Faculty of Humanities Information sheet University of Glasgow Type of exchange: Erasmus + programme Details of exchange Field of study: English literature Erasmus study code: 0232 – English literature Study Level of exchange: Bachelor Maximum number of students: 2 Semester or year: Semester or year Details university: Erasmuscode: UK GLASGOW01 Website: Visit here Term dates: Read here Course catalogue: Read here Accommodation: Read here Language requirements: Read here International Student Handbook 2016–17 glasgow.ac.uk/international Introduction Contents We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the University of Glasgow Before you leave home 2 and also to wish you a successful and Getting to Glasgow 5 happy stay in the city. On arrival 6 Immigration regulations 14 This guide will help you through most of Medical services 19 the formalities and procedures both Welfare 20 before and after your arrival. You will find English language 22 information ranging from the important The University Library 25 immigration regulations to instructions on Religion 26 how to claim a VAT refund. Also included Transport and motoring 27 in this handbook are the contact details Sport and leisure 29 of the many services which are available Shopping and services 30 to support you throughout your stay. Useful information 31 Main campus map 32 After reading this handbook, if you have Sources of information and advice 33 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 June 2016. 1 Before you leave home If you are a non-EEA/Swiss national, please postgraduate students, and some Dependant visas Money Medical evidence of a disability Bringing food, animals or plants make sure before leaving your home country undergraduates, studying or researching Your spouse/partner and children can apply If you bring €10,000 or more in cash, or the Students who need support from the into the UK that you have made the necessary in certain fields must obtain this certificate for entry clearance as your dependant: equivalent in another currency, to the UK Disability Service (eg extra time in exams) There are strict controls on bringing meat, arrangements for your travel to the UK. before applying for a student visa. The • if you are going to be a postgraduate student from outside the European Union (EU) you need to provide medical or psychological milk, fish, shellfish, plants and their products • You must have a valid passport. scheme is designed to carry out security on a course of 12 months or longer, or must declare it. If you are travelling as a evidence confirming their condition or into EU countries. If you are stopped by • Remember that entry clearance (a student checks on those who will be researching/ • if you are a new government-sponsored family you need to declare cash over diagnosis. Translation of evidence into UK Customs and Port Health Officers, any visa) is mandatory for all nationals who studying engineering, science, student on a course which is longer than six €10,000. Cash includes notes and coins, English can be arranged by the Disability prohibited items will be seized and destroyed intend to stay in the UK for longer than mathematics, technology or biomedical months. banker’s drafts and cheques of any kind Service, if necessary. and tough penalties can be imposed. six months. You apply for this at your subjects. Applications for an ATAS (including travellers’ cheques). For details For full information on what you can and nearest Visa Application Centre in your certificate are made online, free of charge. Each dependant should apply online at see gov.uk/bringing-cash-into-uk. Dyslexic students need to provide an cannot bring into the UK, see gov.uk/ country of usual residence. For a full list For details see gov.uk/guidance/ gov.uk/apply-uk-visa unless they are from Educational Psychological Assessment bringing-food-animals-plants-into-uk. The see gov.uk/find-a-visa-application-centre. academic-technology-approval-scheme. North Korea. Before completing the form, When you first arrive in the UK, you will need report. It is better if the assessment has same link will provide you with information on Applications can be submitted online, • You may also need a valid TB certificate refer to the guidance at: gov.uk/government/ money immediately for your train/plane fare been done in your own home country and bringing a pet with you. unless you are from North Korea. (see page 18 for further information). publications/guidance-for-dependants- to Glasgow; possibly a hotel (£50 or more in your first language. If this is not possible, of-uk-visa-applicants-tiers-1-2-4-5. Each per night); and meals. You should therefore then the cost of assessment in the UK is To apply for your entry clearance you will If you are a non-visa national and you are dependant will have to pay the Healthcare bring £250–£300 in British currency, plus a £450, payable by the student or their need: coming to study for less than six months Surcharge. credit card or sufficient travellers’ cheques medical insurers. • The Confirmation of Acceptance for you can apply on entry to the UK for a to cover your initial expenses, which may Studies (CAS) which you have received short-term study visa. However, this type of NB: Children can only accompany a student include a deposit for accommodation, food In the UK 25% additional time in exams from the University of Glasgow. visa cannot be extended and you will not be if both parents will be living lawfully in the UK, and warm clothing. Travellers’ cheques can is the standard for those who require this • Evidence of financial support: documents allowed to work. except: be cashed at airports, railway stations, banks support because of a disability or chronic to show that you have enough money • if the other parent is dead, or and bureaux de change. Avoid carrying too health condition. Students who feel they to cover your first year’s tuition fees and If you are a visa national coming for less • if you have sole responsibility for the much cash in case it is lost or stolen. require more than 25% extra time need to £9,135 (please check the Tier 4 guidance than six months you will have to apply for child’s upbringing, or provide evidence of exceptionally severe and in case this changes) for living expenses a short-term study visa before you leave • if there are other serious or compelling It is a condition of acceptance that you complex need. for a course lasting nine months or more. home. considerations that mean the child should should not commence study at the University The required amount must be held for a be with you in the UK. of Glasgow unless you have adequate funds consecutive 28-day period finishing on the Please check Appendix 2. Visa National available to finance yourself to the end of date of the closing balance. You will have List at gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/ If you have any questions about applying your course. In addition to tuition fees, you to show additional sums if you have immigration-rules-appendix-v-visitor-rules to for your visa please contact the University’s must also consider board and lodgings, dependants. see if you are a visa national. International Student Advisers (see Welfare, books, stationery and equipment, clothing, • You will also have to show the originals page 20). The University of Glasgow is travel, holidays and entertainment – of any documents named on the CAS as On arrival at UK Border Control, remember unable to represent individuals who have see page 31 for advice. being used as evidence to obtain the offer. to have your CAS and decision letter or short- been refused a visa. • Proof that you have paid the Healthcare term study letter and your proof of funding Surcharge. For details see gov.uk/ with you in case you have to show them to healthcare-immigration-application/pay. the immigration officer (see page 14 for more If you are an EEA national (EU member • You should check if you require an information on entering the UK on a student states plus Iceland, Norway and ATAS (Academic Technology Approval visa). Liechtenstein), or a Swiss national, Scheme) Clearance Certificate – you will be admitted to the UK with a minimum of formality. On arrival, you must produce a valid passport or national identity card. 2 3 Getting to Glasgow NB: If you can, avoid arriving in Glasgow Transport in advance of your travel date and no on a Saturday or Sunday as University changes can be made after purchasing offices will be closed. If you do have By air the ticket. problems on arrival, go to the Main Glasgow Airport is situated approximately ten • Daytime trains have a journey time of Gatehouse at the University Avenue miles west of the University. between four and a half and five and a half entrance to the University. The Gatehouse is • A taxi from the airport to a Hall of hours. It is possible to book a sleeping open 24 hours a day. Residence costs roughly £20–25. berth on overnight trains (ticket prices vary, • An airport bus goes to Buchanan Bus see nationalrail.co.uk for full information). From 2 to 23 September the Welcome Desk Station in the city centre. will be open 0800–1700, Monday to Friday, • A taxi journey from the city centre to one By road and staff will be able to help with initial of the Halls of Residence will cost roughly The cheapest way to travel to Glasgow from enquiries and directions.