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Pre-departure briefing |
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As you start preparing yourself to leave home and join us at TASMAC London, there will be many things for you to think about.
Pre-Departure Information
The following notes are not meant to be exhaustive, but may remind you of something you had forgotten about. We look forward to seeing you soon.
What To Bring: Documents
Your passport, with visa if needed; all your academic certificates including IELTS or TOEFL (originals and a photocopy); your offer and acceptance letters; proof of your finances and funding; all documents and information that TASMAC London has sent you; several passport-size photographs; travel and health insurance or medical notes; and your driving licence.
It is worth keeping directions to your accommodation or the school , and emergency contact numbers, in your hand luggage.
We suggest that you take a photocopy of all your important documents and leave them with a friend or relative for safekeeping.
What To Bring: Medical Records
If you bring any medication with you into the UK, also carry a letter (translated into English) from your doctor explaining what the medicine is and what it is for, just in case you are stopped at customs on entering the UK. Similarly, if you are undergoing any long-term medical treatment you should also bring a letter from your doctor, counsellor, or hospital specialist. This letter can be shown to the relevant UK specialist if further medication is needed.
What To Bring: Money
You may bring as much money as you like, in any form, into the UK. You can also transfer money to the UK by bank draft, international money order or telegraphic transfer. However, before leaving home check if the law or your government restricts the transfer of funds overseas; how long the currency transfer takes and how much it costs and whether there are any special arrangements or allowances for students.
It is important that you have enough money to last until you have opened a bank account, which can be as quick as a few days but can take much longer, and you are able to have transferred funds into it. Around £300 to £500 in cash is enough, with travellers' cheques for any additional money.
Please do not bring large amounts of cash. It is safer to bring your money in travellers’ cheques that can be cashed in banks, post offices and airports. A debit card carrying the Maestro or Cirrus logos is useful as you can use these cards to get money from cash dispensers (“holes in the wall“) each day within your limit. They are found almost everywhere, including airports.
You will also need to make sure you are able to pay your tuition fees at registration. You will also need to pay for your accommodation along with a deposit at the start. You may wish, therefore, to also bring separate banker’s drafts made out for the correct amounts. Methods of payment include: banker’s draft that can be drawn in sterling at a UK bank; sterling travellers’ cheques; cheque from a cheque book of a UK bank; Visa, Access, Mastercard credit cards; euros, dollars, sterling cash.
It is a visa requirement that you have enough money to pay for all of your expenses without needing to work part-time.
The average student will need at least £600 - £700 per month but some students do spend more; average living costs for a full year are around £7,500, but could range from £6,300 to £8,500.
What to bring: Check-in Luggage
Many airlines have a restrictive weight or size allowance, so check with your airline before you leave. Others, such as Virgin Atlantic, have an allowance of 35 kg for students from Shanghai and Hong Kong. Bring warm clothes. Most students dress informally most of the time.
The voltage in the UK is 240v, using 13amp square pins. Please check any electrical equipment. Find some space for a few personal items and photographs to remind you of family and friends.
There are some restrictions on what you can bring into the UK. Items should be for personal use only; visit the government website: www.hmso.gov.uk for details. |
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| Opening a UK Bank Account |
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| When you arrive in London you will need to open a bank account. For this you may need: |
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Your passport |
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A letter confirming that you are studying at TASMAC london |
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Proof of your address in the uk and overseas |
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A letter from your sponsor confirming your funding |
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Any other documents requested by the bank. |
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| We suggest that before you leave home, consider these steps: |
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Bring a reference from the manager of your or your family’s bank; |
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Bring separate bankers drafts for the tuition fees and accommodation costs; |
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Open an internet account with your own bank; |
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Open an overseas account of a bank that has worldwide branches. |
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It is worth remembering that banks will not let you open an account until you are registered on a programme of at least one year. So, if you are following a pre-sessional English language programme, it is likely you will not be able to open an account until you start the degree programme. It is therefore recommended that you make allowance for this, and bring travellers' cheques with you.
TASMAC will help you by producing a Bank Letter once you have registered, which confirms that you are a registered student. This will include your term-time and home addresses. |
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| Registering With the Police |
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There are requirements for certain foreign nationals to register with the police. Those who need to register will be told at the airport and should visit:
Overseas Visitors Records Office
Brandon House
180 Borough High Street
London SE1
(open 9am - 4.30pm Monday - Friday)
To register you will need your passport, two recent passport-size photographs (you can also have the photographs taken at the Registration Office) and the registration fee of around £35. As always with important documents it is worth keeping a photocopy - in a safe place - of the number of your registration certificate and its date and place of issue.
You should inform the Office within seven days of any change of address and of any extension of your permission to stay in Britain. You are required by law to carry your Alien's Registration Certificate, but not your passport. |
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| Cultural Customs in the UK |
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One of the advantages of studying outside your own country is the exposure to different cultures.
You may find that the British are rather reserved and may not start a conversation (especially in larger cities) as easily as people may do in other countries. This is not necessarily unfriendliness; we are equally reserved with each other. We respect the privacy of others and it is politeness that stops the British from initiating conversation, but we can be warm and friendly, and you will find this so on campus. Saying "Hello" or "Hi" first should get an equally friendly response.
"Please", "Thank You" and "Sorry" are among the most common words in the English language. It is a good idea to use them when eating, shopping, addressing strangers and on public transport. We always say: "Can we have a glass of water, please” - and “thank you” when we get it – whereas in many countries it is usual just to say, “Water”.
In the UK, it is normal when meeting someone, especially for the first time, to shake hands. This is acceptable for both men and women. Unlike other European countries, it is not usual to embrace or kiss unless with family or friends, but even that is changing. |
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One popular British pastime is going to the pub, which may be open between 11.00 and 23.00 (this varies - some pubs are open 24 hours). You do not need to drink alcohol; soft drinks and coffee are also served. Indeed, coffee shops are now big business.
