into newcastle pre-departure guide

INTOgNEWCASTLE UNIVERSITYYOUR BEST ROUTE TO UNIVERSITY SUCCESS

Pre-departure guide

Pre-departure guide 2010-2011

Welcome

Dear INTO student,

We are delighted that you have decided to study at INTO Newcastle University and hope your preparations for coming to join us are well underway. Staff within the INTO centre are getting ready to welcome you and the many other new students joining us from overseas and it is important to us that your experience as a student at INTO Newcastle University is a happy and rewarding time.

You are about to embark on an exciting adventure where you will meet new people, live in new surroundings and experience new cultures. In addition to being incredibly exciting, this can also be very daunting for new students and this guide has been created to help you ensure your arrival to the UK and to Newcastle goes as smoothly as possible.

Newcastle is one of the most exciting and friendly cities in the UK and we hope that you will enjoy your stay in Newcastle and that the course will meet your needs and expectations. If at any time during your time at INTO Newcastle University you have any problems with your course, accommodation, health, money etc, there will always be someone available to help you - either your course tutors or INTO support staff.

INTO is dedicated to ensuring that our students feel totally safe and supported. All INTO Newcastle University students are issued with an emergency telephone number which can be used to ask for assistance from INTO staff at any time of the day or night.

We look forward to meeting you!

Kevin ConroyCentre Director

Start dates

All students should plan to arrive two days prior to your programme start date - please ensure you arrive on time!

3

In case of emergency call INTO Newcastle University on +44 (0) 7504 082 421

Meet the INTO Newcastle University team

Kevin ConroyCentre Director

Helen DouglasAcademic Director

Shonagh DoigHead of Student Services

Alex PerrinStudent Progress Manager

Nikki Spires Admissions Team Leader

Christine UprightWelfare Officer

Jo DoveyAccommodation Officer

John-paul AppletonStudent Services Officer

Sangita BhattiStudent Services Officer

Jan SoulsbyAccommodation officer

Contents

Welcome 2

Meet the INTO Newcastle

University team 3

Before you leave 4

Before you arrive in the UK 5

Arrival at the airport 6

Arriving at INTO Newcastle University 7

Airport collection form 8

Money 10

Orientation programme 11

Registering for your course 12

Making the most of your first week 14

Social programme 15

Health and safety 16

Key contacts, useful numbers

and websites 17

Maps 18


Before you leave

Checklist – before you leave home

Please make sure you have completed everything on this checklist before you leave home.

1. Have you paid full fees for your tuition, accommodation and insurance (if applicable)?

2. Have you returned your Arrivals Details Form to [email protected]?

3. Do you require an INTO airport taxi transfer? If so, please complete the Airport Transfer Booking Credit Card form.

4. Have you booked your accommodation?

5. Have you organised cash and pound sterling traveller’s cheques to bring with you?

6. Have you checked your passport is valid for at least six months?

7. Have you applied for and received your visa?

8. Have you packed all relevant original documentation or certified copies including your: • INTOOfferLetter • INTOCASstatement–ifrequired • IELTScertificateororiginalEnglishLanguagetestresult • Any other original documents/transcripts listed in your INTO Visa Letter, for example your

high school certificate or home university certificates. You will need these to FULLY register and enroll on your course, and to make a visa extension in the UK

• Passport • Bankstatements(forthelastthreemonthsandstampedbythebank)asevidenceofsufficient

funds to show the Immigration Officer on arrival at the airport in the UK.

9. Have you got your documents for medical registration? • ImmunisationHistoryBook • UKForeignCommonwealthOfficeVisaTuberculosisScreeningCertificate(ifyouhaveone)

10. Have you put the emergency telephone numbers into your mobile phone (to be put into your hand luggage)?

11. Do you know your airline’s luggage allowance and have you packed accordingly?

12. Do you have: • Photographsfromhome? • Waterproofcoatandshoes? • Addressandphonenumbersoffriendsandfamily? • AdaptorforUKelectricitysockets?

