International Study Centre

WELCOME TO YOUR NEW HOME A guide for students preparing to join us at 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. records If you have booked private accommodation, you will need to check what is supplied.

3 4 ARRIVING IN THE UK Travelling to a new country can be a little overwhelming. To make it easier for you, we’ve outlined the process below so that you know exactly what to expect when you arrive.

At Border Control If you are from outside the European Union (EU), when you reach border control, please enter through the Non-EU entrance. Be prepared for an immigration interview with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) staff. You must be able to answer some questions in English and have a basic conversation without the assistance of an interpreter – failure to do so may result in you being denied access to the UK, at which point you will have to return home. The UK border control can be very busy, so don’t be surprised if you have to wait in a queue.

After collecting your luggage and making your way through customs, you will reach the Arrivals Hall.

Welcome to the UK!

For up-to-date information visit: gov.uk/uk-border-control Top Tip

Make sure you have original, paper copies of all your documents, not in digital formats on smart phones, tablets or other electronic devices. Keep them in your hand luggage in case you need to show them at the UK border.

5 6 GETTING TO DURHAM UNIVERSITY ISC Top Tip Don’t forget to email or phone your FROM NEWCASTLE AIRPORT parent or guardian to let them know you have arrived.

Newcastle Airport or Durham are the If you are staying in private accommodation, closest international airports to Durham University provided you have given us the address in International Study Centre at the Queen’s Campus, advance, the driver should have this information. Stockton-on-Tees. Alternatively, you can fly to Manchester. What if my plans change? If you have booked a taxi transfer but your arrival By plane and pre-booked transfer date changes or you decide to arrange your own If you are arriving by plane, there are several taxi transfer, you will need to let us know as soon options available to you. as possible. We will require two business days’ notice to be able to change or cancel your booking. - Depending on your start date, a coach transfer may be available from Newcastle Airport to Please email: Stockton-on-Tees. Full details are available edinburgh airport [email protected] online at durham.ac.uk/isc/arrivals Edinburgh Glasgow - Alternatively we can book you a taxi. Making your own way The closest train station is Thornaby newcastle airport You will need to have completed the Arrivals which can be reached from Darlington, Durham Form we will send you and return it to a station on the main rail line between Queen’s Campus, [email protected] London and Scotland. Stockton-on-Tees By train: visit nationalrail.co.uk Please do not pay the taxi driver as your York fare will be added to your account. Leeds You will be met by the taxi driver in the Arrivals Hall. The driver will be holding a sign with your Dublin manchester airport name on it. If you are heading directly to your Liverpool Manchester accommodation booked with our Central Student Support Team, the taxi driver will take you to collect your keys – they will have been Birmingham informed where you will be staying, but it is a good idea for you to have the details to hand. London Check your room confirmation for details of where and when to collect your keys, particularly if you are arriving late at night or early in the morning when residence receptions may not be open. Journey time from Newcastle If you are arriving when the reception is not open, Airport to Queen’s Campus, check your room confirmation for out of hours key Stockton-on-Tees is an hour collection information. and fifteen minutes.

