Key facts
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Useful Websites
- Visit Britain - www.visitbritain.com
- UK Away Travel Directory - www.ukaway.co.uk
- UK Maps - www.streetmap.co.uk
- BBC Weather Centre - www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=2438
- Lancaster tourist information - www.citycoastcountryside.co.uk/site/historic-lancaster
- Explore the Lake District - www.lake-district.gov.uk
- Events and entertainment in Lancaster - www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Lancaster
If you are a new student coming to the Lancaster 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 October 2012
Students starting their course on 1st October should arrive on saturday 29th or Sunday 30th.
You will need to report to Management School Lecture Theatre 8 Lecture Theatre, at 10.15 am on Monday 1st October. There will be ISC staff in both George Fox Building and Management School Lecture Theatre 8 to help you. You can download a campus map here.
What to pack and bring with you
Essential items to bring with you include:
- Your passport
- Visa/Home Office letter
- CAS
- Offer Letter
- Qualification certificates
- Accommodation documents
- Passport sized photographs
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
- You should plan to arrive in the UK on Saturday 29th or Sunday 30th September, ideally 1 or 2 days before your course starts.
- Please advise your Student Enrolment Adviser 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 339398.
- Remember to take your Visa, CAS and 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.
- 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 safely.
- If you have asked for a taxi pick up, you will be met by the taxi driver in the aiport arrivals hall. They will be holding a sign stating ‘International Study Centre at the University of Lancaster’. They will have your name on a board, and will take you to your taxi. The taxi will then take you to the campus. The driver will know which accommodation you are staying in, but it is a good idea for you to have details of where you are staying to hand.
- If there is no-one waiting for you on arrival, don’t panic. Please go to the information desk in the arrivals hall and the driver should be waiting for you there. If there is no one at the Information desk then just ring us on 07824 592783 and someone will be able to help you.
Making your own way
By train
There are trains directly from Manchester airport to Lancaster every hour throughout the day and early evening. Journeys take between 1 ½ and 2 hours. You can check exact train times in advance online at www.virgintrains.co.uk, or when you arrive at the train station. Some journeys are not direct and may involve changing trains more than once. A one-way ticket currently costs approximately £15. Once at Lancaster train station, a taxi can be arranged by ringing 01524 848848, to take you up to the University. You will be picked up just outside the station and this will cost between £6 and £9 depending on luggage and passengers. Ask the taxi driver to drop you at your college.
By car
If you are arriving by car, you should be able to drive to the porters lodge to collect your keys, and you can take your vehicle to the residences and unload, but then should park in one of the visitor car parks for the day.
Arriving at the University
If you arrive between 11am and 2pm, on Saturday 29th or Sunday 30th , the ISC staff would be happy to meet you in George Fox Building, once you have settled in. There will be, information, and a chance to ask questions. You can also pick up directions to the Management School Lecture Theatre 8 which is where you will be starting your induction programme.
Accommodation
Once at your accommodation you will be met by college security staff who will tell you where your room is and give you your keys. The college staff will make sure you have your key, room inventory and welcome information.
There will be college security staff on duty 24 hours a day to help with any problems you may have with your accommodation.
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.
Settling In
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.
Smoking is not permitted in any building owned or managed by the university, including bedrooms.
All university accommodation is self-catering, with cooking facilities in communal kitchens. All rooms are equipped with telephones and have computer network points, so keeping in touch with family and friends is easy. There are 7 launderettes across campus, along with shops, health services and other essential facilities. The University provides a cleaning service for communal areas.
Telephones To make external calls, you need a “Trust” phone card – a pre-paid calling card which can be charged using most debit and credit cards. There are no connection fees or monthly charges payable - each call is charged on an individual basis. Trust is an external service provider not run by the University. Please note that the University switchboard cannot connect calls to freephone, specialised numbers and mobile phones. See the Trust website for details.
There are 7 launderettes across campus. Laundry cards are available from each porters lodge, you can log on to the website listed on the laundry card and top up the card using a credit or debit card. The minimum top-up is £10. Once you have done this you can take the card to the laundry and insert it into the machine next to the washer. The cost is currently £1.60 for a wash, and £1 per drying cycle. A drying cycle lasts about 12 minutes, and it should take approximately 4 x 20p to try one load. You will need to supply your own detergent.
Please see the ISC Frequently Asked Questions Page to answer any other queries you may have - http://www.studygroup.com/isc/lancaster/faqs.aspx
Your first week
Freshers week
If you start at the beginning of the academic year (October) 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
You will need to report to Management School Lecture Theatre 8 Lecture Theatre, at 10.15 am on Monday 1st October. There will be ISC staff in both George Fox Building and Management School Lecture Theatre 8 to help you. You can download a campus map here.
You will begin the day by meeting members of staff from the ISC, and completing your student registration forms. You will be given a detailed arrival handbook and an induction week timetable, letting you know exactly where you should be, and when. You will have plenty of opportunities to ask questions.
The ISC Induction week
Induction activities
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 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.You will have some lessons and will receive information about starting your individual courses, including timetables and academic information.
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
Don’t worry if there are some things listed that you don’t understand, as there will be opportunities for you to ask questions about anything related to the ISC or the university on the day you arrive.
Medical Information
There are medical facilities located on 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 and over the counter.
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 £200 cannot be accepted in centre.
Please note that you need to open your bank account before you can register with the police.
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, two passport photographs, 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.
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. There will always be someone in centre who you can talk to.
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 but please be aware that it is illegal to smoke if you are under 18. 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 other public transport. 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 everything you’ll need. Please check with your airline before flying what you are allowed to bring on to the flight, particularly in reference to food products.
Please note 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.