Pre-departure guide

2014-15
 Contents

Page 02 A very warm welcome 14 Settling in

Student Centre Team Welcome Weekend
International Student Society Induction
Opening a bank account
04 Checklists Registering with a Doctor
Pre-departure Checklist Dealing with a Medical
Hand Luggage Checklist Emergencies
Looking after yourself
06 Before you leave home
Registering with the Police
Booking your ticket &
Religious needs
confirmation of arrival details
Mobile Phones
Luggage Allowance
Safety
Shipping items
Travel
Clothing & climate
Travelling around London
Bedding packs
Public Transport
Electrical equipment
Oyster Travel Cards
Money
Applying for a Student
How much will it cost to live in
Oyster Card
the UK?
The Underground Tubes
Part-time employment
Buses
Student ambassador scheme
Travelling around the UK
Travel Insurance
Public Transport
Health Insurance
Applying for a Student
Accommodation
National Rail Card
(i) Horton Halls
International Student
(i) Private Accommodation
House (ISH) Travel Club
(iii) Accommodation Insurance
(iv) Council Tax 20 Student Support Services
and Social activities
11 Arrival in the UK
Students Union (SU)
At the airport
International Student Society
Immigration/Passport control
(ISS)
Booking your own taxi/cab
Applying for a NUS
Making your own way to SGUL
Extra discount card
or Horton Halls
22 What I wish I had known!
Helpful tips from current
students
Social Media

24 External Organisations
Pre-departure guide 2013 XX
 A very warm welcome
Congratulations!

Every year St Georges, University of London (SGUL) is pleased to

welcome increasing numbers of students from all over the world;
we currently have students from over 50 different countries.
This is a fantastic opportunity for you to experience a first class
UK education at one of the oldest medical schools in the country
and one of the UKs busiest hospitals, whilst living in one of
the most socially and culturally diverse cities in the world.
This pre-departure guide has been designed to help you
get ready for an experience of a lifetime! There is a lot of
information to take in, so take your time and read carefully.
We appreciate that leaving home and moving to a different country,
with an unfamiliar culture, can be both exciting and daunting at
the same time. We hope this guide will provide you with valuable
advice to help make your transition as smooth and stress free as
possible. We have included checklists and information about what
to do before you leave home, advice about your arrival in the UK,
settling in and getting the most out of your time at St Georges.
To learn more about British culture and what to expect when
you get here, we recommend that you access the Prepare
for Success website: www.prepareforsuccess.org.uk. This
is an interactive web learning tool designed for international
students who are getting ready to come to the UK for study.
You can get a taste of St Georges activities and global insights
by following us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
I am your dedicated International Student Advisor and together
with colleagues across the University, Im here to help you get
the most out of your time in the UK. If you need some advice or
somebody to talk to (before you arrive or during your time here)
please do not hesitate to contact me at visaadvice@sgul.ac.uk.
I look forward to welcoming you very soon!
Elizabeth Witter
St Georges International Student Adviser

www.twitter.com/globalSGUL
www.facebook.com/globalSGUL
http://instagram.com/stgeorgesunioflondon

02
The International Student Society (ISS)
is here to provide you support during
your time at St Georges. As international
students ourselves, we have all been in
your shoes and know that it isnt always
easy. The ISS create a platform for students
to meet, interact and become friends.
St Georges is a great place to study as
you will not only develop your skills as a
professional but have ample opportunity to
delve into your interests!
Esther Lau ISS President (2013-14)

Pre-departure guide 2013 03

 Pre Departure Checklist
Before you leave your home country to study as an international student at
St Georges, ensure that you have made the following arrangements:

Notify us of your arrival details (see page 6)

Organise your passport and visa

Make accommodation arrangements (see page 9)

Check your airlines luggage allowance (see page 6)

Book travel tickets (see page 6)

Organise Health/Travel Insurance, if appropriate (see page 8)

Have any relevant travel vaccinations

Have medical/optical/dental check-ups

Organise travel from the airport to your accommodation in

the UK (see page 12)

Take certified copies of your passport and visa and leave them
with a family member or friend in case these are misplaced.

You may feel a little

homesick when you arrive,
so it may help to bring some
mementos and things from
home that are special to you
to help you adjust to your
new home.
Megan Fernandes BMS

04
What to pack in your hand luggage
The following is a checklist of useful items that we recommend you carry in
your hand luggage

St Georges Pre-Departure Guide!

