into uea london pre-departure guide

Pre-departure guide

Pre-departure guide 2010-2011

Welcome

2

Welcome to the London Centre!

I am delighted that you have chosen to study at the INTO London Study Centre and hope you have started preparing for your new journey.

You are about to embark on an exciting adventure as a student where you will meet new people, live in new surroundings and experience new and different cultures while studying for a UK qualification. The pre-departure guide will help prepare you for your arrival to the United Kingdom. Please read this guide carefully, share it with your parents and keep it with you during your journey to London – it includes all the details that you need to know to ensure a smooth arrival and start to your studies. My team and I pride ourselves on being friendly and offering a very warm welcome to our students. My staff are very experienced in teaching and supporting international students and will always be there to help you or guide you throughout your time with us. The new INTO centre can be found in central London at 102 Middlesex Street, London, E1 7EZ. It is easy to find and maps of London are included in your pre-departure guide to help you find your way to us.

We advise that you arrive the weekend prior to your course start date and no earlier. Facilities at the centre include a lecture theatre, a learning resource centre, multi-media and language laboratories, and a café. Additionally you will have access to extensive facilities at City University. Your course induction programme, which starts on the first Monday of your programme will describe London and the Centre in more detail and show you how to access all the services available to you. I am sure that the course will meet your needs and expectations and that you will really enjoy your stay in London. So, a very warm welcome, have a safe journey and I look forward to meeting with you!

With best wishes and kind regards,

Martin Halsall Chief Operations Officer

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Start dates

All students should plan to arrive two days prior to your programme start date - please ensure you arrive on time!

In case of emergency call INTO University of East Anglia, London on +44 (0) 785 093 0394

Meet the INTO University of East Anglia, London team

Contents

Martin HalsallChief Operations Officer

Bridget WhiteHead of Student Services

Cate ThomasAcademic Director

Ruth HarperAcademic Support/

Operations Manager

Madonna CharalampidiStudent Services/

Russian Language

Counsellor

Helen WestwoodLearning Resources

Manager

Welcome 2

Meet the INTO University of East Anglia,

London team 3

Before you leave 4

Before you arrive in the UK 5

Arrival at the airport 6

Arriving at INTO University of

East Anglia, London 7

Airport collection form 8

Money 10

Orientation programme 11

Registering for your course 12

Making the most of your first week 14

Social programme 15

Health and safety 16

Key contacts, useful numbers

and websites 17

Maps 18

3

Dave AmorHead of Recruitment

Amy PuStudent Services

Coordinator/ Chinese

Language Counsellor


Before you leave

Checklist – before you leave home

Please make sure you have completed everything on this checklist before you leave home.

1. Have you paid full fees for your tuition, accommodation and insurance (if applicable)?

2. Have you returned your Arrivals Details Form to [email protected]?

3. Do you require an INTO airport taxi transfer? If so, please complete and return the Airport Transfer Booking form and the Credit card form.

4. Have you booked your accommodation?

5. Have you organised cash and pound sterling traveller’s cheques to bring with you?

6. Have you checked your passport is valid for at least six months?

7. Have you applied for and received your visa?

8. Have you packed all relevant original documentation or certified copies including your; • INTOOfferLetter • INTOCASstatement–ifrequired • IELTScertificateororiginalEnglishLanguagetestresult • Any other original documents/transcripts listed in your INTO Visa Letter, for example your

high school certificate or home university certificates. You will need these to FULLY register and enroll on your course, and to make a visa extension in the UK

• Passport • Bankstatements(forthelastthreemonthsandstampedbythebank)asevidenceofsufficient

funds to show the Immigration Officer on arrival at the airport in the UK.

9. Have you got your documents for medical registration? • ImmunisationHistoryBook • UKForeignCommonwealthOfficeVisaTuberculosisScreeningCertificate(ifyouhaveone)

10. Have you put the emergency telephone numbers into your mobile phone (to be put into your hand luggage)?

11. Do you know your airline’s luggage allowance and have you packed accordingly?

12. Do you have: • Photographsfromhome? • Waterproofcoatandshoes? • Addressandphonenumbersoffriendsandfamily? • AdaptorforUKelectricitysockets?

