In order to help you adapt to the upcoming study abroad life smoothly, we have specially compiled the pre-departure strategy. This strategy will provide you with some practical suggestions to help you make full preparations before the start of school and avoid missing important matters.
It's late August in a blink of an eye, and the new semester in September 2024 is coming. For many students and their parents who are going to study in Britain, this time is a busy time, and everyone is taking the time to make final preparations to ensure everything goes smoothly.
In order to help you adapt to the upcoming study abroad life smoothly, we have specially compiled the pre-departure strategy. This strategy will provide you with some practical suggestions to help you make full preparations before the start of school and avoid missing important matters.
I hope you can start your study abroad smoothly and gain a rich learning and life experience!
一、You need to prepare before you leave.
1. Before going to school
Contact the Admissions Office by email: Send an email to the Admissions Office in advance to provide your ticket and visa page information.
Confirm the arrival date: Make sure that you have set the date of arrival at the school.
Confirm flight information: Learn more about your flight information, including flight number and take-off and landing time.
Pick-up service: confirm whether pick-up service is needed at least 3 days in advance.
2. Important materials and articles
Passport and visa: bring a valid passport and a page with a visa, or a British entry permit where applicable.
BRP receipt letter: Students who have applied for a student visa for more than 6 months can receive a BRP decision letter by email, which will simplify the process and provide electronic files.
Temporary visa page: the temporary visa page in the passport is valid for 30 days from the expected date of departure, and is only used for going to the UK and collecting biometric information cards.
Proof of pulmonary tuberculosis examination: Make sure to bring relevant certificates of pulmonary tuberculosis examination.
School Admission Confirmation Letter (CAS): Bring the school admission confirmation letter and Offer letter.
Accommodation information: including the Offer and contract of accommodation.
Academic certificate: bring the original and translation of the degree/academic certificate.
Language report card: Prepare the report card of ielts test report form or language class.
Air ticket: the electronic or paper version of the whole air ticket.
ID photo: Prepare a 2-inch ID photo with a white background.
Proof of tuition payment: ensure that there are relevant documents for tuition payment.
Consent: a consent signed by parents or legal guardians.
3. Other items
International credit card: It is recommended to carry a Visa or Mastercard with a chip, and avoid using the American Express card, because it is almost impossible to use in the UK. At the same time, it is best to apply for an increase in the credit limit in advance (pay attention to the safety of credit cards, some credit cards do not need passwords when used abroad, which will cause great losses after being lost, and the limit is recommended to be controlled within 1,000 pounds).
Mobile phone card: If there is a global mobile phone in China, it is recommended to open international roaming in case of emergency. In addition, you can buy a British calling card on Taobao in China, ask the customer service to help open the package before departure, and use it directly after landing.
Common electronic products: prepare charging cable, Chinese-English/international adapter, computer and related accessories, camera and accessories, small rice cookers (although rice cookers can also be bought in the UK, the use effect may be worse than that in China, and it is usually larger), hair dryer, curling iron and China patch panel.
Drug description and prescription: if necessary, bring the English version of drug description and prescription.
Recommended baggage list
When preparing air tickets and luggage for international students, we really need to pay attention to the baggage regulations of airlines to ensure a smooth trip. The following are some supplementary suggestions and precautions:
1. Luggage selection:
Carry-on boarding box: Choose an 18-inch or 20-inch boarding box, and ensure that the sum of the dimensions of the three sides does not exceed 115CM.
Checked baggage: choose a suitcase of 28 inches or less, and ensure that the sum of the three dimensions does not exceed 158CM.
2. Weight control:
The weight limit of each checked baggage is usually 23 kg. It is recommended to use a baggage scale to weigh when packing to avoid overweight fines.
3. Luggage identification:
Add easy-to-identify marks on the luggage, such as using bright luggage lashing ropes and labeling, to ensure that you can find your luggage quickly when you pick it up.
4, luggage packing skills:
Choose lightweight clothes to minimize size and weight.
Using vacuum compression bags can save space.
Put heavy objects on the bottom of the suitcase and light objects on it to keep the center of gravity stable.
5. Precautions
Know the airline policy in advance: The baggage policy of each airline may be different. It is recommended to visit the airline official website to confirm the specific requirements before departure.
Travel at peak time: As the school season is the peak time for international students to travel, it is recommended to arrive at the airport in advance to cope with possible queues and security delays.
Carry-on articles: Make sure that important articles (such as passports, air tickets, electronic equipment, medicines, etc.) carried with you are kept in a convenient place.
Reasonable planning of luggage and understanding of airline regulations can help international students travel smoothly and reduce unnecessary troubles.
二、After entering the country, you need to
1. Before boarding the plane
Arrive at the airport in advance: it is recommended to arrive at the airport 3-4 hours in advance, so as to have enough time to go through the formalities of boarding pass and checked baggage.
