Professional Documents
Culture Documents
2010
Coventry University
www.coventry.ac.uk/international
Contents
Welcome 02
Travelling to the UK 09
When should I arrive? 09
How do I get to the UK? 11
How to get to Coventry 12
Money Matters 13
Cost of Living 13
Opening a UK bank account 14
Transferring money 14
Insurance 16
Living in the UK 17
Map 17
Coping with culture shock 18
Visit a UK family with HOST 19
Accommodation 21
Health 23
Police Registration 24
Working in the UK 25
International Induction 33
Enrolment 34
02
Welcome
Rob Atkinson
Director of International Development
www.coventry.ac.uk/international
03
This section will help you arrange your Before you travel –
travel to the UK, whether this is just a obtaining ‘entry clearance’
case of arranging a flight or applying
for a student visa, we hope that this Visa nationals:
information will help. All non EEA nationals must apply for entry clearance before
travelling to the UK if coming for a course lasting more than 6
months. You can find more information at:
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/adult-students
(CAS)
Coventry University hold a licence that allows us to sponsor
people who want to come to the UK to study. We will issue a CAS Calculating Overseas Money:
statement with a CAS number to confirm we are sponsoring you
If you are using overseas currency, you will
to study in the UK. The CAS number provided must be used in
be expected to show (write on the document)
your visa application.
the closing balance in pounds sterling. The
How do you obtain a CAS? UKBA use the official exchange rate on the
Once you have met all of the conditions of your offer including
OANDA website, which can be found at
deposit/proof of financial sponsorship, we will confirm our Tier www.oanda.com/currency/converter
4 visa sponsorship to the UKBA through an online system. You
will then be given a CAS reference. We will issue you with a CAS
statement confirming your CAS reference so that you can use this
to make your student visa application.
www.coventry.ac.uk/international
05
Embassies in: Usually by the time UK students have reached the age of
• Bangladesh 16 they will also have completed their immunisation against
• Ghana (which also takes applications from Burkina Faso, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, polio, measles,
Cote d’Ivoire, Togo and Niger). mumps, rubella and tuberculosis. It is best that you check your
• Kenya (which also takes applications from residents of immunisation status against these diseases before arrival.
Eritrea, Somalia, Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Rwanda, Uganda (visitor applications) and Tanzania)
• Pakistan
• Sudan, and
• Thailand (which also takes applications from Cambodia and
Laos).
are already screening applicants who are coming to the UK for
more than 6 months. If you are tested and are free from TB you
will be issued with a visa confirming the same.
www.coventry.ac.uk/international
07
Successful visa applications You should ensure that you are given the correct entry clearance
as a ‘student’. If you are bringing family with you they should be
given clearance as ‘dependants’.
Congratulations! If your application has been successful
you will be a given a certificate stamped in your passport giving
You should also ensure that you are given the correct length of
you permission to enter and stay in the UK. This will include
stay according to the immigration rules:
the type of stay granted (ie ‘student’), the length of stay, and
any restrictions. It should include the wording ‘Work (and any
1. If your course is 12 months or more you should be granted
changes) must be authorised’ this gives you permission to work
12 months + 4 months on your visa.
subject to the restrictions applicable for students (see section on
2. If your course is less than 12 months but more than 6
Working in the UK on Page 25).
months you should be granted 12 months + 2 months on
your visa
3. If your course is less than 6 months but a preparatory course
If you have an offer to study at the University for further study you should be granted 6 months + 1 month
and have successfully obtained your visa on your visa.
congratulations! If you complete your 4. If your course is less than 6 months and is not in preparation
undergraduate or postgraduate degree in any for further study you should be granted 6 months + 7 days
subject in the UK you will be entitled to apply on your visa.
Unfortunately after the launch of Tier 4 in April 2009 there are • Dependant visa’s for your family members
no longer appeal rights against the refusal of a student visa. Any • Accommodation for you and your family
appeal rights have been replaced by a right to ‘administrative • Nursery/school places for your children
review’, which means that your case will be looked at by another
Entry Clearance Officer. It is unlikely that any decision will be If you would like any advice or information about these issues
overturned, unless the entry clearance officer has made an please contact an International Student Adviser by email on
obvious error. welfare.io@coventry.ac.uk
Email: welfare.io@coventry.ac.uk
Fax: +44 (0)24 7615 2175
Please ensure you have included your full name, course, applicant
number and contact details (email is preferable) so that we can
respond to you as soon as possible.
www.coventry.ac.uk/international
09
Travelling to the UK
Birmingham M6
M42
Coventry
Cambridge
M5 M1
M40
Oxford
Bristol
London
Key
Motorway junctions
Ringroad junctions
Motorways
Other roads
Rail links
10
If you need any assistance in the meantime the contact details for Pre-Sessional English
Accommodation and Residences are: Language Students:
Students arriving to attend Pre-Sessional English
Student Accommodation
Language courses will be contacted directly with
Singer Hall
arrival, induction and enrolment details.
