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The new Brunel International Pre-Departure Guide is now ready to download or view online! It includes important information on - Your Offer Immigration and Visa Accommodation Finance and Banking Arriving in the UK Arriving at Brunel Making the most of your first few weeks and much much more
Citation preview
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International Student Pre-Arrival Guide
2014-2015
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Brunel International Pre-Arrival Guide
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Welcome to Brunel • Checklist • InternationalStudentOrientation • 4-weekAcademicEnglishcourse • Admissions-nextsteps• Immigration-applyingforyourvisa• UK-HealthService• Accommodation• FinanceandBanking Arriving in the UK • GoingthroughImmigrationandCustoms • Safetyonarrival • FreeAirportMeet&GreetService • GettingtoBrunel
Arriving at Brunel • Accommodation-Gettingyourkeys • Freshers’Week • Registration • RegistrationwiththeOverseasVisitorsRegistrationOffice
Experience Brunel • InternationalStudentServicesTeam&StudentUnion • Uxbridge,LondonandtheUK-Ashortguide
Families at Brunel • ImmigrationandSchools • AccommodationandtheBrunelFamilyClub
Language, Contact details & Campus Map •InternationalPathwaysandLanguageCentre•Usefulcontacts•Campusmaps
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Tell us when you have met all the conditions of your offer
Receive your CAS
Apply for a visa
Book your flight
Apply for accommodation
Decide on method of payment for tuition fees and accommodation
Find out about 4-week academic English course
Book your place on the Orientation programme and/or Airport welcome
Print out the luggage labels for your suitcases
Tell the accommodation team the date and time you will be arriving
Before you leave home checklist
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WELCOMETOBRUNEL
WearedelightedthatyouhavechosentostudyatBrunelUniversityandarelookingforwardtowelcomingyoutoWestLondonatthestartofthenewacademicyear!
BrunelUniversityhasaverydiversecommunitywithstudentsfrommorethan110countries.Wewouldliketostronglyencourageyoutotakepartinour International Orientation asthisisanexcellentwaytobecomeapartofthisthrivingstudentcommunityandsettleintotheuniversity.
International Student Orientation 11th – 13th September 2014
TheInternationalStudentServicesTeamishostinga3-dayOrientationprogrammeforallinternationalandEUstudentspriortothestartoftheacademicyear.TheprogrammeisdesignedtohelpyoufamiliarizeyourselfwiththecampusandUxbridgebeforestartingyourcourse.Thisisagreatopportunitytomakealotoffriendsandenrolontoyourcoursebeforeallotherstudentsarrive.Youwillgetinformationsessionsonbanking,immigrationandfreeservicesofferedoncampusandtheUnionofBrunelStudents.Activitiesduringthosethreedayswillincludeadaytrip,acampusandUxbridgewalkingtour,andlotsofsocialevents.TheOrientationisfreeandincludesyourbreakfastanddinner.
Ifyouhavebeenallocatedaroomoncampuspleaseletouraccommodationteamknowyouwillbearrivingearly,bygoingtowww.brunel.ac.uk/life/accommodation/earlyarrivalTherewillbeanextrachargeforyouradditionalnights’stay.Tobookyourspaceontheorientationprogrammepleaseclickhere:www.brunel.ac.uk/international/applyingto-brunel/unconditional-offer/orientation Thisbookletwillgiveyouessentialpre-arrivalinformationandguideyouthroughthenextsteps.
If you have any other queries www.brunel.ac.uk is the place to go. Please see our website for our term dates for the coming year
www.brunel.ac.uk/about/campus/term-dates
Pleasemakesureyoualsoreadthroughthenewonlinestudentguide,whichwillhelptoprepareyouforthestartofyourcourse
www.brunel.ac.uk/life/student-guide.
IfyouhavealreadymettheEnglishrequirementsforyourcourse,butwouldliketoimproveyourAcademicEnglishbeforeyoustartyourstudies,youcanjoinour4-weekAcademicEnglishcoursefrom6Augustto12September2014.ThisisagreatwayofgettingsettledintotheUniversityenvironmentandbrushinguponyouracademicEnglish.Thecourseisfull-timeandyouwillstudyacademicreading,writing,listening¬e-taking,seminarandpresentationskills,aswellasresearchskills.ThecoursewillenableyoutobecomeaccustomedtolifeatBrunel,tobewellpreparedforyourdegreecourseandtomakegreatfriendsontheway.Afunsocialprogrammetakesplaceweeklyandincludes2daytrips.Coursefeesare£1115andincludeallsocialevents.Pleasenoteaccommodationandmealsarenotincludedinthecost.Forfurtherinformationandtheapplicationformhavealookatourwebsite:
www.brunel.ac.uk/international/iplc/pre-sessional-english
4-week Academic English course
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BeforeyouleavehomeAdmissions:NextSteps
1. Please keep in touch
TheAdmissionsTeamwillbesendingyouimportantinformationandpossiblyqueriesrightuptothetimeoftraveltotheUK,sopleasetellusifyourcontactdetailschangeandcheckyouremailsregularly.
