Make sure you have a valid passport and a valid visa. As it can take several weeks to open a UK bank account, you need to bring enough money to cover your initial expenses. You can also check online banks such as Monzo and Revolut before arriving in the UK. Take photocopies of your important documents (passport, visa etc.) in case you lose them in transit or while in the UK and keep these copies in a safe place. If you plan to stay in university accommodation, make sure you apply and pay your deposit by the date outlined in your contract. Make arrangements to take out insurance for your personal belongings. This is best done before you leave for the UK to cover your journey and the first few days in Birmingham. Plan how you will travel from your port of arrival in the UK to your accommodation in Birmingham. Make sure you inform the Disability Support Service at University College Birmingham if you are likely to require any specific support or arrangements because of a disability. It may be beneficial to pre-order bedding and kitchen equipment before you arrive at University College Birmingham. This can be done via our partner UniKitOut using discount code UCB10. Make sure you pack or buy warm clothing, as the weather in the UK can be cold: in winter, the average temperature in Birmingham is 7°C during the day and 2°C at night. The UK also experiences lots of rain, so make sure you pack a waterproof coat too. If you want to work while you’re here, you may want to pack a formal outfit for interviews. In England, the power plugs and sockets are type G. The standard voltage is 230V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. Make sure you buy an adaptor(s) for your electronic devices and chargers if you need them. If you are planning to stay in the UK for more than just a few weeks, as an international student, it might be more convenient to get a UK SIM card and mobile number. You can have a look online and see which mobile contract is more suitable for you. If you do not wish to get a contract, you can purchase a SIM only deal – we would recommend Giff Gaff. CHECKLIST HOW DO I APPLY FOR STUDENT ACCOMMODATION? If you are planning to apply for student accommodation at University College Birmingham you can do so via the website: www.ucb.ac.uk/international-students/accommodationfor-international-students/ Make sure you apply as soon as you get an offer letter from the University, so that you have enough time to provide the relevant documentation needed for the contract. If you have any queries, you can always contact accommodation@ucb.ac.uk. If you are travelling from abroad, you can pre-book all your bedroom and kitchen equipment through our partner UniKitOut.com. All orders will be delivered to your accommodation before you arrive. OUR ACCOMMODATION FEES The weekly rent for 2023/24 is £125 standard / £148 en suite. Our annual contract is 42 weeks, from September to June – many universities and private providers only offer 45–51-week contracts. With us, you won’t be charged in the holidays, which is a £2,000 saving. All prices include heating, lighting, Wi-Fi and contents insurance. WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED TO GET A TENANCY CONTRACT? If you are planning to stay in our student accommodation, you will only need to sign and return the contract and provide the details of a guarantor. If you are renting privately, the most common documents that need to be checked are identity documents, income or employment status, and credit references. You can read more about which documents you will need here: https://homelet.co.uk/ tenants/tips-for-tenants/what-documents-do-you-needto-rent-a-house-or-flat DEPOSIT/TENANCY RIGHTS When your tenancy contract ends, or when you want to end your contract in advance, you are entitled to get your tenancy deposit back, if you have not damaged the property and/or have given enough notice to the landlord. You can get more information from Citizen Advice’s website. ACCOMMODATION INTERNATIONAL STUDENT’S GUIDE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM 4 5
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