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Accommodation Where should I live? Halls of residence (application deadline 6 th August for international students) Private housing For independence, a house or flat share is the perfect choice. Southsea has plenty of good, reasonably priced accommodation which is close to the University Lodgings These are rooms in private houses where the landlord or landlady lives on the premises
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University of Portsmouth
Pre-departure Briefing
September 2010 entry
Before you arrive
Accommodation
Where should I live?
• Halls of residence (application deadline 6th August for international students)
• Private housingFor independence, a house or flat share is the perfect choice. Southsea has plenty of good, reasonably priced accommodation which is close to the University
• Lodgings These are rooms in private houses where the landlord or landlady lives on the
premises
Halls of Residence
• Guaranteed for international students (apply before 6th August)• Prices range from £74 - £117 per week (approx)• Many rooms en-suite• Telephone, internet and digital TV• Rooms must be let for 37 weeks - contract• Choice of off-campus or city-centre halls of residence• Limited number of twin rooms available in selected halls
Further information: www.port.ac.uk/accommodation
Inside a Typical Room
• Single bed• Desk space and chair• Bedside table• Cupboard• Curtains
For a virtual tour of our rooms visit: www.port.ac.uk/accommodation
Private Housing ‘Secure a Home’ days
These events are held over weekends in September to provide a two-day housing experience to help you to find somewhere to live in the city’s private rented accommodation.
They give you the opportunity, in a friendly and supportive environment, to meet other students and potential housemates who are also looking for accommodation.
Further information: www.port.ac.uk/accommodation
Tuition feesWhen to pay?
• Pay in full prior to first week of term (week of 20 Sept) This is encouraged to avoid registration delays and to assist with
visa process. 2% Prompt Payment discountOr • Pay by instalments – 25% before registration then five instalments by Direct Debit from a UK bank account Postgraduate students are required to pay a deposit before they can
receive their Certificate of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Tuition fees
How to pay?
• Webpay Debit/credit card- www.port.ac.uk/webpay
• Bank draft
• Bank transfer
Online registration
All international students (non EU) will have to submit an online registration form.
This is the first step of your course registrationprocess and details will be sent you shortly.
ImmunisationUpon arrival to the UK, some students may need evidence of achest X-ray for TB.
This is only required for certain countries as listed on UKBAwebsite: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/tbscreening/
You are also advised to be immunised against meningitis and mumps if you are aged 18 – 25.
Preparing to travel to the UK
Useful reading and online tools We suggest you read 'Studying and Living in Britain' - a booklet produced by the British Council. You can pick up copies of this publication from the British Council Office in your own country.
Online tools from UKCISA International Student Calculator - helps you plan and manage
your money Prepare for Success - try these learning activities to understand the differences in UK University teaching
Documents It is important that you carry all the following documents in your hand luggage otherwise you may be delayed by the Immigration Service while Customs locate your luggage.
• Your passport and visa• Your travel tickets • Your Certificate of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and Offer Letter from the university• Your original certificates (High School/College Diplomas/English Language
certificates)• Evidence that you can support yourself during your studies i.e. bank statements,
letter from sponsor, bank draft • If possible, some information about the accommodation you have booked i.e. letter
from the University confirming your hall place or evidence that you have arranged a private address in Portsmouth
• Medical Certificate and, if possible, a chest x-ray
Money Please DO NOT bring a lot of cash with you. We strongly recommend that you bring:
• A Bank Draft made payable to the University of Portsmouth for your tuition fees • A Bank Draft made payable to yourself for your accommodation fees and living
expenses • £350 cash for the Orientation period • £350 in travellers cheques to cover you until you can set up a bank account• A bank account can take 7 to 14 working days to set up, and bank drafts can
take a further 7 working days to clear (before you can take money out of the account).
Please note: Cash worth more than 10,000 Euros (including money in other currencies) being brought into the UK from outside the European Union MUST BE DECLARED to Customs.
Living Expenses• Living in Portsmouth is much cheaper than living in
London
• Many cut-price supermarkets, local markets and shops selling international food
• Student discount in many restaurants and shops
• Estimated living costs between £6,000 and £7,000 for 37 weeks (depending on your lifestyle, excluding accommodation)
• International students can work for up to 20 hours a week during term time and full time in vacations
Insurance • Travel & Personal Insurance cover until date of registration
Medical • If you require prescribed drugs - get a doctor’s letter• Have a medical check and chest X-ray if possible before you
leave
Airport pick-up When?Monday 13, Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 September
From where? London Heathrow Airport. Our meeting point is in Terminal 3 Arrivals.
