THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR PARENTS OF STUDENTS MOVING TO THE UK

Give your child a

head start with BeGo

top tips on stress free travel

to the uK

Guide to student

accommodation in the uK

inside the

world’s Greatest

department store

Parentguide

ISSUE ONEGreatBritishmaG.co.uK

In partnership with

GB MagContents

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Welcome to the 2013 GB Mag Parents’ Guide. This guide was created especially to help and advise parents that have a son or daughter about to begin university in the UK.

There are many things that a student must do in order to live and study in the UK – there are visas to arrange, accommodation to find, flights to book. This guide is designed to help you ensure that your child has completed all the necessary steps (see checklist on page 6), to give you some information about each of these steps, and to give you some tips on how to enjoy yourself when you travel to the UK to visit them.

We produced this guide is response to comments from our community of students and their families, who told us that it can be difficult to find information on exactly what needs to be done and when. If you have any suggestions as to how we can improve this guide for next year then please send us an email info@greatbritishmag.co.uk. We will be very happy to hear from you.

We are sure your child will have a fantastic time studying in the UK, and come away with valuable qualifications and invaluable experiences.

The UK looks forward to seeing you soon

The GB Mag team

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GB MagShopping

With a son or daughter now living in Britain you have the perfect excuse to come and visit regularly. One of the most popular activities for visitors to the UK is to hit the shops, with the world’s most prestigious brands all based in the ‘West End’ of London, as well as in shopping districts of other major cities. GB Mag has teamed up with iconic British store Selfridges to give you a sneak peek inside what is officially the world’s best department store.

Open to the world since 1909, Selfridges flagship London Oxford Street store continues to be an essential shopping destination for international and British shoppers alike. There are now four Selfridges stores in the UK, located in London, Birmingham and two in Manchester. Dedicated followers of fashion that are not lucky enough to live near a store can still find the season’s latest trends at Selfridges.com

Wonder and watches Selfridges ‘Wonder Room’ is the ultimate place to go for fine jewellery, time pieces and luxury gifts. Many elite brands create items exclusively for Selfridges. Watches by Audemars Piguet, Rolex, Vacheron and Constantin are all exhibited and sold. As is exquisite jewellery by Cartier, Hermès, Van Cleef and Arpels, Tiffany & Co. and many of the world´s other leading jewellery designers.

These incredible works of art and craftsmanship need an equally impressive gallery to exhibit them. This is why Selfridges invested £10 million creating the Wonder Room. Located in the flagship London store, the Wonder Room is 19,000 square feet in size and offers customers a unique mix of products in an imaginative setting that highlights the scale, magnificence and char-acter of the original neo-classical hall it has been built in. It has to be seen to be believed.

World records Not many stores can claim to hold world records, but Selfridges has collected quite a few over the years and shows no sign of slowing down. Voted the World’s Best Department Store at the Global Summit of Department Stores in June 2010 and again in May 2012, Selfridges is the only store to ever win twice.

As if that is not enough, the store boasts the world’s largest women’s shoe department. There are a whopping six major salons and 11 specially designed brand apartments containing more than 100,000 pairs of shoes. Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Prada – every designer you would want is available.

Shopping

Selfridges

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GB MagShopping

Men are equally spoiled with the world’s largest men’s shoe department. Shoppers can try-on more than 250 brands, over 120 exclusive product styles and even have the perfect pair made for them in the made-to-order shoe salon.

Down in the beauty department the records keep coming with Selfridges proudly having the world’s most successful and busiest beauty department in the world. In fact many brands sell more products in Selfridges than anywhere else in the world.

Fashion London has long been synonymous with fashion, from the style of the swinging 60s to the classic cuts of Savile Row. Many fashion aficionados like to wander through the men’s and women’s fashion collections for style inspiration. The men’s gallery has 13 international labels alone, while the Women’s Designer Galleries house fabulous pieces from top names such as Celine, Alexander McQueen, Givenchy and Dries Van Noten.

If all this is too much to choose from then the Selfridges’ Personal Shopping service can help. The fashion consultants are informed, multi- lingual and they provide a discrete and professional service choosing the appropriate look and clothing for your needs.

Beauty No visit to Selfridges is complete without some pampering. Visit the Beauty Workshop for advice on skin care products and brands, a 15 minute hair blow-dry, spray tans and hair extensions amongst other services, including full spa treatments.

Down in the Beauty Hall you can find cosmetics from the world’s leading brands. From Dior to MAC, Lancôme to Chanel, you can be sure Selfridges has the right product for you and your skin and specialists are on hand to give you free advice and help you choose.

