PRE-DEPARTURE GUIDE

International Office +44 (0) 1752 305857 international@cityplym.ac.uk

BE PARTOF IT

USEFUL CONTACT DETAILS

City College Plymouth switch board 01752 305300

International Office 01752 305857/305748/305755

NHS Direct 0845 4647

National Rail Enquiries 0845 7484950

National Express Coaches 08705 808080

Plymouth Tourist Information 01752 306330

The Samaritans 08457 90 90 90

Plymouth City Bus 01752 662271

First Great Western Buses 0871 200 22 33

Endsleigh insurance (for students) 0871 200 22 33

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CONTENTS

Before you come to the UK 2

What to bring with you to the UK 5

Arriving in the UK 8

City College Plymouth 12

Useful websites for further information 13

If you require this guide in a larger type or different format please telephone 01752 305026.

Dear Student,

Congratulations on your offer of a place here at City College Plymouth! We hope you are looking forward to starting your course. We know you will have many questions and concerns about coming to the UK and what to expect when you arrive so we have prepared this guide for you to help you get ready for your journey! It contains lots of useful information about accommodation, immigration, finance and fees, what to expect when you first arrive in the UK, plus much more!

Please remember to pack this guide in your hand luggage when you travel to the UK as you may find it useful during your trip. If you have any other questions or queries before leaving home please contact the International Office.

We look forward to welcoming you to the College soon!

Best wishes,

Jessica RandallHead of International Development

WELCOME

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Finance Matters

You should ensure that you bring sufficient funds to cover the cost of all your fees - where possible, this should be paid in advance to help with your immigration application and for safety reasons). As an international student i.e. non EEA/Swiss national you are not entitled to any financial assistance from the UK government.

If you have any questions about the fees you will be required to pay, please contact the International Office BEFORE you arrive.

Bringing money with you to the UK

Make sure that you travel to the UK with adequate sterling currency (approximately £300) to cover your arrival costs, travel, temporary accommodation etc. The remainder of your money should be in travellers cheques, a bankers draft or you can arrange to have it transferred after opening a UK bank account. If you plan on bringing a bankers draft or transferring money after arrival please remember it can take up to two or three weeks to set up a bank account - bring enough money to support yourself until then. Information and advice on opening a bank account in the UK will be given during the Orientation Programme.

Accommodation

One of your primary concerns before arriving in the UK will be where you are going to live. City College Plymouth can help international students find suitable, affordable accommodation. When you have accepted your offer and received your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) Letter from the College you will be sent an accommodation information pack, which will include information about accommodation options and an accommodation request form. Please make sure you return your accommodation request form (even if you are arranging your own accommodation).

The College does not have any on campus accommodation but we can arrange for you to stay either with a host family or in halls of residence student accommodation owned by private providers. All host families and halls of residence in Plymouth have been visited by International Office staff to ensure standards of safety and suitability.

If you have accepted your offer and received the CAS Letter but you have not yet received accommodation information please contact the International Office at: international@cityplym.ac.uk

For more information about accommodation options for City College Plymouth students

please visit our website www.cityplym.ac.uk/international or e-mail international@cityplym.ac.uk

For general information about accommodation in the UK please visit:www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Preparation-and-Arrival/Planning-your-housing

Immigration

When planning your studies in the UK, you need to investigate what type of entry clearance or visa you need to obtain BEFORE you travel to the UK.

For information about applying for a Tier 4 General Student visa under the Points Based System please refer to the UKCISA website www.ukcisa.org.uk and the UKVI guidance on applying for a Tier 4 General Visa www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Visas-and-Immigration/Making-a-Tier-4-General-application-in-UK

You should bring a copy of your visa and the personal pages of your passport with you to the UK. One of the first things you should do when you come to the College is ensure your passport and visa is scanned by the International Office so that we can comply with our sponsor duties. Please bring these documents to the International Office.

