WELCOME to YOUR NEW HOME a Guide for Students Preparing to Join Us at Durham University International Study Centre
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International Study Centre WELCOME TO YOUR NEW HOME A guide for students preparing to join us at Durham University International Study Centre durham.ac.uk/isc WELCOME TO YOUR NEW HOME The Queen’s Campus at Stockton-on-Tees is a fantastic place to live and study. This friendly and welcoming campus will be your new exciting home away from home, a place where you will create new memories that you’ll treasure for life. We want to help you settle into your new home quickly and easily, so that you can concentrate on your studies and start enjoying student life at the Queen’s Campus. This one-stop guide provides all of the important information you need to prepare for travelling to the UK as well as living and studying at Durham University International Study Centre (ISC). For up-to-date information before your arrival, visit: durham.ac.uk/isc Contact details Address: Telephone number: Contents Durham University +44 (0)191 334 0698 International Study Centre, Get ready to join us 1 Wolfson Building, Emergency telephone number: Queen’s Campus, +44 (0)7469 856281 What to bring with you to the UK 3 University Boulevard Arriving in the UK 5 Stockton-on-Tees TS17 6BH Getting to Durham University 7 United Kingdom International Study Centre Your induction programme 9 Useful websites: durham.ac.uk/isc Your campus 11 ukcisa.org.uk Aerial map 13 educationuk.org/global/main/living-and-studying gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/student-visas Your checklist 15 GET READY TO JOIN US AT THE INTERNATIONAL STUDY CENTRE Before you join us, there are five things you need to do first. About the Biometric Residence Permit 1 Apply for your visa If your Tier 4 visa application is successful, you will 3 Book your travel To study in the UK, most non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationals require a visa. The most common study have a 30 day entry vignette in your passport Once you receive your visa, you can book your visas are Tier 4 and the Short-term student visas. Our Admissions Centre will advise and issue the relevant (entitling you to enter the UK within the 30 day period travel. You should arrive ready for the first day of documents based on the type of visa you will be applying for. indicated) and a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) term to get a good start to your studies. If you have decision letter outlining the details of your Biometric booked your accommodation with us, it will usually Tier 4 visa Before you apply, make sure you have: Residence Permit (BRP). See page 9 for information be available two days prior to the start of term. ✓ sufficient funds in an acceptable account maintained on how to collect this once you arrive in the UK. For a Tier 4 visa you will need a Confirmation of You should book any flights home after the official for at least 28 consecutive days Acceptance of Studies (CAS) number which will be end of term date, which can be found in your issued to you by our Admissions Centre. You can only ✓ paid the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS offer letter. apply for your Tier 4 visa once you have received your health care treatment CAS number and the application must be made no 2 Book your accommodation Please see page 7 for your suggested arrival airport. more than three months before your course start date. As part of your visa application you may be asked to During your time at the International Study Centre attend a visa interview either face to face, by video you can choose to either live in allocated student Step 1: Our Admissions Centre will issue a CAS conference or on the telephone. You may be asked accommodation or arrange your own private preview by email usually within three months of the questions about the reasons for studying in the UK, accommodation. 4 Complete our pre-arrival form course start date, provided you: why you have chosen to study at your chosen destination At around one month before term starts, we will 1. Have met all academic, English language and other and why you will study your chosen course. You should If you have requested accommodation on your send you a Flight Arrivals form. You must complete conditions in your offer letter know about your chosen study destination and course application form, our Central Student Support this with your travel information - so we know when 2. Have completed, signed and returned your and how it relates to your overall career plans as well Team will contact you directly regarding the options to expect you - and your visa details and return it Acceptance and Indemnity Form to the as how you intend to fund your studies in the UK. available. Ensure that you have provided your to: [email protected] Admissions Centre You must answer all questions truthfully and accurately. contact details to avoid any delay in processing 3. Are up-to-date with your payments as stated in your request. your offer letter and payment plan. Short-term study visa For the Short-term study visa, you will be issued a visa You may prefer to arrange your own 5 Ensure you are insured Step 2: Carefully check all the details on the CAS letter that will outline all the necessary details about accommodation. Make sure that you have In our experience, it is essential that international preview and return the signed CAS Declaration your course (duration, fees etc.). secured your accommodation before arriving in students have the protection of personal insurance document. Once we have received your CAS the UK and let us know where you will be staying for the duration of their time in the UK. Declaration, we will issue you with your CAS statement As part of the application you will need to submit: to ensure that there are no difficulties on arrival. ✓ Evidence that you can financially support yourself When you applied to the International Study Centre, that will include your CAS number. Email: [email protected] during your studies e.g. bank statements for the last you will have had the option of taking insurance Step 3: Before you submit your Tier 4 visa application 6 months cover with StudyCare Insurance Plus. make sure you understand and meet all the ✓ Proof of the course you intend to study This insurance policy covers loss of personal requirements to avoid a visa refusal. possessions as well as providing health and medical ✓ You may also need to submit additional supporting insurance. If you have not taken this option, please documents depending on your circumstances. make sure you have secured your own policy. For full information on StudyCare If you need help and advice, Insurance Plus, visit: durham.ac.uk/isc For both types of visa, depending on the country you live in, you may need to have a tuberculosis (TB) test before you apply. your local representative Please visit: gov.uk/tb-test-visa/overview for more information or your student enrolment You can read the full visa guidance at: gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/student-visas adviser can help you. 1 2 WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU TO Top Tips THE UK Check with your airline on what you can bring in terms of size and weight for You’ll need to pack some hand and checked luggage. important items, such as your Calling from the UK? Once you’re in the UK and calling from a UK phone, you passport and visa, in your hand don’t need to include the ‘+44’ luggage for easy access, while just replace it with an ‘0’. For example, a number that internationally is other non-essential items can +44 191 334 0698 becomes 0191 334 0698. be packed away in your suitcase. Things to pack in your hand luggage We recommend that you bring: UK Socket Passport and visa Essential toiletries and medications (please • Comfortable clothing such as trainers, UKVI decision letter check with your airline what’s permitted) jeans, t-shirts, jumpers and a warm coat. The dress code at the International Study Your offer letter If you are under the age of 18, a copy of your Adaptor UK Guardian details Centre is informal. Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies • Study supplies e.g. pens and paper notepads Enough money to live on in the first few weeks. (CAS) statement – these may be less expensive in your country. We advise using traveller’s cheques and not IELTS certificate or other original Secure bringing large amounts of cash. • Laptop computer and charger – you can set English Language Test result English as the main language choice. This will Evidence of funding for your tuition fees Things to pack in your suitcase help you to improve your English and assist you and living costs, including sponsor letter with everyday aspects of your life in the UK. Stockton-on-Tees has a variety of shops so you’ll (if you are being sponsored) be able to buy everything you need to live • Mobile phone and charger Non-UK Plug Accommodation documents, including your comfortably. Many of the personal items you wish • At least one travel adaptor plug – 240v with a signed tenancy agreement to bring with you, such as clothes, accessories three-pin plug (like the one pictured opposite). Four passport-sized photographs and books can go in your suitcase. Your accommodation may provide a bedding and catering pack. Any insurance documents Check the accommodation factsheet Medical certificates including vaccination included with your Offer Letter.