Transcript Document

Welcome to
the
University of
Birmingham
Mingya Zong
China Project Manager
[email protected]
University of Birmingham
 Insert Video – the university
An Excellent Choice
 Founded 1900 / Russell Group
 Universitas 21
 Over 4,500 international students from
150 different countries: 113 registered
students from Japan (Nov 2011)
 RAE 2008:
12th in the UK for research excellence
 Teaching Quality:
We are regularly reviewed and achieve high
scores and commendations
 One of the top 10 universities that major
companies target
Campus University
 Shopping
 Academic Facilities
 Careers Service
 Support Services
 Sports Centre
 Social Activities
 Access to City Centre
 Healthcare
Next Steps: Administrative Tasks
 Finance
 Accommodation
 Immigration
 Preparing to Leave Home
Finance
 Consider all of your costs
 Prepare a budget
 Be realistic
 Approx £8040 per year,
£670 per month (living
cost only)
 Possible to pay fees in
advance (ask for a receipt)
 Circumstances change
(defer entry)
Finance
 Arrange for a banker draft or bank
transfer to pay large sums of money
 Open an account with an
international bank: access funds
from a UK branch or ATM cash
machine
 Carry enough money in travellers
cheques, until you can open a bank
account in the UK
 Do not travel with large amounts of
cash
Examples of living costs (approximate)
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Food
Bedding (duvet, sheets, pillows)
Mobile Phone
International phone card
Course related
Travel
Student Visa extension
£150 - 170 per month
£35
£30 per month
£5 for approx 30 minutes
£450 non clinical
£400 per year
£386 postal application
Learn More:
www.as.bham.ac.uk/studentlife/finance/index.shtml
Budgeting
The UNIAID International Students' Calculator: Developed
by UNIAID and UKCISA, to help you plan and manage your
money for your studies in the UK.
www.studentcalculator.org.uk/international
British Council:
www.educationuk.org
Independent online currency
converter ONADA:
www.onada.com/convert/classic
Accommodation
Insert Video - Accommodation
University Accommodation
Guaranteed Accommodation
 You must have firmly accepted the offer
of a course
 Your application for accommodation must
be received by our Housing Services
Office (deadline 31 July 2011)
 You must be applying for single
accommodation
 You agree to remain in your UoB
accommodation for the full term of
your contract (legally binding contract)
 Limited family accommodation (not
guaranteed)
Private Accommodation
 Variety of accommodation
available
 Shared house, flats
 Usually sign contract for renting
a property
 Length of contract can vary –
usually 1 year
 House hunting event in Sept 2011
(visit housing website in July for
further details)
 Birmingham studentpad
Learn More:
www.has.bham.ac.uk
www.birminghamstudentpad.co.uk
Immigration
Student Visa Applications (study for 6 months +)
Tier 4 Points Based System: ‘General Student’
 University CAS number
 Sufficient funds for first year
tuition fees (offer letter)
 Sufficient funds for living costs for
first 9 months (£5400)
 If already paid
tuition/accommodation fee,
include receipt
 Original documents specified by
UKBA
 ATAS clearance certificate
(Academic Technology Approval
Scheme)
Check your visa
 You have been given the visa
you applied for
 ‘Valid from’ date: you cannot
use the visa before this date
 Visa expiry date to ensure that
you have been granted enough
leave (time) in the UK
 Personal details are correct
(name, date of birth).
