Relocating to the UK

Beautiful countryside, independent shops, big nightlife, sporting legends… they’re all on your doorstep when you’re living in Huddersfield. 

And did we mention the people? This has to be one of the friendliest places on earth. Also, Lonely Planet has voted our county of Yorkshire one of the world’s top destinations.  View the Lonely Planet Guide to Huddersfield.

Is Huddersfield a nice place to live?

There are a variety of things to think about when choosing a location for university, especially what it's like to live there.   Huddersfield is proud to be a part of the country's friendliest county. And we're proud to get great feedback from visitors to campus, such as "everyone was extremely welcoming and friendly". 

Welcome to friendly Huddersfield!

Where is Huddersfield?

Huddersfield is in a great central location in the UK. It’s around three and a half hours north of London by car. Leeds and Manchester are both just a quick train ride away.  And good connections to the M62 and M1 mean it’s easy to reach the rest of the UK by car or bus. So travelling to see your family or friends for a weekend should be a breeze.

Culture

Huddersfield has a strong cultural heritage, from the Grade I listed buildings to long running cultural events including Huddersfield Literature Festival and the acclaimed Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.  Get your fix of culture at the Lawrence Batley Theatre right across the road from the University. You’ll find a diverse line up of entertainment, comedy, dance, live music, theatre and cabaret.

Looking for something creative to do? Creative Kirklees is a free guide to arts and creative events, news and opportunities in the Kirklees area of West Yorkshire. 

Sports and outdoor activities

Enjoy the active life? Huddersfield and the surrounding areas offer no end of opportunities to stay in shape. Hiking, cycling and climbing are all popular outdoor pastimes in and around the Pennine Hills. 

Huddersfield also has a proud rugby and football heritage. Rugby League was born in Huddersfield in 1895 and the Huddersfield Giants Super League team plays regularly at the John Smith’s stadium.  The stadium is also home to Huddersfield Town AFC. Both teams have a loyal fan base in the town.  The stadium also hosts non-sporting events and concerts including performances by Little Mix and Take That. 

Living costs will differ person to person based on an individuals circumstances. In this section we provide an outline of the likely costs you will need to budget for each month. 

What should I budget for? 

Accommodation and the associated costs of accommodation are likely to be your main expense. The level of expense will differ dependant on the type and area of the accommodation you chose.  

In addition to accommodation costs, the following areas should be considered in your budget:  

• Utility Bills: 
  • Electricity
  • Gas
  • Water
  • Council tax
  • TV licence 
• Internet connection 
• Telephone/mobile phone bills
• Food & toiletries 
• Travel and/or motoring costs  
• Clothing and footwear  
• Leisure activities (going to the cinema, eating out etc)  
• Childcare  

There are a number of websites available which provide the average costs of living in the UK and you can sometimes find ones which compare the costs in the UK to your current location.  

To be paid a salary by the University you must hold a UK bank account or an account that receives a UK BACS transfer. There are different UK banks and building societies to be found in Huddersfield town centre which include many of the major banks.

To find out more about the services that each bank offers it may be helpful to speak to an advisor in branch or over the phone. All the major bank accounts have websites that explain more about the types of services they offer and how to set these up.

There are different types of accounts you can open in the UK and you can also have more than one.  You will be able to discuss the type of bank account that suits your requirements best with an advisor in branch.

Types of Accounts/Cards

Cash Card

The cash card is made of plastic and you can use this to withdraw money from a cash machine usually free of charge. If there is a charge to use the machine this will be displayed to you before you finalise the transaction. You will be issued with a four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN). You will need to keep this number safe and avoid sharing this with anyone.

Debit Cards

The debit card allows you to withdraw money from a cash machine in the same way as a cash card. You can also use this in place of cash in most shops. You may also be able to request ’cash back’ in certain shops as a way of withdrawing cash from your bank account.  

You can use your debit card to make online purchases however it is important to ensure the website is secure. As with the cash card you will be provided with a four digit PIN number. You will need to use in shops that have a chip and PIN machine. In this case you will insert the card and enter your PIN number to pay.

