Pre-arrival Information For International and EU Students

Transcription

1 Section Pre-arrival Information For International and EU Students September 2011 Pre-arrival Information 1

2 Section Question Contact Telephone / Enrolment Procedures/Tuition Fees: Student Administration & Support Undergraduate Admissions Postgraduate Admissions hub-admin@bradford.ac.uk admissions@bradford.ac.uk pg-admissions@bradford.ac.uk Direct Debit Student Administration & Support hub-finance@bradford.ac.uk Advance Payments Student Administration & Support /8 payzone@bradford.ac.uk University of Bradford Accommodation Accommodation Office accommodation@bradford.ac.uk Students Union/Welcome Events Students Union ubu-mmc@bradford.ac.uk Disabled Students Disability Service Text Phone disabilities@bradford.ac.uk Emergency when travelling in September 2011 Emergency contact (calling in the UK) (calling from outside the UK) We can arrange for this material to be transcribed into an accessible format such as Braille, large print, E-text (compatible with screen-reading software) or digital audio such as CD. Please contact the International Office Tel: The University of Bradford Confronting Inequality: Celebrating Diversity The University of Bradford is committed to promoting equality, diversity and an inclusive and supportive environment for students, staff and others closely associated with the University in conformity with the provisions of its Charter.

3 Pre-arrival Information for International and EU Students CONTENTS Key Dates and Information...2 Welcome...3 Section Before you leave home - Your offer/acceptance letter/ CAS statement - Your passport - Your visa/entry clearance - Your money - Your accommodation Section Your journey - Travel plans - When to arrive - Luggage - Documents to bring - Travel insurance - Getting from the airport to the University - Emergency contact number - Travelling by car - Collecting the keys to your accommodation Section What to do when you first arrive in Bradford - Your first few days - Important things to do - Opening a bank account - Health Centre registration - Police registration Section Enrolment - Tuition fees - Other information Section EU students fees and support - EU student enrolment - Tuition fees - The University of Bradford Bursary Section Erasmus, International Visiting Student Programme (IVSP), International Student Exchange Programme (ISEP), Study Abroad and International Programmes (IP) students Section Other important information - Important dates - English language support - Learner Development Unit - Bringing the family - Insurance - Part-time working - Help and advice Checklists...24 Pre-arrival Information 1

4 Key dates and information September 2011 Airport Pick-Up Service The Students Union offers an airport pick-up service from Leeds/ Bradford Airport and Manchester Airport during these dates in September. If you would like to use this service, pre-book by ing September am to 6.00pm International Student Information Point International students should come here to ask for advice, pick up practical information, meet other students, and register for our daily campus and city tours. 13 September - 27 September 2011 Orientation programme Find out more about living and studying in Bradford by taking part in our daily orientation activities during this period. 13 September 2011 Earliest date for Accommodation Accommodation available in the University Halls of Residence (if you have made all the arrangements in advance). If you are unable to arrive in Bradford on this date, please accommodation@ bradford.ac.uk to make alternative arrangements September 2011 International Student Enrolment Enrol on your course and get your student card September 2011 Welcome Week Induction in your Department and social events for all new students. 2 Pre-arrival Information

5 Welcome We are pleased that you have chosen Bradford for your UK studies. We hope that you find this booklet useful. It includes information that you will need for your pre-departure, arrival and enrolment arrangements as well as your first days in Bradford. Please ensure you read this booklet carefully as there are lots of important details inside. Pre-arrival Information 3

