international student guide

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What International Students need to knowbefore they arrive to study in the UK 2011 | 2012

Before You Arrive! 2 | 3

Welcome to Heriot-Watt UniversityInternational Student Advisors’ Ofce (ISAO),

Student Support and Accommodation 4

Beore you leave home 5

Immigration and visas FAQ 6

What to pack 8

Money matters 9

Health and Insurance 10

Accommodation 11

Arriving in the UK

At the airport 12

Heriot-Watt University Shuttle Bus Service 13

Travelling to Edinburgh and Galashiels 14

Lie at Heriot-Watt UniversityWelcome and social events 16

Lie in the UK

Immigration 18

Opening a bank account 19

Healthcare 20

Working in the UK 21Pre-departure Checklist 22

International Student Advisors’ Ofce(ISAO), Student Support and Accommodation

Hi and Welcome to Heriot-Watt University!

The International Student Advisors’ Oce (ISAO) is delighted that you have

chosen to come to study at Heriot-Watt University, and we hope this guide willhelp you with your preparation or coming to study and live in the UK. Please

note this guide is also available on our website: www.hw.ac.uk/newstudents.

A bit o inormation about us now. We are based at the Edinburgh campus

(Hugh Nisbet Building, across rom the Bank) and provide both advice and

assistance to international students, covering an extensive range o subjects

and issues such as immigration advice, tuition ee status enquiries or general

support advice (council tax, opening a bank account etc). We also organise

the Orientation Programme or our new international students in September.

This Orientation Programme is designed to help you settle into your new lie.You can check it out on www.hw.ac.uk/newstudents.

We hope you nd this guide helpul. I you need more inormation and

assistance do not hesitate to contact us. You can either contact us by email

isao@hw.ac.uk or telephone +44(0)131 451 3028.

We look orward to meeting you during our Orientation Programme!

The ISAO team (Laurianne Giteau, Peter Reinbold, Hazel Wheldon

& Gillian Mitchell).

Follow the ISAO team on Twitter @HeriotWatt_ISAO

Getting ready to come to study in the UKor a short or long period o time can eeloverwhelming; that is why our websitewww.hw.ac.uk/newstudents providesyou with detailed inormation and adviceregarding what you should do, pack andcheck beore leaving your home country.

Will I need a visa beore coming to the UK?

No: I you a European Economic Area (EEA) or Swiss National you will not need to

obtain a visa to come to study in the UK. You will still have to provide a valid passport or

National Identity Card in order to enter the UK. You can now go to page 8 and check ourinormation about “What to pack”

Yes: I you are a NON EEA national you will need to obtain a visa to come to study in the

UK. Some NON EEA nationals coming to study or less than 6 months may not need to

obtain a student visa beore entering the UK (Non Visa Nationals). For more inormation

on whether or not you will need a visa beore entering the UK, please check our website

www.hw.ac.uk/immigration-newstudents

More inormation is also available on the UK Council or International Student Aairs

(UKCISA) website www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/immigration.php and on the Home Oce“UK Visas” website www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/doineedvisa/

How can I apply or my Tier 4 student visa rom my home country?

You will have to ll the VAF9-PBS Migrant orm and PBS Appendix 8 (General) Student

orm and provide the requested supporting documents as specied in the Tier 4

guidance. You will also have to provide a Conrmation o Acceptance or Study (CAS)

number rom your Tier 4 sponsor (Heriot-Watt University is your Tier 4 sponsor) and your

biometric eatures (10-digit nger scans and a digital photograph) in person as part o

the application process.

For Tier 4 guidance and application orms, please check:

www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/ins/in29pbsstudent

Will I need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certifcate?

I you are a Postgraduate student and require a visa to study in the UK then you may

need to apply or an ATAS certicate. Only certain programmes are aected by the

scheme and your school will send you more inormation about this along with your

unconditional oer. Once granted, this certicate should be printed and submitted with

your visa application.

For more inormation and to check the list o programmes that request the ATAS certicate,

please check the Foreign and Commonwealth Oce website: www.co.gov.uk/atas

Will I be able to bring my dependants (wie, husband, and children)with me?