4


Before you arrive in the UK

Applying for a UK student visa Most international students from outside the European Union

who wish to take a full-time course in the UK must apply for a

visa prior to leaving their home country.

You can check your status on the following website:

www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/doineedvisa/visadatvnationals

If you are a visa national you can apply for a Student

Visitor Visa for courses of six months or less; a General

Student Visa (Tier 4) for English language courses at or above

B2 on the CEFR; or a General Student Visa (Tier 4) for

courses at Level 3 on the National Qualifications framework

(NQF) at an institution which is deemed to be, or is on, the

Register of Highly Trusted Sponsors.

How will the Points Based System (PBS) affect my entry clearance/student visa application?If you are a visa national and you apply for a General Student

Visa you will need a ‘Confirmation of Acceptance for

Studies’(CAS), which is an electronic number, that

we will provide for you.

Applying for your General Student Visa (TIER 4) to come to the UKWhen you apply for a General Student Visa (Tier 4)

you must include a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies

(CAS) number.

• We will send your CAS details when you confirm your

unconditional offer of a place to study and pay your

deposit/full fees.

• Your CAS will not be sent more than six months before

the start of your course.

• The CAS number will be included in a letter called a ‘CAS

Statement’. This will also include important information

needed for your visa application.

• You can only apply for your visa three months or less

before the start of your course.

• The start date is published on your CAS Statement. If you

plan to arrive on a different date you must let us know.

This is very important as we must inform the UK Border

Agency (UKBA) if you do not arrive on time.

• When your visa is issued it will include your CAS number

as supplied on the CAS Statement.

• If you change your mind and want to study at another

institution, you have to tell us before you come to the

UK so we can cancel your CAS with UKBA, and

you can re-apply for your visa with a CAS from a

different sponsor.

Changes to your student registration statusWe must tell the UK Border Agency about any students who

have an entry clearance visa issued under PBS rules who fail

to arrive for the start of a course, withdraw from a course,

defer or suspend their studies, or fail to attend for significant

periods of time.

Further information about the points based system can

be found at the following websites. We advise that you check

these websites regularly for up to date information.

UK Border Agency:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/

British Embassy/High Commission:

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/wheretoapply

UKCISA (Council for International Student Affairs):

http://www.ukcosa.org.uk/student/pbs_students.php

Meeting immigration staff at the airportWhen you arrive at a UK airport, you should be prepared to

answer some questions about yourself, including where you

will be staying and what you intend to do during your time

in the UK.

You may be asked to undergo a brief, routine health

check by the airport doctor, which might include an X-ray.

The health check will take place in a separate room.

Afterwards, you will need to return to Immigration Control.

Please note that if you have already studied in the UK and are changing your education provider, you will need to apply for a visa for your new course at INTO Newcastle University. This could take up to 40 days. It is a criminal offence to change educational providers before you have received your new visa from the Home Office. INTO Newcastle University will not be able to register you on the course unless you have a valid visa, and will ask you to leave.

5

6


How to get to Newcastle

The following information is to help you if you intend to make your own way to Newcastle. We recommend that you travel by air to Newcastle International Airport, either direct, or via Amsterdam, Brussels, Copenhagen or Paris.

We do NOT recommend that you travel via London as transiting London can be difficult, but for those who cannot avoid travelling via London we suggest you book a connecting flight to Newcastle International Airport.

A connecting flight is the easiest (and often the cheapest!) way to travel from Heathrow to Newcastle. British Airways fly directly to Newcastle International Airport (www.ba.com) with the flight taking about 1 hour 15mins.

Newcastle International Airport Tel: +44 0871 882 1121 http://www.newcastleairport.com/ Newcastle International Airport is the closest airport to Newcastle University. There are regular flights to Newcastle from London Heathrow, Amsterdam, Brussels, Copenhagen and Paris. The flight from Amsterdam to Newcastle takes 1 hour 30 minutes. The easiest way to reach Newcastle University from Newcastle International Airport is by local taxi. The trip takes about 20 minutes and should cost around £20.00.