7 8 Please note the main purpose of the Tier 4 "It’s my first time in the UK, so visa route is for students to come to the UK the first couple of weeks were YOUR INDUCTION to study. Where a student is permitted to hard, but now I’m getting into it. work, the intention is that this should be an The staff did a great job, helping opportunity to gain work experience in PROGRAMME me and showing me around and their field of study. trying to make me feel like I On your first, exciting day with us it is important that Any errors on your Tier 4 Visa (vignette and belong here." BRP) must be corrected. Please contact a you arrive on time. During your induction you will have member of staff at the International Study Jad from Lebanon a complete introduction to the UK, the University, Centre should you have any queries and Studying International they will be able to assist you. Foundation Year in and the International Study Centre. Business, Economics, • Your chosen programme Accounting and Finance Get your all-important timetable and find Aiming to study BA (Hons) out what you need to achieve to progress Business and Management to the University. It’s vital that you arrive on time so that you don’t In order to open a bank account you will need: miss out on meeting your new classmates and ✓✓ a passport • Registering with the University enjoying all of the great social activities that have ✓✓ proof you are a student – we will issue you Once you are registered with the been planned for you. Activities include a tour of with a letter University you will get your student card the University campus to help you discover your ✓✓ proof of a UK address and be able to set up and log on to the new home. ✓✓ proof of your current immigration status University’s internet network. You will also get information about We will work with you in your first week to find out Obtaining your Biometric Residence the University sports facilities and about your academic levels and how we can best • Permit (BRP) – Tier 4 students only. gym memberships. support you in your studies. You must collect your BRP before your vignette expires or within 10 days of arriving • Registering with health services What to bring with you on your in the UK, whichever is later. Staff at the and the police (if required) first day International Study Centre will be able to Please bring the following documents, so advise how to collect your BRP and from Advice on settling in that we can register you on the course: where it needs to be collected as well as 1. Say hello to your new neighbours. ✓✓ Evidence of your Secure English Language assist you and make all necessary Living in a student residence is a great Test arrangements for the collection process. way to make new, life-long friends. ✓ ✓ Passport Other students around you will be ✓✓ UKVI Visa Decision Letter feeling the same as you. Talking to ✓✓ Sponsor letter (if you are being sponsored) What is the Biometric each other will really help you settle in. ✓✓ If you are under the age of 18, a copy of Residence Permit (BRP)? Why not take the first step by your UK Guardian’s details The BRP holds your details (name, date and introducing yourself? ✓✓ Evidence of eligibility to study (non Tier 4 place of birth) as well as your photo and 2. Join in! There will be events planned at students) fingerprints. It shows your immigration the International Study Centre as well status and entitlements while you remain in as plenty of clubs and societies to join. During your Induction Programme the UK. BRPs are issued to foreign nationals 3. Don’t forget to set your morning alarm you will learn about: from outside the EEA who are granted leave on your first day – you’ll need plenty to enter the UK for more than six months. • Opening a bank account of time to get ready. If you bring a banker’s draft in pounds sterling with you (payable to yourself) or arrange for it If you are a Tier 4 student, you are entitled to We want you to feel at home as quickly as to be sent, you can open a bank account once work during your pathway programme at the possible. If you have any worries, you can you have registered for your course. International Study Centre providing that your always approach any of our friendly staff visa is granted on or after 1 August 2019. and they will be very happy to help.

9 10 YOUR CAMPUS

11 12 AERIAL MAP

1. Teesside Retail Park 2c. Holliday Building 5. Queen’s Campus Sports Centre 7. Infinity House (accommodation)

2a. Ebsworth Building 3. 6. Thornaby Railway Station 8. Stockton Town Centre

2b. Wolfson Building 4. Endeavour House (accommodation)

13 14 YOUR CHECKLIST

As soon as possible Have you made a copy of your passport and other essential documents? Have you paid the required fees for your tuition, accommodation and insurance Have you obtained four passport-sized photos? (if applicable)? Have you booked your accommodation? What to bring with you on your Have you checked your passport is valid for at first day least six months from your course start date? Please bring the following documents, so that we can register you on the course: Have you applied for and received your visa? Passport UKVI Visa Decision letter Up to one month before you depart Have you booked your flights (if required)? Sponsor letter (if you are being sponsored) If you are under the age of 18, a copy of your Have you completed the online pre-arrival form UK Guardian’s details (sent by email) with your flight and visa information? Evidence of your Secure English Language Test Have you organised money to bring with you? Have you received confirmation of your room allocation?

GET INVOLVED! Why not join our social network facebook.com/iscdurham #DurhamISC weibo.com/durhamisc i.youku.com/durhamisc

We can’t wait to welcome you.

Durham University International Study Centre is run by Study Group in collaboration with Durham University. For more information visit: studygroup.com

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