Pre-arrival information for new students
If you are a new student coming to the University of Sussex International Study Centre, this information should answer some of your questions and help you before, during and after your arrival at the ISC.
Students starting in January 2012
Your course and induction will start on Monday 9th January 2012.
Your accommodation will be available to you starting Saturday 7th January 2012 at 10am and we strongly advise you to arrive during the weekend as it is very important that you are on time and are ready to start your course on the morning of the 9th.
Your first day
Please come to Chichester 1 Lecture Theatre at 11am on Monday 9th January. You must bring your passport, evidence of your SELT (Secure English Language Test) and visa with you so that we can register you for your course.
Key facts
| Head of Centre | Joanna Lee | |
| Address of the ISC | International Study Centre Mantell Building University of Sussex Falmer Brighton BN1 9RF England |
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| Telephone number | +44 (0)1273 876931 | |
| Fax number | +44 (0)1273 678619 | |
| Emergency telephone number | +44 (0)7824 370181 | |
Useful links
| Sussex ISC Facebook page | www.facebook.com/iscsussex | |
| Visit Britain | www.visitbritain.com | |
| UK Maps | www.streetmap.co.uk | |
| BBC Weather Centre | www.bbc.co.uk/weather | |
| Frequently Asked Questions | www.studygroup.com/isc/sussex/faqs.aspx | |
| Visit Brighton | www.visitbrighton.com | |
| Location of the University | http://www.studygroup.com/isc/sussex/maps_transport.aspx | |
| Virtual tour of the campus | http://www.sussex.ac.uk/aboutus/campus/ | |
| Accommodation guide | SussexAccommodationGuideJan12.doc | |
| Campus map | Sussexcampusmap | |
What to pack
Essential items to bring with you include:
- Passport
- Visa/Home Office letter
- CAS
- Offer letter
- Qualifications certificates
- Accommodation documents
- Passport sized photographs
- Photographs of friends and family to brighten up your new room
- A towel
- Essential toiletries and medications
- An alarm clock – for those early starts!
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.
We provide your bedding but no towel, so you will need to bring one. No cooking utensils, crockery or cutlery are provided. We recommend buying these when you arrive. The ISC will give you advice on arrival.
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 UK 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.
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.
At the end of term, it's essential that you book any flights home after the official end of term date, which can be found on the ISC's notice boards and in your induction pack.
In particular it is advised that you check before booking travel home at the end of the course, in case it is necessary to remain in order to receive results and be advised of next steps in your study plan.
By plane
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 your accommodation - 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. You will be met at your accommodation where you will be given your room key, room inventory and any welcome information.
If there is no-one waiting for you on arrival, don’t panic, just ring us on our emergency number - 07824 370181 and someone will be able to help you. Alternatively you can ring the taxi company, 581 travel, directly on 01273 581 581.
By train
For those arriving by train, we would suggest you take a taxi from Brighton station as there is no taxi rank at Falmer station (the taxi from Brighton should cost about £12 to campus, but less to off-campus residences).
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.
Arriving at Sussex
Make sure that you have a copy of your enrolment documents with you when you arrive at the campus.
If you arrive out of office hours, you will be taken to the York House Security Office where you will be given your key and the advisor will explain to you how to get to your accommodation. The taxi driver will make sure that you are taken to York House during those times.
If you arrive on campus between 9.30am and 4.30pm on any weekday the taxi will take you directly to your allocated accommodation. Please report to the reception where you will be given your keys, and welcome information.
The porter will make sure that you have your key, room inventory and welcome information.
Settling into your accommodation
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 will usually be available the weekend before your course starts. Please read and download the Accommodation Guide.
Induction
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 information about 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. This may mean extra tuition or an extra term of study.
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
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 £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 month 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.
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.
The British Council budget planner: www.educationuk.org/pls/hot_bc/bc_edufin.page_pls_budget_planner - is a useful tool for helping you to work out how much you are going to spend each year.
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 someone about how you are feeling.