Valid passport (or national identity card if an EU citizen)

Valid Visa / Entry Clearance

Travel ticket(s)

Details of onward travel arrangements from the airport and the address of
where you will be staying in the UK - you will need to provide these details on
arrival in the UK

Paperwork relating to your research (postgraduate students) including the

names of your supervisors

Documents showing you have enough money to fund your studies and living
expenses while studying; (e.g. recent bank statement, proof of sponsorship)

Health certificates including vaccination records and x-ray reports (if necessary)

Change of clothes (including warm clothing) in case your main luggage is misplaced

Money enough money (cash or credit card) for at least your first month

Any prescription drugs that you are taking and a letter from your doctor
explaining what these are

Insurance documents plus a list of what you are carrying in your

luggage in case you have to make an insurance claim

Pre-departure guide 2013 05

 Before
Before you
you leave home
leave home Booking your ticket & confirmation of arrival
details
When booking your ticket, please make sure that
your arrival date is a couple of days before your
course start date to allow yourself enough time to
move into your accommodation and (if your course
starts at the beginning of the academic year) take
part in any welcome activities run by the Students
Union and the Student Centre at St Georges.
Please remember that you will need to notify our
International Student Advisor (ISA) of your arrival
details prior to leaving your home country.
You will also need to contact the ISA if your
arrival date is delayed for any reason.

Please note: If you have been issued a visa

and you do not arrive during the enrolment
period, we are required to report this to the UK
Home Office; it is therefore extremely important
that you inform us immediately of any changes
in your circumstances or travel plans

Luggage Allowance
Check with your airline what the luggage
allowance is in advance as excess luggage
charges can be very high. Most airlines allow
20-23kg of checked luggage and have strict
size and weight restrictions on hand luggage.
We recommended that you label your bags with
your full name and address in the UK to allow easy
identification. Advice on importing personal effects
and goods into the UK may be obtained from the
GOV.UK website (www.gov.uk/starting-to-import)

Shipping items
We would recommend that you wait until you
arrive in the UK to make a decision about
shipping items from your home country as
you may find that you can purchase these
items in the UK or can do without them.

06
Prices for shipping can vary greatly and it is
important to make sure the company you use
is reliable. Make sure to pack carefully and
insure your belongings against damages.
Always label your luggage clearly, whether
you are carrying it or sending it separately.
Clothing and climate
In your hand luggage you should pack enough
warm clothing for your flight and subsequent
journey from the airport. It will generally be
cheaper and easier to buy clothing in the
UK rather than bring these from home.
The weather in the UK can be very variable:
wet and windy one day, warm and sunny the
next. This unpredictability makes it a great
topic of conversation for British people! The
warmest time of the year is typically between
June and September, the coldest between
November and February. There are four seasons
in the UK however it is not unusual for it to
snow during spring or be sunny in winter!
Be prepared to experience a full range of
weather throughout the year. You can
get an idea of the weather before you
come from the BBC website:
www.bbc.co.uk/weather/
You will find that warm and waterproof
clothing is very important in the UK because
of the unpredictability of the British weather.
An umbrella is essential. There are
plenty of places locally to buy one.
Read a students entertaining thoughts about
the British weather A cool but not cold city
http://forgetoday.com/uncategorized/
an-international-students-blog-
a-cool-but-not-cold-city/
There are many shops close to St Georges where
you can purchase a wide variety of affordable
clothing.
Students typically dress very casually for university
in jeans and sweatshirts. However, students will
be expected to dress professionally whilst on
clinical placements (for e.g. shirt and trousers or
blouse and skirt). You may want to bring a suit,
dress or national clothing with you for more formal
occasions.
Bedding packs
You can choose to order a bedding pack
when you book university accommodation
by emailing accommodation@sgul.ac.uk.
The pack costs 40 and consists of a duvet,
pillow, duvet cover and pillow case.
Electrical equipment
Just bring the essentials. Any equipment you
bring must be compatible with the UK standards:
220-240V, 50Hz AC voltage. The standard plug
is a three pin model. You will be able to buy an
adaptor (if necessary) at the airport or in Tooting
- look for a visitor to UK adaptor. Make sure all
items are charged before flying as you may need
to switch them on as you go through security.
Money
Opening a bank account in the UK can take a
few weeks (see page 15) so you will need to
bring enough money to cover your immediate
needs including any travelling expenses,
accommodation costs and emergency expenses.
Rather than carrying large amounts of cash, we
recommend that you bring a credit card or order
travellers cheques as these will be insured.
Make sure that you sign the cheques as soon as
you get them otherwise they will not be insured.
Also keep a note of the serial number(s) (top
right-hand corner) as you will need to provide
this information if they need to be replaced.
Pre-departure guide 2013 07

We recommend that you keep any information
about your travellers cheques, insurance policy and
passport number in a separate and safe place.
Although it is a good idea to bring a credit card
you should check with your bank that you will
be able to use this to withdraw money at cash
dispensers (ATMs) in the UK as international credit
and debit cards work at some but not all ATMs.
Please note: in the UK, cards have a 4
digit pin code. Cards with a 5 digit pin
code will not work at most ATMs.
How much will it cost to live in the UK?
It is difficult to estimate accurately your living costs
in the UK because this will depend on individual
lifestyle and the programme you are studying.
The International Student Calculator website
is a way of helping you to check that you will be
able to manage your finances whilst living in the
UK. It gives guidance on costs including transport,
insurance, utilities as well as information on
average shopping prices and the average cost of
eating out: international.studentcalculator.org.
uk
Tips for keeping your costs down:
t

