Checklist for new students

All students

• Arrange your accommodation close to your campus so it is easier for you to meet your engagement and attendance requirements.
• Arrange to pay your fees
• Complete online registration before the start date of your course – see our course start dates and deadlines for more information.
• Check what you need to bring with you (including documents for your ID check/Visa Checkpoint)
• Join our Student Life Facebook and Instagram channels to help you to make friends before you arrive
• Plan how to get here
• Get vaccinated: UK students – check that you have had your MMR and meningitis vaccinations; international students – check with your doctor
• Let us know if you have a specific learning difficulty, a diagnosed mental health or long-term condition, or condition on the autistic spectrum, so we can support you from when you arrive.
• Register with a doctor
• View your timetable - this will be available at the start of term

International students 

If you are an international student, you should also: 

• Check and renew your passport if necessary so it is valid for travel to the UK. Since the UK left the EU there are different rules about travelling on EU ID cards. You can only travel to and from the UK on an EU ID card if you hold Pre-Settled or Settled status. 
• Apply for your visa – If you will spend more than 6 months in the UK, you will normally need to apply for a Student visa unless you are from the European Economic Area (EEA) or a Swiss student who has obtained Pre-Settled or Settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. It can take a long time to get a Student visa and delays are expected in Visa Application Centres overseas. You can apply outside the UK for your visa up to 6 months before the start date of your course on your CAS and apply within the UK up to 3 months before the course start date on your CAS. If you require an ATAS Certificate or a TB Certificate you should obtain these before you submit your visa application. Your offer letter will tell you if you need to apply for an ATAS certificate. 
• Get British currency for use during the first few days or weeks (around £1,500).
• Get an GHIC card, if you’re coming from an EU country, which provides sickness insurance.  Please note this only applies if you intend to spend less than 6 months in the UK. If you have applied for a Student visa you will have paid an IHS which will entitled you to use the UK’s NHS which is free at the point of use for most treatments.  
• Get a letter from a doctor for any prescribed medication you need to bring with you.
• Bring 12 weeks’ worth of medication with you, if you are taking it on a long-term basis.
• Buy tickets and travel insurance.
• Research banking in the UK and see if your bank can help you to arrange a UK bank account.