Tax Free Shopping And is if all of this isn’t enough, customers who live outside the EU can claim back between 10-14% on purchases in store with a minimum spend of £50. This means you even save money on the world’s most desirable brands!

Luxury shopping becomes a luxury experience in the UK. Selfridges combines exquisite British service with creative displays of the finest brands to ensure the experience is as enjoyable as the items you come away with.

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GB MagBeGo

Namaste. Early preparation is the key to make sure your son or daughter has a good and safe start in the UK.

We caught up with transition service BeGo to put together a check list to run through with your child before they leave.

Checklist

Take along with you the original copy of the University offer letter and CAS (Certificate of Acceptance) number. Immigration officers will want to see a copy of these letters

VISA application: Please note that there are various visa categories and applying for the wrong category will deny your child access to the UK

- TIER 4 (GENERAL): For adults (18 years old and above) who want to come to the UK for their post-16 education (india’s equivalent of 10+2 education)

- Tier 4 (Child): For children aged between 4 and 17 years old on a long course of study.

- Student visitor: For adults who want to study a short course in the UK and will not work while they are here

- Child visitor: For children who want to study a short course in the UK and will not work while they are here

Complete and return accommodation application or notification

Book a place on the University’s airport collection service, if it has one. Please note that university’s airport collection service runs on a very strict schedule and if for any reason your child didn’t make it, he/she will have to figure out how to get to the university on their own

Book flight tickets

Collect together vaccination certificates, X-ray and health reports We recommend your child to have a valid TB (tuberculosis) clearance certificate

Organise a UK SIM card

Get insurance for travelling, medical and personal belongings

Organise Sterling cash for expenses on arrival/transits

Open a UK bank account prior to arriving the UK

Arrange for home essentials to be delivered within the first week of arrival

Give your child a head start with BeGo

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GB MagBeGo

BeGo can help with everything on this checklist and more. The transition is made safe and easy using BeGo who’s your local trusted friend and have experiences in helping over thousands of international students coming to the UK. BeGo understand the challenges of moving to Britain especially when one is at such a tender age.

With BeGo, you don’t have to worry about all these as we can help to setup a UK bank account even before your child arrives to the UK, we provide a comprehensive insurance cover which includes travelling, personal belongings (including baggage and personal goods such as watch, laptop, mobile phone and camera ) and up to GBP £2,000,000 on medical cover. In addition to that we also send your child a UK SIM card prior to their departure so that you know what number to call when they are in the UK, and a home starter pack which includes cooking utensils and a rice cooker (pressure cooker) so that they settle in their new environment with ease. Upon arrival, your child will be greeted by our uniformed chauffeurs who will be carrying a name board with your child’s name appearing on it. They will help with the all the luggage and transport your child directly and safely to his/her university.

We’re very confident, with BeGo, we will take the stress off both you and your child while you savour the good times before he/she leaves your side.

Plus BeGo builds a lasting relationship and offers other services, such as host schemes where your child can be paired with a vetted and approved British family to enable them to experience a truly British experience for festive days such as Easter and Christmas. If they want a part-time job BeGo can help with CVs, interview preparation and connections to employers.

For our VIP clients, we also offer support services such as immigration advice, setting up a business in the UK and help on buying investment properties in the UK

Hum aapke bhavnayon ko samajhtein hain. Aur Hamara yeh biswass hai ki hum aapke baache ki aashoyon ko pura karein.

Want to ensure your child has the best possible experience studying and living in the UK?

Give us a call to find out the next step:

+91 79 30250122India representative:

UK Office: 0044 24 7610 0237 Website: www.begouni.com Email: info@begouni.com

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GB MagApplying for a visa

Once your child has secured a place at one of the amazing universities in the UK, it is time to organise a student visa. This can be a complicated process so it is important that you help your son or daughter every step of the way. But if you are unfamiliar with the visa application process we have a brief overview and some tips to make it easier.

Securing a student visa for the UK is one of the more difficult requirements your child will have to sort out. The best piece of advice we can give you is to start as early as possible. This means you will have time to read through all of the information, understand it and ask questions if needed.

There are different kinds of student visas available and the one that’s right for your child depends on criteria such as age and the length of the stay. Remember visa rules do change so be sure to check that the information you have is up-to-date. Here are the most relevant visa options for your child:

Child visitor: Your son or daughter should apply for this visa if they are under 18 years of age and want to study in the UK for up to six months.

