For students who are going abroad for the first time, it may be unclear what to bring before departure.What items should I prepare when I go to study in the UK?UK study visa preparation, ,Preparation activities for studying in the UK, ,Are you ready to study in the UK?, ,What to prepare for PhD study in the UKThe problem.

What items should I prepare when going to study in the UK?

1. Personal documents and certificates

• 1. A valid passport with a visa.
• 2. School admission letter and CAS.
• 3. Documents related to UK accommodation, accommodation notice or homestay confirmation letter.
• 4. Proof of payment of tuition and accommodation fees.
• 5. Original degree certificate and official translation.
• 6. Medical examination certificate
• 7.IELTS score report
• 8. Emergency contact numbers, including those of family members, school, and airport pick-up personnel, etc.

2. Cash and Credit Cards

1. Cash

Exchange a certain amount of pounds in advance, within 1,000 pounds, in case of emergency needs. After arriving in the UK, you can apply for a local bank card and deposit it directly. Try to change some coins, 50 pounds is already a lot of money in the UK, and some small shops may not be able to make change.

2. Credit Card

You can apply for a pound card or a multi-currency credit card in advance, and you can pay by swiping the card when necessary.

3. School supplies

1. Voice Recorder

If you don't understand what you hear clearly in class, you can record it first, ask the teacher for permission beforehand, and then study it again when you return to the dormitory. However, the recording quality of mobile phones is also very good, and it takes up little space, which is also a good choice.

2. Laptop

It is needed for doing homework, writing papers, making PPTs and daily entertainment. If the computer is too old and stuck, it is recommended to change it before going. Otherwise, it will be very sad if it suddenly freezes when you are almost finishing your homework.

3. Mobile hard disk

Used to store important learning materials.

4. Stationery

Most stationery can be bought in the UK, and it is not cheap. So you can bring some pens, notebooks, rulers, erasers, mechanical pencils, staplers, etc. These items are quite small and do not take up much space.

4. Daily necessities

1. Adapter plug

Generally, you should bring 2-3 British standard ones. If you need to travel to Europe, then bring 1 European standard one.

2. Plug strip

Just having a conversion plug is not enough, because there are many electrical appliances. Buy a socket strip that is compatible with both Chinese and English standards.

3. Glasses

Myopic people must wear it, and they can consider wearing both frame and invisible lenses. Invisible lenses can be used for various dances or parties that require makeup.

4. Haircutting tools

Getting a haircut in the UK is very expensive, starting at at least 300 RMB, and the effect is not good, so it is practical for girls to bring a pair of hair clippers and learn simple bangs treatments before going abroad. Boys can use a hair clipper for simple grooming.

5. Other items

1. Clothes

Don't bring too much. Clothes and shoes in the UK are very cheap, and there are big discounts in summer and winter. Generally speaking, you can bring 1-2 sets of spring and autumn clothes, 1 down jacket, 2 coats, and you can bring more underwear. In addition, it is recommended to bring a set of formal clothes, which is useful for classes. Especially for presentations, formal clothes are required.

2. Umbrella and rainproof clothing

The temperature difference in the UK is not much throughout the year, but the weather changes frequently. As a rainy country, an umbrella or rainproof clothing is almost a must.

3. Bedding

If there is space, it is recommended to bring a set of duvet covers and sheets that are comfortable for sleeping. I once tried to buy a three-piece set in a British supermarket, but it was not comfortable to sleep in and the price was not cheap.

4. Medicines

Bring some household medicines, such as cold medicine, anti-inflammatory medicine, stomach medicine, etc., to deal with daily minor illnesses. The procedures for seeing a doctor in the UK are complicated and expensive, so daily minor illnesses can be solved by relying on the medicines you bring with you.

6. Notes

• 1. All important certificates and documents should be copied and backed up electronically, so that in case of loss, relevant information can be provided quickly and a replacement can be made quickly. At the same time, remember to send a copy of the electronic backup to relatives in China for future use.
• 2. Also remember to bring at least 20 passport and visa photos, especially 1-inch and 2-inch ones. Taking photos and developing photos in the UK are relatively expensive.