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Before you arrive in the UK

Applying for a UK student visa Most international students from outside the European Union

who wish to take a full-time course in the UK must apply for a

visa prior to leaving their home country.

You can check your status on the following website:

www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/doineedvisa/visadatvnationals

If you are a visa national you can apply for a Student

Visitor Visa for courses of six months or less; a General

Student Visa (Tier 4) for English language courses at or above

B2 on the CEFR; or a General Student Visa (Tier 4) for

courses at Level 3 on the National Qualifications framework

(NQF) at an institution which is deemed to be, or is on, the

Register of Highly Trusted Sponsors.

How will the Points Based System (PBS) affect my entry clearance/student visa application?If you are a visa national and you apply for a General Student

Visa you will need a ‘Confirmation of Acceptance for

Studies’(CAS), which is an electronic number, that

we will provide for you.

Applying for your General Student Visa (TIER 4) to come to the UKWhen you apply for a General Student Visa (Tier 4)

you must include a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies

(CAS) number.

• We will send your CAS details when you confirm your

unconditional offer of a place to study and pay your

deposit/full fees.

• Your CAS will not be sent more than six months before

the start of your course.

• The CAS number will be included in a letter called a ‘CAS

Statement’. This will also include important information

needed for your visa application.

• You can only apply for your visa three months or less

before the start of your course.

• The start date is published on your CAS Statement. If you

plan to arrive on a different date you must let us know.

This is very important as we must inform the UK Border

Agency (UKBA) if you do not arrive on time.

• When your visa is issued it will include your CAS number

as supplied on the CAS Statement.

• If you change your mind and want to study at another

institution, you have to tell us before you come to the

UK so we can cancel your CAS with UKBA, and

you can re-apply for your visa with a CAS from a

different sponsor.

Changes to your student registration statusWe must tell the UK Border Agency about any students who

have an entry clearance visa issued under PBS rules who fail

to arrive for the start of a course, withdraw from a course,

defer or suspend their studies, or fail to attend for significant

periods of time.

Further information about the points based system can

be found at the following websites. We advise that you check

these websites regularly for up to date information.

UK Border Agency:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/

British Embassy/High Commission:

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/wheretoapply

UKCISA (Council for International Student Affairs):

http://www.ukcosa.org.uk/student/pbs_students.php

Meeting immigration staff at the airportWhen you arrive at a UK airport, you should be prepared to

answer some questions about yourself, including where you

will be staying and what you intend to do during your time

in the UK.

You may be asked to undergo a brief, routine health

check by the airport doctor, which might include an X-ray.

The health check will take place in a separate room.

Afterwards, you will need to return to Immigration Control.

Please note that if you have already studied in the UK and are changing your education provider, you will need to apply for a visa for your new course at INTO University of East Anglia, London. This could take up to 40 days. It is a criminal offence to change educational providers before you have received your new visa from the Home Office. INTO University of East Anglia, London will not be able to register you on the course unless you have a valid visa, and will ask you to leave.


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Arrival at the airport

At The Airport

Once your aircraft has touched down, you will be eager to make your way to your accommodation . Make sure you have completed your landing card, ready to hand in at the immigration desk. To understand what services UK airports have, their opening times and travel connections visit these websites:Heathrow & Stansted: www.baa.comGatwick: www.gatwickairport.comInformation on all UK airports: www.a2btravel.com/airports

Travelling From the Airport

Students who have pre-booked an INTO Airport Pick-Up service will receive separate instructions on how to meet their driver, bus, underground and/or train. All UK airports around London and the South-East of England have excellent public transport connections in to central London. Bus, underground and train services connect the three major airports of Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.

HeathrowArriving at Heathrow, there is a choice of ways in which to travel in to central London. Consult this website to explore your options: www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk/transport

There are two train services that link Heathrow to central London – Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect. The price of a single, one-way journey ranges from £16.50 to £23. Tickets purchased in advance online come in at £16.50. More details can be found at: www.heathrowexpress.com

National Express run 24-hour coach services from Heathrow in to Victoria Coach station. More information, timetables, and bookings can be made at: www.nationalexpress.com/home

GatwickGatwick airport is served by bus, coach and train services only. Train services in to Victoria station are fast and reliable, and cost £16.90. More information from this website: www.gatwickexpress.com

Multiple bus and coach services also operate in to central London from Gatwick around the clock. Review the latest offers at this website: www.gatwick-airport-guide.co.uk/transport

StanstedExpress train services speed from Stansted airport directly to Liverpool Street station. A single ticket costs from £18, and takes around 45 minutes. Train timetable and exact fares can be found at: www.stanstedexpress.com.

