Services students use

The services people moving abroad to study most often need, once they know where they are going. Choose your destination to see only what applies there.

Read this first. Sponsored links. We may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you. No provider pays to appear on a register page or to change what we write, and we have not assessed these providers the way we check a register. Our disclosure. Nothing on this page can make an application or a visa more likely to succeed. No university, college, school or education agent can appear here at any price.

Moving money

Deposits, fees and proof of funds usually mean sending money across borders. The fee is often hidden in the exchange rate.

Moving moneyWisePay a deposit or fees abroad, or move savings for proof of funds, at the mid-market rate. Compare the total cost with your bank before you send.Visit Wise

Student loans

For students without a local co-signer. A loan is a long commitment: compare the total repayable, not the monthly figure.

Student loansProdigy FinancePostgraduate loans for international students at partner universities, without a co-signer or collateral. Rates depend on your profile; read the full cost before you sign.Visit Prodigy Finance

Student loansMPOWER FinancingLoans for international students at supported schools in the United States and Canada, without a co-signer. Check which schools and programmes qualify.Visit MPOWER Financing

Blocked accounts (Germany)

Germany asks most students to show EUR 11,904 for the year in a blocked account. Several regulated providers offer one.

Blocked accounts (Germany)ExpatrioBlocked account for a German student visa, often bundled with health insurance. Compare set-up and monthly fees across providers.Visit Expatrio

Blocked accounts (Germany)FintibaBlocked account for a German student visa, with an insurance package option. Confirm the account is accepted by your German mission.Visit Fintiba

Blocked accounts (Germany)CoracleBlocked account for Germany. Compare the fees and the time it takes to receive the confirmation letter.Visit Coracle

Student housing

Book through a platform that holds your payment until you move in. Never pay a stranger a deposit by bank transfer before you have seen a contract.

Student housingAmberSearch purpose-built student rooms near your campus in the UK, Australia, Canada and elsewhere.Visit Amber

Student housingStudent.comStudent accommodation listings in university cities, with booking support in several languages.Visit Student.com

Student housingHousingAnywhereMid-term rentals in European cities, with payment held until you move in.Visit HousingAnywhere

Student housingUniplacesRooms and flats for students in European cities, booked online.Visit Uniplaces

English tests and applications

Only if your offer asks for a score. Book the test itself with the official test provider.

English tests and applicationsMagooshOnline preparation for IELTS, TOEFL, GRE and GMAT. The test itself is booked with the test provider.Visit Magoosh

English tests and applicationsE2 LanguagePreparation for IELTS, PTE, TOEFL and OET, with practice tests.Visit E2 Language

Insurance

Some visas require specific health cover (the UK charges an immigration health surcharge; Australia requires OSHC). Travel insurance does not replace it.

InsuranceWorld NomadsTravel insurance for the journey and the first weeks. It does not replace any health cover your visa requires.Visit World Nomads

InsuranceSafetyWingMonthly cover for long stays. Check it against the health-cover rule for your visa before relying on it.Visit SafetyWing

Phone and travel

Connectivity and flights for the move itself.

Phone and travelAiraloeSIM data plans for more than 200 countries, so your phone works when you land. Check your phone supports eSIM.Visit Airalo

Phone and travelHolaflyeSIM with unlimited-data plans for travel. Compare with a local SIM once you have an address.Visit Holafly

Phone and travelSkyscannerCompare flights across airlines. Check the baggage allowance, which matters more than usual on a one-way move.Visit Skyscanner

How a provider gets onto this page

A provider is listed only if it serves students after they have chosen where to study, is regulated where regulation applies (money transfer, lending, insurance), and publishes its fees. Being listed is not an endorsement. If a provider changes its terms in a way that harms students, it is removed, whatever it pays. Providers can apply through the partner page.