Further reading: How to open a bank account when studying in the UK

The first step is to go to the bank to make an appointment

After deciding on a bank, just go to the Information Desk. Like China, banks in the UK have business hours. The business hours of each bank or bank branch are different. Check the hours before you go. Banks are closed on weekends and bank holidays. If you haven't chosen a bank or account yet, here is a list for reference.

Step 2: Decide on your account type

British banks have two types of accounts: current accounts and savings accounts. Generally, you can just open a current account, which you can use for daily consumption when you go out.

Step 3: Go to the bank to complete the formalities

Bring your appointment confirmation and the following materials according to the appointment time

• 1. Passport + BRP (It is said that other banks except Barclays need to provide BRP card, so friends should get BRP first and then open a bank account)
• 2. Student identity certificate, offer from the school, or student ID
• 3. Proof of address, which can be: a recent utility bill, a letter of introduction for UK banking facilities issued by the school, or a housing contract for school dormitories for students living on campus
• 4. Some banks require a deposit for a small amount of pounds

Go to the bank on time to complete the formalities. The bank staff will review the materials you provide, then recommend a bank account that suits you and introduce the various terms. The contract terms should be read carefully, otherwise you will be sold and have to count money for others.

Step 4: Wait for your bank card

After opening an account, you will receive a bank card and password about a week later. For the security of your account, the card and password are sent separately. After receiving them, you can activate the account and use internet banking (it is recommended to enable it). It usually takes about two weeks from applying for an account to receiving the card, so you need to be patient.

Cautions

• 1. If you don’t have a fixed address, you cannot open a bank account. The bank needs you to provide a permanent address before sending the card and password to you;
• 2. For students whose courses are less than six months long, not all UK banks will accept short-term students to open accounts. Please ask clearly before opening an account.
• 3. You can open an account at a bank branch instead of going to the head office;
• 4. Students studying abroad can open a student account. British banks encourage students to open accounts and provide them with many special benefits, such as interest-free overdrafts. Students with poor self-control should avoid this option.
• 5. Pay attention to the balance changes of your bank card account in time, especially do not max out your card. Some people who have had painful experiences said that they maxed out their cards and were fined dozens of pounds by the bank. So, you must be more willful when using your cards.
• 6. Those who love online shopping should be especially cautious and do not easily click on any suspicious links promising winning prizes. Many of them are sent by phishing websites. In minor cases, they can deduct money from your account every month. In serious cases, they can directly steal your account information and possibly take away all the money in your account.
• 7. Before graduating and returning to China, remember to close your British bank account, otherwise you will be at your own risk.

Further reading: Things to note when choosing courses for studying in the UK

1. Number of Courses

Higher education in the UK is divided into three semesters a year, and 120 credits need to be completed each year, which means an average of 40 credits per semester. Generally, a course is worth 10 credits, and a small number of courses are worth 20 credits.

In addition, each academic year's thesis and the final graduation thesis are both worth 40 credits, so everyone should choose at least six courses each year based on their average level. Of course, if the credits of the courses you choose are relatively high, you can reduce the course selection appropriately.

What everyone needs to pay attention to here is that in addition to meeting the academic style requirements, graduation also requires meeting the attendance requirements, so everyone needs to ensure their attendance and not let this aspect affect their graduation.

II. Course Selection Guide

1. Schedule

Everyone should consider their internship, because generally a semester in the last year will be set aside for internship. There is no time for classes during this stage. Everyone should complete enough credits in the first few years.

Majors such as medicine and law will require one year longer of study than other majors. If you want to graduate with other majors, you will also need to use your previous free time to study courses and make up the credits.

2. Coursework

Before choosing a course, you need to understand the course teaching first. The school’s forum and official website will give a more comprehensive introduction, and seniors will also share their experiences. Everyone must choose carefully.

Different courses have different assessment methods. In addition to the traditional submission of papers and examinations, there are also a variety of other methods such as participating in experiments and conducting social surveys. If you are not used to it, try to avoid it.

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