London Heathrow Airport Tel: +44 0870 0000123 www.baa.co.uk/main/airports/heathrow Heathrow is the world’s busiest airport with flights to and from more than 170 different destinations worldwide. Heathrow is on the outskirts of London and is about 300 miles from Newcastle.

Important

Please also allow plenty of time for any onwards connections as there are often long queues at Passport Control.

If you intend to travel to the UK via Amsterdam or another airport in a third country, you may need a ‘transit’ visa even if you will not be leaving the transit lounge. You should ask at the embassy of the transit destination in your home country about the visas you will require.

Be aware that you may be charged at the transit airport for any goods in your hand baggage which would normally be subject to customs duty. However, baggage consigned to the hold of the aircraft will not be searched at the transit airport.

Arrival at the airport

7


Airport taxi transfers

INTO Newcastle University can arrange for a taxi to meet you upon arrival at the airport and take you directly to your accommodation. Payment for the transfer must be made 7 working days in advance.

If you would like us to meet you at the airport, please complete the attached Arrivals Details Form and the Airport Taxi Transfer Credit Card Form and fax or email them to INTO Newcastle seven days before you arrive. Upon receipt, we will arrange a transfer on your behalf and confirm this booking with you by email.

Even if you do not require a taxi transfer, you must send us your arrivals details so we can make sure everything is ready for you upon arrival at the INTO Centre.

Arriving at INTO Newcastle University

If you have been allocated residential accommodation in Newcastle you will have received confirmation from INTO Newcastle University that this has been reserved. If you have not had confirmation you should check before you leave for the UK.

You should have already arranged your accommodation before you arrive. If, for whatever reason, that has not been possible, our accommodation team will be able to advise you on how to look for private accommodation (Monday – Friday, 0900-1730) or if outside office hours, advise you of a suitable hotel in Newcastle which you should pay for yourself.

You should plan to arrive on the weekend before the course start date.

The INTO Newcastle Centre is located at 6 Kensington Terrace; staff will arrange to meet you outside your residential accommodation on the first day of your course and walk you to the centre for registration.

Arriving at INTO Newcastle University

8


Airport collection form

✁

Arrivals details form

All students mUsT complete this arrivals details form and return one week before your course start date by email to [email protected] or fax to +44 (0)1273 328595 / +44 (0)1273 329746

Section 1Personal details

Family name (surname)

Other/given names (first name)

Email address

Mobile phone number

INTO number (please refer to offer letter)

Section 2Arrival details into the UK and confirmation of accommodation

Country flight departs from

Date of arrival Time of arrival (am/pm)

UK airport Terminal

Flight number Name of airline

Arrival date in Newcastle Arrival time in Newcastle

Any special requirements

Please make sure that you book a flight which arrives on the weekend before your course start date. If on

arrival you require a taxi to meet you and will be staying in a hotel or other accommodation not arranged by

INTO then please provide the address

Section 3Airport transfer booking

Please tick one of the following boxes to show whether you would like a taxi to meet you at your UK arrival airport

and take you to your accommodation

£30.00 Newcastle International Airport I do not require an airport transfer

9


✁

Section 4If you will be under 18 on arrival and do not require INTO to meet you at the airport and arrange a transfer

then the following section must be completed

Name of person meeting the student:

Address of person meeting the student:

Mobile telephone number:

Name of parent:

Signature of parent:

Date:

Credit card formPayments over £50 by credit card are subject to a 2% surcharge and debit cards to a £1 surcharge. This will

be taken from the card in addition to the amount stated in section 3 of this form.

CREDIT CARD DETAILS

To enable fees to be debited from your credit card, please complete the details below.

VISA CREDIT MASTERCARD DEBIT

If DEBIT, please specify type:

Please note, the University will only accept transactions using the following cards: Mastercard, Visa, Solo, Maestro,

Electron or Visa debit.

Credit/debit card number

Card start date —— /—— (mm/yy) Card expiry date —— /—— (mm/yy)

Issue number

Security code

This is the last three digits of the code found on the back of your card.