Self-catering is cheaper than eating out.
Try shopping and cooking with friends.
t

University accommodation includes heating
and electricity bills, so you will not have
any surprises at the end of the month.
t

Student discounts you may be able
to get reduced-price tickets at
the cinema, restaurants, hairdressers
etc. See NUS discount card (Page 21)
t

Use international telephone
cards to make cheaper calls home,
or use free email or internet calls.
08
Part-time employment
If you wish to undertake paid employment while at
the University, you must ensure that the work does
not affect your studies or contradict the conditions
of your visa. To make sure that you are eligible to
work, check that your visa does not list any work
restrictions for e.g. no work or work prohibited.
If you are a graduate student you are not
considered to be on vacation during any period
when you are expected to study or be working on
your dissertation / thesis, even if this is outside
term time.
Student Ambassador Scheme
At St Georges, we run a Student Ambassador
Scheme, where students get the opportunity
to support and represent their university.
The scheme offers students the opportunity
to work with young people across London
and mix with fellow students in each year
and course. The application process for the
scheme opens in September of each academic
year. If you are interested in applying or want
more information, look out for The Student
Ambassador Scheme stall at the Fresher Fayre
or email Paul Leech at paleech@sgul.ac.uk
Obtaining a National Insurance Number
You must apply for a National Insurance Number
(NI) if you plan to work in the UK. This is an
individual account number used for recording
National Insurance and tax contributions from your
pay. If you are thinking about starting work you can
apply for a NI number before you get a job. For
more information, contact our International Student
Advisor.
Travel Insurance
It is important that you take out a travel insurance
policy before leaving your country to cover you in
case anything happens to your belongings whilst
travelling to the UK. This should cover delays,
medical emergencies and the cost of replacing
any belongings if they are lost on your journey.
If you are coming to the UK for less than six
months you should take out both travel and
medical insurance for the duration of your stay.
If you choose to stay in Horton Halls your basic
belongings during your stay will be insured.
This cost is included in your rent payment.
Health Insurance
If you are studying on a course that is longer
than six months (or you are from the EEA),
you will currently qualify for National Health
Service (NHS) treatment from the beginning
of your stay. This means that you can see
a doctor or receive emergency and non-
emergency treatment in a hospital. You will
however need to pay for prescriptions (currently
8.05 per item), dental and optical treatment
(e.g. eye tests, glasses, contact lenses).
Students with families should bring their childrens
immunisation/health records with them to the UK.
If you are studying on a course of less than
six months, you are advised to take out
private health insurance during your stay as
treatment for you from the NHS will be limited
to emergency hospital treatment in an NHS
Accident and Emergency department. If
you are admitted to a hospital or given an
outpatient appointment, charges will apply.
European Economic Area (EEA)
EEA nationals can receive National Health
Service (NHS) care while in the UK and
should obtain a European Health Insurance
Card (EHIC) before travelling to the UK; www.
nhs.uk/nhsengland/healthcareabroad
If you are already taking medication,
you should bring enough with you to last
for two months. This should be packed in
your hand luggage together with any medical
notes you have concerning your illness. You
will need to register with a doctor (page 16)
soon after you arrive so that appropriate
arrangements can be made for your support.
Accommodation
At St Georges we have an Accommodation
Advisor who can provide advice and
guidance about university owned and
private accommodation. It is important that
you decide which type of accommodation
you want before you arrive in the UK.
If you are planning to live in University
accommodation (Horton Halls) you should
organise this before you travel to the UK. If
you plan to live in private accommodation we
would recommend that you stay in temporary
accommodation when you first arrive as it is
important that you view in-person any property
that you want to rent on a more permanent basis.
i) Horton Halls
Students who have an offer should have been
sent further information about booking a place
in Horton Halls at the beginning of June.
An inventory of your room will be taken
when you move in. This will help us make
sure that you get your full deposit back
at the end of the academic year.
Pre-departure guide 2013 09

