INTO Newcastle Pre-Departure Guide

Pre-departure guide

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INTO NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY
YOUR BEST ROUTE TO UNIVERSITY SUCCESS

Pre-departure guide 2010-2011

Welcome

Dear INTO student,

We are delighted that you have decided to study at INTO Newcastle University and hope
your preparations for coming to join us are well underway. Staff within the INTO centre are
getting ready to welcome you and the many other new students joining us from overseas
and it is important to us that your experience as a student at INTO Newcastle University is
a happy and rewarding time.
You are about to embark on an exciting adventure where you will meet new people, live
in new surroundings and experience new cultures. In addition to being incredibly exciting,
this can also be very daunting for new students and this guide has been created to help you
ensure your arrival to the UK and to Newcastle goes as smoothly as possible.
Newcastle is one of the most exciting and friendly cities in the UK and we hope that you
will enjoy your stay in Newcastle and that the course will meet your needs and expectations.
If at any time during your time at INTO Newcastle University you have any problems with
your course, accommodation, health, money etc, there will always be someone available to
help you - either your course tutors or INTO support staff.
INTO is dedicated to ensuring that our students feel totally safe and supported. All INTO
Newcastle University students are issued with an emergency telephone number which can
be used to ask for assistance from INTO staff at any time of the day or night.

We look forward to meeting you!

Kevin Conroy
Centre Director

Start dates
All students should plan to arrive two days prior to your programme start
date - please ensure you arrive on time!

In case of emergency call INTO Newcastle University on +44 (0) 7504 082 421

Meet the INTO Newcastle
University team

Kevin Conroy Helen Douglas Shonagh Doig Alex Perrin
Centre Director Academic Director Head of Student Services Student Progress Manager

Nikki Spires Christine Upright Jo Dovey John-paul Appleton
Admissions Team Leader Welfare Officer Accommodation Officer Student Services Officer

Sangita Bhatti Jan Soulsby
Student Services Officer Accommodation officer

Contents
Welcome 2 Orientation programme 11
Meet the INTO Newcastle Registering for your course 12
University team 3 Making the most of your first week 14
Before you leave 4 Social programme 15
Before you arrive in the UK 5 Health and safety 16
Arrival at the airport 6 Key contacts, useful numbers
Arriving at INTO Newcastle University 7 and websites 17
Airport collection form 8 Maps 18
Money 10 3


Before you leave

Checklist – before you leave home
Please make sure you have completed everything on this checklist before you leave home. 

1. Have you paid full fees for your tuition, accommodation and insurance (if applicable)?

2. Have you returned your Arrivals Details Form to admissions.finance@into.uk.com?
3. Do you require an INTO airport taxi transfer? If so, please complete the Airport Transfer Booking
Credit Card form.
4. Have you booked your accommodation?

5. Have you organised cash and pound sterling traveller’s cheques to bring with you?

6. Have you checked your passport is valid for at least six months?

7. Have you applied for and received your visa?
8. Have you packed all relevant original documentation or certified copies including your:
• INTO Offer Letter
• INTO CAS statement – if required
• IELTS certificate or original English Language test result
• ny other original documents/transcripts listed in your INTO Visa Letter, for example your
A
high school certificate or home university certificates. You will need these to FULLY register
and enroll on your course, and to make a visa extension in the UK
• Passport
• B
ank statements (for the last three months and stamped by the bank) as evidence of sufficient
funds to show the Immigration Officer on arrival at the airport in the UK.
9. Have you got your documents for medical registration?
• Immunisation History Book
• UK Foreign Commonwealth Office Visa Tuberculosis Screening Certificate (if you have one)
10. Have you put the emergency telephone numbers into your mobile phone
(to be put into your hand luggage)?
11. Do you know your airline’s luggage allowance and have you packed accordingly?
12. Do you have:
• Photographs from home?
• Waterproof coat and shoes?
• Address and phone numbers of friends and family?
• Adaptor for UK electricity sockets?

