Overseas Pre-Arrival Guide 01 02
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2019 Overseas Pre-arrival Guide 01 02 Abertay University welcomes students from all over the world. Abertay University has over 800 students from outside the UK. We welcome students from China, India, Pakistan, South- east Asia, Africa, North and South America and the European Union. We at Abertay are sure that you will find your chosen programme of study and the university experience both challenging and rewarding. The University hopes that both will lay invaluable foundations for your development both personally and professionally. We pride ourselves on our friendly and supportive atmosphere and its ability to treat you as an individual – something you only get from a small institution. We have no doubt that moving from school, further education, home and family or the world of work to university will be both an exciting and daunting experience, involving considerable changes for many of you. We are aware that the lead up to coming to Scotland and your first few days at Abertay may feel a little bewildering; this booklet has been prepared to help you settle in as quickly and smoothly as possible. We hope it is of assistance to you! 03 Contents Welcome 02 Help at the university 26 Student Services About Abertay 04 Where to find Student Services Advisory Service Getting started at Abertay 05 University Chaplaincy Advisor for Students with Disabilities UK Student Visa Requirements 06 Student Academic Support Abertay Language Support University tuition fees Counselling Living Expenses for Dundee 08 English Language Support 28 Preparing for your journey 12 Useful information 29 Checklists: Contacting the university Place of study 12 Climate For your journey Clothing Shops and banks opening times What is the best way to travel to Electricity Dundee/Scotland/UK? 13 Cheques and Postal Orders Recorded Delivery, Registered Mail and Hints and Tips Special Delivery 14 Driving in the UK University Scholarships Private accommodation 15 Transferring money What has Dundee got to offer? 32 Money on arrival 16 FAQ’s 33 Opening a bank account 17 Countries from which students are from 36 Employment Overseas students 18 International Abertay Students views 38 National Insurance number Part-time employment Useful organisations outside the 39 University Staying on in the UK and working British Council 20 Foreign and Commonwealth Office – for Registering with the police information on visas 20 Families Useful addresses and telephone 40 21 numbers Children Student Services 21 International Student Advisor Accommodation Student Recruitment Office 23 Accommodation Service Medical Care 25 Travel websites 40 Religion 25 04 About Abertay Abertay University is a modern university with a long history, and has quickly become one of Scotland’s leading universities, highly ranked for academic performance. It is the talented group of students and academics that make Abertay successful. We place teaching and student support at the heart of the University, and provide a network of support services to help you with all aspects of your life whilst you are at Abertay. The University has some of the most innovative and well-designed buildings in the UK and our library and student centre have set the standard for universities across the UK. The facilities available across our close-knit city centre campus are excellent and we pride ourselves that we are ranked very highly in the UK for our investment in IT. Our library houses access to over 150,000 books and journals. Our student centre is equipped with our Aroma Cafe, campus shop, Bar One, Sports Bar and Common Room. Abertay benefits greatly from its central location, the proximity to all transport links, shopping malls and amenities means that our students have everything within walking distance and can take advantage of the vibrant city of Dundee. 05 Getting Started at Abertay Activate your IT account Your Photo’. Then follow the instructions from there. You can use your phone to take the photo. Once you have firmly accepted our offer to study at Abertay, our IT Service Desk will email you If you miss this date: We can sort you out with a instructions so that you can activate your IT photo when you arrive but it means you won’t have account. Look out for the email, ‘Abertay University a Student ID card for a few weeks, which you need IT Account and Instructions’. You won’t be able for travel and other discounts. to book accommodation or upload a photo for your Student ID card until you’ve activated your IT Online registration account. Assuming you join Abertay University in September, this IT account is your gateway to an Registration is a two-part process that starts online. Abertay email address, access to timetabling and It’s a simple way of providing the University with the the University’s platforms and learning tools. information we need to register you and to confirm If you don’t meet the conditions of your offer, or agreement to the terms and conditions of study. It decide not to join Abertay for whatever reason, your also includes registering for elective modules as IT account is disabled. that’s how we put your timetable together. Abertay’s Registry team will email you with Upload a photo instructions in August. Note – you won’t be fully enrolled at the University until you attend the In order for your Student ID card to be ready in time Registration Event on campus during Freshers’ for Freshers’ Week, you need to provide us with a Week. Timeslots are scheduled by course and you’ll passport-style photo before 16 August. You can do be notified of yours. Find yours in the Guidebook this one of two ways: App. 1. If you are already in the UK, pop in to Abertay Download the Freshers’ Week Guidebook App Library in Bell Street: Come to the Support Enquiry The Abertay Freshers’ Week Guidebook App Zone (SEZ) on the right as you come in the library tells you what’s on, where and when. It’s free to doors. We have a camera and can take your download. You’ll receive an email with information photo Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Make sure you about it and a link for download in mid July. have a note of your student ID number (it’s at the top of emails you receive from our Registry and Key dates Admissions teams) and please bring some other form of ID with you. 31 August and 1 September: Arrivals weekend for new students. Time to pick up keys if you’re staying 2. Upload your photo online: To do so, you must in halls of residence. already have set up and activated your IT account. 1 September: Welcome event for international See above. Go to myabertay.ac.uk and enter your students. Keep an eye out for your email invite. username and password. On myAbertay, click the 2-3 September: Registration event on campus (you’ll OASIS tile, see myApplication and click on, ‘Upload be given a slot). 2 September: Start of Freshers’ Week. 9 September: Teaching starts. 06 UK Student Visa Requirements If you do not have a British or EU Passport you will need a student visa (Tier 4) to study in the UK Tier 4 Points Based System You must pass a points-based assessment and score 40 points to be eligible. You will get 40 points from: • A place on a course with an approved education provider (i.e. Abertay University) – 30 points • Funds to cover your course fees and monthly living costs - 10 points Applying for a student visa outside the United Kingdom (Applying for Entry Clearance to study in the UK): STEP FIND OUT MORE 1. Your course: what is an acceptable course of www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/eligibility study for a Tier 4 (General) student? 2. Money: work out what money you must For further information on how much money have to cover your course fees and monthly you will require and how to calculate it, please living costs. You will receive 10 points for refer to the following link having the necessary funds to cover both fees www.gov.uk/government/publications/ and maintenance (living expenses). guidance-on-application-for-uk-visa-as-tier-4- student 3. Apply to Abertay: apply for your course www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/eligibility of study and obtain a CAS (Certificate of Acceptance for Study). You will receive 30 points for your CAS. 4. Supporting documentation: please make To check you have the correct documents and sure you have all supporting documentation in proof please see the following link www.gov. place prior to applying. uk/tier-4-general- visa/docments-you-must- provide 5. Visa application form: complete your For assistance in how to complete the application online and submit with appropriate application form and more including biometric fee and supporting documentation. information, please see the following link www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/apply 07 I have heard about biometric information, what Assessing and understanding your costs is required? In order to ensure you are fully aware of the cost As part of the visa application process you will be involved in studying and living in the UK, the required to provide following information should help you in your preparation of necessary funds. • Your fingerprints and, • Digital photographs How much money will I need to bring with me to the UK? Your visa application will not be processed until you The two most important costs are your tuition have provided the necessary biometric information. fees and living expenses. Please make sure you have sufficient funds for both without the need to How and where do I get my Biometrics source employment in the UK to help towards these information taken? costs and/or recourse to public funds.