2. Meet all the conditions of your offer (and tell us)
UndergraduatestudentswhohaveappliedthroughUCAS:TheconditionsyourofferisbasedoncanbeviewedonUCASTrackwww.ucas.ac.uk/students/track/(wedonotissueofferlettersunlessrequested).
Allotherstudentswillreceiveaconditionalofferletterwhichwilllisttheconditionsrequired.Asyoumeettheconditionsofyouroffer,remembertoletusknowbyemail,postorinperson.Ifyouhaveproblemsmeetingtheconditionsofyouroffer,pleasedonothesitatetocontactourAdmissionsTeamtodiscussalternatives.Onceyouhavemetalltheconditionsofyouroffer,yourofferbecomesunconditional.
3. Get your CAS Bruneldoesnotissueunconditionalofferletters.Instead,youwillreceiveaConfirmationofAcceptanceofStudies(CAS)statementviaemailwhichisrequiredforvisapurposes.TheinformationintheCASemailisallyouneedforthevisaapplication-youdonotrequireaCASletter.
PleasenotifytheBrunelAdmissionsTeamifyoudonotneedaCASandyouwillbeissuedwithanupdatedofferemailinstead.
Email:[email protected] Phone:+44(0)1895265265
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ImmigrationrequirementsDo I need a visa to study at Brunel?
IfyouareaninternationalstudentthenyouwillprobablyneedavisatostudyatBrunelUniversity.Ifyouarenotsurethenyoucanusethe'checkifyouneedaUKvisa'serviceontheUKVI’swebsite:www.gov.uk/check-uk-visaformorehelp.Youshouldmakesurethatyouapplyforavisathatcoversthefulllengthofyourcourse.Ifyouneedmorehelporhaveanyqueriesaboutyourvisa,[email protected].
WhattypeofvisadoIneed?ForallUndergraduate,PostgraduateandmostEnglishLanguageandFoundationcoursesatBrunelyoushouldapplyforaTier4Student(General)Visawhichcoversthewholedurationofyourcourse.ThePointsBasedSystemwasintroducedbythegovernmentseveralyearsago,andasafairlynewsystem,itisoftensubjecttochange.YoushouldmakesuretoconsultthemostuptodateadvicelistedontheUKVIwebsite.IfyoualreadyhaveaUKvisa,itisimportanttocheckyourvisaissuitableforenrolmentbeforearrivingatBrunelUniversity.Ifyouhaveanyqueriesaboutyourvisa,[email protected].
ApplyingforaStudentVisaWhen should I apply for a student visa? Assoonaspossible(butnotmorethan3monthsbeforeyourcoursestarts).
InordertoapplyforaTier4GeneralStudentVisa,youwillneedaConfirmationofAcceptancetoStudy(CAS)number.Thisisauniquenumberthatwecanonlysendtoyouafteryourofferhasbeenmadeunconditional.WewillsendyourCASstatementbyemailonly-youdonothavetorequestitseparately.ThefirstCASweissueyouisfree.However,ifyouneedadifferentCASnumberissued(ifforexampleyouchangeyourcourseafterbeingmadeanunconditionaloffer)thena£14administrationfeeischarged.ACASisvalidforsixmonthsbutcanonlybeusedinyourvisaapplicationthreemonthsbeforeyourcoursestartdate.WewillnotissueyourCASuntilaroundthreemonthsbeforeyourcoursestarts.
