Welcome to the University of Birmingham Mingya Zong China Project Manager

University of Birmingham  Insert Video – the university

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

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

Next Steps: Administrative Tasks  Finance  Accommodation  Immigration  Preparing to Leave Home

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)

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

Examples of living costs (approximate)  Food £ 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:

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. British Council: Independent online currency converter ONADA:

Accommodation  Insert Video - Accommodation

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)

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:

Immigration  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) Student Visa Applications (study for 6 months +) Tier 4 Points Based System: ‘General Student’

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:

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, = £4.92 per hour  Type of work: clerical, retail, bar, restaurant  Do not rely on work as a source of funding Learn More:

Employment after your study  Do your research early  Contact International Student Advisory Service (ISAS) and Careers Centre  Get permission from your sponsor Learn more:

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

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

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:

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

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

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)

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 ( , )

When to arrive at the university  House hunting event (private sector)  Sept 2011  Free Airport Collection Service  17 th – 18 th Sept 2011  London Heathrow 1030 – 1700  Birmingham International  Welcome Week (International)  19 th – 22 nd 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 – 26 th September 2011  Non-Standard start dates - refer to your offer letter Further information:

Welcome Week International Insert video - orientation

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’

Before you Leave Home Please read  Student Registration Guide  Welcome Booklet (receive by )

Useful Contacts  University Offer or Admissions Refer to offer letter index.shtml  Tuition Fees Payment (Refer to Finance Office)  Accommodation Refer to Housing Services  Welcome Week (International) refer to ISAS (from August)  Immigration/General Enquiries Refer to ISAS