As a student, you are free to use the hundreds of University computers to get online and keep in touch, completely free of charge.

There are plenty of options for contacting friends and family back home using the Internet such as email, Facebook and instant messaging. If you use the University computers to keep in touch in this way, don’t stay on a computer for too long if other students are waiting to get on with their coursework. Don’t try to install any software, as this contravenes University guidelines.

If you’re living in private accommodation and have web access and a computer, Skype or any other reputable VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) software will let you make free calls to anyone using the same system, wherever they are in the world. You can even make video calls if you’ve both got a fast enough connection.

You can also use Skype to call people on their home or mobile phones at a fraction of the cost of calling from a telephone. You can pay in three ways:

• after you’ve made the call (the most expensive option)
• by buying a block of minutes to a specific country
• by subscribing to an international calling plan

Some countries, including Nigeria, don’t fall into any of the packages. To call those, you should buy blocks of minutes.

Skype is by far the UK’s most popular VoIP provider, but others are available. Weigh up your options before you buy credit from any specific provider.

If you brought your mobile phone with you when you moved to the UK, try not to use it to call international numbers. Instead, get an international SIM that you can use in your existing phone in place of the one provided by your operator back home. Make sure you choose a SIM from a reputable provider, such as the O₂ International SIM or the EE Pay As You go International Plan.

If your phone is from a UK provider, you may be able to get discounts on a range of international calls or calls to a specific country. Different providers offer different discount options, so call your provider for advice.

If you can’t find an international calling card, use an access number instead. These work in pretty much the same way in that you dial via an access number. All charges are added to your phone or mobile bill instead of being deducted from a prepaid balance.

Access numbers (or “simply dial” as they’re often known) are usually slightly more expensive than calling cards, especially if you’re calling from a mobile. But they’re certainly better than nothing. They can come in handy if you are unable to add credit to a calling card when you need to make an urgent call.