© University of Reading 2008 www.reading.ac.uk

Reading International Office

19 July 2011

Pre-departure Briefing 2011

Thank You and Welcome

We look forward to welcoming you to the

University of Reading.

This presentation will help you to prepare for your

studies in the UK.

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This presentation will cover…

• Expectations

• Visas and Immigration

• Money Matters

• Accommodation

• Help and Support while studying

• Life at Reading

• Checklists

• Welcome week

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Great expectations

• We want all of our students to have a positive experience

with the University of Reading and hope you will leave

with happy memories

• Write down 3 things YOU want to achieve in your time at

the University of Reading

• Share this with a friend

• This is the first step in helping you to achieve these aims

• Remember these hopes and aims

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Immigration and Visas

• Documents needed– General Application Form plus Tier Four annex

– 2 x recent passport-sized photographs

– A valid passport

– All relevant certificates from education (diplomas, degree certificates, transcripts, etc)

– A Certificate of Acceptance of Study (CAS) number from the University of Reading

– Bank statements proving sufficient funds (living costs of £5,400 and your tuition fees at Reading) are in your account for 28 days prior to application

• Check with the Consulate or one of our representatives if

you are unsure

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Immigration and Visas

• Additional documents that may be needed:– Evidence of Sponsorship if applicable

– PG students only – an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate, if applicable

• Make sure you apply in good time and you have the funds

to pay for your visa

• Submit your application form and documents at your

nearest British Consulate

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Immigration and Visas

• Family and dependents also need visas.

• Working

– Student visa: If you are coming to the UK to study a course for

more than six months you will be given a restriction for work;

20 hours per week in term-time

• More information can be found at www.ukvisas.gov.uk

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Cost of Studying at Reading

• You will need to pay for your tuition fees and living

expenses

• Expenses will vary based on your lifestyle

• Allow at least £7,200 per year for living expenses

(£5,400 for a 9-month academic year and for visa purposes)

- Most Masters courses last for 12 months

• For help with your budget, visit

www.studentcalculator.org.uk/international

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Paying your Tuition Fees

• Payment online is the preferred method

– Complete this after online enrolment at

https://www.webpay.reading.ac.uk/studentpayments/

• Bank transfer is available http://www.reading.ac.uk/finance/docs/studsnotice.pdf

• Bankers draft and cheque accepted

• Cash is NOT recommended. However, we will accept up to £10,000.

There is no extra charge for paying in 2 instalments

Plan Amounts

1 payment - October 100% tuition fee

2 payments- October 50% tuition fee

January 50% tuition fee

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Paying your Tuition Fees

• When making you payment, make sure you mark clearly

that it is for tuition fees.

• This can be selected from a drop down box on the online

payment system.

• If you are making a bank transfer include your student

reference number (8 digits) and state Tuition Fees in the

transfer title.

• If you do not make this clear, funds may be used to pay

for your accommodation first and you may not have

covered the full amount of fees you intended to pay.

Bank Accounts

• It is not usually possible to open a student bank account

before you arrive

• The University does not recommend a particular bank or

building society

• Branch NatWest near the campus and most other banks

are available in the town centre

• Use comparison websites such as

- www.thesite.org

- www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts

- www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking

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Money and Cash

• Check how much you can take out of your home country

• Opening a bank account can take a while, please have

alternative sources of readily-available money

• You should try to bring a minimum of £250 with you (ask

for a range of denominations, check notes are current and

try not to get £50 notes which are not always easy to use)

• For safety, bring in a combination of sources - cash,

travellers cheques, internationally recognised credit cards

• In the UK, people do not carry large amounts of cash with

them, be very careful

• If you bring more than €10,000 (circa £8900) worth,

you will have to make a declaration on arrival in the UK 12

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Accommodation

• The accommodation deadline is 1 August

• Different types of rooms are available

• You can compare the halls of residence online

• Single accommodation is guaranteed for the first year of

your studies provided you apply by the deadline

• Family accommodation may be available but if you are

not currently on the waiting list, you are likely to need to

find private accommodation

• You must arrive in your Hall on or before 3rd October. If

you are not able to do this, you must contact Student

Services via the Helpdesk

Accommodation

• Payable each term, including vacation periods

(i.e. October, January and April)

