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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&note-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:admissions.immigration@brunel.ac.uk 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,pleaseemailadmissions.immigration@brunel.ac.uk.

WhattypeofvisadoIneed?ForallUndergraduate,PostgraduateandmostEnglishLanguageandFoundationcoursesatBrunelyoushouldapplyforaTier4Student(General)Visawhichcoversthewholedurationofyourcourse.ThePointsBasedSystemwasintroducedbythegovernmentseveralyearsago,andasafairlynewsystem,itisoftensubjecttochange.YoushouldmakesuretoconsultthemostuptodateadvicelistedontheUKVIwebsite.IfyoualreadyhaveaUKvisa,itisimportanttocheckyourvisaissuitableforenrolmentbeforearrivingatBrunelUniversity.Ifyouhaveanyqueriesaboutyourvisa,pleaseemailadmissions.immigration@brunel.ac.uk.

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:accom-uxb@brunel.ac.ukQuestionandanswercentre:http://acomminfo.brunel.ac.uk

InternationalStudentOrientationProgrammeStudentswhohavesignedupfortheInternationalStudentOrientationProgrammewillreceivefurtherinformationviaemailonthefirstmeetingpointandadetailedscheduleoftheprogramme.Forfurtherquestionspleaseemail:bi.studentservices@brunel.ac.uk

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,pleaseemailfamilyclub@brunel.ac.uk.

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

admissions@brunel.ac.ukadmissions.immigration@brunel.ac.ukInternational-finance@brunel.ac.ukaccom-uxb@brunel.ac.ukangela.koh@brunel.ac.ukbi-scholarships@brunel.ac.ukbi.marketing@brunel.ac.ukbi-studentservices@brunel.ac.ukiplc@brunel.ac.uk

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