What to pack

Essential items to bring with you include:

• Passport
• Visa/Home Office letter
• CAS
• Offer letter
• Qualifications certificates
• Passport style photographs
• Accomodation documents
• A towel
• Essential toiletries and medications
• An alarm clock – for those early starts!
• Photographs of family and friends to make you feel at home in your new room

If you are staying in on-campus residences and require a bedding pack you should order this online when confirming your room contract, pre-arrival. It will consist of a duvet, duvet cover, pillow, pillow case and bed sheet. You can also purchase the bedding pack from reception on arrival, depending on availability. The bedding pack costs £25 and will be included in your accommodation confirmation payment. Please note there is no towel provided and you should bring your own.

All accommodation is self-catered, and kitchens are equipped with cooking facilities. You will, however, need to provide your own cutlery and pans. These can be bought cheaply from local shops.

Arriving in the UK

Please be prepared for an immigration interview with UKBA staff at the airport on arrival. You must be able to answer questions and have a basic conversation without the assistance of an interpreter - failure to do so may result in access to the UK not being granted and having to return home.

Your course is due to start on Monday 9th January 2012. Please do not arrive more than 2 days before this, as your accommodation will not be ready for you. Therefore we’d expect to see you on Saturday 7th or Sunday 8th January.

Please ensure the International Admissions Centre (IAC) have been advised of your expected arrival details in good time, on Telephone +44 (0)1273 339333 or Fax +44 (0)1273 339334. Remember to take your Heriot-Watt University documentation showing that you have been accepted on to the course with you on the plane. The ISC are unable to provide last-minute accommodation and it is the student’s responsibility to secure somewhere to stay, pre-arrival.

Students must organise their accommodation, either ISC provided or Private, before arriving in the U.K. to ensure there are no difficulties at immigration, with confirming their course and for the police registration on arrival. The ISC are unable to provide last-minute accommodation and it is the student’s responsibility to secure somewhere to stay, pre-arrival. Your accommodation should be available the weekend before the start of your course.

Students are advised to check with the Head of Centre before booking their travel back home at the end of each term. In particular it is advised that you check with the Head of Centre before booking travel home at the end of the course in case it is necessary to remain in order to receive results and be advised of next steps in your study plan.

Arriving by plane

Most international students fly and are met by a taxi, which will transfer them from the airport to the University. If you are being collected by taxi, the driver will be waiting in arrivals for you holding a board with your name and the ISC name on. Please provide your mobile phone number pre-arrival so that it can be given to the taxi driver in advance and it is a good idea to have the details of where you are staying to hand.

The taxi driver should know which accommodation you are staying in, but it is a good idea to have the details of where you are staying to hand. If there is no-one waiting for you on arrival, don’t panic, just ring us on our emergency number - 07827 806650 and someone will be able to help you. Alternatively you can ring the taxi company, City Cabs, directly on, 0131 228 1211. Please see the attached Accommodation Guide for more detailed arrival information.

Please do not pay the driver. You have already paid.

Making your own way to the university

By train or bus

For those arriving by public transport, there are many ways of getting to the campus from Edinburgh.

For detailed arrival information and local services please go to: www.hw.ac.uk/welcome/directions.htm

Students who will be arriving in Edinburgh by train will arrive at Waverley station. This station has a large taxi rank, and it should cost approximately £18 to the University.

By car:

If you are arriving by car, you can drive to the residences and unload. There is free car parking on campus, in any of the designated car parks. Visitors must use Car Park A or B.

Accomodation

When you do arrive at the university you need to report to the main reception at the James Watt Centre, which is open 24 hours. You will have been sent a copy of your accommodation contract via email, and also a link to accept and confirm your accommodation - which you must have done within seven days of receiving it. You must bring this contract with you and show it to reception staff in order to be directed to your room. If you forget to bring a copy of your contract you may not be allowed in your room. If temporary guestrooms are available you may be offered one of these, at your expense.

If you need help during the arrival weekend you can contact your accommodation reception, university security or call the emergency number +44 7824 590698.

Please note that dependant on your study plan, you may be required to move rooms during your course, and may have to sign separate contracts for each tenancy period. 

Please see the Heriot-Watt accommodation ‘allocation policy’ webpage for more details: http://www.hw.ac.uk/welfare/edinburgh/index.htm

Your first week

Please be aware that all students are given an English test on arrival, and study plans may be changed on the basis of this test.