Cardholder name

Billing address

Please return this form by email to [email protected]

or fax to +44 (0)1273 328595 / +44 (0)1273 329746

10


Currency

Currency across the UK is the pound sterling (£GBP). One pound is divided into one hundred pence (100p). Notes are issued to the value of £50, £20, £10, and £5 and coins to the value of £2, £1, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p and 1p. Please note that £50 notes are very uncommon and should be avoided as they can often be the target of counterfeiters. We do not advise carrying large sums of cash with you on arrival.

We recommend that you bring enough money with you to cover the first couple of weeks after your arrival – no more than £250 in cash for your immediate needs should suffice. It is safer to bring large sums of money in travellers’ cheques, which can be cashed in banks, post offices and airports but be aware that there is often a minimum commission charge. Please avoid carrying large sums of cash or keeping large amounts in your room for safety reasons. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in the UK, MasterCard (Access) and Visa credit cards being the most common. Diners Club and American Express are less so. You can withdraw cash from a cashpoint machine (also known as an ‘ATM’) if you have a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for that card. You may want to inform your current bank that you are going to the UK and to ask if you can use your card here.

Bank accounts

If you are going to be here for longer than six months, we strongly recommended you open a UK bank account, as soon as possible, after arriving in the UK.

UK Banks are open 9am to 4.30pm on weekdays and some are open on Saturday mornings. If you bring a banker’s draft in sterling with you (payable to yourself) or arrange for it to be sent, then you can open an account at a bank after you have registered on your course. It may also be useful to bring a letter from your bank at home (or some other documentation) to confirm your credit status. We will provide you with further information and support on opening accounts during your induction week. In order to open a bank account you will need the following:• your passport• proof you are a student – we will issue you with an

official bank letter after registration• proof of address.

For further advice on opening bank accounts in the UK, you can visit: www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/bank_account.php

Living costs

It is estimated that a single student will need approximately £650 - £750 a month to meet their basic living expenses. This is just an indication and will alter depending on your lifestyle and spending habits. It is important to plan and budget your finances for living in the UK; it’s not just your course fees you need to think about. If you want help with planning and budgeting your finances, the following international student website may be useful: www.studentcalculator.org.uk/international/index.asp

Money

11


Orientation programme

TIme mONdAY TUesdAY WedNesdAY THUrsdAY FrIdAY

9.00 UNIVErSITyPrESENTATIONS,WELFArEANdSTUdENTPrOgrESS

ACAdEmICTImETABLES

09.30 WELCOmETALK ENgLISHTEST ACAdEmICPrOgrAmmEINFORMATION10.00 rEgISTrATIONANd

FINANCEPAymENT10.10

10.20

10.30

11.00

11.30 SMARTCARD rEgISTrATION

12.00 BrEAK

12.30 HEALTHANdSAFETyPrESENTATION

LUNCH LUNCH

13.00

13.30 LUNCH NEWCASTLECITyTOUrBrINgCOATS,OUTdOOrSHOESANdCAmErAS

LUNCH

14.00

14.30 NEWCASTLE CAmPUSTOUr

STUdENTSErVICESPrESENTATION

BANKANdPOLICELETTErrEqUESTSESSION15.00

15.30 STUdENTSErVICESPrESENTATION

VISATALK

16.00 BrEAK

16.30 STUdENTPrOgrESSANdWELFArEPrESENTATION

ITSKILLS

17.00

EVENINg WELCOmEmEETINg BOWLINgNIgHT

Induction programme

At the start of your course you will receive a full induction (providing you arrive the weekend before the start date of the course). This will vary in length according to which course you will be studying and it is a great opportunity to meet staff and students and find out more about the University and the local area. You should attend all sessions. The induction programme will usually include:• Welcome talks• Information sessions with INTO Student Services,

the Students’ Union, security staff• An English language placement test• Social activities • A city orientation tour of Newcastle• A campus tour.

The following is an example time table for the

September and January orientation programme.

