Pre-Departure Guide 2013
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PRE-DEPARTURE GUIDE 2013 University Programmes LIBT London IBT Pre-departure Guide 2013 1 PREPARING OVERVIEW FOR YOUR DEPARTURE to London, United Kingdom Contents Welcome . 1 London: the world in one city . 2 Student services . 4 Entry clearance and visa guide . 5 Preparing to leave home . 6 Arriving in the UK . 7 Your first weeks in the UK . 11 Getting started at LIBT . 12 Practical information . 13 Important websites . 13 Welcome I warmly congratulate you on your in education and understanding the acceptance at London IBT Ltd, established cultural adjustments required when in association with Brunel University, students move to a new country . London . All staff at LIBT look forward to welcoming you and will assist you with all LIBT Reception is open Monday to Friday, the important aspects of your time with us . from 8 .30am to 5 00pm. The office is closed on weekends, however if you have an This Pre-Departure Guide for International emergency then we have a 24-hour helpline Students contains important information where one of the team will be able to assist . regarding your arrival in the UK . Please read through this guide before your arrival On behalf of the staff of LIBT, I wish you in the UK as it provides you with some success with your studies, an enjoyable and important information . rewarding time in London and, above all, your move towards your degree qualification You may be assured that we are all fully and the start of a successful career . committed to ensuring that your studies Christine Vincent with us are successful and I hope you find College Director / Principal your time with us an enjoyable one . The LIBT staff of LIBT have considerable experience 2 LIBT London IBT Pre-departure Guide 2013 London: the world in one city London is one of the world’s most dynamic and exciting cities. As the UK’s capital city it boasts a mix of tradition, unique characteristics, history, modern engineering and a multicultural population. These traits are apparent throughout the city in many historic and famous landmarks such as The Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and the London Eye. The city’s diverse range of cultures and numerous attractions have led to it having the London third highest number of international visitors in the world. Uxbridge: a charming And in such a culturally diverse city you Career opportunities London community can be sure to find restaurants to suit London is the heart of the UK’s financial, every taste. You can also enjoy day trips LIBT and Brunel University are located commercial and creative sectors. It is to see other parts of England, such as in Uxbridge in west London. Uxbridge therefore the ideal place for you to gain the Brighton coast, Windsor Castle or the is located 30 minutes from Central some professional experience while historical cities of Oxford and Cambridge. London by overland train or 50 minutes studying. Thousands of businesses in As the gateway to Europe, from London on the London Underground. Students the London area welcome international you can even travel by train to Paris or in Uxbridge therefore have access to the students through work placements and Brussels in just two hours. best of both worlds: the dynamic buzz of internships, and these opportunities which the capital and the peaceful countryside will give you a practical advantage when of nearby Windsor or Oxford. Uxbridge is Climate pursuing your future career. only four miles from Heathrow, the world’s London’s seasons change gradually, Work placements and job opportunities busiest airport by number of international with winter from December to February are also widely available with international passengers, so a mini-break to mainland and summer from June to August. organisations that are based in or around Europe or a trip home are never far away. Although August is usually the hottest Uxbridge. Previous Brunel students have time of the year and temperatures can The LIBT campus is just a 20 minute walk gone on to intern and even work for these reach 30°C, the average high is about or short bus ride from the cobblestone locally based companies, which include 24°C and the average low is around streets of Uxbridge town centre. The town Apple UK, Coca-Cola, Parexel, Xerox, 14°C. In recent winters it has been is packed with over 300 shops, a multiplex Hasbro and GlaxoSmithKline. cold enough to snow in London, so it cinema and dozens of restaurants, bars might be a good idea to bring some and cafes. If you are looking for something extra boots, gloves, hats and scarves. a little more peaceful, you can make your way to one of the waterfront pubs, take a stroll along a canal or visit the nearby Colne Valley regional park. As one of the Approximate daily largest natural parks in London, it includes Season Period temperature miles of woods and walkways, as well as lakes, rivers and nature reserves. Summer June to August 11 ˚C to 21˚C Autumn September to November 6˚C to 18˚C Things to see and do Winter December to February 2˚C to 9˚C London is packed full of exciting things to do and places to explore. The city offers Spring March to May 4˚C to 16˚C something for everyone and for interests as diverse as theatre, shopping, ballet, opera, history and art. World famous attractions such as Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, the National Gallery and Westminster Abbey are amongst many spots of interest for tourists, students and local residents. Shopping is hugely popular within the city and Oxford Street offers a great variety of high street and designer shops including the world renowned store Selfridges. Harrods department store and Hamleys amongst many others can also be found just a few streets away. 3 LONDON THINGS TO DO FAST FACTS Population 7.8 million (Uxbridge: 25,300) County Greater London Currency UK Sterling (£) Time zone UTC/GMT Electricity 230 V Language English 4 LIBT London IBT Pre-departure Guide 2013 Student Services The Student Services team are here to help with any query Contacts you have (no matter how large or small) and have plenty of If you would like any further information and would prefer to speak to somebody face knowledge and experience at their disposal . It’s important to face then please feel free to contact our to the LIBT Student Services team that students don’t feel support team on: worried or apprehensive about any aspect of beginning their Student Services Office studies, so we try to do everything possible to make the T +44 (0)1895 265540 E student.services@libt.brunel.ac.uk transition as smooth as possible . You will often find that whatever is on your mind can be resolved for you with minimal fuss . So if you have any problems, please ask! Tip Open an email account with Yahoo or Hotmail, make a note of your traveller’s cheque numbers, as well as the emergency contact details for credit cards and send them on an email to yourself. That way, if your traveller’s cheques or credit cards are lost, you have a safe record of the serial numbers and can replace them quickly. ESSENTIAL INFORMATION 5 Entry clearance and visa guide UK VISA REGULATIONS: Course • course fees that you have paid so far Points-Based System for • the course title (if applicable) Students (Tier 4) • the academic level of course or • accommodation fees that you have This information is for guidance qualification you will get when you paid so far (if applicable) only. Please refer to the UKBA website complete the course (the National ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk for the most Qualifications Framework level or Proof of finance accurate and up-to-date information. the type of qualification—for example, For further information about the a bachelor’s degree). If you will be documentation which you need to provide Do I need a visa? studying an English language course, to prove availability of funds, visit the the level of the course should be the To be able to travel to the United Kingdom UKBA website. Common European Framework of as a student you must pass a points-based Reference for Languages (CEFR) assessment and score 40 points to get How do I apply? level—for example, CEFR level B2 your visa. You will need to fill in the Application form, • the start date (the date you start your pay your fee and include: How is the score calculated? main studies, or the date you start an induction or course to prepare you for • a current passport or travel document You will score 30 points for a CAS study if you have an unconditional • a CAS Statement from a Statement from an approved education offer to do your main course) licensed sponsor provider and 10 points if you can show you have enough finances to cover your course • the latest date you can join the • documents to show you have the fees and monthly living expenses for up to course (optional) right finances (maintenance) available nine months (known as maintenance). • the expected end date • documents used by your sponsors when • the number of hours per week (optional they accepted you on to the course What is a CAS Statement? if studying a full-time degree course The UK Border Agency will also need to A CAS Statement includes information that leads to a United Kingdom record your biometric details if you are about you, your sponsor, the course, and recognised bachelor or postgraduate applying from outside the United Kingdom.