STUDY ABROAD PRE-ARRIVAL GUIDE INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS OFFICE
ge London Regent’s Colle e rcl Ci er Inn Regent’s Park London NW1 4NS, UK
7727 +44 (0)20 7487 Tel s.ac.uk nt ge re @ ipo Email nts.ac.uk/ipo Web www.rege
g Student,
Dear Incomin
s me to Regent’ o c to d e id c e ve d d that you ha e s a le p re a e W eriod abroad. p y d tu s r u o y on for College Lond nd you have a d e w ie v re n ee on has now b r. Your applicati ceptance lette c a l ia c ffi o r u n received yo avel to Londo tr r u o y r fo g n ari uld start prep . To support n o d n o L e g Now you sho lle Co We s at Regent’s ie d tu s r uide for you. u g o y rt d o h s an is th y have prepared stions you ma e u q r u o y you in this we f o any o contact will answer m d is e s th a t le a p th s e e p ri ho que ve any further a h u o telephone on y ia if v t r u o b k .u c have .a gents t inbound@re a il a m e ia v s u 7476/7605. 7 8 4 7 0 )2 (0 be 0044 great city will is th in e liv d n a ndon to study ou will have a y t a th e p o h Coming to Lo . We d challenging n a g in it c x e both ring your stay. u d e m ti le b memora fantastic and you shortly! g in m o lc e w g forward to We are lookin und Team The IPO Inbo 0 and a Charity
ge London is a
Regent’s Colle
Company Limite
d by Gu
. 179176 ed in England No arantee Register
. 291583 Registered No
PREPARING FOR YOUR STUDY PERIOD ABROAD
Online Enrolment Four weeks prior to arriving at Regent’s College London, you will need to enrol online. You will receive an email containing your user name and password as well as instructions about how to log onto the network. It is essential that you enrol online before arriving at the College as otherwise you will not be able to fully register and receive your timetable.
Health Insurance EU/EAA citizens Medical treatment in the UK is free to all EU/EEA citizens. EU/EAA citizens should register with a local National Health Service (NHS) doctor in the area in which they are living. All EU citizens resident in the UK are entitled to receive accident and emergency hospital care free of charge. Please carry your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you at all times. Non-EU Citizens At present, any student on a course which lasts over six months is entitled to free National Health Service (NHS) treatment. However you must take out private health insurance to ensure quick treatment in the event of a serious illness as waiting lists for many NHS treatments are extremely long. If the duration of your stay is less than six month and you need to see a doctor you could visit a Medicentre to receive treatment. At a Medicentre, there is no need to pre-register. The cost of a visit is about £35 - £70. To find your nearest Medicentre call (08456) 808 999 or visit www.medicentre.co.uk. You should keep receipts for any payments in order to try to make a claim on your travel insurance (if applicable). Non-EU citizens resident in the UK are entitled to receive accident and emergency hospital care free of charge, although some non-EU citizens may be charged for treatment of chronic conditions. If you are taking long-term medications please be aware that some medications may not be available in the UK so it is important to ensure you have enough medication to cover your time here or have access to alternative medication. PLEASE NOTE: STUDENTS LIVING ON CAMPUS ARE COVERED FOR TREATMENT AT THE LOCAL HEALTH CENTRE. Please visit the UKCISA website for further information: www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/studying_living.php
Other Insurance
What to Bring
Although the UK is generally a safe country, we recommend that you insure your luggage, personal possessions and money. You are advised to take out an appropriate insurance in your home country.
Clothing
Documents needed to travel to the UK Most EU/EEA students will not have any difficulty entering the UK (provided you have ID) but it is still advisable to carry the below mentioned documents with you in your hand luggage. As a non-EU/EEA student you must carry the below with you when entering the country.
