International guide

Before entering the UK, most foreign students have to go through a few important bureaucratic procedures. Depending on your personal situation, these can be a little tiresome, yet are absolutely crucial for ensuring that you’re not violating any laws. Every student should ideally be accepted by a British college or university before their arrival.

Which university or college should I choose?

The first step is to find and pick a university or college. Choosing the right institution depends on your personal preferences, future plans, and expectations. Finding the right course at the right place takes some time and you should apply for your degree of choice while you’re still in your home country. Most universities make use of online application processes –so students can apply from all over the world and make all the necessary arrangements prior to their arrival.

The majority of universities and colleges provide a lot of information on their courses and degrees on the Internet. You should spend some time thoroughly reading their websites and online brochures. Other good starting points are higher education ratings that are published on a yearly basis. They will give you an idea about the teaching and living quality at even the best UK higher education institutions.

Choosing the right course and university/college

When it comes to picking the right place and program to study, you should consider a range of important questions, regarding:

- What career/future job do you aspire?
- How long do you want to study? Do you consider postgraduate studies (e.g. MA or PhD)?
- Do you have sufficient funds (for both fees and living costs)?
- Would you like to study in a city? Or do you prefer the countryside?
- Does the size and reputation of an institution matter to you?
- Does the institution offer special programs for international students?

If you wish to enter the UK before you’ve been accepted to a university course, you have to apply for entry clearance as a prospective student and provide evidence for your application at a British higher education institution.
Applying for a Student Visa
One of the most important issues you need to check is whether you need a visa to enter the UK. This very much depends on your country of origin.
Find more details on visa issues and UK border legislation:

UK Border Agency - http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/
UKCISA - http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/index.php
UKPASS (for postgraduate students) - http://www.ukpass.ac.uk/
British Council for Education http://www.educationuk.org/

Remember: Overstaying your visa is a criminal offence! Make sure that your permission to live in the UK gets renewed before it expires.

Registration

After applying and receiving your visa and entering the UK, the next “bureaucratic” thing you need to do is to register at your university or college. Most higher education institutions reserve the first week of each new academic year for enrolment. You should check the student office and institution website for the exact dates and location of registration. Make sure to bring all important documents and some form of ID with you. If you should receive some sort of grant or scholarship, you will probably make any necessary arrangements with the finance office at this point as well.

Many universities and colleges organise welcoming events for their incoming international students. This is a great opportunity for meeting new people, learning more about your new “academic environment” and to generally acclimatise yourself in your new surroundings. The respective international offices website is a good starting point for learning more about these events. You should also check your students’ union website for any information on Freshers’ week.

Organising Your Course

The success of any university degree largely depends on your ability to organise your workload and time efficiently. Indeed, you will probably have to get used to the “rhythm” at university or college. Studying is very different from going to school. There will be certain cultural differences as well. Some habits and customs might appear foreign to you, at least in the beginning.

However, a little foresight and planning can save you a lot of trouble right from the start. Check your departmental website regularly, so you won’t miss any important dates and events. It is best to mark them with a big red circle in your calendar. Ideally, you have the schedule for your first weeks of studying before registration. You should also try to connect with other first year students from your course. This increases your chances of not missing out on anything, since a lot of information at university is also passed by word of mouth.

Know Your Campus, City, and Region

If you have the time, you should walk around campus after registration. This is the best way to familiarise yourself with your new environment. The student office, the international office, your department and the library are likely to be the most important places for your time as an international student; so try to find them and memorise their location.

It is also recommendable to do a little sightseeing around your new town or city. You might have a particular interest in knowing more about shopping opportunities, cultural institutions such as museums and theatres as well as local nightlife. Many international offices organise short trips within both the local area and throughout the UK. They offer you options to travel around the country by bus and train at affordable prices. The actual schedule of trips and list of destinations depends on your local office.

Finding Student Accommodation - How to find the best student accommodation

Another central issue for every student is finding and securing affordable student accommodation. There are many different options available, though one can generally distinguish between on-campus and private student housing.

Many universities that partake in student exchange programs will provide international students with some sort of university accommodation. However, your stay in one of these reserved student rooms is often limited to one year. If your program demands you to stay longer, you will often have to find alternative student accommodation on your own.

The Internet offers the most efficient solutions for finding such student accommodation both quickly and easily. This is apparent particularly on the localised, frequently up-dated databases provided by Studentpad: these serve as a fast track to the right student housing.

Studentpad’s accommodation websites allow you to search and secure student housing online within the area of your university or college. All of the listed properties, private halls and landlords have been approved by your university or college accommodation office, i.e. they all fulfil the qualitative standards set by your institution. Each listing provides detailed information on the location, costs, and the included fixtures and fittings of a property.

Studentpad also enables you to contact landlords and to discuss any further details; hence, you’ll be able to secure a student room before you even arrive in the UK. This can save you a lot of stress and money, as otherwise you might have to pay for a hotel room before finding and securing student accommodation that suits your needs.