Tier 4 (General): This is for adult students coming to the UK for post-16 education. This is a points-based system which means the applicant

must fulfil enough of the criteria to have the required number of points to enter the country.

Student visitor: Students 18 years of age or older can apply for this visa if they plan to study in the UK for up to six months (or up to 11 months to take an English Language Course). But students cannot work on this visa.

Prospective student: This is for people who need to come to the UK to finalise their arrangements for study. For example, if your child receives a conditional offer from a university but has to attend a final interview in the UK before accept-ance into the course. Once a university placement is secured, your child can change from this visa to a Tier 4 visa without having to leave the UK.

Applying Once you and your child have figured out which visa to apply for it is time to start the process. The UK has visa operation services around the world through visa sections at UK embassies, high commissions and consulates. The British Council as well as the UK Border Agency can also help you with the application.

Applying for a visa

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GB MagApplying for a visa

Arrival There is only one thing to do once your child arrives in the UK. Some students are required to register with the police. If your child needs to register this requirement will be written in their passport so be sure to encourage them to check. Police registration must be done within seven days of arrival in the UK and the sooner the better.

If you still have questions or want more information visit the Get Started section on the GreatBritishMag.co.uk website.

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GB MagChoosing an airline

Flights The flight will be the first step your son or daughter takes in their big move to the UK. This makes it vital that you help them choose a flight and a company that suits their needs. Make this apprehensive first step of their journey much easier with our guide. GB Mag’s partner, British Airways (BA), understands the special requirements of students studying overseas and offers many options to make the move easier.

Student flights with British Airways Student flights with British Airways Special fares for Student travellerwith British Airways are valid from May June to October. Another benefit of the British Airways student ticket is the luggage allowance. Moving countries to study requires a lot of packing and it is not always easy or affordable to send over your child’s belongings after they have arrived in Britain. With British Airways’ student fares your child is entitled to a double baggage allowance of 46 kilograms, made up of two bags weighing 23 kilograms each. Take full advantage of the weight limit and avoid the hassle of shipping possessions.

Student fares are available from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore to seven major UK cities including London, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle or Jersey (all via London Heathrow).

Visiting your child Study periods range anywhere from one semester to more than eight years, depending on the length of the course. This gives you the perfect opportunity to not only come and visit your son or daughter, but this is also the time to book a holiday to the UK. Britain offers everything from medieval history to luscious country landscapes and luxury city-centre stays. British Airways can get you to the UK in style with many flight options to suit all needs.

Flying is all part of the holiday experience with British Airway’s World Traveller and World Traveller Plus aeroplane cabins. They include new seats and state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment systems on all our new long-haul aircraft. The World Traveller Plus entitles you to a quieter cabin with a maximum of six rows, larger seats, lap-top power plug-in, in-seat phone, three-course meal and a double baggage allowance. This is the ideal start to any holiday.

Choosing an airline

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GB MagChoosing an airline

Other services If you have younger children who want to go and visit the UK or may be travelling to Britain for education, than you need to look at the Skyflyer Solo Service. This service is for individuals below the age of 18 who are flying by themselves. To take the worry away from parents British Airways will accompany the child from the departure airport, through check-in, onto the plane and deliver them safely to a nominated adult at the arrival airport. This makes the experience for both the parent and the child much more enjoyable and safe. The Skyflyer Solo Service comes at an additional fee for each long-haul flight, check with British Airways for costs.

British Airways and India British Airways has been flying to India for more than 80 years and offers 46 direct flights a week (47 direct flights a week in winter) between India and London. From India, British Airways operates from 5 cities – Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

For more information about the latest student offers, please visit ba.com or contact us at 1860 180 3592 from Monday – Saturday

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GB MagFinding accommodation

The accommodation your child selects for their home in the UK is one of the most important decisions they will make. A positive home environment will give your child a safe place to live, a comfortable environment to study in and an enhanced and enjoyable experience in the UK. GB Mag has teamed up with Student Castle, a student accommodation provider, to help you guide your child through this decision.

There are many accommodation options available to international students, including private rentals, student dorms and share housing. But by far the most popular choice is private student housing. This is where a block of flats is built especially for students and includes everything from personal rooms with internet access to common areas for socialising, as well as having a support network to help with any problems.

Why choose private student accommodation? Safety would be the first reason to consider private student-focused accommodation for your child. For example the Student Castle properties have dedicated 24-hour management, which means there is always a person in the building to help. All properties have security and maintenance teams as well as the latest CCTV technology. This protects your child and their possessions.

