SWANSEA UNIVERSITY Pre-Arrival Guide www.swansea.ac.uk/studyabroad • [email protected] @swanseauniglobal @swanuniglobal #SwanseaUniGlobal Thank you for choosing to come to Swansea University. This guide is CONTENTS designed to prepare you for your year or TO-DO LIST semester abroad. In this ‘Pre-Arrival Guide’ you will find information on: where to get visa advice and support; money & budgeting; accommodation; what to pack; what 2 1. Where to go for Visa advice and support? you need to buy when you get here and 3 2. What currency to buy? where to buy it; health information; and 3 3. What travel insurance you need? travelling to Swansea. We have also included a few helpful maps to assist you 3 4. How to put together a budget for yourself? in finding your way around the city and 4 5. Where to find out about where to live whilst the University campuses. at Swansea University? We hope you are looking forward to 5 6. What you need to pack? studying here as much as we are looking 5 7. What you need to do to allow you to bring forward to having you with us. your regular medication into the UK? 6 8. What UK healthcare you’re entitled to? Go Global Team 6 9. If you have appropriate medical cover for your study period in Swansea? 7 10. How you will be travelling to Swansea? +44 (0)1792 60 6850 [email protected] www.swansea.ac.uk/studyabroad swanseauniglobal @swanuniglobal 1 WELCOME TO SWANSEA UNIVERSITY WELCOME TO SWANSEA UNIVERSITY VISAS AND IMMIGRATION MONEY Please find below a brief overview of visas and immigration. More information about visas can be CURRENCY TRAVEL INSURANCE found at: www.swansea.ac.uk/international-campuslife/immigration The currency is British Pound Sterling, it is Please make sure you have adequate travel important to ensure that you have enough to insurance to cover your belongings. Your last the duration of your study period and your home university should be able to advise you travel needs. on this. EU STUDENTS IMPORTANT All students should carry their Letter of Acceptance and EU students will need a passport or national any visa documents in their hand The exchange rate ID card to enter the UK however, they will not luggage as these will be required IMPORTANT may change and this could impact need a visa (at time of printing). by UK Border Force in order to your personal finances enter the UK. NON-EU STUDENTS All International students entering the UK must NOT use eGates for BUDGETING Non-EU Students will need a passport and a entry. You are required to see a UK visa in order to enter the UK. It is important Border Force officer to obtain an The cost of living in Swansea is relatively to check the specific visa requirements for entry stamp in your passport. low compared to many other cities in the your country by checking with UK Visas and UK. However it is still important that any Immigration. www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa International students who do not potential student prepares their finances obtain an entry stamp will not be before they attend University. able to study in the UK for longer On average students studying at Swansea If you are studying than 30 days and will be required IMPORTANT will spend between £6000 and £9000 in the UK on a visa, you will need to leave the UK and seek re-entry in (over 40 weeks) on living costs. The to show that you have sufficient the correct category via a Border Force officer. examples given on www.swansea.ac.uk/ funds to meet any requirements set undergraduate/fees-and-funding/cost- by UK Visas and Immigration of-living are averaged out to give costs IMPORTANT It is strongly somewhere in the middle of this estimate. recommended that International TYPES OF VISA students do NOT enter the UK The level of these costs depends heavily TIER 4 via the Republic of Ireland as you on lifestyle and will vary from person to will only have entry to the UK person, but it’s always a good idea to draw If you are studying in the UK for more for 3 months. For more detailed up a budget - and stick to it! than 6 months; pursuing an Internship information please visit: www. or wish to work you will need a Tier 4 swansea.ac.uk/goglobal/inbound/ visa. Swansea University will provide you how-do-i-apply/ under visa with a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance information for Studies) letter for you to apply for your visa once you have met all the application requirements. SHORT TERM STUDY If you are studying in the UK for 6 months or less (single semester), depending on your country of origin, you may need a Short Term Study Visa. Swansea University will provide you with a Short Term Study visa support letter once you have met all the application requirements. 