BEFORE YOU COME TO THE UK

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Living Costs

Under the new immigration requirements international students applying for a visa to study in the UK must show they have a certain amount of money in their bank account. There are strict financial guidelines about this – for more information please see the UKCISA website.

Medical Costs

All full-time international students who are enrolled for a continuous period of study of six months or longer are entitled to free medical treatment from the National Health Service (NHS). Once you have registered with the NHS, most treatment is free. Charges might be made, however, for medicines. It is advisable that you take out insurance in the event you require treatment for a pre-existing medical condition, pregnancy or you need dental and/or eye medication as these treatments are not free.

If you are a student staying in the UK for less than six months you are not eligible for free health care under the NHS. You will only be entitled to limited free NHS treatment. Emergency hospital treatment will be free, but only the treatment given in a NHS Accident and Emergency

department. Once you are admitted on to a ward or given an outpatient appointment, charges will apply and you will have to pay the full cost of medical treatment. Please refer to: www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Living-in-the-UK/Health-and-healthcare for information about medical treatment in the UK.

We advise students coming for less than six months to purchase travel / health insurance before departing for the UK.

Hand luggage

There are certain documents that you should bring with you when you travel to the UK. Please make sure you keep your documents in your hand luggage (and not in your suitcase) as you may be asked to provide some of them on arrival in the UK.

• Passport with the necessary Entry Clearance Visa.

• Travel/flight tickets - make sure you book a flight in time to arrive in the UK for the start of The International Students’ Orientation Programme (remember to keep boarding cards and tickets if you can as you may need these if you need to renew your visa).

• British currency/travellers’ cheques.

• Travel/personal insurance documents.

• CAS Letter from the College.• Original certificates/transcripts/

results.• X-ray report (if required) or TB test

certificate. • Evidence of your financial support

(bank statement, a letter from your sponsor/family).

• College Address, contact name and phone number.

• A letter from your doctor explaining any prescription medicines that you take.

• Health insurance (if you will be doing a course of study lasting less than 6 months).

• Tuition fees.• Accommodation fees.

Remember to keep copies of all the above documents in your main suitcase, and leave additional copies with a relative at home.

Please take note of restrictions for carrying liquids (including make-up, perfume, water) in your hand luggage which are currently restricted to bottles of up to 100mls. If you have larger amounts in your hand luggage they may be taken away.

You will also need the following items in your hand luggage:• address of where you will be

staying in Plymouth and a contact number in case of emergencies - make sure you have notified your host family or other accommodation provider of your arrival details (especially if you plan to arrive outside of normal working hours)

• a pen/pencil and some paper just in case you need to write down any directions, telephone numbers etc

• remember to wear loose and comfortable clothing when you are travelling to the UK. Be sure to bring a jacket or warm sweater for when you arrive - you will find that if you are tired after your trip, the cold and the change of climate may come as a shock

• any fragile or valuable items.• your City College Plymouth

Pre-Departure guide!

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU TO THE UK

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Mementos and things from home. We encourage you to pack lightly, but it is very important to bring some things to remind you of home. Your room will be bare with little or no decoration. So pack pictures, photos and posters to brighten your room and help you feel more at home.

Do not bring anything that is valuable or which is too bulky.

It is not a good idea to bring very valuable things (like jewellery). If you do, make sure they are insured and stored securely at all times. You should keep copies of travellers cheque numbers, insurance policy numbers and passport numbers in a separate and safe place, in case they are lost or stolen. Also leave the numbers with friends and family to be extra safe.

Items not to Pack

Don’t pack lots of food - UK supermarkets offer a wide variety of food from all over the world. Remember also that certain food items you may wish to bring with you are banned from import into the UK (see Customs section of this guide).

There are also certain other goods that are prohibited or restricted in the UK to protect citizens’ safety, health and the environment. These rules

apply to ALL travellers, whether you are travelling within the EU or from outside the EU.

