Because staying connected is basically survival.
Alright, so you’ve landed in the UK — maybe you’ve figured out your accommodation, started uni, even found the best Indian grocery store around. But now comes the big question: How do you get on the grid without going broke?
WiFi and mobile data are the lifelines of student life — from FaceTiming your family to Googling “how to boil pasta” at 2 a.m. So here’s a quick and pain-free guide to the top 5 mobile and internet plans for international students in the UK. Let’s get you sorted. 👇
1. giffgaff – Flexi & Student-Friendly
🤑 Price: From £6 to £20/month
🌍 Data: 1GB to unlimited
📱 Why it’s great:
giffgaff is perfect for students who don’t want to commit to long contracts. It’s a “pay-as-you-go” style SIM that gives you monthly flexibility. You can change, pause, or cancel your plan anytime — super handy when your budget’s doing somersaults.
🔥 Bonus: No credit checks + international calls to India included in some plans!
2. VOXI – Made for the Scroll Life
🤑 Price: From £10/month
📶 Data: 15GB to unlimited
📱 Why it’s great:
VOXI (powered by Vodafone) is literally made for Gen Z. You get unlimited social media (yes, seriously — Insta, TikTok, WhatsApp, Snapchat don’t count towards your data). So you can scroll without guilt while still having data left for your online lectures.
🔥 Bonus: Endless YouTube + video passes available too.
3. SMARTY – Simple, Cheap, Smart
🤑 Price: From £6 to £20/month
📶 Data: 5GB to unlimited
📱 Why it’s great:
SMARTY is low-key amazing. No contracts, great data deals, and they refund you for unused data. It’s run on the Three network (good coverage), and it’s one of the best budget-friendly options for students.
🔥 Bonus: Tethering/hotspot is allowed with no limits. Stream lectures anywhere!
4. EE – Big Coverage, Bigger Speed
🤑 Price: From £10/month (SIM-only deals)
🚀 Data: 1GB to unlimited
📱 Why it’s great:
If you’re staying in a rural area or want the best coverage and speed, EE’s your go-to. It’s a bit pricier, but ideal if you plan to travel around the UK or binge Netflix in HD (no buffering = happy life).
🔥 Bonus: Offers Apple Music + streaming perks.
5. BT Broadband Deal – For Your Flat WiFi
🤑 Price: Varies
🌐 Speed: Superfast fibre (perfect for shared flats)
📱 Why it’s great:
For your actual WiFi setup at home, BT has a 9-month student plan — made just for university timelines. It’s fast, easy to install, and doesn’t lock you into a full year.
🔥 Bonus: Access to BT Sport and WiFi hotspots across the UK.
💡 Quick Tips:
- Look for student discounts on sites like UNiDAYS or Student Beans.
- Don’t buy SIMs as you land — they’re overpriced!
- Most plans are contract-free — switch if you’re not vibing with one.
- Get a dual SIM phone if you want to keep your Indian number active too.
Staying connected doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. With the right plan, you’ll be FaceTiming home, smashing group chats, and streaming like a champ — all without blowing your budget.