Canterbury Street Tel: +44 (0)24 7688 7304
Coventry Fax: +44 (0)24 7688 7361
CV1 5NR Email: accomm.ss@coventry.ac.uk
www.coventry.ac.uk/international
11
How do I get to the UK? When you arrive at the airport you will go through certain
procedures before you can leave and travel to Coventry. You
should follow these instructions carefully (it might be useful for you
If you are going to fly to the UK you can choose one of London’s
to have a copy of this document when you arrive in the UK):
international airports, Heathrow or Gatwick. Alternatively you can
fly to Birmingham International airport, which is a 15-minute train
journey from Coventry. 1
If you are unsure about what you can or cannot bring into the
4
UK, you should check with your local British Embassy or High
Commission before you begin your journey or the UK Customs &
After passport control you can collect your luggage.
Excise website (www.hmce.gov.uk - select ‘Travel Information’ The luggage will be unloaded onto several carousel systems;
and then ‘Banned and Restricted Goods’). Please note that it is wait at the carousel that displays your flight number
illegal to bring drugs (other than those prescribed by a doctor) and departure airport.
or animals into the country. The penalties for attempting to do
so are very severe. 5
When you have retrieved your luggage you must pass through
customs. If you are from a country outside the EU you will
either have to pass through the green channel (nothing to
declare) or the red channel (goods to declare). If you are from
the EU you will pass through the blue channel as you do not
have to declare anything. The Customs Officer may ask you
to open your luggage for checking. In this situation cooperate
with the Customs Officer.
12
Arrival Airport: Travel to Coventry by: Cost: Time to Coventry: Further details:
www.coventry.ac.uk/international
13
Money Matters
enough money to cover all your academic TV Licence £142.50 per year
fees and living expenses. It is very difficult to (mandatory with TV)
make arrangements for financial support after Mobile/Landline phone £30 per month
you have left your own country. You should
not rely on a part-time job in the UK to pay Clothes/Shoes £31 per month
for your tuition fees.
Leisure/Sport £21 per month
• Before you leave home, find out if your bank has links with that was sent. Also, you should allow at least
banks in the UK or open an account with a bank that has five working days for money sent from outside
branches or links in the UK. If your bank has links in the UK the UK to be received at the University.
you may be able to use your home account in the UK rather
than having to open a brand new account.
• Make sure that you have evidence of your full overseas
address with you in the form of official letters or bank If money has to be received at the University on or before a
statements (PO Box addresses are not acceptable). Also certain date in order to qualify for a discount, check how long
ensure that you have full proof of your identity, your passport it will take to arrive to ensure that we will receive it on time. We
or national ID card should be sufficient. You will also need cannot extend deadlines for discounts under any circumstances.
proof that you have been accepted to study at Coventry In addition, eligibility for a discount depends on the full sum being
University, so don’t forget your acceptance letter! received at the University so please take bank charges
• Start the process of opening an account as soon as you arrive into account.
because it can take up to four weeks for your account to be
opened fully. You can transfer money direct to the University’s bank account
• Remember Visa and Mastercards are widely acceptable in the for tuition fees, accommodation, and the Pre-sessional
UK and can be used to withdraw cash from ATMs, you can English course.
check with your bank whether you can use these cards in the
UK before you leave home.
For further information about opening a bank account The Any transfer of money to the University
British Bankers Association (BBA) has produced a leaflet called MUST be accompanied by full details of who
‘International students: Opening a UK bank account.’ Which
the money is for (name, application reference
can be found by clicking on ‘publications’ then ‘leaflets’ on their
number, course and year), and what it is
website www.bba.org.uk
intended to pay for. Details to:
tuition.io@coventry.ac.uk
www.coventry.ac.uk/international
15
Coventry University
NATWEST
24 Broadgate
Coventry CV1 1ZZ
United Kingdom
Insurance
Bringing Money to the UK We strongly advise you to insure your personal belongings against
damage or loss, particularly electronic equipment. You will be able
EU cash declaration rules:
to obtain further advice from the Students’ Union Advice Centre
A person entering an EU country (from a non-EU when you get here.
country) with over 10,000 Euros (or equivalent) will need
to declare this to HM Customs upon arrival. These new
declaration rules not only cover cash but will also apply
to those carrying bankers’ drafts and cheques.
