Arrival Information
Immigration and Arriving in the UK
Upon arrival into a UK airport, it is necessary for you to pass through Immigration and Customs. You may be asked some questions by the Immigration officials, thus we recommend that you keep all important University documentation in your hand luggage.
EU/EAA Students
If you are a national of an EU/EEA country, you will not require a visa to enter the UK. However, you will be asked to show your passport/Identification Card.
Non-EU Students
If you are a national of a country that is not a member of the EU or EEA, you may need to obtain a visa prior to arriving in the UK.
For information on the visa requirements for citizens from your country, or if you are unsure of your status, please visit one of the following web sites for guidance:
You can download UKCISA’s Information Sheets on immigration. Topics covered are:
- Making an immigration application as a Tier 4 (General) student in your home country
- Making an immigration application as a Tier 4 (General) student in the UK
- Protecting your tier 4 student immigration status
- Your family's immigration
- Working during your studies
- Working in the UK after your studies
If you need to speak to someone for more specific advice, call the UKCISA international student advice line in London on:
Tel: 020 7107 9922 Monday to Friday from 13.00 - 16.00
UKCISA professional international student advisers are there to help you with any matter. The service is free – you pay only for the call.
Universities Scotland
Please download a visa information leaflet from Universities Scotland.
Orientation and Welcome Programme
Your School of Study will organise module selection, induction and enrolment for you. The timetable of your School's activities will be posted on the Induction and Welcome website during December 2011/January 2012. Please check regularly for updates.
hellou welcome parcel
During your first week at the University, you will receive a HelloU welcome parcel. The parcel will contain items that you may need for your immediate arrival as well as essential information which will become useful during the duration of your studies. The enclosed infomation brochure 'UWS - Your Guide' is intended to be kept in a safe place and referred to as needed throughout the academic year.
Module Registration and Enrolment
Information about module registration and enrolment is available from the Induction and Welcome website.
During module registration, together with an academic, you will register for all compulsory modules and will select optional modules (if applicable). After you have completed module registration, you will formally enrol with the University. After enrolment, you will receive your student ID card and you will be given a University email account and internet access.
Citizens from outwith the EU: Enrolment can only take place once you have paid at least 50% of your tuition fees or once you have provided proof that your fees are being paid on your behalf, i.e. proof of payment from a sponsor or scholarship fund.
N.B. If you intend to pay your fees by bankers' draft please ensure that the draft is addressed to the University of the West of Scotland.
EU citizens: Enrolment can only take place once you have paid a deposit equivalent to the cost of one standard module or once you have provided proof that your fees are being paid on your behalf, i.e. a funding letter from SAAS or Erasmus.
Things To Do During Your First Weeks in the UK
Contact Home
When you arrive in the UK, you will most likely wish to contact your friends and family back home. The cheapest way to stay in touch by telephone is to purchase a pay as you go phonecard. These cards can be purchased in most newsagents and at the airport. You can use the card from a public telephone.
You may also wish to stay in touch by email. When you enrol at the University, you will be given an email account and free access to the internet. However, prior to enrolment, you will not be able to use the University computers. We recommend that you set up a private email account prior to/on arrival into the UK. There are internet cafes in the area where you will be able to access the internet.
The University provides a free Wireless Network for use by enrolled students. If you have a Wifi enabled laptop, you are welcome to access this network. Please collect an information handout from ICT J Block Reception after you have enrolled.
Stay in Touch
Whilst living in the UK you may wish to purchase a mobile telephone. It is possible to purchase a 'Pay as You Go' telephone from mobile telephone retailers and major supermarkets. If you wish to purchase a mobile telephone with a contract you will be required to have a UK bank account and a support letter to confirm your UK address and status as a student.
Please see the section below: Open a UK Bank Account for details of obtaining a support letter.
Register with the Police
On arrival into the UK you may have received a stamp in your passport telling you that you are required you to register with the police. The stamp will say 'The holder is required to register at once with the police' or 'Register with the police within 7 days' . If you have this stamp, you must register with the police within 7 days; failure to do so is a criminal offence. Registering is a straight forward procedure and is nothing to be nervous about.
To register, students should visit the Strathclyde Police Nationality Board (based in Pitt Street Police Headquarters) located at the following address:
173 Pitt Street
Glasgow
G2 4JS
T: 0141 532 2421
The Police Station is a short walk from Central Station in Glasgow. The nearest Underground stations are St George's Cross and Cowcaddens.
The Nationality Board is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 09.00 to 16.00 (it is closed between 12.30 and 13.30). It is open on Friday from 09.00 - 15.30 (it is closed between 12.20 and 13.30). It is closed on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Alternatively, you may register at any Police Station, close to where you are living. If you register at a Police Station, your passport will be retained and sent to Strathclyde Police Nationality Board at Pitt Street for processing. It will be returned to you by post. If you register in person at the Strathclyde Police Nationality Board at Pitt Street, your passport will not be retained.
To register, you are required to provide the following:
- Your passport
- Your University offer letter to confirm your status as a student
- Proof of residency (e.g. a support/bank letter addressed to your residency in the UK)
- Student ID card (if you have enrolled)
- Two passport size photographs
- £34.00 registration fee
You will be issued with a police registration certificate; this is valid for the duration of your student visa and needs to be renewed when you are granted a student visa extension. There is no charge for renewal.
If you change address, or if any of your details featured on the certificate change (course title, immigration conditions, marital status, occupation etc.), you must inform the police within 7 days. If changing your details, please take along supporting documentation as proof e.g. for change of address please take your tenancy agreement or contract.
Open a UK Bank Account
Banks in the UK have different rules and regulations regarding the opening of bank accounts by international students. Most students open up a Current Account or a Student Bank Account.
To open an account, students generally require to provide the following:
To meet the requirements of proof of student status and address, the University can provide a support letter. The letter will be addressed to your UK residence and will outline your status as a student.
Enrolled students can request a support letter by completing a request form. Request forms are available from Student Link. Please be aware, the letter may take up to 7 working days to be produced.
Only enrolled students can request a support letter. Thus, if you are not scheduled to enrol until the end of Module Registration/Enrolment week, you will have to wait longer to receive a support letter. The bank may then require a period of time to open the account (this time may vary and should be checked when you apply for the account). Please consider these delays in mind when making pre-arrival financial arrangements.
opening a bank account before arriving in the uk
For some students it may be possible to open a UK bank account prior to departing for the UK. In Scotland, this service is offered by Clydesdale Bank. There are branches of Clydesdale bank in Ayr, Dumfries, Hamilton and Paisley.
For further details please download an information leaflet.
working in the uk
Student Services can provide full information and support about Working in the UK including information about the necessary steps which you will have to take, i.e. obtaining a National Insurance Number.