When should I arrive?
If you are staying in Horton Halls, you
will usually be able to move in on the
Saturday before your course start date.
ii) Private accommodation
St Georges subscribes to the University
of London Housing Services (ULHS). This
is a fantastic resource which St Georges
students are entitled to access. It has a
Private Housing Unit which has a database
of available accommodation: http://
housing.london.ac.uk/cms/home/.
Do not sign any accommodation contract
you do not understand, as contracts
are legally binding. If you decide to move
in, ask for a tenancy agreement that both
you and the owner will sign. Contact the
Accommodation Advisor at St Georges if you
require any help with checking this agreement.
You will probably be asked to pay a deposit
before you can move in (usually equivalent to one
months rent). This should be given back to you
when you leave, provided all the bills have been
paid and there is no damage to the property or its
contents. You should contact the Accommodation
Advisor for information about how your landlord
should protect and refund your deposit.
You may be asked to sign an inventory for all the
items listed in the property. Get a copy of this and
a receipt for all the rent payments that you make.
10
iii) Accommodation insurance
If you are to be living in Horton Halls, basic
personal insurance is included in your rent and is
provided by the insurance provider Endsleigh:
www.endsleigh.co.uk
Representatives from Endsleigh will be available
at Horton Halls during your moving in period.
You will be able to ask them questions and
be given the opportunity to upgrade your
insurance (for e.g. to cover laptops and mobile
phones) by paying a small additional fee.
If you are living in private rented
accommodation, you will need to arrange
your own accommodation insurance.
iv) Council Tax
If you live in private accommodation at any time
during your studies you will be required to pay
council tax to the local council. This tax pays
for local services such as rubbish collection,
police services, fire brigade etc. Most full-time
international students will be exempt from paying
council tax provided they submit a council tax
exemption letter at the beginning of their stay.
You will need to go to the Student Centre
to discuss whether you will be exempt and
collect the exemption letter. Failure to pay
council tax or provide a council tax exemption
letter may result in a court order being
made against you. If you live in Horton Halls,
you will not need to pay council tax.
.
Arrival in the UK
At the Airport
There are 5 major airports connecting London:
Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, London City and
Luton. If your air journey involves a connection,
we recommend that you ask the airline staff
to check you and your luggage through to your
final destination as this will make your transfer
through the connection airport much easier.
Immigration/ Passport control
An Immigration officer may ask you for more
information about your visit to this country
and will need to be satisfied that you are a
genuine student, and you intend to leave
the UK at the end of your studies.

When satisfied, the immigration officer will put

a stamp in your passport showing the date you
entered the UK.

Please put any documents relevant to your

stay in your hand luggage, so they are
available if the officer asks for them. Postgraduate
Students are advised to bring paper copies of any
research work they are undetaking in the UK as
they may be questioned about this.

The officer may ask you for more information

about your visit to this country and he/she need
to be satisfied that you meet the immigration
rules for students and that you intend to leave
the UK at the end of your studies. When satisfied,
the immigration officer will put a stamp in your
passport to show the date you entered the UK.

Pre-departure guide 2013 11


Examples of questions you may be asked by
an immigration officer:
How long is your course and, what modules will
you be studying?
Are you planning on working in the UK? How many
hours? How much are you likely to be paid?
Where are you planning to live and how much will
you pay for rent?
As long as your documents are in order, you
should pass through immigration without any
problems. However, if you require assistance,
please do not hesitate to contact us (see
contact details at the back of this guide).
The great thing about
St Georges is the sheer
diversity of it. Here youll
find people from all corners
of the world. Everyone
knows everyone else and
its extremely easy to make
friends.
Zelda Ncube MBBS5
Fahmin Khalque MBBS5
12
Booking your own taxi/cab
If you would like to book your own taxi, the
University recommends Elite Cab Service who
can be contacted at info@elitecarservice.
com or on +44(0)20 8944 8011. We
recommend that you book your taxi at least
3 days in advance and ensure that you
receive confirmation of your booking.
Elite Cab Service can collect from London
airports and will organise the driver to wait in
the arrival lounge with an identifying signboard
with your name on it. At the time of booking,
you will need to provide your flight details,
destination address including postcode
and a contact telephone number (so make
sure that your phone is fully charged).
You should confirm the cost of the journey at the
time of booking. Please ensure that you have
the cash available in UK currency to pay for the
journey as credit cards may not be accepted.
If you decide to use an alternative taxi service,
you will need to check that they are a licensed
company never use an unlicensed company.
If you have pre-booked your taxi and your
flight is delayed we would recommend that
you contact the taxi company as soon as
possible. There may be additional costs
incurred if there are long delays.
Making your own way to SGUL or Horton Halls
by Public Transport
If you would prefer to make your own way from
the airport, there are lots of options. To plan
your route we recommend that you use the
Journey Planner on the Transport for London
(TFL) website at www.tfl.gov.uk and enter
the postcode of your final destination. The
postcode for Horton Halls is SW17 0BD.
From outside Tooting Broadway Station you
can take bus G1 to Battersea. The bus stops
outside Horton Halls and the name of the bus
stop (which will be announced on the bus) is
St Georges Grove. Please note, cash is not
accepted on London buses. You will need an
Oyster Card in order to use the bus and tube
in London. You can read further information
regarding Oyster Cards on page 19.

You will need to enter where in the UK you are

travelling from (for example, Heathrow Terminal
3) and where you are travelling to. If you are
travelling to St Georges you should enter Tooting
Broadway Station as this is the nearest tube
station to St Georges and Horton Halls. Please
note: it will take approximately 30 minutes to walk
from Tooting Broadway station to Horton Halls, so
we would recommend that you take a bus or taxi.