Please remember: It may take up to four
You should not encounter any problems as long as you weeks before you can fully use your bank
can justify the need to carry this much cash, you can account, so it’s best to ensure that you
explain that your funds are for university payments with have enough money for your personal
proof such as your offer letter available. We recommend needs for the first few weeks of term.
that because of these new rules you would be advised
to carry a bankers draft or cheque rather than cash
upon entry to the UK.
www.coventry.ac.uk/international
17
CTION
JUN
1
You’re finally here or at least well on Coventry:
C AN T
CO
X
Singer Hall
ST
your way! The following information gives
ERBU
Coventry University’s modern campus covers 33 acres of ground
VINE
R EE
BIS
CTION
JUN
T
and is located right in the heart of the city. Coventry is the 4th
guidance about living in the 2UK. It may
RY S
H
STRE
OP
safest city in the UK* and offers great value for money. It isRaglan
a House
TREE
STR
ET
truly international city blending many cultures, communities and
EET
T
you leave
HALES Syour
TREET home country, so that lifestyles. Situated in the heart of England, it is just over an hour
RAGLAN STREET
you are more prepared. FAX Remember as
away from London and 25 minutes from Birmingham City Centre
THE
FAIR
ET
STR
EET by train.
BUR
ALM
A ST
ST
RI
REE
G
NG
T
Y
ES
IT
LO
with any questions that you may have
IN
WE
RO
PRIOR
AD
RD
about living in the UK.1 ST
RE
Y STR
ET
COX STREET
CANT
CO
X
CTION
EET
VINE
JUN
BROADGATE
ST
Y
BIS
3 WA
E
CTION
RE
JUN
RBUR
UE
Singer Hall
2
H
STRE
ET
L
OP
YB
SK
Y STR
STR
ET
P
EET
Raglan
EET
HIG HALES STRE
New Student Enterprise Building House
HS ET coming soon
TR RAGLAN STREET
EE
THE
T FAIR
FAX Alma Nursery
ET
S TREE
EARL S
BUR
RE
T P ALM
TREET P A ST
ST
RI
NG
GOSF T
Y
IT
ORD LO
IN
STRE WE
RO
PRIOR
ET RF
TR
Priory Hall
OR
AD
Alan Berry DS
LITTLE PARK
TR
Lanchester Library
MU
EE
Y STR
T
HI
COX STREET
Student’s
CH
TE
CTION
EET
JUN
BROADGATE
George Elliot
PAR
AY
3
P
IA
CV1 5DL
EW
LU
RS
Alan
K
S car park
New multi-storey
ST
STREET
Berry
STR
ET
HS coming soon
Bugatti
NE TR
WU EE
T Jaguar New Engineering and
NIO Graham
NS EARL S Sutherland
Computing Building
TRE TREET coming soon
ET JORDAN WELL
GOSF multi-storey car park
ORD
AD STRE AD
G RO
Ellen ET
Richard Crossman
RO
RIN
Terry
ON
CTION William Morris
LITTLE PARK
JUN S
UL
MU
4 G
HI
AD
CH
White
TE
RO
Friars
EET
FR
T STR
PAR
IA
SHOR
RS
RS
K
IA
Fredrick
ST
STREET
STR
FR
Sports
P Lanchester
RE
CV1 5ED
Centre
Student Centre
EET
ET
CTION
NE JUN P
WU
5
Sir
NIO E New Engineering and
KSID
John
NS Computing Building
PAR
Laing
TRE P Coming Soon
ET CV1 2DT
D
ROAD
Student
OA
NR
Centre
RING JUN
CTION
L SO
4 GU
AD
RO
ET
T STRE
SHOR
R S
IA
DE
FR
ICE
AS
IL
CTION
JUN Y
E
5
LA
K SIDE ROAD
PAR
NE
Y
WA
Enterprise Techno Centre New ACT UK
Sports Centre
Design Hub
MA
Centre
coming soon
PU
DE
M
AS
IL
Y
E
LA
ACT ROAD
NE
UK
HDTI
Y
WA
MA
PU Futures
Institute
P
Serious CV1 2TT
Tourist information principal pathway Games
University building Institute
with wheelchair access
Acua
Culture Shock
www.coventry.ac.uk/international
19
Visit a UK family with HOST: To learn more about HOST and read accounts of HOST visits
from other students please visit www.hostuk.org
HOST is an organisation which
puts international students in
In addition, you can attend our HOST social event (details of
contact with British families.
which are to be confirmed) when a HOST representative will come
With HOST you may spend
to talk about the scheme and answer your questions.
a weekend, or longer, as the
guest in a British home. The
main purpose of HOST is to
encourage friendship between different cultures by enabling
international students to experience life in Britain from a different
perspective. The families who participate in HOST are volunteers
who are interested in meeting students from different
cultural backgrounds.