You can also travel by bus – see this website www.londontoolkit.com/travel/stansted_airbus

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Arriving at INTO University of East Anglia, London

Getting Around London

Finding your way round London is on public transport is easy. Make your way to Liverpool Street station, which is served by several frequent underground (tube) lines, as well as over 20 bus routes.

Review the London transport network here: www.tfl.gov.ukDownload a London tube map here: www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/standard-tube-map.pdf

We strongly recommend that you arrive at the INTO London Study Centre over the weekend before your Orientation programme begins. This will allow us to give you the warmest of welcomes and will ensure that you move directly into your accommodation. If you have not reserved an airport collection – or are living in private accommodation you can confirm your arrival by calling us on +44 (0) 207 059 4400 and by completing the Arrival Form which is on page 8 of this guide.

Please check your welcome information upon arrival which gives details on where to go on the first day of your course which will be the INTO London Study Centre. You should report to the INTO London Study Centre at 10.00 am on the first day of your course.

It is important that you attend all induction activities which commence at 10.00am on the first day of the course. Failure to do so may result in you being unable to register on time for your course.

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Arrivals details form

All students mUST complete this arrivals details form and return one week before your course start date by email to [email protected] or fax to +44 (0)1273 328595 / +44 (0)1273 329746

Section 1Personal details

Family name (surname)

Other/given names (first name)

Email address

Mobile phone number

INTO number (please refer to offer letter)

Section 2Arrival details into the UK and confirmation of accommodation

Country flight departs from

Date of arrival Time of arrival (am/pm)

UK airport Terminal

Flight number Name of airline

Arrival date in London Arrival time in London

Any special requirements

Please make sure that you book a flight which arrives on the weekend before your course start date. If on

arrival you require a taxi to meet you and will be staying in a hotel or other accommodation not arranged by

INTO then please provide the address

Section 3Airport transfer booking

Please tick one of the following boxes to show whether you would like a taxi to meet you at your UK arrival

airport and take you to your accommodation

£90.00 London Heathrow Airport £110.00 Gatwick Airport

£120.00 Stansted Airport I do not require an airport transfer

Airport collection form

✁

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Section 4If you will be under 18 on arrival and do not require INTO to meet you at the airport and arrange a transfer

then the following section must be completed

Name of person meeting the student:

Address of person meeting the student:

Mobile telephone number:

Name of parent:

Signature of parent:

Date:

Credit card formPayments over £50 by credit card are subject to a 2% surcharge and debit cards to a £1 surcharge. This will

be taken from the card in addition to the amount stated in section 3 of this form.

CREDIT CARD DETAILS

To enable fees to be debited from your credit card, please complete the details below.

VISA CREDIT MASTERCARD DEBIT

If DEBIT, please specify type:

Please note, the University will only accept transactions using the following cards: Mastercard, Visa, Solo, Maestro,

Electron or Visa debit.

Credit/debit card number

Card start date —— /—— (mm/yy) Card expiry date —— /—— (mm/yy)

Issue number

Security code

This is the last three digits of the code found on the back of your card.

Cardholder name

Billing address

Please return this form by email to [email protected]

or fax to +44 (0)1273 328595 / +44 (0)1273 329746

✁

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Money

Currency

Currency across the UK is the pound sterling (£GBP). One pound is divided into one hundred pence (100p). Notes are issued to the value of £50, £20, £10, and £5 and coins to the value of £2, £1, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p and 1p. Please note that £50 notes are very uncommon and should be avoided as they can often be the target of counterfeiters. We do not advise carrying large sums of cash with you on arrival.

