Your First 90 Days in the UK on a Study Loan: A Practical Guide for Indian Students (2026)
You've received your UK Student Visa. Your GlobCred-facilitated loan is confirmed. You're landing in the UK. What happens next? This guide walks through every step — from collecting your BRP to understanding when your first loan repayment falls due — so nothing catches you off guard in your first 90 days.
Week 1: The Three Things to Do Immediately After Landing
1. Collect Your BRP (Biometric Residence Permit)
Your UK Student Visa vignette in your passport allows you to enter the UK, but your actual residence document is the BRP — a separate card. You must collect it from the Post Office branch listed on your visa within 10 days of arrival. Bring your passport and the BRP collection letter from UKVI.
Your BRP is your primary identity document in the UK. You will need it for your bank account, National Insurance registration, university enrolment, and any employment. Do not delay collecting it.
2. Complete University Enrolment
Your university will have a formal enrolment or registration process, typically in the first week of term. Complete this immediately — it is required for your CAS to remain valid and for your loan disbursement to proceed. Some lenders require a university enrolment confirmation letter before releasing the living expense tranche of your loan.
3. Notify GlobCred of Your Arrival
If your loan agreement includes a post-arrival confirmation step, complete it promptly. This typically involves submitting a copy of your BRP, your entry stamp, and your university enrolment confirmation to the lender via the GlobCred portal. This triggers any pending disbursement tranches.
Week 2–3: Opening a UK Bank Account
A UK bank account is essential for receiving the living expense portion of your loan, paying rent, and setting up direct debits. The fastest options for Indian students arriving in the UK are:
- Monzo or Starling — digital banks; can be opened on your phone within 24–48 hours of arriving. Accept BRP as identity document. Best for immediate access.
- Barclays or HSBC — traditional banks with India-facing accounts (Barclays Premier for HSBC Premier holders from India). More documentation required but more recognised for larger transactions.
- Wise (formerly TransferWise) — excellent for receiving USD from GlobCred-affiliated transfers and converting to GBP at low cost.
Most lenders in the GlobCred network can disburse living expense funds to a Monzo or Starling account once it is open and verified. Do not wait for a traditional bank account if it delays your access to funds.
Month 1: Loan Disbursement — What Happens and When
Tuition disbursement has typically already occurred — the lender pays your university directly, often before or shortly after your visa is granted. What may be pending at arrival is the living expense tranche, if your loan product includes one.
Timing of living expense disbursement varies by lender but is typically triggered by:
- Confirmed arrival (BRP and enrolment confirmation submitted)
- Verified UK bank account details provided
- University confirmation letter showing active enrolment
Contact GlobCred's support team if your living expense disbursement has not arrived within 10 working days of submitting your arrival documentation.
Getting Your National Insurance Number
You can apply for a National Insurance (NI) number as soon as you arrive in the UK. You will need it if you take up part-time employment (permitted up to 20 hours per week on a Student Visa) or any internship arrangement. Apply online via HMRC — the process takes 4–8 weeks. Starting the application in your first week is sensible.
Month 1–3: Accommodation, Budgeting, and Staying Compliant
If you have not already secured accommodation, this is the priority in your first week. University halls, private student accommodation, and private rentals are the main options. London accommodation typically costs £900–£1,600/month for a single room; outside London, £600–£900/month is more typical.
Monthly budget template for Indian students in the UK:
| Category | London | Outside London |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | £900–£1,600 | £600–£900 |
| Food & groceries | £200–£350 | £180–£280 |
| Transport | £120–£160 (Oyster/TfL) | £60–£100 |
| Phone & utilities | £60–£100 | £50–£80 |
| Course materials | £50–£100 | £50–£100 |
| Personal/misc | £100–£200 | £80–£150 |
| Monthly total | £1,430–£2,510 | £1,020–£1,610 |
Repayment: When Does It Start?
Most GlobCred-facilitated loans carry a grace period of 6–12 months after graduation before repayments begin. This means if you complete a 1-year master's and graduate in September 2027, your first repayment would fall in March–September 2028 at the earliest.
For Indian students who remain in the UK on the Graduate Route visa (2 years), repayments can be made from GBP earnings without any INR conversion. For students returning to India, repayments involve INR to USD/GBP conversion — factor the current exchange rate into your post-graduation budget planning from the outset.
Set up a reminder 2 months before your grace period ends to contact GlobCred or the lender to confirm your repayment schedule, preferred payment method, and any restructuring options if your post-graduation employment is still being established.
Month 3 Check-In: Your Loan Compliance Checklist
- BRP collected and stored safely (photograph both sides; keep digital copy)
- University enrolment confirmed — enrolment letter filed
- UK bank account open and operational
- NI number application submitted
- Living expense disbursement received
- GlobCred / lender portal login confirmed and password saved
- Repayment start date noted in calendar with 2-month advance reminder set
- Part-time work hours tracked (maximum 20 hours per week on Student Visa)
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