Students are invited to attend the Heriot-Watt University International Students Orientation Events which are run by the University directly, not by the ISC. For more details please visit: http://www.hw.ac.uk/news-events/events/international-students-orientation-events.htm

Induction programme

You will need to report to the ISC at 9am on Monday 9th January, where you will start your induction programme. The ISC is circled on the campus map included with this pack. You will begin the day by meeting members of staff at the ISC, and completing your student registration forms. You will be given a detailed arrival handbook and an updated induction week timetable, letting you know exactly where you should be, and when. You will have plenty of opportunities to ask questions during your first week.

During your first week you will have a complete introduction to the UK, the university, and the ISC. You will:

• Register with the library
• Get set up and logged onto the university internet network
• Learn about the programme that you have registered for including information relating to progression to the university
• Learn the rules and regulations of the ISC and the university
• Open a bank account
• Register with local health services
• Ask questions about accommodation issues
• Learn about visa applications
• Register with the UK police, if necessary

Medical Information

There are medical facilities located on or near to campus. Staff will ensure you are registered at the local Health Centre, and will show you where the closest pharmacy is located, and where you can receive medicines on prescription.

Opening a bank account

If you are coming to the UK for at least an academic year, it is recommended that you open a bank account. Before opening an account, you should check whether money can be transferred into it from outside of the UK. To open a UK bank account you will need a letter from the ISC for the bank confirming that you are a full time student. Our staff will help you with this in your first week. Warning: DO NOT carry large amounts of cash with you or keep large amounts of cash in your accommodation. Please be aware that cash payments of over £500 cannot be accepted in centre.

Police registration

If on entering the UK your visa is stamped with the words “Register with UK police on arrival” this must be done shortly after arrival. Staff at the ISC will help you with this. You will have the opportunity to register with the police during your first few weeks with us. You will need your passport and a sum of money, currently in the region of £34. You will be given further information on registering with the police during the induction programme.

The cost of being a student

Whilst in the UK, you will need to budget carefully to cover all of your living costs, which include accommodation, clothes, transport, books, food and entertainment.

It is very difficult to estimate how much money you will need over a year as this depends on individual lifestyles and circumstances, although you should budget approximately £50 per term for books. Remember, you will spend more money at the beginning of the course as you may need to buy one-off items such as kitchen equipment, books that will last for two or more terms, and special equipment for your course. Small charges may also be made by some departments to cover supplementary materials or services.

More information about how to budget for your living expenses will be discussed during your first week of term.

Living in the UK

Social attitudes

Life in Britain will almost certainly be different from what you are used to. It is difficult to define exactly what the ‘British’ way of life is as attitude and outlooks vary considerably according to where you are in the country. As home to residents from many different parts of the world and a variety of ethnic backgrounds, Britain has a vibrant, cosmopolitan feel.

When you first arrive you may notice differences in the way people behave compared to your own country, however, it won’t take you long before you are accustomed to your new life here and are able to adapt to a whole variety of situations; everything from understanding British etiquette and mannerisms to cooking your own food and running your own bank account.

Homesickness

To start with everything is new, exciting and different, but as time goes by you may start to wish that things were the way they were back home. Don’t despair as this stage will pass – and much more quickly if you talk to someone about how you are feeling.

Racism

Racism is a global problem and no society is perfect. Britain isn’t free from racism and while you may meet a little of it in your day to day life, it is hoped that it is very rare in the University. The ISC and the University are committed to equality and to ensuring that you do not face discrimination whilst you are studying.

Drinking

Alcohol is available to anyone aged over 18. It’s perfectly acceptable for adults to drink alcohol in moderate amounts. For many British people, drinking is an established part of social life – ‘going out for a drink’ is how they relax or spend time with friends. This doesn’t mean that you have to drink alcohol. If you don’t want to you can always ask for a non-alcoholic drink instead.

Smoking

Many people in Britain smoke. However, in some ways smoking is less acceptable than drinking, and since Summer 2007, smoking has been banned in all pubs, clubs and restaurants in England. Smoking is banned in many public places including buses and the London Underground. If you smoke in these places, you have to pay a fine. Some non-smokers find smoke unpleasant and uncomfortable. If you are eating or drinking with friends – especially at someone else’s house – it is polite to ask before you light your cigarette.

Specialist and international foods

There are many shops and restaurants in the area which sell these types of foods. You may also find that some of the larger supermarkets stock some of the products that you require. There are shops both on campus and very close to campus, which sell most things you’ll initially need. Before flying, please check with your airline what you are allowed to bring on to the flight, particularly in reference to food products.

Please be aware that tap water in Britain is safe to drink. If you feel wary of this, water filters are readily available at most supermarkets, which you could buy on arrival.

Electricity

Electrical appliances must be correctly wired and be compatible with the British national standard of 240 volts.