Following the ISS Tooting Top Ten vote, ISS President. Esther Lau presented Tooting Broadway Station staff
with a certificate to congratulate them on their friendly Service and motivating Thought of the day board

Pre-departure guide 2013 13

 Settling in
Welcome Weekend
The Student Centre invites all international
students to attend a special Welcome
Weekend towards the end of September.

The events over the weekend are organised

by the International Student Society (ISS), the
Student Centre and the Students Union.

The weekend is part of St Georges overall

welcome and is designed to help international
students settle in, make friends and feel
confident about their environment.

The welcome weekend is a great chance

to meet fellow international students and
start familiarizing yourself with your new
city. My favourite event was an open-top
double decker bus tour. It was great to see
the sights and get to know central London.
It really helped to get to know the lay of
the land!
Eric Joyce, Canada
MSc Applied Excercise for Health

14
Further details about the Welcome Weekend
will be sent to you in August 2014.
Induction
This is the period when new students are
introduced to University life. You will receive
an Induction timetable nearer the start of your
programme which will include details about the
time, date and venue of enrolment. Most courses
will start some academic teaching over the course
of the week that you really shouldnt miss.
There will be staff and student volunteers helping
guide you through the induction process.
In addition, the Student Services team will be
running advice sessions where you can find out
more about the range of support St Georges
has to offer. These include seminars on student
finance, disability support, careers advice and
sessions for international students. There will also
be organised social events where you can get to
know other students in an informal setting.
By the end of the week, you should have:
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Opening a bank account
After you arrive, you will want to open a bank
account. It may take a few weeks for the account
to be fully functional, so you will need to ensure you
have access to enough money to cover this period.
To open a bank account, you will need to
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Once you have enrolled for your course you
should contact the International Student
Advisor (ISA) in the Student Centre to request
a bank letter. This letter will confirm your
student status and proof of your UK and home
address. You must advise the ISA which bank(s)
you will be opening an account with so that
the letter(s) can be addressed correctly.
You will be guided through the process of
opening a bank account during your induction.
There are many major UK banks in and
around Tooting including Santander,
Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and NatWest.
Even if you have an account with one of
these banks in your home country, you will
still need to open a separate UK account.
We recommend that you check what each bank
can offer, for example. some accounts have a
nominal monthly fee and others may charge you
a set percentage on international bank transfers.
Please note that receiving an international
bank transfer may take a few working days.
You should receive monthly statements from your
bank. These are important documents so keep
them safe you will need to provide your latest
original bank statement if you wish to extend
your visa at a later date and some banks charge
if they are asked to produce extra copies.
Pre-departure guide 2013 15
 Registering with a Doctor
Details of how to register with the nearest
doctor will be available during induction;
it is a very straightforward process.
You will need to provide:
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We recommend that you register with
a doctor within the first few weeks of
starting University as you will become
busy with your studies very quickly.
You can ask that you wish to be seen
by a male or female doctor when
making an appointment.
If the doctor accepts you as a patient,
you will be sent a medical card through
the post with your NHS number.
Medical Assistance
If you need medical assistance you
should call 999 or 111 depending
upon the urgency of the situation:
Emergency - 999
If you need urgent medical assistance, telephone
999. The call is free. An operator will ask you
which emergency service you need (Fire, Police
or Ambulance). For urgent medical assistance
ask for the ambulance service. Be ready to tell
the emergency services what has happened and
exactly where you are, especially the street name.
You should call 101 to report crime
and other concerns that do not
require an emergency response.
16
NHS 111
NHS 111 is an easy way to access local
NHS healthcare services. You can call 111
when you need medical help fast but its not
a 999 emergency. NHS 111 is available
24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are
free from landlines and mobile phones.
Call 111 if:
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reassurance about what to do next
Looking after yourself
Looking after yourself is extremely important
in the first few weeks at University as many
students suffer from what is commonly
known in the UK as Freshers Flu. Common
symptoms include fever, sore throat, headache,
coughing and general discomfort.The illnesses
may or may not include actual flu, and is
often simply a bad cold. The causes are a
combination of a number of things including
mingling, lack of sleep and eating junk food.