2. After arriving in the UK
Activate your calling card: Once you arrive in the UK, activate your British calling card immediately, so that you can easily contact your family, report your safety or contact the pick-up driver.
Go through the immigration formalities:
Find the entry channel: according to the airport instructions, go to the "Arrivals (All other passports)" channel. All passengers must go through the entry formalities through the designated passage. China citizens should choose the "All Other Passports" channel to enter the UK Border inspection area.
Entry inspection: At the time of entry inspection, prepare your passport in advance, answer the questions of the customs staff and press your fingerprints. The staff will check whether your documents are complete and valid and confirm your personal information. Depending on the visa type, some questions may be asked in English. After the inspection is correct, the staff will stamp the passport and indicate the date of entry. This stamp is called "Leave to Enter".
Customs channel selection:
Green channel: In general, take the green channel (Customs), which means there is no need to declare articles.
Red channel: If you need to declare articles, you need to take the red channel.
Baggage claim:
After passing the passport check, go to the baggage claim area to pick up your baggage. There is an electronic display screen above each baggage conveyor belt, and you can find the conveyor belt where your luggage is located according to the flight number on the screen.
After the luggage is taken out, it may go through customs inspection to ensure that there are no prohibited items. After completing all necessary inspections, you can leave the customs entry area.
Go to school:
After you get your luggage, you can choose to go to school by yourself or through the pick-up service contacted in advance.
Special reminder: If you must bring drugs containing controlled drugs into the UK, please provide the following certificates:
Letter of certification for prescription drugs: The letter of certification must be issued by the doctor who prescribed the prescription, and the contents should include the following information:
Name of drug user: confirm the identity of drug user.
Travel destination and time: explain the purpose of going to Britain and the length of stay.
Name and dosage of prescription drugs: list the name and dosage of drugs carried, and the dosage of drugs shall not exceed 3 months.
Doctor's signature and doctor's registration information: the doctor should sign the letter and provide its registration information to prove its legitimacy.
If you stay in the UK for more than three months, or take more medicines than you need for three months, you must apply for personal permission to take medicines. The application method is as follows:
Time of application: You must apply at least one month before your arrival in the UK.
Application method: Send the application email to dflu.ie@homeoffice.gov.uk.
Email content:
Explain the reasons for traveling to the UK and travel information, including the address in the UK.
Describe your special medication in detail.
Make clear the detailed information and dosage of drugs, and attach the prescription letter issued by the doctor.
Provide materials to prove that you can legally travel with this prescription drug, and provide a translation if necessary.
matters need attention
Please ensure the accuracy and completeness of all documents and supporting materials to avoid trouble when entering the country.
It is recommended to take copies of all relevant documents with you and keep them in an easy-to-access place.
If you have any questions or need further information, please consult relevant institutions or professionals in advance.
三、When you get to school, you need
Within a week of arriving at school
Register for freshmen and get a student card.
Under normal circumstances, freshmen need to apply for a Student ID Card in the relevant responsible institution or college of the school after entering the school. Some schools also support online registration.
Please pay attention to the school's email for the specific registration process and precautions, or go to the school's student service center for consultation. The process of new student registration is usually published in the school official website.
Understand the student system of the school
The student system of the school contains a series of contents such as curriculum, attendance record, leave application and so on. Familiarity with these systems will help you manage your study life better.
Open a local bank account
If you are a long-term international student (more than 6 months), it is recommended to open an account in a bank on campus or around the school as soon as possible. When opening an account, please bring the following documents:
passport
letter of admission
Proof of domestic and British address
Credit certificate provided by domestic banks
Most British banks are open from Monday to Friday from 9: 30 to 15: 30. When handling banking business, please pay attention to the business hours of the bank, and you can check in advance on Google Maps to avoid delaying the plan.
Matters related to obtaining BRP card and registering medical treatment
According to the news released by the British Immigration and Visa Bureau, from January 1, 2025, the electronic visa system (eVisa) will be fully implemented in the UK. At present, eVisa has fully opened the application, marking the official entry of the UK into the era of e-visa.
After the implementation of the electronic visa system, BRP biometric cards, BRC biometric residence cards, endorsement seals and entry permits on passports will be phased out.
Some schools will arrange entrance tests.
Britain requires international students under 18 to have a local guardian. If parents can't go to Britain to accompany them, they can find a guardianship team certified by authoritative institutions such as AEGIS or BSA to help solve the problems students encounter in their study and life. These teams can help young international students better adapt to the new environment, concentrate on their studies and enjoy their study and life experience in the UK.
Within one week after you arrive at the school, you need to complete the registration, open a bank account, understand the school system and other important matters. These steps will lay a good foundation for your study and life in Britain and ensure that you can adapt to the new environment smoothly.