We recommend that you bring enough money with you to cover the first couple of weeks after your arrival – no more than £250 in cash for your immediate needs should suffice. It is safer to bring large sums of money in travellers’ cheques, which can be cashed in banks, post offices and airports but be aware that there is often a minimum commission charge. Please avoid carrying large sums of cash or keeping large amounts in your room for safety reasons. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in the UK, MasterCard (Access) and Visa credit cards being the most common. Diners Club and American Express are less so. You can withdraw cash from a cashpoint machine (also known as an ‘ATM’) if you have a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for that card. You may want to inform your current bank that you are going to the UK and to ask if you can use your card here.

Bank accounts

If you are going to be here for longer than six months, we strongly recommended you open a UK bank account, as soon as possible, after arriving in the UK.

UK banks are open 9am to 4.30pm on weekdays and some are open on Saturday mornings. If you bring a banker’s draft in sterling with you (payable to yourself) or arrange for it to be sent, then you can open an account at a bank after you have registered on your course. It may also be useful to bring a letter from your bank at home (or some other documentation) to confirm your credit status. We will provide you with further information and support on opening accounts during your induction week. In order to open a bank account you will need the following:• Your passport• Proof you are a student – we will issue you with an

official bank letter after registration• Proof of address.

For further advice on opening bank accounts in the UK, you can visit: www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/bank_account.php

Living costs

It is estimated that a single student will need approximately £650 - £750 a month to meet their basic living expenses. This is just an indication and will alter depending on your lifestyle and spending habits. It is important to plan and budget your finances for living in the UK; it’s not just your course fees you need to think about. If you want help with planning and budgeting your finances, the following international student website may be useful: www.studentcalculator.org.uk/international/ index.asp

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Induction programme

At the start of your course you will receive a full induction (providing you arrive the weekend before the start date of the course). This will vary in length according to which course you will be studying and it is a great opportunity to meet staff and students and find out more about the University and the local area. You should attend all sessions. The induction programme will usually include:• Welcome talks• Information sessions with INTO Student Services,

the Students’ Union, security staff• A test!• Social activities • A city orientation tour of London• A campus tour.

The following is an example time table for the

September and January orientation programme.

Orientation programme

TImE mONdAY TUESdAY WEdNESdAY THUrSdAY FrIdAY

09.30

10.00 WELCOME TALK STUDYING IN LONDON TALK

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PLACEMENTTEST(GROUPA)

VISITTOOVERSEASVISITORSREGISTRATION OFFICE(OVRO)ANDBOROUGH MARKET

VISITTOCITYUNIVERSITYLONDON10.30 COURSE

REGISTRATION11.00 EXPLORELONDONANDSHOPPING11.30 SAFETY TALK FROM

LOCALPOLICE12.00

12.30 LUNCH

13.00 LUNCH LUNCH

13.30 ENGLISH LANGUAGE PLACEMENTTEST(GROUPB)

14.00 INTRODUCTION TO YOUR COURSE

PREPAREFORTHEWEEKEND: HINTS AND TIPSONWHATTODO

14.30 TOUR OF THE CENTRE AND LOCAL AREA

TALK ABOUT BRITAIN

15.00 ENGLISH LANGUAGE PLACEMENTTEST(GROUPC)

MATHS TEST FOR FOUNDATION STUDENTS

15.30

16.00

16.30

EVENING CINEMA NIGHT DINNER WITH CENTRE STAFF

Students starting programmes not in September and January will enjoy a shorter orientation programme

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When you arrive, you will be asked to go through a registration process. Please make sure you have the following: • Passport• Visa• Academic Transcripts (original)• Academic Certificates (original)• IELTS Certificate (original)• All payment Receipts• Course Confirmation letter.

Later on in the week, you will also be asked to take an English Placement Test. To attend the test, please make sure you have your (temporary) student ID card with you. After you’re fully registered with us, we will then issue you a student ID card and also provide you with your IT username and password in order for you to log on to the computers in the Centre.

Registering for your course, English language testing

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I was impressed by the INTO London Centre’s brand new building, friendly staff and

teachers when I first arrived. To be honest, I felt a little bit unsettled and lost when I first

arrived in London because I knew nothing about the City. But after arriving at the INTO

Centre I found the induction day well organised and planned. Most importantly,

INTO staff are really nice and helpful. Some of the staff speak Chinese and if you

really have communication difficulties, you can speak Chinese with them.

