to Huddersf ie ldWelcome

WWW.HUDDERSFIELD.SU/ADVICE

An international students guide

1. Finding accommodationIf you have not pre-booked yourstudent accommodation beforearriving in Huddersfield then youmay want some help finding asuitable property. There are avariety of accommodationoptions in the local area rangingfrom halls of residence to flats orshared student houses. It reallydepends on what you are lookingfor and your budget. TheStudents’ Union Advice Centreruns an online accommodationservice and is on hand to helpyou with the search. TheAdvisers will be available duringInternational Week between10am – 4pm. You can find theircontact details on the back pageof this booklet.

2. Contactinghome in those first few daysIt can feel strange at first beingin a new place and you may wantto contact home during the firstfew days to let them know thatyou have arrived safely. You canbuy a prepaid phone card or youmay want to use your mobilephone. If you are bringing yourown phone from home and usingthe existing SIM card it couldwork out to be very expensive.You may want to consider eitherbuying a new SIM card or a newphone package with the SIM cardincluded. This will either be acontract or a pay as you go basis.Whatever you decide it is bestnot to rush into it and shoparound to find the best deal foryou. You should consider thefollowing points:

Coming to study in a new country can bea stressful experience. This leaflet hasbeen prepared to help answer some ofthe general questions you may have inthe first few days following your arrival.If you do not find the information youneed or have any further queries thereare plenty of people on hand to helpso please do not be afraid to ask.

WELCOME TO HUDDERSFIELD!

• How much does it cost?• What is the reception like inthe area you will be using itmost?

• What do calls and texts cost?• How much does it cost to calloverseas?

• What sort of contract is it?• How how is it for and what isthe notice required to cancel?

Once you complete yourUniversity registration you willbe able to access the computerfacilities on campus but untilthen the Students’ Union has acomputer you can access toemail home. You can also accessthe internet at the mainlibrary in the towncentre.

3. Opening a bankaccountOne of the first thingsyou will probably need todo when you arrive is to open abank account. The main banksand building societies all havebranches in the town centre andbefore deciding it may help toconsider the following points:

• Is there a branch locally andwhat are their opening hours?

• What facilities does theaccount offer e.g. how canyou withdraw your cash, makebill payments etc?

• If you will be receivingpayments from overseas, ask

how the bank will deal withthis and what charges wouldapply.

Once you have chosen a bank orbuilding society, you will need togo through the account openingprocedures. You will usually needto provide the following detailsas a minimum to open theaccount:

• Proof of identification ( apassport or national identitycard).

• The original offer letter fromthe University addressed toyour permanent address backat home.• Proof of your local address

for example a utility bill,letter from youraccommodation provideror letter from theUniversity. Some banks

will need this to beaddressed directly to them.Once you have enrolled youcan request a letter forbanking purposes from theUniversity. This can be doneat the Help Desk in enrolmentor Student Admissions andRecords Desk in the StudentCentre, Level 4, CSB.

For more useful information onopening a student bank accountvisit the British Bankers’Association atwww.bba.org.uk

4. Settling in Coming to study in a differentcountry can be a stressfulexperience. The following tipsmay help you settle in over thefirst few days:

• Meet other international andEuropean students. TheUniversity runs a WelcomeProgramme which includesinduction sessions on theUniversity services andfacilities, trips and events tohelp you settle in. Check outthe programme in yourwelcome pack.

• Visit the Students’ Union andfind out about the variousclubs and societies that areon offer. Speak to a memberof their iZone Team.

• Ask for help. If you have anyproblems or questionscontact one of the Universityor Students’ Union SupportServices.

• Go to the Freshers Fayre

5. Looking for workBefore you start to look for workyou should check out if there areany restrictions on your eligibilityto work whilst studying. You canget further information on thisthrough Student Services orUKCISA. (details at the end ofthe leaflet)

The University Job Shop is agood place to start and has a listof vacancies for current students.This can be accessed online at:www2.hud.ac.uk/jobshop.Further information on thisservice will be available duringthe induction week so make surethat you come along to thesessions.

6. Getting a Nationallnsurance numberIf you do work in the UK then youmay have to pay nationalinsurance contributionsdepending on the amount youearn. You will need to get anational insurance number whichis used to record your NIcontributions. You do not need tohave this before you start workbut once you get a job you willneed to obtain one.

To apply for a national insurancenumber you will need totelephone HM Revenue andCustoms on 0845 6000 643 andFreshers Fayre!

make an appointment. This willusually take place at your localJobCentrePlus office. You will betold what documentation to bringwith you to the appointmentusually your passport, pay slipsand letter from an employerconfirming that you are workingfor them.

You can find more information onthis through HM Revenues andCustoms or UKCISA. Details atthe end of the leaflet.

7. lnsuranceIt is a sensible idea to considertaking out some insurance tocover your personal possessionsfrom theft, loss, fire or accidentaldamage whilst you are studyinghere. Some of the halls ofresidence may already includethe cost of insurance with therent so it is a good idea to checkbefore making your ownarrangements.