 Your visa does not prohibit
you from working (student visa)
 Whether you must register with
the police on arrival in the UK
Learn More:
www.as.bham.ac.uk/studentlife/international
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/adult-students
Employment during your study
 Immigration regulations (student visa allowing work) for
students studying degree level or above:
– No more than 20 hours per week term time,
– Any number of hours during vacations
 University recommendations:
– No more than 16 hours per week during term time
 Minimum wage from Oct 2010
– Aged 21 years + = £5.93 per hour, 18-20 = £4.92 per hour
 Type of work: clerical, retail, bar, restaurant
 Do not rely on work as a source of funding
Learn More:
www.as.bham.ac.uk/studentlife/international
Employment after your study
 Do your research early
 Contact International Student Advisory Service
(ISAS) and Careers Centre
 Get permission from your sponsor
Learn more:
www.ukcisa.org.uk
www.as.bham.ac.uk/studentlife/international
www.as.bham.ac.uk/careers
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk
Support services during your study
 International Student Advisory
Service (ISAS)
 Personal and Welfare Tutors
 English for International
Students Unit (EISU)
 Student Support & Counselling
Service
 Academic and Student
Administration (ASA)
 Guild of Students
 Chaplaincy / Prayer Room
 Careers Centre
City of Birmingham
 Britain’s second city
 Population of over 1 million
 Central location
 Less then 2 hours from London
 Good transport links,
international airport and trains
 Multi-cultural city, 30% are from
ethnic minorities, 44% under 30
years
 Regeneration
Birmingham City
 Vibrant city
 First class Arts venues
 One of Europe's largest
shopping developments
 More then 500 restaurants
 Vibrant night life
 Host to international sporting events
 40% of graduates choose to stay
after studies
For further information:
www.visitbirmingham.com/
Preparing to leave home
 Plan your journey
 Take out Travel Insurance
 Carry important documents in hand
luggage (Passport, Tickets, Offer
Letter, University Contacts, Money)
 Bring some cash and travellers
cheques
 Bring a variety of clothing
 Bring ‘Welcome to the University of
Birmingham’ Guide
 Give family/friends your contact
details in the UK
Travelling to Birmingham
 Book travel tickets early: flights are always very busy in
September
 Take out travel insurance
 Check out connecting flights to
Birmingham if required:
– Lufthansa, via Germany
– KLM, via Amsterdam
 Public transport is easy and
economical, but travelling with
luggage is more difficult
What to bring with you
 Passport, travel documents, UoB documentation, insurance
documentation in a safe place in your hand luggage
 Make copies of all these documents and pack them separately
 Any prescription medicine. A letter from your doctor to explain
any pre-existing medical conditions for your doctor in the UK
 Basic toiletries, flannel and towel
 Web-site registration details (ID/passwords) and documentation
reference numbers (bank accounts, driving licence etc.)
 Something to remind you of home (photographs)
 Something of interest to show others about your culture
(national costume, crafts, music)
UK Weather: 4 Seasons
Autumn (Sept - Nov)
Winter (Dec - Feb)
Spring (Mar - May)
Summer (June - Aug)
10 to 20 C
-2 to 10 C
10 to 20 C
18 to 30 C
(50 to 68 F)
(28 to 50 F)
(50 to 68 F)
(66 to 86 F)
What Not to Bring!
 Meat, dairy products (such as milk),
fish, shellfish, honey, eggs, fruit,
vegetables, plants, animals
 Illegal goods (ivory, animal parts for
medicinal purposes, drugs)
 Dangerous goods (knives, swords,
toxins)
 Do not bring large amounts of cash
 Cooking utensils, bedding,
electrical items
Airport - Passport Control
 Have your documents ready
 Answer questions
 Contact ISAS if you need help
(0121 414 8464, 09.00 - 17.00)
When to arrive at the university
 House hunting event (private sector)
 Sept 2011
 Free Airport Collection Service
 17th – 18th Sept 2011
 London Heathrow 1030 – 1700
 Birmingham International 1030 - 1800
 Welcome Week (International)
 19th – 22nd Sept 2011
 To Ease the transition into UK life and UoB
 Practical information and advice
 Talks, social events and peer support
 International pathway through administrative tasks
 College Induction Programme
 Start of Autumn Term – 26th September 2011
 Non-Standard start dates - refer to your offer letter
Further information:
www.as.bham.ac.uk/studentlife/international
Welcome Week International
Insert video - orientation
Welcome Week International
‘It was a good way to get to know the
campus and people from other countries’
‘It is important to be done with all
administrative matters before lectures
start’
‘Once I had settled into my University
life, these were people I continued to
meet in my leisure time. It's definitely
more than helpful’
‘You feel that you're not alone and
everything is OK’
Before you Leave Home
Please read
 Student Registration Guide
 Welcome Booklet (receive by email)
www.as.bham.ac.uk/studentlife/international
Useful Contacts
 University Offer or Admissions
Refer to offer letter
www.admissions.bham.ac.uk/contact/
index.shtml
 Tuition Fees Payment (Refer to Finance Office)
www.payments.bham.ac.uk
 Accommodation
Refer to Housing Services
www.has.bham.ac.uk
 Welcome Week (International)
refer to ISAS (from August)
[email protected]
 Immigration/General Enquiries
Refer to ISAS
www.as.bham.ac.uk/studentlife/international