4


Before you arrive in the UK

Applying for a UK student visa • When your visa is issued it will include your CAS number
Most international students from outside the European Union as supplied on the CAS Statement.
who wish to take a full-time course in the UK must apply for a • If you change your mind and want to study at another
visa prior to leaving their home country. institution, you have to tell us before you come to the
You can check your status on the following website: UK so we can cancel your CAS with UKBA, and
www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/doineedvisa/visadatvnationals you can re-apply for your visa with a CAS from a
If you are a visa national you can apply for a Student different sponsor.
Visitor Visa for courses of six months or less; a General
Changes to your student registration status
Student Visa (Tier 4) for English language courses at or above
We must tell the UK Border Agency about any students who
B2 on the CEFR; or a General Student Visa (Tier 4) for
have an entry clearance visa issued under PBS rules who fail
courses at Level 3 on the National Qualifications framework
to arrive for the start of a course, withdraw from a course,
(NQF) at an institution which is deemed to be, or is on, the
defer or suspend their studies, or fail to attend for significant
Register of Highly Trusted Sponsors.
periods of time.
How will the Points Based System (PBS) affect Further information about the points based system can
my entry clearance/student visa application? be found at the following websites. We advise that you check
If you are a visa national and you apply for a General Student these websites regularly for up to date information.
Visa you will need a ‘Confirmation of Acceptance for UK Border Agency:
Studies’(CAS), which is an electronic number, that http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/
we will provide for you.
British Embassy/High Commission:
Applying for your General Student Visa (TIER 4) http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/wheretoapply
to come to the UK UKCISA (Council for International Student Affairs):
When you apply for a General Student Visa (Tier 4) http://www.ukcosa.org.uk/student/pbs_students.php
you must include a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
(CAS) number. Meeting immigration staff at the airport
• We will send your CAS details when you confirm your When you arrive at a UK airport, you should be prepared to
unconditional offer of a place to study and pay your answer some questions about yourself, including where you
deposit/full fees. will be staying and what you intend to do during your time
• Your CAS will not be sent more than six months before in the UK.
the start of your course. You may be asked to undergo a brief, routine health
• The CAS number will be included in a letter called a ‘CAS check by the airport doctor, which might include an X-ray.
Statement’. This will also include important information The health check will take place in a separate room.
needed for your visa application. Afterwards, you will need to return to Immigration Control.
• You can only apply for your visa three months or less Please note that if you have already studied in the UK and
before the start of your course. are changing your education provider, you will need to apply
for a visa for your new course at INTO Newcastle University.
• The start date is published on your CAS Statement. If you
This could take up to 40 days. It is a criminal offence to
plan to arrive on a different date you must let us know. change educational providers before you have received
This is very important as we must inform the UK Border your new visa from the Home Office. INTO Newcastle
University will not be able to register you on the course
Agency (UKBA) if you do not arrive on time.
unless you have a valid visa, and will ask you to leave.
5


Arrival at the airport

How to get to Newcastle Newcastle International Airport
Tel: +44 0871 882 1121
The following information is to help you if you intend
http://www.newcastleairport.com/
to make your own way to Newcastle. We recommend
Newcastle International Airport is the closest airport
that you travel by air to Newcastle International
to Newcastle University. There are regular flights
Airport, either direct, or via Amsterdam, Brussels,
to Newcastle from London Heathrow, Amsterdam,
Copenhagen or Paris.
Brussels, Copenhagen and Paris. The flight from
We do NOT recommend that you travel via
Amsterdam to Newcastle takes 1 hour 30 minutes.
London as transiting London can be difficult, but for
The easiest way to reach Newcastle University from
those who cannot avoid travelling via London we
Newcastle International Airport is by local taxi. The
suggest you book a connecting flight to Newcastle
trip takes about 20 minutes and should cost around
International Airport.
£20.00.
A connecting flight is the easiest (and often the
cheapest!) way to travel from Heathrow to Newcastle.
London Heathrow Airport
British Airways fly directly to Newcastle International
Tel: +44 0870 0000123
Airport (www.ba.com) with the flight taking about 1
www.baa.co.uk/main/airports/heathrow
hour 15mins.
Heathrow is the world’s busiest airport with flights to
and from more than 170 different destinations
worldwide. Heathrow is on the outskirts of London
and is about 300 miles from Newcastle.

