Passports & Visas
You should have a passport which is valid for the entire duration of your stay in the UK.
If you need a visa to study in the UK make sure that you are fully prepared before you apply. For more information about the UK visa system please see our visa information.
Arrival in the UK
When you arrive in the UK make sure you have the following items with you when you arrive at UK immigration:
- your passport
- visa* or entry clearance if you need it.
- Certificate of Acceptance to Study (CAS) letter from Language upon Thames*
- accommodation details*
- travel tickets*
- Money
- Health documents
- Documentation to prove you can pay your fees and living expenses for the duration of your course*.
* Only necessary at UK immigration for students who require a visa to study.
Money
Banks are generally open from Monday to Friday between 0900 and 1630. If you are studying for six months or more please ask for assistance at Language upon Thames and we can help you open a bank account.
London can be expensive but there are plenty of low-cost and free options. It is reasonable to budget at least £800 per month in addition to your course fees. Here are some typical amounts that students may spend each month:
| Item |
Monthly cost |
| Accommodation |
£430 |
| Mobile phone |
£25 |
| Travel/transport* |
£40 |
| Food/housekeeping |
£160 |
| Clothes/shoes |
£40 |
| Leisure/sport |
£30 |
| Books/stationery |
£15 |
| Socialising |
£160 |
* See www.tfl.gov.uk for a complete guide to London transport costs.
Medical & insurance
Depending on your nationality you may need to pay a significant amount for medical treatment. We advise you to take out insurance before you travel to the UK to cover you for this possibility. Please see our information about insurance.
For urgent medical attention you can visit the accident and emergency department of your local hospital. The nearest hospital to Language upon Thames is Kingston Hospital: Kingston Hospital NHS Trust, Galsworthy Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT2 7QB.
A good source of medical information and advice is NHS Direct (link). Please visit www.nhsdirect.com or call 0845 46 47 for advise about medical conditions and where to go for treatment.
Transport
London is a very large city so we advise you to plan any journeys you make well. For information about travelling around London including planning your journey and ticket prices see www.tfl.gov.uk.
Accommodation
Language upon Thames has an accommodation service. We can arrange a Homestay, hostel or hotel for you.
Further Information & Links
www.educationuk.org - see the Living in the UK section.
www.englishuk.com - see Your Stay in the UK section
www.ukvisas.gov.uk - for visa information and advice
www.ukcosa.org.uk - student welfare advice
www.studentcaluculator.org.uk/international - calculate your budget
www.endsleigh.co.uk - buy international student travel insurance
www.nhsdirect.com - medical advice and access to NHS services
www.tfl.gov.uk - London travel information and tickets