Sponsor Licence Number: 0BT931EY6
ThisisBrunel'sSponsorLicenseNumber(itbeginswithazero).Tobeabletoregister,yourTier4VisamusthavebeenissuedforBrunel(andforthecourseforwhichyouobtainedanofferwithus). Pleasenotethatitisyourresponsibilitytoapplyforthecorrectentryclearance(visa)tostudyatBrunelUniversitybeforeleavinghometostartyourstudies.Ifyouareunsurewhetheryouneedanewstudentvisaandtogetanyfurtherinformationonhowtoapply,pleasevisitourimmigrationwebsite:www.brunel.ac.uk/international/applying-to-brunel/potential-students
UsefuladvicetohelpyoucompleteyourvisaapplicationcanbefoundattheUKCISAwebsite-www.ukcisa.org.uk/International-Students/Preparing--planning/Visas-and-immigration/
YoucanlearnmoreaboutthePointsBasedSystembyvisitingthiswebsitewww.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/study-visas
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UKHealthServicesIfyouarehereonastudentvisaformorethansixmonthsyouwillqualifyforhealthcarefromtheUK’sNationalHealthService(NHS).TheNHSisafreeservicewhichyoucanusewhileyouareintheUK.PleasenotethatdentalcareandopticianscarearenotincludedandanydentaltreatmentreceivedintheUKhastobepaidforprivately.Youwillneedtoregisterwithadoctor,a“GeneralPractitioner”(GP)toaccessNHSservices.Ifyouarelivingoncampus,youcanregisterwiththeBrunelMedicalCentreduringyourfirstfewdays:www.brunel.ac.uk/life/welfare/med/
Ifyouarelivingoffcampusandwouldliketofindthedoctorclosesttoyou,gotowww.nhs.uk/Pages/homepage.aspx
Hillingdonhospitalisveryclosetothecampusandhasanemergencyserviceopenallhours,ifyouweretoexperienceaseverehealthissue.Ifyoustarttosufferfromacough,cold,oranyotherminorhealthcomplaintyoucanusethePharmacyoncampus.Theywillbeabletoadviseyouonwhatmedicationyoucantake.Thereisalsofirstaidavailableoncampus.
Important: If you are on a course for less than six months, you will not be covered by the NHS and should therefore arrange health insurance in your own country before you travel to the UK.
Travel and other insuranceItisagoodideatotakeouttravelinsuranceforyourjourneytoBrunelincaseyourflightiscancelledoryourluggageislost.
Furthermore,youmayalsowanttoinsureanyvaluables,suchascameras,luggageandMP3playersbeforeyoutravel.Alternatively,youcanarrangecoverintheUK.
Accommodation-HallsofResidenceOnceyouhaveaconditionalofferforacoursecommencinginSeptemberyouwillreceiveanemailfromAccommodationServiceswithdetailsonhowtoapplyforaccommodationoncampus.Ifyourcoursecommencesatanyothertime,pleasecontactAccommodationServicesdirectly.Forfurtherinformationon-campusaccommodationpleasevisitwww.brunel.ac.uk/life/accommodation.
Living on campus
Withmorethan4500roomsoncampusyouwillbejoiningavibrantcampuscommunity.Thefacilitiesaresimilaracrossallourhalls,andyoucanindicateinyourapplicationifyoupreferastandardoren-suite.Allroomshaveafreeinternetconnection,includingWifiacrosscampusandacommunalkitchen.StudentswhowillbejoiningtheUniversitywiththeirpartnersarealsoeligibletoapplyfortheUniversity’sco-habitingcouplestudioflataccommodation.
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Pleaseseetheaccommodationarrivalchecklistatwww.brunel.ac.uk/services/accommodation/apply/checklist
Moredetailsaboutthefacilitiesandpicturesofallthehallscanbefoundhere:www.brunel.ac.uk/services/accommodation/residences
Do I need to get insurance for my belongings whilst in halls?
Insuranceofthebuildingsandbasicinsuranceofpersonaleffectsisincludedintheaccommodationfees.Basiccoverdoesnotinsureanyofyourvaluableitems,sowewouldrecommendthatyoulookintothisfurtherifyouwishtoinsureyourvaluableitems.Forfurtherdetailspleasevisitthiswebsite:www.endsleigh.co.uk
Thereisprivaterentedaccommodationavailableclosetotheuniversity,includingindividualrooms,houses,flatsandflatshares.Ifyouwouldlikefurtherinformationaboutoff-campusaccommodation,pleasecontactourUniversityHousingOffice,BrunelStudentHomes,whowillbeabletoassistyouinsecuringlocaloff-campusaccommodation:www.brunel.ac.uk/services/accommodation/living-off-campus
What will I find in the communal kitchen?CookerFridgeFreezerSinkKettleIronandironingboardKitchentableandseatingFoodstoragespaceYouwillneedtobringyourowncrockeryandcookingutensils.
What will I find in my room?BedPillowandCoverDuvetandCoverBedsidetableWardrobeDeskandchairShelvesNoticeboardMirrorYoumayliketopurchaseakitchenpacknowwhichwillbedeliveredtoyourresidencesbeforeyouarrive.Furtherdetailsandpicturesareavailableatwww.unikitout.com/collections/brunel-university
Off-CampusAccommodation
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BankName:HSBCBankAddress:POBox41,HighStreet,Uxbridge,UKUB81BY
Accountname:BrunelUniversity Accountnumber:01478230 Sortcode:40-45-08Swiftcode:MIDLGB2109LIBANnumber:GB16MIDL40450801478230
PreparingFundsforYourArrivalWhentransferringfundstoBrunelUniversity,donotincludeyourpersonallivingexpenses.Separatearrangementsshouldbemadetotransferyourpersonalexpenses.
