode on the NHS website below to find services within your area. It is free to register https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/ 

Other services 

Details about pharmacies, opticians and other healthcare services can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/ 

Emergency services 

Find urgent and emergency care services here:  https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/ 

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Driving in the UK 

Before you drive in the UK, you must check that you as the driver meet the legal requirements, and that your vehicle does too. It is illegal to drive without valid insurance, road tax and a valid driving licence. You could be fined, banned from driving, or even imprisoned if you are caught. 

In the UK, we drive on the left-hand side of the road and overtake on the right-hand side. You should always wear a seatbelt where one is provided and observe speed limits which are in miles per hour (MPH). Read The Highway Code before you do any driving in the UK to ensure you remain safe. 

Use this tool to see if you can drive in the UK with your non-GB driving licence 

• Driving in Great Britain on a non-GB licence - GOV.UK 

Further information about vehicle tax, MOT and driving licences can be found here: Driving and transport - GOV.UK 

You can use a comparison site like Money Supermarket or Confused.com to obtain an insurance quote based on your needs.