Most cards have a contactless feature which allows you to pay for goods (currently up to £100) without the use of a PIN. You can just tap the card on the device where contactless payment is accepted.

Standing Orders and Direct Debit

A standing order or direct debit can be set up to make automatic payments and are commonly used to pay rent and bills. You can often choose the dates the payments are taken which can help in managing your finances.

Current Accounts

Current accounts offer different services which vary from bank to bank. You can find out what the current account offers by speaking to an advisor. Some current accounts offer cash cards, debit cards and cheque books. The current account may offer some interest. It may be that you are offered a basic bank account at first. This can later be updated to a current account and the bank or building society will be able to advise on this. 

Savings Accounts

A savings account is designed to help people save money. You may have a savings account alongside a current account. Some savings accounts will make you enter a branch to withdraw money however others may issue you with a cash card. This is to discourage you from spending your savings.  You may want to speak to an advisor to discuss interest rates associated to savings accounts as this will vary from bank to bank.

How to Open an Account

After deciding on a bank or building society you will need to open your bank account. To do this you will need to visit the branch, unless it is an online bank in which case you should be able to do this online.

You will need to take with you: 

• a sum of money to deposit
• your passport
• a copy of your employment contract or other proof of income
• your tenancy agreement if applicable (you should take your residence permit along with you also).

You can ask for a letter confirming your employment from the payroll department who will be able to provide this for you on letter headed paper should you need this.

The bank will use this information to confirm your identity and address. Once in the bank you will need to complete an application form and make a deposit into your new account. You will receive your bank card and cheque book if applicable through the post. You will be able to find out more information on how long this will take whilst in the branch.

You can use a website such as Money Saving Expert to compare different types of bank account from different banks.

Statements

A bank statement will show all transactions on your bank account since the last statement. This is usually received once a month. The statement will show your current balance and will be delivered either by post or by email. You should contact your bank or building society immediately if anything on your statement looks incorrect.

Interest

Not all bank accounts offer interest however interest may be paid to you if your account is in credit. The bank will automatically place this money into your account after tax is deducted from the amount. You will pay interest if your bank account is overdrawn. You may have an agreed overdraft limit with the bank. In this case if you go over the agreed limit the bank will charge you high rate fees and the bank may not refuse your direct debits. Both types of interest vary according to circumstances and you can find out more on this in branch or by looking on the account terms and conditions.

Online Banks/Banking

An online-only bank, sometimes called a challenger bank, digital bank or virtual bank, is one that provides all its banking facilities online and through app platforms on mobile and tablet devices.

Online-only banks have no need for physical branches. Their services are provided using automated processes and real-time updates, offering customer support through in-app chat or by phone.

Digital banks and challenger banks also know they must stay ahead of the game with innovative features to appeal to customers. So, if you choose an online-only bank, it’s likely you’ll be the first to benefit from the latest banking innovations.

Benefits to using an online-only bank may include:

• Real-time spending notifications
• 24/7 in-app support
• Free payments abroad
• Ability to freeze/unfreeze cards
• Bill splitting
• Saving pots/jars
• Monthly spending reports
• Future spending projections
• Partnerships with other financial apps

National Insurance Number

Your National Insurance (NI) number is a number given to you by the UK government to keep track of your tax record and benefit entitlements and you will need this to enable you to work in the UK.

You may have been issued with a National Insurance Number if you applied for a visa to come to the UK.  If you do not already have one you must apply for a National Insurance number.

Your National Insurance number is unique to you and will stay the same.

National Insurance Contributions

You will pay National Insurance (NI) contributions if you are under the state pension age and the amount will be calculated on your earnings and deducted automatically from your pay. NI contributions go towards State pensions and statutory payments such as maternity pay, paternity pay and sick pay.

Income Tax

Income Tax is a tax you pay on your income. Most UK residents can receive a certain amount of income per year tax free. Your tax free allowance will be reflected by your tax code.