Moreover, your local Studentpad website will enable you to access information on your new surroundings by providing maps and photographs. The latest software can also plot your campus and allows you to determine exact routes with details of both driving and walking times. You will be able to familiarise yourself with your new home before you even arrive in the UK.

Renting Student Accommodation

Students can often choose between on-campus halls, private halls, student houses, private flats or studios. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages. It really depends on your personal preferences and the availability of student housing in the area you will be moving to. If you visit a UK higher education institution in the context of an exchange program, your options might be limited to the kind of student accommodation provided by the respective international office. However, most international students are generally free to pick their preferred type of student housing.

The majority of students choose self-catered accommodation, mostly by sharing a student house or flat with a couple of friends. Size, prices, facilities and renting conditions vary from property to property. It is highly recommendable to read the respective tenancy agreement thoroughly and to ask for a second professional opinion. A potential point of contact is your university accommodation office; after all, a tenancy agreement is a legally binding contract and you can be held accountable for any violations of its regulations.

A New Home brings new Responsibilities

Moving in with a couple of people of your age can be a lot of fun, especially if your new housemates share your interests and agree with your attitude. You will meet many new people and friends, probably from all over the world. However, renting a student house comes with certain responsibilities. You should discuss every detail of the renting process in sufficient detail, in order to minimise the potential for future conflicts. This involves arrangements of rent and bill payments, the management of deposits, cleaning the property, stocking shared supplies and so on.

What do I need to take to University?

There are a couple of things every student needs when she/he moves out for the first time. The list below covers the most important ones. Wherever you may go, you should make sure that you have these in your suitcase; they will make your start at university much easier!

- Important documents
- Laundry box
- Towels and bed sheets
- Kithen Items
- Printer
- Bag
- Pad and pencils
- USB stick
- Student med kit (plasters, painkillers etc.)

Coming Around

Studying at a UK university or college is a truly cultural experience, as you will meet people from all over the country and even the world. This accounts for both your fellow students and the academic staff. British higher education institutions remain among the top destinations for students, tutors and researchers who can be from Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and the USA. There are currently close to 500,000 international students, coming from 200 different countries. There is a lot of potential for establishing invaluable personal and professional networks that span around the globe.

As mentioned above: try to travel as much as possible! The UK offers many great places and sights to see giving you an impressive variety of cultural experiences. Whether it be England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland, there is always a lot to see and experience! Moreover, you might want to take the opportunity and visit some of the UK’s European neighbours, especially when you’re coming a long way from India, China, Africa or the USA. After all, France, Spain, Germany, Italy and many other countries are only a few hours away or even less by plane! The UK has many airports and different airlines that offer affordable fares to many European destinations.

Balancing Academic Duties and Student Recreation

Although you should indeed take the opportunity to travel and make lots of friends, achieving your academic goals should always be your first priority. We already said that studying and working at university is very different from going to school. You are expected to do a lot of work before and after lecture, without being told to do so. After all, you’re here voluntarily and should have a vested interest in learning as much as you can. Gaining solid knowledge of your subject is up to you. Most of the learning ideally happens outside of seminars and lectures. You will soon find yourself spending a lot of hours in the library and in front of your desk.

If English is not your first language, you might take the opportunity and attend English courses provided at your university. These are generally for free and prepare you for the daily requirements in Anglophone academia. Aside from that, you should try to speak as much English as possible with your peers and friends. Learning by doing, still, is the best way to improve your language skills. Check you department or international office’s website for more information on language classes and support for international students.

A Successful Degree for a Distinguished Career

Successfully completing your degree is still the most important factor that determines your future career prospects. It reflects your ability to self-organise tasks efficiently and achieve precise goals within tight deadlines independently. A British BA, MA, or PhD ideally opens the way to the international job market.

In summary, studying in the UK might grant you access to a variety of career options that otherwise would have remained unavailable.

Returning Home or Staying a Little While Longer?

How much time you will spend in the UK as an international student mainly depends on the type of course you’re completing. Some might stay only for a couple of months, others for a full three-year degree. A few might add another year in the context of an MA program or even three more years as PhD students.

In any case, you may wish to stay in the UK for a little while longer after completing your degree. There are various options for gathering practical experience in the private sector or starting your own business.

You might have to apply for a visa if you plan to continue your stay. It is best to talk to your tutors and your international office about you plans for extending your stay. They might be able to help you with weighing the advantages with potential disadvantages and to reach an informed decision on the matter.

Enjoying Your Student Experience

Your top priority should be trying to get the most of your time at university, both professionally and personally. It will be a decisive chapter in your life, as your time as an international student may largely determine your future career path. The same applies to your development as a young, open-minded and creative adult. Spending some time in another country, studying in a language that is not necessarily your mother tongue and working with people from all over the globe will greatly enrich your skillset and intercultural competence. Both might prove to be decisive for the course of your professional career.

Indeed, various challenges lie ahead of you; not all of these concern your actual studies: managing visa issues, a household and a (tight) student budget can be as tough as completing an essay. However, none of this has to be stressful or in any way exhausting.