**non-EU
/EEA stud
ents: chec
k with the
UKBA if yo
u need th
ese
— Valid passport/ national identity card, with a visa or UK entry clearance, if required — Travel documents (eg. return ticket) — Your letter of acceptance from Regent’s College London — Some British currency (a limit may apply - please check with the UKBA) — Insurance documents — List of what you are carrying in your luggage in case you have to make an insurance claim — Any prescribed drugs or medicine you are taking, plus a letter from your doctor explaining what they are — An address, telephone number and travel instructions to campus/your accommodation — Passport photographs (for travel cards) — Documentary evidence that you have sufficient funds to support you during your time in the UK (tuition fees, if applicable, and accommodation payments, recent bank statements).** — X-ray report, if required** — Vaccination certificates, if required**
British weather is notoriously changeable. There are times when it is warm and sunny in the middle of winter, and it can be cold and dull in the summer, and it may rain any time. Pack clothes that can easily be layered on top of each other, such as T-shirts, shirts and light jumpers, which will give you the maximum flexibility to meet the changeable weather. Clothes can also be bought easily in the UK, meeting anyone’s budget. Books and Stationary There is no need to bring any books as the required reading material for your courses is available to purchase new from the campus bookshop, second-hand from other students or on loan from the library. Guide books for Britain and Europe are available from IPO and Student Services. Stationary (pens and paper) may be cheaper in your home country but it may be easier to buy on campus. Electrical Items You can bring your laptop and digital camera, and other electrical items from home, but make sure that these valuable items are insured against theft and damage while in transit. The power supply in the UK is 240v AC, 50 Hz, and electrical sockets take 3-pin plugs. Ensure that your equipment can be used on this current, or purchase a suitable adaptor.
ARRIVING IN THE UK AND HOW TO GET TO REGENT’S COLLEGE LONDON
Arrival by air London is served by five International Airports. Here you will find the different transfer options in order to reach the College from each of these airports.
Transfer options London Heathrow Airport
Transfer options Gatwick Airport
Transfer options Stansted Airport
Taxi This will cost around £60-£80, depending on traffic. Ask for “Regent’s College London, on the Inner Circle of Regent’s Park”. All taxis take cash and some accept credit and debit cards.
Taxi This will cost £110-£130. Ask for “Regent’s College London, on the Inner Circle of Regent’s Park”. All taxis take cash and some accept credit and debit cards.
Stansted Express The Stansted Express runs every 15 minutes and reaches London Liverpool Street Station in 45 minutes. All trains depart from Stansted Airport rail station, situated directly below the terminal. A return journey is around £30. At Liverpool Street take the London Underground Circle, Hammersmith & City or Metropolitan Line to Baker Street station.
London Underground (Tube) Follow the signs to the Underground, get on the Piccadilly Line and stay on until Piccadilly Circus which will take about an hour. Change here to the Northbound Bakerloo Line and get off at Baker Street station. A single fare will cost approximately £5.30. Heathrow Express A direct train service to Paddington station. This non-stop train runs every 15 minutes, and takes 15 minutes. It costs £20 for a single ticket. From Paddington take the Tube to Baker Street or get a taxi (tube ticket costs around £4.30, taxi costs around £15-£20). Heathrow Connect Trains depart every 30 minutes, and take around 45 minutes to Paddington. Single ticket to Paddington station costs around £10. From Paddington you can take the underground or a Taxi to Regent’s College (see details above).
Gatwick Airport Bus This is operated by National Express and will take you to Victoria Coach station. The journey takes about 90 minutes and a single ticket costs approximately £10. You then need to get a cab from Victoria which will cost about £12-£18 or you can get the Tube (instructions below). Gatwick Express This train leaves every half-hour, takes 30 minutes and costs £18. From Victoria you may take a cab which will cost about £12-£18 or you can get the Tube following the instructions below (single ticket around £4.30). Victoria Station - Baker Street Take the Victoria Line northbound to Oxford Circus. Change there for the Bakerloo Line northbound from Oxford Circus to Baker Street.
Please note that prices given here are a guide only. These are approximate prices as of 2012, and prices are likely to go up.
Coach/Bus Frequent coaches run from Stansted to Baker Street. Fares start at just a few pounds, so this can be a really cost-effective way to travel. All services call at the airport coach station, directly opposite the terminal. Coach companies include EasyBus (www.easybus.co.uk) or National Express (www.nationalexpress.com/ airporttransfers.aspx). Taxi Stansted Airport taxi operator Checker Cars operates a reservation desk on the international arrivals concourse and there’s a courtesy phone in the UK and Ireland baggage reclaim hall. A taxi to central London costs about £110 £130. To book a taxi in advance call 0800 747 737 (inside the UK) or +44 (0)1279 661 111 (outside the UK). Ask for “Regent’s College London, on the Inner Circle of Regent’s Park”. All taxis take cash and some accept credit and debit cards.
