Defi Lim | International Tax Law | King’s College London

Introduction
Hello!
My name is Defi.
Currently I am pursuing my
master degree in
LL.M International Tax
at King’s College London.
I work at Directorate General of
Taxes, Ministry of Finance of
Republic of Indonesia.
Today I would like to share my
experience in studying and living
in the UK, particularly in London.

📩 defilim@gmail.com
Why study in the UK?
• World-class education with excellent reputation
• Superb facilities
• Multicultural experience
• Most are a year long, thus your career can be accelerated
• Know more about British culture
• Perfect your English language and skills
Choosing your University

There are many factors in choosing your prospective university, such as its
reputation, attainable requirements, subject/course availability, location, living
cost, etc.
You can check the world university ranking website such as
www.topuniversities.com or www.timeshighereducation.com then visit the
related university website to get more details.
It is common to pick at least 3 (three) universities for your options.
Apply the Course
• Most universities require their prospective student to apply online
• Some applications charge you a fee, but you can find many for free!
• Check the entry requirements and fulfill them:
• Academic qualifications
• Personal motivation letter
• Reference or recommendation letter
• English proficiency:
• IELTS
• TOEFL
• Once you decide to apply, sign up an account to register yourself and submit the
requested documents

These processes take

considerable time.
Thus it is advisable for you to plan
several months before your study
begins.
Selecting funding option
• Self Funding
• University Scholarship
• Check your prospective university website for availability
• Institutional Scholarship
• LPDP www.lpdp.kemenkeu.go.id
• Chevening www.chevening.org/indonesia
• SPIRIT (Scholarship Program for Strengthening the Reforming Institution)
www.spiriteducation
• DIKTI www.beasiswa.ristekdikti.go.id
• IDB (Islamic Development Bank) www.isdb.org
• Jardine Foundation www.jardines.com
Applying LPDP
• Check the selection dates at www.pdp.kemenkeu.go.id
• Four steps of selection:
• Administrative selection
• Computer-based selection
• TPA
• Soft competence
• On the spot writing
• Substance selection
• Document verification
• Leaderless Group Discussion (LGD)
• Interview
• Final result

Key feature in applying LPDP is

to contribute for to the nation.
So, make sure ‘you are the one’!
Pre-departure
• Valid passport (6 months)
• Visa: apply min. 1 month before departure
• Flight(s) and luggage policy
• Arrange accommodation
• Finance/banking
• Medical check
• Travel insurance
• Book your welcome week/orientation
Apply the Visa
• Tier 4 (General) Visa
• Suitable if you want to come to the UK to study as an adult student
• You are allowed to study for a course that is longer than 6 months
• Have applied for a course with an approved Tier 4 sponsor
• Have been issued with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
• Provide all the supporting documentation
• Have sufficient fund to support yourself (or Letter of Sponsorship for scholarship)
• Have an appropriate level of English for your course
• Allowed to work no more than 20 hours per week
• For more info www.gov.uk
Bringing Family to the UK
• It is possible to bring your spouse/child(ren) to accompany you to the UK with Tier
4 Dependent UK Visa
• However, you must have sufficient fund within 3 months in your bank for an
amount of 460/month (max 9month of your stay) for visa requirement
• Your spouse will be eligible to work in the UK up to 40 hours per week
• Your dependent will be entitled to NHS (National Health Service) facility
• Giving birth is FREE in NHS hospitals
• Pregnant women are entitled to free prescriptions and dental care up to the baby
is 12 months old.
• Babies are entitled to free vaccines, free prescriptions, and dental care up to 16
years old
• Public schools for children are FREE
 On Arrival
• Be prepared for questions at UK immigration.
Have documents and key contacts at hand
• Let your family at home know you’ve arrived
• Collect Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) within 10 days
• Open a local bank account
• Choose mobile phone provider
• Register at the nearest GP (doctor’s) clinic
• Report to the Indonesian Embassy
• Register children in school (under 16)
Settling In

• Take part in all orientation activities

• Join student societies (On campus or off campus such as PPI UK etc)
• Academic timetable, term-times, plan your breaks
• IT – download substantial apps and access tons of journals
• Library card – take a tour
• Support classes – English, academic writing, etc
• Strolling around the cities to be adapted
Transportation
• Bus
• Same fare for any zone
• £1.50 for a single adult journey (zone 1-6) with
£4.50 daily cap
• Monthly: £56.90 student £81.50 adult
• Tube, DLR, or Tram
• Depends on the zone
• Zone 1-2 £2.40 for a single adult journey with
£6.80 daily cap
• Monthly £91.40 student £131 adult
• Hire a cylce (Santander)
• £2 for 24 hours or £90 for all year round

Visit www.tfl.gov.uk for more details

Download Citymapper apps to help you find the best
option to go and the cheapest fare to pay
Accommodation
• Accommodation option
• Short term:
• Wisma Merdeka (London) www.wismamerdeka.com
• Wisma Indonesia (London) www.wismaindonesia.com
• AirB&B www.airbnb.co.uk
• Long term:
• University halls/campus accommodation
• Private rented flat/house
• Finder: www.spareroom.co.uk ; www.zoopla.co.uk ; www.rightmove.co.uk

Renting a private flat/house for long term

accommodation could be a little bit tricky
since UK letting is managed by commercial
agents that require UK guarantor.
However, you can use www.ukguarantor.co.uk
or attach your Letter of Sponsorship (LoS).
Living Cost
• The cost of living in UK varies depending on what part of the city you live in.
• London, Oxford, and Cambridge have been considered as more expensive
than other cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, etc. For example,
the range of rent cost in London is £600- £800 per month while Birmingham
has a range of £500- £700 per month.
• Here is a quick overview of some items
• Meal: £10 - £15
• Sandwich/Wrap: £5 - £7
• A cup of Coffee: £2.50
• Bread: £1
• A litre of milk: £1
• However, you can save your money with the tips hereafter
Saving Tips
• Cook at home
• Buy groceries at the cheap store such as Lidl, Aldi, Asda, or Morrison
• Buy other than groceries at Poundland store: everything for just £1
• Sign up for shopping discounts: UniDays and NUS Card
• Discount websites e.g. www.vouchercodes.com ; www.lastminute.com
• Travel cheaper
• Railcard www.16-25railcard.co.uk
• Coach Card www.megabus.co.uk ;
• Haircut
• £5 women’s haircuts at Toni and Guy Academy
• Free men’s haircuts at London School of Barbering
• Bring your student ID card everywhere! Most shops and restaurants give offer for
students
• Eat Japanese food at Wasabi and Itsu with 50% discount for all food, ½ hour before
the stores close
Leisure Time
Take a break and enjoy the city by:
• Visiting museums which most are free entrance
• Strolling around beautiful parks
• Watching Theatre
• Watching Cinema
• Odeon Tottenham Court Road and Camden
Town for cheap student cinema tickets
• Outdoor Screenings at Rooftop Cinema
• Sign up for ShowFilmFirst for 2
• Attending Concert/Music Festivals
• Traveling around Britain

For more info, visit www.visitbritain.com and www.visitlondon.com

A dream doesn’t become reality
through magic;
It takes sweat, determination and
hard work
- Colin Powell