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Information for new students

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

New students starting in September 2008

We expect to see you arrive on Saturday 20th or Sunday 21st September.

For information specific to students arriving in September 2008, please download a pdf file of our pre-arrival information (, 816kB).

Signpost on University of Surrey campusAll new students

What to pack

Essential items to bring with you include:

We provide your bedding but no towel, so you will need to bring one. All the residences are self-catering and your kitchen is equipped with a kettle, toaster or grill, iron, microwave and fridge/freezer. No cooking utensils, crockery or cutlery are provided. We recommend buying these when you arrive. The ISC will give you advice on arrival.

Useful websites

If you would like to learn more about life in the local area and the UK, the following websites may be useful:

Visit Britain
UK Away Travel Directory (links to many other websites about the UK)
UK Maps
BBC Weather for Surrey University
Visit England
Visit Guildford
Visit Surrey
Surrey ISC - Frequently Asked Questions
ISC Facebook group

Arriving in the UK

You should aim to arrive in the UK on the Saturday or Sunday before your course starts. You will need to inform the International Admissions Centre (01273 339333) of your arrival details and time. Remember to take your University of Surrey documentation showing that you have been accepted on to the course with you on the plane.

Arriving by booked taxi transfer
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, it will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall. 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.

At the arrivals hall in the airport look for a sign titled ‘University of Surrey International Study Centre’. The taxi driver will know the accommodation court you will be staying in, but it is a good idea for you to have the details of where you are staying easily to hand. Please do not pay the driver. You have already paid.

If you arrive at the airport and no one has met you, please ring 01483 566566 and give your name to the receptionist, they will locate your driver for you. For emergencies only please call: 07824 590698

Making your own way to the university
By train: The best way to get to Guildford from Central London is by train from Waterloo station. The fastest trains take 35 minutes, via Woking. The single fare is about £10. You can get a taxi from the train station to campus  which should cost about £6 or there is a bus every 10 minutes during the day, and every 30 minutes in the evening from Guildford centre and railway station to the University campus.
By car: If you are arriving by car, you should be able to drive to the residences and unload, but then should park in one ofthe visitor car parks for the day.

Arriving at Surrey

Please do not arrive more than 2 days before your course is due to start as your room may not be available. Make sure that you have a copy of your enrolment documents with you when you arrive at the campus. You will be taken to the reception of your accoummodation court to collect your keys. If you arrive outside the opening hours, you need to collect your keys collected from Senate House Security Office which is open 24 hours a day.

Please ensure the International Admissions Centre have been advised of your expected arrival details in good time, on Telephone +44
(0)1273 339333 or Fax +44 (0)1273 339334.

Please note your allocated Campus Court Reception, and their opening times to find out details of where and when you will be able to
collect your keys:

Students staying in: Collect your keys from: Opening times:
Manor Park Manor Park Reception 24 hours a day
Cathedral Court Cathedral Court Reception Saturday 8am - 6pm/Sunday 9am - 8pm
Twyford Court
Guildford Court
International House
Battersea Court Battersea Court Reception Saturday 8am - 11pm/Sunday 9am - 11pm
Surrey Court
Stag Hill Court Stag Hill Court Reception Saturday 8am - 6pm/Sunday 9am - 8pm
University Court
Outside these hours, keys need to be collected from Senate House Security Office. Please call the International Admissions Centre on +44 (0)1273 339333 and notify them of your arrival time. Please note that we cannot guarantee that your key will be issued if you fail to inform the IAC of this.

Your first week

Come and say hello
If you arrive at the weekend before term starts, staff of the ISC will be on campus at specific times and are happy to meet you.

Help during your first weekend
If you need help during the arrival weekend you can contact your accommodation reception, university security or call the emergency number 07824 590698.

Induction programme
In the pre-arrival information pack (, 816kB), you will find a draft timetable for your first week at university. 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.

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:

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

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. The University campus has a branch of the bank 'NatWest'. There are many other banks based in Guildford city centre.

It is very useful to start a bank account with NatWest in your own country if that is possible. Before opening an account, 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 confirming that you are a full time student, and your address while you are in the UK. You will also need your passport. It is important that you open your bank account as soon as you receive your letter from the ISC, so that you are able to complete police registration within the legally required 7 day period.

DO NOT carry large amounts of cash or keep large amounts of cash in your room.

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.

University Health Centre
The University Health Centre is located next to the Student Union. The Health Centre has several doctors and nurses who can help you if you need medical assistance. Students can register with the Health Centre during the Induction Week. The ISC will help you with this. To see a doctor or nurse, you will need to contact the health centre reception and make an appointment.

Pharmacy
There is a pharmacist just off campus, which is a 5 minute walk in the direction of the train station.

ISC contact details

Find us on Facebook
We've created a Facebook group to help new students find each other. Visit the ISC Facebook group and click Request to Join Group.

ISC campus address
The postal address where you will be studying on the University campus is:

International Study Centre
2nd Floor, Philip Marchant Building
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 7XH
UK

ISC telephone numbers
Telephone Number of ISC: +44 (0)1483 689951
Fax Number: +44 (0)1483 689952
Emergency Contact Number: +44 (0)7824 590698

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