Another reason to choose private student accommodation is the community aspect. It can be difficult to move to a new country away from friends and family, but private accommodation makes the transition a comfortable one. Large common rooms are located in all of the Student Castle buildings and regular social events are held throughout the year. This gives your son or daughter an opportunity to meet other students, from both the UK and international locations, who are also experiencing the challenges of living away from home. The camaraderie between students and organised social activities will help make being away from home easier.

Finally, the main thing that separates private student accommodation from university dorms is the facilities available. Buildings such as those managed by Student Castle have everything from cinema rooms, to gyms. Ultra-fast new generation 50mps broadband is available on-site, as well as television and media packages. Whatever extras your child chooses the costs are added to the letting contract along with utility bills, making the entire process easy and manageable.

“The most important thing for us is that our students have the ultimate university experience and that we can facilitate a large part of that,” Jacqui Hawthorn, Head of Student Marketing at Student Castle said.

Finding accommodation

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GB MagFinding accommodation

“What matters to us is both the relationship with our students as occupiers and our responsibility for the properties we market. We will be providing the most thoughtfully designed contemporary rooms with all the facilities today’s students need, supported by our own management and staff.”

Student Castle has accommodation in Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester and Newcastle. All rooms have an en suite and double bed, with internet and utility bills included in the rent price.

For more information please visit www.studentcastle.co.uk, telephone +44 (0) 2071837764 or email students@studentcastle.co.uk

GB MagInvesting in UK property

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Ten reasons to invest in UK property:1. Unlike in the United States, there is no yearly

property tax on the property owner. In the UK, you only pay a Stamp Duty when you buy the property based on your property’s purchase price, plus a yearly Council Tax which would only be between £500 and £4,000 a year.

2. Currently, the value of Sterling is low. Thus advantageous to overseas buyers.

3. The finance cost is cheap in the UK, the base rate from the Bank of England is 0.5 per cent at the moment, the retail mortgage rate would be about 2.5 to 4 per cent depending on the product.

4. Indian investors can buy as much property as they can afford in the UK. There are no citizenship, visa or residency requirements.

5. The UK is incredibly central. It shares part of its working day with both Delhi and New York, and is perfectly positioned for travel to America, Europe and Asia, with Heathrow Airport offering fantastic global connections.

6. The UK is an English-speaking country offering an excellent education system. Four of the world’s top six universities are in the UK.

7. There is a limited stock of new developments in London, so existing property retains its value.

8. There are already large ethnic Indian communities throughout the UK, with many thriving temples.

9. The UK’s property market has demonstrated the most stable growth of any developed country during the past ten years. Its rental yield outstrips that of New York, Sydney, Paris, Milan, Toronto, Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.

10.The UK has a stable democracy, which has protected property rights for hundreds of years.

Investing in UK property

Sending your child off to university can be daunting, especially if they have chosen to study abroad. Ensuring that they have a nice home to live in during their time away can give you peace of mind to know that they are safe and ensures they have a good working environment so they do well in their studies. This is why many parents are now choosing to invest in properties overseas. The added benefit is owning an asset that could potentially make a profit. Choosing an agent takes the stress out of finding a property and managing it. If you are considering investing in a UK property, GB Mag’s partner Winkworth could help.

GB MagInvesting in UK property

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Our Specific service Winkworth offers a personal service to students and parents which including:

viewing for you before you come to the UK, for both renting and buying properties.

• Arrangingyourtransportanddriver for property viewing

• Providingatourofsuitableproperties

• Guidingyouthrougheverystepofthe buying process

• Findingatenantifyouarebuyinga buy-to-let property

• Takingyourinstructionswhenyouwant to market your property

• Helpingyoubuildaportfoliointerms for property investment

Winkworth knows the property market better than anybody else as we have been selling property in London and country for 178 years. Winkworth focus is on the mid to upper properties and boast unparalleled knowledge through our 61 offices across the capital (more than any other brand), and over 90 offices in total.

It is all about location with property investment and you can even tailor your search to the specific area of your child’s university. In London, Winkworth can help with properties near university campuses such UCL, Imperial College, LSE, South Bank University, Royal Holloway, King’s College, London Business School, Cass Business School, London College of Art and St Martin’s College just to name a few. In addition there are country offices in university towns such as Bath, Oxford, Canterbury, Brighton and Winchester.

Choose your location and give Winkworth a call to find out the next step.

CONTACTS Studentdesk@winkworth.com 0044-2073550288 0044-7786655089