Background reading
Once you’ve accepted a place on a course at a UK school, college or university, your institution may send you information to help you prepare for your arrival. Read this carefully – it may tell you more about the institution and the local area, and include practical information such as opening times of offices, local travel advice and important steps you need to take .
Pre-departure briefing information
The British Council runs pre-departure briefing programmes in many of the countries where it has a local office. These tell you about immigration and passport control procedures, how to get to schools, colleges and universities, financial matters, budget planning and cultural differences. UK Embassy, High Commission or British Council office will be able to advise you on what documentation you will need.
When booking your travel, make sure you know what time it will be in the UK when you arrive as trains, coaches and taxis may not run throughout the night. Aim to arrive on a weekday (Monday – Friday), rather than at the weekend (Saturday and Sunday) or on a public holiday, and try to arrive in the morning; this will give you time to reach your final destination and settle in during working hours when transportation links are most frequent and facilities such as banks and shops are open. This may mean that you travel through the night and arrive tired and slightly jet-lagged but it will help to make your onward journey easier.
Many students arrange their onward journey from the airport to their college or university at the same time as they book their flight. A travel agent in your home country may be able to help you do this. In this case, when you reach the UK you can continue your journey by following the instructions you have already been given.
There are more than 40 airports in the UK, many of which fly to and from international destinations as well as providing internal flights within the UK. Most UK airports are served by their own rail station and coaches will travel from them to many local towns and other destinations. Speak to the international office where you will be studying to find out which is the best one to use. You may be able to fly directly to the nearest airport, or you may find it easier to fly over to one of the larger UK airports and travel on from there.
Airport security and essential documents
Security at international airports is very strict and there will be a number of items that you will not be permitted to carry in your hand luggage, such as scissors and knives. Your airline will be able to provide a list of prohibited items when you book your tickets. When you are leaving home, allow plenty of time to check in for your flight and to pass through security controls – there can be long queues at busy times.
Before arriving in the UK, you must ensure you have the right documents and the money you need. Make sure you carry the following items with you in your hand luggage as you may need them before you collect the luggage which you checked in:
- your valid passport, with visa or entry clearance if you need it. (‘Coming to the UK: Immigration’)
- your travel tickets
- money – carry cash, travellers’ cheques and credit cards – preferably in a money belt or a very secure inner pocket
- health documents
- your letter of acceptance from your institution
- documentation to show that you have enough money to pay your fees and meet your living costs for the duration of your course
- originals (or certified copies) of any degree certificates or technical qualifications you have.
Travelling to your institution
Your college or university may operate a ‘meet and greet’ service, where a representative from the college or university will collect you from the airport or nearest railway station and take you to the institution or your accommodation. If this is not the case and you need to make your own way, check the schedules of onward travel services in advance and work out the best way to get to your institution.
MML will also be very happy to arrange this.
Many schools, colleges and universities run special introduction programmes for international students before term begins. A typical programme would involve a tour of the institution, an overview of the facilities available and help with registering for your course. It may also include a trip to the local supermarket and town centre, and an introduction to public transport links and local facilities such as sports centres and libraries. These programmes are an excellent way to meet other students and staff and to settle in before your studies begin.
Source: http://www.educationuk.org/pls/hot_bc/page_pls_user_article?x=754149163602&y=0&a=0&d=4410