‘I don’t think I could have asked for anything better. I

attended all the welcome week activities, where I got to

meet so many people. Not just from INTO, but other

students from the University and all with very different

backgrounds from mine. The quiz night was so much

fun because of the sheer energy of everyone involved

and the sea at Tynemouth was just totally mesmerising,

apart from being extremely chilly as I swam in it!’

Achint soni India

Students starting programmes not in September and January will enjoy a shorter orientation programme

12


Course registration

INTO will register you onto your course within the first few days. You will be told when you should register when you arrive and what items to bring. If you have not paid your full tuition and accommodation fees, you will need to pay the outstanding amount before you register.

Students will not be able to start classes until they have registered for their course.

During registration, we will also book you a police registration and health appointment, if required. If you are studying in the UK for more than 6 months you are entitled to register with the National Health Service (NHS) for free healthcare.

Smart card and photographs

Once you have registered with INTO Newcastle University, you will be able to collect a Newcastle University Smart Card and a UCS (University Computing Service) login name and password.

We advise you to carry your Smart Card with you at all times on the University campus. It allows you access to the University libraries and it also works as a library card for you to borrow books.

The UCS login name and password will give you access to the University computer network from any of the University computer clusters.

rememBer IF YOU reQUesT A LeTTer FrOm Us Or HANd IN HOmeWOrK YOU mUsT sHOW YOUr smArT CArd.

English language testing

Upon arrival, your English level will be assessed so we can ensure you are placed in the right class.

Registering for your course, English language testing

Moving to the UK was a big change for me. Before I came here everything

was done for me by my parents. Now I have to clean, cook, pay my bills

and fend for myself. Though this was strange to get used to, it has helped

me to grow as a person and I have therefore enjoyed my new independence

a lot. I have learned how to manage my money and my time. I am given a

lot of work from my course, and I also have a very active social life, so the

ability to keep everything running smoothly requires a lot of responsibility,

which is helping me now and will in the future.”

Felipe Acuna Colombia

13


14


On arrival we will provide you with a FREE SIM card to use in the UK which also has one free international call on it, so you can call home and let your family know you have arrived safely. This will give you cheap rates to phone internationally and will be much cheaper than your current SIM card or any other UK network providers.

Alternatively, you can always download Skype, a free computer programme that allows you to use your computer like a phone and place international calls for free to other Skype users. Depending on your computer, web cameras are also supported.

Please remember that when you arrive in the UK you will have travelled a long way from home and although this will be an exciting time, please do remember that your family and friends may worry about you. REMEMBER to contact them and let them know that you are safe!

Other things to remember:• Attend ALL your classes and tutorials. • Always be on time!• Be prepared for your classes!• Care for others’ feelings and cultures.• Feel free to ask questions whenever you need to.• Join social events and sports clubs. There are lots

to choose from so ask the INTO staff.• Keep your accommodation clean and tidy.• Overcome problems by sharing them with your

friends, teachers and INTO staff.• Practise English as much as you can and in as

many places as you can.• Your academic progress and your behaviour will

always be monitored.

Making the most of your first week

15


Whilst the main reason for coming to Newcastle is to study, in our experience involvement in non-academic activities will help you adjust to life in the UK, improve your English and allow you to develop a network of friends to make your stay more enjoyable.

The INTO Centre, University and city all offer a range of activities and events for you to get involved in from trips to Edinburgh, football matches and parties!

To ensure that there is something to interest everyone, there are a range of options to choose from, allowing you to get involved with anything from sporting activities to sight-seeing and socialising; please let us know if you have any suggestions for events or activities that you would like the INTO team to organise!

Weekend excursions will take you to famous cities such as York and Edinburgh, as well as letting you experience places of natural beauty such as the Lake District and Northumberland Coast. For insights into British history and culture, these trips will also include destinations such as Durham Cathedral and Beamish Open Air museum.

Evening events allow you to experience Newcastle’s mix of cultural offerings, by introducing a range of activities such as Scottish Ceilidh dances and quiz nights, to evenings in one of Newcastle’s famous nightclubs.

