2866 Cardiff Uni Int Students new4:Layout 1 17/3/10 14:36 Page 2 Guide for International Students 2010 www.cardiff.ac.uk/international 2866 Cardiff Uni Int Students new4:Layout 1 17/3/10 14:36 Page 3 Welcome to your Induction Programme! We understand that arriving in a new place can be a daunting prospect. Even if the UK itself is not a completely new experience to you, we recognise that coming to study here will be a challenging and exciting experience for you. At Cardiff, we take great care to ensure your smooth arrival and help you to settle in to your new way of life in the University and local community. Wednesday 22 and Thursday Free Pick-up from If you want to use the Coach Collection 23 September Free Coach Cardiff Airport Service make sure your flight arrives before 15.00 on Wednesday 22 or There is also a free mini-bus and Collection Service from Thursday 23 September. Please let us taxi service for international students Heathrow know your arrival time and date by from Cardiff Airport on both days Make your arrival to the UK as easy as completing the coach collection form from 1000 – 1700. possible by making use of the FREE coach online . Please let us know your arrival collection service from Heathrow Airport. time and date by completing the coach Coaches are scheduled to pick up from collection form online at: Heathrow 0800 - 1500 on both days. www.cardiff.ac.uk/international/arrive Make your stay at Cardiff rewarding and enjoyable: come and join us in all the induction events arranged for when you first arrive in Cardiff from Friday 24 September – Sunday 3 October. For more details about the dates and times of these events, please see www.cardiff.ac.uk/international/arrive Bank Letter Service Walking Campus Tours National Companies Fair Bank letters and proof of enrolment letters Find out where things are in the University Your chance to get your hands on some can be obtained from the Students’ Union. and parts of the city. 2nd and 3rd year free items and discount vouchers. Taking Staff will also be on hand to provide you students will be your tour guides. and will place in the Great Hall, Students’ Union. with information on how to open your bank give you inside information about studying Quiz Night account. at Cardiff. Come to CF10 in the Students’ Union and Police Registration test your general knowledge of the UK. International Students’ Party Great prizes on offer for the winners! Students coming from certain countries We will be starting the evening with a need to register with the police within Twmpath! Come and experience a Societies Fair 7 days of their arrival in the UK. You will be traditional Welsh folk dancing evening in a Come and meet people from all the able to make appointments and register friendly atmosphere. There will be live societies and join any that interest you in with the police at the International Office music from the band Cats Claw. Straight the Great Hall, Students’ Union. Look at Tuesday 28 September – Friday 1 October. after the Twmpath we’re having a disco. the types of societies you could get involved in at: Both events are taking place in the International Student Information Fair www.cardiffstudents.com/activities/ This fair will give you an opportunity to gain Great Hall, Students’ Union on societies further advice and information about the Friday 24 September. University and the City of Cardiff. Staff will Sports Fair Welcome and Information Sessions Meet some of the sports clubs and join be on hand to answer any questions you Find out what to expect now you’ve arrived any that interest you in the Great Hall, may have. You’ll also be able to buy tickets in Cardiff: where to get support, help and Students’ Union. For more information at the fair for all the other induction immigration advice; how to combine part- about sports clubs see: events, the party and coach trip in and time work with studying; how to get work www.cardiffstudents.com/activities/sport around Cardiff. The fair takes place in the experience and visit different parts of the Great Hall on Friday 24 September. Coach trip in and around Cardiff UK through the Host programme. Talks are Be a tourist for the day! Discover 2 of Parents welcome talk taking place in the Julian Hodge Lecture Wales’ superb historical sights. The tour The Director, Sandra Elliott and Senior Theatre, Saturday 25 September. costs £10, which covers lunch and International Officer, Rhys Evans will be admission to 2 historical attractions just Open air double-decker bus tour of the welcoming parents of students to outside Cardiff. City of Cardiff Cardiff and answering any questions Enjoy a guided bus tour of the beautiful they may have. For more information about all the city throughout the day for the reduced induction events see: price of £5 on Sunday 26 September. www.cardiff.ac.uk/international/arrive 2866 Cardiff Uni Int Students new4:Layout 1 17/3/10 14:36 Page 1 Contents Before you leave home . 2 Hello and Welcome We are delighted that you have decided to Arriving in the UK . 21 study at Cardiff University and look forward to you joining us soon. First few days . 24 We know that you will have many things to arrange Help and Advice . 29 before you come to Cardiff and it is sometimes difficult to know where to start. We hope that the Staying safe and healthy . 32 International Guide will help you in your preparations and give you an idea of what to expect when Studying at Cardiff . 34 you arrive. This Guide also contains contact details of many Getting involved in Student Life . 38 people who will be able to offer you help and support throughout your studies. Please feel free to Working in the UK . 42 contact any of them now or drop in and see them once you are in Cardiff – they are there to help you. Living in Cardiff . 44 We look forward to meeting you! Bringing your family to Cardiff . 50 Cardiff University International Office Useful Information . 51 1 2866 Cardiff Uni Int Students new4:Layout 1 17/3/10 14:36 Page 2 Before you leave home Q Find out if you need a student visa . p2 Q Coming to do a postgraduate course? Check to see if you need an ATAS certificate – if so apply now! . p3 Q Apply for your student visa . p3 Q Have medical checks, vaccinations and chestx-ray ............................... p7 Q Apply online for University accommodation . p9 Q Book your place on the free coach collection service on Wednesday 22 or Thursday 23 September . p11 Q Enrol online and arrange to pay fees . p15 Q Make sure you have enough money for your time in the UK . p18 Q Pack suitable clothes for your first few weeks . p19 To study at Cardiff University you will have to Q Will you expect me to have a tuberculosis make an immigration application to the UK test? immigration authorities in your home country for Q How long will it take you to process my permission to come to the UK as a “student”. application? You should wait until you have obtained your visa before you book any non-refundable Q Will you allow me to send the application travel tickets. form even though I have not yet received my English language test results, or my A level Who can help me apply for my results? student visa? UK immigration rules Find out if there is an Education Advisor or Agent To apply for a general student visa you must in your country who will be able to help you apply meet all of the following conditions: for your student visa. See: www.cardiff.ac.uk/international/arrive 1. You must have been accepted for a course Please note that there may be a charge for of study at Cardiff University. this service. 2. You must have your original transcripts or If there is not an Education Advisor or Agent who certificates of qualifications including your can help, you need to find out about the visa English language certificates showing that application process in your country. Contact the you have satisfied the entry requirements British Embassy/High Commission/Consulate for your course at Cardiff University. closest to where you live to find out if they 3 You must have the email from Cardiff process visa applications (not all of them do). University containing your confirmation of There is a list of all the posts on the UK visa’s acceptance for studies certificate. This is website: www.ukvisas.gov.uk click on “how to not a paper certificate, but a unique apply” and then “visa application centres reference number given to you by Cardiff overseas” University so you can apply for your student visa. Look on their website to find answers to the following questions: 4. If you are coming to the UK for 9 months or Q Where do I submit my application? more, (all undergraduate and postgraduate Q Can I start by completing the application form students) you must show that you have online? sufficient funds for your 1st year’s tuition fees and living expenses of £5,400. Q Will you expect me to attend an interview? If so, how long will I have to wait for an interview? 2 2866 Cardiff Uni Int Students new4:Layout 1 17/3/10 14:36 Page 3 Immigration If you are coming for less than 9 months, you If you are coming to study for a maximum of 6 will need to show that you have £600 per months you may hear that you can come to the month plus your tuition fees.