International Guide to Getting Started

Transcription

1 International Guide to Getting Started Your guide to enrolling and starting your studies with us 1 T E [email protected] W

2 International Student Support Services Welcome Congratulations on gaining a place to study at the University of Northampton. We have been welcoming international students for many years and are delighted that you have chosen to study with us. We wish you a safe journey and we look forward to welcoming you at the University of Northampton very soon. Studying abroad is an exciting but challenging time so this getting started guide has been designed with the needs of international students in mind. We hope it will answer any questions you may have before you arrive and help prepare you for your studies in the UK. If you have any further questions please do contact us. Details of useful contacts can be found on page T E [email protected] W

3 Before you leave Applying for your visa Depending on your nationality and the type of course you choose to study, you may need to apply for a visa before coming to study in the UK. You may also need to provide documentation to support your application, specifically a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) letter. Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) letter If you are coming to the University to study on a full time course (longer than 6 months) you will usually be required to apply for a Tier 4 Student visa. This document gives you permission to study in the UK with your university sponsor for the duration of your course. Applying for or renewing your visa When applying for your visa there are certain documents you will need: 2 Passport sized photographs Your current passport (and visa if applicable) Bank statements showing the required minimum maintenance to support you during your studies which must have been in your account for 28 days (translated into English if necessary) Your qualifications (as stated on your CAS) Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) letter Tuberculosis (TB) (if applicable) When you make your visa application you will be required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge if you are studying on a course for more than 6 months along with your visa application fee. What happens if my visa application is delayed? Contact us immediately at [email protected] and we will advise you of what your next steps are. 3 T E [email protected] W

4 Getting here The University provides a free meet and greet service to collect students from London Heathrow airport. This service will be provided on: Sunday 13 September 2015 Monday 14 September 2015 For more information see the New arrivals section on the New students website We strongly advise you to take advantage of this service. Please book your place as soon as possible by completing the online arrival notification form. If you are arriving before or after the meet and greet dates we can assist you with booking a taxi or provide you with information on other methods of travel. If you have decided to make your own way to the University it is important that you advise us when you plan to arrive even if you don t need our assistance with your travel arrangements. Please complete the arrival notification form in both instances and let us know the date you will be arriving so we can make arrangements to welcome you at the University of Northampton. If you arrive unannounced or out of hours you may be required to organise your own accommodation. 4 T E [email protected] W

5 Pre-departure Checklist Preparing to study at UON: 1 Received an unconditional offer of a place on a course 2 Received full details of the course, the tuition fees and the cost of living expenses 3 Paid my tuition fees 4 Completed, signed & returned my Acceptance and Guarantee Form &Tuition Fee Payment Agreement 5 Applied for accommodation 6 Accepted a room offer and paid the required deposit 7 Arranged suitable accommodation for my dependants (if applicable) 8 Pre-enrol online for my course (Details will be ed to you) 9 Completed the online Arrivals Notification Form 10 Organised travel insurance to cover my cash and belongings 11 Obtained medical health insurance to cover emergency repatriation costs 12 Completed a health check at least 4 weeks before I travel to the UK (and TB test if applicable). 5 T E [email protected] W

6 Pre-departure Checklist Before you leave home: 1 I have the following documents packed in my hand luggage for my journey: A valid passport A valid visa or UK Entry Clearance (if required) An air ticket Original or certified copies of your qualifications CAS Letter Decision letter to collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card (please check your vignette to ensure that it is valid for your dates of travel) Sponsorship Letter (if applicable) 2 Enough cash and travellers cheques to cover my first few days in the UK 3 I have taken a copy of all of my important documents 4 Booked on Meet & Greet Service 5 My baggage is within the airlines weight allowance (Check with your Airline company) 6 Checked what I must declare at customs when I enter the UK 7 Enough warm clothing 8 Packed medication in my hand luggage 9 Travel adaptor 6 T E [email protected] W

7 Arriving at the University of Northampton Upon your arrival all new students should report to the Student Centre Help desk, Park Campus. You will be given a welcome pack which includes useful information such as the international student handbook, orientation programme, maps, SIM card, bus pass, drinks and snacks. If you are staying in halls of residence we will provide you with your room key and help you settle into your accommodation. If you are staying in the private sector we can help with your onward travel arrangements. You will also be required to book an appointment to enrol on your course. Once enrolled you will be given your student ID card and will be able to access all of the university s facilities and services. This is also your Library card and allows access to Students Union events, so please keep it safe as a replacement charge will be incurred. Arrangements will be made for students who are required to collect their Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card from the designated Post Office. The date and time of collecting your BRP card will be confirmed when you book your appointment to enrol. Please ensure that you bring your decision letter with you when you travel to the UK as you will require this to collect your BRP card. Students must collect their BRP card prior to enrolling. On arrival you will be able to log-in to the University s wireless anywhere on campus. Details of this will be included in your welcome pack. The Student Centre Help Desk will be able to advise and support you with any of the queries above. See Student Help desk on the New students website for more information. Contact Student Help Desk [email protected] for further assistance. 7 T E [email protected] W

