Preparing for study at Newcastle University Reuven Fletcher MA Cross Cultural Communication and International Relations graduate 2007 & International Officer

Welcome to Newcastle!  Congratulations on receiving your offer!  Newcastle continues to be one of the UK’s most popular study destinations  International student satisfaction now stands at 91%, an increase of 15% in the last five years (International Student Barometer Autumn 2009)

Introduction 1.Preparing to Come to the UK Accommodation, Health, Money Matters, the Journey 2. Arrival in the UK International Welcome, Registration, English Language support 3. Student Life at Newcastle Public transport, key University dates 4. Pre-Departure Checklist

Preparing to come to the UK (1) 1. Accept your offer 2. Apply for your Accommodation  All international students are guaranteed accommodation once you have firmly accepted your offer, and met the conditions  UG accommodation 38 week contract  PG accommodation 49 week contract  Apply online at

Preparing to come to the UK (2): Accommodation  Overseas students guaranteed University owned accommodation during their first year  Over 4,200 rooms:  Self-catered £71 - £124 per week  Catered £99 - £117 per week  Majority of accommodation available on campus and within walking distance, including:  en-suite accommodation  specialist accommodation for post- graduates

Preparing to come to the UK (3): Visa and Health 3. Organise your Visa 4. Health  Eligible for free NHS health cover, on a full-time study programme over 6 months  NHS cover includes free appointments and treatment (prescriptions have a fixed charge £7.20)  Bring copies of prescriptions with you  Dental care can be expensive in the UK, so have a check up before you come

Preparing to Come to the UK (4): Money 5. Tuition fees  Can be paid in instalments, by bankers draft, by credit/debit card online, by bank transfer  If you pay in a single instalment you are eligible for a 2% discount (tuition fees and accommodation)  Online tuition fee payments: Opening a UK Bank Account  You will need to discuss with your bank at home how you can transfer funds  Information at International Welcome

Preparing to Come to the UK (5): Cost of Living Cost of living in Newcastle is LOW in comparison with other UK cities Undergraduate: £7,500 (9-months) Postgraduate: £9,000 (12-months) This includes: accommodation, food, study costs, social life, travel costs, clothing.

Arrival in the UK (1): The Journey 1.The Journey  Target arrival date: 21 September  Start of Autumn term: 27 September  Fly to Newcastle: direct via Amsterdam, Paris  Fly to London and travel to Newcastle: avoid this if possible  Luggage: weight restrictions, request extra

Arrival in the UK (2): What to Pack - Hand Luggage Take something warm to wear for when you arrive Currency: Sterling (also Euros for Amsterdam/Paris) Health Certificates/x rays Evidence that you can meet the cost of your study programme (bankers draft) Certificate of Acceptance 6 Passport size photos Accommodation details Contact details for the University and your family Familiar snacks! Mobile phone (and Charger!)

Arriving in the UK (3): International Welcome Dates: Wednesday 21 – Friday 23 September  Airport ‘Meet and Greet’ Service  Information and Orientation  Social Events  Vice-Chancellor’s Reception

Arrival in the UK (4): Airport Pick up Service Tuesday 21 September 9.00 am to 8.00 pm Wednesday 22 September 9.00 am to 7.00 pm Thursday 23 September 9.00 am to 5.30 pm You need to book this FREE service at:

Arrival in the UK (5): International welcome International Welcome Sessions Accommodation Wellbeing Service Student Advice Centre/University Immigration Officer Careers Service Faith provision Student Community Action Network Insessional Language Provision Sports Centre IT Workshop

Arrival in the UK (6): University Registration  All students must register formally with the University  During registration you will be given a SMART card – which give you access to all the University facilities: Library, computer clusters, Students’ Union  Registration takes place after International Welcome

Arrival in the UK (7): English Language Support  English Tests on arrival during Registration: not a pass or fail test  Free ‘In-sessional’ English Language support for the duration of your course  Excellent Open-Access Language Centre  More Information at:

Student Life in Newcastle (1)  Students’ Union  Excellent sports facilities  Campus – city centre location  Surrounding Region  Affordable living costs

Student Life in Newcastle (2): Students’ Union  Home to over 100 Student Societies  Welfare Support: Student Advice Centre  Volunteering opportunities through SCAN (Student Community Action Newcastle)  Student Democracy  Job Shop  Athletic Union – Home to over 55 sports clubs  Catering outlets, shop

Pre Departure Checklist (Continued) Tuition Fees information Tuition Fee payments Certificate of Acceptance Student Welcome Booklet

The flight arriving in Newcastle Travellers entering UK from a non EU country are required to declare if they are carrying more than 10,000 Euros (£6,800), - this includes cheques, bankers drafts and cash in any currency. If a traveller fails to declare this or if they provide incorrect or incomplete information they could face a penalty of up to £5000.

Student Life in Newcastle (3): Public Transport Excellent public transport system  METRO: underground transport system  Local buses  Trains  International Airport In Newcastle it is quick and easy to get around

Student Life in Newcastle (4): METRO Map

Student Life in Newcastle (5): Key Dates Target Arrival Date Tuesday 21 September 2010 International Welcome Programme Dates Wednesday 21 – Friday 23 September 2010 Freshers Week Dates Sunday 25 – Wednesday 28 September 2010

Student Life in Newcastle (6): Key Dates Academic Term Dates: Autumn: Monday 27 September Friday 17 December 2010 Spring: Monday 10 January Friday 01 April 2011 Summer: Monday 03 May Friday 17 June 2011 SEMESTER 1 Monday 27 September Friday 28 January 2011 SEMESTER 2 Monday 31 January Friday 17 June 2011

Student Life in Newcastle (7): British Culture  Smoking banned in public places  Drinking legal age 18  Food (and other cultures)  University Culture (your time is your own... manage it well!)

Newcastle: a home from home  Active Nigerian Student Society: Hanna Kabir or Tonye Dikibo  Halal food across the City  Restaurants  Shops  Places of worship on Campus and many more in City

Pre Departure Checklist  Firmly accept your offer  Arrange accommodation  Visa/Passport   Luggage – weight restrictions  Arrange flights  Mobile phone – check  Bank Account – check  Make copies of you passport

Do some pre-departure research!

Famous Alumni – Mr Bean! Rowan Atkinson – BSc Electrical Engineering

Alnwick Castle - Harry Potter Madame Hooche’s Flying Lessons

International Office Kings Gate Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK TEL: FAX: Register online: Contact us