• Bills will be sent to your university email account each

term

• Pay online at

https://www.webpay.reading.ac.uk/studentpayments

• Receipts will be emailed to you as a PDF

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Support - Health Care

• If you come to the UK on a student or dependents’ visa

for more than 6 months you are entitled to free

treatment on the National Health Service*

• University Medical Centre is very close to campus

• University counselling service

• Insurance is needed if:

– You wish to be flown home in the event of a serious medical

emergency

– You are going to spend a significant amount of time in the UK

before enrolling as a student

* Certain exceptions may apply

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Support – Language and Study

• International Study and Language Centre–

www.reading.ac.uk/islc

– Every student at ISLC receives individual tutorial support for all

academic, social and welfare matters

– Class sizes are small and organised according to level, allowing

detailed tutor interaction and feedback.

– ISLC introduces and develops the use of learning strategies to

help achieve the independence which is expected of students in

UK universities.

– The course materials are especially designed to develop

important critical thinking and problem solving skills.

• Free In-Sessional Language support is also available to all

overseas fee-paying students

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Support - Students’ Union

• Find out more at www.rusu.co.uk

• Independent from the university, part of national union

• Welfare and entertainment for students

– Elected Sabbatical Officers (students who take a year away from their

studies to lead the Students’ Union) and representation groups,

including International Students at Reading University (ISRU)

– Student Advice Service with visa advice

– Volunteering Services

– Campaigns

– Sports and Societies

• More than 140 and societies

– You can set up your own society

The RED Award

• The Reading Experience and Development (RED) Award

• A university scheme that rewards students for

undertaking extra-curricular activities as well as helping

students get the most out of their experiences in terms

of their professional and personal development

• To complete the Award, you do 50 hours of activity made

up of three different elements: Core activity,

Volunteering opportunities and Training and

development

• Find out more at http://www.reading.ac.uk/reda-

home.aspx 18

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Life - Telephones and Communications

• Networking provided in each hall room, so you can use

Skype or other VOIP systems to make calls

• You can buy international calling cards from local shops

(rates will vary)

• Your cellphone may not work, be prepared… but most

cellphones now work all over the world, you may need to

get a new SIM card though

Life - Weather in Reading

• Many people complain about the weather in the UK, but

it really isn’t that bad. It is not extreme, there is no rainy

season, heavy snow or periods of high humidity

• It is very changeable - in the morning it may be sunny and

warm, with rain at lunchtime and then cold in the

afternoon!

• Between October and December, temperatures can

range from -7˚C to 26˚C

• Bring light layers of clothing and money to buy an

umbrella!

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PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST

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What should you pack?

• Essential :– A few warm clothes (most can be bought in the UK)

– Towels (just one or two)

– Photos of family and friends

– Alarm Clock

• Not Essential:– Tinned or packet foods - there is a wide-range of foods from around the world

available locally

• DO NOT PACK– ANY plants, vegetables, dairy or meat

• Check your luggage allowance – only bring what you can carry, try to

TRAVEL LIGHT!

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What should you pack?

• Bedding:

– Bring your own bed linen if you wish

– Bedding & linen packs will not be provided in your room automatically.

You can order them before you arrive from the Accommodation Office.

You will need to pay for them with a credit or debit card when you

arrive.

– Easily available to buy online and have delivered or in shops when you

arrive

– You are also able to purchase a start up kit from All-Unied online for all

essential items (www.all-unied.com/)

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Pre-departure Checklist

• Health & Medical Certificates

– If you require prescribed drugs - get a doctor’s letter

– Take out medical insurance (if required)

• Accommodation in Reading

– Book by completing the online process you will be emailed about

by 1 August, do not wait for your unconditional offer to do this!

– Once your academic offer is unconditional, the Accommodation

Office will write to you to confirm your place.

– If you haven’t heard before your departure, they will tell you

when you arrive.

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Pre-departure Checklist cont.

