Life at Abertay
As an international student at Abertay you will be well looked after in your first few weeks. Below you will find information you need to get you started when you first arrive.
Studying at the University Of Abertay Dundee: what to expect
How will I learn? You will have to attend lectures each week - usually one for each of your four modules in each semester. Lectures are for all the students taking one module, so numbers may be large. For each module you will need to attend a tutorial. This is a smaller group where you have a chance to develop topics from lectures. You are expected to give your own views and get involved in discussion.
For many programmes you will also have to attend a practical or laboratory session.
Will I need to buy a lot of books? The University library is well-stocked and has good systems to make sure there are books for everyone (e.g. by limiting borrowing to a day or a few hours). It is a good idea to buy key textbooks. Sometimes you can buy second-hand copies.
What about examinations? For most modules the assessment is by timed examination at the end of the semester and by coursework.
Coursework may be a long essay, a report, a practical task, a group project or an oral presentation. You may have several weeks to complete coursework. For coursework you are expected to read about the topic and develop your own ideas and opinions about it.
Can I ask for help? You can ask your lecturers to explain something in a lecture or in a tutorial. You can also make an appointment to discuss questions with your lecturer. Every student has a personal tutor to whom they can go with any academic or other problems. Each semester you will meet your personal tutor - even if you have no problems - to talk about your progress on your course.
The University Student Academic Support centre also runs workshops on examination technique, report and essay writing skills, stress and relaxation.
I really want to improve my English. How can I do this? You can take the Pre-sessional Programme for four weeks or eight weeks between July and September. This programme will help you to improve your English, learn how to study for a British degree, learn how to write academic English and also help you to settle in to life in Dundee
Read more about our English language programmes. Is my course and Abertay University recognised throughout Scotland and the UK? Yes, they are recognised throughout the UK and the world. Abertay students and graduates have many reasons to be proud of the University's growing success and reputation. Abertay understands the importance of good IT and computing facilities and the state-of-the-art library and new Student Centre epitomise the University's dedication to its students and learning environment.
Help at the University
Personal tutors Each student will have a personal tutor in their school that they can ask for help. Some departments have tutors specifically for international students, so feel free to approach the academic staff for assistance.
Student Services Student Services is a division within the University which provides services including personal counselling, advice and guidance on careers, assistance with accommodation problems, and advice and welfare on issues from immigration to financial problems.
How to contact Student Services Tel: +44 (0) 1382 308051
Email:
advisory@abertay.ac.uk
Money for arrival / opening bank accounts
You will need approximately £150 in British currency on arrival in the UK. This is to pay for transport, meals and perhaps overnight accommodation for the first few days. Do not carry any more than this in case it gets lost or stolen. It is a good idea to bring some travellers' cheques with you for emergencies; they can be cashed at an airport bureau de change office or at a bank.
Bringing money to the UK can be a problem if you do not plan ahead. There are a number of ways of getting money into the country, but even the quickest method can take one or two days for the transfer arrangements to be completed. The various options open to you are listed below:
Credit cards Most banks in the UK will accept MasterCard, American Express, Eurocard or Visa. These can be used to withdraw cash from cash dispensing machines and enable you to obtain money when you first arrive and before you have opened a bank account, provided you know the PIN (Personal Identification Number) of the card.
Transfer of funds This is one of the quickest ways of transferring money from a bank in your country to one in the UK. You can use this method only when you have opened a bank account in the UK. It can be quite expensive and the transfer must be organised with your bank at home either by yourself, on the phone, via fax, or through your parents at home. It is therefore very useful to bring your bank's telephone and fax number with you in case you need to organise this type of transfer.
Travellers' cheques Travellers' cheques are very useful because they can be changed into sterling at a bureau de change, bank or hotel (although not all hotels offer this facility), enabling you to obtain money before you have organised a bank account.
Opening a bank account You may consider opening a bank account in the UK before you arrive. Many banks have branches around the world where you can open foreign currency accounts. The advantage of doing this is that it is easy to make payments in advance of your arrival, for example paying a deposit in order to secure a private flat, which can involve quite a lot of money. It is also useful in obtaining a visa (should you require one), as you will be able to show your financial status in sterling, which some embassies require.
If you are planning on opening a bank account when you arrive at the University, it is important that you have the following documents ready as this will speed up the process of opening a bank account:
- passport
- visa (if applicable)
- letter from the University confirming your student status and address both in the UK and your home country
Families, husbands, wives and children
There are a number of things you might like to consider before deciding whether or not to bring your family with you to the UK. Apart from the obvious increase in living expenses to cover the cost of your family living here, there are also immigration issues, which you should bear in mind. If you wish to bring your family across it is usually easier to apply for their visa at the same time as your own.