8 Enrolment Pre-enrolment The first stage of your enrolment takes place before you arrive. You will receive an with log in details and how to confirm your modules and pre-enrol. When do I enrol? What should I bring with me to enrolment? Passport Visa/Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card CAS letter Original Qualifications and Transcripts Original evidence of English language Sponsorship letter (if applicable) You will need to book an appointment to enrol on one of the following dates: Wednesday 16 September Thursday 17 September Thursday 24 September Friday 25 September Thursday 1 October Friday 9 October The date and time of your enrolment appointment will be advised on your arrival to the university. You should aim to arrive for one of the above enrolment dates to allow you enough time to collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card from the Post Office (if applicable). Where does enrolment take place? Enrolment takes place in Grendon on Park Campus. 8 T E [email protected] W

9 International Orientation Programme Tuesday 15 September to Sunday 20 September The international orientation programme runs from Tuesday 15 September to Sunday 20 September. We strongly advise that you make arrangements to travel on one of the meet and greet dates to take full advantage of the programme offered. Orientation at the University of Northampton is organised to help welcome you to the university, meet new people and settle in to your new surroundings. Each year we welcome students from all corners of the world and even if this is your first time in the UK, we hope that by the end of the first week the University of Northampton will feel more like home. We have organised a variety of activities and events which will allow you to explore the town and the campus. We will be running social events, tours and activities so that you can get involved with the University giving you the opportunity to meet existing international and home students. Most importantly our orientation programme is entirely FREE! When you arrive you ll probably still have lots of questions about student life and living in the UK so be sure to come along to our presentations. International Student Support Services will be providing you with information about immigration, healthcare, registering with the police, setting up a bank account and how to access the personal and academic services available to you by the University. This is also a perfect opportunity to meet members of International Student Support Services who are here to guide you during your time at the University. They are available to help you with any personal, academic or visa related issues you may have and provide advice and tools to help you succeed in a new cultural and educational environment. We will be running events and activities throughout the year for international students so be sure to get involved. Full details of the international orientation programme will be given to you on arrival to the University. 9 T E [email protected] W

10 Park Campus 10 T E [email protected] W

11 Avenue Campus 11 T E [email protected] W

12 Welcome Week Monday 21 September to Friday 25 September Welcome Week gives all new students a full introduction to university life through a series of events and activities designed to help you settle in and get to know your way around campus. Key course induction sessions will take place throughout the week, alongside other library induction sessions and activities run by the Students Union to introduce the facilities, events, activities, sports clubs, societies and services available to each student. It is really important that every student makes the most of Welcome Week by participating in a range of activities. All students are given the opportunity to meet tutors and other new students on your course and to take part in induction activities to prepare you for the start of your course. Academic advisors will be available in each school to answer any questions you may have. See Welcome Week programmes on the New students website for more information Students Union events The Students Union will be holding a number of activities on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 September. It will introduce the facilities, events, activities, sports clubs, societies and services available to you. To find out more information about what s going on throughout the two days and Fresher s fortnight visit 12 T E [email protected] W

13 Useful Tips Money Matters When you arrive: It may take you a few weeks to open a UK bank account so we advise you bring enough money for your initial living expenses like travel and food, as well as emergencies or unexpected costs Credit or debit cards are widely accepted throughout the UK, but cash may be preferred for small payments there may be a minimum spend required when paying by card or cards may not be accepted Accommodation at the University is selfcatering, so you will need to buy food when you arrive Typical costs: Item Typical cost Cup of Tea/ Coffee 2.00 Sandwich Hot meal at 4.00 University Canteen Bus fare to Town 2.00 Cinema 8.00 Monthly Mobile Phone Bill Living costs in Northampton including rent, food, clothes, books and spending money are approximately 8,000 to 10,000 a year. There is a small supermarket on campus open Monday to Friday from 8am to 10.30pm, Saturday from 9am to 10.30pm and Sunday from 9am to 9.30pm as well as restaurants serving hot and cold food open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm. There are also many shops and supermarkets nearby. 13 T E [email protected] W

14 Useful Contacts International Student Support Services Admissions Arrivals Accommodation Student Help Desk 14 T E [email protected] W

15 Join the University community before you get here Join our active online communities to network with other students, get insights on what we re up to and share your views. Our social media channels give you the chance to get to know students and staff before you arrive, ask questions, find out about courses and events, or make friends before you get here. Our friendly and active online community includes other prospective students like you, as well established students and Alumni who can help answer questions and offer advice. Follow our updates or post your own: TheUniversityofNorthampton UniNorthampton T E [email protected] W

16 Park Campus Boughton Green Road, Northampton, NN2 7AL, United Kingdom Avenue Campus St George s Avenue, Northampton, NN2 6JD, United Kingdom T E [email protected] W 16 T E [email protected] W