Here are 5 top tips to overcome
the dreaded freshers flu:
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of vitamin C and eat fruit and veg then you
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Details of how to register will be available during
induction.
If you are required to register, you must
attend the Overseas Records Office (OVRO)
which is located at Brandon House, opposite
Borough tube station on the Northern Line.
When registering with the police you will need
to bring:
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paid in cash, currently 34
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be obtained from The Student Centre

Registering with the Police Each time you change your address, status,
Students of certain nationalities (see below) are or extend your permission to be in the UK
required to register with the police within 7 days of you must renew your police registration.
arriving in the UK. You only have to register if this There is no charge unless you have lost
requirement is stated on your visa. your original registration document.
Afghanistan Libya
Algeria Moldova
Argentina Morocco It is a criminal offence not to register with the
Armenia North Korea police if you are required to.
Azerbaijan Oman Religious needs
Bahrain Palestine Britain is a multi-faith and multi-cultural society
Belarus Peru and the University welcomes students and
Bolivia Qatar staff from all faiths and cultures. Students
Brazil Russia (including have the option of joining various Students
China Chechnya) Union religious societies such as the Hindu
Columbia Saudi Arabia Society, Islamic Society, Jewish Society,
Cuba Sudan (including South Sikh Society and the Christian Union.
Egypt Sudan)
There is a Multi-Faith and Quiet Contemplation
Georgia Syria
Room (www.sgul.ac.uk/student-life/ student-
Iran Tajikistan
support) at the University which is comprised
Iraq Tunisia
of a prayer room with a curtain that can be
Israel Turkey
drawn for male and female division, as well as a
Jordon Turkmenistan
breast feeding room, and additional side rooms
Kazakhstan United Arab Emirates
for quiet contemplation. It is free of charge to
Kyrgyzstan Ukraine
use and is open from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
Kuwait Uzbekistan
Lebanon Yemen We maintain close links with a variety of
faith groups and local places of worship.

Pre-departure guide 2013 17

 Mobile Phones
In the UK, there are two options you can choose from:
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card and top up the credit on your phone so that
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use your phone.
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Generally calls/texts are less expensive on contract
however this can take some time to arrange after you
have arrived.


In order to open a mobile phone contract you must
already have a UK bank account.
Your potential service provider will also need to run a
bank credit check on you to ensure that you have the
funds available to make the monthly payments.
If youre new to the UK, you wont have any credit
history and therefore even after you pass the
clearance, you may need to pay a substantial deposit
that will be repaid to you after 2 3 months of reliably
paying your bills on time. For this reason, many
students choose to go with a Pay as You go initially
then after a couple of months carry their phone
number over to a contract..
You can purchase Pay as You go phones from most
supermarkets and mobile phone shops and you can
start using it straight away.
To compare deals from all mobile networks in the go
to www.uswitch.com/mobiles/ networks/. It is a
good idea to bring your handset with you to the UK.
If you want to use your mobile or smart phone in the
UK, make sure to have it unlocked by your service
provider or manufacturer before leaving your home
country.
18
Safety
London is not considered a dangerous city to live
and study in but, like all large cities, you need to be
careful. Below are a few tips:
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in public places
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busy places, such as markets
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possible, do not travel home alone.
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that you keep a copy of the front cover and
personal details page(s) in the event that it is lost
or stolen.
We recommend that you read the British Council
brochure Creating confidence make sure that
your time in the UK is safe and enjoyable which
was produced with the aim of helping international
students having a positive experience in the UK
Travelling around London
Public transport
Travelling around London is very easy, as there
is a very good bus, train and underground train
(tube) system. It may seem confusing at first
but you will get used to it relatively quickly. The
main thing to remember is that you can travel to
most places in London using public transport.
We recommend that you use the Transport for
London (TFL) website; www.tfl.gov.uk when
planning on travelling in London.
Oyster travel cards
Most people in London use an Oyster card instead
of an individual paper ticket or travel card because
they are cheaper. An Oyster card is a blue, credit-
card sized card which you add money to (top up)
before you travel. You can top up your oyster
using machines at the tube/train station, many
local shops or online. For more information go to
www.tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/oyster
Applying for a 18+ Student Oyster Card
Once you have enrolled, you can register for a
Student Oyster Card which entitles you to a 30%
discount on travel against the price of an adult
rate travel card and bus pass. To apply go to
www.tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/students-
and-children and click on the 18+ Student
oyster photocard link. You will need a valid debit
or credit card to pay the 10 application fee and a
recent, digital passport-style photograph to upload.
It will make a real difference to the cost of your
travel, so it is worth doing as soon as you enrol!
The Underground (tube)
The tube is a very useful form of transport as
it is usually quick and can get you to most
areas of London. It can get very busy and hot
during Rush Hour (8-9.30am and 5- 7pm)
and there can be disruptions for repairs.
When you are travelling on the tube, you need to
think about which direction you are going in and
where you need to change lines to get to your
destination. You can download a PDF version of
the tube map from the TFL website or download
an application to your smartphone. You can
also pick up a tube map from most stations.
Buses
There is an extensive network of buses that run
throughout Greater London. It is a good way
to explore as you can look out of the window
and see where you are passing through, but
may take longer than the tube if there is bad
traffic. You can find bus maps/ routes on the
TFL website. Cash is not accepted on London
buses so you will need an Oyster Card.
Travelling around Great Britain
Public transport
We hope that students not only travel
around London but also around the whole of
Great Britain. There is so much culture,
countryside and heritage to experience.
For great suggestions on places to visit go to
www.visitbritain.com/en/Things-to-do/.
Students can travel to these different
locations at discounted prices by
applying for a National Rail Card.
A cheaper alternative to bus and train
is travelling by coach. For example
National Express and Megabus.
Applying for a National Rail Card
If you are aged between 16 and 25, or are older
and in full-time education, you can apply for a
16-25 Railcard once you have enrolled.
The card cost just 30 a year (or 70 for 3
years) and will save you a 1/3 on rail fares
throughout Great Britain. To apply online
you will need a debit or credit card, your
passport and a recent,digital passport-style
photograph to upload: www.railcard.co.uk
International Student House (ISH) Travel Club
All St Georges, international students are
automatically members of International Student
House (ISH). ISH is a social, cultural and
recreational centre located near Regents Park:
www.ish.org.uk. It is a central place to meet
students from all around the world. As a member,
you can enjoy a large variety of events, activities
and clubs including the ISH Travel Club which
offers cheap travel to fantastic destinations
with other students. ISH organises the trips
at hugely discounted prices! Keep up to date
with the trips, the itineraries, the deadlines
and the pictures at www.ishevents.org.
Pre-departure guide 2013 19
 Student support
services At St Georges, we have a dedicated team to
support you throughout your studies, including:
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for all queries no matter how small
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with academic skills in English
and specific learning needs
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member of staff who you can contact for
additional academic support and guidance
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service for those wanting to share or
discuss emotional difficulties
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to people of all faiths and those who
have no particular religious affiliation