Transfer options Luton Airport Taxi Licensed taxis are available from the rank outside the terminal. This will cost £110 – £120. Ask for “Regent’s College London, on the Inner Circle of Regent’s Park”. All taxis take cash and some accept credit and debit cards. Coach/Bus EasyBus (www.easybus.co.uk) offers a 24-hours a day high frequency, low cost, express bus service between Baker Street and Luton Airport. Online Fares start at £2 one-way and vary according to demand. You should book early to get the best fares. EasyBus operates this service in partnership with Greenline. Find out more at the easyBus website. Buses leave from Bays 10 and 11 outside the main terminal building.
Transfer options London City Airport Train To get to Luton Airport Parkway station you will need to take a shuttle bus. This service operates to and from Luton Airport Parkway station which is normally just a 5-10 minute trip from the airport terminal building. The service runs every ten minutes between 05:00 and midnight. This bus costs £1.50 for a single journey. You then have a choice of two rail operators: First Capital Connect Operates a fast, frequent service direct between central London and Luton Airport Parkway train station. Luton Airport Parkway is around 25 minutes away from St. Pancras International. A return journey costs approximately £20-£25. Once at St. Pancras International you will need to follow the directions below. East Midlands Trains Operates services to and from London. Trains arrive at London St. Pancras International. Services to/from London Luton Airport Parkway can take as little as 21 minutes provided you catch a direct service. A return journey costs approximately £25. Once at St. Pancras International you will need to follow the directions below. St. Pancras International Baker Street From St. Pancras International station you will need to take the London underground Circle line or Metropolitan line to Baker Street station (approx10 minutess). A single journey on the London underground costs around £4.30.
Taxi This will cost £50- £70, depending on traffic. Ask for “Regent’s College London, on the Inner Circle of Regent’s Park”. All taxis take cash and some accept credit and debit cards. DLR Take the Docklands Light Railway to Canary Wharf station. Change at Canary Wharf for the Jubilee Line of the London Underground. Stay on the underground until you reach Baker Street station. The journey will take approximately one hour and will cost about £4.30. Eurostar The Eurostar terminates in St. Pancras International station, which is very close to Regent’s Park. St. Pancras International Baker Street From St. Pancras International station you will need to take the London underground Circle line or Metropolitan line to Baker Street station (approx 10 minutes). A single journey on the London underground costs around £4.30.
Directions
London Underground: Oyster Cards
Useful Travel Links
Baker Street Station Regent’s College London 1 When you exit Baker Street station, follow the signs for Madame Tussauds on Marylebone Road. You will pass this on your left 2 Take the first left turn onto York Gate 3 Cross over the Outer Circle and walk into the Park 4 After you cross over York Bridge, you will see the College on your left 5 Walk past the first entrance; keep walking until you see the main entrance. It will take around 8-10 minutes to walk to the College
For travelling across London’s transport network of tubes, trains, buses and trams the Oyster card is the quickest and most cost effective ticket available.
Underground and Bus Information www.tfl.gov.uk
Oyster ‘Pay As You Go’ With the ‘Pay As You Go’ option you only pay for the journeys you make. This is the cheapest way of making single journeys on London transport. Best for ... students living on or near the campus. Student Oyster Card If you need to use public transport on a daily basis it may be cheaper for you to get a Student Oyster Card which offers 30% off the cost of an adult travelcard. Best for ... students who travel on public transport regularly or live further away from the campus. Oyster cards are available from all London Underground stations. Further information is available at the TFL (Transport For London) website www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets.
National Rail Enquiries Train times and prices www.nationalrail.co.uk Underground Map www.tfl.gov.uk/ gettingaround/14091.aspx Our Address International Partnerships Office Regent’s College London Inner Circle, Regent’s Park London, NW1 4NS United Kingdom Opening Hours Monday to Friday, 9:00 – 17:00 Telephone +44 (0)20 7487 7727 +44 (0)20 7487 7476 +44 (0)20 7487 7605
Arrival
Accommodation
Induction Days
You will receive an email with arrival information and a timetable for the Induction / Orientation Days approximately one week before your arrival.
