The Best SIM Card In The UK For International Students

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If you’re an international student coming to study in the UK, you might be wondering if you should purchase a UK SIM card while you’re here…  

For most international students, purchasing a UK SIM card will be the best option to ensure you don’t get hit by a hefty bill for using data or making calls to UK numbers. However, you’ll need to do your research, especially if you need to call home regularly or want to use your UK SIM in your home country.  

UniHomes has compiled this guide to help you make the right choice. In this guide, we’ll cover: 

• How to decide if you need a UK SIM card as an international student 
• How to get a UK SIM card
• Types of UK SIM cards

• What to look for in an international student SIM card

Do you need a UK sim card as an international student? 

It’s quick and easy to get a UK SIM card, although if you purchase it online, you might need to have it sent to a UK address. Purchasing a UK SIM card is the best way to help you stay connected while out and about.  

Here’s a run-through of some of the things you’ll need to consider: 

Is your phone locked? 

A locked phone means that it can only be used with one network. This is often the case when you purchase a phone on a contract to stop you from changing to a different network provider. If your phone is locked, it won’t work if you put a UK SIM in it - you’ll need to try to get it unlocked in your home country. Your network provider should unlock your phone if you ask them, provided your initial contract term has ended. 

If you can’t unlock your phone, you’ll probably need to purchase a new one from your home country or the UK. 

Do you have a dual-SIM phone? 

You can use your existing SIM card and a UK one if you have a phone with two SIM card slots. This means you can switch between them to avoid high fees - you can switch back to your home country’s SIM to make international calls or when you travel back home.  

How to get a UK SIM card 

Buying a UK SIM card is simple - you can buy one online or from a nearby mobile phone store. You can also purchase a prepaid SIM card at many newsagents or supermarkets.  

Some major network providers might ask for proof of identity or address for mobile contracts. However, nowadays, many providers accept a debit or credit card to check your identity.  

Types of UK SIM cards 

When choosing the best UK SIM card, you have three main options. We’ll cover these in more detail below.  

SIM-only plan 

This is the ideal option if you have an unlocked phone from your home country that you want to use while in the UK. Network providers will give you a free SIM card (you can get one at a store or online), and you choose which plan works best for you. The more you pay, the more GB of data you’ll get. Most plans include unlimited texts and minutes to UK numbers.  

Many SIM-only deals are paid monthly, and you can cancel at any time or change to a different plan, which gives you a lot of flexibility. However, some providers will offer better deals if you sign up for a 12-month contract. 

Mobile phone contract 

If you can’t get your phone unlocked or want to purchase a new phone for your time in the UK, you might get a UK mobile phone contract. These plans include data, minutes and calls like a SIM-only deal, as well as a new phone. You’ll generally have to commit to paying the monthly fee for a 12-month or 24-month period, and the amount you pay will depend on the phone you choose and the amount of data included.  

'Pay as you go' (prepaid) SIM card 

This might be a good option if you don’t plan to use your phone much in the UK. A 'pay as you go' SIM card means you pay to add or top up credit (for calls, texts, and data), and once this amount is used up, you’ll need to add more to keep using your phone. You may still need to get your phone unlocked (if it is connected to one provider) before you can use a pay-as-you-go sim card. 

What to look for in an international student SIM card? 

There are a couple of factors to consider when choosing the best SIM card for an international student in the UK. You’ll want to consider your data allowance, value for money, perks, international calling rates, and roaming charges. 

Data allowance  

The amount of data you choose will be the biggest factor affecting your SIM's price. If you’re often out and about and like to stay connected, you’re better off choosing a plan with high or unlimited data to ensure you don’t run out. Three offers some of the most affordable unlimited data plans from a major network, perfect if you know you’re a data-heavy user - £25 a month provided you sign up for a 24-month contract.  

If you rarely use data, some plans allow you to carry your data over to the next month or pay you back for any GB you don’t use. For example, Sky Mobile’s Piggyback Scheme allows you to keep unused data for up to 3 years! 

Value for money 

In the UK, only four major networks own their own infrastructure (Three, EE, O2 and Vodafone) - the rest piggyback off one of these networks. These mobile virtual network operators provide the same level of coverage as the big four but are often cheaper and offer no-frills packages ideal for students.  

For example, Smarty (which uses Three’s network) offers affordable 1-month phone plans that you can cancel anytime and include unlimited minutes and texts (to UK numbers). Their plans range from 5GB (£6 a month) to unlimited data (£20 a month). 

Perks 

Another thing you’ll want to look out for is what perks are included in your chosen SIM card plan. Some network providers offer free subscriptions, food and drink freebies, or discounted tickets. For example, O2 is well known for its rewards - O2 priority offers a free weekly snack from Greggs, early access gig tickets, and free Disney+ for 6 Months (with some plans).  

If you’re a fan of social media, Voxi offers unlimited social media use with all its plans and unlimited music with select plans, so you can binge TikTok without stressing about your data allowance.  

International calling rates 

As an international student, you must consider international calling rates to stay in touch with family and friends back home. International calling rates can vary a lot between providers and depending on which country you’re calling, so it’s essential to do your research before settling on a plan. 

Lebara is known as one of the best plans for international calling - all their SIM-only plans come with international calls to 42 destinations included as standard. For example, their 5GB plan includes 100 international minutes and costs £5 a month, while their 30GB plan includes 500 international minutes and costs £30 a month.  

Roaming charges 

You’ll likely want to use your UK SIM card when visiting your home country rather than the hassle of switching SIMs, so you’ll need to consider data roaming charges. Many UK mobile networks charge extra to use data abroad, but some offer free data roaming in the EU (usually with a cap on how much data you can use). 

If your home country is in the EU, the following network providers offer free EU roaming (as of August 2023): O2, Asda Mobile, BT Mobile, Giffgaff, iD Mobile, Lebara (EU and India), Lycamobile, Plusnet, Smarty, Superdrug Mobile and Virgin Mobile.  

If your home country is outside the EU, you’ll have to pay extra (usually a daily charge or per MB) to use your UK SIM there.  

All-inclusive student accommodation from UniHomes 

Choosing the right SIM card can be a hassle, especially with so many mobile network providers to choose from. Thankfully, choosing quality student accommodation is a lot simpler… 

UniHomes offers a huge range of student properties (from trusted landlords and letting agents) in student cities across the UK. Every single one of the properties includes utility bills and internet, so you won’t have to stress about getting to grips with UK utility bills - we’ll handle all that for you!  

Check out which properties we have near your university to find the perfect student accommodation for you.