6 Section Before you leave home 1.1 Your offer/acceptance letter/cas statement 1.2 Your passport 1.3 Your visa/entry clearance 1.4 Your money 1.5 Your accommodation 1.1 Your offer/acceptance letter/ CAS statement After you have received an unconditional offer, remember to let the University know you want to accept this offer. If you are going to be an undergraduate student, you will also need to confirm to UCAS that you want to accept this offer. International students If you need to apply for a visa, we will ask you to provide the University with a copy of your current passport and your qualifications, and make an advance fee payment of 2,000. We can then send you a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) statement. You will need the CAS statement to apply for your student visa to come to the UK. 1.2 Your passport To enter the UK you must have a valid international passport or travel document which satisfactorily establishes your identity and nationality. Make sure that you record your name on all your documents in exactly the same way as on your passport. Any inconsistencies in your documents may cause you problems when you are applying for your visa, at the airport when you arrive in the UK, with the University and if you wish to open a bank account in the UK. 1.3 Your visa/entry clearance International students Most international students will need a Tier 4 (General) student visa to study in the UK. This is a points-based system visa and you will need to score 40 points as follows: 30 points for your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) number (which will be on the CAS statement that we send to you) 10 points for your maintenance - the funds you are required to have in place for at least 28 days to pay for your tuition fees and living expenses To make sure that you have the latest information on visa application procedures, enquire at your nearest British Embassy or High Commission. You can also find full information on the UK Visas website EEA* and Swiss nationals You can enter the UK with a valid passport or national identity card. You do not need a visa to enter the UK. *see list of EEA countries on page 9 When to apply You can apply for your visa 3 months before the official start date of your course, as stated on your offer letter. Prepare all your documents in advance of this, so that you can make your visa application as soon as possible to prevent a delay in your arrival in the UK. How to apply Several countries offer online visa applications. You can check whether your country offers this service at applyonline/supportedcountries/ If this is not possible, you will be able to find your nearest Visa Application centre at wheretoapply/ Documents you will need for your visa (originals only) Application form VAF9 and PBS Appendix 8. You can download this form at vafs/ Your passport or travel document valid for at least 6 months after your date of departure for the UK 1 recent passport photograph. Full guidance on the format of the photograph is at howtoapply/photoguide/ Application fee of 255 (as at May 2011) CAS statement Financial evidence to show that you have sufficient funds to pay for your tuition fees and living expenses. Living costs are calculated for visa purposes as being 600 per month for students who live outside of London. If you are on a course of 12 months or over, you need to show that you have living costs for 9 months (i.e. 600 x 9 = 5,400), in addition to your tuition fees for your first year of study. These funds need to be in your bank account for at least 28 days before you can make your visa application, and you will need a bank statement as the evidence of this. Alternatively, you could show your parents bank statements to prove this money is available to you, and in this case you would also need to provide your birth certificate and a letter from your parents to confirm that they have no objection to the funds being used for your studies. Your academic qualifications (as detailed on your CAS statement) Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate for certain postgraduate students (the University will inform you if you need to apply for this) For full details on applying for a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa and the supporting documents required, see gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf29pbsstudent Make sure that you read the visa guidance notes very carefully and that all your supporting documents are in the correct format to ensure that your application goes smoothly. Always keep copies of all the documents that you submit. Additional requirements Biometric information - you are required to have your fingerprints scanned and have a digital photograph taken at a biometric data collection centre in your country. Find out more at biometricvisa What happens next? If you are successful in your visa application, you will receive a visa for study at the University of Bradford. This visa is only valid for study at our University. To study at another university you would have to start a complex and lengthy process to change your visa. 4 Pre-arrival Information

7 Section 1 Your visa should be valid for the length of your course plus 4 months if your course is for 12 months or more. If the length of your course is between 6 and 12 months, your visa should be valid for the length of your course plus 2 months. Check your visa as soon as you receive it. Make sure that the following information is correct: Your personal details The correct type of visa The start and expiry dates of your visa If you think that there is anything wrong with your visa, query it immediately via your Visa Application Centre. Useful links: Guidance on your visa application: inf29pbsstudent applying_home_country_print.pdf Guidance on where to apply for your visa: wheretoapply/ Guidance on applying for an ATAS certificate (certain postgraduate courses only): services-we-deliver/atas/ 1.4 Your money Before you travel to the UK it is very important that you have made arrangements for enough money to cover your tuition fees and living expenses. Please do not expect a part-time job to cover these costs. If you are bringing money with a value of more than 10,000 Euros (includes money in any currency, bankers drafts or traveller s cheques) into the UK from outside the EU, you must declare this. You will have to submit a completed declaration form to Customs at Immigration when you arrive in the UK. You should also check to see if there are any regulations or restrictions on the amount of money you can take out of your own country. We recommend that you carry about 300 in cash or traveller s cheques when you travel to the UK. It is not advised to bring more than 300 in cash for safety reasons. The logos below can be found on UK automated teller machines (ATM) or cash machines. If your credit or debit card carries any of these logos, you should be able to withdraw money from ATMs bearing the same logo/s. You may be able to use your existing credit or debit cards to withdraw money from UK ATMs for a fee. Check with your bank for more information Your tuition fees The amount of your tuition fees for 2011/12 is stated on your offer letter and CAS statement or you can see the full information at More information about payment and discount for tuition fees can be found in Section Your living costs Living costs are calculated for visa purposes as being 600 per month for students who live outside of London. If you are on a course of 12 months or over, you need to show that you have living costs for 9 months (i.e. 600 x 9 = 5,400), in addition to the tuition fees for the first year of your course, when you make your visa application. Most of our accommodation contracts in Halls of Residence are for 42 weeks (10.5 months). The money that you will actually require during the year will therefore need to be adjusted accordingly. We have given a few examples of typical costs below to give you some guidance. Estimated Minimum Living Costs in Bradford 2011/ weeks 51 weeks Accommodation depending on type* 2,100 to 4,115* 2,550 to 5,000* Food, toiletries and laundry (based on 35 per week) 1,470 1,785 Books, stationery, photocopying and printing Insurance for personal possessions** 70** 70** Local travel - if required (based on 10 per week) Estimated Minimum Total (for guidance purposes only) 4,410 to 6,425 5,265 to 7,715 * Accommodation may be in Halls of Residence (standard rooms or en-suite rooms available) or in private housing. Halls of Residence rents usually include all utility bills. Rent in private housing is generally for the room only, and costs of utility bills are additional. Please check with your accommodation provider for further details. ** Insurance for personal possessions is included in Halls of Residence rent. Rent in private houses does not include this insurance, and this cost should be included in your planning. The costs given above are estimates, and do not include any money for mobile phone/ telephone costs, leisure activities, or initial set-up costs of bedding, kitchen equipment and warm clothing. These expenses will vary from one student to another according to your lifestyle and circumstances, as everybody is different! Remember that you will need additional money to cover these costs. The amount of money that you need also varies according to the time of year. At the start of the academic year you will need to have access to enough money to pay accommodation deposits and rents (it is best to pay these in advance), and also to buy items that you need when you first arrive. You can use the online International Student Calculator tool uk/international/ to help you budget for your living expenses The multicultural nature of our city means that you are likely to be able to buy many food items that you are familiar with. For an idea of how much you can expect to pay for basic groceries in the UK, please see Pre-arrival Information 5