• Welcome Week

– Check the Welcome Week programme online

– Email us about our Meet and Greet service

– Enrol online after September

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Checklist for Immigration

• Valid Passport (with visa)

• Bring a copy of your CAS email with you

• Include your original Certificates (High School/College

Diplomas/English Language certificates)

• KEEP ALL THIS DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE IN YOUR HAND

LUGGAGE

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Flights and Travel

• Purchase Tickets

• Try to book flights to arrive at Heathrow close to

working hours (0900-1700)

• Travel & Personal Insurance cover until date of

enrolment

• RIO phone number +44 (0)118 378 6982

Fax: +44 (0)118 975 2252

Email: intoff@reading.ac.uk

Please feel free to contact us

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Meet and Greet

• We will have staff at Heathrow Airport Terminal 3 and the

Central Bus Station on Friday 30th September, Saturday 1st

and Sunday 2nd October from 0700 until 2000

• There will be a central meeting point at the Central Bus

Station, follow the yellow signs in the airport to get there

• If you arrive earlier/later or you can’t find the meeting

point, take the RailAir Bus to Reading Train Station and

take a taxi to the University from Reading Train Station

• More about the Rail Air bus…

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RailAir Bus - Heathrow

• The RailAir Bus Service runs every 20-30 minutes to

Reading Train Station from Heathrow Airport – You need to have £17 cash in sterling or a credit/debit card to buy a

ticket from the machines in Central Bus Station

– Service runs from 0500 until midnight

– Stands 1 and 2 at the Central Bus Station at Heathrow. After you have

collected your luggage and passed through customs, follow the

directions from your terminal to the Central Bus Station.

– Stand 10 at the Terminal 5 Bus and Coach Station.

• You can buy tickets at a cheaper rate online at

www.railair.com/onlinebooking.php

• Directions to the Bus Station from Terminals can be

found on our website and at www.railair.com

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Arrival at Gatwick Airport

• From London Gatwick (LGW) – Direct trains run to Reading from Gatwick Airport

every hour

– It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

– A single ticket costs around £15-£30 and can be purchased at the train station in Gatwick Airport.

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Arrival in Reading

• From Reading train station take a taxi to your accommodation if known

• (Cost approx. £8-10).

• If you don’t know your accommodation go to the Helpdesk in the Carrington Building during working hours

• If you arrive late/early, get the taxi to take you toCampus Security in Whiteknights House+44 (0)118 378 7799

Carrington Building

• This is the home of Student Services. It’s in the centre of

campus and you can’t miss it!

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Arrival Check list

• Telephone your loved ones to let them know you have

arrived safely

• Check in at the Welcome Desk in the Carrington Building

as soon as possible to receive your Welcome Pack

• Join in the International Welcome Week Programme

• Get your passport and visa scanned (this is available all

weekend so don’t wait until Monday when queues may

be long!)

• Freshers’ Week

• Rest and get ready for your course to start

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Welcome Week

• Programme to help you settle in to University life

• Social Events

• If you are on a pre-sessional English programme, we

would love to see you too!

• If in private accommodation term-time you can book a

room at the University for the induction programme only

• International Office and Student Union staff can show

you where to find food you like!

• If you are worried about anything just ask the

International Office, Student Services or Student Union

staff – we want to help!

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Important Dates

Date

1st August Accommodation application deadline

30th September - 2nd October Meet and Greet service available at London Heathrow airport and Reading Train Station.

30th September - 3rd October Welcome Desk open on campus

30th September Quiz Night, Students’ Union

1stOctober Bollywood Dance Night, Students’ Union

2nd- 7th October 1100- 1500 Receipts Office open for tuition fee payments (please pay ASAP)

3rd– 7th October Registration Week with schools

5th October Police Registration on campus

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Important websites

• Arrival at Reading - http://www.reading.ac.uk/study-int-

arrive.aspx

• IT Services - http://www.reading.ac.uk/its-userreg-student.aspx

• Library - http://www.reading.ac.uk/library/

• Accommodation - http://www.reading.ac.uk/life-

accommodation.aspx

• Fees and Funding - http://www.reading.ac.uk/life-livingcosts.aspx

• Health Advice http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/

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Contact us

Reading International Office

Blandford Lodge

Whiteknights

Reading RG6 6AB

United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)118 378 6982

Fax +44 (0)118 975 0046

E-Mail: international@reading.ac.uk

Web: www.reading.ac.uk/international

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We wish you the best of luck with your studies!