Important
Please also allow plenty of time for any onwards
connections as there are often long queues at
Passport Control.
If you intend to travel to the UK via Amsterdam or
another airport in a third country, you may need a
‘transit’ visa even if you will not be leaving the transit
lounge. You should ask at the embassy of the transit
destination in your home country about the visas you
will require.
Be aware that you may be charged at the transit
airport for any goods in your hand baggage which
would normally be subject to customs duty. However,
baggage consigned to the hold of the aircraft will not
be searched at the transit airport.

6


Arriving at INTO Newcastle University

Airport taxi transfers Arriving at INTO Newcastle
University
INTO Newcastle University can arrange for a taxi to
meet you upon arrival at the airport and take you If you have been allocated residential accommodation
directly to your accommodation. Payment for the in Newcastle you will have received confirmation from
transfer must be made 7 working days in advance. INTO Newcastle University that this has been
If you would like us to meet you at the airport, reserved. If you have not had confirmation you should
please complete the attached Arrivals Details Form check before you leave for the UK.
and the Airport Taxi Transfer Credit Card Form and fax You should have already arranged your
or email them to INTO Newcastle seven days before accommodation before you arrive. If, for whatever
you arrive. Upon receipt, we will arrange a transfer reason, that has not been possible, our accommodation
on your behalf and confirm this booking with you team will be able to advise you on how to look for
by email. private accommodation (Monday – Friday, 0900-
Even if you do not require a taxi transfer, you 1730) or if outside office hours, advise you of a
must send us your arrivals details so we can make suitable hotel in Newcastle which you should pay
sure everything is ready for you upon arrival at the for yourself.
INTO Centre. You should plan to arrive on the weekend before
the course start date.
The INTO Newcastle Centre is located at 6
Kensington Terrace; staff will arrange to meet you
outside your residential accommodation on the
first day of your course and walk you to the centre
for registration.

7


✁
Airport collection form

Arrivals details form
All students mUsT complete this arrivals details form and return
one week before your course start date by email to admissions.finance@into.uk.com
or fax to +44 (0)1273 328595 / +44 (0)1273 329746

Section 1
Personal details

Family name (surname)

Other/given names (first name)

Email address

Mobile phone number

INTO number (please refer to offer letter)

Section 2
Arrival details into the UK and confirmation of accommodation

Country flight departs from

Date of arrival Time of arrival (am/pm)

UK airport Terminal

Flight number Name of airline

Arrival date in Newcastle Arrival time in Newcastle

Any special requirements

Please make sure that you book a flight which arrives on the weekend before your course start date. If on
arrival you require a taxi to meet you and will be staying in a hotel or other accommodation not arranged by
INTO then please provide the address

Section 3
Airport transfer booking

Please tick one of the following boxes to show whether you would like a taxi to meet you at your UK arrival airport
and take you to your accommodation

£30.00 Newcastle International Airport I do not require an airport transfer

8

✁

Section 4
If you will be under 18 on arrival and do not require INTO to meet you at the airport and arrange a transfer
then the following section must be completed

Name of person meeting the student:

Address of person meeting the student:

Mobile telephone number:

Name of parent:

Signature of parent:

Date:

Credit card form
Payments over £50 by credit card are subject to a 2% surcharge and debit cards to a £1 surcharge. This will
be taken from the card in addition to the amount stated in section 3 of this form.

CREDIT CARD DETAILS

To enable fees to be debited from your credit card, please complete the details below.

VISA CREDIT MASTERCARD DEBIT

If DEBIT, please specify type:

Please note, the University will only accept transactions using the following cards: Mastercard, Visa, Solo, Maestro,
Electron or Visa debit.

Credit/debit card number

/
Card start date —— —— (mm/yy) /
Card expiry date —— —— (mm/yy)

Issue number

Security code

This is the last three digits of the code found on the back of your card.