Prohibited goods are goods that are banned completely in the UK. Drugs such as heroin, morphine, cocaine, LSD and cannabis, and offensive weapons such as knives and some martial arts equipment are examples of prohibited goods.

Restricted goods are goods that cannot be imported into the UK without the appropriate legal documentation. Examples of such items can include anything from videos and weapons to plants, meat products and animal skins. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are not breaking the law. For information on prohibited and restricted items, please see the HM Revenue and Customs web pages at:www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/banned-and-restricted-goods

Your main luggage

Check what your airline luggage allowance is - if you exceed your allowance then you will have to pay a surcharge. Remember, heavy items such as winter clothes, books and kitchen equipment can all be purchased quite cheaply from the UK after you arrive. You will also need to check that any electrical equipment you wish to bring with you is compatible with UK standards (240 volts, 50 cycles (50Hz), three pin (square) pin plugs). You may need to purchase an adapter or voltage converter.

Make sure your luggage is securely labelled with your name and destination on it and also on a card inside the luggage. It will be your responsibility to carry the luggage, and if necessary, to load your luggage onto any transport - make sure you are able to carry any bags you take with you.

Clothing - the South West of England is usually mild but British weather can be very unpredictable. It can rain often but the summer is usually warm and sunny, although it can still rain. During the winter it can feel quite cold and we do sometimes get some snow.

Whatever season you arrive in we advise you to bring light to medium weight clothing that is loose fitting to enable you to wear several layers at once. You should bring a waterproof

coat or jacket and waterproof shoes, although you can easily buy these after your arrival.

Don’t pack too many heavy things - books, clothing, stationery, cooking utensils, towels, toiletries etc. All these items can be purchased very cheaply when you arrive in Plymouth. During the International Students’ Orientation Programme you will be given information about the best places to buy all your essential items.

If you do want to buy essential items in advance - there is a company called click2campus.com that can offer this to you. For further information on pack contents, please visit their website at www.click2campus.com.

Make sure you bring some passport sized photos with you as you will need these for various things (including police registration).

Other Useful Items to Pack

It is hard to decide what to pack, and when you arrive, you may find your room is small with very little storage space.

Things you may want to pack include an alarm clock, backpack, torch, a good English dictionary, clothes/laundry bag, camera and sports equipment.

Books - if you are planning to bring books, remember that you will have to carry them.

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Immigration

When you come to the UK, you will have to go through immigration control where an immigration officer will check your passport and visa. The immigration officer may check your reason for coming to the UK so it is recommended that you have the CAS Letter, evidence of funds (sponsor/family letter or bank statement) and health certificate (if appropriate) in your hand luggage.

You may also be asked for evidence of a recent chest x-ray, or the Medical Unit may x-ray you at the airport. It is advised that you have a chest x-ray prior to leaving your home country and that you carry this evidence to show on arrival to avoid unnecessary delays. Nationals of some countries are now required to have a Certificate of a TB test, please check with the British Embassy in your home country.

When you come through immigration and passport control you will need to collect your luggage from the baggage collection area.

When you have your luggage you can go on to Customs.

Lost Luggage – if any of your luggage is lost in transit then report it to the staff of the airline you have travelled with as soon as possible. If you lose any belongings at the airport, rail or

coach station then report the loss to the Lost Property Office to see if it has been handed in. If you think it may have been stolen then report it to the Police.

Customs

There are strict laws governing what you can bring into the country. These include laws on bringing in meat, fish, milk and any products derived from them, such as dried food flavourings. Customs officials may stop any passenger and ask them to open their suitcases to check for prohibited items.

It is illegal to bring drugs (apart from prescribed medication) and animals into the UK. The penalties if you are caught are severe. Visit the UK Customs and Excise website at www.hmrc.gov.uk for details of what you cannot bring into the UK.

