Arrival in the UK

The 2010 pre-arrival handbook can be downloaded as a PDF version here:

International Students Pre-arrival Handbook

Please remember that you should arrive no later than Sunday 12th September for the International Students Induction Day. Please note some courses may have an earlier start date. This information is available at the QMU Induction website at www.qmu.ac.uk/induction.

The pre arrival handbook also contains details of a new Airport Transfer service available to QMU students this year.

Arriving in the UK to start your studies is very exciting, as you meet with other new students from Scotland and all over the world, organise your classes and generally get used to your new surroundings. There are however, some practical things to think about such as opening a bank account and registering with the police. For general advice on these issues and more have a look at our guide to arriving in the UK.

Orientation
The first week before classes start is a chance for you to settle into your new environment. The Recruitment and International Liaison Office and the Students' Union organise various events, including the Freshers' Fair, which will give you the opportunity to meet with your fellow students.

Introductory Welcome Talks For International Students
The Recruitment and International Liaison Office holds introductory welcome talks in September. It is our chance to welcome you to QMU, talk about life in Scotland, matriculation and give you other basic information on accommodation, student clubs and societies and counselling support, which should make settling in that little bit easier. It also gives you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

Tour Of Edinburgh
All new international students are invited to join the Recruitment and International Liaison Office on a bus tour of the City of Edinburgh with guides from the Scottish Tourist Office.

Matriculation and Enrolment
You will receive details of when to matriculate from our Admissions Office once you accept a place at QMU. Remember to bring the originals of your transcripts/documents with you. At matriculation you will meet with your admissions tutor, decide on your courses, receive your matriculation card (also your library card) and your university email address.

Register with the Police
You will need to register with the Police within seven days of arrival in the UK. When you register with the Police, you will need to have the following with you: one passport sized photograph, your passport, the fee of £34 (please have the exact amount with you) and documentation relating to your studies i.e. your matriculation card or letter of offer. The Recruitment and International Office can help you with this when you arrive in Edinburgh.

Culture Shock
Leaving home to study in a foreign country can be a very exciting experience but it can also be quite stressful. Often students are surprised by the effect travelling to another country can have on them. However, it is important to realise that many of your reactions are perfectly normal, regardless of where you are from or where you are studying. Culture shock can be prompted by a number of things:

• The shock of a new environment
• Different study methods
• Constantly meeting new people
• Being separated from your loved ones and the people who you would usually turn to for advice
• The climate of your new home
• The food
• Being submerged in a foreign language
• Social customs that challenge what you have always accepted as 'normal'.

It is important to recognise the symptoms of culture shock and look after yourself. It is perfectly normal and to be expected that you may feel homesick and you may be surprised when it hits you. You may have difficulty sleeping, or alternatively sleep all the time, you may get headaches or be over anxious. Often your concentration span is affected, and your emotions may be more up and down than normal.

Remember that there are support networks in place to help you through any difficult times. Here is some basic advice:

• Maintain a healthy balanced diet
• Take light exercise
• Keep in touch with your friends and family at home by email or make a few extra phone calls
• Make friends with other international students, as often they will understand what you are going through
• Join some societies, or get involved with your local community as this is a way of keeping yourself busy and also getting to know other Scottish students who can in turn help you to understand the culture better
• Do take part in our "welcome programme" for new international students
• Contact the Recruitment and International Liaison Office or the Student Counsellor
• Ultimately, look after yourself and remember that culture shock is a perfectly natural reaction to life in a new environment.

Opening a Bank Account
We recommend that you open a bank account once you arrive in the UK. If you bring a banker's draft in Sterling with you (payable to yourself and drawn on an UK bank), you can open an account at a convenient bank. The draft should take between seven to ten working days to clear. The bank will ask you to provide identification, confirmation of your studies at the QM and your postal address. (See 'Fees & Funding' for further information on finances)

Payment of Tuition Fees
The Finance Office will issue you with an invoice for your tuition fees for that year after you have matriculated. These are due to be paid, in full, 21 days after the invoice date. You can choose to pay these by instalments by Direct Debit. You must, however, hold a UK Bank Account to operate this system. Instalments start in October and run through to March the following year. No other form of instalment plan is accepted. You must complete a Direct Debit Mandate, which you will find on the QMU Portal as soon as you have your UK bank account details. For details of our Student Debt Recovery Procedure please download the document from the link below.

Student Debt Recovery Procedure

If your fees are £8,000 or over for the year and you pay in full before 31st October you will be entitled to a 5% discount. If you pay by Direct Debit instalments there will be no entitlement to the discount. All fees must be paid, in full, by March the following year.

Council Tax
Council tax is based on the value of the house and is used to pay for local services. Whether you are liable for council tax will depend on where and who you live with. If you live in halls of residence you are exempt from council tax and don't need to take any further action. The table below explains the situation for private accommodation. When you move into your new flat you will need to inform the Council of who is living in the flat and whether or not you are a student.

TYPE OF RESIDENCE

COUNCIL TAX LIABLITY

National Insurance Number
If you decide to get a job while you are studying in the UK you will need a national insurance number. The first step is to get a job offer in writing. You can then telephone the Benefits Office to make an appointment for an interview to get a permanent national insurance number. In the period between getting a job and receiving your permanent national insurance number you can create a temporary number. Please visit the International Office for more details.

Travel in and Around Edinburgh
The Number 30 LRT bus runs approximately every 10 minutues between the campus and Edinburgh city centre. Useful web sites are Lothian Buses and First Buses .

Travel to and From Edinburgh
Edinburgh is extremely accessible by road, rail and air. The following web sites may be useful.

Bus: www.nationalexpress.co.uk, www.gobycoach.com, www.citylink.co.uk
Train: www.gner.co.uk, www.scotrail.co.uk, www.virgintrains.co.uk
Air: www.baa.co.uk/main/airports/edinburgh

Travelling Outside the UK
Many students take the opportunity to explore countries outside the UK during their time studying in Edinburgh. If you are planning to travel outside the UK make sure you find out about any visa requirements BEFORE you depart. Also make sure that you have a multiple entry visa which allows you to re-enter the UK for the duration of your visa. You will also need to take a letter from QMU confirming you are a student.

Telephones
Public telephones can be operated with cash or phone-card, depending on the type of phone. The minimum charge for a call is 20p.

Useful Numbers

Internet and Email
QM has a number of computer labs where you can access the internet and email for free. You will receive an induction to the IT Centre when you matriculate along with your university email address. The halls of residence also have internet connection points in each bedroom.