QMU International Student Pre Arrival Handbook

The International Office are available to help answer any questions you have, particularly if you have any enquiries about immigration or extending your visa. We offer information and advice on a range of topics and can provide you with supporting letters for extending your visa, inviting a family member to visit you, and for visiting another country.

We operate drop-in surgery hours during term time;

• Monday afternoons (2.00pm-5.00pm)
  Thursday mornings (10.00am-12.00noon)

In case of any changes, you can check with the Registry Information Point on Level 1 of the Academic Building.

Immigration

Queen Margaret University offers on campus accommodation in our student halls of residence. There are 800 single bedrooms, in self contained flats for three to six students. Each flat has a shared kitchen/living area.

Think about what type of clothing you will need to help you cope with the changeable weather in Scotland. Below are some items you might consider bringing or buying once you get here.

• Hat

• Long sleeved jerseys or pullovers

• Warm winter jacket

• Sturdy footwear

• Thick socks

• Scarf

• Gloves

  Please note: there are strict rules governing the import of products into the European Union. Information about the products you can and cannot bring with you can be found on the DEFRA website

Remember—all International Students entering on a Student Visa MUST ARRIVE IN TIME to attend the International Student Induction Event. Failure to do so may result in delaying your matriculation and affect your Student Visa.

You may wish to plan your travel so that you have a few days of rest to get over jet lag and get used to your new surroundings before the Student Induction. Please contact accommodation in advance if you are planning on arriving early to ensure a place will be available for you.

Meet QMU @ EDINBURGH AIRPORT

For students starting in September, member of the QMU International Team will be available to meet you upon your arrival at Edinburgh airport.

If you would like further information please email – international@qmu.ac.uk or provide your arrival information via the following website: Meet QMU

We call the student registration process Matriculation. Please complete this process before you attend your induction programme. You will require your student number to log-in, which can be found on your offer letter.

You will be able to complete this process during August (if you’re starting in September) or during December (if you’re starting in January).

Are you from one of these countries?

Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Columbia, Cuba, Egypt, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Palestine, Peru, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Yemen.

Details of fees are available on the QMU website

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, however an instalment option is available as described in this section.

A full calendar of the Academic Year is provided on our website: QMU Website Term Date

Free English language support is available from Tim Freckleton and Hazel O’Hara in the Effective Learning Service, which is based in the Learning Resource Centre. The Effective Learning Service provides support for all students wishing to develop their English language skills. QMU ELS Web page 

www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/student-services/ effective-learning-service-els/

Student Services acknowledge the diversity of students' backgrounds and experiences, and have established a range of support services designed to meet students needs and requirements.

There is a team of specialists in the areas of careers and student employment, disability advice, counselling, financial advice, transition and pre-entry guidance and a medical service linked to the Riverside Medical Practice in Musselburgh.

Services are confidential and free. Further information about Student Services can be found via QMU Student Service Web page

Student Services are located alongside the International Office at the Registry Information Point on Level 1 of the Academic Building.
The office is open Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 4.00pm.

You can also access information and resources 24/7 through the online Student Support Portal, OurQMU. Once you have matriculated, you can use your QMU ID details to log in.

Wellbeing Services

The Wellbeing service offers practical and emotional support, daily drop-ins for a confidential chat and signposting to relevant internal and external support resources to help you stay on track with your studies. The service also offers groups, for example to manage stress and anxiety, and advice on self- management to ensure you stay well throughout your time at university.

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 that 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 what you are studying. Culture Shock can be caused by a number of things:

Currency

Notes: £100, £50, £20, £10, £5, and £1 Coins: £2, £1, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, and 1p

In Scotland, three different banks can issue bank notes: the Bank of Scotland,
the Royal Bank of Scotland and the Clydesdale Bank. In England, only the Bank of England issues bank notes.

Before you leave home, you may consider getting a bank draft in your own name in Pounds Sterling (£GBP) so that you can safely bring a large amount of money with you. Please ensure that the draft is drawn on a UK bank as this speeds up trans- actions and ensures that commission payments are dealt with locally in your own country. Once you arrive at the University, you can then open up your own bank account and deposit the bank draft. Do not bring personal cheques as many banks will not accept them.

In addition, you may consider bringing some travellers cheques in Pounds Sterling as a small working reserve, enough for two weeks (about £250 - more if you are seeking accommodation outside of the University halls of residence, as you will have to pay a deposit). MasterCard and Visa credit cards are also widely accepted.

Also bring with you about £250 in UK bank notes. This will cover your taxi fare and allow you money for food etc until your bank account becomes operational (nor- mally about two weeks).

Please note that these costs are estimates and will vary depending
on the individual and the choice of accommodation. You can rent a flat privately in Edinburgh - the cost will vary depending on the size of the flat and the location. You will also have to budget for the costs of travel to and from QMU. These costs do not include tuition fees.

Council Tax

The Council Tax is a property based tax based on the value of the house you are living in and is used to pay for local services. Whether you are liable to pay council tax or not will depend on where you live and whom 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 adjacent table explains the situation for private accommodation. When you move into a new flat you will need to inform the Council of everyone who is living in the flat. Council tax exemption forms can be stamped by the School Office.

Most international students studying for longer than six months do not require a work permit to work part-time. Therefore, international students studying full-time are allowed to work in the UK for up to 20 hours per week as long as the work meets certain conditions:

• Students must not work for more than 20 hours a week during term time, except where a work placement is to be undertaken as a necessary part of the course of study as agreed by the education institution.

• The stamp in your passport must not say “prohibition on taking employment.”

• Students cannot engage in business, self-employment, the provision of

  services, or take work as a professional entertainer or sports person.

• Students should not pursue a career by filling a permanent full-time vacancy.

Further Information on employment 

All international students who study full-time in Scotland and have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge are entitled to free medical advice and hospital treatment under the National Health Service (NHS) in Scotland. The cost of dental care, and eye tests are not covered by the NHS.

It is advisable to register with a
doctor once you are settled in your accommodation. If you are living on campus you can register with our local GP by picking up a form at our Student Services reception desk.

As a student, you can apply for rail and bus discount cards which will provide you with money off standard fares.

There are two main bus companies that operate throughout Edinburgh: Lothian Buses and First Bus. To find out more about the various bus routes you can visit their

Lothian Buses Website

First Bus Website 

As a student at QMU, you are automatically a member of the Students’ Union. The Union is a safe social space for all students to relax, socialise, volunteer, receive advice and participate in extra curricular activities.

The Students' Union Officers and staff can be found in the first floor offices. They are there to help with all your needs and enquiries during your time at University - pop along to see them!

The Students' Union Welfare Point is also on the first floor: welfare@qmu.ac.uk. The Help Zone is also the place to go if you wish to campaign, to get free sexual health and safer sex materials, and general information.

You can get involved in Student Parliament and various sports clubs and societies where you can voice your opinions and gain valuable new skills - contact union@ qmu.ac.uk for more information.
The bar and café have a pool table and a games machine, an internet area where students can use their laptops and a partitioned area that can be used for private/ alcohol-free events.

For further info: QMU Student Union website 

There is a sports centre on campus, offering a range of facilities. The staff endeavour to provide you with a high quality service and are happy to assist with any questions.

Our facilities include:

• Fitness suite

• Astroturf suitable for 5-a-side or

  7-a-side football

• Sports hall

• Exercise studio

Further information about the sports facilities can be found on QMU Sport Web Page

BRITISH TOURIST AUTHORITY - Website