Income tax will only be paid over your tax free allowance, this amount changes yearly.  Any income you receive above this amount is taxable and the rate of tax you pay varies depending on your income.

Further information on income tax rates is available on the Gov.uk website.

As an employee of The University of Huddersfield, your income tax will be automatically deducted from your pay using the Pay As You Earn system (PAYE) that all UK employers use. You can view your tax code on your payslip. To query this code or if you think you are paying too much or too little tax, you need to contact Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC). 

HMRC can offer you advice and change your tax code if necessary.

You can ring them on 0300 200 3300.

Tax Returns

You may be required to fill out a self assessment form. This is filled in after the financial tax year has ended (4th April) and looks at all your income and decides whether you are on the correct tax code.

You can be fined if you do not submit your tax return before the set deadlines. There is guidance available on the HMRC website for help on how to fill in the forms. 

Pensions

The University of Huddersfield offers two different pension schemes available to its employees. You will be automatically enrolled on the appropriate scheme relevant to your position.

A proportion of your wages will automatically be paid into the scheme by the University. The two pension schemes currently available for new members of staff are:

West Yorkshire Pension Fund:
Available to support staff.
Further information can be found on the West Yorkshire Pension Fund website

Teachers Pensions Scheme:  
Available to academic members of staff. 
Further information can be found on the Teachers' Pensions website

Should you have any questions, you can contact the Payroll team available at payroll@hud.ac.uk 

Additional Income

You are not allowed to undertake paid or unpaid work additional to that for which you have been given permission by the Home Office. 

The entitlement of your spouse/partner to undertake employment will be dependent upon your conditions of entry. Your eligibility to undertake employment should be clear from the immigration documentation you  have been issued.  If in doubt, contact your HR department who will be able to advise you.

The University recognises the following trade unions for collective bargaining and would encourage all staff to join a trade union.

University and College Union (UCU)

The University & College Union (UCU) is the largest post-school  teaching union in the world.  It understands the work you do, as academics, and the problems you face.  And, of course, the more members UCU has, the more effective the support and protection we offer will be. The University of Huddersfield has a large body of UCU members, growing all the time.

Visit our own UCU at Huddersfield website or find out more about UCU, our campaigns and what UCU membership can offer you by visiting the UCU website.  

UNISON

UNISON is Britain and Europe's biggest public sector union with more than 1.3 million members working in the public services, for private contractors providing public services and in the essential utilities.

UNISON is also the largest UK trade union for support staff in higher education.

Our 50,000 HE members include registrars, librarians, personnel, technicians, administrators, clerks, secretaries, cleaners, craft workers, catering staff, porters and people working in IT, finance and estates management. We work to improve pay and terms and conditions, work for fair and equal treatment for all staff and campaign for an end to discrimination and access to training and career opportunities at national, regional and local level.

Find out more about by visiting the UNISON website.  

 

If you have pets and are thinking about bringing them with you there are certain requirements that you need to meet.  These differ, depending on the type of animal you wish to bring and whether you are bringing them into Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) or Northern Ireland.

The rules below relate to Great Britain.  Please see the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs website for further information about bringing animals into Northern Ireland.

 

Dogs, Cats and Ferrets

You can bring your dog, cat or ferret into Great Britain as long as they meet the right health and documentation requirements.

If you do not follow those rules, your pet may be put into quarantine for up to 4 months, or refused entry if you travelled by sea.

Useful Links:

• Gov.uk - Health and Documentation requirements
• Gov.uk - Putting your pets into quarantine

 

Other Animals

The rules for other animals depend on whether you are bringing them from an EU country or from outside the EU.

Further information about this can be found on the Gov.uk website.

To check the exact rules for your pet, you can contact the Centre for International Trade in Carlisle:

Centre for International Trade: Carlisle
imports@apha.gov.uk
Telephone: 03000 200 301 Find out about call charges

Fax: 0208 0260 498

Centre for International Trade: Carlisle
Eden Bridge House
Lowther Street
Carlisle
CA3 8DX

 

Pet-Friendly Rental Accommodation

Not all rental properties allow pets so you will need to take that into consideration when searching for a property to rent.

