Keele University
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We are looking forward to meeting and welcoming you on Wednesday the 19th of September 2012 which is the first day of the International Orientation Programme. Please note that 22nd of September is for home students. The International Orientation Programme ends on Sunday, followed by the welcome week-starting officially on Monday the 24th. If you think you will not be able to arrive by 19 September, you must inform sas@kfm.keele.ac.uk , international@mac.keele.ac.uk (or keeleinternational@mac.keele.ac.uk if you are a visiting student) and iss@acad.keele.ac.uk
We know that coming to another country is a big change. Therefore there will be lots of people around to give you advice and help you settle at Keele. We also have lots of events and activities planned. Please read the International students welcome booklet and also visit the events page for more information. You will need some additional information which have been specified in the welcome booklet that will be sent to you. Therefore, the information on this page should be used in conjunction with the other information you have been given.
For lots more information about International Orientation, the International Experience at Keele and International Student Support go to the www.keele.ac.uk/iss
- Entry Clearance
- Arriving at Keele
- Living in the UK
- Money Matters
- Support
- Working
- Orientation Programme
Entry Clearance
You need to make sure you are allowed entry into the UK. If you are an International student, you will need a visa to study in the UK. Make sure you apply on time, fully understand entry clearance (visa) application process, and have all the relevant documents before applying, in order to avoid any delays with starting your course at Keele. The supporting documents you will need will depend on your nationality, course and length of course. If you will be studying for less than 6 months, you may not need a visa in advance. Instead you can obtain visa from the port of entry as a student visitor. Please note that EU, EEA and Swiss National do not need a visa to study in the UK.
Once you accept your place at Keele University, we will send you your CAS number, produced by the UK Border Agency. This number is for identification during you visa application process and is valid for 6 months from the date of issue. Should you have any problems with your CAS then please contact cas@mac.keele.ac.uk.
As your official sponsor, we are responsible for you and therefore are required to monitor your attendance and report any changes or problems to the UK Border Agency. Therefore, you must keep us informed of any changes to your information, including your address in the UK, mobile phone number and email.
Arriving at Keele
When travelling, make sure you keep yourself safe, look after your possessions and follow all instructions. Also, do not agree to carry anyone else’s luggage through customs as customs officer may ask to search your belongings. For a list of prohibited/restricted items, see www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/index.htm?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageTravel_Home
You should also check your luggage allowances before you fly and ensure your luggage are clearly labelled with the university's address. If sending any luggage, ensure the arrival date in the UK is after your arrival as we have no supervised storage space. If you need help with deciding what you will need, visit www.keele.ac.uk/studyatkeele/accommodation/newundergradsfresher/whatweprovidewhatyouneedtobring/
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 also 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.
Airport Collection
A FREE Meet and Greet Airport Collection Service is available from Manchester International Airport and Heathrow Airport. Our friendly International Orientation Assistants will be in designated areas, wearing high-visibility yellow and black t-shirts. They will welcome you and ensure your safe transportation to Keele Campus. To use this service, you will need to complete the Request form and return them between 1 August 2012 till 11 September 2012. The form is available here.
We advise you to use the collection service we offer but if you have made other arrangements, make sure they are safe and all the necessary details have been confirmed. If you are making your own way to keele, see the when you arrive section for travel information and visit www.keele.ac.uk/aboutus/howtofindus/ for more information.
Living in the UK
Accommodation
On arrival to Keele, students living in campus accommodation and arriving on Wednesday 19th can collect their keys from 11am to 8pm from the Exhibition Suite in the Chancellor’s Building. Afterwards, minibuses are available to take you to your room (you must have your signed accommodation contract with you). If arriving after 8pm, keys can be collected from the 24-hour Security Office in the Darwin Building. They will also help you get to your accommodation.
If you are going to be living in University accommodation, you must ensure any electrical appliances you bring comply with UK and EU Electrical Safety standards. 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.
Health and Safety and Insurance
It is essential that you obtain travel insurance before departure, 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.
While living in university accommodation, you are automatically covered by Endsleigh Insurance for your belongings. You can top-up the insurance to include more things. Off-campus students are required to sort out their own insurance. If your course is less than six months, you need to ensure (prior to arrival) that you have adequate medical/health insurance to cover your medical expenses in the UK. However, 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 (NHS) but 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.
British Weather
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°C but temperatures usually drop below 0°C during the winter months. You will therefore need warm and waterproof clothing for your stay in the UK. The average September temperature is 15°C so it can feel cold when you arrive. It is advisable to dress in several thin layers such as a t-shirt, shirt and jumper/sweater/pullover so that you can adjust to the different temperatures inside and outside. You can bring some warm clothing with you, but you may want to wait till you get here, to save on luggage space.