For both exercise and socialising, sports evenings provide a great opportunity for meeting people whilst enjoying team sports such as badminton, table tennis, football and basketball.

‘Newcastle University provides a lot of clubs and

societies for the students. Many of them are really

attractive for me to join, such as Mountaineering and

Parachute! Joining the Thai-boxing club allowed me

to get to know more of the local students. I feel this

is one of the ways that you can interact with the

local students and make friends with them!’

Jedsada sakdasukon Thailand

Social programme

16


Coming to a new country can be difficult, but INTO staff are here to help you. We provide induction and safety talks and services to help international students. You can also call us on our emergency number (+44 (0)7504 082421) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Please remember to add this number to your mobile phone.

Personal

Your good health is vital to your studies – make sure you look after yourself!

You will be given information about registering with a doctor upon your arrival and please make sure you do this. We will also give you information about dentists, walk-in centres and how to look after yourself in general. You will also receive advice about staying safe in Newcastle and how best to do this and what to do in the event of an emergency.NHS Direct is a service provided by the government, which gives information on health issues. You can search their website for the addresses of GP surgeries and other health services near where you live, log onto: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Private Health Insurance

Full medical and travel insurance is mandatory for all INTO Newcastle University students, therefore, Uniplan Insurance will automatically be added to course fees unless proof of suitable alternative cover is provided.

All students MUST provide INTO with evidence that either: • they have their own valid and comprehensive

medical and accident insurance policy for the duration of their stay

• that they have paid for INTO’s Uniplan Insurance before they leave home.

In centre

Health and Safety in centre is everyone’s responsibility. If you do see anything that you think is a concern to you or your classmates then please report it to the reception desk and we will make surer it is attended to or dealt with immediately

Please note that smoking is not permitted in any public place in the UK - so students cannot smoke in the INTO Centre.

Health and safety

17


IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Please make sure that you put these numbers in your phone:

INTO Newcastle University +44 (0)191 222 7535Our reception is open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm for all your questions and to assist you on arrival

INTO Emergency Number +44 (0)7504 082 421 Out of office hours for emergency use only

Emergencies999If you need the Police, Fire Brigade or Ambulance Service in an emergency, the telephone number to call is 999. If you are unfortunate enough to experience crime, have been involved in an attack or threatened, you should report it to the police and INTO.

Immigration Advisory Service (IAS) +44 (0)20 79671200. www.iasuk.orgIf you have any problems at Immigration Control, please call this number for free advice.

Newcastle Taxi Firms You can stop a black taxi in the street or telephone for one:NOdA Taxis: +44 (0)191 222 1888dean Taxis: +44 (0)191 444 4444Ace Taxis: +44 (0)191 287 7777Five star Taxis: 0191 285 8111

Key contacts, useful numbers and websites

18


Maps

65

4

1

3Great North Museum: Hancock

Hatton Gallery: Great North Museum

1 INTO Centre

Open Access Centre3 Robinson Library4 Sports Centre5 Students’ Union6 King’s Gate

19


GREAT NORTH

MUSEUM: HANCOCK

NORTHERNSTAGE

RoyalVictoria

Infirmary(RVI)

2

1

4

5

6

3

1 INTO Centre (Kensington Terrace)

2 Claremont Bridge

3 Open Access Centre

4 Union Society Building

5 Bedson Teaching Centre

6 King George VI Building

INTO Newcastle University 6 Kensington Terrace, Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU United Kingdom

T: +44 (0) 191 222 7535 F: +44 (0) 191 222 5239 E: [email protected]

www.intohigher.com/newcastle

© INTO Newcastle University LLP, June 2010. All content published in this document is believed accurate at time of publication. INTO reserves the right to alter details of all aspects of its operation without notice.

INTO University Partnerships Limited is a limited company registered in England and Wales, registered number 05507863. Registered office: 102, Middlesex Street, London E1 7EZ

Newcastle University education provider sponsor number CKTK52NU0

into newcastle pre-departure guide

Documents