You will only be able to bring your dependants to the UK i you are coming to study a

Postgraduate course o at least 12 months, or i you are a government-sponsored student.

Please note, we advise you to travel to the UK on your own in order to arrange

accommodation or you and your dependants beore they arrive.

How can my dependants apply or their visa?

Your dependants will have to ll the VAF10 application orm and provide the supporting

documents requested on the VAF10 guidance. The application orm and guidance

are available on the UKVISAS website www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/ins/

in29pbsstudent

Further inormation is also available on the UKCISA website www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/

ino_sheets/your_amily.php

What documents should I have available when going through immigrationcontrol at the airport?

You should ensure you are carrying a telephone number or the University and that

you have it readily available; the main telephone number or Heriot-Watt University

is 0131 449 5111, and or the International Student Advisors’ Oce is 0131 451 3028.

You should also ensure you have documents relating to your studies, accommodation

arrangements and nances.

For more inormation on documents to have readily available or immigration control at

the airport please check: www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/ino_sheets/arriving_in_uk.php

Clothes/Weather

The weather in Scotland can be very cold and wet so it is important that you

bring waterproo clothing and shoes and also warm clothes such as a pull-over,

scar, hat, coat, gloves etc. and always carry an umbrella in your bag! During

winter time the days are short as it gets dark early (around 16.00hrs). At the

summer we enjoy long days as it usually gets dark around 22.00hrs.

Electrical Equipment

British electrical voltage is 240 volts/50 Hertz, i you bring any electrical

goods rom home you must be able to use them saely on this voltage or usean adapter. The voltage and plugs (three-pin plug) will be dierent in your

country. We advise you to buy British electrical equipment (e.g. hair dryer,

alarm clock) ater you arrive in the UK.

Luggage

Make sure you label all your items o luggage. It is also a good idea to include

a note o your name, fight number and destination inside your luggage

should labels be damaged in transit.

I travelling by air, please note: UK airlines are strictly enorcing handbaggage policies so check in advance with your airline the weight and

maximum dimensions allowed.

The currency in Scotland (UK) is the Pound Sterling (£).

In the UK, people usually pay large sums o money by debit/credit card. It is

not recommended to carry a large amount o cash with you. We advise that

you open a bank account shortly ater you arrive in the UK. For inormation

about opening a Bank Account please check page 19 o this guide

Cost o living

All international students must ensure that they have adequate resources tonance their studies beore coming to the UK. For inormation on how to

manage your budget at the University and to have a look at a Basic Student

Budget, please check our website www.hw.ac.uk/support/your-money.htm

International students should be prepared to budget or higher expenditure

than UK students, or telephone and international travel or instance.

Depending on circumstances, some may also be required to pay or visa

extension or Police Registration (more inormation available page 19)

Pre-existing Medical Conditions and Vaccinations

Students rom some countries, who are applying or UK visas valid or longer

than six months, now require a certicate to show that they are ree rom

inectious pulmonary tuberculosis (TB).

To check i you need to provide a TB certicate with your visa application,

please check: www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/tbscreening/

I you are currently under treatment or a medical condition and are bringing

medication to the UK, it is important that you get a letter rom your doctor to

conrm this, so you can present it to the Immigration Ocer when entering

the UK.

Most UK students will have been vaccinated against Meningitis C beore they

come to university. Although this is a rare inection it is very dangerous, and

we would recommend that you receive the Meningitis C vaccination beore

coming to the UK. I you come to the UK without being vaccinated you

should ask your GP to arrange this when you rst register with them.

For more inormation please check the UKCISA website www.ukcisa.org.uk/

student/ino_sheets/keeping_healthy.php

Healthcare in the UK

The University has a Health Centre. The Health Centre web pages oer

inormation about Healthcare in the UK or EEA and NON EEA students and

their amily: www.hw.ac.uk/health

More inormation about Healthcare in the UK is available page 20 and on ourwebsite: www.hw.ac.uk/support/isao/healthcare.htm

The University guarantees all new ull time students a room on-campus in

their rst year as long as they apply online by 22 August 2011, 17.00hrs (this

does not apply to exchange students only coming or one semester).