8 Section 1 We would advise that you arrange to have additional reserve funding available to you, to take account of any possible changes of circumstances (such as a change in the exchange rate or situations in your home country) or unforeseen personal problems. If you are being funded from your home country, you will need to make sure that your money can be sent to you regularly. You will also need to bear in mind that you are likely to need more money in the first few months of your study, to pay for rent, books, stationery and for buying warm clothing, bedding and kitchen equipment. Living costs for a family The costs above are for a single student. From July 2011 onwards, there are changes in the visa regulations for family members. Only postgraduate students on courses of 12 months or more, and government-sponsored students on courses of 6 months or more, will be able to apply for a visa for their spouse and children to join them in the UK for the duration of their study. If this applies to you, please remember that additional funding will be required. For living expenses for a family we would estimate that you would need an additional 4,500 for your spouse (minimum) 2,300 for each child (minimum) You would also need additional money for accommodation and set-up costs. For visa purposes, living costs for dependants are calculated at 400 per month per dependant, up to a maximum of 9 months. See also Section 7.4 Bringing the Family Useful links Guidance on visa applications for your family: Making payments to the University Payments for your tuition fees can be made either in advance or on arrival using one or more of the following methods: Credit/debit card Bank transfer Cheque Banker s draft Instalment plans can be set up on or before enrolment using a direct debit from a UK bank account, or credit card. Bank transfer We are able to accept payments by electronic bank transfer in GBP only. Please payzone@bradford.ac.uk or telephone /8 for the University s bank account details. Please be aware that bank transfers can take between 5 to 10 working days to reach our account and may incur a charge of up to 30 if received from outside the UK. Cheques/postal orders/banker s drafts Cheques, postal orders and banker s drafts should be made payable to University of Bradford in GBP only. Remember to write your UB number, your full name, date of birth, and home address on the back of your cheque/postal order/banker s draft. Cheques can be accepted in some currencies. Please payzone@bradford.ac.uk for further information as you will have to allow for exchange rates and administration charges. In addition, this process takes 28 days from the receipt of the cheque. Direct Debit (applicable for UK banks current accounts only) If you submit a direct debit form, you are authorising the University to collect payments for your tuition fees directly from your bank account, as they fall due. The bank will deduct the money from your account on or around the 28th of each month that the arrangement is in place for. It is your responsibility to ensure adequate funds are in the account to cover the direct debit payment. If you do not have sufficient funds in your account to cover the payment, your bank will charge you. Once completed, your direct debit instruction will be valid for the duration of your course. Confirmation of arrangements will be issued in the form of a University invoice. Transferring money for your living expenses Please payzone@bradford.ac.uk for further information. For information about opening a bank account in the UK, please see Section 3.3 Credit/debit card/online payments Pay online at Pay over the telephone: /8 The cardholder must telephone personally Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm. Pay in person: If you intend to pay for your fees using your card on arrival, contact your card company before leaving home to let them know. Otherwise they may block your card as a security measure when such a large transaction is made. PLEASE NOTE THE UNIVERSITY DOES NOT ACCEPT AMEX OR DINERS CLUB CARDS. 6 Pre-arrival Information