Husbands and wives In normal circumstances the wife or husband of an international student will be given permission to enter and remain with his or her partner for the duration of the course. They will also be able to work as long as your partner's right to work is restricted but not prohibited. If the stamp in the passport states that employment is prohibited it is possible to change this by asking the permission of the relevant Secretary of State. Your husband or wife can work full-time whilst you are a student in the UK.
Children Normally all children under the age of 18 can enter and remain in the UK for as long as their student parent has permission to stay, providing you have sufficient funds available to support and house them.
Pre-school age There are a number of nurseries/playgroups for small children in Dundee. Childcare for this age group is expensive so do take this into consideration.
Schooling Children aged 5 - 16 are required by law to go to school and will be entitled to free schooling. For details of schools in the Dundee area contact Dundee City Council, Tayside House, Dundee +44 (0)1382 434000.
Medical care
All students enrolling on an undergraduate or postgraduate course do not have to pay for treatment under the National Health Service (NHS). This includes general medical treatment and any hospital or emergency treatment. All students are expected to pay for medicines, most dental treatment and eye tests, including the prescription of glasses or contact lenses.
IMPORTANT: You should still purchase health/medical insurance in case you need to be repatriated to your home country to continue hospitalisation and to be close to your family. If you do not have this insurance it can cost you over £5000 to be airlifted home. The spouse and/or dependents of eligible international students are also eligible for NHS treatment.
When you arrive at the University it is important you register with a doctor as quickly as possible. A directory of doctors in the Dundee area can be found at
http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk - select ‘A - Z’, then select 'D' and scroll to the link to doctors' information.
Being a student and working
Overseas students The stamp in your passport/visa will tell you whether you are allowed to work part-time or during vacations in this country. Nearly all international students are now able to work part-time whilst studying. For most students, if you wish to work part-time during your studies you must ensure that you have the correct stamp in your passport. If your stamp confirms that you are restricted but not prohibited from work you will be entitled to work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time and up to as many as 40 hours per week during vacation periods. Further information can be sought through the International Student Adviser once you have arrived at Abertay.
National Insurance number You will be required to obtain a National Insurance number in order for your employer to correctly record any National Insurance Contributions. To apply for a National Insurance number, if you do not already have one, please contact the Department for Work and Pensions
www.dwp.gov.uk or
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/index.html for more details.
EU Worker Registration Scheme From 1st May 2004, most nationals of the new EU member states (except Cyprus and Malta) who wish to work for an employer for more than one month will be subject to the Accession State Worker Registration Scheme. These states are:
- Czech Republic
- Estonia
- Hungary
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Poland
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
If you are subject to the scheme you will be required to register if you plan to work for more than one month for an employer in the UK. Once you have been working legally in the UK for 12 months without a break you will have full rights of free movement. You can get an EEA residence permit confirming your status.
Nationals of Malta and Cyprus working in the UK can apply for a residence permit now.
How to apply Please note: You can only complete a WRS application once you have commenced work and it must be made within the first month of work or you will be working illegally and the employer is committing a criminal offence.
Complete a Worker Registration Scheme application form, providing your name, address, date of birth, nationality and your employment details along with a £70.00 registration fee and your passport or identity card.
On successful application you will be provided with a registration card with photographic ID and a registration certificate number.
If you wish to change employer you will have to apply for a fresh certificate but you will
NOT have to pay the £70.00 registration fee again. The employer will also be sent a copy of the registration certificate.
To request an application form telephone
08705 210 224 or visit
www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/ and download an application form.
For more information please contact the International Student Adviser at
advisory@abertay.ac.uk.
Bulgarian and Romanian students Bulgaria and Romania became part of the European Union in January 2007. However, the Government has placed a restriction on access to employment in the UK. If you wish to work in the UK, you must apply for and obtain a registration certificate prior to starting work. For more information please refer to
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/bulgariaromania/.
The Abertay Jobshop
Many international students choose to work in the UK during their studies. Part-time employment can provide an opportunity for you to make new friends and offer you the chance to learn more about the city and its people. Other benefits include practice at making applications and improving your language skills – whilst earning extra cash of course!
The Career Development Centre at Abertay can assist you with your search for a part-time job, as well as offering practical advice and guidance. The Abertay Jobshop advertises vacancies from a range of employers in the local area that are suitable for students. They can also advise on other ways of finding employment through the local job centre or recruitment agencies. Examples of help include help with completing your application form or CV, guidance with interview skills and much more. They cannot unfortunately find jobs for individuals or forward your CV on to an employer – you must do this yourself.
We would recommend that you bring any personal and/or employment references with you to the UK. Some employers will request these and this may help to speed up the application process. Evidence of any practical work experience you have can be of great benefit! Remember, you will be competing with hundreds of other students who are also looking for part-time work. Make the most of what you’ve got!
The following websites are a good source of information for international students considering working part-time:
Abertay Careers http://www.ukcosa.org.uk/student/working_during.php If you have any questions please email the team at
jobshop@abertay.ac.uk