The Dogs Trust have created a website called Lets With Pets which gives you useful information on finding pet-friendly accommodation and advice for pet owners.  

 

Vets and Pet Insurance

The RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is the largest animal welfare charity in the UK.  Their website provides information on finding a vet, pet health care costs in the UK and pet insurance. 

Driving in the UK

You will need to check that you meet all the legal requirements before driving any vehicle In the UK. You must wear a seatbelt in any vehicle where one is available as this is enforced by law.

You must have a licence that allows you to drive in the UK. Whether you have this or not will depend on where your licence was issued. This will also determine how long you are permitted to drive in the UK for.

To drive in the UK you will need to check if you can use your current licence or if you will need to apply to convert this to a UK Licence. Any car that you may bring into the UK will need to be registered and taxed after six months. It may be more cost effective to buy a second hand car.

There are other costs to consider also which can make running a car expensive in the UK.

These include:

• Petrol
• Tax
• Insurance
• Repairs
• MOT

You will need to make sure your vehicle has an up to date MOT and is taxed and insured otherwise it is illegal to drive without these.

You can find out more information regarding driving and owning a car in the UK on the Gov.uk website.

You can also find out more about road safety in the UK by reading the booklet ‘The Highway Code’, which you can buy in bookshops and is available on the Gov.uk website. 

 

Importing a Car

If you are planning on bringing a car to the UK you will need to be aware of the strict car import rules, which are listed on the Gov.uk website.  These rules differ, depending on whether you are bringing a car into Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales) or Northern Ireland and also whether you are bringing a car on a permanent or temporary basis (less than 6 months).

Useful links:

• Gov.uk - Importing Vehicles into the UK
• Vehicle Certification Agency - Vehicle Importing

Methods of transferring money vary from country to country, however, your bank in your home country should be able to advise you of the ways you can transfer your money to the UK. 

The most common ways are:

• International money order
• International money transfer
• Banker’s draft

You need to be registered to vote before you can vote in UK elections or referendums.  There are different rules on who can vote in different elections and referendums.

General Election (elections to the UK parliament)

To vote in a general election you must:

• be registered to vote
• be 18 or over on the day of the election (‘polling day’)
• be a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen
• be resident at an address in the UK (or a British citizen living abroad who has been registered to vote in the UK in the last 15 years)
• not be legally excluded from voting

Local Government (elections of councillors in your community)

To vote in a local government election you must:

• be registered to vote
• be 18 or over on the day of the election (‘polling day’) (16 or over in Scotland and Wales)
• be registered at an address in the area you want to vote in
• not be legally excluded from voting

You must also be one of the following:

• a British citizen
• an Irish or EU citizen
• a qualifying Commonwealth citizen
• a citizen of another country living in Scotland or Wales who has permission to enter or stay in the UK, or who does not need permission

Useful links:

• Gov.uk - How to Vote
• Gov.uk - Register to Vote
• Gov.uk - Elections in the UK

Registering to vote doesn’t just mean you can have your say in elections.  It can also help to improve your credit score as financial lenders use the electoral roll to verify who you are and where you live which helps them to make sure that your application isn’t fraudulent and to avoid the risk of identity theft.  

Benefits and tax credits are payments from the government to certain people on low incomes or to meet specific needs. 

The Governments expects that anyone coming to the UK can maintain and accommodate themselves and their families until they are settled in the UK.  As a result, those who require immigration permission are generally subject to a ‘no recourse to public funds’ condition attached to their permission to enter or stay in the UK.   

Anyone who claims public funds despite being subject to this condition may be breaking the law and could have their immigration permission curtailed and any further immigration applications refused.

Examples of benefits which are not considered to be restricted for immigration purposes include:

• Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Guardian’s Allowance (if in receipt of Child Benefit)
• Incapacity Benefit
• Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Maternity Allowance
• Retirement Pension
• Statutory Maternity Pay
• Statutory Sickness Pay
• Widow’s Benefit and Bereavement Benefit

You should check if your immigration status permits you to claim ‘public funds’.  If you are on a visa, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to claim state benefits.