9 Section Your accommodation We strongly advise that you finalise and confirm your accommodation arrangements before you leave for the UK. This helps to prevent any delays, and you can get settled into your lodgings quickly after your journey to Bradford. Important It is important that you choose your accommodation carefully as the contract that you will sign is legally binding. If you wish to move out of your accommodation early, you will be asked to pay the amount of money for the full term of your contract, not just for the time you have spent in the accommodation University Halls of Residence If you would like to live in University-managed halls of residence, it is best to apply as soon as you have accepted your course offer in order to avoid disappointment in your choice of room type. Accommodation for new international students who are definitely going to study at the University is guaranteed provided that their accommodation application form is received by 17 August If you do apply late, the Accommodation Team will do their very best to find you accommodation, but this cannot be guaranteed. When we receive your application, an offer of accommodation will be made to you and all documents sent to you via . On accepting this offer you will be required to make an advanced rent payment of 250. This secures your room for your arrival and this is then deducted from the total accommodation charges. Rent payments can be made in full before or on arrival, or alternatively can be paid in 3 instalments on 28 October, 28 January and 28 April Private accommodation If you feel that University Halls of Residence are not suitable for you, there is private accommodation available in the area. Unipol Student Homes is an organisation that the University works with to ensure that private landlords meet certain standards in the accommodation they provide and the way it is managed. Unipol Student Homes have a Code of Standards that landlords are encouraged to sign up to. The Unipol Student Homes website allows you to search for property and the "Noticeboard" section allows you to post messages to look for other students to share accommodation with. See Family accommodation We fully appreciate that many international students will want to bring their families with them when they begin their studies. Check the visa regulations at an early stage to find out if it will be possible for them to apply for a visa to join you (see Section 7.4 of this booklet and If the visa regulations permit you to bring your family, we suggest that you start your search for suitable properties through Unipol Student Homes, see as the University does not have accommodation for families or married couples. We recommend that you do not bring your family with you right at the very start of your studies. Allow yourself time to familiarise yourself with the area and to adapt to life in the UK yourself. You will then be better prepared to take care of your family when they arrive. Full details of our accommodation is available at Pre-arrival Information 7

10 Section Your Journey 2.1 Travel plans 2.2 When to arrive 2.3 Luggage 2.4 Documents to bring 2.5 Travel insurance 2.6 Getting from the airport to the University 2.7 Emergency contact number 2.8 Travelling by car 2.9 Collecting the keys for your accommodation 2.1 Travel plans Book an air ticket to Leeds/Bradford Airport if possible. This is the closest airport to the University and will be the most convenient for you. There are regular connecting flights from Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris airports. If this is not possible, you can also choose to fly to Manchester Airport, but please bear in mind that this is further away from Bradford. Book your air tickets as far in advance as possible for the best prices. 2.2 When to arrive Plan to arrive in time for International Student Enrolment which begins on Wednesday 14 September This is an important time as you will matriculate as a student of the University of Bradford and enrol on your course. We have organised a full orientation and induction programme as well as social events to help you meet other students. During this period, you will have time to open a bank account, register with the Health Service, register with the police if required, shop for necessities and other practicalities. There will also be guided campus and city tours and trips to local areas of interest to help you familiarise yourself with your new surroundings and Bradford. If you are going to live in University-managed halls of residence, the earliest date for arrival is Tuesday 13 September. If possible, plan to travel so that you arrive in Bradford during the day. It will be much easier for you if you arrive when all the offices are open (usually between 9.00am and 5.00pm). Please note: avoid planning to arrive before 13 September as your accommodation will not be ready for you, and many of the other services will not be operational. If you are going to be living in private halls or a private house, you should check what day they are expecting you. 2.3 Luggage Most airlines will allow you around 20kg of luggage on your flight (check with your airline for the exact amount), pack carefully to avoid paying excess baggage charges. You will be able to buy items such as bedding, towels and household goods such as kitchen equipment in the UK when you arrive. We have daily walking tours to the city centre and a number of shopping trips by coach to places where you can buy goodvalue items. Second-hand items will also be for sale during the orientation period. Remember to label your luggage well with your name and your address in Bradford. Attach these details securely to the outside of your suitcase and also put them inside your case to help the airline return it to you if it gets lost on your journey. The weather in the UK is notoriously changeable! It is helpful to have several layers of clothing that you can put on or take off according to the changes in the weather. You will certainly need a warm coat for the winter, preferably with a hood, as well as gloves, scarf and a hat. An umbrella is also an essential item! You can buy warm clothing locally at reasonable prices, so do not feel you have to use all your luggage allowance on this. You might like to bring your national costume or ethnic dress, as there will be occasions during the year when you will be able to wear this - at the Civic Reception that the Lord Mayor holds in the City Hall for all new international students in October and during our One World Week, for example. As we have a wide range of sports clubs ( content/30705/sports/sports_clubs/) at the University, it is highly likely that you will be able to continue playing your favourite sports when you get here, or try something new! If you have any specialist equipment (e.g. ice hockey gear, football boots, squash or badminton racquet) bring it with you. You will be able to start playing soon after you arrive and you will have a ready-made opportunity to meet new friends! 8 Pre-arrival Information

