Useful Information

Practical information

We do not advise carrying large sums of cash with you on arrival. We recommend that you bring enough cash with you to cover your first two weeks in the UK - no more than £250 for your immediate needs. It is safer to bring large sums of money in travellers' cheques which can be cashed in banks, post offices and airports, but be aware that there is often a minimum commission charge.

Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in the UK, MasterCard (Access) and Visa being the most common. Diners Club and American Express are less commonly accepted. You can withdraw money from a cash machine (also known as an 'ATM' or cash point) if you have a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for that card.

You may want to inform your current bank that you are moving to the UK and ask if you can use your card here.

Currency

Currency across the UK is the pound sterling (£GBP). One pound is divided into one hundred pence (100p). Notes are issued to the value of £50, £20, £10, and £5, and coins to the value of £2, £1, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p and 1p. Please note that £50 notes are very uncommon and should be avoided as they can often be the target of counterfeiters.

Opening a UK bank account

Many UK banks offer bank accounts for international students, but they can sometimes take several weeks to set up. To make the process easier you may want to find a bank in your home country that has branches in the UK.

You can sometimes transfer money from your home country to a UK bank account, but you must first check with your government that you are legally entitled to do so. If you are planning on using your debit or credit cards while you are in the UK, it is also a good idea to let your bank know.

If you are going to be here for longer than six months, we strongly recommended you open a UK bank account when you arrive. UK banks are open 9am to 4.30pm on weekdays and some are open on Saturday mornings. If you bring a banker's draft in sterling with you (payable to yourself) or arrange for it to be sent, then you can open a bank account after you have registered on your course.

It may also be useful to bring a letter from your bank at home (or some other documentation) to confirm your credit status. We will provide you with further information and support on opening accounts during your induction week. In order to open a bank account you will need the following:

• Your passport
• Proof you are a student - we will issue you with an official bank letter after registration
• Proof of address.

For further advice on opening bank accounts in the UK visit the UKCISA site.

Living costs

It is important to plan for the cost of living in the UK in advance. It is estimated that an average student needs approximately £800 a month to cover their basic living expenses. This is just an indication and should be adjusted depending on your lifestyle and spending habits. 

To help you plan your finances, you can use the international student cost calculator.

Fees

Course fees vary depending on which centre you choose to study at and which course you choose. Fees can be found on individual course pages.

Find a course

Accommodation costs vary in each location and whether you choose to live at a university residence or at a carefully selected homestay.

General safety advice

While you're unlikely to be affected by crime as a student in the UK, it is important to take basic security measures. Health and safety in-centre is everyone's responsibility, and if you do see something that concerns you or your classmates, please report it to our reception staff who will make sure it's dealt with immediately.

At each of our centres we provide students with an emergency contact number which can be used at any time, day or night. You can also report a crime at any time by phoning 0800-555-111. This call is free from anywhere in the country. The police use this system to receive information without asking the identity of the caller.

Safety at the INTO Centre

Upon arrival all INTO students are issued with an emergency telephone number which can be used to ask for assistance at any time of day or night. Within the INTO residences, there are residential tutors who are responsible for the pastoral care of students and provide an additional source of 24-hour support.

Safety in the city

It is important to take care of yourself. Following just these few tips will ensure that you are safe in your new environment.

• If walking home at night, try to walk in groups
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash on you
• Report any thefts immediately

Uniplan medical and travel insurance

Uniplan Insurance is a comprehensive insurance policy designed for international students in the UK. Full medical and travel insurance is mandatory for all INTO students, and Uniplan insurance will automatically be added to your course fees unless proof of suitable cover is provided.

Students under 18

Under the law of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, any person under the age of 18 is regarded as a child, and is the responsibility of their parents. INTO Student Services look after the welfare of all INTO students, but particularly those under the age of 18 who may need extra help and support. Our Student Services staff have extensive experience in  providing pastoral care for international students, and in some cases have been overseas students themselves.

To parents of students under 18

While INTO will do everything possible to care for your child during their studies, we cannot take full parental responsibility for them. We strongly recommend that you appoint a guardian who is a resident in the UK for your child. A guardian is someone who can act in your place if there are any problems or emergencies. They will provide an added level of care for your child and give you extra peace of mind.