There will be a £10 fee for this service.
Tips• Book flights to arrive at Heathrow before 8pm• If you miss the coach - National Express Coach is available• From the Hard take a taxi either to Nuffield Centre or your accommodation if booked (cost approx.
£5)• If you arrive in Portsmouth on your own after 6pm - take a taxi to the University Lodge and ask for
assistance and/or emergency accommodation• For more information visit the website at www.port.ac.uk/international/newstudents• If you arrive at Heathrow late at night, book into an airport hotel and take the coach the following
day• Telephone your Parents/Relatives/Guardians as soon as you arrive in the UK
Luggage
• Please do not bring more luggage that you can carry yourself
• Students with more than 2 suitcases may be asked to wait for a later pick-up at the airport
• Students arriving outside the airport pick-up dates will find it extremely difficult to carry more than two suitcases on the train or coach
• The University does not provide pillows, duvets, bed linen, towels or cooking utensils. These items can be purchased locally or you can bring them with you.
To save yourself transporting everything from home or trying to find shops to buy everything when you arrive, you can contact All-Unied and pre-purchase an 'All-Essentials' pack. More information can be found at www.all-unied.com
When you get here
International and EU OrientationWhen?Friday 10 to Sunday 19 September
Why? Register for your course, familiarise yourself with the university and the city, meet staff and make new friends
A full programme of events can be found at www.port.ac.uk/international
This event is compulsory for all new students
Registration Make sure you follow these steps:
1. International students submit your online registration form before you arrive in Portsmouth. Further details will be sent to you shortly.
2. Complete your course registration during Orientation Week (10-19 September)
It is important to complete both steps in order to be officially registered at the University of Portsmouth
Departmental Induction
When? From 20 to 24 September
Where? At your Department/ School
What will you do? Get your timetable, meet your lecturers and classmates, introduction to study skills, Libraryand other support facilities
Freshers’ Fayre - 22 & 23 September
We have over 115 sports clubs and societies you can join.The Freshers’ Fayre is the place to see all your options!
Mix and MatchMeet existing students who will help you to get to know the city, give study advice, practise your English in a moreinformal way and get you into UK life and culture.
Join our group on Facebook and start making friends!
Check out our future events at www.port.ac.uk/mixandmatch
First few days – what to do
• Check in with the International Office• Register on your course• Secure accommodation either in Halls or private• Attend as many Orientation/ Freshers’ Week social events as
you can• Join Mix and Match and make new friends
Don’t forget to let your family and friends know that you have arrived safely
Who to contact? Before you arrive• International Office- [email protected] • Mix and Match Facebook group When you are here• During Orientation- look out for the purple t-shirts! • International Student Advisers (police registration
appointments, visa advice and welfare support)• International Office staff- always happy to help and point you
to the right direction• Course representative / Personal tutor• Halls representative• SU Student Support Officer
Support
• International Student Advisers • EAP – English for Academic Purposes• ASK – Academic Skills Unit• Maths café• Counselling Service• Library• Money Doctors • University chaplains• Student Housing
What should you pack?• Warm clothes - but not too many!
• Alarm clock
• Photos of family and friends
• Please do not bring any food or plants with you to the UK. For advice check www.defra.gov.uk There are strict controls on bringing food, plants and plant products into EU countries because they can carry animal and plant pests and diseases.
• Check your luggage allowance with the airline– but try to travel light!
You can buy towels, bedding and other essentials in Portsmouth for very reasonable prices or you can pre- order from www.all-unied.com
Your Checklist Important Dates
• Purchase Tickets
• Online registration for internationals only
• Confirm flight arrival time with IO – online form
• Book your place on Airport Pick-Up- a small fee will apply
• Make a note of telephone and fax numbers of the International Office
• International students return the accommodation booking form with the £200 deposit to Student Housing by 6 August 2010
• International deadline for accommodation - 6 August
• Airport pick-up – 13, 14 and 15 September
• Orientation Programme – 10 to 19 September
• First week of term - 20 to 24 September
• Latest date to register on course - 4 October
We are looking forward to welcoming you to the University of Portsmouth!