Useful links:

• Gov.uk - Public Funds
• Citizens Advice - Check if your immigration status lets you get benefits

Whether you are renting in the UK or buying a property you will probably want to set up all your home communications (internet, TV, home phone and mobile phone) as soon as possible. 

Internet

Most providers offer packages which include TV, landline (home telephone) and broadband (internet) services as a bundle.  These packages are often priced according to download speed and extras such as on-demand services and are usually cheaper than buying each element separately, but it pays to shop around to find the best deal for your needs. 

There are a number of comparison sites such as Compare the Market, Money Supermarket and USwitch which may help you to determine the best provider and package for you.

 

Television (TV)

There are a range of terrestrial TV channels to choose from in the UK.  Almost all channels are available nationwide through Freeview and the major subscription-based satellite and cable TV providers.    

Anyone wanting to watch live TV in the UK, whether via Freeview, satellite or cable, will need a TV licence.  If you do not purchase a license and are caught watching television, you could be liable for a fine of up to £1,000.  To check if you need to buy a TV licence visit the TV Licensing website.

• Freeview

To watch Freeview, you will need a Freeview TV or Freeview box and an aerial either in your loft or on your roof.  TVs bought after 2010 will already have Freeview built in.  

• Satellite TV / Cable TV

For an additional cost you can choose to subscribe to a satellite or cable tv provider, such as Sky, Virgin Media, or BT.  The cost will vary depending on the channels you want to watch (such as live sports or new movie releases), however, most offer a basic package which covers the most popular entertainment channels.     

Satellite TV services use a satellite dish attached to your home to receive television broadcasts whereas cable television is delivered via fibre-optic cables in the ground. 

• Streaming Services

The UK has access to several streaming platforms, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+, to watch movies and TV on-demand for a subscription fee. 

Companies who provide TV, Broadband and Phone packages may include free access to a paid streaming platform for a limited time as an incentive to buy a package from them.

In addition, the main broadcasters in the UK (BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5) have their own streaming services, including BBC iPlayer and All 4 where you can catch up on any programmes you have missed and watch boxsets. 

 

Mobile Telephone

You may want to buy a local SIM card or brand-new phone when you arrive in the UK.  There are a number of UK operators to choose from and many offer deals depending on usage and budget.  Some providers also offer discounts if you choose to take out other services, such as internet or TV. 

There are three types of mobile phone packages:

• Monthly contract

You can pay for a package which includes a new phone along with a set amount of minutes, text and data for a fixed monthly price.  Contracts are usually 18 or 24 months long and an application for a pay monthly mobile phone package would probably involve a credit check.

• ‘Pay as you go’

You only pay for the minutes, data and texts that you use and you ‘top up’ credit as and when you need to.  Once you use your minutes, data and texts you won’t be able to use your phone to make calls or send texts until you ‘top up’ again.  Pay as you go doesn’t tie you into a contract and you don’t need a credit check to get one. 

• SIM-only

As the name implies, you get a SIM card, but you don’t get a phone included.

With a SIM-only plan you pay a certain amount each month for data, calls and texts.  These plans are usually more flexible than pay-monthly contracts and you can get plans which last 30 days.

Keep in mind that if you do want to use a SIM-only SIM card, you may need to unlock your existing phone.  If your phone is locked it means that it will only work with the provider that you bought it from and you may need to contact them to request that they unlock it.     

Lots of networks offer SIM-only contracts without a credit check.  

 

Landline Telephone

A landline is a telephone connection which uses wires or fibre-optic cable to connect to the phone network.  Even if you do not plan on using a landline to make telephone calls, you may need one for internet connection. 

Your property may already have a landline, or you may need one installing by an engineer.  You will also need to pay line rental before you can start using the landline.  Costs vary by suppliers and you can often get line rental included in package deals with internet and TV.  You can use comparison sites to help fine the best deal for you.