Please note, we do not have on-campus accommodations suitable

or amilies or couples.

For more inormation on on-campus accommodation and how

to apply, please reer to the Student Support and Accommodation oce:www.hw.ac.uk/apply4halls

The Student Support and Accommodation oce also oers inormation on

accommodation in the private sector and on university leased fats. For more

inormation please check our

“Flat or rent” leafet available to download on our website

www.hw.ac.uk/o-campus-accommodation

It is important that you arrange at least temporary accommodation beore

arriving in the UK.

Please note very limited temporary on-campus accommodations

may be available. For urther inormation please contact:

reservations@hw.ac.uk

More inormation about temporary accommodation is also available here

www.hw.ac.uk/support/isao/accommodation.htm

Most students will arrive in the UK by plane, although some willarrive rom Europe by erry or through the Channel Tunnel. Forurther inormation on what to expect when you arrive in the UKand how to travel around, please check the UKCISA website:www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/ino_sheets/arriving_in_uk.php

At the Airport

At the airport you will have to go through immigration (dierent queue or

EEA nationals and NON EEA nationals) and then customs.

Please note travellers rom outside the EU who are travelling to the UK with

€10,000 (£9,000) or more (in cash, bankers drat or cheques) will have to

declare this at customs (red exit).

For more inormation on entry and customs rules, please check the UKBA

website: www.ukba.homeoce.gov.uk/travellingtotheuk/Enteringtheuk/ and

www.ukba.homeoce.gov.uk/travellingtotheuk/customs/

The ISAO organises a ree shuttle bus service rom Edinburgh Airport to the

Edinburgh Campus at the start o Fresher’s Week and beore the rst week o

Semester 1.

The Shuttle bus will run at the ollowing times: Saturday 3rd & 10th and

Sunday 4th & 11th o September 2011 – every hour on the hour rom 08.00hrsto 23.00hrs.

When you arrive at Edinburgh airport look out or the ‘Universities and

Colleges Scotland’ welcome stand or the student welcome helpers at the

Arrivals gate. The student helpers will be able to direct you to the pick-up point

or the ree shuttle bus – you do not need to pre-book a place or this service.

There will also be a ree connecting bus service rom the Edinburgh Campus

to the Scottish Borders Campus in Galashiels on these days, leaving at 14.00hrs

outside the main reception o the Edinburgh campus. More inormation isavailable here www.hw.ac.uk/scottishborders-campus

Please note that space on the shuttle bus between the Edinburgh and Scottish

Borders Campuses will be limited. Any student who would like to use the

connecting service to Galashiels should e-mail isao@hw.ac.uk to add their

name to the list o passengers.

Public transport to the Scottish Borders Campus in Galashiels is limited.

Students arriving at Edinburgh Airport ater 19.00hrs will nd it dicult to

get to Galashiels on the same day and will need to make arrangements to

stay in Edinburgh overnight. For urther advice about travel to Galashielscontact bordershalls@hw.ac.uk. More inormation is available here

www.hw.ac.uk/scottishborders-campus

Beore booking any travel to the UK, you should check whenyou need to arrive at the University. Most courses or the2011/12 academic year will start on 12 September 2011. Pre-registration meetings take place in the week commencing 5

September 2011; dates are contained in your Welcome Pack.Please note, or students staying on-campus, accommodation contracts start

on 3 September 2011.

For inormation on how to travel to the Edinburgh campus and around,

please check our website www.hw.ac.uk/edinburgh-campus

For inormation on how to travel to the Galashiels campus and around

(including inormation about the ree shuttle minibus between the two

campuses), please check www.hw.ac.uk/scottishborders-campus

Our new website dedicated toprospective students will give you agreat overview o lie at Heriot-Watt

University www.hw.ac.uk/newstudents.In the meantime, to obtain an overviewo university lie, check the inormationthat ollows.

What is Freshers’ Week?

Freshers’ Week is the week preceding the rst week o the academic year at

university. During that week, academic and social events are held to orientate and

welcome new students (known as Freshers). In addition to completing your student

enrolment requirements, Freshers’ Week is an excellent opportunity to get used

to living in a new country, meet people and become amiliar with Edinburgh or

Galashiels beore starting your studies.

