Pre-Arrival Information for Llandrillo Students
VISA Information
Please ensure that you make
clear during your Visa application that you are coming to the UK
as a student. It is not possible to enter the UK on a Tourist
Visa and then change to a Student Visa, as Visa
status cannot be changed once you are in the UK .
Notifying the College of Your Arrival
Before you leave home, please
let us know when you are due to arrive Manchester Airport . Please
complete the Airport Arrival form and ensure that it reaches us at
least two weeks before your arrival date to ensure we are able to
arrange your collection. Please note, this service costs approximately
an additional £65 (one way) and is payable in pound Sterling
to your driver upon arrival at your destination.
If you are making your own
way by train from London , you should take a train from EUSTON STATION
(take Underground from Heathrow). There are some direct trains
to COLWYN BAY STATION but often you will have to change at CREWE
STATION (ASK at the station you change at if you need to change platforms).
You can find out the train times in the UK from the Rail track web site
at: http://www.rail.co.uk/ukrail/planner/planner.htm
Before you Depart
Clothing
British weather tends to vary
and the winter months can be cold, with temperatures sometimes below
zero degrees Celsius. Although it may be pleasant and sunny when
you arrive in September you may still feel a little cold, especially
if you are coming from a hot climate.
We recommend you
put an extra pullover/sweater in your hand luggage and carry a raincoat in
case it is raining when you arrive. You will find that there is a
wide range of clothing of different qualities and fashions available
in markets and in local shops. You may find it cheaper to buy warm
clothing here especially if you come from a hot country where such
clothing is not readily available.
We recommend you
buy the following:-
- a winter coat
(from approximately £50) or anorak (from approximately £30)
- warm pullovers/cardigans
(from approximately £25)
- good shoes/trainers
(from approximately £30)
Medical Items
If you wear spectacles or
contact lenses, bring along a spare pair aswell as a copy of your prescription.
If you depend on a specific brand of contact lens solution(s), bring
a sufficient supply with you. Otherwise, cleaning, rinsing and storage
products are all available.
All prescription drugs should
be in labeled containers. Bring a copy of all prescriptions, preferably
with generic names. Remedies for common ailments such as colds, coughs
and upset stomachs are readily available, but if you have a particular
favourite you may wish to bring a small supply with you.
Healthcare & Insurance
Medical insurance
Any student who is here on
a course which lasts for six months or more, is automatically entitled
to free treatment under the National Health Service (N.H.S.) Non-European
students who are in England for less than six months must ensure
that they are covered for medical expenses prior to their arrival
in the UK. You
will have to pay for dental treatment.
Other insurance
You are strongly advised to
insure valuable belongings against theft, loss or damage. Car insurance
is compulsory and it is a criminal offence to drive without proper
insurance. Please also check if your driving licence entitles you
to drive in the UK - You may have to take a test here first.
Here is a list of
things you will need to consider before you travel to the UK :
- Notification of arrival form/airport pick up request returned
to the International office
- Travel tickets
- Passport with entry clearance/visa
- Letter of acceptance from the College
- Letter confirming details of accommodation
- Education/qualification certificates
- Sponsor's letter (if applicable)
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Birth certificate
- Extra passport photos (for police registration and to buy student
union/rail/coach card)
- Warm clothing
- Around £200 cash for incidental travel and first week
of term expenses
- Money to open a bank account
Electricity
British
Electricity works on 240 volts and most buildings are equipped with
sockets which take a 13 Amp, 3 pin plug. If you intend to bring any
electrical equipment with you, you should check whether you can use
it in the UK . You can purchase adapters in the UK but please
note, it is dangerous to overload sockets with too many adapters. You
should never use a 2 pin plug in a 3 pin socket.
How much money will I need?
Prices
may vary in Wales in contrast to those in your own country. Here
are some examples to help you with your finances:
- Cigarettes £4.00 - £7.00 (cheaper in supermarkets)
- Beer/lager £3.00 or more per pint
- A visit to the Cinema costs around *£5.60 for a student ticket and the nearest cinema is situated in Llandudno Junction. Check in the local weekly newspapers for details of the films that are showing each week. (*Tickets are cheaper on a Tuesday evening).
- Night clubs cost about £6.00 admission but they may charge more on the weekend.
- The cost of meals in restaurants varies. An average meal costs about £8.00 for one course but some restaurants may be cheaper or more expensive than this.
- Taxis are far more expensive than using the bus. Always ask the driver first how much a journey to your destination will cost.
Arriving in the UK
Initial Formalities
Immigration control
You should have
the following documents ready when you arrive at the port of entry
(usually London or Manchester Airport ), in order to pass through
immigration control. Please remember not to pack them but keep
them on your person:
- A valid passport endorsed with the necessary entry clearance
or visa.
- A copy of your CAS (Certificate of Acceptance).
- Evidence of sufficient funds to cover your fees and living costs
for the academic year (recent bank statement)
- Any health certificates required
If the immigration officer
refuses you entry and you have NO entry clearance you may be removed
immediately, or given a very short period of admission. If your entry
is refused and you HAD obtained entry clearance, then you cannot
be removed until after your appeal has been heard. You may contact the International
Office on 01492 542315/320 (college hours) or 07740 876656.
Customs
You will then have to pass
through customs. Before you arrive, study the list of goods which
you may not bring into the UK or which you will have to pay duty
or tax on. These are known as goods to declare. If you have goods
to declare, follow the red "goods to declare" signs
in the customs hall and speak to a Customs Officer. If you have no
goods to declare, follow the green "nothing to declare" signs.
You may be stopped by a Customs Officer even if you have nothing
to declare. You must allow a Customs Officer to examine your baggage
if he/she requests this. If you have come from an EU country,
go through the blue customs channel. Please DO NOT bring any food
into the UK as certain Meat and Dairy products are not permitted.
Who can help if
I have any problems at the airport?
If you have any problems at
immigration control, collecting your baggage or at customs, ask an
airport official to contact the College's "meet and greet" service
representatives (usually a Taxi). The two taxi's used by Llandrillo International College are,
Ian's Executive Travel 07735 301153 or Pomeroy's 07795 170273.
Airport staff will give you
whatever assistance you need and can help you to make onward travel
arrangements. If you need help or advice at Heathrow or Gatwick
Airport , contact Airport Agencies by telephoning one of these numbers: 0181
745 0821 or 01426 320 635 (pager).
Obtaining British Currency
We recommend that
you have at least £200 in British currency with you when you
travel to cover your costs en route to Llandrillo International College and early
incidental expenses. If you have not obtained British currency before
leaving home, you should do so on arrival in the UK . There are banks
and currency exchange desks at all airports. Remember, you
will need to pay your driver approximately £50 upon arrival
at your destination.
The unit of currency is the
pound sterling (£). It is divided into one hundred pence (100p).
The coinage issued is the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p £1 and £2.
Paper notes are issued in £5, £10, £20 and £50.
Arrival at Llandrillo International College
You
will not normally be expected to report to the College on the first
day of your arrival, unless
specifically instructed to do so, you will normally be taken
directly to you accommodation. Once at
your accommodation you should contact the College on (01492) 542315
to inform us of your arrival. We are open during the hours
of 8.30 am and 5.30 pm , Monday to Thursday, and 8.30 am until 4.30
pm on Friday. If you arrive outside of these times you should
only contact us in the case of an emergency.
HAVE
A PLEASANT JOURNEY AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU SOON.
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