Reading International Office Pre-departure Briefing 2011 19 July 2011 University of Reading 2008 www.reading.ac.uk
Thank You and Welcome We look forward to welcoming you to the University of Reading. This presentation will help you to prepare for your studies in the UK. 2
This presentation will cover Expectations Visas and Immigration Money Matters Accommodation Help and Support while studying Life at Reading Checklists Welcome week 3
Great expectations We want all of our students to have a positive experience with the University of Reading and hope you will leave with happy memories Write down 3 things YOU want to achieve in your time at the University of Reading Share this with a friend This is the first step in helping you to achieve these aims Remember these hopes and aims 4
Immigration and Visas Documents needed General Application Form plus Tier Four annex 2 x recent passport-sized photographs A valid passport All relevant certificates from education (diplomas, degree certificates, transcripts, etc) A Certificate of Acceptance of Study (CAS) number from the University of Reading Bank statements proving sufficient funds (living costs of 5,400 and your tuition fees at Reading) are in your account for 28 days prior to application Check with the Consulate or one of our representatives if you are unsure 5
Immigration and Visas Additional documents that may be needed: Evidence of Sponsorship if applicable PG students only an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate, if applicable Make sure you apply in good time and you have the funds to pay for your visa Submit your application form and documents at your nearest British Consulate 6
Immigration and Visas Family and dependents also need visas. Working Student visa: If you are coming to the UK to study a course for more than six months you will be given a restriction for work; 20 hours per week in term-time More information can be found at www.ukvisas.gov.uk 7
Cost of Studying at Reading You will need to pay for your tuition fees and living expenses Expenses will vary based on your lifestyle Allow at least 7,200 per year for living expenses ( 5,400 for a 9-month academic year and for visa purposes) - Most Masters courses last for 12 months For help with your budget, visit www.studentcalculator.org.uk/international 8
Paying your Tuition Fees Payment online is the preferred method Complete this after online enrolment at https://www.webpay.reading.ac.uk/studentpayments/ Bank transfer is available http://www.reading.ac.uk/finance/docs/studsnotice.pdf Bankers draft and cheque accepted Cash is NOT recommended. However, we will accept up to 10,000. Plan Amounts 1 payment - October 100% tuition fee 2 payments- October 50% tuition fee January 50% tuition fee There is no extra charge for paying in 2 instalments 9
Paying your Tuition Fees When making you payment, make sure you mark clearly that it is for tuition fees. This can be selected from a drop down box on the online payment system. If you are making a bank transfer include your student reference number (8 digits) and state Tuition Fees in the transfer title. If you do not make this clear, funds may be used to pay for your accommodation first and you may not have covered the full amount of fees you intended to pay. 10
Bank Accounts It is not usually possible to open a student bank account before you arrive The University does not recommend a particular bank or building society Branch NatWest near the campus and most other banks are available in the town centre Use comparison websites such as - www.thesite.org - www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts - www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking 11
Money and Cash Check how much you can take out of your home country Opening a bank account can take a while, please have alternative sources of readily-available money You should try to bring a minimum of 250 with you (ask for a range of denominations, check notes are current and try not to get 50 notes which are not always easy to use) For safety, bring in a combination of sources - cash, travellers cheques, internationally recognised credit cards In the UK, people do not carry large amounts of cash with them, be very careful If you bring more than 10,000 (circa 8900) worth, you will have to make a declaration on arrival in the UK 12
Accommodation The accommodation deadline is 1 August Different types of rooms are available You can compare the halls of residence online Single accommodation is guaranteed for the first year of your studies provided you apply by the deadline Family accommodation may be available but if you are not currently on the waiting list, you are likely to need to find private accommodation You must arrive in your Hall on or before 3 rd October. If you are not able to do this, you must contact Student Services via the Helpdesk 13
Accommodation Payable each term, including vacation periods (i.e. October, January and April) Bills will be sent to your university email account each term Pay online at https://www.webpay.reading.ac.uk/studentpayments Receipts will be emailed to you as a PDF 14
Support - Health Care If you come to the UK on a student or dependents visa for more than 6 months you are entitled to free treatment on the National Health Service* University Medical Centre is very close to campus University counselling service Insurance is needed if: You wish to be flown home in the event of a serious medical emergency You are going to spend a significant amount of time in the UK before enrolling as a student * Certain exceptions may apply 15
Support Language and Study International Study and Language Centre www.reading.ac.uk/islc Every student at ISLC receives individual tutorial support for all academic, social and welfare matters Class sizes are small and organised according to level, allowing detailed tutor interaction and feedback. ISLC introduces and develops the use of learning strategies to help achieve the independence which is expected of students in UK universities. The course materials are especially designed to develop important critical thinking and problem solving skills. Free In-Sessional Language support is also available to all overseas fee-paying students 16
Support - Students Union Find out more at www.rusu.co.uk Independent from the university, part of national union Welfare and entertainment for students Elected Sabbatical Officers (students who take a year away from their studies to lead the Students Union) and representation groups, including International Students at Reading University (ISRU) Student Advice Service with visa advice Volunteering Services Campaigns Sports and Societies More than 140 and societies You can set up your own society 17
The RED Award The Reading Experience and Development (RED) Award A university scheme that rewards students for undertaking extra-curricular activities as well as helping students get the most out of their experiences in terms of their professional and personal development To complete the Award, you do 50 hours of activity made up of three different elements: Core activity, Volunteering opportunities and Training and development Find out more at http://www.reading.ac.uk/redahome.aspx 18
