Pre-arrival information for international students regarding living in the UK

LIVING COSTS

London is an expensive city and challenging, but students at Alpha College enjoy the benefit of living and studying in a part of London that is both central and inexpensive. A moderate living costs for a single student is around £8000 per calendar year and it depends upon your choice. You must show the UK immigration authorities that you can pay your tuition fees and support yourself (spouse and dependents) Fore more information please contact student welfare Officer.

FUNDING
You have to show the financial reserves for your studies your own savings from your parents or other family members, an independent organisation or your country's Education Department. There are some scholarships available specifically for international students. You can get more information from British council office in your country.

WEATHER
Britain has normally a cool climate. It is cold in winter, though it can be damp and windy, and not too hot in summer. You should keep warms cloths in your hand carry as the weather is very unpredictable even in hot summer it can rain at any time. You can get tips from college and for further information please contact Student Welfare Officer.

SAFETY
Britain is a safe, well ordered and developed country. Crime rate is low but it depends upon area to area so necessary arrangements must be taken while travelling or finding a place to live. You must be aware of the groups of teenagers and try to avoid them. We strongly advise our students not to carry cash other than for travelling and lunch. For more information please contact Student Welfare Officer

Residence Guidance to Students
Tips: Always look at more than one house - check - out a few before deciding. Don't decide in a hurry, ignore any advice that tells you there's a rationing. Always check in the market about availability or contact Student Welfare Officer. Always inspect the premises fully and in particular check:

Ø Locks are the first thing to check
Ø State of doors and windows, do they shut properly?
Ø That the gas appliances have been serviced and safety checked within the last 12 months.
 Ø That the electrical appliances, particularly cooker, fridge and microwave work properly, and that there
    are sufficient power points.
 Ø Water supply - check the taps and the means of water heating.
Ø For smoke alarms and, in larger properties, fire alarms and fire doors.
 Ø The house will not be over-crowded.
Ø Which furniture and fittings come with the house and which belong to existing tenants?
Ø Check the condition of the carpet and when it was brought in?
Ø State of the bath and toilet

Once you have found a property/Landlord you are happy with Ask for a copy of the Tenancy Agreement - then read it carefully. If there is anything in the contract you are unsure about then contact Student Welfare Officer for clarification before you sign it or hand over any monies in lieu of deposit or rent etc.

BANKING

The college will guide you in making temporary banking arrangements in order to store your money safely .Note, these facilities are only available to full time students. Fore more information please contact Student Welfare Officer.

ACCOMMODATION

The college is happy and very willing to find suitable accommodation for you .We can find something to suit your needs in and around London ,in all zones 1,2,3,4.5 and 6.For more information ,or to make an accommodation booking please contact ACOL reception.

TRAVEL

As a student you will be eager to explore this great city which is famous for being the capital of financial markets of the world. More importantly London also has a reputation of being the fashion, fun, entertainment and festivity capital. Not surprisingly then there is so much going on in London that your life as a student will involve lifetime experiences. Heritage or culture, exhibitions and festivity, party in or party out, picnics in the parks to river ride, this city is always buzzing with so much going on.

MEDICAL CARE FOR OVERSEAS STUDENTS

Overseas students enrolled on courses of more than six months’ duration are entitled to free hospital treatment through the UK National Health Service. All students must register with a local doctor. Students encountering any difficulties in obtaining medical care must consult the College immediately.

DENTAL SERVICES

If you're eligible for NHS treatment, you can receive your dental treatment at a reduced rate. Once you've registered with a doctor, register with a local dentist as soon as possible. First of all, however, make sure that the dentist accepts NHS patients - some dentists only accept private patients.

ADVICE AND COUNSELLING SERVICE

As a new arrival to the UK, there will be a million and one things, so to say, that you will not be accustomed to or not sure how to go about. Even if you are a regular visitor to the UK or a local student, there may be issues that you wish you could discuss with someone or seek advice. It could be a career advice or study or work related stress that is making you feel down all the time. On the other hand you might have a future opportunity and would like to discuss it with someone experienced who can analyse it with you. Whatever the issue be, good or bad, happy or sad, important or, you may think, unimportant, ACOL has student counsellors who will give you independent advice after listening to you. You will book an appointment with one of them and have your say, totally in confidence, and expect to get the best advice in return.
As always there is no charge for this service and in fact ACOL management encourages you to arrange these meetings on regular basis to have a smooth ride throughout your time at ACOL. This also helps us to understand how our students think, act and interact with studies and society, enabling us to improve our services even further.

POLICE REGISTRATION

After you arrive in the United Kingdom, you may need to register your stay with the police. If you need to register, this requirement will be written in your passport and you will need to register within seven days of your arrival in the United Kingdom.

To register, you will need your passport and the registration fee. Two passport-size photographs of yourself are usually also required.

If you are staying in the Metropolitan Police area in London, you should take these items to the Overseas Visitors Records Office at the address on the right side of this page.
In London, police registration is made at the:

Overseas Visitors Registration Office (OVRO),
Brandon House,
180 Borough High Street,
London SE1 1LH.
Tel. 020 7230 1208.
The office is open between 0900 and 1600, Monday to Friday. You should go in the morning, because the office may have to close early if it becomes too busy. For more information, phone the Overseas Visitors Records Office on 020 7230 1208. If you are not staying in the Metropolitan Police area, you should contact your local police station for the addresses and opening hours of other police registration offices.