When you reach Customs you will need to go through one of three channels (usually the green channel): - Green Channel:  No goods to declare (although you may still be asked by the customs officials to open your luggage for inspection) - Red Channel:  Goods to declare, for example if you are carrying prohibited goods or more than the permitted duty and tax allowances. - Blue Channel: For people arriving from the EU

Travelling to Plymouth

Most international flights will arrive at one of the London airports, either Heathrow or Gatwick. If you are due to arrive in London too late for any bus or train service you may need to spend the night in London and travel to Plymouth the following day. The airport information desk will be able to provide information about bed and breakfast accommodation. You can also book accommodation in advance by contacting:

International Students’ House: www.ish.org.uk The British Tourist Authority: www.visitbritain.com London Tourist Board: www.visitlondon.com

A meet and greet service is available through a company based in London that can assist students when they first arrive at the airport (for a small charge). Hosts International can meet you at the airport and help with train or coach tickets and take you to where you need to go to travel down to Plymouth. Their contact details are as follows:

Host International76-78 Mortimer Street, London W1W 7SATel: +44 (0) 207 323 5244 Fax: +44 (0) 207 323 5238info@hosts-international.com www.hosts-international.com

Travelling to Plymouth by train:

If you arrive at Heathrow airport, you can take the Heathrow Express train (costs £25 for a single ticket - but can vary depending on time of travel), which runs every 15 minutes to Paddington Station in London from where you can catch the train to Plymouth (which costs approximately £65 for a single ticket). You can also take a coach to Reading Station where you can join the Plymouth train (look out for the Railair Link signs).

If you arrive at Gatwick you can take the Railair coach link or the Thames Trains Service to Reading Station, where you will join the train to Plymouth. These services are approximately hourly.  

The journey from London Paddington to Plymouth takes 3-4 hours and will cost approximately £65. Check train timetables and ticket prices online at www.thetrainline.com. The train station in Plymouth is in the city centre but it is advisable to take a taxi to your accommodation if you have luggage.

Please note: You can buy a Young Person’s Railcard for £30 (if you are 16-25 year olds). You will need to complete the application form, available from the British Rail ticket office and provide two passport-sized photos and proof of age. This Railcard will give you up to a 30% discount on most fares.

ARRIVING IN THE UK

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Insurance

When you have arrived in the UK we strongly advise you to take out personal belongings insurance to cover your possessions against theft, loss or damage.

It is also possible to take out a special international student insurance policy, which covers loss or damage of personal possessions, including personal money and document replacement, reimbursement of fees, personal liability, personal injury and medical expenses.

One company specialising in low cost insurance for students is Endsleigh Insurance (see www.endsleigh.co.uk).

Registering with the Police

If your visa stamp states that you should “Register with UK Police on arrival” or “Register with the Police within seven days” then you must register with the police. When registering you will need:• your passport• two identical passport-sized

photographs of yourself• the fee (currently £34). This

should be paid in cash and in the correct money

• a completed Police Registration form

• proof of your current studies and proof of your current address.

The police will then take your passport and send off for the Police Registration Certificate to be issued. You will be without your passport for about 2-3 weeks so it is important to open your bank account before registering with the police.

When your registration is complete you will receive a Police Registration Certificate, which you should keep safely with your passport. Once you have registered you will need to inform the police every time you change address and each time you are granted an extension of your permission to stay in the UK.

Collecting your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

You will probably be given a short visa in your passport and will need to collect your BRP card on arrival in Plymouth. The International Office can advise you how and where to do this.

Travelling to Plymouth by coach:

National Express coaches run from Gatwick and Heathrow (Terminal 3) approximately every two hours. National Express coaches also depart from Victoria Bus Station in central London for the 4-5 hour journey to Plymouth.

The journey by coach is longer but it is cheaper and will cost around £30. Plymouth Bus Station is in the city centre, but it is advisable to take a taxi to your accommodation if you have luggage.