Cardholder name

Billing address

Please return this form by email to admissions.finance@into.uk.com
or fax to +44 (0)1273 328595 / +44 (0)1273 329746

9


Money

Currency Bank accounts
Currency across the UK is the pound sterling (£GBP). If you are going to be here for longer than six months,
One pound is divided into one hundred pence (100p). we strongly recommended you open a UK bank
Notes are issued to the value of £50, £20, £10, and account, as soon as possible, after arriving in the UK.
£5 and coins to the value of £2, £1, 50p, 20p, 10p, UK Banks are open 9am to 4.30pm on weekdays
5p, 2p and 1p. Please note that £50 notes are very and some are open on Saturday mornings. If you bring
uncommon and should be avoided as they can often a banker’s draft in sterling with you (payable to yourself)
be the target of counterfeiters. We do not advise or arrange for it to be sent, then you can open an
carrying large sums of cash with you on arrival. account at a bank after you have registered on your
We recommend that you bring enough money course. It may also be useful to bring a letter from your
with you to cover the first couple of weeks after your bank at home (or some other documentation) to
arrival – no more than £250 in cash for your confirm your credit status. We will provide you with
immediate needs should suffice. It is safer to bring further information and support on opening accounts
large sums of money in travellers’ cheques, which can during your induction week. In order to open a bank
be cashed in banks, post offices and airports but be account you will need the following:
aware that there is often a minimum commission • your passport
charge. Please avoid carrying large sums of cash or • proof you are a student – we will issue you with an
keeping large amounts in your room for safety official bank letter after registration
reasons. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted • proof of address.
in the UK, MasterCard (Access) and Visa credit cards
For further advice on opening bank accounts in the
being the most common. Diners Club and American
UK, you can visit:
Express are less so. You can withdraw cash from a
www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/bank_account.php
cashpoint machine (also known as an ‘ATM’) if you
have a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for that
Living costs
card. You may want to inform your current bank that
you are going to the UK and to ask if you can use It is estimated that a single student will need
your card here. approximately £650 - £750 a month to meet their
basic living expenses. This is just an indication and will
alter depending on your lifestyle and spending habits. It
is important to plan and budget your finances for living
in the UK; it’s not just your course fees you need to
think about. If you want help with planning and
budgeting your finances, the following international
student website may be useful:
www.studentcalculator.org.uk/international/
index.asp

10


Orientation programme

Induction programme ‘I don’t think I could have asked for anything better. I
attended all the welcome week activities, where I got to
At the start of your course you will receive a full
meet so many people. Not just from INTO, but other
induction (providing you arrive the weekend before
students from the University and all with very different
the start date of the course). This will vary in length
backgrounds from mine. The quiz night was so much
according to which course you will be studying and
fun because of the sheer energy of everyone involved
it is a great opportunity to meet staff and students
and the sea at Tynemouth was just totally mesmerising,
and find out more about the University and the local
apart from being extremely chilly as I swam in it!’
area. You should attend all sessions. The induction
programme will usually include:
Achint soni
• Welcome talks
India
• Information sessions with INTO Student Services,
the Students’ Union, security staff
• An English language placement test
• Social activities
• A city orientation tour of Newcastle
• A campus tour.

The following is an example time table for the
September and January orientation programme.
TIme mONdAY TUesdAY WedNesdAY THUrsdAY FrIdAY
9.00 UNIVErSITy ACAdEmIC
PrESENTATIONS, TImETABLES
09.30 WELCOmE TALK ENgLISH TEST ACAdEmIC WELFArE ANd
PrOgrAmmE STUdENT PrOgrESS
10.00 rEgISTrATION ANd INFORMATION
FINANCE PAymENT
10.10
10.20
10.30
11.00
11.30 SMARTCARD
rEgISTrATION
12.00 BrEAK
12.30 HEALTH ANd SAFETy LUNCH LUNCH
PrESENTATION
13.00
13.30 LUNCH NEWCASTLE CITy LUNCH
TOUr BrINg COATS,
14.00 OUTdOOr SHOES ANd
14.30 NEWCASTLE CAmErAS STUdENT SErVICES BANK ANd POLICE
CAmPUS TOUr PrESENTATION LETTEr rEqUEST
15.00 SESSION
15.30 STUdENT SErVICES VISA TALK
PrESENTATION
16.00 BrEAK
16.30 STUdENT PrOgrESS IT SKILLS
ANd WELFArE
17.00 PrESENTATION
EVENINg WELCOmE mEETINg BOWLINg NIgHT