11 Section 2 It is good idea to bring a few photos of your family and friends with you, as well as a few favourite items that remind you of home. A bilingual dictionary may be useful for you, if English is not your first language. Do not bring fresh food stuff as there are strict rules governing the import of many animal, dairy and vegetable products. If in doubt, leave it out! For a list of goods you cannot bring into the UK, see Safety tips for your journey: Do not bring large amounts of cash Do not put cash in your suitcase. Carry it in a money belt or shoulder bag that you will be able to wear across your body throughout your journey During your journey do not accept help with your luggage from people you do not know Do not leave your luggage unattended at any time Pack your own luggage Do not accept requests to carry items for other people Evidence of your finances for your tuition fees and living costs (for example the bank statements that you used for your visa application, or your official sponsor letter if you are sponsored by your government or a world scholarship organisation). NB: * Students from EEA countries and Switzerland do not require a visa to enter the UK. EEA countries are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK. 2.5 Travel insurance It is in your own interests to arrange travel insurance for your luggage and personal items before you travel to the UK. If your luggage is lost or damaged during your journey, you may be able to claim some compensation. If your luggage is damaged or lost on your journey, please note that it is ESSENTIAL to report it at the airport, BEFORE leaving the Arrivals area. Useful links UK Weather: Education UK Student Guides: Arriving in the UK: Documents to bring Here is a list of the documents you will need to bring. Carry these in your hand luggage as you may need to show all or some of these at Immigration on entering the UK. Passport with visa for non-eea* students CAS statement or unconditional offer letter Your examination certificates as stated in your CAS statement Your TB health certificate and any chest X-rays if these are required for your visa Details of all vaccinations that you have received Medical records if you have any pre-existing conditions (with English translation) Any medication that you are currently taking (including a letter from your doctor in English, confirming which medication you are carrying) Your accommodation contract Pre-arrival Information 9

12 Section Getting from the airport to the University Airport pick-up service from local airports If you are flying into Leeds/Bradford or Manchester Airports between 13 and 20 September 2011, depending on your arrival time, you may be able to arrange for us to meet you at the airport and bring you to your accommodation at the University. This is a free service but you MUST book in advance. Bookings must be made by sending an to pick-me-up@ bradford.ac.uk giving the following information: Your full name Your student number (UB number) Arrival airport (i.e. Leeds/Bradford or Manchester) Date and time of your arrival Your flight number This service MUST be pre-booked and is only available for Leeds/ Bradford and Manchester Airports from 13 to 20 September If you can t make use of the airport pick-up service, don t worry! The information below explains how you can reach the University Leeds/Bradford Airport You can travel onwards to the University of Bradford from Leeds/ Bradford Airport by taxi or bus. Taxi Taxi journeys from Leeds/Bradford Airport to the University of Bradford will take around 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic and will cost around Arrow Private Hire is the only taxi company permitted to operate directly from the Airport Go to the Arrow Private Hire taxi office. This is immediately outside the Arrivals Terminal At the taxi office, tell the receptionist the address you want to go to The receptionist will tell you the price and you will need to pay for the journey in the taxi office before getting in the taxi If you want to book your taxi in advance, you can pre-book online via If you are asking for the University, make sure that you ask for the University of Bradford, as there are several universities in our region of the UK Bus Bus numbers 737 or 747 operate from Leeds/Bradford Airport to Bradford Interchange The cost is around 2.50 and the service operates approximately every 30 minutes Monday through to Sunday For full bus timetables see bustimetables/700 and click on the links for services 737 and Manchester Airport If you are not able to book a flight to Leeds/Bradford Airport, you may find that as an alternative you can book a direct flight from your country to Manchester Airport. This is approximately 80 kilometres from the University of Bradford. You can travel onwards to the University from here by coach or train. Coach The National Express coach is the easiest method of transport, as you can come directly to Bradford without needing to change anywhere or carry your luggage very far. Details of the National Express coach service and timetable can be found at The journey should take around 2 hours The cost of a single ticket is currently (May 2011) You can book a ticket online, in advance, if you have a credit or debit card Alternatively, you can buy your ticket from the Tourist Information Centres in the Arrivals Hall in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport. The place that the coach departs from is called The Station and is situated between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 Train If you decide to come by train, you will need to change trains at least once, to get to Bradford. There are two stations in Bradford Bradford Interchange and Bradford Forster Square. Choose Bradford Interchange, as from here you can easily take a taxi to the University. Details of the train services and timetables can be found at The journey should take around 2 hours The cost of a single ticket is currently (May 2011) You can buy your ticket from self-service ticket machines or from the ticket office at the station in the Airport The place that the trains depart from is called The Station and is situated between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 Taxi It is very expensive to travel by taxi from Manchester Airport to Bradford, with fares starting from around For more information about Manchester Airport see Other Airports If you arrive at another airport in the UK, and you are not able to get a connecting flight, you can travel onwards to Bradford either by coach or train. The coach is generally the cheapest and the most direct option when you have a lot of luggage. For more information about Leeds/Bradford Airport see 10 Pre-arrival Information

