Pre-arrival 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.

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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

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.

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Arriving in the UK

You should aim to arrive in the UK on the Saturday or Sunday before your course starts. Ensure you inform us of your arrival details in good time, on tel +44 (0) 1273 339333 or fax +44 (0)1273 339334. Remember to take your University of Surrey documentation showing that you have been accepted on to the course with you on the plane.

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.

Arriving by plane

Most international students arrive by plane and organise a taxi to take them from the airport to the University. If you are arriving by plane and have booked airport collection with us, the taxi driver will wait for you in the arrivals hall, holding a sign which will state ‘University of Surrey International Study Centre’.

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

The taxi driver will take you to the University of Surrey campus. They 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.

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 of the visitor car parks for the day.

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Accomodation

Students must organise their accommodation, either ISC provided or Private, before arriving in the UK 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. Please see the Accommodation Guide included with this pack for information about the University residences.

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Arriving at Surrey

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 from the Senate House Security Office which is open 24 hours a day.

Please note, below, 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
Bellerby Court
Cathedral Court	Austin Pearce Building	8am - 9pm on Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th
Twyford Court
Guildford Court
Battersea Court
Surrey Court
Stag Hill Court
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.

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 +44 7824 590698.

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Your first week

During your first week of term we will help you settle into life in Britain, and at the University. Your first week will include: registration at the University, registration with our local/on-campus health services, setting up a bank account, and police registration.

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.

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.

Opening a bank account

You must open and start using a UK bank account within the first month of arriving in the UK, in order to renew your visa at a later date. 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.

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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.

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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.