InformationforSponsoredStudentsTheuniversityunderstandsasponsortobeacompany,organisationorcharitabletrust(includingBrunelUniversityBursaries/Scholarships)whowillmeeteitherthefullorpartialcostofyourcoursefees.Pleaseensureyoureviewthesectionentitled‘SponsoredStudents’undertheBrunelInternationalFinancePolicyforfurtherinformationwww.brunel.ac.uk/international/fees-and-funding/financial-sponsorship
FinanceandBanking HowtomakepaymentstoBrunelCredit/debitcard,cheque,directbanktransferorbanker’sdraftcanbeusedtomakeadvancepaymentstoBrunel.Wherepossiblewewouldsuggestthatyoupaybycredit/debitcard.Pleasedonotsendcashthroughthemailunderanycircumstances.QuoteyourBrunelstudentnumberasreferenceinallcorrespondenceandtransactions.
Chequesandbanker’sdraftsdrawnonaUKbankaccount(poundsterling)canbesentto:
FinanceOfficeBrunelInternationalBrunelUniversityUxbridgeUB83PH
Ifyouwishtopaybycredit/debitcardoverthetelephonepleasecall+44(0)1895265522or+44(0)1895267488between10amand4pmUKtimeorvisitthewebsite.Youwillneedyourstudentnumberandcarddetails.
PleasemakechequespayabletoBrunel University andputyourstudentnumberonthebackofthecheque.
Viathewebsite
BankTransfer
Cheques
Overthephone
AllstudentswhowishtopaybydirectbanktransfersareadvisedtocompletetheprocessbyMonday1stSeptember2014;adelaycouldresultinlateregistrationforyourcourse.Itmaytakearound10workingdaysforyourpaymenttoarrive.BrunelUniversityBankDetails:
Paymentscanbemadeelectronicallybycredit/debitcardthroughtheBrunelwebsiteatwww.brunel.ac.uk/about/pay.Fromthemainwebsitegoto‘InternationalStudents’,‘Fees&Funding’andfollowthelinkontherightofthepage:‘Makeapaymentonline’,then‘TuitionFees–currentacademicyear’.
Parents,guardians,familymembersorfriendsarenotacceptableassponsors.
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FinancialAidInformationforUSStudentsApplicantsfromtheUSAcanaccessarangeoffederalloansfromtheUSDepartmentofEducationtostudyatBrunel.Detailedandup-to-dateinformationcanbefoundonourwebsitewww.brunel.ac.uk/international/fees-and-funding/us-loans
PaymentInformationforPhDstudentsTheacademicyearforPhDstudentsrunsfromOctobertoSeptember.Studentscanstartonthefirstdayofanymonth.Thepaymentschedulevariesaccordingtothestartdateofeachstudent.Forfurtherinformationpleasegoto:www.brunel.ac.uk/courses/pg/postgraduate-fees
Cash/travellers’chequesIfyouareplanningtoopenabankaccountintheUK,beawarethatthiscantakeupto10workingdays,andbankdraftswilltakeuptotwoweekstoclear.Werecommendyoubringsomecashforthefirstfewweeks.Wesuggestyoubring£150incashtocoveryourfirstfewdays(busfares,refreshments,etc.)andafurther£500intravellers’cheques(orawidelyacceptedcreditcard)tocoverthefirstfewweeks.
Cost of living in the UK
ComingtotheUKtostudyisanincredibleexperienceandformanystudentsarealadventure.However,wearesureyouwanttoavoidanybigsurpriseswhenitcomestoyourpersonalfinances.Whiletuitionfeesandaccommodationcostsareclearlylaidoutandcanbebudgetedforrelativelyeasily,generallivingcostscanvarygreatly.Costsmaynotonlydiffersignificantlyfromthoseinyourhomecountry,theyalsolargelydependonyourlifestyle.
MoneyDoctorsBrunelMoneyDoctorsisaUniversityserviceaimedatsupportingstudentswhofacefinancialchallenges.Ifyouhaveanyconcernsaboutmoneyyoucanemailmoneydoctors@brunel.ac.uk
InternationalStudentCalculatorThebestwaytogetanideaofhowmuchyouwillbelikelytospendonlivingcostsistomakeuseoftheInternationalStudentCalculator.Itwillalsoallowyoutocomeupwithanapproximatebudget,whichcouldprovetobeakeyfactorinmakingsurethatyourtimeatBrunelUniversityisasuccess.ThewebsiteispackedwithadviceforInternationalstudents,suchasasampleshoppinglistwithpriceindications,currentstudentprofilesandtheirexperiencesaswellaslotsofusefultipsonhownottospendtoomuchwhensocialising.Tousethecalculatorgotowww.studentcalculator.org.uk/international/
TopTipsforSavingMoney• AlwayscarryyourstudentIDwithyou.Lotsofhighstreetshopsandrestaurantsgivestudents
a10%discountonproductionofavalidStudentIDcard.Don’tbeafraidtoaskifyouareun-surewhethertheygivestudentdiscounts.