HOST
During your stay, you will probably want to know more about the British culture. HOST offers an opportunity to know more about the British culture and to do something different from the usual student routine. HOST are a charity organisation offering international and EU/EEA students the opportunity to be a guest in a British home. The hosts are volunteers who provide a friendly welcome and enjoy meeting people from other countries. For more information visit http://www.hostuk.org.uk/
Money Matters
Your tuition fee details would have been included in your offer letter and you will receive your invoice in Keele email account once payment has been made. Erasmus or Exchange students do not need to pay tuition fees.
All students are responsible for their accommodation fees. There are a few exceptions with some of our Exchange partners e.g. South Africa.
If you have not already paid your tuition and accommodation fees, you can do this upon arrival between 10am and 4pm on Wednesday 19, Thursday 20 and Friday 21 September in the Income Office, Tawney Building.
Keele University offers a Keele International Student Scholarship. The scholarship aware for undergraduate students is £2,000 toward the cost of annual tuition fees for the duration of the course, and for postgraduate students (Masters Degree students only), it is £3,000 toward the total tuition fees. The deadline for applications for 2012 entry is 30 June 2012. For more information visit International Scholarships. EU, EEA or Swiss Nationals may be entitled to Student Loans, for tuition fees if studying for a full undergraduate degree course. Please see the following website for more information visit Direct Gov. You should also visit Keele Student Funding for advice on funding.
For scholarships and Bursaries outside of Keele, please visit Education UK.
Support
For any help and advice, contact the International Student Support (ISS) team, located in Water Moberly building. They can also be contacted by email at iss@acad.keele.ac.uk or by telephone on +44 (0)1782 733801. Make sure you collect a copy of the 2012/2013 ISS events booklet during International Orientation to see the trips and events we have planned for this academic year. You should also sign up to the Encounter mailing list by register at the ISS Help Desk or emailing iss@acad.keele.ac.uk.
The English Language Unit (ELU) provides English language classes and assistance for undergraduate and postgraduate international students at Keele to help them succeed with their studies. Visit English Language for more information about what ELU offers.
For more information about support services at Keele, visit Student Support and also follow us on twitter at Twitter@KeeleSSDS
If you are an exchange, erasmus and study abroad students, your first point of contact for most queries will be the Study Abroad Office, which is part of Keele International. Claire Cartwright is the main contact for study abroad student from China or Brazil, while Lisa Stoker is for students from any other countries. Their contact details are:
Claire Cartwright: c.cartwright@mac.keele.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0)1782 733275. Walter Moberly Building Room WM0.09
Lisa Stoker: l.j.stoker@mac.keele.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0)1782 733048. Walter Moberly Building Room WM0.07
Working
Unless your visa states otherwise, International students can work part time up to a maximum of 20 hours per week during University semesters. You can however work full time during University vacations or as part of an official work placement included in your course.
EU/EEA or Swiss nationals can work with no need for permission or restrictions. Nationals of Bulgaria and Romania are exempt, and they need to apply for a Registration Certificate at the Home Office website before they can legally work in the UK.
Orientation Programme
These following events have been designed specifically for International, EU/EEA and Visiting students as part of the International orientation programme. Please visit the events page for the full list of events organised for all students. Also, don’t forget to check out Keele Students' union line-up for Freshers' Week at Keele SU Freshers.
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Wed 19th Sept. 2012 |
IT services help desk Fee Payment |
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Thurs 20th Sept. 201 |
Free breakfast Guidance on academic writing and avoiding plagiarism Time: 11:30-1pm Location: Westminster theatre, Chancellor’s building This session for UG students will cover: writing academic essays, the importance of referencing, Keele's plagiarism policy and an introduction to the services of the English Language Unit
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Fri 21st Sept. 201 |
IT services help desk Support for students at Keele
Guidance on academic writing and avoiding plagiarism Time: 3- 4:30 pm Location: Westminster theatre, Chancellor’s building This session for PG students will cover: writing academic essays, the importance of referencing, Keele's plagiarism policy and an introduction to the services of the English Language Unit
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Sat 22nd Sept. 2012 |
Orientation help desk Accommodation Key collection International Student Language Assessment Session for PG students (non-KMS students only) Time: 10-11:30am Location: DH0.21, Dorothy Hodgkin Building This is a compulsory session for international postgraduate students who do not have English as their first language. NOTE: PG students enrolled in the Keele Management School (KMS) do NOT attend this session. |
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Sun 23rd Sept. 2012 |
Orientation help desk Living in the UK and Best Value Britain |
Other Important Information
British Pounds Sterling is the currency in the UK. NOT the Euro
Do not bring tuition fees in cash to the UK. It is safer to pay this online in advance.
Do not agree to carry anyone else’s luggage through customs
If you currently live outside the EEA or Switzerland, you are also required to declare any money you are carrying with you if it is more than 10,000 Euros or equivalent (including bank drafts and traveller’s cheques).
You are guaranteed accommodation for the duration of your studies, providing you apply by the university’s deadline each year as a retuning student
You may want to consider having access to a mobile phone
