If you are coming to the UK for the first time, we know it is tempting to bring everything you own. 

If you are going to be living in University accommodation, you can check what you need to bring and also what you don't need to bring by visiting http://www.keele.ac.uk/studyatkeele/accommodation/prospectivestudents/livingoncampus/whatweprovidewhatyouneedtobring/.

The Welcome to Keele Living Away from Home Guide referred to earlier in the 'My Accommodation' section will give you lots of useful information.

Remember that a Supermarket Shuttle service is offered for two afternoons during International Orientation and there is also a trip to IKEA offered during Welcome Week.  It is best to use these services and to leave large or bulky items at home and buy what you need once you are in the UK.

Clothing

The British climate is unpredictable and very changeable, which means that cold, windy and wet weather can occur at any time of the year.  It is rarely hotter than 30 degrees celsius and temperatures usually drop below 0 degrees celsius during the winter months.  Therefore, you will need warm and waterproof clothing for your stay in the UK.  If possible you should bring some warm clothing with you, but it may be cheaper and save on luggage space to buy suitable clothes when you get here.  The average September temperatures are 15 degrees celsius and in January, depending on the severity of Winter, it is around -5 to +10 degrees and so it can feel cold when you arrive.  It is advisable to dress in several thin laters such as a t-shirt, shirt and jumper/sweater/pullover so that you can adjust to the different temperatures inside and outside. 

You will have to wash your own clothes while you are here (there are launderettes attached to each Hall of Residence on campus), so choose clothes that are easy to keep clean for everyday use as dry cleaning can be expensive in the UK.

Dress at the University is generally informal but it is suggested that you bring your national dress, traditional clothes or a smart outfit for some of the formal events.

Electrical appliances

The standard electricity supply in the UK is 220 / 240 volts, 50 cycles AC, and the standard outlet is a 13-amp square 3-pin plug. Each room on University campus is equipped with one 13-amp socket.

If you are going to be living in university accommodation, you must ensure that any electrical appliances you bring comply with UK and EU Electrical Safety standards.

If you are not bringing a computer, there is an IT Suite on the Ground Floor of the Library which is now open 24 hours a day.

Luggage

Remember to clearly label any luggage you bring with you. You should put your university address on the labels of your luggage.  If you are travelling by air the personal baggage allowance is usually 20 kilograms (approximately one large suitcase) and one item of hand luggage (approximately 5 kilograms).  However, if you are travelling from the USA, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, Carribean, Columbia or Nigeria you are permitted two items of luggage up to 62 inches (158cms) in size and 23 kilograms in weight.

CERTAIN AIRLINES OFFER DIFFERENT LUGGAGE ALLOWANCES, SO PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU FLY.

Please do not send any luggage in advance of your arrival as we have no supervised storage space.  If any packages valued over £500 are being sent, you should ask the freight service to hold these and arrange to have them delivered after you arrive at Keele.

Bed linen and cooking equipment

There are plenty of shops in Hanley and Newcastle selling items of bed linen.  We do not provide cooking equipment but again, there are a number of shops in the area where you can purchase items such as pots, pans, crockery and cutlery.  Alternatively, a company called Gailarde produce special bedding and kitchenware packs that can be delivered directly to you, although it can be quite expensive.  You can find their products and prices at http://www.easybedpacks.com. 

You may wish to pack other items such as towels, dish cloths, tea towels, coat hangers, single toilet roll, plastic footwear for the shower, a battery alarm clock, a small backpack or rucksack, a torch or flashlight, a good English dictionary, laundry bag and camera.

Medical / Optical prescriptions

If you are being treated or have an on-going condition such as diabetes, see your doctor before you leave to get photocopies of medical records and prescriptions to give to the University doctor.  Make sure you have the full name and address of your family doctor in your home country.

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you should also see your optician to get a copy of your prescription.  If you wear contact lenses you should get advice from your optician on what solutions to use here.  Lenses and solutions can be expensive in the UK although it is now much cheaper to order online.  If you want to order contact lenses online, you will have to have an eye examination at an opticians in the UK and then provide this prescription to the online lens supplier.

