UK Student Life
Glyndŵr UniversityPre-Arrival Information for International Students
WELCOME TO GLYNDŴR UNIVERSITY
For us to welcome you properly, take a look through the following information. Any questions you might have or anxieties about moving to a new country will be answered; we are here to help you.
Travel Arrangements
For you to enjoy a real welcome, Glyndŵr University style, we need to know when you are arriving.
Once you have obtained your visa, you (or your agent) must scan it and email a copy to us:
international@glyndwr.ac.uk. We must have this in order to comply with UK Border Agency rules.
After this, you are ready to make your travel arrangements. You can arrive at Glyndŵr University in one of four ways. Either way, you MUST complete the Student Arrival Form so we can make sure everything is ready for your arrival.
Please be aware; with so many students arriving, the places named below are the ONLY places we are able to collect you from.
Airport Collection – Manchester Airport
Train Station Collection – Wrexham General train station
Bus Station Collection – Wrexham Coach Station
Campus Arrival – some of you may wish to make your own way to the Glyndŵr University campus. If so, tell us on the arrival form and we will make sure that someone is ready to welcome you at the security hut on site.
Once you have filled in the Student Arrival Form, e-mail it AT LEAST 72 hours prior to your arrival to internationalwelfare@glyndwr.ac.uk
Be sure to tell us of any special requirements or disabilities so the appropriate facilities can be arranged for you.
You can also use that email address if you have any concerns about your arrival that are not already answered elsewhere on the website.
Useful Advice
We know that international travel can be tiring, so the following advice is designed to make the process less stressful.
Get travel insurance when you book your flights. If the airline does lose your case, at least you will be covered. It is also a good idea to make sure you have your name and that of Glyndŵr University marked clearly on your luggage tag!
Make sure you are carrying a small amount of money (around £200) in GBP for when you arrive in the UK. This will cover your living costs until you are able to open a bank account. The remainder of your living costs can be held as a bankers draft or as traveller’s cheques, with which you can open your UK bank account.
If you have not already paid your fees in full, remember to bring that as a bank draft so you can pay on arrival or arrange for it to be transferred to us! It can take up to two weeks to open your account and be able to withdraw cash from your account.
Arriving in the UK
When you arrive at the UK border as a student from overseas, there are certain documents you must make sure you are carrying.
Passport (valid for one year or more)
Entry certificate/student visa
Evidence of your ability to support yourself financially whilst you are here (a bankers draft for you remaining fees or a letter from a financial sponsor for example) as well as a bankers draft for your living expenses etc.
Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies Statement from Glyndŵr University
Your most recent examination results; these can be originals or certified copies.
A medical report and chest x-ray, although this is not essential
You will also need some warm clothing to wear on arrival; the UK climate is known to be unpredictable!
The British Council website provides a checklist for international students. You can find it by clicking here.
Remember to carry wallets and purses on your person or in hand-luggage along with other important documents such as your passport and the documents you will need to pass through the UK border.
We recommend you keep copies of your passport, visa and documents; if you do lose the originals it makes them far easier to replace.
There are very strict laws on what you may and may not bring in to the UK with you.
Follow this link to find out what they are BEFORE you travel.
http://www.visitbritain.co.uk/about-britain/practical-information/customs-and-immigration/non-eu-customs-allowances.aspx
There will be someone to welcome you so look out for the ambassadors from Glyndŵr University. They will be the ones in white t-shirts with the Glyndŵr logo written on in black. Where to find them depends on how you arrive.
If arriving at Manchester Airport – The information desk in the arrivals hall
If arriving at the train station – in front of the station building, immediately outside the exit.
If arriving at the bus station – inside the main station building.
Once on campus, you will be given your accommodation details and taken to check-in to your rooms. You will also be given a welcome pack...
Welcome Pack
The welcome pack will include maps of the campus and of Wrexham, so you can find your way around and explore your new home. It will also have a copy of the enrolment timetable and induction schedules. Pay close attention to these; it’s exciting moving to a new country but there are certain things that must be dealt with such as enrolling onto your course, registering with the local police and learning what else you need to get started.
What do I need to bring?
Bedding is provided with your accommodation, although you may choose to bring a blanket of your own.
Not all of the accommodation that we offer will have cooking implements. You may wish to bring some from home or visit the inexpensive shops around Wrexham where they can be bought cheaply.
The UK climate is known to change quickly, so make sure you bring a suitable range of clothing. If not, they can be bought cheaply from the local shopping areas.
Our International Welfare team have included a lot of information about living in the UK in your welcome pack, but it is always useful to plan ahead. A guide document will be made available to you once we receive your travel information.
For more information on what you can do to plan for your arrival in the UK, we advise you to visit the following websites:
UK CISA
http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/
British Council Pre-Departure
http://www.britishcouncil.org/eumd-immigration.htm
UK Border Agency
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/