• Productsofferedinsupermarketscanvarygreatlyinprice.However,allsupermarketsoffertheirownvaluerangeswhichareoftensignificantlycheaperthanbrandedproducts.Lookoutforthemwhenyougoshopping.
• Makethemostoftheinternet.Websitessuchaswww.studentbeans.com,www.moneysavingexpert.comandwww.vouchercodes.co.ukoftenpublicizeverygooddealsforshopsandrestaurants.
• Savea1/3ontravelaroundLondonandtheUKwithastudentrailcard:www.16-25railcard.co.uk
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GoingthroughImmigrationandCustoms DuringyourflighttotheUKtheflightcrewmayhandoutLandingCards.Theinformationyouneedforthiscardis:
Personaldetailssuchas:• Nameanddateofbirth• YouraddressintheUK• Occupation,inyourcasethiswouldbestudent• Arrivalflightdetails:youcanfindtheseonyourticket
OnceyouarriveintheUKyouwillneedtogothroughtheUKBorderCon-trol,alsoknownasCustoms.PleasemakesureyouhavethefollowingdocumentsreadyfortheImmigrationOfficer:
• CompletedLandingCard(ifyouforgottodothisontheplaneyoucanfillitinbeforeyouqueueforcustomsagain)
• Admissions/OfferLetter• Pre-DepartureClearanceCertificate• ChineseCertificateofHealthbooklet(Chinesenationalsonly)• BankStatements/Evidenceoffunds
TheImmigrationOfficersmayaskyouafewquestions.Remembertheyareonlydoingtheirjobandareingeneralveryfriendlyandhelpful.ForfurtherinformationonarrivalpleasehavealookattheUKVisaandImmi-grationwebsite:www.gov.uk/visas-immigrationYouwillneedtoclearimmigrationbeforeyoureclaimyourluggage,sopackyourpassport,visa,moneyanduniversitydocumentsinyourhandluggageandkeepthissafeatalltimes.
SafetyonArrivalAfteralongjourneyyoumaybetired.TheUKisgenerallyafriendlyplace,butifyouhavejustarriveditisagoodideatotakesomeextracare,especiallyaroundtheairports.•Keepacloseeyeonyourbagsandmakesureyouhavethemwithyouatalltimes•Keepvaluablessuchaswalletsandphonesoutofsight•Useonlypublictransport,blackcabsorourfreeAirportWelcomeServiceFormoreinformationonpersonalsafetyforinternationalstudentsseewww.britishcouncil.org/eumd-immigration.htm www.educationuk.org/global/articles/safety
ArrivingintheUK
OnTuesday9thandWednesday10thSeptember,wewillberunningafreeairportwelcomeserviceatHeathrowfornewinternationalstudentswhoareattendingourInternationalStudentOrientationProgramme.Wewillthenberunninganadditionalserviceonthe14thSeptember,fornewinternationalstudentswhoarenotattendingtheInternationalStudentOrientationProgramme.JustlookoutforthepeopleinredT-shirtsattheterminal.TheywillhelpyouwithyourbagsandshowyouthewaytoBrunelUniversity,whichisonlyashortbusrideaway.Tobookthisservicepleasevisit:www.brunel.ac.uk/international/current-students/student-services
HeathrowAirportMeetandGreetService
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Getting to the University on your ownIfyouarearrivingoutsidethehoursofourAirportWelcomeService,youwillneedtomakeyourownwaytothecampus.Werecommendyouusebuseswherepossible,astaxiscanbeexpensive(approximately£25to£30fromHeathrowtocampusandmuchmorefromotherairports).
FromHeathrowAirportGotoHeathrowCentralBusStationandtaketheU3busdirectlytothecampus.ThebusstationisclearlysignpostedandiswithinwalkingdistanceofTerminals1,2and3.IfyouarriveatTerminals4or5lookforthesignstothetransitareaoraskattheinformationdesk.
FromStanstedAirportWerecommendyoutaketheJetlink737coachtoHeathrowAirport’sCentralBusStationandthenfollowtheinstructionsabove.
FromGatwickAirportTaketheJetlink797coachfromGatwickSouthTerminaltoHeathrowAirport’sCentralBusStation.
Accommodation–gettingyourkeysIfyouhavearoomoncampus,pleaseemailouraccommodationteaminadvancetotellthemthedateandtimeyouwillbearrivingoncampus.Remember,itwillprobablytakeyoutwohourstoclearcustomsandmakeyourwaytocampusafteryouhavelandedatHeathrowAirport-allowanextrahourandahalffromGatwickorStanstedairports.Pleaseseethenewstudentwebsiteguideformoreinformation:www.brunel.ac.uk/life/student-guide.WhenyoureceiveyourLicenceAgree-mentyouwillalsobeprovidedwithdetailsonhowtocollectyourkeys.