Most restaurants have a license to sell alcohol with food, even in family restaurants where children of all ages are welcome. Nightclubs have extended licences. Drinking alcohol is an accepted way of life and you will find student social life can be based around the bar. But please, never accept an alcoholic drink if you don't want to. If you prefer not to visit places that sell alcohol, make this clear to your friends. There are usually alternative places where you can meet. |
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Queuing is when we form a line when buying a ticket, for example, the idea being that those who arrive first are served first. We queue for almost anything, and we advise you to take your place in the queue and not push your way to the front. This may well annoy other people, and you are likely to be asked to get to the back of the queue. |
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Women in European countries have been fighting for equality for the last century. Some cultures treat women differently from men, whereas here we believe in equality. Discrimination against anyone on the grounds of gender is illegal. This means that women are entitled to equal respect and status with men in all aspects of life. It is therefore not unusual for women to go out on their own and to meet together in public places, such as cafés and bars, for business and social reasons. |
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This is advisable if you have a lot of hi-tech equipment, such as a laptop computer, mobile phone or MP3 player. We also advise you to buy insurance to cover your personal possessions and any medical expenses that might not be covered under the British National Health Service. One insurance company that specialises in insurance for students is Endsleigh.
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You can buy almost anything in large supermarkets such as Sainsbury's and Tesco, which have everything under one roof.
Supermarkets are noticeably cheaper than local corner shops or late-night "delicatessens". Most supermarkets are now open till 8 or 9 pm during the week, some 24 hours, and are open during the weekend. It is worth remembering that many shops are closed on Sundays, though larger supermarkets are open.
Fresh fruit and vegetables are usually cheaper from open-air stalls and street markets. If you share an apartment or house with others, it is usually much cheaper to cook together - if you have similar tastes and are prepared to share the work.
Chemists such as Boots and Superdrug sell cosmetics, toiletries, drugs and medicines; supermarkets also sell these items.
Off licenses are shops selling alcohol, cigarettes, etc. and are usually open till 10.30pm on weeknights and Saturdays. On Sundays they are open between midday and 2pm and 7pm to 10pm. |
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Prices in London can vary quite a lot, so check prices before buying your essential items. Though we cannot recommend particular shops, department stores can be expensive. Catalogue shops such as Argos are cheaper. You choose your item from a catalogue, complete the order form, pay for it and collect it from the collection desk. Bigger supermarkets offer a range of household items, often at better prices. Electrical goods and computers can be bought at stores such as Currys and Dixons. |
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London offers a huge variety and range of fashionable and alternative clothes. Chain stores provide good quality mid-price items. You can find them in Covent Garden, on Oxford Street and in most shopping centres, and places such as the huge Bluewater Shopping Mall. Cheaper alternatives for clothes are street markets, charity shops or reduction stores. Jumble sales sell second-hand clothes and smaller household items |
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London has an extensive public transport system; buses, trains and Underground (tube, subway or metro). Street maps are found in the London A to Z, and are a must when travelling around, as is a map of the Underground. Information will be provided during the International Orientation First Day. |
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| Enjoying London and England |
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You will not spend all of your time studying. We hope you can make the most of your time in London, getting to know the city and taking advantage of the many opportunities that it offers. Sometimes, like other leading world capitals, London can be expensive, but there is also a wide range of activities that will cost you little or no money. Newspapers and listing magazines often tell you about these. |
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| Opportunities for Watching Sports |
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London offers an unparalleled opportunity to watch most sports. There are international matches in most sports at various venues in London throughout the year, and Wembley Stadium, the ground for the England National team's home matches, is close by, where tickets are often available. Details will be found in national and local newspapers and in the listings magazines such as Time Out.
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London has nearly 750 art galleries and museums, ranging from major collections such as at the National Gallery, the Tate Modern and the Science Museum to smaller, specialist ones such as the Photographer's Gallery near Leicester Square, and China Town or the Theatre Museum in Covent Garden. Many have temporary exhibitions in addition to permanent ones; these are advertised in the press. Many are free. One good source of information is the Time Out web site: www.timeout.co.uk. |
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Many bands play live in London; from international superstars at the large stadiums and venues to local bands in the local pub; see listings magazines. |
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| Classical Music, Opera and Ballet |
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The quantity and quality of music available in London is excellent. In addition, there are numerous major concert halls, such as the Royal Festival Hall, Barbican Centre, Royal Opera House and English National Opera and ballet at the London Coliseum, in which national and international stars perform throughout most of the year. You do not need to dress up and student reductions are usually available. |
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London has many theatres, both local and in the West End. They offer musicals and plays, both comedy and more serious pieces. It is cheaper to buy tickets through the theatre box-office than an agency. There is a kiosk in Leicester Square (and a second nearby) where tickets for some shows may be purchased at half-price on the afternoon of the performance, and most offer Student Stand-By tickets a couple of hours before the performance.
Cinemas in central London are more expensive than local cinemas. The Greenwich Picture House is excellent, and there are two other cinemas in Greenwich including a multiplex. Many cinemas have reduced student prices available with your Students' Union card, and cinemas in the West End offer reduced price tickets such as all day on Mondays and before 5pm or 6pm Monday to Thursday. |
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There are five terrestrial channels in the UK: the two BBC channels, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. You can then purchase a "free to air" digital box which will provide another 30 or so. Information about television programs can be found either in newspapers or in Radio Times magazine. You can even apply to see programmes being recorded.
There are numerous radio stations, from the BBC (seven national, and also local) and independents such as Virgin, Capital and Classic FM. They cover sport, pop music, spoken word and special interest. Foreign language stations are also available.
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