Students starting programmes not in September and January will enjoy a shorter orientation 11
programme


Registering for your course,
English language testing

Course registration Smart card and photographs
INTO will register you onto your course within the first Once you have registered with INTO Newcastle
few days. You will be told when you should register University, you will be able to collect a Newcastle
when you arrive and what items to bring. If you have University Smart Card and a UCS (University
not paid your full tuition and accommodation fees, Computing Service) login name and password.
you will need to pay the outstanding amount before We advise you to carry your Smart Card with you
you register. at all times on the University campus. It allows you
Students will not be able to start classes until they access to the University libraries and it also works as
have registered for their course. a library card for you to borrow books.
During registration, we will also book you a police The UCS login name and password will give you
registration and health appointment, if required. If you access to the University computer network from any
are studying in the UK for more than 6 months you of the University computer clusters.
are entitled to register with the National Health
Service (NHS) for free healthcare. rememBer IF YOU reQUesT A LeTTer FrOm
Us Or HANd IN HOmeWOrK YOU mUsT
sHOW YOUr smArT CArd.

English language testing
Upon arrival, your English level will be assessed so
we can ensure you are placed in the right class.

Moving to the UK was a big change for me. Before I came here everything
was done for me by my parents. Now I have to clean, cook, pay my bills
and fend for myself. Though this was strange to get used to, it has helped
me to grow as a person and I have therefore enjoyed my new independence
a lot. I have learned how to manage my money and my time. I am given a
lot of work from my course, and I also have a very active social life, so the
ability to keep everything running smoothly requires a lot of responsibility,
which is helping me now and will in the future.”

Felipe Acuna
Colombia

12


13


Making the most of your first week

On arrival we will provide you with a FREE SIM card Other things to remember:
to use in the UK which also has one free international • Attend ALL your classes and tutorials.
call on it, so you can call home and let your family • Always be on time!
know you have arrived safely. This will give you cheap • Be prepared for your classes!
rates to phone internationally and will be much • Care for others’ feelings and cultures.
cheaper than your current SIM card or any other UK • Feel free to ask questions whenever you need to.
network providers. • Join social events and sports clubs. There are lots
Alternatively, you can always download Skype, a to choose from so ask the INTO staff.
free computer programme that allows you to use • Keep your accommodation clean and tidy.
your computer like a phone and place international • Overcome problems by sharing them with your
calls for free to other Skype users. Depending on friends, teachers and INTO staff.
your computer, web cameras are also supported. • Practise English as much as you can and in as
Please remember that when you arrive in the UK many places as you can.
you will have travelled a long way from home and • Your academic progress and your behaviour will
although this will be an exciting time, please do always be monitored.
remember that your family and friends may worry
about you. REMEMBER to contact them and let them
know that you are safe!

14


Social programme

Whilst the main reason for coming to Newcastle is to Evening events allow you to experience
study, in our experience involvement in non-academic Newcastle’s mix of cultural offerings, by introducing
activities will help you adjust to life in the UK, improve a range of activities such as Scottish Ceilidh dances
your English and allow you to develop a network of and quiz nights, to evenings in one of Newcastle’s
friends to make your stay more enjoyable. famous nightclubs.
The INTO Centre, University and city all offer a For both exercise and socialising, sports
range of activities and events for you to get involved in evenings provide a great opportunity for meeting
from trips to Edinburgh, football matches and parties! people whilst enjoying team sports such as
To ensure that there is something to interest badminton, table tennis, football and basketball.
everyone, there are a range of options to choose
from, allowing you to get involved with anything from ‘Newcastle University provides a lot of clubs and
sporting activities to sight-seeing and socialising; societies for the students. Many of them are really
please let us know if you have any suggestions for attractive for me to join, such as Mountaineering and
events or activities that you would like the INTO Parachute! Joining the Thai-boxing club allowed me
team to organise! to get to know more of the local students. I feel this
Weekend excursions will take you to famous is one of the ways that you can interact with the
cities such as York and Edinburgh, as well as letting local students and make friends with them!’
you experience places of natural beauty such as the
Lake District and Northumberland Coast. For Jedsada sakdasukon
insights into British history and culture, these trips Thailand
will also include destinations such as Durham
Cathedral and Beamish Open Air museum.