Jun Chen China

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On arrival we will provide you with a FREE SIM card to use in the UK which also has one free international call on it, so you can call home and let your family know you have arrived safely. This will give you cheap rates to phone internationally and will be much cheaper than your current SIM card or any other UK network providers.

Alternatively, you can always download Skype, a free computer programme that allows you to use your computer like a phone and place international calls for free to other Skype users. Depending on your computer, web cameras are also supported.

Please remember that when you arrive in the UK you will have travelled a long way from home and although for most of you this will be an exciting time please do remember that your family and friends may worry about you. REMEMBER to contact them and let them know that you are safe!

Other things to remember:• Attend ALL your classes and tutorials. • Always be on time!• Be prepared for your classes!• Care for others’ feelings and cultures.• Feel free to ask questions whenever you need to.• Join social events and sports clubs. There are lots

to choose from so ask the INTO staff.• Keep your accommodation clean and tidy.• Overcome problems by sharing them with your

friends, teachers and INTO staff.• Practise English as much as you can and in as

many places as you can.• Your academic progress and your behaviour will

always be monitored.

Making the most of your first week

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As much as we encourage all students to work hard and learn, we also encourage fun and excitement. Therefore we organise a flexible and fun filled social programme for everyone to enjoy!

We have visited many historical places as well as organised fun activities such as football games; cinema night’s out and trips around the UK! Our aim is to ensure that our students enjoy the weekends as well as study hard.

Andra Craciun and Madonna Charalampidi organise the social programme. The photograph below to the right is of the students at Greenwich on our ‘history of Greenwich tour’ the weather was fantastic and everyone had a fabulous day! The one to the left hand side is of the student’s preparing fruit salads at our ‘encouraging healthy living’ fruit salad party at Sherren House, the residential accommodation. It is difficult to appeal to every student, so we ask for your opinion on what you’d like to do. If you have any suggestions, or favourite places in London which you would like to visit, feel free to talk to anyone at the Welcome Desk and we will be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

Social programme

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Medical Information

It is always advisable to have a health check before you leave your home country for a long period, and in some cases you may be asked to produce evidence of a health check when you apply for your UK Tier 4 Student visa. Find out if this applies to you by reviewing information on this webpage: www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/tbscreening/ Soon after arriving in London it is essential for you to register with a local doctor (also called ‘general practitioner’ or ‘GP’). We will help you to register with a local doctor during induction week. If you have an Immunisation Book, then please bring this with you.

If you already take prescribed drugs, please bring a copy of the original packaging and the prescription with you. If you wear spectacles consider bringing a spare pair with you, or if you wear contact lenses, bring sufficient supply to use while you are here in the UK or a prescription in English to ensure you can secure a ready supply.

Health and safety

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IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Please make sure that you put these numbers in your phone:

Key contacts, useful numbers and websites

INTO UEA London Campus

Office Hours: 08.00 – 19.00+44 (0) 207 059 4400102 middlesex StreetLondonE1 7EZ

Fax: 0207 247 9246Email: [email protected]: http://www.intohigher.com/universities/united-kingdom/university-of-east-anglia-london.aspx/

Become a fan on Facebook: INTO University of East Anglia, London

Emergency number (outside office hours):

+44 (0) 785 093 0394If you need the Police, Fire Brigade or Ambulance Service in an emergency, please call 999. If you are unfortunate enough to experience crime, have been involved in an attack or threatened, you should report it to the police and INTO.