Television

British TV sets use the PAL system; if you are bringing any DVDs from home, you need to check whether they can be played or whether you need a multi-region player.  If you want watch live TV in your study bedroom you must buy a license for this by law.  You will need to buy this license to watch TV in the UK as the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) is sponsored only by this income.

Photos, posters and "things from home"

Don't forget to bring things that will brighten up your room and remind you of home.  You'll also have plenty of new photos to add as your first year goes by!

DO NOT BRING

Food

The local markets and shopping areas of Stoke-on-Trent sell many different foods from around the world, so you do not need to bring this with you.  If you want to bring certain items of food with you then please look at the Customs section of this website, as there are many products that you cannot bring into the UK.

Electrical items

The University accommodation provides a kettle, toaster and a microwave in most halls, so you will not need to bring these with you.  Please DO NOT bring any electrical item with you that is not specifically designed for use in the UK, for example rice cookers.  This is a fire hazard and any item that does not meet the requirements or is not Portable Appliance Tested will be confiscated.  UK rice cookers can easily be purchased from the local Chinese supermarket and importer.

Please note: mini fridges and heaters are NOT allowed in University accommodation.

Books and study materials

If you buy textbooks at home they will take up a lot of your luggage allowance.  We recommend you borrow texts from the library or you can buy them from the Students' Union second-hand book sales.  There is a Blackwells bookshop on campus.

Passport Control 

Once you arrive in the UK and enter the airport building, you will go through ‘Passport Control’.  You will have two options; you should choose the route for ‘Other Nationalities’ unless you are an EU/EEA citizen.

If you have valid entry clearance, and you are refused entry to the UK, you are entitled to remain here until your appeal has been heard.  You should seek assistance and ask the Immigration Officer to contact the British Council Desk staff who can offer assistance.

If you are a non EEA or Swiss National and are refused entry to the UK and you have no entry clearance, then you may have to leave the UK immediately or be given temporary admission to the UK for a short period.  

Customs

There will be three exits to choose from – the RED exit, the GREEN exit and the BLUE exit.

RED EXIT – Use this exit if you are carrying any prohibited or restricted goods, or have more than the allowance of duty free goods.  The UK Border Agency website has information about what you can and cannot bring to the UK: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/travellingtotheuk/customs/

If you are unsure about which exit to take, or any of your luggage contents, you should choose the red exit. 

GREEN EXIT – Use this exit if you have no prohibited or restricted goods, and are within your allowance of duty free goods.

BLUE EXIT – If your journey started from a country within the European Union, and you are not carrying any prohibited or restricted goods, then you should use the Blue exit.

DO NOT AGREE TO CARRY ANYONE ELSE’S LUGGAGE THROUGH CUSTOMS.  A CUSTOMS OFFICER MAY ASK TO SEARCH YOUR BELONGINGS AT ANY OF THESE EXITS.

If your luggage is lost, the important thing is not to panic!  Follow the steps below and inform the Help Desk in the Chancellor’s Building Exhibition Suite when you arrive on campus:

  • Wait at the baggage claim until all luggage from the flight has come through.  Check around the area too as it could have already been unloaded if your flight was delayed.
  • Go to luggage enquiries / the help desk / the airline desk and tell the staff that your luggage has not arrived.  They will then ask you for:
    • Your flight ticket with flight details and attached luggage receipt
    • A description of your missing luggage
    • Your address in the UK (if you don’t yet know, then give the following address; International Student Support, Walter Moberly Building, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG)
  • Once the member of staff has all your details, they will explain the procedure of getting your luggage back and also give you a reference number and a telephone number or website address to contact for any news.
  • The staff may be able to tell you where your luggage is at the moment, or they may ask you to wait for this information.
  • DO NOT leave the airport before completing this procedure, as otherwise you will not receive your luggage and you will not be able to apply for compensation.

If you are required to register with the Police (check on your entry clearance), you should usually do this within 7 days of arriving in the UK.  This registration is a legal requirement and if you fail to register, you will not be complying with the conditions of your visa.