TocontactAccommodationServices:Phone:+44(0)1895267900Email:[email protected]:http://acomminfo.brunel.ac.uk
InternationalStudentOrientationProgrammeStudentswhohavesignedupfortheInternationalStudentOrientationProgrammewillreceivefurtherinformationviaemailonthefirstmeetingpointandadetailedscheduleoftheprogramme.Forfurtherquestionspleaseemail:[email protected]
ArrivingatBrunel
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Freshers’ Week / Induction WeekFreshers’WeekstartsonSunday14thSeptember2014.Thisisaninductionforallnewstudentsandisdesignedtohelpeverybodyfindtheirwayaroundtheuniversityandgetsettledin.Youshouldalsocertainlyplantoattendyourcourseinductionevents,asalotofthesewillbeaboutyourtimetable,studyfacilities,meetingyourlecturersandgettingtherightstudymaterials.TherewillalsobeafayrefornewstudentscalledFresher’sFayrewhichisorganisedbytheUnionofBrunelStudents’(UBS).Hereyoucanjoinasportsteam,asocialcluboranyothersocietythatyouareinterestedin,andgetlotsoffreebiesfromthevariousstalls.Throughouttheweekduringthedayandtheevenings,theStudents’Unionorganisesactivitiessuchasparties,games,atriptocentralLondonandmuchmore.Bytheendoftheweek,youwillknowalotmoreabouttheUniversitycampusandwillhavemetalotofnewpeople!
RegistrationThisisthelasthurdleyouhavetotakebeforeyouareafullyregisteredstudent.IfyousignupfortheInternationalStudentOrientationProgramme,youwillbeabletoregisteronFridaymorning11thSeptemberaspartoftheprogramme.AllotherstudentsareabletoregisterfromSunday14thSeptemberuntilTuesday16thSeptemberintheSportsHall.AfterthisdateyouwouldneedtogototheStudentCentreintheBannermanCentretocompleteyourregistration.HerearesomeofthethingsyouMUSTbringtoregistersuccessfully:
Passport:Youcannotregisterwithoutit.Visa:Youshouldmakesurethatyouhaveavisathatcoversthefulllengthofyourcourse.YourBrunelOfferLetteroranotherdocumentcontainingyourseven-digitStudentNumber(usuallystarting13or14).YourRegistrationSummaryLetter(youcanprintthisonceyouhavecompletedtheonlineregistrationtask).OriginalAcademicCertificates(unlesswehavealreadyseenthem).Ifindoubt,bringthemalong.OriginalEnglishLanguageCertificates(unlesswehavealreadyseenthem).Ifindoubt,bringthemalong.SponsorshipLetters(applicableonlytostudentsreceivingexternalsponsorship).DocumentstocompleteDisclosureandBarringService(DBS)check(Physiotherapy,OccupationalTherapyandSocialWorkstudentsonly–youwillhavebeensentdetailsofwhattobringifthecheckisnotyetcomplete).Receiptsofanypaymentsmade.
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IfyouarejoiningaProfessionalCourseyoumustalsobring: • IDdocumentstocompleteaDBScheck • YourCriminalConvictionDisclaimer • YourMedicalQuestionnaire • YourImmunisationCard(forphysiotherapyandoccupationaltherapystudents) • YourGTCSuitabilityQuestionnaire(forPGCertorteachertrainingcourses)Informationaboutyourenrolmentwillbesenttoyouseparately.
RegisteringwiththeOverseasVisitorsRegistrationOffice(OVRO)inLondon
Somenationalitieswillhavetoregisterwiththepolicewithin7daysofarrival.Checkyourvisa,itwillstateonherewhetheryouneedtoregister.IfyouareunsurepleasecometoBrunelInternationalReception-wecanadviseyou.Pleasenotethatifyouarerequiredtoregisterwiththepoliceitisveryimportantthatyoudosowithin7daysofyourarrival.Pleasealsonote,OVROgetsextremelybusyatthistimeofyear,somakesureyougoveryearlyinthemorning(Monday–Friday).ForadviceonhowtogettoOVROandwhattotake,pleaseseeourwebsitewww.brunel.ac.uk/international/current-students/immigration/faq/ovro.FormoreinformationaboutOVROpleasevisittheirwebsitehere-http://content.met.police.uk/Site/overseasvisitorsrecordsoffice
InternationalStudentServicesTeamTheInternationalStudentServicesTeamprovidesnon-academicsupporttoallinternationalandEUstudentsandismorethanhappytohelpwithanychallengesthatyoumightencounterwhilstlivingandstudyingintheUK.Weofferafunsocialprogrammethroughouttheyear,includingdaytripstohistoriccities,informativeworkshopsonculturaladjustmentandbeingastudentintheUKaswellasconfidentialadviceonallnon-academicissues.Makesuretocomeandsayhelloandfindoutmoreaboutwhatwedoorvisitourwebpages:www.brunel.ac.uk/international/current-students/student-services
YourStudents’UnionTheStudents’UnionexiststorepresenttheinterestsofeveryBrunelUniversitystudent.Ithasitsownbuildingoncampus,theHamiltonCentre,withshops,bars,cafeteriasandspacesforpartiesorperformances.