2 3 WELCOME TO SWANSEA UNIVERSITY WELCOME TO SWANSEA UNIVERSITY WHAT TO PACK It is important to remember that you have to carry the luggage yourself, so only pack what you can carry! IMPORTANT Any item marked MEDICATION* with an * we advise students to If you need to bring prescribed medication with carry in their hand luggage. you, you must ensure that you bring documentary This list is by no means comprehensive, but a proof of the nature of the medication otherwise it guide to items you will need when studying at may be confiscated at Customs. Swansea University. IMPORTANT It is your responsibility • GB Pound Sterling* to make sure you have an English translation of any relevant medical documentation. We advise students DOCUMENTS to carry the translation in their ACCOMMODATION • Passport* hand luggage • Visa documentation (where needed)* You will only be able to apply for University accommodation once you receive your official acceptance • ID Card* BEDROOM/BATHROOM/ letter. There are a number of accommodation options available and a dedicated Residential Services • University Acceptance Letter* KITCHEN team who can assist you. • Confirmation of Acceptance to Study (CAS)* • Accommodation Confirmation* Students will need to either buy the following items in local city centre shops on arrival or pre- LIVING ON CAMPUS SWANSEA PRIVATE SECTOR ELECTRICAL ITEMS buy from companies like: www.unikitout.com Living in Singleton Park or Bay Campus ACCOMMODATION • Adaptor for UK 3 point square pin plug residences puts you right at the centre of If you’d prefer to live off campus, you’ll be • Duvet • Mobile phone and charger University life. Self-catering accommodation pleased to know that there is a good supply • Duvet cover/pillow cases • Laptop and charger comprises fully furnished, en suite and of quality private sector student houses and • Sheets standard rooms with a shared kitchen and flats in Swansea. The University’s letting • Pillows dining area – ideal for helping you to settle agency, Student Accommodation Services CLOTHING • Blanket into student life quickly and easily. • Towels (SAS) manages 145 properties in the popular UK weather is unpredictable and changeable • Kitchen utensils student areas of Brynmill, Uplands and Sketty so layering clothing is quite a good idea. • Crockery which are within two miles of Singleton Below are some examples of items you should Campus and in St. Thomas and Port Tennant, consider packing: For more detailed information close to the Bay Campus. These areas are also For further information on items provided in University campus and University-managed please visit: close to local facilities such as shops, bars • Jumpers/hoodies www.swansea.ac.uk/accommodation housing: www.swansea.ac.uk/accommodation/ and restaurants. • T-shirts moving-in • Shirts • Trousers STUDENTPAD • Shorts/skirts DONATED ITEMS • Waterproof coat The online searchable database, Studentpad, Swansea University Students Union holds events • Insulated coat allows you to locate available private housing at the start of each semester where students can • Walking shoes and/or boots in the area and takes the effort out of take on useful items donated by previous students. house hunting. For more detailed information on private sector accommodation and STUDENTPAD please visit: www.swansea.ac.uk/ accommodation/sas-lettings/-sas-student- houses 4 5 WELCOME TO SWANSEA UNIVERSITY WELCOME TO SWANSEA UNIVERSITY HEALTH CARE TRAVELLING TO SWANSEA NHS NON-EU STUDENTS STAYING AIRPORTS Train and Bus Stations for our Campuses LESS THAN 6 MONTHS If you are arriving at Swansea Bus Station or In the UK we have the National Health Service London Heathrow – Meet & Greet Service Due to visa regulations you cannot Swansea Train Station you can either take a (NHS). This is the state health service and For students arriving for the first Semester on register with the University Medical taxi to the University campuses or use public provides treatment for UK residents. the ‘Arrivals Weekend’ Swansea University Practice. Students requiring transport. (There are taxi ranks outside both the offers a ‘Meet & Greet’ airport pick-up service medical treatment can attend any bus and train stations) CAN I REGISTER FOR local community doctor surgery. from London Heathrow airport. You will be required to pay for Swansea First Cymru operates a bus service No. HEALTH CARE? This is the most cost effective and hassle consultations, prescriptions or 4 that departs from the train station and central Swansea University has a NHS General free way of travelling to Swansea. For more treatments . You should be able bus station. This will bring you directly onto our Practitioner (GP) Medical Practice based on information on costs and timings please visit: to reclaim these expenses on your Singleton Campus. Bus service No.8 departs Singleton Campus.