Getting Ready
Everything you need to know now
that you've been offered a place

International students

We realise that arriving in a new country and meeting new people can be confusing and stressful, as well as exciting. To help you make friends and feel at home, we organise a number of orientation and welcome events.

See what to expect

Watch our video of last year's orientation to see what our welcome events are like:

Before you leave home

If you're an international student, it is important to think about issues such as immigration and passport control before you leave home. You can access some guidance below but please refer to the UK Border Agency website for full details.

  • What do I need to do about immigration?
    If you want to come to the UK as a 'student', you need to apply for entry clearance before you leave your home country to travel to the UK. Read more.

    Remember that you also need to log into our online student information system (OSIS) to update your details and upload a copy of your passport. This will enable us to confirm your fee status and send your visa letter. Read more.

  • What can I do to prepare for life in the UK?
    Visit www.prepareforsuccess.org.uk for information about preparing for life in the UK – this interactive toolkit is designed to help you learn all about the UK, British culture and what to expect when you get here.

    Plus watch our video on adjusting to learning and what to expect in the UK:

  • What do I need to remember when packing?
    When packing your luggage, remember that the UK climate is very changeable. If you are packing for a whole year’s stay you will need a good range of both warm and cool clothing. University halls of residence are fully furnished, but you will also need to bring some bedding and kitchen essentials with you or buy them when you get here. Read more.

  • How much cash will I need on arrival?
    You will need some sterling cash for expenses during the first week – about £250 should be enough. We do not recommend bringing or carrying larger amounts of cash with you. Read more.

  • Will I be able to work alongside my studies while I am in the UK?
    Students who are non-EEA nationals should check the immigration stamp in their passport. You need to see what conditions the UK immigration authorities have imposed on you about employment. Read more.

  • What about healthcare in the UK?
    Watch our informative video about everything you need to know about healthcare in the UK:

At the airport

  • What happens at Passport Control?
    There will be different queues for EEA and non-EEA nationals at Passport Control. You will need to have a number of different documents available to show the Immigration Officer. Read more.

  • What happens at Customs?
    There are three channels at Customs – Green (for persons with 'Nothing to Declare'); Red (for persons with 'Goods to Declare'); and Blue (for persons travelling from an EEA country where all their luggage has already been cleared by Customs). Read more.

  • Do I need to register with the Police?
    The stamp put into your passport by the immigration authorities will tell you if you need to register with the UK Police. Read more.

  • How do I get to the University?
    International students can use our airport pick-up service, which ensures you are met at the airport when you arrive. Read more.

 

What our students say

Drishty, Mobile Computing student"London’s combination of educational excellence and a lively social scene is hard to beat. I am totally immersed in the English language and am enjoying the vibrant cultural life. With students from 151 countries, it is a truly multicultural experience.”
Drishty, Mobile Computing student Read more about Drishty

Ann-Mari, Psychology student ““Kingston upon Thames is a small, comfortable town where you can easily make friends. It has a variety of shops, restaurants and cafes, and also offers excellent nightlife for young people. It is situated by the river Thames so in the summer you can really enjoy the nice breeze and the fantastic scenery.”
Ann-Mari, Psychology student Read more about Ann-Mari

Onwaree, Information Systems student“My course is designed to meet professional and industry needs. The subjects taught are practical so that you gain skills that are relevant to the workplace. The variety of modules allows you the flexibility to tailor your learning to suit your individual requirements. I wish I had known how proactive you have to be and that there would be a lot of assignments.”
Onwaree, Information Systems student Read more about Onwaree

Anastasia, Marketing student“The University provides extensive support in terms of academic advice and study materials. The library has a rich collection of textbooks and academic journals. The University regularly invites guest speakers to share their experience and knowledge with students. I have found these sessions very helpful and encouraging. I just wish I had known how enjoyable it would be to live and study here, and had come earlier!”
Anastasia, Marketing student Read more about Anastasia

 

 

 

 

Don't forget to book...

Image of sign in Kingston

 

Welcome events

Image of Pre-arrival guideWe're organising a number of fun events to help you explore your new environment and make new friends. Highlights include:

 

Preparing for study

To make sure you're ready to study in the UK, we offer:

Plus don't forget to visit the Prepare for Success website to learn more about the UK, British culture and what to expect when you get here.