Inaddition,theUnionprovidesstudentwelfareservicesandadviceoneverythingfromfinancetohousing.ItalsorepresentsstudentintereststotheUniversity’spolicymakersandmanagers.TheUnionisrunbyapresidentandmanagementteam.Thesepositionsareelectedbytheuniversity’sstudentsandaremostlystudentsthemselves,althoughthereisasmallteamofpermanentstaff.YoucangetinvolvedbyeitherbecomingaSchoolRep,jointheBrunelMediateamasaRadioDJ,writeforthestudentsnewspaperLeNurb(Brunelspeltbackwards)orjoinmanyoftheactivitiesthroughouttheacademicyear.Unionmembershipisfreeandyouwillbeenrolledasamemberautomaticallyunlessyoustateotherwise.FormoreinformationhavealookattheUBSwebsite:http://www.brunelstudents.com/
Uxbridge,LondonandtheUK–AshortguidetolivingintheUKWhenitcomestoBritishpeopleandcustoms,thereareafewthingstobearinmind:
ExperienceBrunel
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• Britishpeoplearegenerallyquitereserved,butthisdoesnotmeantheyareunfriendly.• Youmustwaitinlinewhenthereisaqueue.Britishpeoplewillgetquiteupsetifyoupushto
thefront.• PoliceofficersinBritainaregenerallyfriendlyandhelpful,sodonotbeafraidtoapproachthem
if,forexample,youarelost!HavealookonfacebookandfindourveryownBrunelBobbywhoworksoncampus.
• YoudonothavetodrinkalcoholifyouvisitaBritishpub.Manypeopledonot.• Smokingisforbiddeninpublicplaces(allindoorandsomeoutdoor,theremaybespecified
areasoutsidewhereyouareabletosmoke)includingbars,shopsandrailwaystations.• Britishpeoplereallydotalkabouttheweatherquitealot!• Ingeneral,peopleinBritainare(very)polite-dontforgettosaypleaseandthankyou.
TheweatherItcanrainatanytimeofyearintheUKanditgenerallydoes!However,springandsummercanalsobewarmandsunny,whilstwintercanseesomeverycoldtemperatures.Beinganisland,theweathercanchangequicklyinthecourseofaday,packclothesforalltypesofweather
BritishfoodFish‘n’chips,roastdinners,ploughman’slunches,greatfullEnglishbreakfasts!Thesearesomeofthedelicacieswaitingforyou,butdonotworry,thereisplentymoreonthemenu.MostrestaurantsforexamplewillhavevegetariandishesonthemenuanditiseasytofindHalalorKosherfoodintheLondonandUxbridgeareas.
UxbridgeTheuniversityislocatedinUxbridgewhichispartoftheLondonBoroughofHillingdon.Thetowncentreisa15minutewalkora5minuteridebybus.Hereyouwillfindmanyshopswithitstwoshoppingcentres,includingsomebigsupermarketsandplentyoffoodoutlets.Uxbridgetownhaseverythingyouneed,frombankstomobilephoneshops;fromHalalsupermarketstodepartmentsstores.Ithasitsveryowncinema,lotsofpubsandrestaurants.Uxbridgeisalsoattheendoftwotubelines(theMetropolitanandPiccadillylines)whichtakeyouintoCentralLondon.
CentralLondonThecentreofLondonisabout45minutesaway.Londonisanamazingplacefullofhistory,cultureandsomethingnewtodiscovereverydayoftheweek.Virtuallyeverynation,cultureandcuisineisrepresentedinLondon,soifyouevermisshomecomforts,youwon’tstrugglefindatasteofhome.Ofcourse,Londonalsohasgoodtransportlinks,soexploringtherestoftheUKormainlandEuropeiseasy.
GettingaroundTravellingbytrainorcoachisgoodvalueformoney,especiallyifyoubookyourtravelinadvanceonline(fortraveltodestinationsoutsideofLondon).Youcanalsogetsomestudentdiscountsifyoubuycertainstudenttravelcards(forexampleseewww.16-25railcard.co.uk).YoucanboardcoachestomanydestinationsfromVictoriaCoachStationinLondonormorelocallyhereinUxbridge.FortrainstodifferentregionsoftheUK,itisbesttotravelintoLondonfirst.Asinmanycities,therearedifferentrailterminalsservingdifferentpartsofthecountry.Checkbeforeyoutraveltoseewhereyouneedtogo.www.tfl.gov.ukandwww.nationalrail.co.ukorwww.nationalexpress.com.
