Information for new students coming to the ISC

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

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Students starting in January 2012

Your course starts on Monday 16th January 2012. We expect to see you arrive on Saturday 14th or Sunday 15th January 2012 to allow time to settle in. If you arrive prior to these dates you must organise and secure some private accommodation for yourself.

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.

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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 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.
• Your accommodation should be available 24 to 48 hours prior to the start of your course, so you should plan to arrive in the UK on the Saturday or Sunday before your course starts.
• Remember to take your University of Leicester documentation showing that you have been accepted on to the course with you on the plane.
• Before flying, please check with your airline what you are allowed to bring on to the flight, particularly in reference to food products.
• 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, who will be holding a sign showing the University of Leicester logo, and the International Study Centre logo. They will take you to your taxi.
• If there is no-one waiting for you on arrival, don’t panic, just ring us on our emergency number 07827 850936 and someone will be able to help you.
• The taxi will then take you to your accommodation. The driver should 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. You will be met at your accommodation reception where you will be given your room key. 

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Arrival at Leicester

• All residences normal opening hours are 9am – 5pm, and there are night porters on site until midnight at Nixon Court and Opal Court.
• On arrival you will need to pay a key deposit of £30, so you should bring this in cash with you. Please note that students living at Opal Court and the Grange are exempt from needing to pay a key deposit.
• 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.  If you are studying during the summer term in June – August you will need to sign an individual summer tenancy. ALWAYS READ YOUR TENANCY AGREEMENT CAREFULLY. If you do not understand anything, you must ask for clarification.
• You should complete an inventory within 48 hours of moving in. Any damaged or missing items should be noted on the form and returned to the Manager’s Office. Failure to return this form may result in unnecessary charges to you for damaged/missing items that were not reported.
• If you are staying in University accommodation you will have been directed to the University of Leicester online shop during your application process.  You should pre-order a bedding pack for use on arrival. http://shop.le.ac.uk/browse/product.asp?catid=53&modid=1&compid=1
• Please be aware that if you are Under 18 at the start of the course the University require you to have a guardian in the UK, and will place you in an ensuite room usually in Opal Court or Nixon Court residences, which has on site University wardens. Please be aware that Brightworld guardianship only applies within term-time and is therefore not valid for early arrivals.
• All self-catered residences have kitchens which are equipped with cooking facilities. You will, however, need to provide your own cutlery and pans. These can be bought cheaply from local shops.
• All rooms are provided with a telephone. The telephones can receive both incoming and outgoing calls. All outgoing calls will be charged to the rooms, and incoming calls will cost the callers at the BT national rate.
• All bedrooms have broadband internet access for a small charge.
• Tap water in Britain is safe to drink but if you feel wary of this, water filters are readily available at most supermarkets, which you could buy on arrival.

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Induction activities

Don’t worry if there are some things 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.

Please be aware that all students are given an English and maths test on arrival, and study plans may be changed on the basis of the results of this test. If the ISC finds it necessary to add extra English or Maths lessons then the student will also be charged accordingly.

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. Finally you will receive information about starting your individual courses, including timetables and academic information.

The induction programme is designed to help you settle down within the University so that you can concentrate on your studies. The programme also aims to complete your registration and make sure you have all of the documentation necessary to begin your studies in the UK.

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

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Your first day

You will need to report to the ISC, located at Prospect House, 94 Regent Road at 9:30am on Monday 16th January.This is circled on the campus map you can find in the Useful Downloads section on the right. 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.

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Starting life at the University

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.

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.

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 £650 to £700per term . 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. 

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.

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 staff at the ISC or at the Student Welfare Service 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.

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.