Welcome to Edinburgh A guide for international students Welcome to Edinburgh Welcome I’m delighted to welcome you to the University, to Edinburgh, and to remind yourself that learning to Scotland. We are immensely does not only take place in the proud of our international student classroom, lab or lecture hall. community, which is one of the It also takes place through the largest and most diverse in the people you meet, the clubs you world. Your presence enriches our join and the experiences you classrooms, our community and build up. You may never have the our city. opportunity again to meet so many different people, get involved in Settling into a new home, new activities, or live somewhere grappling with a new culture, so far from home. You’ve already and living and working through a made a brave decision in studying second language is a challenge overseas, I’m asking you to be but you’re not alone. Many braver still and chat to people supports and services are you don’t know, explore a student available to assist you in settling in society or two, and explore the and diving into your work, studies university, city and country. And and life in Edinburgh. study hard of course! If I had to give one top tip for Professor James Smith starting university it would be Vice Principal - International Preparing to come to Edinburgh 3 Planning your accommodation 4 Packing list 5 Your first week in Edinburgh 6 Police registration 7 Opening a bank account 8 Registering with a doctor 9 International check-in 10 Events 11 Settling into your life in Edinburgh 14 Transitioning into your life here 15 Academic style & support 17 Support services 18 Staying safe 19 Opportunities 20 Shopping 21 Sports 23 Transport 24 Common abbreviations 25 Useful links 26 Welcome to Edinburgh 3 Preparing to come to Edinburgh Before coming to study at the University of Edinburgh as an international student, there are some things you’ll need to do to prepare. Many of these things are the same for all students, and you can read more about them in the Getting Started Guide. For international students, things can be a little different. This section will guide you through these differences, to make your arrival in Edinburgh as smooth as possible. Read the Getting Started Guide: edin.ac/getting-started-guide Welcome to Edinburgh 4 Planning your accomodation It’s important to arrange a place local Site Office or the Reception temporary accommodation options, to stay before travelling to the UK, Centre at Pollock Halls. If you know including hotels and guest houses, whether you arrive before, during or you’ll arrive after 22:00 email your go to the VisitScotland website: after Arrival Weekend. accommodation to let them know. www.visitscotland.com/ If you’ve been unable to accept accommodation Applying for University your accommodation contract accommodation (also known as a lease or tenancy Further information about finding agreement) before you arrive you’ll long-term private accommodation is Applications for University be given temporary access to your in the Getting Started Guide. accommodation should have been accommodation and can collect made when you accepted your offer. your key the next day. Scams Once you’ve completed your online Information about how to contact Do not, under any circumstances, Check-in/Induction on MyEd, accommodation can be found here: send money to anyone for any you can print/view an Arrivals accommodation before you’ve seen Pass, which gives specific arrival edin.ac/arrival-information the property. Make sure the person information for your room. General Applying for private who shows you the property is the guidance on applying, moving into landlord or their representative (such and paying for accommodation is in accommodation as a letting agent) and always read the Getting Started Guide. Unless you’ve arranged University the tenancy agreement carefully. accommodation it can be difficult to Be very wary if you’re asked to send find long term accommodation while MyEd is the University’s web money via a payment service like portal. It contains links to still in your home country. You should Western Union, Bidpay or Money online resources and access make temporary arrangements and Gram. If you are unsure about to your University emails, ensure you have somewhere to stay anything, contact the Advice Place timetables, course materials when you first arrive in Edinburgh. before handing over any money. and course information. How to find accommodation If you’re in doubt about anything in regards to your lease get in touch You can find support and advice on Arriving late with the Advice Place. They can looking for accommodation on the check your tenancy agreement for Your online Check-in/Induction on Students’ Association website: free. For further advice on how to MyEd also explains what to do if edin.ac/the-advice-place- avoid scams see: you arrive late (after 22:00) during accommodation edin.ac/scams Arrival Weekend. In most cases, For more information about you’ll collect your keys from your 5 Welcome to Edinburgh Packing list In preparing to come to Edinburgh, you can use this list to make sure you bring everything you need. It’s a good idea to pack as little as possible – you’ll be able to get most things you need while you’re here. You should carry any valuable items in your hand luggage. Never put cash or other valuables in your check-in luggage. Essentials Clothing Essential for travel into the UK, setting up a bank account, registering with a doctor and The weather in Edinburgh varies greatly, so checking in as an international student. it’s best to pack a range of clothes for all weather. You’ll be able to buy warm clothes in Passport Edinburgh but it’s also sensible to bring: Study visa Jumpers Additional proof of identity (Driver’s A waterproof jacket licence, identity card, etc.) Long trousers Scanned copies of passport, visa and any other important documents Durable shoes Printed copy of unconditional offer Electricals confirmation (found on MyEd) The electrical voltage in the UK may be Proof of your address in Edinburgh different from the voltage of your electrical Original certificates of qualifications items. You’ll need plug adapters for any used to apply for your visa electricals you bring with you. CAS statement (found on MyEd) or Homeware student visitor invitation letter Depending on your accommodation Address of your accommodation, (University or private, furnished or accommodation contact, or evidence unfurnished), you may need a few things for of where you’ll stay on arrival your new home. Printed confirmation of travel tickets If you’re staying in University accommodation Marriage and birth certificates (if you can check what you might need in the travelling with dependants) facilities section of your accommodation: A small amount of cash and a credit edin.ac/search-for-accommodation card (avoid carrying a lot of cash) You might want to bring photos of friends and 2 passport-size photographs (for family to make you feel more at home. Read Police Registration, if applicable) more tips about settling in in our section about culture shock on page 15. TB certificate (if applicable) English Test Score results (if applicable) Any medication (if applicable) Welcome to Edinburgh 6 Your first week in Edinburgh There are a few tasks you should do in your first week in Edinburgh. You can find the tasks that must be completed by all students in the Getting Started Guide. This section will guide you through the additional or different tasks for international students. Read the Getting Started Guide: edin.ac/getting-started-guide 7 Welcome to Edinburgh Police registration What is it? Some international students need to register with the police. This is normally within seven days of collecting your BRP. Check your visa to find out if you’re required to register. How do I register? To register with the Police, you need to make an appointment at the Nationality Department (Police Headquarters) at 5 Fettes Ave, Edinburgh EH4 1RB. You can make an appointment in person during the following times: Monday-Friday 9am-12.30pm. Details are available here: edin.ac/police-registration What will I need to bring? To register you must bring: • Your passport • The registration fee - £34 (cash only) • 2 passport-size photographs • A printed copy of your unconditional offer confirmation (this can be found on MyEd) • Proof of your address in Edinburgh (for example, your University accommodation contract in MyEd, other accommodation contract, a utility bill, a bank statement) • Your completed initial registration form. You can download this from our website: edin.ac/police-registration • Your UK visa/Biometric Residence Permit and accompanying letter Welcome to Edinburgh 8 Opening a bank account Can I open an account? Opening a new bank account and setting up a bank account may take If you’re studying at the University longer than expected. Ask how long for more than one semester then the process will take for each bank, you can open a bank account. For and be prepared for it to take up to shorter visits, you’ll need to find a two weeks. bank that will accept your business – for example, Santander, Barclays For more information about opening Bank or Bank of Scotland are worth a UK Bank Account: contacting. edin.ac/banking What sort of bank account For information and to apply for a should I open? Bank Introduction Letter, please visit: edin.ac/bank-letter Banks offer different types of accounts. As a minimum you should Further details on accounts you can be eligible for a basic account which open and the documents required allows paying in and withdrawing can be found in our Banking cash in person or at an ATM (cash Comparison Table: machine).