PRE-DEPARTURE

BRIEFING

2 0 1 9 - 2 0

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T H E U N I T E D K I N G D O M

◆ official name – The United Kingdom

of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;

◆ four countries – England, Scotland,

Wales and Northern Ireland;

◆ capital cities – London, Edinburgh,

Cardiff and Belfast;

◆ languages – English in addition to

Scots, Welsh and Gaelic.

Photo ©Mat Wright

C H E C K L I S T ( H A N D L U G G A G E )

◆ valid passport and visa;

◆ offer letter (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies,

CAS);

◆ accommodation confirmation and destination

address;

◆ medical reports (including tuberculosis

certificate) and insurance;

◆ bank drafts, debit and credit cards, and cash;

◆ air tickets and departure details

◆ airport pick-up and university contact details.

Photo ©Mat Wright

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C H E C K L I S T ( C H E C K E D

L U G G A G E )

◆ other important documents – make

copies or save them digitally;

◆ personal medication;

◆ clothing according to the seasons:

▪ Autumn (September to November),

▪ Winter (December to February),

▪ Spring (March to May),

▪ Summer (June to August).

◆ formal or traditional wear.

Photo ©Mat Wright

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W H AT N O T TO PA C K

◆ banned and restricted goods:

drugs, weapons, indecent and

obscene materials, pepper spray

and pirated goods.

◆ restricted food: all meat and meat

products, all milk and dairy

products, potatoes, fruit and

vegetable, egg products, fish and

fishery products.

Photo ©Mat Wright

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/personal-food-plant-and-animal-product-imports

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C L E A R I N G A I R P O R T

I M M I G R AT I O N

◆ follow “Arrivals” sign to Immigration

or Passport Control;

◆ onwards to baggage reclaim and

customs control;

◆ exit from the correct lane:

▪ blue: if you are travelling from an

EU country with no banned or

restricted goods,

▪ green: if you are travelling from a

non-EU country with no banned

or restricted goods,

▪ red: if you have goods to declare

or not sure what you should

declare.

Photo ©Mat Wright

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ONWARDS TO YOUR

INSTITUTION

◆ arrange for meet and greet at airport;

◆ try arriving during working hours;

◆ other means of transportation:

▪ trains or coaches;

▪ the London Underground or “Tube”;

▪ local buses or taxis.

Useful links:

▪ www.airportguides.co.uk

▪ www.nationalexpress.com

▪ www.nationalrail.co.uk

▪ www.tfl.gov.uk

Photo ©Mat Wright

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M O N E Y M AT T E R S

◆ opening a bank account –

documents required;

◆ bank draft issued for tuition and

living expenses;

◆ cash to cover your immediate

needs - about £250;

◆ estimated living cost:

▪ in London - £1,265 per month

▪ Outside London or anywhere

else in the UK - £1,015 per

month

Photo ©Mat Wright

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BUDGETING TIPS

◆ plan a budget;

◆ monitor debit card transactions

online;

◆ purchase used books or utilise

library resources;

◆ student card to benefit from student

rates;

◆ student Oyster Card in London or

16-25 Railcard;

◆ compare grocery prices.

Useful links:

▪ https://uk.urbanest.com/

▪ https://www.mysupermarket.co.

uk/

Photo ©Mat Wright

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F O O D

◆ diverse selection of choices from

around the world;

◆ traditional British dishes:

▪ fish and chips;

▪ English breakfast;

▪ bangers and mash;

▪ pies.

◆ variety of halal food places for

Muslim students;

◆ plenty of options for people with

special dietary requirements.

Photo ©Mat Wright

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T E L E C O M M U N I C AT I O N S

◆ UK country code is +44;

◆ prepaid and postpaid options

available;

◆ costs can vary, but start at around:

• £6 a month for SIM only

• £20 a month for postpaid

◆ shop around for the best contract.

https://www.moneysupermarket.com/mo

bile-phones/

Photo ©Mat Wright

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D R I V I N G

◆ any person with an international

driving permit may drive in the UK for

up to 12 months;

◆ otherwise apply for a provisional

license and take a UK driving test.

Photo ©Mat Wright

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H E A LT H

◆ National Health Service (NHS) provides

free and subsidised treatment to

international students;

◆ register with local doctor or general

practitioner (GP);

◆ documents required for registration:

▪ passport;

▪ student card;

▪ proof of address;

▪ photograph.

◆ receive card with NHS number – required

to bring to consultations and

appointments;

◆ consider getting additional insurance.

Photo ©Mat Wright

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MEDICAL COST

◆ What is free for NHS patients?

▪ consulting a GP;

▪ accident and emergency services,

excluding follow-up treatment and in-

patient admission;

▪ diagnosis and treatment of sexually

transmitted (STD) diseases and/or other

infectious diseases.

◆ What is chargeable?

▪ medicine prescribed by doctor;

▪ eye tests and eye care;

▪ dental care;

▪ vaccination (some free);

▪ a sick certificate.

https://www.nhs.uk/Photo ©Mat Wright

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W O R K I N G I N T H E U K

◆ full-time students are allowed to

work part-time, up to 20 hours

per week;

◆ current national minimum wage:

▪ 25 and over - £8.21

▪ 21 to 24 - £7.70

▪ 18 to 20 - £6.15

◆ if offered a skilled job in the UK,

apply for Tier 2 (general) visa

before student visa expires.

Photo ©Mat Wright

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L E I S U R E T I M E

◆ many amazing things to do in

Britain, from:

▪ a sightseeing tour of London’s

iconic landmarks,

▪ uncovering centuries of history

at one of the many castles and

museums,

▪ enjoying a traditional afternoon

tea.

www.visitbritain.com/us/en/things-do

Photo ©Mat Wright

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O B E Y I N G T H E L AW

◆ follow local rules, law and

respect all cultures;

◆ attend classes;

◆ do not work more than the

stipulated time;

◆ failure to follow the law could

result in fines or visa cancellation.

Photo ©Mat Wright

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P E R S O N A L S A F E T Y

◆ the UK is relatively safe and

secure;

◆ however, be alert and be aware of

your surroundings;

◆ dial 999 for emergency (police,

fire or ambulance).

Photo ©Mat Wright

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I M P O R TA N T C O N TA C T S

◆ Malaysian High Commission and

Malaysian Student Department

45 – 46 Belgrave Square

London SW1X 8QT

Tel: +44 (0)20 7235 8033

www.educationmalaysia.co.uk

◆ Your university’s student support number

Photo ©Mat Wright

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R E T U R N I N G H O M E

◆ arrange air ticket and departure

details;

◆ close bank account;

◆ change addresses and divert

post;

◆ terminate accommodation

contract and ensure deposit is

returned to you;

◆ terminate mobile phone and

internet contracts;

◆ Ensure all outstanding bills are

paid;

◆ pack up – ship belongings home

if necessary.

Photo ©Mat Wright