We have made special arrangements with the Staffordshire Overseas Visitors Registration Office so that you do not need to register within 7 days, as long as you attend one of our registration sessions organised within the first month of your time in the UK. Visit the Help Desk in the Chancellor's Building Exhibition Suite during International Orientation to check whether you need to register and to book a place at the registration sessions.

Once you have registered, the police will issue your certificate immediately.  This is a very important document and you should keep this certificate with you at all times.

You will also need to inform the police every time you change your address or course and each time you are granted an extension of your permission to stay in the UK.

Health

If you are coming on to a course that lasts for less then six months you must ensure, prior to arrival, that you have adequate medical/health insurance to cover your medical expenses in the UK. 

If you are coming on to a course that lasts for more than six months, you can have free treatment under the National Health Service.  However, you will have to pay for any medicines prescribed by your doctor.

You should consider private medical insurance if you wish to cover the cost of returning home or the cost of a member of your family coming to the UK to look after you if you become seriously ill.

It is important to register with the Medical Centre if you live on campus, or with your nearest local Health Centre or doctor if living off campus in case you are ill, need medical advice or if your studies have been affected due to ill health.  Do not wait until you need to see a doctor before you register.

Travel & Personal Insurance

It is essential that you obtain travel insurance to cover you for your journey from your home country to Keele University. This should cover delays and medical emergencies, as well as the cost of replacing any belongings that may be lost while you are travelling. You should obtain travel insurance before departure.

You should insure your personal property against loss or theft as soon as possible after arriving.  There are many companies that offer personal insurance, and some of them are specifically for international students.  Banks and other insurance companies also provide insurance for personal possessions and computers.  It is worth checking different premiums on offer as the cost and the cover may vary considerably depending on the type of accommodation you have chosen and the area in which you are living.

Please note: If you are living on campus, you will automatically be covered by Endsleigh Insurance when you move in to your accommodation and the cost for this is included in your accommodation fees.

Stoke-on-Trent is a friendly city, but as with most other cities, you should be aware of your surroundings when travelling and take precautions to ensure your safety.

Manchester and Heathrow airports do all they can to make sure their passengers are safe.  However, it is still your responsibility to look after yourself and your belongings.

Do not bring drugs (apart from those prescribed by a doctor and accompanied by a doctor's note) into the UK.  Also it is illegal to carry any sort of offensive weapon such as knives, CS gas, guns or stun guns in the UK.  If you try to bring any of these into the UK you will be arrested and detained by officials.  Your nearest British Consulate or High Commission will be able to tell you about restricted goods and duty free allowances or you can refer to HM Revenue and Customs website: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/index.htm?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageTravel_Home

Look after your possessions and never leave your suitcase or bags unattended in a public place, including shops and cafes, as they may be removed for security reasons.  Make sure all of your cases and bags are clearly labelled so that they can be identified and forwarded to you if they become lost.

If you need to leave your luggage anywhere, make sure it is at an official 'Left Luggage' office, which can be found in airports and train stations.  The attendant will give you a receipt to present when collecting your luggage later.

If you are travelling by train or underground (tube), make sure your luggage is where you can see it.  Try to sit in a carriage with other people and not alone.

Take care of your passport, tickets and money and make sure they are in a safe place such as an inside pocket, money belt or zipped bag.  We advise against carrying large amounts of cash.  A small amount of cash in lower amounts (£5, £10 & £20 notes) together with credit card or travellers' cheques is preferred.

If you are taking a taxi from the airport, make sure it has an official City Council taxi identification plate: these are on the side or back of the taxi.  Always sit in the back of a taxi if you are on your own.  Do not accept lifts from any unknown person inside or outside the terminal.  It is preferred that you use the Keele University Meet & Greet Airport Collection Service so that you can be met at the airport and transferred easily to your accommodation.

If relatives or friends are meeting you upon your arrival in the UK, make sure that all arrangements are confirmed before you start to travel and ask for a contact number in case you are delayed or cannot find them.