u/Reasonable-Win-2556

Hey Guysssssssssssssssssss!!!

My friend and I are international students from India, and we'll be flying with British Airways on 14 September from Bengaluru to Manchester via London Heathrow Terminal 5 on a single booking.

Over the past few days, we've come across quite a few posts and comments online about passengers receiving their checked baggage 2–3 days after arriving, especially on connecting flights and also the baggage is getting delayed and lost in most of the cases. Naturally, that's made us a little anxious because we'll be carrying most of our belongings for our move to the UK.

We want your opinions and experiences on this, whether this is something that happens regularly or if it's just that people with bad experiences are more likely to post about them online.

Also, for those who have flown British Airways recently, especially on routes connecting through Heathrow, guys can u answer some of our queries please????? Such as-

1. Is delayed baggage a common issue, or is it relatively rare?
2. Have you experienced delayed or misplaced baggage recently?
3. If your baggage was delayed, how long did it take to reach you?
4. Have you noticed any improvement or worsening in baggage handling recently?
5. Would you recommend putting an AirTag or another luggage tracker in checked baggage?
6. Are there any practical tips to reduce the chances of baggage delays during a Heathrow connection?

We'd really appreciate hearing about your recent experiences and opinions. Thank you in advance!

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some advice on career paths and expectations.
I do not hold a standard UK LLB (undergraduate law degree), nor am I a qualified lawyer in my home country. I recently looked into the SQE route to become a solicitor in England and Wales, but after reviewing the intense domestic syllabus (and realizing my true interests), I have decided I do not want to take the SQE.
Instead, I want to fully commit to pursuing an LLM in International Corporate and Commercial Law.
I am highly interested in the strategic, high-level side of law—such as cross-border contracts, M&A, corporate governance, and international arbitration—rather than domestic litigation or strict English procedural law.
Since I am skipping the traditional solicitor route, I want to know what the job market looks like for someone with my background.
What are the best non-traditional legal roles for an LLM graduate with no SQE/qualifying degree? (e.g., In-house contract specialists, corporate compliance, legal consultancy at Big 4 firms?)
Which specific jurisdictions or industries (tech, banking, international trade) are most receptive to hiring LLM-only graduates?
What practical skills or certifications should I target during my master's to make my CV stand out to corporate employers?
Would love to hear from anyone who skipped the qualifying exams and went straight into corporate compliance, in-house roles, or consultancy. Thanks in advance!

Hey guys,
I’m an international student moving to the UK this September. I managed to open my HSBC UK account early, and I’ve already received my Visa debit card from HSBC UK here in India. I also successfully set up the mobile app and internet banking maybe.
However, I haven’t received the "telephone security code" yet. When I contacted support, one agent said that they sent it on the 21st of June and another said the 23rd of June and it will take 14 days to reach to me by courier.
Since I'm still in India and won't be flying out until September, I'm a bit paranoid. Will not having this code cause any issues with my account in the meantime? Like, could they freeze it or block my card before I even arrive in the UK? Or is this code strictly just for verifying your identity if you call them over the phone?
Are there any major pros/cons to having it if I can already do everything on the app? Just want to make sure my account stays safe and active while I'm waiting to move.
Thanks!