Ifyouwishtotravelagreaterdistance,saytoEuropeorScotland,therearesomeexcellentdealstobehadfromlowcostairlines,suchasRyanairandEasyjet.Checktheirwebsitesfordetails.RememberthatifyoutraveltoEuropewhileyouarehere,youmayneedaSchengenvisa.Formoreinformationpleasevisitwww.theschengenvisa.co.uk
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IfyouareplanningtocometotheUKwithyourfamily,thereareanumberofthingsyouhavetoconsider,suchasimmigration,childcareorlocalschoolsaswellasthewelfareofyourfamilywhileintheUK.
ImmigrationYoumaybeabletoapplyforadependants’visaforyourpartnerandchildren.However,thiswilldependonanumberoffactorsincludingthetypeofcourseyouwillbestudying.Forfurtherdetailsandguidancethroughtheapplicationprocess,pleasechecktheHomeOfficeWebsiteforthelatestinformation:https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/family-membersIfyouwillbeapplyingforaTier4(General)StudentVisayourself,usefulguidanceonhowtoapplyforadependantvisacanalsobefoundontheUKCISAwebsite:http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/International-Students/Immigration-/Dependants
SchoolsUnderBritishlawallchildrenbetween5and16yearsofagehavetoattendschool.OnceyouhavemovedtotheUKandhaveanewhomeaddress,youcangotothelocalcounciltoobtainalistofallschoolsnearyourhome.Youwillthenbeabletocontacteachschoolandchoosetherightoneforyouandyourfamily.FormoreinformationonschoolsintheHillingdonareapleaseseetheHillingdoncouncilwebsite:www.hillingdon.gov.uk/schools
FamilyaccommodationApartfromtheregularstudentaccommodation,theUniversityalsoprovides112studioflatsforco-habitingcouples.Unfortunatelytheuniversitydoesnotofferhousingforstudentswithchildren/dependants.Forfurtherinformationpleasevisit:www.brunel.ac.uk/services/accommodation/resi-dences/isambard-studio-flats.Studentswithfamilieswillneedtofindtheirownoff-campusaccommodation.ThereisplentyofprivaterentedaccommodationavailableclosetotheUniversity.Ifyouwouldlikefurtherinformationaboutoff-campusaccommodation,pleasecontactourUniversityHousingOfficebyemailtohousing-uxb@brunel.ac.ukorbytelephone+44[0]1895266187.Theywillbeabletoassistyouinsecuringlocaloff-campusaccommodation.
BrunelFamilyClubIfyouarecomingtoBrunelwithyourfamily,thentheBrunelFamilyClubwillbeheretosupportyouandtohelpyoutomeetotherstudentswithchildrenhereintheUK.Tojoinourmailinglistformoreinformationandtoreceivenewsonupcomingevents,[email protected].
FamiliesatBrunel
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WehopethisguidehashelpedyouprepareforyourarrivalatBrunelUniversityandansweredmostofthequestionsyoumighthavehad.Pleasedonothesitatetogetintouchwithusshouldyouhaveanyfurtherqueriesaboutyourcourseatcourse.enquiries@brunel.ac.uk.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsabouttheorientationprogrammepleasecontactbi.studentservices@brunel.ac.ukorforanythingelseseeourwebsitetofindthecontactdetailsfortheotherservicesatBrunelwww.brunel.ac.uk/services.
Don’tforgettoreadthroughthenewstudentsguidewebsitepageswhichareforallstudents:www.brunel.ac.uk/new-students
We are very much looking forward to welcoming you to Brunel University soon.
International Pathways and Language Centre (IPLC)Brunel'sInternationalPathwaysandLanguageCentre(IPLC)offersarangeoffreeservicestoallinternationalstudentsstudyingatBrunel,tohelpyoumakethemostofyourtimehere.WeofferfreeEnglishlanguagesupportwhileyoustudyyourdegree.Pleaseseeourwebsiteforinformation.www.brunel.ac.uk/international/current-students/insessional-english IPLCalsooffersModernForeignLanguagecourses.Pleaseseeourwebsiteformoreinformation:www.brunel.ac.uk/international/iplc/foreign-languages
Formoreinformationaboutotherservicesavailabletostudentspleasehavealookatwww.brunel.ac.uk/life
Finally.....
Course Application ImmigrationFinance Accommodation Exchange ProgrammesInternational Scholarships Agents International Student Services IPLC
[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]
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