When you submitted on the 10th- was that the biometrics or the application itself? I thought it was 15 working days from submission of biometrics?

All giffgaff's sim are the same. You will need to register on their website, then enter your unique sim code to the website to tie it to your acc. Once you activate your card by topping up £10 you can choose to either go with goodybag (plan) or pay as you go

As for NI, you will have to apply online on the gov website. You may need to go for an interview for application. (I didn't have to) it may take a few weeks to process your ni number

Giffgaff SIM cards can be activated anywhere and are the same. You just need to put a small amount of money in it and choose a plan that fits your purpose best. For me, I always go for their £10 goodybag with unlimited calls and text to other giffgaff subscribers and a 3GB monthly data plan. A full list of their plans can be found here.
https://www.giffgaff.com/sim-only-plans

There are many other service providers in the UK as well. Last I heard, Three was offering a similar £10 package but with 4GB of data instead of 3GB. Do hunt around for better rates if you do find them.

I never really worked in the UK mainly because I was more involved in voluntary student organisations. But it is a good source of money, the min wage for 18-20 y/o in the UK is around £5 - 6 per hour, but employers usually pay a lot more than this. A friend of mine was able to get paid up to £1000 while working almost full time in a restaurant in London.

I've never gotten a NIN, primarily because its only needed if you engage in part-time or full-time employment. So, I'm not too sure how to apply, but this link may help https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number

I was part timing in some Chinese supermarket. NI is easy to apply for.

Thanks for all the replies! I guess I’ll just use the free SIM card UCAS gave me then Sorry if this is kind of a stupid question, but can I pay for my GiffGaff goodybags with a Malaysian credit card? Should I only activate it once I’ve arrived in the UK?

As for the NI, I’ll probably ask the Careers team at my uni for help if I do need to apply for one.

Thanks for all the replies! I guess I’ll just use the free SIM card UCAS gave me then Sorry if this is kind of a stupid question, but can I pay for my GiffGaff goodybags with a Malaysian credit card? Should I only activate it once I’ve arrived in the UK?

As for the NI, I’ll probably ask the Careers team at my uni for help if I do need to apply for one.

Were you priority or standard? Assuming your friends were priority? I haven't received an email either haha

My friends are all standard like me ugh

You can pay with Malaysia credit card. In fact, that's what I did as well, when I first tried to activate the card myself
Just be aware that depending on the bank, you may face additional charges in terms of transferring the money and the FOREX rates used.

On GiffGaff, you can activate it when you're in Malaysia (I should do that during my last visit ha!) and bought the goodybags here too. I had problem in UK because I can't get my MSOS number (I didn't do roaming).

NI will only needed when you start working (part or full time). Its part of the employment routine.

Thanks for the replies! I guess I’ll activate my SIM card here then right before I leave.

Not sure if this is off-topic, but while I’m trying to open my UK bank account when I’m over there, I’ll probably use my Malaysian debit/credit cards. How will I receive the banking OTP number via SMS when I’m over there? Would I have to activate roaming?

You shouldn't need your Malaysian credit/debit card to open a bank account. You'll get another debit card once the account is open and you just need to register a UK phone number at the bank so they can contact you.

Oh I meant using my Malaysian cards to buy stuff in case there are delays in opening my UK bank account. 

Thanks for the replies! I guess I’ll activate my SIM card here then right before I leave.

Not sure if this is off-topic, but while I’m trying to open my UK bank account when I’m over there, I’ll probably use my Malaysian debit/credit cards. How will I receive the banking OTP number via SMS when I’m over there? Would I have to activate roaming?

Thanks for the replies! I guess I’ll activate my SIM card here then right before I leave.

Not sure if this is off-topic, but while I’m trying to open my UK bank account when I’m over there, I’ll probably use my Malaysian debit/credit cards. How will I receive the banking OTP number via SMS when I’m over there? Would I have to activate roaming?

I got my email today! I'm standard as well.

did you receive any emails before that? I received nothing

Oh, you can do that. But you would be incurring a lot of added charges if you do that 😅. It gets worse when the bank account delays the process. It's not uncommon to hear people take about month to finally open their accounts

What i suggest is to carry some cash instead. Around £500 should last you a good week or two until the account is open.

You dont need OTP to buy stuff in UK, unless you buy online . Even some online site dont need OTP.

If you are using your malaysia dc or cc, you will still need to key in your otp number. I used to do it via my parents ( my otp number was sent to my parents phone and then they relay the number to me). Uk dc does not use otp number. The only bank I know that uses something similar is from HSBC. But opening an acc with them is torturing

Process opening bank account sometime takes a while, so bring some cash and backup debit/credit cards with you. If you're staying outside and need to rent, you probably need to bring a bit more since landlord usually asked for 1-1.5 month deposit and bank usually allows you to open up an account after seeing your tenancy agreement. If you're staying in university accomodation, it will be much simpler. Another thing, you'll usually receive a GBP50 notes from money changer here and not that many shops accept the note. Major outlets should accept the note though the cashier might call up the supervisor to check the note. As @Mr.dupe reply above, change your OTP number to your parents/siblings phone number just in case you need to do some online purchasing using your debit/credit cards.

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I guess I'll change my OTP number to my dad's before I leave. Would 500 pounds be enough money to last me until my UK bank account is opened and I receive my debit card? I've asked both of the banks I'm interested in and they said I'd receive my debit card within a week.

Nope I didnt receive an email before that actually...

Provides that you have already paid for your accommodation, £500 is more than enough to last you until your bank account is opened and you receive your debit card