Tips for Students heading for Studies in the UK

Going to UK for further studies? What you should carry and what you should leave behind? To answer these questions we will compile a list of things that you would need for a successful study abroad stint. This is probably this is the best time for students to know who are leaving in a months time for their higher studies in United Kingdom.

Students have many question and apprehensions such as:

1. Which airport should you land at and how will you get to the university?
2. What is the method of teaching and how difficult will it be to adapt?
3. Will I be able to work part-time there to cover up my expenses

As soon as you receive an offer letter from your university, write to the university to find out about the various kinds of accommodations available to you as an international student. Some of the options are on-campus accommodations, rented flats and family accommodations, hostels, guest houses etc.

On-campus accommodations are preferred the most by international students in order to avoid the feeling of homesickness, loneliness. Being with other students who are also coping with being away from home will help you adjust to your new life faster.

If you decide to rent a flat, you will need to sign a tenancy agreement which is a legally binding document. Most rental accommodations will come fully furnished, however you will need to pay an advance and pay the monthly electricity and water bills which can be quite expensive, so it is a good idea to share accommodations with other students. Also, make sure your accommodations are close to your university to cut down on your travel expenses.

What to carry?

During admissions season many airlines offer students a variety of benefits. One of these is allowing students to carry a certain amount of excess baggage free. Enquire with your airline the exact amount of excess baggage you are allowed.

If you have an onward journey from your initial point of arrival, you should check with your carrier whether they will allow this excess baggage. If not, you might end up paying a lot of money.
It is very important that you carry the following items with you on the aeroplane (not in your suitcase):

• Your valid passport with Visa or Entry Clearance
• Your travel tickets
• Offer letter from the university
• All financial documentation you will require to submit to the university or immigration authorities
• All original certificates and other important documents
• Some warm clothing (but not a lot)
• Traveller's cheques and sufficient cash
• A list of everything you are carrying in your checked-in baggage. If there is a delay in the arrival of your baggage or in case your baggage is lost, you will need to know exactly what you have packed in order to claim for it.
• The name and number of a 24-hour contact at the university who you can call in case of an emergency
• Detailed directions to your university or accommodations.

During the Journey?

• Keep your important documents and valuables safely with you at all times on the aeroplane or train. Do not leave them packed in your suitcase.
• Do not leave any items of luggage unattended in the airport or station
• Security at international airports is now very tight and there will be a number of items that you will not be permitted to carry in your hand luggage such as liquids or scissors. Your airline will be able to provide a list of prohibited items
• At many airports there are new scanning machines so don't be surprised if you have to go through one of these (it's a bit like an X-ray machine)

The British Council runs pre-departure briefing programmes for students in many of the countries where it has a local office. You can also get in touch with the nearest UK Embassy, High Commission or British Council office and they will be able to advise you about what documentation you need to enter the UK.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) is another very useful organization for students and has produced a series of fact sheets giving information on many areas of life in the UK from dealing with culture shock to choosing a qualification to advising on visa and immigration issues.

You can leave the queries/ comments below and our counsellors will help you further.

Best of Luck!

Courtesy: studyuk.learnhub.com

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