More about living in the UK –
websites and further reading:
For further information about living in the UK and British
culture, please refer to the following websites:
www.ukcisa.org.uk
www.educationuk.org
www.ukstudentlife.com
www.visitcoventry.co.uk
www.visitbritain.com
www.enjoyengland.com
Living in University accommodation is a great way to meet new ‘Thefuturelets’ is the University’s very own lettings agency which
friends and gain a new-found independence. For most of our is responsible for placing students into private accommodation.
students this will be their first time away from home, and we will They have a variety of properties to suit everyone’s needs and
do our utmost to ensure that the move is as easy as possible. you can secure a property through them prior to your arrival if you
Our friendly student accommodation team at Coventry University wish. Visit www.thefuturelets.org.uk to view properties on-line.
is here to help to find the right ‘new home’ for you. Visit Alternatively you can contact the team to arrange viewings of
www.coventry.ac.uk/accommodation and look through the properties within the first few days of your arrival. You only have to
accommodation choices available and details on how to apply. pay an administration charge of £58.75 when they place you into
accommodation.
Please remember: If you have signed a To find out more please contact:
University accommodation contract or agreed Tel: +44 (0)24 7679 5273
to the terms and conditions on-line email: lettings@thefuturelets.org.uk
you cannot opt out of this contract.
If you decide to leave your University
accommodation you will still be bound by the
Private Accommodation
contract unless you find someone else who
If you are not staying in University accommodation and you
will agree to take your room.
choose to rent accommodation from the private sector, it can
seem quite daunting when you have just arrived in the UK. We
hope that we can give you some guidance before you arrive so
You will need to submit an on-line application form to apply for
you know what to do when you get here.
University accommodation. You will need to have been offered
an unconditional or conditional place of study and have made
In order to be able to find private accommodation before term
Coventry your first choice. To be able to apply online you will need
starts, you should aim to arrive in Coventry 1-2 weeks before
the student ID number that is shown on your academic offer letter.
term. You can even start searching for accommodation on the
Student Accommodation will not process your accommodation
internet before you arrive in Coventry or contact ‘thefuturelets’,
application until all the conditions of the academic offer have
been met and you have successfully obtained a relevant VISA but we would not recommend that you book any accommodation
to study in the UK. When you have obtained your VISA you before you have had a chance to see it.
MUST scan and email it to accom-visa.ss@coventry.ac.uk or
fax a copy to +44 (0) 24 7688 7311 so your accommodation
Pre-Sessional English Language
application can be processed. Once you have been offered
Students:
accommodation you will have 3 days to accept the offer and pay
For students taking Pre-Sessional English Language
the required £300 Advance Licence Fee.
courses prior to their degree programme we are
able to offer a limited choice of short term University
If you do not have access to the Internet please contact
accommodation to cover the length of your English course.
Student Accommodation: You need to submit an on-line application form to apply for
Tel: +44 (0)24 7688 7304 accommodation for the 12, 8 and 4 week courses. To be
Email: accomm.ss@coventry.ac.uk able to apply on-line you will need the student ID number
shown in your academic offer letter.
22
www.coventry.ac.uk/international
23
EEA nationals:
If you are a European Economic Area national studying in the UK
for less than six months, you and your family should fill out form
E128 in your country of residence, or bring your European Health
insurance card with you to the UK. This form entitles you and your
family to full NHS treatment on the same basis as students who
are studying for more than six months.
Police Registration
You may receive a stamp in your passport requiring you to
To register you will need:
‘Register with the Police within 7 days of arrival’. There is no
police registration office in Coventry. The nearest office is in Your passport
Birmingham. It is a legal requirement that you register if you are The fee – £34 cash (March 2010). A one off
told to do so. Failure to register is a criminal offence and could payment (unless you lose your certificate)
lead to prosecution so please be aware that it is a very important
The appropriate registration form
matter. Any family members who have the requirement to register
(available from the International Office)
stamped in their passport must also personally register with the
police. The International Office can give you directions to enable Two recent colour passport sized photographs
you to get there yourself. Proof of UK address
www.coventry.ac.uk/international
25
Nationals of Romania and Bulgaria: at the Job Centre which is close to campus in the city centre.