13 Section 2 Coach Details of the National Express coach service and timetables can be found at Train Details of the train services and timetables can be found at If you are travelling by train from London, you will need to take the train from King's Cross station Bradford Travel Interchange Trains arrive at Bradford Travel Interchange or Bradford Forster Square station; coaches arrive at Bradford Travel Interchange. From either station take a taxi to the University (only use the white taxis with the green diagonal stripe on them). The journey takes about 5 to 10 minutes depending on the traffic and the cost is approximately 3.00 to 5.00 Alternatively, you can take the free city bus from Bradford Interchange (Stand W) to the University, or from directly outside Bradford Forster Square station (7.00am to 7.00pm Mondays to Fridays, 8.00am to 5.30pm on Saturdays) 2.7 Emergency contact number If you have any difficulties on your journey, and need to inform the University of changes to your arrival plans, you can call the following number during September. There is no charge for calls to this number from within the UK, and it is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all through September. It will be answered by staff of the University at all times Emergency contact number: when calling within the UK when calling from outside the UK 2.8 Travelling by car If you are thinking about bringing your car with you, please check in advance with your accommodation provider whether there will be any car parking possibilities. Not all Halls of Residence have car parking availability for residents and it is extremely important for you to find out before you arrive what the situation is and the costs that will be involved. Car parking permits for the University campus itself are also limited and are not issued to students living within a two-mile radius of the campus. Also please remember that in the UK we drive on the left. Useful links Car parking on the University Campus Driving in the UK Collecting the keys for your accommodation When you have accepted your accommodation offer, arrival information will be ed to you. Key collection arrangements for students in University-managed accommodation (The Green) are below: Arrival Date Time Location Student Group 13 September am to 6.00pm The Hub Richmond Building International students Note: the standard accommodation contract begins on 18 September, so you will need to pay for any additional nights Earliest arrival date 17 September am to 6.00pm The Hub Richmond Building 18 September am to 4.00pm The Hub Richmond Building All students Note: the standard accommodation contract begins on 18 September, so you will need to pay for any additional nights All students NOTE: Students living in private accommodation should arrange arrival date/time and key collection directly with the landlord. Key collection for the privately owned Halls of Residence is from the Reception Desks in those Halls, and you will be given details by them in your offer of accommodation. Key collection for student houses is by arrangement in advance with the landlord. Pre-arrival Information 11

14 Section What to do when you first arrive 3.1 Your first few days 3.2 Important things to do 3.3 Opening a bank account 3.4 Health Centre registration 3.5 Police registration 3.1 Your first few days It can seem quite confusing when you first arrive, do not know what to do and where to go. Don t worry, lots of help will be on hand! This is why we have an International Student Information Point and a full and varied programme of orientation, induction and social activities for you to participate in when you arrive. The International Student Information Point will be open from 13 to 27 September 2011, every day from 8.30am to 6.00pm, including the weekends. Just follow the signs in the Richmond Building and you will find us! Staff from the International Office and a team of student helpers will be on hand to answer any queries that you may have. You will be able to find lots of practical information here about living in Bradford and can join in with our daily guided campus and Bradford city centre walking tours. Pick up a programme here for our orientation talks, and if you attend as many of these sessions as possible, you will be well prepared for living and studying in the UK. Full details of all the events will be available from ac.uk/international and Copies of the programme will be available at many locations on campus and at the Halls of Residence in September. If you are arriving at any other times of the year, please come to the Hub, our Student Support Centre in the Richmond Building. We will be happy to help you with practical information. 12 Pre-arrival Information

15 Section Important things to do Let your family know you have arrived safely! You will have access to the internet to send an home, even before you have enrolled Enrol on your course Open a bank account Register with the Health Centre Register with the police (if you need to do this, it will be mentioned on your student visa) Full details of how to do all of these things are given on the following pages. The other important things you need to do are: Attend the full induction programme that your Department will be arranging for you. Visit the International Student Information Point on Floor D in Richmond Building. Here you will be able to get lots of practical information, find out about the programme of events and ask any questions that you may have. Go on a campus tour to learn where the main facilities of the University are (tours daily, starting from the International Student Information Point) Attend as many of the orientation sessions as possible. If you attend them all, it will answer many of the frequently asked questions that students have when they first arrive and it will prepare you for life in Bradford and for starting to study here. Attend the Lord Mayor s Civic Reception for international students. This will take place in October in the City Hall, with the Lord Mayor officially welcoming you to the city of Bradford. Bring your national costume with you if you can, and you will be able to wear it at this event! Register for your place via the International Student Information Point. Talk to people! Don t be shy it is normal to feel anxious at first regardless of where you come from in the world. Other students will be feeling the same. Don t worry about your English, nobody will mind if you make a few mistakes. It is far more important just to start talking to other students, and soon you will find that you are making friends from all over the world! Join a Club or Society we have a whole range of sports, country societies and clubs for interests of all kinds. It is a brilliant opportunity to try something new, or to keep up with an existing sport or hobby that you may have. Best of all, you will be meeting and getting to know people, practising your English and enjoying yourself! Go on a city tour to find out where the main shops are for groceries, household essentials and clothes (tours daily, starting from the International Student Information Point) Pre-arrival Information 13

