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Pre departure manual You must be fully prepared for your journey and arrive in the UK before you leave home. Your place of study should have sent you information on how to get there and how much it will cost. You should also have been given a 24-hour telephone number and the name of someone you can contact if you have any problems on your journey. You should plan your journey from your point of entry in the UK to your final destination and how when and where you are supposed to arrive. If you don't have the above information, contact your place of study immediately so that you can be fully prepared for your journey. You may also want to look up your place of study on the internet before you leave. It is assumed that you will be arrive at an airport in the UK, If you are studying near to or in London, you may choose to book a flight into Gatwick, heathrow or London City airports. If you are studying elsewhere in the UK, you should book a direct flight to a regional airport, e.g. Manchester or Birmingham, or book a connecting flight from a European airport or one of the London airports. This will save on the cost of a train journey, cut down on travel time and avoid having to stay overnight in costly London accommodation. Documentation for your journey The following documents are needed when you arrive at the UK, where you will be interviewed by immigration and health officials. It is therefore important that you bring with you:

A valid passport, with a visa or UK entry clearance, if required An air ticket Vaccination certificates, if required An X-ray report, if required A letter of acceptance from your place of study Documentary evidence that you have enough money to pay tuition fees and accommodate yourself while studying (recent bank statements, proof of scholarship or sponsor's letter) Originals (or certified true copies) of any degree certificates or technical qualifications.

Make sure you keep the above documents and the following in your hand luggage: Some warm clothing Some British currency Insurance documents A list of what you are carrying in your luggage in case you have to make an insurance claim Any prescribed drugs or medicine you are taking, plus a letter from your doctor explaining what they are An address, telephone number and travel instructions your final destination The first step pre-departure pack. Money You need to order British currency and traveler's cheques and bring enough money to cover you immediate needs on your arrival in the UK, including customs charges, rail fares and any emergency expenses. About Ł200 should be enough, but if you have dependants with you, you will need correspondingly more. Transfer of funds If you are planning to transfer extra money to the UK you should arrange this before you leave your home country. Also before you leave home, check whether you need permission to transfer money to the UK and whether your government has restrictions on the amount of money you can take out of your country. Clothing and other items You should have enough warm clothing for your flight and subsequent journey. Several layers of lightweight clothes are better then a single shirt or dress. It is probably cheaper and easier to buy warm winter clothing in the UK, rather then in your home country. It is worth bringing items of your national dress to wear at social events, and photographs of family and home may be of interest to new friends who would like to learn about other cultures. It is useful to bring some passport-sized photographs of yourself. Luggage You will have a free baggage allowance which will be shown on your air ticket; this is usually 23kg or one bag of limited size, but it will be 20kg on some airlines. Only essential personal possessions may be brought in addition to research materials. You may be charged for excess baggage if you exceed the baggage allowance, so check with the airline before you leave if you need clarification on your allowance. You should make a list of everything you bring. If any of your baggage is sent by sea or by unaccompanied air freight, you will be responsible for all charges. Advice on importing personal effects and goods into the UK may be obtained from HM Customs and Excise Dorset House Does et House Stamford Street London SE1 9 PY UK Insurance You should insure your luggage, personal possessions and money before leaving your home country, as risks in large cities can be considerable, especially if you are unfamiliar with the UK. Security Pickpockets can be a hazard in many cities in the UK. Always carry your money in an inside pocket, never in you back trouser pocket or on the outside of a coat or jacket. If you leave your jacket anywhere, always take your money with you. Never leave a handbag unattended, even for short periods; always keep it with you.