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 Mobile plans
🤑 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), also 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 Internet plans
🤑 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 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 — 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 with mobile & Internet, you’ll be FaceTiming home, smashing group chats, and streaming like a champ — all without blowing your budget.