16 Section Opening a bank account The majority of international students open a UK bank account when they arrive in Bradford. There are strict regulations that the banks must adhere to when opening an account for you. The documents that you are likely to need to open a bank account are: Your passport Letter of Introduction to UK Banking Facilities. You can obtain this from the Hub, on the ground floor of the Richmond Building, once you have enrolled on your course. We suggest that you bring some cash (around 300), or traveller s cheques, so that you can meet your everyday expenses until your bank account becomes active. Remember also that if you are going to deposit a cheque into a UK bank account, it will take time for this to clear before you can withdraw the money (generally a minimum of 4 or 5 working days for UK cheques, and often 28 days or more if converting from another currency). The 4 banks nearest to the University are: HSBC, Lloyds TSB, NatWest and Santander. All these banks offer offshore accounts which you may be able to open in your home country and use to draw money from when you arrive here. See their websites for full details or enquire at your local branch at home. Useful links Helpful information about bank accounts for international students Impartial information on managing your money and budgeting tools: British Banking Association Health Centre registration It is important to be registered with a doctor (often called a GP General Practitioner) near to where you live in the UK. You can register with the Bradford Student Health Service if you live close to the University or within their practice area. If you are arriving in September, you will be able to register with the Student Health Service at the same time as enrolling with the University. You will be asked to complete a health questionnaire this information is completely confidential. More information is available on the pre-enrolment portal that you will complete for your enrolment and at co.uk/ Please bring Your TB health certificate and any chest X-rays if these are required for your visa Details of all vaccinations that you have received Medical records if you have any pre-existing conditions (with English translation) Any medication that you are currently taking (including a letter from your doctor in English, confirming which medication you are carrying) If you want to register with another local doctor that is closer to where you will be living, you can do. To find out about other doctors in the area, you can telephone and give the details of your postcode, or you can find information online at Useful links Information for international students from Bradford Student Health Service: Keeping Healthy: 14 Pre-arrival Information

17 Section Police registration If you need to register with the police, this will be mentioned on your visa (for example Register with the Police within 7 days of arrival ). If you are unsure, bring your passport to the International Student Information Point or the Hub and we will be able to check for you. The Police Registration point for our area is in the neighbouring city of Leeds. If you arrive in September, we will be arranging student chaperones to show you the way. You can book your place at the International Student Information Point. If you arrive at other times of the year, or prefer to go to Leeds by yourself, the address is currently: Immigration and Nationality Department Millgarth Police Station Millgarth Street Leeds LS2 7HX Tel: The documents that you will need to take with you are: Your passport One passport-sized photograph Police Registration form (available from the International Student Information Point and the Hub) You can register with the police from Monday to Thursday, 9.00am to 1.00pm, and 2.15pm to 4.00pm. It is not necessary to make an appointment. Pre-arrival Information 15

18 Section Enrolment 4.1 Tuition fees 4.2 Other Information Full details of how to enrol on your course will be sent to you by during the summer, and will also be available on the University website at Step 1: The Enrolment Portal 4.1 Tuition fees Payment and/or confirmation of funding is always required at enrolment. We will not be able to complete your enrolment unless you have satisfied the University that you have paid at least 50% of your tuition fees or satisfactory evidence of sponsorship has been received Payment of tuition fees by sponsor/employer If you are sponsored, an original letter on official letter-headed paper from your sponsor/employer (not a photocopy) confirming their agreement to pay the University tuition fees must be provided on or before enrolment. The authenticity of your sponsor will be verified and credit reference checks will be taken. An invoice will be sent to your sponsor/employer after enrolment. Full payment must then be made within 30 days. Instalments are not available for payments made by sponsors. Please note: friends or relatives are not considered as sponsors. A sponsor is considered to be a company or organisation that will be covering the cost of your studies Payment of tuition fees by yourself or family member Fees of over 4,500 You are required to make a payment of at least 50% of your fees on or before enrolment. Instalment arrangements must be set up for the remainder of your tuition fees. Instalments are either for 4 monthly payments from December through to March or 2 instalments taken in January and March. These instalments must either be by direct debit (from a UK bank account) or credit card. Students who have paid 2,000 as an advance payment for their tuition fees will be required to pay the difference between 2,000 and 50% of their total tuition fee at enrolment, and will also be required to make arrangements to pay for the remainder of the fees by instalments as detailed above. Discount for payment of tuition fees made in full by 30 September 2011 A 3% discount is offered to all students paying a tuition fee of over 4,500 who are able to pay their fees in full by 30 September The discount scheme does not apply, however, to students who are on programmes for which a reduced fee is charged. Fees of less than 4,500 Fees of less than 4,500 may be paid by instalments. If an instalment plan is required, arrangements must be made at enrolment. Instalments are either by 5 monthly payments from November through to March or 3 payments: on 28 November 2011, 28 January 2012 and 28 March These instalments must either be by direct debit (from a UK bank account) or credit card. 4.2 Other information We sincerely hope that your time at the University will be very happy and straightforward. However we recognise that sometimes there are circumstances that lead to a student having to withdraw from their studies. Here is some brief information about what to do, if you should find yourself in this situation Withdrawal from your programme of study/course It is important to write a letter or to your Department, as well as the Hub, if at any point you decide to withdraw from your studies. Tuition fees will be adjusted based on the date you inform us of your withdrawal and there may be an administrative charge. For further details, please contact the Hub hub-admin@bradford.ac.uk, Tel: ). If you withdraw from your studies, the University has an obligation to inform the UK Border Agency and you will be expected to leave the UK. Check with the Visa Adviser in the UBU Advice Centre (ubuvisa@bradford.ac.uk) or the International Student Adviser at the Hub for further information and to be certain that you do not breach any of the strict Tier 4 student visa immigration regulations Withdrawal prior to enrolment where an advance payment has been made If you make a payment in advance towards your tuition fee but do not then enrol on your course, you will normally be refunded the payment made minus any direct charges incurred by the University in making the refund. Please note: that the advance payment of 2,000 payable by international students prior to the issuing of the CAS statement is non-refundable. The only exception is in circumstances where a student has been unable to obtain a visa to enter the UK (unless the visa refusal is because fraudulent documentation has been used). A copy of the visa refusal notice will be required prior to any refund being arranged. All refunds will be returned to the originator and subject to further bank charges incurred by the University for Forex/transfer fees Leaving University accommodation early If you have to withdraw from your studies, please ensure that you speak to the Accommodation Manager. Your accommodation contract is for a fixed period and you are responsible for paying your accommodation fees for that period if you do not have permission to leave before this date. 16 Pre-arrival Information

