UK eBook Guide for International Students

A Complete UK Guide for International Students

Neil Mehta, Sachin Thomas, Jamie Dunn

• Publisher: Spark Global Education
• ISBN:
  9789635277391
• Topic: Éducation
• Subtopic: Vie étudiante

The UK Student Adviser TM eGuide contains over 80 pages of practical information that you need when relocating to the UK for your studies. We know how difficult relocating can be, so with this guide we have packaged everything you need to know to make that move easier.

Our e-book guide will answer the following questions for you and more –

• How do I set up a UK Bank Account?
• How do I complete my Visa application?
• How do I get my national insurance card?
• Do I need to register for anything specific?
• What insurances do I need to have?
• How do I travel around the UK?
• Where is the cheapest place to buy all my necessities?

Our vast experience of working with international students gives us the perfect insight into what you need to know and why it is important to know it. We have also secured a number of partners that can help you save time, money and stress during your relocation process.

Appendix 1: Journey preparation guide and tick list

1. A valid passport and visa (Entry Clearance granted by the British Home Office (useful website www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/)

2. Immigration Helpline [phone]

3. Air tickets

4. Onward journey travel tickets, if necessary

5. Some British pounds (Sterling)

6. Ensure that your mobile phone is unblocked for use with a UK Pay As You Go SIMcard

7. Vaccination certificates, if appropriate

8. X-ray and X-ray report (if required)

9. Letter of acceptance from place of work

10.Documentary evidence of enough funds to pay for your tuition and living costs in the United Kingdom - normally £800 per month for 9 months of the year, and some British Pounds (Sterling) in cash or Traveller's Cheques

11. Make a note of the numbers of your Traveller's Cheques if you have them

12. Proof of scholarship, if you have one

13. Sponsorship letter from your university, college or school (if appropriate)

14. Certified copies of previous degrees and other academic certificates

15. 3 months' bank statements

16. Proof of previous home address, e.g. original copies of utilities bills

17. Book your temporary accommodation if your long-term accommodation is not finalised

18. Work out your route (see www.routeplanner.co.uk) to plan your onward travel from your destination airport

19. A few certified copies of your picture page of your passport and visa, and relevant certificates

20. Certified passport-size photographs, as you often need these for student discount cards, driving licence and other travel cards

21. Travel insurance documents

22. UK Electrical Plug adapter/mains voltage adapter if needed

23. Contact details for your landlord, student adviser and agent

24. Accommodation address

25. University/College/School address - if applicable

26. Your bank account details

27. Confirmation of accommodation and travel bookings and receipt of payment

Appendix 2: A covering letter

This is a covering letter template for you to use. Simply cut and paste it onto a new page and fill in all of your details.

(Your Home Address here)

Number and Street Name

Suburb

Town/City

Post Code

Date (of writing of this letter)

Mr, Mrs or Ms _________(Name of person to whom you are sending the letter)

Their Position in the Company (e.g. Manager, Human Resources Director)

The Company Name

Number and Street Name

Suburb

Town/City

Post Code

Dear Sir/Madam or (Mr/Mrs/Ms) (name of person)

Application for (position you are applying for, e.g. secretary, barman, etc.)

I am writing this letter in response to your advertisement of (date of advertisement), which appeared in (where you saw the advertisement) for the above position.

I believe that I should be considered for the position because I have the necessary skills and experience to bring value to your (business type).

Please find enclosed my 'Curriculum Vitae'.

I look forward to hearing from you to discuss my application further. If you require any further details, please do not hesitate to contact me on (mobile phone number) or (email address).

Yours faithfully (if addressed as Sir or Madam) or

Yours sincerely (if addressed to a particular person).

Sign your name here in ink when the letter is printed.

Your Full Name

(e.g. Joe Smith)

Appendix 3: A guide to UK regions

The UK offers much variety, from small country villages to the largest of industrial cities. It is a world leader in art, music, dance and fashion. Although it is an island, it is still very European. The UK hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 in the city of London.

The United Kingdom is actually the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Some people, even British people, are confused by this. Great Britain is the island that contains England, Scotland and Wales. Together with Northern Ireland, these countries make up the UK. The UK's only border is therefore with Eire, or Southern Ireland, though there is the Channel Tunnel linking England with France.

So, the UK is made up of the following regions: England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are Crown Dependencies, which means they are self-governing but dependent on the United Kingdom for certain affairs, such as foreign relations. For travel purposes, all of these regions are treated as one country. Following your point of entry into the United Kingdom, (e.g. London), you will not need your passport again when travelling to its regions. If flying between regional airports you will require photographic ID and a passport is often the best option to use. The inhabitants of all these regions are collectively called British or Britons, although they may be of different nationalities - i.e. Welsh, Scottish, Irish, Manx and so forth.

The national flag is referred to as the 'Union Jack', and is a composite of the flags of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, symbolising their union. (The Welsh flag, with its dragon, could not be integrated into the same design).

South and South West England

The South and South West of England are often referred to as the English Riviera and include Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire and Sussex. It is often considered the area where most people would like to live (rural and temperate climate). The weather is marginally more favourable as temperatures are decidedly milder and sunshine hours are longer than other parts of Britain. The whole coastline provides wonderful beaches and plentiful outdoor activities of every kind.

Many of these southern beaches areas are considered a sailor's and surfer's paradise.

The well-known cities of Bath, Exeter, Bristol and Plymouth fall within this region. Places of interest include Stonehenge, the Eden Project and Dartmoor National Park.

The New Forest and areas of Dorset, Sussex and Hampshire also provide many opportunities for pursuing outdoor interests and exploring places of natural beauty.

(The New Forest was established by William the Conqueror in 1079 as a hunting ground providing a home to wild ponies, sheep, boars and cows and provides the quintessential English experience.)

The South Western counties include Cornwall, Devon, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire, which offer many univ...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Introduction
• Our 'helping hand' sign
• The United Kingdom: the destination of choice for international students
• Before you travel
• Your journey to the UK
• You've arrived - first steps
• Your course
• Your student life
• Your life in Britain
• Your money
• Your accommodation
• Your work
• Finding Work in the UK
• Your welfare
• Your free time
• Your travel
• Your technology
• Electricity supply
• General useful information
• Good luck and keep in touch!
• Appendix 1: Journey preparation guide and tick list
• Appendix 2: A covering letter
• Appendix 3: A guide to UK regions
• Appendix 4: An introduction to British life
• FAQ – Work and National Insurance