Welcome to the University of Birmingham

1. Welcome to the University of Birmingham Mingya Zong China Project Manager m.zong@bham.ac.uk

2. University of Birmingham • Insert Video – the university

3. 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

4. Campus University • Shopping • Academic Facilities • Careers Service • Support Services • Sports Centre • Social Activities • Access to City Centre • Healthcare

5. Next Steps: Administrative Tasks • Finance • Accommodation • Immigration • Preparing to Leave Home

6. 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)

7. 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

8. Examples of living costs (approximate) • Food £150 - 170 per month • Bedding (duvet, sheets, pillows) £35 • Mobile Phone £30 per month • International phone card £5 for approx 30 minutes • Course related £450 non clinical • Travel £400 per year • Student Visa extension £386 postal application Learn More: www.as.bham.ac.uk/studentlife/finance/index.shtml

9. 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

10. Accommodation • Insert Video - Accommodation

11. 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)

12. 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

13. 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)

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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/

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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) 10 to 20 C (50 to 68 F) Winter (Dec - Feb) -2 to 10 C (28 to 50 F) Spring (Mar - May) 10 to 20 C (50 to 68 F) Summer (June - Aug) 18 to 30 C (66 to 86 F)

23. 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)

24. 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

25. Welcome Week International Insert video - orientation

26. 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’

27. Before you Leave Home Please read • Student Registration Guide • Welcome Booklet (receive by email) www.as.bham.ac.uk/studentlife/international

28. 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) internationalwelcome@contacts.bham.ac.uk • Immigration/General Enquiries Refer to ISAS www.as.bham.ac.uk/studentlife/international