Arriving in Plymouth

Please remember to let your accommodation provider know when you will be arriving - this is particularly important if you are staying with a host family or in a private hall of residence.

Free Bus Service

Once you have enrolled on your course you can take advantage of the free college bus service between the city centre, train station and college. This is only available when you show your college ID card. More details will be given at orientation.

Opening a bank account

If you do not already have a bank account, you will need to open one when you arrive in the UK, as this is the best way to keep your money safe. You are strongly advised to open a bank account with a bank that also operates in the UK.

Alternatively, you could open an account with a national bank in your country which has branches in the UK. Check with your home bank how much they will charge you for cash withdrawals from the UK. If you already have an account with a bank which has branches in the UK, you can tell your bank manager where you will be studying, and s/he can make arrangements for you to have banking facilities in the UK.

Generally you will not be permitted to open a UK bank account until you have enrolled at the College. You will receive further information about opening a bank account at the International Students’ Orientation.

To open a UK bank account you need to be in the UK, and you will be asked to provide your passport and a bank letter from the College confirming your enrolment and other details (this letter is only available after you have registered as a student).

Students on short courses or exchange programmes - students who are going to be in the UK for less than six months may have difficulty opening a bank account. You may find it best to use cash point machines (ATMs) and draw money from a bank account in your home country or bring traveller’s cheques to cover the duration of your time in the UK.

For further details about banking in the UK please see www.bba.org.uk/publication/leaflets/international-students.

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International Students’ Orientation Programme

In order to help our new international students settle into life at the College, we offer an introduction and welcome session on arrival to all new international students. Some of the subjects we will cover include health and registering with a doctor, how to open a bank account, safety and security, trips and excursions

Payment of fees

Tuition fees must be paid in full either before, or at the time of enrolment. The College does not offer payment options or instalment plans. If you have any questions about the fees you will be required to pay, please contact the International Office BEFORE you arrive.

Fees can be paid by bank transfer, credit card or bankers draft. If you decide to pay your fees by bank transfer please make sure you cover the cost of any bank fees that may be incurred and that the name of the student is clear on the payment transfer documents. We will pass all bank fees on to students and will ask for payment of these fees at enrolment if necessary. We do accept payment of fees in cash but we strongly advise you NOT to bring large amounts of cash with you to the UK.

The Colleges’ bank details are as follows:Account number :90719900

Sort code:20-68-10

Reference number:23524

IBN number: GB72BARC20681090719900

Swift code:BARCGB22

Address:Barclays Bank 140 Armada WayPlymouth DevonPL1 1LUUnited Kingdom

Please also include your full name and application number when making the transfer, so that we can identify the payment.

Please do not send any other money except that for tuition fees. Any money received for accommodation or living expenses will be returned to its source. If you need access to funds for living expenses you should bring a bankers draft in your own name.

Paying through a sponsor

You will need to show proof of your sponsorship at enrolment so that we can send an invoice to your sponsor. Usually this is an official letter stating who your sponsor is and how much they are sponsoring you for. The full fee must be paid at the start of the academic year. If your sponsor was unable to pay your fees, you would become liable to pay.

For further information about the College’s fees policy please visit our website or contact the International Office.

USEFUL WEBSITES FOR FURTHER INFORMATIONwww.ukcisa.org.uk - please look at this website as it contains lots of very useful information about studying in the UK. Advice on various aspects of studying in the UK.

www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying - information about applying for a student visa

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration - visa information

www.bba.org.uk - for guidance on opening a bank account in the UK

www.endsleigh.co.uk - insurance policies for international students

www.nationalrail.co.uk - UK train information

www.nationalexpress.com - UK coach information

www.hosts-international.com - meet and greet services for students

www.visitbritain.com - information about places of interest in the UK

www.cityplym.ac.uk/international

www.visitplymouth.co.uk - information about Plymouth

International Office contact details:

E-mail: international@cityplym.ac.uk

Tel: +44 (0) 1752 305857

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