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)
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