Pre-departure and Arrivals Guide

As part of your preparations for travelling to the UK, you will need to think carefully about what to pack in your suitcase and what to bring with you. It is also important to think about what is necessary, as the space in your suitcase will be limited and it may be easier to buy items such as toiletries and cooking equipment when you arrive in Lincoln.

As part of your hand luggage, it is important that you include essential documents which you may be asked to provide at the border when you arrive in the UK. These include:

• Your offer letter from the University of Lincoln
• Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) statement from the University of Lincoln
• The letter you received when your visa was issued by UKVI
• Your original academic and English language qualification certificates. Please ensure you also bring with you a certified translation if the original documents are not in English
• Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate or other medical certificates (where applicable)
• Proof of any advance fees you have paid to the University of Lincoln, any sponsorship letters and financial proof of being able to support yourself
• Your birth certificate and marriage certificate (where applicable)
• Proof of address in your home country and your accommodation in Lincoln

There are certain goods that passengers are not allowed to bring into the UK. Detailed information regarding what you can and cannot bring to the UK can be found on the UK Government website.

One of our international students, Aarti, has created a video to help you understand what to pack. Check it out below:

Before you travel to the UK you must ensure you have arranged suitable accommodation and that you are able to move into your room when you arrive. Arranging your accommodation prior to travelling to the UK is very important, as finding accommodation on the day you arrive could be very expensive, and there may not be any availability nearby campus.

We recommend contacting your accommodation provider before you begin your journey to let them know your expected arrival time, and to discuss how to collect your keys. You should also ask your accommodation provider to confirm what items are in your room. This will help you to plan ahead and to create a list of essential items you may need to buy when you arrive, such as a duvet or cutlery etc.

Living Away from Campus
If you are planning to live outside of campus, you will need to research how you will travel to the University on a regular basis and how much this will cost. This is important as your timetable may include classes that you must attend on campus up to five days each week.

If you hold a Student Visa, having a high level of attendance and engagement is very important and you will be expected to take part in all timetabled classes. Failure to maintain a high level of attendance will place your visa at risk and could also affect your eligibility to apply for the Graduate Route at the end of your course.

Further information regarding privately rented accommodation and living away from campus can be found in the Accommodation Information for International Applicants page.

All students should aim to arrive and enrol during Welcome Week. This is to ensure the best student experience by taking part in the Welcome Week activities. 

Please note that enrolment can only be completed once in the UK, therefore, you must allow time for this before the start date of your course. Detailed information regarding the enrolment process, and a step by step guide, can be found on our website. 

After arriving in the UK, you should register with a local doctor (known as a 'GP' or General Practitioner) as soon as possible. Students have a choice of several different GP surgeries within Lincoln city centre, however many students choose to register with our on-campus Health Centre.

When registering with a GP surgery, you will need to take the following documents with you:

• Personal Identification (passport)
• Immigration documents
• Proof of address with your name and term-time address on it (a household bill or tenancy agreement)
• Medical card (if you have one)
• List of current medications
  
  

GP surgeries with online registration may ask you to produce these documents before they can complete your registration.

After registering, you may be asked to see a doctor or nurse practitioner straight away. This is an initial health check and a chance for you to meet your GP or Nurse Practitioner. This is a good time to discuss any medical conditions you have or any current medication you are taking. 

Further information regarding accessing health care services as an international student can be found by visiting the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website.

The Immigration Health Surcharge

Individuals who hold a visa may be required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) in order to be eligible to access healthcare in the UK. This is done as part of the visa application form. If you are unsure if you are eligible for healthcare in the UK, we recommend you contact the University’s International Advice team.

Dental Care (Teeth)

Once you have registered with a GP you can also register with an NHS dentist. Further information regarding accessing dental care as an international student can be found by visiting the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website.

Optical Care (Eyes) 

In the UK, eye care is provided by opticians. To purchase spectacles or contact lenses you will need a British prescription, which you get from the optician following a sight test. Sight tests can be arranged by contacting the optician directly. The cost of frames, lenses and contact lenses varies. Visit the UKCISA website for information about eye tests and eye care provided in the UK. 

Health Care Mobile App

You may find it helpful to download the ‘ESC (Expert Self Care) Student’ health app to your mobile. This app has developed by medical doctors, together with students. You can find answers to questions about:

• Emergencies – learning the truth about life-threatening illnesses and how to give basic first aid
• General ill health – how to deal with sleep problems, feeling stressed, and constant fatigue
• Mental health – finding out what to do when feeling low or anxious, self-harming or worried about drinking too much alcohol
• Common ailments – headaches, finding out how to treat spots, and managing common aches and pains
• Navigating health services – what to do next and when to see a pharmacist, nurse or doctor.

During the first few weeks of University, you may be required to use new online systems for the first time.

Our helpful ICT guides can provide support with everything from understanding multi-factor authentication and accessing your University email address, to setting up a UK phone number and learning how to use Office 365, Microsoft Teams, and OneDrive.