Welcome Congratulations on receiving an We hope that you have a safe offer of a place at Queen Margaret journey to Edinburgh and enjoy University (QMU). your time with us. Please familiarise yourself with the following pages and check the QMU website and social media feeds for important information about preparing to #STEP intoQMU. If you would like to join our QMU International Facebook page, please find us at www.facebook.com/QMUInternatio nal. Queen Margaret University Queen Margaret University (QMU) has a total student population of over 5,000 students. Around 50% of our students are from outside the UK, from over 90 countries. Our small size ensures that QMU has a friendly atmosphere and a strong sense of community, allowing our students to settle in quickly and easily access a network of support services We are confident you will have a positive experience with us. You can find more information about the University on our website: www.qmu.ac.uk Scotland Scotland makes up the northern There is something for everyone in part of the UK and has a Scotland – historic buildings and population of over 5 million people. castles, tourist attractions, events Although Scotland is part of the and festivals, outdoor activities UK, it has its own devolved such as golf and hill-walking. parliament, as well as having distinct education and legal For further information on Scotland systems. visit www.visitscotland.com. Introduction 1 Edinburgh Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital city International Festival, the and is located in the south-east of Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the the country. Edinburgh is Edinburgh International Film frequently voted as one of the Festival, the Edinburgh most beautiful cities in Europe and International Book Festival and the one of the best places to live in the Hogmanay Street Party on Princes UK. Street. The city has a population of Edinburgh is compact and very around 500,000, of whom around easy to get around on foot or by 10% are students studying in it’s using the excellent public transport four universities and colleges. system. The city has excellent road, rail and air transport links As one of the most picturesque making it easily accessible from all cities in the world, Edinburgh major cities in the UK and beyond boasts an amazing mix of galleries and allowing you to explore other and museums, restaurants and parts of Scotland and the UK. bars, and parks and gardens. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, For further information on Edinburgh combines the medieval Edinburgh visit Old Town and the Georgian New www.visitscotland.com/destination Town. The city is also host to s-maps/edinburgh-lothians/. several arts and cultural festivals throughout the year. The most famous of these events are the Edinburgh Fringe, the Edinburgh Climate Edinburgh has very unpredictable sunshine, although days might weather, with sunny summer start out misty. Winters are long conditions sometimes rapidly and damp with many frosty days. changing into damp, showery December, January and February conditions and vice versa. are the rainiest months. Snow in Summers are generally fine, with winter is infrequent. mild temperatures and bright Sept May Aug Nov Dec Feb Mar Jun Jan Apr Oct Jul Average Daily Temperature (centigrade) Min 1 1 2 4 6 9 11 11 9 7 4 2 Max 6 6 8 11 14 17 18 18 16 12 9 7 Average Monthly Rainfall (mm) 57 39 39 39 54 47 83 77 57 65 62 57 Average Monthly Sunshine (hours per day) 2 3 4 5 6 6 5 4 4 3 2 1 Introduction 2 Visa & Immigration Immigration Immigration Health Surcharge You will need to check if you An immigration health surcharge require a visa to study in the UK will be required to be paid by non- www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa. EEA nationals who apply to come to the UK to study for more than 6 Student Visa System months. This means that health For full details on the complete surcharge payers will be able to immigration policy, you should visit access the National Health Service the UK Visa & Immigration website in the same way as a permanent at: www.gov.uk/browse/visas- resident, i.e. they will receive NHS immigration/study-visas. care generally free of charge but In order to obtain a student visa for may be charged for services a a course at Queen Margaret permanent resident would also pay University you must be in receipt of for, such as dental treatment. The an Unconditional Firm Offer, and health surcharge is payable in full have paid a deposit towards your at the time of the immigration tuition fees at QMU or provided application. The amount charged evidence of sponsorship. You will be calculated based on the must then request a Confirmation amount of time a migrant would be of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) permitted to stay in the UK. from the Admissions Office. After Further information about the you have satisfied these immigration health surcharge can requirements QMU will issue you be found on with a CAS which you will be able www.gov.uk/healthcare- to use to complete your Visa immigration-application/overview. Application. Information and Guidance on Credibility Interviews obtaining your student visa, paying As part of the application process your deposit etc. is available on you may be required to attend an our website at: interview to confirm your reasons www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/ for choosing the UK, the QMU and international-students/visas-and- your course, how you intend to immigration/. fund your studies in the UK and also how this fits into your career Visa Problems aspirations. Pre Whilst the University will do all that it can to check the likelihood of a successful visa application, an Biometric Residence Permits offer of a place at the University and an issuing of a CAS does not You will receive a vignette in your guarantee the issue of a Student passport which will last for 30-90 Visa. Responsibility for valid days. Within 10 days of arrival in - the UK you will be required to go student “Leave to Remain” in the Arrival UK lies with the student at all to a designated Post Office in times. order to collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). Local Assistance However, if you are unable to All countries have a British attend your designated Post Embassy/British High Commission Office within 30 days you will not and most also have a local British be penalised for this, and should Council Office who can provide collect your BRP as soon as you help or advice. Check your local are able to. Upon receipt of your phone directory to locate them or BRP you should scan both sides visit the British Council website and email this to www.britishcouncil.org. [email protected]. 3 Accommodation Queen Margaret University offers Personal contents insurance is on campus accommodation in our also provided as part of the lease. student halls of residence. What you will need to provide There are 800 single bedrooms, in Single or double sheets, pillow, self-contained flats for three to six pillowcases, towels, a duvet and students. Each flat has a shared duvet cover, cutlery, crockery, pots kitchen/living area. You are and pans. recommended to apply in advance as availability cannot be Emergency bedding packs are guaranteed. available on loan for a couple of nights. These are limited in We are unable to provide number and can be obtained on accommodation for couples or arrival at the University. families. Alternatively, you may prefer to Students should apply for purchase some of these items accommodation online via our locally on arrival. Accommodation system www.qmu.ac.uk/campus-life/ Student Residences accommodation/applying-for- Students can see a video of the accommodation/. QMU Accommodation as well as Once your application has been the online application form from processed you will be sent an offer the website of accommodation which you www.qmu.ac.uk/campus- should accept and make a £250 life/accommodation/. prepayment to confirm your place. When to arrive Please note that once you sign the Accommodation will advise on the accommodation lease, it is legally arrival period once your place in binding for 38 or 50 weeks. One accommodation is confirmed, and semester study abroad/exchange you should liaise with students who sign an Accommodation Services about accommodation lease are liable for your arrival so that they know the duration of the semester. when to expect you. What is provided? Those who wish to arrive earlier to Each en-suite single bedroom is carry out a 14 day self-isolation equipped with a bed, wardrobe, can do so at no extra cost, and desk, chest of drawers, shelves should contact Accommodation and chair and has en-suite Services to arrange this. facilities consisting of a toilet, shower and sink. Each bedroom You can contact the has a WIFI internet connection. Accommodation team directly with The kitchen contains a fridge, any questions: freezer, electric cooker, [email protected]. microwave, an electric kettle and an electric toaster. Irons and Arrival ironing boards are provided and - shared amongst groups of students as are brooms, mops and vacuum cleaners. Each living area (open plan to the Kitchen) is equipped with a dining table and chairs. Pre 4 External Accommodation For external accommodation, there You can find information about are many things that you should searching for accommodation off be aware of including location, campus in our handy guide deposits and agency fees. Student https://www.qmu.ac.uk/media/678 Pad www.studentpad.co.uk 8/private-sector-accommodation- provides excellent advice and hints guide.pdf.