INTERNATIONAL STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019–20 Introduction Contents We would like to take this opportunity to Before you leave home 2 welcome you to the University of Glasgow Getting to Glasgow 4 and also to wish you a successful and On arrival 6 happy stay in the city. Immigration regulations 12 Medical services 17 This guide will help you through most of Welfare 18 the formalities and procedures both English language courses 20 before and after your arrival. You will find The University library 21 information ranging from the important Religion 22 immigration regulations to instructions on Transport and motoring 23 how to claim a VAT refund. Also included Sport and leisure 25 in this handbook are the contact details Shopping and services 26 of the many services which are available Useful information 27 to support you throughout your stay. Main campus map 28 Sources of information and advice 29 After reading this handbook, if you have any unanswered questions, please feel free to contact the International Student Advisers for further information; email: internationalstudentsupport@glasgow. ac.uk. Note: The information contained in this book was correct at the time of going to print in May 2019. Before you leave home • Proof that you have paid the Healthcare airports and Eurostar terminals. EGates use NB: Children can only accompany a You should therefore bring £250–£300 In the UK, 25% extra time in exams is the EU/ EEA/ Swiss Nationals Surcharge. For details see www.gov.uk/ facial recognition technology to check your student if both parents will be living in British currency, plus a credit card or standard amount of extra time. Students who Please check our webpages before healthcare-immigration-application. identity against the photo in your passport lawfully in the UK, except: sufficient travellers’ cheques to cover your feel they require more than 25% extra time travelling as there may be significant • You should check if you require an ATAS and therefore the arrival process should be • if the other parent is dead, or initial expenses, which may include a deposit will need to provide evidence of exceptionally changes when and if the UK leaves (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) much quicker. In addition to UK, EU and • if you have sole responsibility for the for accommodation, food and warm clothing. severe and complex need. the EU. Clearance Certificate – postgraduate EEA nationals who can already use eGates, child’s upbringing, or Travellers’ cheques can be cashed at students, and some undergraduates, from the launch date, nationals of Australia, • if there are other serious or compelling airports, railway stations, banks and bureaux Please email your disability evidence to studying or researching in certain fields Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, considerations that mean the child de change. Avoid carrying too much cash in [email protected] once you have If you are a non-EEA/Swiss national, please must obtain this certificate before applying South Korea and the United States of should be with you in the UK. You case it is lost or stolen. registered on your course. For GDPR make sure before leaving your home for a student visa. The scheme is designed America will also be able to use the eGates. will have to demonstrate that suitable reasons please do not email evidence before country that you have made the necessary to carry out security checks on those who Please however note the following important arrangements have been made for your It is a condition of acceptance that you you are registered. arrangements for your travel to the UK. will be researching/studying engineering, points: child’s care. should not commence study at the University • You must have a valid passport. science, mathematics, technology or • You cannot use eGates if you are coming of Glasgow unless you have adequate funds All evidence will be treated confidentially • Remember that entry clearance (a student biomedical subjects. Applications for an to the UK as a short-term student (coming If you have any questions about available to finance yourself to the end of and is not shared with academic staff or visa) is mandatory for all nationals who ATAS certificate are made online, free for up to six months) and you need a applying for your visa please contact the your course. In addition to tuition fees, you supervisors. intend to stay in the UK for longer than six of charge. For details see www.gov.uk/ stamp in your passport as you have not University’s International Student Advisers must also consider board and lodgings, months. You apply for this at your nearest guidance/academic-technology-approval- applied for entry clearance (a visa) before (see Welfare, page 18). The University of books, stationery and equipment, clothing, For more information about the Disability Visa Application Centre in your country of scheme. leaving your home country. Please make Glasgow is unable to represent individuals travel, holidays and entertainment – Service, please see Welfare on page 18. usual residence. For a full list see www. • You may also need a valid TB certificate sure you see an immigration officer to get who have been refused a visa. see page 27 for advice. gov.uk/find-a-visa-application-centre. (see page 17 for further information). the stamp in your passport. Bringing food, animals or plants Applications can be submitted online, Medical evidence of a disability, into the UK • You cannot use eGates if you are using a If you are an EEA national unless you are from North Korea in which specific learning difficulty or There are strict controls on bringing meat, Short-term study national ID card or passport which does (EU member states plus Iceland, case the application and guidance must chronic medical or mental health milk, fish, shellfish, plants and their products If you are a non-visa national and you are not have a biometric chip. Norway and Liechtenstein), or a be downloaded. condition into EU countries. If you are stopped by coming to study for less than six months you • You cannot use eGates if you are travelling Swiss national, currently you will be can apply on entry to the UK for a short-term with children under 12. If you require support from the Disability UK Customs and Port Health Officers, any To apply for your entry clearance you will admitted to the UK with a minimum study visa. However, this type of visa cannot Service for your disability, specific learning prohibited items will be seized and destroyed need: of formality. On arrival, you must be extended and you will not be allowed to For further information on the use of eGates difficulty or chronic medical or mental health and tough penalties can be imposed. • The Confirmation of Acceptance for produce a valid passport or national work. Please see information on eGates below. please see glasgow.ac.uk/international/ condition (eg extra time in exams), please For full information on what you can and Studies (CAS) which you have received identity card. Please check our support/before/studentvisa/#/short- ensure you have the appropriate medical cannot bring into the UK, see www.gov.uk/ from the University of Glasgow. Please webpages before travelling as there If you are a visa national coming for less than termstudyvisa. evidence before you leave your home bringing-food-animals-plants-into-uk. The check the details in your CAS carefully. may be significant changes when six months you will have to apply for a short- country. same link will provide you with information on • Evidence of financial support: documents and if the UK leaves the EU. term study visa before you leave home. Dependant visas bringing a pet with you. to show that you have enough money Your spouse/partner and children can apply We need a letter from your doctor or to cover your first year’s tuition fees and Please check Appendix 2. Visa National List for entry clearance as your dependant: medical specialist confirming your condition/ Shipping your goods to the UK £9,135 (please check the Tier 4 guidance Money at www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/ • if you are going to be a postgraduate student diagnosis OR (for students with a specific To make sure you don’t pay too much tax in case this changes) for living expenses If you bring €10,000 or more in cash, or immigration-rules-appendix-v-visitor-rules to on a course of nine months or longer, or learning difficulty, eg dyslexia) a report from when shipping your goods to the UK, Her for a course lasting nine months or more. the equivalent in another currency, to the see if you are a visa national. • if you are a new government-sponsored an educational psychologist (EP). Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has You must show that you have held the UK from outside the European Union (EU) student on a course which is longer than six created a Customs Procedure Code which is required amount for a consecutive 28- you must declare it. If you are travelling On arrival at UK Border Control, remember to months. It is better if the EP assessment has been 4000C06. You should give this code to your day period (finishing on the date of the as a family you need to declare cash over have your CAS and decision letter or short- done in your own home country and in your courier who will attach it to a C88 form. This closing balance) ending no more than 31 €10,000. Cash includes notes and coins, term study letter and your proof of funding Each dependant should apply online at first language.