1. Pre - departure briefing
July 2014

2. Pre-departure checklist
Make sure you have completed the following before your departure:
You have your visa and all other documents required to enter the country
Have done any medical tests as required
Arranged accommodation in the UK
Booked for the International Orientation Programme – including the free airport pick up from Heathrow Airport on the 23rd of September
Packed appropriate clothing
Pre-departure briefing

3. Documents checklist prior to departure
Valid passport or your national identity card if you are from the EU
UK student visa
All correspondence from the university, including your unconditional offer letter and accommodation contract letter
6 passport sized photographs
Evidence of funding for your tuition fees and living costs, including sponsor letter if applicable
Health certificates, including vaccination records, X-ray reports, and any medicine with prescription letter (if applicable)
Any other important documents such as insurance documents and international driving license
Pre-departure briefing

4. Pre-departure medical
Consult your doctor prior to departure
Ensure that you undergo your medicals such as X rays, blood tests, urine tests etc. and carry the results with you
If you are on medication for any illness, carry some supplies and also a doctors prescription with you
You may want to carry some basic medication for flu, fever or pain relief
Pre-departure briefing

5. Your luggage What to bring: What NOT to bring:
Money in cash/bank draft/bank cheque format. Make sure to have enough British Pounds for the first few days
Clothing: UK weather is unpredictable so pack a good mix of summer and winter clothing
You may wish to bring something that has sentimental value for you, i.e. a picture of your family
You may wish to bring cooking spices in small quantities
What NOT to bring:
No liquids (over 100ml) in your hand luggage
Any cooking equipment
Food items such as grains, rice, pickles and fruit
Frozen or cooked food
Pre-departure briefing

6. Accommodation
If you are living in the Middlesex halls of residence make sure your acceptance has been received. If you are unsure contact
If you are in private accommodation make sure that it is available the day you arrive
To search for private accommodation visit
Note the start and end dates of your contract
Do not travel to the UK without having a place to stay
Pre-departure briefing

7. Arrival at airport Remain calm and poised at the immigration counter
Be honest and truthful when asked questions
Proceed to collect your luggage
Take the green channel exit if you have nothing to declare
Do not hesitate to ask for directions / guidance if you are not sure about something
Once you exited the restricted area with your luggage, look for a Middlesex representative wearing a red Middlesex T-Shirt (only for students arriving on 23 September at Heathrow airport)
Pre-departure briefing

8. From the airport to campus
Free airport meet and greet service
Offered on Tuesday, 23 September at Heathrow Airport (all terminals) from 7 am to 9pm
You MUST book yourself on this service – this is done when booking yourself on the Orientation programme
Members of the staff and student body will be at the airport on your arrival
The bus journey from Heathrow to campus takes about 2 to 3 hours with buses leaving the airport approximately every 2 hours
Finding your own way to campus
If you have not registered for the airport meet and greet service or are arriving at an airport other than Heathrow you have a few options available to you:
For public transport options please check
Black cabs are available at every airport in the designated taxi area (please note this service tends to be expensive)
Each airport also has a bus service into central London. Follow the signs at the airport or go to the Information Desk for more info
Pre-departure briefing

9. After you arrive
Call or your family / friends back home and inform them that you have arrived safely
Make sure you attend the orientation programme
Make yourself familiar with the local area where you live
Get yourself acquainted with the bus and tube (underground trains)
Pre-departure briefing

10. Orientation programme
23 – 28 September
The orientation programme is an introduction to your life in the UK and life as a Middlesex student
Tuesday 23 September 2014: Airport meet and greet from Heathrow airport
Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 September: Information and interaction days including free breakfast, an information fair, meeting your fellow students, workshops, social activities, games and much more
Friday 26 September: Fun Friday – a day dedicated to making new friends including a British Tea Party, a Hall’s party and an evening event organized by the Students Union
Saturday 27 September: Guided tour of London (costs extra)
Sunday 28 September: Trip to Shakespeare’s hometown, Stratford-upon- Avon (costs extra)
To find out more, or book: visit
Pre-departure briefing

11. Opening a bank account and registering with a doctor
You should aim to open a bank account as soon as possible after you arrive in the UK
Major UK banks are: NatWest, Lloyds, HSBC, Barclays
Documents required: passport, student status, offer letter and accommodation offer letter/ proof of residence. Please check with your local bank what additional documents might be needed
Registering with a doctor
It is very important that you register with your local National Health Service (NHS) doctor which is free of charge
You have to pay for prescriptions – £7.65 per item
Opticians and dental treatment is not available through NHS and there will be a standard charge per visit
Accident and emergency services are free
Pre-departure briefing

12. Registering with police & National Insurance
If you have a visa that requires you to register with the police, you must register at the Overseas Visitors Records Office (OVRO) in London
If you applied for entry leave from outside the UK, you must register if the Entry Clearance (visa) inside your passport says ‘Police registration within 7 days of arrival’.
If you applied for entry leave from inside the UK, you will have a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). Look at the back (reverse) of your (BRP).
To find the nearest police station in your borough visit Hendon is in the London borough of Barnet.
Applying for a National Insurance (NI) number
Your NI number is used as a reference number for the benefits and tax credits system. You are required to have an NI number before you can get a job in the UK. To apply please call For more information on National Insurance go to
Pre-departure briefing