Hey everyone! 👋
I’m heading to the UK this September as an international student from INDIA🇬🇧 📚 As I start looking into flight bookings, I'm trying to figure out the best routing strategies.
For personal comfort and peace of mind, I am specifically looking to book flights that **avoid transiting through or flying over the Middle East region**. I had previously looked at carriers like Qatar Airways or Oman Air, but I want to pivot to alternative geographical routes.
For any frequent flyers or aviation enthusiasts here, what are the best airlines or routing options right now to accomplish this? I am currently looking at:
**Direct Carriers:** Flying straight from India via **Air India**, **British Airways**, or **Virgin Atlantic**. Do these routes generally stick to more northern/alternative paths now?
**European Hubs:** Transiting through Europe using airlines like **Lufthansa** (via Frankfurt), **Air France** (via Paris), or **KLM** (via Amsterdam).
**East Asian Routing:** Has anyone tried booking a longer layover via **Singapore Airlines** or similar hubs just to take an entirely different flight corridor?
Since I am moving for university, good student luggage allowances (like an extra 23kg bag) are a massive priority for me! 🎒🧳
Would love to hear about your recent flight experiences, route paths, and which airlines you'd recommend for this preference.
Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone! 👋
I’m heading to the UK this September as an international student from INDIA🇬🇧 📚 As I start looking into flight bookings, I'm trying to figure out the best routing strategies.
For personal comfort and peace of mind, I am specifically looking to book flights that **avoid transiting through or flying over the Middle East region**. I had previously looked at carriers like Qatar Airways or Oman Air, but I want to pivot to alternative geographical routes.
For any frequent flyers or aviation enthusiasts here, what are the best airlines or routing options right now to accomplish this? I am currently looking at:
**Direct Carriers:** Flying straight from India via **Air India**, **British Airways**, or **Virgin Atlantic**. Do these routes generally stick to more northern/alternative paths now?
**European Hubs:** Transiting through Europe using airlines like **Lufthansa** (via Frankfurt), **Air France** (via Paris), or **KLM** (via Amsterdam).
**East Asian Routing:** Has anyone tried booking a longer layover via **Singapore Airlines** or similar hubs just to take an entirely different flight corridor?
Since I am moving for university, good student luggage allowances (like an extra 23kg bag) are a massive priority for me! 🎒🧳
Would love to hear about your recent flight experiences, route paths, and which airlines you'd recommend for this preference.
Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,
I am traveling to the UK soon (flying into Manchester Airport) on a student visa and have a few specific questions about passing through UK Border Force immigration.
Context on my funds:
Total Loan: I have a sanctioned education loan of ₹50 Lakhs from HDFC Credila.
Tuition Paid: I am paying half of my tuition fees upfront to my university.
Living Costs / Remaining Funds: I am taking a partial disbursement of the loan. The remaining funds will be transferred to my HSBC UK account.
My specific questions for anyone who has been through Manchester recently:
Do officers ask you to log into mobile banking? If they ask for proof of funds, will they require me to open my live banking app right there to check my balance?
Is a Credila Sanction Letter trusted at the border? Will the Border Force officers accept my official HDFC Credila loan sanction letter as valid financial proof, or do they look down on non-banking financial companies (NBFCs)?
Do I need to show 28-day matured funds at the airport? I know the 28-day rule is strictly enforced during the online visa application stage. Does Border Control expect you to maintain that same strict 28-day holding period in your current accounts upon arrival?
I want to make sure I carry the exact right paperwork so I don't face any issues at immigration. Any experiences or insights, especially regarding Manchester Airport border checks, would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,
I’m an international student moving to the UK soon for university. I’m trying to plan my budget for the first few months so I don't overspend while adjusting to a new currency.
I’m staying in university college accommodation (utilities are included in rent) and my main bank account will be with HSBC UK. I want to nail down my day-to-day spending and would love some advice on a few specific things:
**International Transfers:** What is the cheapest way to send money from home into a standard UK bank account? Should I use an app like Wise, or is direct bank transfer okay?
**Weekly Food Budget:** What is a realistic weekly grocery budget for a single student? Which UK supermarkets offer the best value for money?
**Hidden Costs:** What are the small, hidden expenses people usually forget about in their first month (laundry apps, household essentials, etc.)?
**Tracking Money:** Does anyone use a second digital bank (like Monzo or Revolut) alongside their main bank to track weekly spending and avoid "money leaks"?
**Budgeting Mindset:** For someone completely new to the UK economy, what are the most important things to keep in mind when setting up a monthly budget? Are there hidden traps I should watch out for?
**What to Spend vs. Skip:** What items or experiences are actually worth spending money on as a student, and what should I absolutely avoid buying or wasting money on?
**General Hacks:** What are your best everyday money-saving tips for students living in the UK?

Hi everyone,
I’m an international student moving to the UK soon for university. I’m trying to plan my budget for the first few months so I don't overspend while adjusting to a new currency.
I’m staying in university college accommodation (utilities are included in rent) and my main bank account will be with HSBC UK. I want to nail down my day-to-day spending and would love some advice on a few specific things:
International Transfers: What is the cheapest way to send money from home into a standard UK bank account? Should I use an app like Wise, or is direct bank transfer okay?
Weekly Food Budget: What is a realistic weekly grocery budget for a single student? Which UK supermarkets offer the best value for money?
Hidden Costs: What are the small, hidden expenses people usually forget about in their first month (laundry apps, household essentials, etc.)?
Tracking Money: Does anyone use a second digital bank (like Monzo or Revolut) alongside their main bank to track weekly spending and avoid "money leaks"?
Budgeting Mindset: For someone completely new to the UK economy, what are the most important things to keep in mind when setting up a monthly budget? Are there hidden traps I should watch out for?
What to Spend vs. Skip: What items or experiences are actually worth spending money on as a student, and what should I absolutely avoid buying or wasting money on?
General Hacks: What are your best everyday money-saving tips for students living in the UK?

Hey everyone!
I’m an international student from India flying to the UK soon. My CAS is linked, my visa vignette is stamped in my passport, and my enrollment is ready.
Before I head to the airport, I want to avoid any hidden "gotchas" with UK Border Force. For fellow Indian students who have made the journey:
**Digital vs. Physical:** Do border officers want physical printouts of the CAS, university offer, and TB certificate, or is a phone screen okay?
**Hand-Carry:** Should I keep my Indian academic transcripts and financial funding proofs handy at the port of entry?
**Border Questions:** What did they actually ask you at the desk about your course or accommodation?
Any general travel hacks, packing rules (dealing with Indian spices/ready-to-eat meals through UK customs), or airport navigation advice you wish you knew before your first flight would be incredibly appreciated!
Thanks in advance, and good luck to everyone else leaving this intake!

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I am currently waiting for my final CAS confirmation and I cleared my pre CAS interview as well! But university of York waived my provisional CAS, saying I do not have to complete the step ! Is it possible for the universities ?