15


Health and safety

Coming to a new country can be difficult, but INTO Private Health Insurance
staff are here to help you. We provide induction and
Full medical and travel insurance is mandatory for all
safety talks and services to help international students.
INTO Newcastle University students, therefore,
You can also call us on our emergency number
Uniplan Insurance will automatically be added to
(+44 (0)7504 082421) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
course fees unless proof of suitable alternative cover
Please remember to add this number to your
is provided.
mobile phone.
All students MUST provide INTO with evidence
that either:
Personal
• they have their own valid and comprehensive
Your good health is vital to your studies – make sure medical and accident insurance policy for the
you look after yourself! duration of their stay
You will be given information about registering • that they have paid for INTO’s Uniplan Insurance
with a doctor upon your arrival and please make sure before they leave home.
you do this. We will also give you information about
dentists, walk-in centres and how to look after In centre
yourself in general. You will also receive advice about
Health and Safety in centre is everyone’s
staying safe in Newcastle and how best to do this
responsibility. If you do see anything that you think is
and what to do in the event of an emergency.
a concern to you or your classmates then please
NHS Direct is a service provided by the government,
report it to the reception desk and we will make surer
which gives information on health issues. You can
it is attended to or dealt with immediately
search their website for the addresses of GP
Please note that smoking is not permitted in any
surgeries and other health services near where you
public place in the UK - so students cannot smoke in
live, log onto: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
the INTO Centre.

16


Key contacts, useful numbers
and websites

IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Please make sure that you put these numbers in your phone:

INTO Newcastle University Immigration Advisory Service (IAS)
+44 (0)191 222 7535 +44 (0)20 79671200.
Our reception is open Monday to Friday 8.30am to www.iasuk.org
5.30pm for all your questions and to assist you on If you have any problems at Immigration Control,
arrival please call this number for free advice.

INTO Emergency Number Newcastle Taxi Firms
+44 (0)7504 082 421 You can stop a black taxi in the street or
Out of office hours for emergency use only telephone for one:
NOdA Taxis: +44 (0)191 222 1888
Emergencies dean Taxis: +44 (0)191 444 4444
999 Ace Taxis: +44 (0)191 287 7777
If you need the Police, Fire Brigade or Ambulance Five star Taxis: 0191 285 8111
Service in an emergency, the telephone number to call
is 999. If you are unfortunate enough to experience
crime, have been involved in an attack or threatened,
you should report it to the police and INTO.

17


Maps

4

1

Hatton Gallery:
Great North Great North 3
Museum Museum:
Hancock

1 INTO Centre
Open Access Centre
5
3 Robinson Library
6
4 Sports Centre
5 Students’ Union
6 King’s Gate

18


1

2
Royal
Victoria
Infirmary GREAT
(RVI) NORTH
MUSEUM:
HANCOCK
3

NORTHERN
STAGE

5
4

6

1 INTO Centre (Kensington Terrace)
2 Claremont Bridge
3 Open Access Centre
4 Union Society Building
5 Bedson Teaching Centre
6 King George VI Building

19

INTO Newcastle University
6 Kensington Terrace, Newcastle University
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU
United Kingdom

T: +44 (0) 191 222 7535
F: +44 (0) 191 222 5239
E: into@newcastle.ac.uk

www.intohigher.com/newcastle

© INTO Newcastle University LLP, June 2010. All content published in this document is
believed accurate at time of publication. INTO reserves the right to alter details of all aspects
of its operation without notice.
INTO University Partnerships Limited is a limited company registered in England and Wales,
registered number 05507863. Registered office: 102, Middlesex Street, London E1 7EZ
Newcastle University education provider sponsor number CKTK52NU0

INTO Newcastle Pre-Departure Guide

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