A is for Adventure: Mutazindwa Amirah’s Glasgow ABCs
Published: 7 November 2025
Mutazindwa Amirah, an MSc International Strategic Marketing student from Uganda, shares her top 3 essential tips for thriving as a new student in Glasgow. From setting up your phone and opening a bank account to registering with a GP, Amirah’s practical advice will help you settle in smoothly and confidently.
Author: Mutazindwa Amirah, MSc International Strategic Marketing student
Getting Accepted into Your Master’s Programme? Very Exciting! Moving to Another Country? Very Daunting.
Suddenly, you have all these questions that you don’t have answers for. “Where do I purchase a UK phone number?” “What bank account can I get?” “How do I register with a GP?” Then you queue up your TikTok searches, hoping to find answers.
Oops, I forgot to introduce myself! Hello, I am Mutazindwa Amirah, and I came 10,410 km from Kampala, Uganda, to study for my MSc in International Strategic Marketing at the Adam Smith Business School, the University of Glasgow.
This is me Mutazindwa Amirah
Now that we have the pleasantries out of the way, let's cover your ABCs that will make your move less scary.
A. Getting a UK Phone Number
On your to-do list, this will be the easiest task to tick off. Purchase one on arrival. There are several options available for purchase at the airport. I personally picked up my Three pay-as-you-go SIM at the airport. It cost me £25 and had me connected in no time. That way, I was able to talk to my family back home on the ride to my accommodation. I used this package for my first month in Glasgow, and when it expired, I purchased another plan using the My3 account. Monthly packs range from £10 to £90, allowing you to easily select the one that suits your needs. Simply add it to your cart and check out using your bank card.
B. Opening a Bank Account
After some research from friends and family, Lloyds Bank and Monzo came in highly recommended.
The best part? You don’t have to leave your accommodation to open your bank account; you can do it all on your phone. Make sure you have your passport on hand as you will need it for identity verification, your UK phone number, email, and home address.
Don’t know your address? Reach out to your accommodation team, and they will be happy to share that information with you. When you are done opening your bank account, the bank will post your card to you, and you should have it between two to five business days.
C. Registering with a GP
As an international student, you paid an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) during your visa application process. This grants you access to the NHS. But to access these medical services, you need to register with a local GP (General Practitioner).
I used GP practices | NHS 24 to look up my nearest GP. Ensure you have your postcode, as you will need it to perform the search. Once you have zeroed down on a GP, you will need to put in an application. They will have instructions on their website that you can follow. After your application has been accepted and your registration with your GP is completed, take some time out to familiarise yourself with the system. That way, you will know what to do when you need to see a doctor and how to make an appointment.
I highly recommend completing all three of these tasks within your first three days in Glasgow. That way, you can settle in faster and move on to exploring all this city has to offer. Fun fact, Glasgow was named the friendliest city in the UK, and I would like to confirm for you that all the rumours are true. People really do make Glasgow.
So, now that you know your ABCs, won't you share them next time too?
First published: 7 November 2025