Working after your Studies: The Welfare team at the International Office can give you more
advice about the Post Study Work scheme when you arrive in the
All International graduates are able to apply for 2 years further
UK. You will also have an opportunity to meet with a member of
leave to stay in the UK to work. This scheme is called the
our careers team who can give you more information about how
‘Post-Study Work’ scheme and will benefit you greatly. If you
and where to find work in the UK.
successfully complete your course of study in the UK you will then
have the opportunity to use your skills, gain experience and earn
In the meantime you can find out more about the scheme by
money at a company or organisation in the UK.
going to the Home Office website and finding the Post-Study
Work scheme page under:
This 2 year period is your chance to make an impression at your
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier1/poststudy
company. Before the end of the 2 years you will be able to ask the
company whether they would like to keep you on under the UK
If you have any queries please contact our International Student
Work Permit scheme.
Advisers at: welfare.io@coventry.ac.uk
www.coventry.ac.uk/international
27
You’ll be able to find out more about these trips when you arrive
through our free “trips” booklet or through the student portal
(an online community for students).
28
Kavita Cassidy
Head of International Student Support Contact us:
“I lead the Welfare Team at the International Email: welfare.io@coventry.ac.uk
Office and have worked in the team since Visit us: We are based in the Student Centre
January 2006. I manage the team to ensure
that we work together to assist international
students before their arrival, during their
studies and after they graduate.
I previously worked as an immigration solicitor. My experience
of working in the welfare team and meeting international
students for the last 3 ½ years, has given me a wealth of
knowledge about what an international student needs to have
an exceptional experience of life in the UK during their time at
Coventry University.”
James Moran
International Student Adviser
“I have a background in immigration law
and joined the welfare team at the end of
September 2009. Within my role I help
international students with any problems
they may have in regard to visas, finance
and many other areas. I studied History and
Chinese Studies at the Universities of Nottingham and Sheffield
and am able to speak a bit of Mandarin Chinese. Since I started
at Coventry I have met many international students from as far
apart as China and Bulgaria and have very much enjoyed the
experience so far!”
Laura Wright
International Student Co-ordinator
“I joined the welfare team as the International
Student Co-ordinator in September 2009,
just in time for the September enrolment.
Since this time I have learnt a lot about
Coventry University and its international
students. My job is very varied, which I
really enjoy. I organise the social programme for our international
students which includes day trips to cities around the UK and
wednesday trips to places which are closer to Coventry. In
the next term we will be visiting Edinburgh, Oxford and Alton
Towers to name just a few. Please see the trips booklet for more
information. I also see students about welfare needs relating to
post-study work applications, visa extensions, general queries
and tier 4 visa compliance. I hope that you make the most of your
time in the UK and I hope to see you on one of the trips!”
www.coventry.ac.uk/international
29
As well as the International Office you will be supported by a Support for international students at the
range of expert services at the University. Below is an outline of Lanchester Library:
just a few of these services and how to contact them:
The Library offers a rolling programme of three sessions to
international students: a library induction, an introduction to the
Careers & Enterprise Service:
library catalogue and an introduction to electronic resources.
The Careers Service has a team of advisers who are available In addition, one-to-one support is available via the relevant
to help all students on a wide range of issues. These issues subject librarian or the librarian with responsibility for international
include: Choosing the right course and understanding the career students. Students arriving to study English before their degree
implications of your choice, understanding the local job market are offered similar support. For more information go to
and strategies for getting a part time job, finding a short term www.coventry.ac.uk/cu/library
or ‘sandwich’ year placement, deciding which careers might
suit you and be available to you and developing an action plan,
understanding the national and international graduate jobs market
and what employers are looking for, developing a high quality CV,
completing application forms and preparing for interviews.
Contact:
Tel: +44 (0)24 7615 2030
Email: careers.ss@coventry.ac.uk
30
www.coventry.ac.uk/international
31
For details of costs and how to book please visit the Coventry
University website, go to the online store and select international
students.
Please note that for students who are taking part in International
Welcome Week the cost of the airport pick up is included in the
overall Welcome Week cost.
www.coventry.ac.uk/international
33
International Induction
www.coventry.ac.uk/international
International Office
Coventry University
Priory Street
Coventry
CV1 5FB, United Kingdom