Guardianship options:

1. If you have a trusted friend or relative living in the UK who is over 21 years of age, they will be eligible to act as your child's guardian
2. There are a variety of guardianship agencies in the UK. You should look for one that is a member of AEGIS

General advice

All INTO students must have emergency medical insurance as a condition of being accepted on their course of study. You should inform your medical insurance company as soon as you have had any treatment.

Good healthcare is one of the most important considerations for students living abroad. It is best to register with a doctor as soon as you arrive in the UK. Our Student Services team will give you the information you need to do so. 

National Health Service (NHS)

If you are on a course lasting six months or more you can get most health care free of charge from the National Health Service (NHS). This applies from the first day of your stay in the UK.

If you are here for less than six months you can get essential treatment at the Health Centre, an NHS walk-in centre, or at the accident and emergency (A&E) department of a hospital.

You should also ensure that you bring prescriptions (in English) for any medicines you regularly take, in case you need to show a doctor.

Dentists

If you are eligible for NHS treatment you will be eligible for treatment from a dentist accepting NHS patients. Dentists accepting new patients are extremely limited.

Opticians

Eye tests are available at opticians, which can be found on the High Street. You will have to pay a charge of around £25 for an eye test. You will need to pay for lenses and frames which cost from £35 upwards.

Emergency healthcare

In an emergency, you can dial the number 999 from any phone and request the help of emergency paramedics. The UK health system is based on a system of local doctor centres that deal with routine and minor health issues, and unless it's an emergency, these will usually be your first point of contact for healthcare issues.

Climate and clothing

The weather in the UK can be very variable: wet and windy one day, warm and sunny the next. The warmest weather is between May and September, but it can rain at any time of the year.

It is a good idea to bring a selection of light clothes that you can wear in layers (that way you can add or remove layers depending on temperature), as well as some warm outer clothing and a waterproof coat or umbrella. Hats, gloves and scarves, as well as thick socks, are essential in the winter but can be bought at a reasonable price in the UK.

You may find that your accommodation has limited storage space, so do not bring too much clothing, you will be able to buy more suitable clothing once you arrive. Students usually dress informally for class. You may want to bring with you a suit or dress for more formal occasions, as well as a national costume as students often organise international events, where they learn about different cultures.

What to pack

When you are coming to the UK for a year or more, it is hard to decide what to pack. You will want to bring everything, 'just in case', but remember, you will have to carry your luggage sometimes, so pack only as much as you can carry!

Remember too that excess luggage charges can be very high. Most airlines allow 20-23 kg of checked luggage and there are strict size and weight restrictions now on all hand luggage. Please check with your airline for up-to-date instructions before you fly. If you have booked a taxi transfer, the driver will have limited space for luggage.

You may find that your accommodation has limited storage space, so do not bring too much clothing. Students usually dress informally for class. You may want to bring with you a suit or dress for more formal occasions, as well as a national costume as students often organise international events, where they learn about different cultures.

If you have chosen to live in one of the INTO student residences, you will be provided with a bedding pack on arrival. The bedding pack contains a pillow, duvet and bed covers. The kitchens are also fully-equipped with a cooker, a kettle, a toaster, a microwave and a fridge/freezer.

It is not necessary to bring food as most food can be found in the UK, and there are customs restrictions on products brought into the UK.

You should bring some items for your room that will remind you of home, such as photographs of family and friends, books, posters and other mementos, as these will help you to settle in and adjust to your new life in the UK. .

Power and adaptors

Voltage in the UK is 230-240V. If you come from a country where the standard voltage is 120V, your electronic equipment will create a fire hazard, so it is important to account for this. You can purchase voltage converters which allow you to safely use your electronic equipment.

The UK plug is a three-pronged BS 1363. You can purchase plug adaptors which will allow you to plug your electronics into this socket. Items like laptop computers and digital camera chargers often have a built in voltage adapter and will only need a plug adapter to work properly abroad.

Computers

There are computers available to all students for use in the Learning Resource Centre.

Wireless networks cover both the INTO Centre and University campus and are free for students.

Mobile phones

Mobile phones can be costly to bring abroad, but you can ask your network provider if they offer an international plan. Please note, you will be given a free international SIM card when you arrive in the UK.

Alternatively, you can always download Skype, a free computer programme that allows you to use your computer like a phone and make free international calls to other Skype users.