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The Students Union (SU)

The Students Union represents all students
studying at SGUL. It provides an overwhelming
wealth of clubs, societies and community projects.
You are free to join as many clubs and societies
as you like. As an international student, we
would definitely recommend you join at least one
as it is a great way to make friends and meet
people. You can also set up a club of your choice
if you can get together enough interest. Check
out the SUs website at www.sgsu.org.uk

The Students Union organise an annual

Freshers Farye during the induction. This is
an opportunity to find out more about all the
clubs and societies on offer and get signed
up for things you might be interested in.

20
 Hello and congratulations on getting into St Georges. My name is Yan
Leung and I am one of the Vice-Presidents for St Georges SU.
In my role of VP for Education and Welfare, my priority job is to
look after whatever concerns, problems or worries you may have.
Please feel free to come and talk to me about anything, you dont need
to book an appointment.
Vice President for Education and Welfare 2012/13

Applying for a National Union of Students NUS

Extra discount card
The NUS extra discount card is invaluable to most The committee are inclusive and always welcome
students as it offers hundreds of discounts on new ideas, so perhaps you will be organising
shopping, travel, fashion and going out from just an event before you know it! The ISS also take
12. To apply online for the card, you will need part in organising the Welcome Weekend so we
a valid debit or credit card and a recent, digital would recommend that you attend so that you
passport-style photograph to upload: can meet and get to know the committee.
www.nus.org.uk/en/nus-extra/. When applying
you will need to provide the name of the
university and your course start and end dates.
Useful Contacts
International Student Society (ISS) International Student Advisor
St Georges has a very strong and active Elizabeth Witter
International Students Society (ISS) with visaadvice@sgul.ac.uk
students from all over the world. As an T: +44 (0) 20 8725 1981
international student at St Georges you
are automatically a member of the ISS. International Office
global@sgul.ac.uk
The ISS hold various events throughout the year T: +44 (0) 20 8725 6877
including monthly lunches, Chinese New Year
Dinner and an end of year barbecue which are Student Centre Main Enquiries
organised jointly with the Student Centre. studentcentre@sgul.ac.uk
T: +44 (0) 20 8266 6344
F: +44 (0) 20 8725 0841

Accommodation Advisor
accomodation@sgul.ac.uk
T: +44 (0) 20 8266 6348
Disability Adviser
disability@sgul.ac.uk
T: +44 (0) 20 8725 0143
Students Union
vpeducation@sgul.ac.uk
(ISS Committee, 2013 - 2014)
T: +44 (0) 20 8725 0451

Pre-departure guide 2013 21

 What I wish Theres a lovely group
on Facebook for either
Apply for a NUS extra
student discount card