Life - Telephones and Communications Networking provided in each hall room, so you can use Skype or other VOIP systems to make calls You can buy international calling cards from local shops (rates will vary) Your cellphone may not work, be prepared but most cellphones now work all over the world, you may need to get a new SIM card though 19
Life - Weather in Reading Many people complain about the weather in the UK, but it really isn t that bad. It is not extreme, there is no rainy season, heavy snow or periods of high humidity It is very changeable - in the morning it may be sunny and warm, with rain at lunchtime and then cold in the afternoon! Between October and December, temperatures can range from -7 C to 26 C Bring light layers of clothing and money to buy an umbrella! 20
PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST 21
What should you pack? Essential : A few warm clothes (most can be bought in the UK) Towels (just one or two) Photos of family and friends Alarm Clock Not Essential: Tinned or packet foods - there is a wide-range of foods from around the world available locally DO NOT PACK ANY plants, vegetables, dairy or meat Check your luggage allowance only bring what you can carry, try to TRAVEL LIGHT! 22
What should you pack? Bedding: Bring your own bed linen if you wish Bedding & linen packs will not be provided in your room automatically. You can order them before you arrive from the Accommodation Office. You will need to pay for them with a credit or debit card when you arrive. Easily available to buy online and have delivered or in shops when you arrive You are also able to purchase a start up kit from All-Unied online for all essential items (www.all-unied.com/) 23
Pre-departure Checklist Health & Medical Certificates If you require prescribed drugs - get a doctor s letter Take out medical insurance (if required) Accommodation in Reading Book by completing the online process you will be emailed about by 1 August, do not wait for your unconditional offer to do this! Once your academic offer is unconditional, the Accommodation Office will write to you to confirm your place. If you haven t heard before your departure, they will tell you when you arrive. 24
Pre-departure Checklist cont. Welcome Week Check the Welcome Week programme online Email us about our Meet and Greet service Enrol online after September 25
Checklist for Immigration Valid Passport (with visa) Bring a copy of your CAS email with you Include your original Certificates (High School/College Diplomas/English Language certificates) KEEP ALL THIS DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE IN YOUR HAND LUGGAGE 26
Flights and Travel Purchase Tickets Try to book flights to arrive at Heathrow close to working hours (0900-1700) Travel & Personal Insurance cover until date of enrolment RIO phone number +44 (0)118 378 6982 Fax: +44 (0)118 975 2252 Email: intoff@reading.ac.uk Please feel free to contact us 27
Meet and Greet We will have staff at Heathrow Airport Terminal 3 and the Central Bus Station on Friday 30 th September, Saturday 1 st and Sunday 2 nd October from 0700 until 2000 There will be a central meeting point at the Central Bus Station, follow the yellow signs in the airport to get there If you arrive earlier/later or you can t find the meeting point, take the RailAir Bus to Reading Train Station and take a taxi to the University from Reading Train Station More about the Rail Air bus 28
RailAir Bus - Heathrow The RailAir Bus Service runs every 20-30 minutes to Reading Train Station from Heathrow Airport You need to have 17 cash in sterling or a credit/debit card to buy a ticket from the machines in Central Bus Station Service runs from 0500 until midnight Stands 1 and 2 at the Central Bus Station at Heathrow. After you have collected your luggage and passed through customs, follow the directions from your terminal to the Central Bus Station. Stand 10 at the Terminal 5 Bus and Coach Station. You can buy tickets at a cheaper rate online at www.railair.com/onlinebooking.php Directions to the Bus Station from Terminals can be found on our website and at www.railair.com 29
Arrival at Gatwick Airport From London Gatwick (LGW) Direct trains run to Reading from Gatwick Airport every hour It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. A single ticket costs around 15-30 and can be purchased at the train station in Gatwick Airport. 30
Arrival in Reading From Reading train station take a taxi to your accommodation if known (Cost approx. 8-10). If you don t know your accommodation go to the Helpdesk in the Carrington Building during working hours If you arrive late/early, get the taxi to take you to Campus Security in Whiteknights House +44 (0)118 378 7799 31
Carrington Building This is the home of Student Services. It s in the centre of campus and you can t miss it! 32
Arrival Check list Telephone your loved ones to let them know you have arrived safely Check in at the Welcome Desk in the Carrington Building as soon as possible to receive your Welcome Pack Join in the International Welcome Week Programme Get your passport and visa scanned (this is available all weekend so don t wait until Monday when queues may be long!) Freshers Week Rest and get ready for your course to start 33
Welcome Week Programme to help you settle in to University life Social Events If you are on a pre-sessional English programme, we would love to see you too! If in private accommodation term-time you can book a room at the University for the induction programme only International Office and Student Union staff can show you where to find food you like! If you are worried about anything just ask the International Office, Student Services or Student Union staff we want to help! 34
Important Dates Date 1 st August Accommodation application deadline 30 th September - 2 nd October Meet and Greet service available at London Heathrow airport and Reading Train Station. 30 th September - 3 rd October Welcome Desk open on campus 30 th September Quiz Night, Students Union 1 st October Bollywood Dance Night, Students Union 2 nd - 7 th October 1100-1500 Receipts Office open for tuition fee payments (please pay ASAP) 3 rd 7 th October Registration Week with schools 5 th October Police Registration on campus 35
Important websites Arrival at Reading - http://www.reading.ac.uk/study-intarrive.aspx IT Services - http://www.reading.ac.uk/its-userreg-student.aspx Library - http://www.reading.ac.uk/library/ Accommodation - http://www.reading.ac.uk/lifeaccommodation.aspx Fees and Funding - http://www.reading.ac.uk/life-livingcosts.aspx Health Advice http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/ 36
Contact us Reading International Office Blandford Lodge Whiteknights Reading RG6 6AB United Kingdom Phone +44 (0)118 378 6982 Fax +44 (0)118 975 0046 E-Mail: international@reading.ac.uk Web: www.reading.ac.uk/international 37
We wish you the best of luck with your studies! 38