Accommodation:

0207 790 4325Sherren House

0845 111 0021Emergency number (outside office hours)

Taxi Service:

0844 800 6677Addison Lee

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Maps

KING’S CROSS

LIVERPOOL STREET

ST PANCRAS

ANGEL

OLD STREET

BETHNEL GREEN

WHITECHAPEL

ALGATE EASTALGATE

TOWER HILL

SHADWELLMONUMENT FENCHURCH STREET

CANON STREET

MANSION HOUSE

ST PAULS

CITY THAMESLINK RAIL BANK

MOORGATE

BARBICANFARRINGDON

HOLBORN

TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD

RUSSELL SQUARE

COVENT GARDEN

LEICESTER SQUARE

CHARING CROSS

EMBANKMENT

WESTMINSTERWATERLOO

SOUTHWARKLONDON BRIDGE

BOROUGH

BERMONDSEY CANADA WATER

CHANCERY LANE

BLACKFRIARSTEMPLE

STEPNEY GREEN

RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION

LONDON STUDY CENTRE

0 1 kmLONDON UNDERGROUND STATION DLR STATION (DOCKLANDS LIGHT RAILWAY) NATIONAL RAIL STATION

KING’S CROSS

LIVERPOOL STREET

ST PANCRAS

ANGEL

OLD STREET

BETHNEL GREEN

WHITECHAPEL

ALGATE EASTALGATE

TOWER HILL


CANON STREET

MANSION HOUSE

ST PAULS


MOORGATE

BARBICANFARRINGDON

HOLBORN


RUSSELL SQUARE

COVENT GARDEN

LEICESTER SQUARE

CHARING CROSS

EMBANKMENT

WESTMINSTERWATERLOO


BOROUGH


CHANCERY LANE

BLACKFRIARSTEMPLE

STEPNEY GREEN


LONDON STUDY CENTRE


KING’S CROSS

LIVERPOOL STREET

ST PANCRAS

ANGEL

OLD STREET

BETHNEL GREEN

WHITECHAPEL

ALGATE EASTALGATE

TOWER HILL


CANON STREET

MANSION HOUSE

ST PAULS


MOORGATE

BARBICANFARRINGDON

HOLBORN


RUSSELL SQUARE

COVENT GARDEN

LEICESTER SQUARE

CHARING CROSS

EMBANKMENT

WESTMINSTERWATERLOO


BOROUGH


CHANCERY LANE

BLACKFRIARSTEMPLE

STEPNEY GREEN


LONDON STUDY CENTRE


KING’S CROSS

LIVERPOOL STREET

ST PANCRAS

ANGEL

OLD STREET

BETHNEL GREEN

WHITECHAPEL

ALGATE EASTALGATE

TOWER HILL


CANON STREET

MANSION HOUSE

ST PAULS


MOORGATE

BARBICANFARRINGDON

HOLBORN


RUSSELL SQUARE

COVENT GARDEN

LEICESTER SQUARE

CHARING CROSS

EMBANKMENT

WESTMINSTERWATERLOO


BOROUGH


CHANCERY LANE

BLACKFRIARSTEMPLE

STEPNEY GREEN


LONDON STUDY CENTRE


KING’S CROSS

LIVERPOOL STREET

ST PANCRAS

ANGEL

OLD STREET

BETHNEL GREEN

WHITECHAPEL

ALGATE EASTALGATE

TOWER HILL


CANON STREET

MANSION HOUSE

ST PAULS


MOORGATE

BARBICANFARRINGDON

HOLBORN


RUSSELL SQUARE

COVENT GARDEN

LEICESTER SQUARE

CHARING CROSS

EMBANKMENT

WESTMINSTERWATERLOO


BOROUGH


CHANCERY LANE

BLACKFRIARSTEMPLE

STEPNEY GREEN


LONDON STUDY CENTRE


Key

London tube map

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Everything is brand new and we use the newest forms of technology in

our classes, like the interactive whiteboards. You can use and change the

information on the board using your computer.

Satvet Erturkmen Turkey

INTO University of East Anglia, London First floor102 Middlesex StreetLondonE1 7EZUnited Kingdom

T: (+44) (0) 20 7059 4400

F: (+44) (0) 20 7247 9246

E: [email protected]

www.intohigher.com/uea-london

© INTO UEA LLP, June 2010. All content published in this document is believed accurate at time of publication. INTO reserves the right to alter details of all aspects of its operation without notice.

INTO University Partnerships Limited is a limited company registered in England and Wales, registered number 05507863. Registered office: 102 Middlesex Street, London E1 7EZ

University of East Anglia education provider sponsor number XNU1YRCC2

into uea london pre-departure guide

Documents

london centre

maps of london

central london

london study centre

university of east anglia

uk student visa

city university

uk qualification