There are many companies thatoffer insurance and we suggestthat you get a couple of quotesso that you can compare.Endsleigh Insurance specialisesin student insurance and offercompetitive rates on a variety ofpackages. You can get furtherinformation and quotes throughtheir website at:www.endsleigh.co.uk

8. lmmigration issuesThe Students’ Union cannotprovide advice and informationon immigration matters howeverthe International Office in theStudent Centre are on hand tohelp with such issues. Theircontact details are on the backpage.

9. Registering with a doctorThe University Health Centre islocated at the bottom of theHuddersfield campus and can beused by students living within athree mile radius of campus or atStorthes Hall. If you are studyingat Barnsley or Oldham you willneed to register with a localdoctor. The Students’ UnionAdvice Centre can providefurther information on this. Youwill receive information aboutregistration during the inductionperiod and it is important thatyou follow the proceduresoutlined in this documentation.

10. Police RegistrationMany, but not all, internationalstudents will need to registerwith the Police when they arrive.Further information on this isavailable through theInternational Office in theStudent Centre, level 4, CentralServices Building.

The George Hotel7 minute walk from UniSt. Georges Square.Huddersfield, HD1 1JATel: 01484 515444Single £55 - £85 Twin/Double £65 - £95Rates include breakfast.Check website for special offers.

Cedar Court Hotel20 minutes bus ride from UniAinley Top, Huddersfield, HD33RHTel: 01422 375431www.cedarcourthotels.co.ukPrices from £80Check website for special offers.Rates include breakfast

Cambridge Lodge10 minutes walk from Uni4 Clare Hill, Huddersfield.Tel: 01484 519892Single £40. Twin/Double £50

Briar Court Hotel15 minute bus ride from UniHalifax Rd, Birchencliffe,Huddersfield, West YorkshireHD3 3NTTel: 01484 519902www.briarcourt.co.ukSingle £65. Double/Twin £75Rates Include Breakfast and VAT

Local Hotels and B&Bs in HuddersfieldIf you or your family are in need of short term accommodation then hereis a selection of local hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, Guest houses and otheraccommodation.

This list is provided for guidance only and is not a recommendation.

For further information we advise visiting Kirklees Council visitors’website: www.kirklees.gov.uk/visitors

Huddersfield Central Lodge5 minute walk from Uni11-15, Beast Market,Huddersfield, West YorkshireHD1 1QFTel: 01484 515551www.centrallodge.comSingle £52 Twin/Double £34 ppTriple £28ppRates include breakfast & VAT

Elm Crest Guest House15-20 minute walk from Uni2, Queens Rd, Edgerton,Huddersfield, West YorkshireHD2 2AGTel: 01484 530990Prices from £35 to £59.50depending on the size of roomand facilities.Rates include breakfast.

Cambridge Guest House15 minute walk from uni86, New North Rd, Huddersfield,West Yorkshire HD1 5NETel: 01484 423995Single £40Twin/Double £50Family £70Rates include a continentalbreakfast

Woods End Bed and Breakfast10 min bus / 25 min walk from UniInglewood Avenue, Huddersfield,HD2 2DSTel: 01484 513580www.the-woods-end.co.ukPrices from £25(some self catering facilities)

Thornes Farm10 mins from M1 & M6220 minutes bus ride from Uni.Knotty Lane. Lepton,Huddersfield. HD8 0NDTel: 01484 604024janet.woodhead@googlemail.com

Prices: £50 to £75

Premier Inn 2 minute walk from UniHuddersfield CentralSt Andrews Way,Huddersfield. HD1 3AQTel: 08715278528www.premierinn.comPrices: £70 (family)

Rates quoted as at July 2011 butdepend on availability and can besubject to change. Please contactthe hotel/B&B direct for furtherinformation.

STUDENTS’ UNION ADVICEThe Students’ Union Advice Centre can provide information on a rangeof student issues. You can access further information online atwww.huddersfield.su/advice

Opening Times Monday to Thursday - 10am - 4pm • Friday - 10am - 1pm

For further information or to arrange an appointment with an adviseremail advice-centre@hud.ac.uk or telephone 01484 473446

The Advice Centre services are also accessible to students based atBarnsley or Oldham Campus. Please speak to the SU staff at yourcampus or contact the Advice Centre direct by email (above).

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Contacts

Immigration TeamInternational OfficeLevel 4, Central Services BuildingTelephone: 01484 472383Email: immigration@hud.ac.uk

International OfficeTel: +44 (0)1484 472383Skype: internationalhuddersfieldEmail: international.office@hud.ac.ukWebsite: www.hud.ac.uk/international

UKCISAUK Council for International Student Affairswww.ukcisa.org.uk

HM Revenues & CustomsInformation on national insurance and taxwww.hmrc.gov.uk/students