I had done! the International

Students Society
before arriving in the UK
and a 18 + Student
(ISS) or St. Georges Oyster card once you
Helpful tips from current students Freshers, everyone have enrolled. They
is so friendly and will can take a few weeks
answer just about any to arrive but become
question you have. You an invaluable money
dont have to figure it saving resource.
all out on your own
Dont forget to include
Online food shopping travelling costs into
from Sainsburys can your budget. I was quite
be your friend if you surprised to see how
want to avoid the long expensive the public
If living in halls make sure you bring walk back to halls in transport in London
a warm duvet for the winters and the rain in the winter can be compared
to back home
buy a small fan for the summer! Although you may want
to be super prepared by Go to as many events
bringing all your binders as possible and get
etc, everything in UK involved with the sports
Make sure you bring Online food shopping is actually two hole teams; its a great way
lots of proof of ID from Sainsburys can punch not three (at to meet new people
and obtain a proof be your friend if you least if youre coming
of address from the want to avoid the long from North America! Once you arrive go
university ASAP its walk back to halls in So wait until you get with flow and dont be
very important for the rain in the winter here to buy them afraid to talk to people.
sorting out phones Try lots of different
and bank accounts. things because the
SU and ISS makes it
Charge your phone, To be honest as long as you come easy for you to be able
laptop and basic
with an open mind you will to do this by providing
necessities fully
before you arrive. This
have a great time. lots of events

will buy you some Sometimes not knowing what to

There are many
time to purchase expect will make it that much clubs and societies
an international more exciting for you where you get to meet
conversion adapter Nick other people who
for your chargers. are passionate about
the same things.

22
 Follow the official I would recommend
SGUL ISS and SU living on a budget for Take vitamin C tablets during
twitter page to keep a month before you Freshers week! Freshers
updated with the latest move just to get used
news - @SGUL_ISS to living on a budget.
flu is real and it can hit you
- @SGUL_SU Also good if you learn regardless of how well you ate
to cook some simple or warmly you dressed. A heavy
If you are looking to meals, just because bout of the flu can make you
live off campus, take eating take out gets
your time finding a boring after a while!
miserable and homesick. These
place. Dont be afraid vitamin tablets can do wonders
to make the move Sign up for a national for your immune system.
without something insurance number
lined up, there is a TON sooner rather than
of housing in London later as youll need it
and you want to make for any paid work you
sure that you find a do, including things
place that you like, in at the university.
an area you like

The weather in London

can be a bit funny so
I would recommend
bringing quite a lot
of autumn clothes
as I brought a lot of
summer clothes

Use the books from

the library first, before
purchasing them.
Only purchase books
that you really need

Pre-departure guide 2013 23

 External
organisations UK Council for International Student Affairs
(UKCISA)
UKCISA is the UKs national advisory body
serving the interests of international students
and those who work with them. See their
website for a wealth of information specific to
International Students, from immigration to
driving in the UK. If you have any questions
about living in the UK as an international
student, this would be the place to start!
9-17 St. Albans Place, London N1 ONX
Advice: 020 7107 9922
(Monday Friday: 1-4pm )
Website: www.ukcisa.org.uk

International Students House (ISH)

ISH is a unique social, cultural and recreational
centre in the heart of London - the ideal place
to meet and make friends. They are open all
year round and provide a wide programme
of events, activities, sports and hobbies in
a safe, friendly and fun environment.
229 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5PN
Tel: 020 7631 8300
Website: www.ishevents.org.uk

HOST UK
HOST is a voluntary organisation, a network of
UK residents who welcome adult international
students to their homes for a weekend,
or Christmas, visit. The purpose is to give
students an insight into the way of life in
Britain. Students also share their own culture
with their hosts. By helping students far
from home to feel welcome in the UK.
HOST contributes to international
friendship and goodwill.
Tel: 0207 739 6292
Website: www.hostuk.org

24
Useful Websites:
www.ukstudentlife.com - tips and
advice about Student Life in the UK
www.educationuk.org - British Council
www.timeout.com/london - TimeOut
London listings guide to arts, culture
and going out in the capital
www.studentcalculator.org.uk/international
- a lifestyle calculator developed by UNIAID and
designed to help international students plan
and manage their finances for study in the UK.
www.prepareforsuccess.org.uk - an
interactive online resource to help students
prepare for academic study in the UK.
www.tfl.gov.uk - transport for London
includes an excellent Journey Planner
www.nationalrail.co.uk - train travel in the UK
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk - UK Border
Agency
www.nhs.uk - National Health Service
St Georges, University of London is
not responsible for the content on
any of the above websites.
See you soon!
We hope that you have found this pre-departure
guide useful, and that your preparations
for coming to London are going well. As an
international student at St Georges, youll be
joining the healthcare professionals of the future
from all around the world. Were proud to be
members of this close community in the great city
of London, and excited that youll be joining St
Georges community, and we hope you are too!
One of the great strengths of St Georges is
its friendliness and inclusivity. Please keep
asking questions before you come to London,
when you arrive and throughout your time
with us. Our extensive network of staff and
students will support you and will make your
time with us as rewarding as possible.
See you soon!
Best wishes,
Elizabeth Witter
International Student Advisor
Pre-departure guide 2013 25
St Georges, University of London
Cranmer Terrace
London
SW17 0RE

Telephone 0208 672 9944

Fax 0208 672 6940
Web www.sgul.ac.uk

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