International Student Orientation and Social events

There are a number o welcome events specically or international students, and

these take place across the University during Freshers’ Week and into the start o

the rst session.

The International Student Advisors’ Oce (ISAO) organises orientation andinormation events specically designed or international students.

From the International Student Welcome to inormation sessions about Healthcare

and Tier 4 visa, the International Student Orientation Programme is likely to be o

interest to you.

For more inormation and to look at the programme, please check www.hw.ac.uk/

newstudents

You can also get involved in the huge range o social events organised bythe Student Union (www.hwunion.com) and the Chaplaincy (www.hw.ac.uk/

chaplaincy) during Freshers’ week and throughout the year.

Heriot-Watt World Music Orchestra project

Steve King, Heriot-Watt University’s Director o Music, would like to make music

making at Heriot-Watt more inclusive or International Students. We have one

o the largest international student populations in the country, many with rich,

colourul and exciting music cultures that we would like to experience.

I you are a musician and would like to be part o the World Music Orchestraproject or any other music group at Heriot-Watt University, please do not orget to

bring your instrument and do not hesitate to contact Steve: www.hw.ac.uk/music

Once in the UK you may experiencedierent practice and experiences,particularly with respect to day to daylie. The ISAO will be happy to help

you i you have any questions. We alsohave a lot o useul inormation on ourwebsite regarding lie in the UK, romhow to open a bank account to how todeal with culture shock. You will nd itall here www.hw.ac.uk/support/isao

Entry Clearance Correction Scheme

I you are coming to the UK or a course o study o 6 months or more, but

less than 12 months, you should obtain leave to enter or the ull length o

the degree course or which you have been accepted plus 2 months ater the

end o your course.

I you are coming to the UK or a course o study o 12 months or more, you

should obtain leave to enter or the ull length o the degree course orwhich you have been accepted plus our months ater the end o your course,

as this is the current guidance which British Embassies and High Commissions

should ollow.

I this total visa length is not granted it may be possible to have this

corrected by the International Student Advisors’ Oce ater you arrive in

the UK through the Entry Clearance Correction Scheme (ECCS). For urther

inormation about the Entry Clearance Correction Scheme, please check our

website at www.hw.ac.uk/support/isao/eccs

Visa Extension

I you need to extend your leave to enter/remain under a Tier 4 visa once in

the UK, you can check our website or inormation and assistance on how to

complete a PBS Tier 4 visa extension orm.

The International Student Advisors’ Oce can also provide you with a copy

o the visa extension application orm and i you need urther assistance, our

International Student Advisors will be happy to help you by checking your

application and supporting documents.

For urther inormation about visa extension and immigration, please check

our website at www.hw.ac.uk/support/isao/immigration.htm

Police Registration

I your student visa has the condition “Register with the Police within 7 days”

then you will need to apply or a Police Registration Certicate soon ater you

arrive in the UK.

Further inormation and a leafet (leafet also available in Chinese and Arabic)

on Police Registration are available at the International Student Advisors’

Oce (ISAO) and on our website:

www.hw.ac.uk/support/isao/police-registration.htm

Beore leaving home it is a good idea to check whether your existing bank

either has branches in the UK, or has reciprocal arrangements with a UK Bank

which would allow you to continue using their banking services when you

arrive in the UK.

For the longer term, most students will nd opening a UK bank account is the

most ecient way to manage their nances.

Further inormation and a leafet (leafet also available in Chinese and Arabic)

on how to open a bank account in the UK are available at the International

Student Advisors’ Oce (ISAO) and on our website:www.hw.ac.uk/support/isao/banking.htm

Registering with a GP (General Practitioner)

In the UK you need to register with a GP (local doctor) every time you move

to a new area. Once you have ound your accommodation you should lookor GPs in your area and register with one o them. You shouldn’t wait to be

ill or require treatment to register.

Students living within the City o Edinburgh boundary can register with the

Health Centre on Campus www.hw.ac.uk/health or with a local GP.

