Preparing for travel

When preparing to study and live in the UK, there will be certain procedures and information that you will need to know to make sure your transition into UK life and study is as smooth as possible. This section helps to identify what you need to know and do to undertake study in the UK.

Applying for visa and entry clearance

Do I need a student visa or entry clearance for study in the UK?
You will need a visa if you:

• are not an EEA national
• are stateless (i.e. you don’t have a nationality)
• hold a non-national travel document, or
• hold a passport issued by an authority that is not recognised in the UK

How do I qualify to study in the UK?

You will need to demonstrate that you are going to follow:

• a recognised full-time degree course, or
• a period of study and/or research in excess of 6 months where this forms part on an overseas degree course, or
• a course run during the week involving 15 hours or organised daytime study each week, or
• a full-time course at an independent fee-paying school

You must also:

• be able to pay for your course and support yourself and any dependents, and live in the UK without going into business or getting a job, or needing any help from public funds
• be able and intend to follow your chosen course, and
  Intend to leave the UK when you complete your studies, if your course of study is below degree level

How do I apply for my visa (if applicable)?

• if you need to apply for a visa or entry clearance, please complete a VAF3 student form, available from your local British Embassy. Please note you cannot apply for a visa once you have arrived in the UK, it must be applied for in advance

What other documents do I need to submit with my application?

• your passport or travel document
• a recent passport-sized (45mm x 35mm) colour photograph of yourself
• the visa fee. Please note that the fee cannot be refunded and you must normally pay it in the local currency of the country where you are applying
• any other relevant supporting documents
• any relevant diplomas or educational certificates that you have (must be original and not photocopies)
• a letter from your chosen institution confirming that you have been accepted on a course of study and/or a period of research in the UK, and a statement of charges for the course, i.e. your tuition fees and/or period of research (if applicable)
• if you are following a certain type of postgraduate study, an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) Certificate. For more information on the ATAS scheme please refer to the official website at www.fco.gov.uk
• evidence of government sponsorship if applicable
• bank statements, payslips or other evidence to show that you can pay for your stay and your course of studies in the UK, without recourse to public funds or working, and
• if you are being privately sponsored (for example by an institution in the UK), a letter from your sponsor giving details of how they will support you during your studies, and evidence that they can do so

Abertay Accommodation

Students new to Dundee normally look for somewhere affordable, comfortable and within daily travelling distance of the University. There are a variety of different types of student residential accommodation, either privately owned or directly leased by the University. View the full range of University accommodation and rates.

Preparing for your trip to the UK

Before you arrive in the UK, it is important that you are fully prepared for your journey and arrival at the University. You should already have received your unconditional offer letter and International Pre-Arrival and Orientation Programme booklet.

If you are arriving before or after the International Orientation Programme you will need to make sure you have clearly planned your journey from home to the university, including arriving at a UK airport and transport to Dundee.

Documents required for your journey

Below is an example of documents that you will require and should bring with you in your hand luggage:

• valid passport, with a valid student visa or UK entry clearance if applicable
• an air ticket and any connecting travel tickets/instructions
• vaccination certificates, if required
• an X-ray report, if required
• a letter of acceptance/unconditional offer letter from Abertay.
• documentary evidence (recent bank statements, proof of scholarship or sponsor's letter) that you have enough money to pay your tuition fees and money for accommodation and any other living expenses (£5,250 + approximately)
• originals or certified copies of any degree certificates or qualifications you have obtained
• some warm clothing
• some British currency or travellers’ cheques (can be exchanged at a bureau de change at an airport, bank, post office or travel agent)
• insurance documents
• a list of what you are carrying in your luggage in case you have to make a luggage claim
• any prescribed drugs you are taking plus a letter from your doctor explaining what they are

What do I need to pack for my trip?

Pack a rucksack or suitcase with just the items you feel are essential. Don't forget you will want to buy items when you are in Scotland and will have to transport your luggage home with you again. Dundee has a revitalised shopping precinct that has shops to suit all tastes - everything from designer to budget wear!

Do not bring lots of books with you, these are heavy items which you will be able to buy in Dundee. If you do want to bring your own computer and electrical equipment ensure it is compatible with UK standards: 240 volts, 50 cycles (50Hz), three-pin (square-pin) plugs. You may need an adaptor and perhaps a voltage converter - or you may prefer to buy UK-compliant items when you get here.

Essential extras to pack:

• a photocopy of each page of your passport
• a note of the serial numbers of your travellers' cheques
• back-up photocopies of all essential documents
• at least nine passport-size photos of yourself - you will need them for student identification cards, bus/rail passes and various other purposes
• clothing - mostly comfortable and informal, but do also bring some smart clothes for special occasions
• toiletries and personal items to last a week or so
• towels and/or bed linen, if your accommodation doesn't provide them, but remember that these are bulky and heavy to bring in your baggage
• a notebook, pen and pencil to use in the first few days
• a bilingual dictionary if English is not your first language
• a few small photos of family and close friends
• one or two souvenirs to keep you feeling connected to home

Assessing and understanding your costs

In order to ensure you are fully aware of the cost involved in studying and living in the UK, the below information should help you in your preparation of necessary funds.

How much money will I need to bring with me to the UK? You need at least £5250 in living expenses. The two most important costs are your tuition fees and living expenses. Please make sure you have sufficient funds for both without the need to source employment in the UK to help towards these costs and recourse to public funds.

What are the living expenses for Dundee?
With Dundee being a smaller city than that of Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh or England in general, the living expenses are slightly less in comparison. We therefore recommend you budget for costs of £5250+ per annum excluding tuition fees.

Example of essential living costs
See some typical Living Expenses Example for Dundee. You can print this off and keep it.

Orientation Programme and International Student Team

What can I expect from the Orientation Programme?
The Orientation Programme has been specifically designed to help international students adapt to life at the University and in Dundee as easily as possible. The programme is held one week prior to the start of term in order to give you a chance to settle in, make friends, meet your lecturers and get to know the city of Dundee.

The programme provides you with information sessions on areas such as adjusting to life in Scotland and cultural adjustment, while touching on common issues such as money and health matters. There are also sessions on study, IT and information skills. Furthermore the programme will assist in practical issues such as phoning home, where to find your speciality foods, and how to find suitable part-time employment

During the evening we have a social programme allowing you to meet other like-minded people, make friends and get to know the surrounding area.

Sample sessions:

• life in Scotland and cultural adjustment
• opening a bank account
• registering with a doctor and dentist
• contacting home
• personal safety
• health matters
• Chaplaincy and Friends International Dundee
• Abertay Job Shop (helping you to find part-time employment)
• Sports Association, Students' Association and International Student Society.
• Post Study Work Visa
• SAAS (Students Awards Agency for Scotland) - EU students only workshop.
• study skills
• library/information skills
• information technology skills

Meet the team here to look after you

Travelling to the UK/Scotland/Dundee

If you are flying to the UK you will probably land at London Heathrow or London Gatwick airport first before taking a connecting flight to Edinburgh. The duration from Heathrow or Gatwick to Edinburgh is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. There are also flights to Edinburgh from Amsterdam, Frankfurt and a number of other destinations with the duration of flight being approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. There are also a number of direct flights to Edinburgh from other European cities.

If you arrive at Edinburgh airport before or after the meet and greet service you can make your own way to Edinburgh via bus or rail. Prices and times will vary and the transfer time to Dundee is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

You can also make your way to Dundee from Heathrow or Gatwick via road or rail. Prices, times and duration of travel will vary accordingly.

Local transport systems and travel information