Before you arrive

What you need to do before arriving at UWE Bristol as an international student.

What you need to do

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Pay your tuition fee deposit

A young woman making an online purchase using a mobile phone

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

International student fee payment
2

Complete MyVisa

To receive your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies letter you must complete the MyVisa section on the UWE Welcome website.

UWE Welcome website
3

Apply for your visa

Read our immigration guidance, including advice on when you need to apply for your visa.

Visas and immigration guidance
4

Arrange your accommodation

Glenside

You'll need to arrange your own accommodation before you get to UWE Bristol as we can't arrange this for you. Please don’t travel to the University without any accommodation arranged.

Our international student accommodation guide (PDF) explains your accommodation options and the support available.

Read more about:

You can also get some helpful guidance from the Students' Union Advice Centre.

Temporary accommodation

It's important that you find accommodation before arriving in the UK, as we can't offer you a room while you search. Please arrange temporary accommodation if needed.

You may find the following links useful:

5

Register online in MyUWE

Register online in MYUWE before you arrive at UWE Bristol.

You can find more information about registering online on our registration pages.

To avoid delays, upload your photo as soon as you receive login details. For help, go to our student card guidance.

6

Make sure you have your health or vaccination certificates

You must take a tuberculosis (TB) test if:

  • you are from any of the countries listed on the Gov.uk website and
  • you will be in the UK for more than six months.

Read the UK Visa and Immigration guidance on tuberculosis tests.

7

Book your flight

A man with a suitcase standing in an airport terminal watching planes take off

Once you've booked your flight, book your seat on our airport transfer.

Don't forget to organise travel insurance.

8

Organise your documentation and hand luggage

Hand luggage

In your hand luggage, you should have the following documents:

  • passport (containing your student visa) and ID card if applicable
  • offer letter from UWE Bristol
  • UWE Bristol Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies documentation
  • evidence of your funding – sponsor letter or bank statement used to obtain your visa
  • printed confirmation of your accommodation, including address
  • IELTS/English Language qualification certificate
  • airport transfer booking confirmation email (if applicable)
  • photocopies of important documents (leave a copy with your family at home too)

These must be paper documents (not on an electronic tablet or mobile phone).

Other travel items for your hand luggage:

  • sufficient money in cash/credit card/travel cheques to support yourself for first few weeks until you open a UK bank account
  • warm jumper and coat – you may find the UK is a bit cooler than your home country.

Medication

If you're travelling with prescribed medication, you will need to prove it has been prescribed to you. Please refer to Gov.uk regarding travelling with medication.

9

Get packing

A person packing a suitcase

Suitcase

Limit your luggage to a maximum of two suitcases. It's your responsibility to carry your own luggage.

We recommend you bring with you:

  • Lots of layers and warm clothes. There's no formal dress code at UWE Bristol. Most students dress informally, for example in jeans, trousers or a skirt, with a jumper or t-shirt. Bring clothes for a special occasion, for example a suit, dress or traditional dress. Religious dress can be worn at any time and discrimination on religious grounds is illegal in the UK.
  • Personal items such as photographs, postcards and ornaments, to make your accommodation feel more familiar.
  • Converters and chargers if you are bringing electrical appliances. The UK uses 230 volts.

Cooking equipment, books, food and bedding

It's best to buy these items once you've arrived in the UK. There are strict controls on importing foodstuffs and plants. You can read further information on restricted goods on Gov.uk.

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Arrange your UK money

It's important to have some money for your first few weeks as it may take a while to open a UK bank account. As well as cash, you'll need access to a debit, credit, or pre-paid card.

Check with your bank in your home country to make sure that your credit or debit card will work in the UK (both at ATMs and in shops) and if there will be fees. Consider opening a pre-paid travel card with a bank in your home country before you depart, or opening a digital app-based bank account.

If you're bringing cash from your home country and exchanging it at the airport make sure you don't exceed any currency limits set by your home country. You will need to declare any cash exceeding £10,000 (including in other currencies) at UK customs. Note that the exchange rates offered by airport Bureau de Change are not particularly competitive.

Card payments will be required for online purchases, and most payments in shops (many shops are now card only). Taxis usually only take cash, unless ordered through an app such as Uber.

You'll need proof of a UK address to open a bank account.

How to open a UK bank account
11

Attend the international student orientation

A group of international students sitting around a table and chatting.

Designed to coincide with your course induction and registration activities, international student orientation will give you important information about UWE Bristol and the Bristol community. It's also a great way to meet other new students.

International student orientation