Pre-arrival information for new students

If you are a new student coming to the Kingston International Study Centre, the information on this page should answer some of your questions and help you before, during and after your arrival at the ISC.

Students starting in April 2012

Students starting their course in April should arrive Tuesday 10th April, please do not arrive before this date as your accommodation will not be available.

We will confirm nearer the time where you need to go on your first day.

You can download a campus map here.

What to pack and bring with you

Essential items to bring with you include:

• You passport
• Visa/Home Office letter
• CAS
• Offer letter
• Qualification certificates
• Passport sized photographs
• Accommodation documents

Other items to settle you in include; a towel, toiletries and medications, photographs of family and friends to make you feel at home in your new room and an alarm clock - for those early starts!

Arriving in the UK

• Students starting in April should arrive on Tuesday 10th April, your accommodation will be available on this date. Please do not arrive before..
• Please advise the International Admissions Centre (IAC) of your expected arrival time and date when you book your flights. You can do this by telephone +44 (0) 1273 339333 or Fax +44 (0)1273 339334.
• Remember to take your Visa, CAS and Kingston University Offer Letter onto the plane with you showing that you have been accepted on to your course.
• 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 U.K. not being granted and having to return home.
• If you are arriving by plane and have asked for a taxi pick up, you will be met by the taxi driver in the arrivals hall. They will be holding a sign with your name on it and they will take you to your taxi. If you cannot see the taxi driver please ask at the information desk. The taxi will then take you to the Kingston University campus, you should have 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 - 07584 515 594 and someone will be there to help you. Alternatively you can ring the taxi company, Crown Cars on 020 8546 4444.
• To get from the airport to the University by train, there are regular trains from London Waterloo to Kingston. The approximate cost is £5.00 for a single journey, which will take around 28 minutes.
• From the train station you can get a taxi to the campus for approximately £8. The taxi rank is to the left as you leave the station.
• Please ensure you ring home to inform your parents or agent that you have arrived safely – they will be worried about you and want to know you have arrived.

Making your own way

By car

If you are arriving by car, please check in with the reception before parking on the site. There is short term parking outside the reception area at the halls so that you can check in with the halls management and obtain your key. Once you have unloaded your car please move off site to make room for later arrivals.

Should you be bringing a car to university, halls management will arrange a parking pass for you after the first week of term. Please ensure you bring your car documents with you.

Students arriving at IQ Wave by car should read the separate information that is sent out with the room offer.

Arriving at Kingston University

Student must have organised their accommodation before they arrive in the UK. This ensures there are no difficulties at immigration with confirming your course and for police registration on arrival, if required. Accommodation is either within ISC provided student halls or private residences.

If you have applied for a room in halls but have been unsuccessful then you should book yourself some temporary accommodation. There is a guest house list available here. You should not travel to Kingston unless you have arranged somewhere to stay – either with a friend or in a guest house.

Your accommodation will be available the weekend before the start of your course and we recommend you arrive then.

Upon arriving at the Kingston University halls you need to go to the 24 Halls Reception with the hall documentation where you will be able to sign in and obtain your room keys. Please note you must have paid the deposit for your hall room before arriving as otherwise you will not be given the key.

Settling into your accommodation

We aim to help you to settle in as quickly and as smoothly as possible. We know that when you arrive at Kingston you may feel anxious that you do not know anyone. But everyone feels the same, and living in University accommodation you soon get to meet your neighbours.

More information on Kingston University halls is available to read on our accommodation page.

Your first week

Freshers week

If you start at the beginning of the academic year (September) you will have the opportunity to get involved in activities and events within the university itself. The first week of term is known as ‘Freshers Week’. This week gives all new and returning students the chance to settle into university life and get to know other students who they will be living and studying with.

Whatever time of year you start your course, in your first week you will have both lessons and introductions to the UK and university life. There may also be a chance to get involved with social activities planned by the university.

Your first day

During your first day you will also be able to enrol with Kingston University –we would strongly suggest that you aim to arrive at the University in time for these enrolment sessions. 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.

The ISC Induction week

During your first week you will have a complete introduction to the UK, the university, and the ISC. The induction programme is designed to help you settle down within the University so that you can concentrate on your studies.

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.

During the induction week you will :

• Register with the university and receive a library card
• 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

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 university 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.

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 week 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.

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, where you can receive medicines on prescription.

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 the products that you require. Shops both on campus and close to campus will sell the basic things you’ll need to help you settle in. Before flying, check with your airline what you are allowed to bring on to the flight, particularly in reference to food products. 

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.

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.

Please note that smoking is not allowed in the university including halls of residence and your own rooms in halls.

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.