For those who require housing information, we recommend that you visit the accommodation section of our website: www.regents.ac.uk/ accommodation.aspx and make contact with our Accommodation Officer James Barnes who offers advice on on-and off-campus accommodation.
Before classes commence, there will be a Induction/Orientation Period orientation week, giving you the chance to find your way around, meet your classmates and other study abroad students and ask questions. The period will be quite busy (especially for those studying a language) but there will be sufficient time to also explore your new neighbourhood, Regent’s Park and London.
Bring your passport/national identity card. If you do not bring any ID we will not be able to register you and there may be a delay in you receiving your class timetable. Some students may also be required to bring proof of payment. Please check your arrival and information email carefully and contact the IPO if you have any questions.
James Barnes Telephone 0044 (0) 20 7487 7483 Email barnesj@regents.ac.uk Accommodation in London can sometimes be difficult to find. Ensure that you start looking well in advance prior to your arrival. If you are staying on-campus please note that you will need to bring towels and coat hangers. A pillow, duvet (comforter), a mattress, and bed linen are provided for.
Induction/Orientation attendance is compulsory and you will benefit from taking part. We will provide you with information on registration, academic life, how to succeed in your studies. We also organise some social events so that you get to know new people! Please ensure that you arrive on time to all sessions during Induction/Orientation. The following are examples of the events/ information sessions that will take place during this period: — Welcome from the IPO — Language Tests — IT/ Library and Learning Resources Information — Welcome BBQ — Fresher’s Fair — London Survival Guide Presentation — Pub Quiz — Jack The Ripper Walk — Muggle Tour — Boat Party — The Great London Treasure Hunt — Regent’s College Scavenger Hunt — Welcome Party — Academic Life Presentation Also, we will give you the “Complete Student Guide to life at Regent’s College and in London”- a detailed guide with a lot of essential information on your semester abroad and how to get the most of out it!
Useful links Travel Preparation Transport for London www.tfl.gov.uk The UK Border Agency www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk UK Council for International Student Affairs www.ukcisa.org.uk Practical Matters UK Council for International Students Affairs www.ukcisa.org.uk Insurance Company suggested by UKCISA www.endsleigh.co.uk National Health Service www.nhs.uk Tourist Information Visit Britain www.visitbritain.com Visit London www.visitlondon.com Time Out London www.timeout.com/london Weather Forecast www.bbc.co.uk/weather Academic Issues Prepare for study in the UK www.prepareforsuccess.org.uk LE
IRC
ER C
OUT
Join our Facebook Group Come and join, speak to other students and get to know each other even before you arrive!
How to find us
REGENT’S PARK
International Partnerships Office Regent’s College London Inner Circle, Regent’s Park London NW1 4NS United Kingdom
AD TER RO
R TE
OU
CHES
ALBANY STREET
LE
RC
CI PA R
KR
LIS
SO
OA D
NG
VE
PL
LE
R CIRC
OUTE
IDGE
IV
OR
WARR
BR YORK
REGENT’S COLLEGE LONDON
RO
GREAT PORTLAND STREET
AC
E
EBONE
MARYL
BAKER STREET
AR GW D OA ER
ROAD
E
PLAC
PLACE
HIGH MARYLEBONE
ET
E PLAC
R STRE
BAKE
STER
GLOU
OUR
SEYM
STRE
PADDINGTON
ST
LAND
INGTON
PADD
PORT
EDGWARE ROAD
WESTWAY
REGENT’S PARK
NOTTINGHAM PLACE
ED
ONE
YLEB MAR
ROAD
Contact IPO
Contact Regent’s College London
International Partnerships Office Regent’s College London Inner Circle, Regent’s Park London NW1 4NS United Kingdom
Regent’s College London Inner Circle, Regent’s Park London NW1 4NS United Kingdom
Telephone 0044 (0)20 7487 7727 0044 (0)20 7487 7476 0044 (0)20 7487 7605 Email inbound@regents.ac.uk
Main Reception Telephone 0044 (0)20 7478 7700 Reid Hall Telephone 0044 (0)20 7478 7402 Emergency Numbers Police/Fire/Ambulance 999