13. Working on a student visa
The rules surrounding working in the UK while you are studying are complicated and will depend upon several conditions attached to your visa. For up to date information visit the UK Visa and Immigration website
Before looking for work, check that you have permission to do so, as working without permission could have serious consequences
If you are allowed to work, you must apply for a National Insurance number
Students are liable to pay income tax which can be refunded at the end of the tax year which is in April depending on your income
Middlesex University offers visa and immigration support. For more information visit
Pre-departure briefing

14. Health and safety Emergency number is 999
When you hear a fire alarm, you must evacuate immediately
It is recommended that you take out insurance for your personal belongings
Keep your personal details/documents safe i.e. pin numbers, passport, bank details
Avoid carrying large sums of cash
Make sure you only use licensed taxis
Pre-departure briefing

15. Before induction week
There are a number of things you should do before Induction Week to ensure you are ready for your new student life and help us prepare for your arrival. Before you start, you should:
Get fully enrolled via myUniHub. Enrolment opens Monday 1 September 2014
Change your default password on myUniHub for security reasons.
Pay any fees that are due
Prepare the documentation you need for your ID check
Check your modules and timetable via myUniHub
Access your University account via myUniHub
Pre-departure briefing

16. Induction week 29 September – 3 October
Induction Week is your introduction to Middlesex
It is your opportunity to:
explore the campus
meet your tutors
learn more about your programme of study
receive your programme handbook
find your specialist teaching spaces
get to know the library and its services
make friends with fellow students and have some fun
Students have different schedules for their Induction Week depending on what course you are studying. Your programme induction may take place over a number of days. You will receive your individual induction schedule by
You can also search for your specific programme induction through the  online induction database
Pre-departure briefing

17. Studying at Middlesex
The University teaches across the following six Schools:
School of Art and Design
Business School
School of Health and Education
School of Law
School of Media and Performing Arts
School of Science and Technology
As a student of Middlesex you will experience a variety of learning and teaching methods
In higher education it is common for students to have a combination of lectures, face-to-face and remote tutorials, seminars, practical sessions and lab sessions, as well as online learning materials. Many lectures, labs and seminars are planned by your tutors with an expectation that you will have completed specified reading/activity in advance of the session
Pre-departure briefing

18. What Middlesex expects from you
Manage your time efficiently
Engage in ‘active listening’ during class and take notes
Be punctual: you’ll get a better understanding of the aims of the session if you hear the lecture/tutorial in its entirety
Be courteous: don’t interrupt the learning of others by talking or arriving late
Complete any preparatory work in advance of the class
Play an active role in any group work or larger discussion
Plagiarism (the copying of other people’s work) is strictly forbidden and will result in expulsion
Pre-departure briefing

19. Your fees
To find out how much your fees are and when to pay visit
Fees can be paid in the following ways:
online using a debit/credit card
by international bank transfer
in person at the Hendon campus cash office
by post (cheque or draft only)
by telephone
For more information on how to pay please visit
Pre-departure briefing

20. Your campus
Hendon campus is one of London’s biggest single university campuses. Over the last few years, we have invested a lot of time, effort and money into developing our buildings and facilities to ensure the best possible student experience for you.
Pre-departure briefing

21. Sheppard Library & Sports
The Sheppard Library
The Sheppard Library houses our library collections, computers, study spaces, printers and copiers
The Library is open 24 hours a day / seven days a week during term time and has Wi-Fi access throughout
Sports
The The Fitness Pod is our state of the art fitness facility
There is something on offer for everyone including fitness classes, sport activities aimed at beginners, recreational leagues and coached sessions
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22. Students Union & Alumni
All students are automatically members of Middlesex University Students' Union (MDXSU)
MDXSU is run by students and provides student support, welfare, rights and extra curricular activities
Alumni
The Alumni Association allows you to easily maintain close contact with the University
Membership benefits include: employability support, help building your professional and personal networks, and invites to Middlesex events
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23. London life
London is one of most culturally diverse cities in the world
A city of many neighborhoods, each with its own distinct character
Buzzing with a selection of pubs, bars, restaurants and shopping areas such as Oxford Street, Camden Market, Carnaby Street, Covent Garden and Brent Cross
Legendary nightlife and the world‘s best ethnic restaurants
Mixture of culture, huge parks, fantastic sports facilities and a packed calendar of festivals
Pre-departure briefing

24. UniHub Useful student information can be found on www.unihub.mdx.ac.uk
It has a password protected area myUnihub, where you can
Enrol for your studies, access your timetable
Access online learning materials
Get support for your studies and guidance on University life   
Use and see important announcements
Make online payments and view your financial account
Your login details are ed to you by the University
Pre-departure briefing

25. UniHelp desk
UniHelp is your first port of call for general student enquiries
It offers a wide range of services such as:
Academic support
Financial enquiries
Library and IT support
Immigration and welfare support
Access to other university services
For most of the year, the UniHelp desk opening hours are: 8.30am–9.30pm, Monday to Friday & 11am–6pm, Saturday and Sunday
Visit for more info
Pre-departure briefing

26. Key dates 23 September Airport pick up 24 September – 28 September
International orientation week
29 September - 3 October
Induction week
6 October
Term starts
Pre-departure briefing