19 Section EU students - fees and support 5.1 EU student enrolment 5.2 Tuition fees for undergraduate studies 5.3 Tuition fees for postgraduate studies 5.4 The University of Bradford Bursary 5.1 EU student enrolment EU students may choose to arrive for the start of Welcome Week (19 25 September) and enrol as a University of Bradford student at the same time as UK students. Full details of how to enrol on your course will be sent to you by during the summer, and will also be available on the University website at ac.uk/thehub 5.2 Tuition fees for undergraduate studies As an EU student you will pay the same tuition fees as UK students, i.e. 3,375 a year for a full-time undergraduate degree programme in 2011/2012 (increase expected for subsequent years of your course). Other fees such as those for a foundation year or the placement year of a sandwich course are also the same as for UK students. Most students will have access to a repayable tuition fee loan to pay these course fees - these are not means tested and are paid directly to the University on your behalf by the Student Loans Company. If you already have a degree or have studied at university before, you will not be eligible for a tuition fee loan. This is the case even if your previous study was in another country. The University of Bradford currently charges 6,000 per year for a second degree. Please check with the Student Finance Services or hub-admin@ bradford.ac.uk before you enrol. EU students are not eligible for any other forms of Government support such as maintenance loans or maintenance grants. To apply for the tuition fee loan, you will need to submit a EU11N form. To download the form, follow the links for EU students on The Student Finance Services European Team, based in Darlington, UK, will deal with your applications and enquiries. You can call their helpline at or EU_Team@slc.co.uk If you do not have proof that you have applied for a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of your course when you enrol, you will be asked to sign up to a direct debit instalment plan for the payment of your fees. 5.4 The University of Bradford Bursary The University of Bradford is offering its non-repayable bursary package to new EU undergraduate students whose family income is under 30,000 a year (in 2011/12) as assessed by the Student Finance Services European Team. You could receive: Foundation Year 500 First Year 500 Second Year 500 Third and Subsequent Years 500 Bursary for family income up to 30,000 When you complete the EU11N form for financial support, please read all sections of the form very carefully to make sure that you consent to share your information. When you have submitted this form, you will be sent a further form (EU11B) which will allow you to provide income details for yourself or your parents/guardians. This allows the University to assess if you are eligible for a Bursary. You will also need to provide proof of identity and your UK bank account details. The Bursary will be paid directly into your UK bank account in March 2012 provided that you are still attending the University and participating fully in your course, i.e. attending lectures, tutorials, workshops, etc. You will need to have opened a UK bank account and informed the EU team of the bank details. Some Schools and courses offer scholarships as an additional means of financial support - see Useful links Tuition fees for postgraduate studies Tuition fees for EU students for our postgraduate degree courses are the same as for UK students. For full details see postgraduate -home-eu Pre-arrival Information 17

20 Section Erasmus, International Visiting Student Programme (IVSP), International Student Exchange Programme (ISEP), Study Abroad and International Programmes (IP) students If you are an Erasmus, Study Abroad, IP, ISEP or IVSP student, it is important that you read the contents of this booklet carefully to prepare for your journey and arrival. Please note that enrolment will take place with the International Office and not with departments. This will take place on Monday 19 September and therefore you should plan to arrive in Bradford no later than September. 18 Pre-arrival Information After enrolment you will have the opportunity to meet staff and students in the department where you will be studying and you will be able to attend their welcome and induction meetings too. The International Office will liaise with the departmental co-ordinators accordingly and you will be given your individual schedule at the enrolment meeting. You will be sent details about the time and venue of the enrolment meeting by from the International Office, and this will also be available on the web international/study-abroadinbound.php The procedure for course registration, learning agreements and confirmation of arrival will be explained at this meeting, and therefore it is important that you attend the enrolment meeting.