Please note students and their amilies should register with the same GP in

the area where they are living.

For more inormation about Healthcare or international students (GPregistration, dentists, health insurance, Accident & Emergency etc), please

check our website: www.hw.ac.uk/support/isao/healthcare.htm

In the UK the Emergency Services orambulance, fre and police servicescan be contacted by dialling 999.

EEA and Swiss Nationals

All EEA and Swiss national students can work in the UK.

However, i you are a national o Bulgaria and Romania, you might be subject to the

Worker Authorisation Scheme.

For more inormation please visit our website: www.hw.ac.uk/support/isao/work

Non EEA Nationals

I you enter the UK with a Tier 4

student visa then this will eature

either a Prohibition or Restrictioncondition relating to employment.

I you are prohibited rom taking

employment your visa will clearly

state that you are not allowed to

work, or engage in any business

or proession.

Tier 4 student visa holders can work up to 20 hours per week during term time, and

ull time during vacations i they are studying at degree level or above, or studying a

oundation degree (course that leads to a qualication at level 8 o the SCQF). Studentsstudying any other course will only be able to work up to 10 hours per week during term

time, and ull time during vacations.

Please note that term time covers all periods o your course when you are doing

academic work, and includes or example preparing or examinations, time spent

producing MSc projects, dissertations and writing up thesis.

For more inormation about employment restrictions or Tier 4 visa holders please visit

our website: www.hw.ac.uk/support/isao/working-in-the-uk.htm

Students are also encouraged to reer to the University Careers Advisory Service websiteat www.hw.ac.uk/careers or comprehensive guidance on employment during and ater

studies and or access to job vacancies.

Tier 4 student visa holders can onlywork up to 20 hours per week

during term time and ull time duringvacations i studying at degree level

Important things to do and checkbeore leaving your home country:

Heriot-Watt Documents and Inormation

Make sure you have accepted your course study place

I staying in University halls, accept your contract online and pay your

reservation ee

I arriving at Edinburgh Airport, check whether you will arrive on a day

when the ree campus shuttle bus is running

Check the International Student Orientation Programme online at

www.hw.ac.uk/newstudents

Travel Documents and Immigration

Carry the University’s letter conrming your acceptance o your

unconditional oer (CAS letter i you are required to have a visa)

Check that your passport is valid

I you are a non-EU national, contact your local British Embassy orHigh Commission to check immigration control rules and to obtain a

student visa.

Healthcare

Obtain a record o your medical history so that you can pass this to your doctor in the

UK when you register with a practice or health centre

Obtain a Tuberculosis Certicate i this is a requirement o your country o residence

Check whether you need any additional vaccinations or vaccination certicates or

travel to the UK

I you need to bring any prescription medication to the UK, make sure you have a

letter rom your doctor detailing the medication and the medical condition or which

you are being treated.

Bring some cash - £300-500 sterling should be sucient

Either pay your tuition ees online (www.hw.ac.uk/payment/ ) or have a sterling bankdrat raised made payable to Heriot-Watt University

I you receive nancial sponsorship, remember to bring the letter rom your

government or employer conrming your sponsorship arrangements.

General

Arrange travel insurance to cover both you and your possessions in transit

Weigh and label your luggage

In case your luggage label is damaged or lost in transit, include a piece o paper

inside your luggage with your name, fight number, and destination

I you are planning to arrange long-term accommodation ater you rst arrive,

make sure you book temporary accommodation or your rst ew days well in advance

I you are planning on driving in the UK, make sure you bring your driving licence

and check that it is valid

Keep separate photocopies o your documentation just in case you lose any items in transit

Bring some light waterproo clothing.

This booklet is produced on Revive 50:50 Silk

produced at a mill that is certied with the iso

14001 environmental management standard andis a FSC Mixed Sources grade – product group rom

recycled wood or bre, well managed orests and

other controlled sources.

Contact Us

Heriot-Watt University

ISAO, Student Support and Accommodation

Hugh Nisbet Building

isao@hw.ac.uk

www.hw.ac.uk/support/isao

www.hw.ac.uk

Heriot-Watt University is a Charity registered in Scotland, SC000278

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