Now that you’ve got your place it may seem a bit daunting about what you need to do next. So, to make it easier, I've made a list of top things you absolutely must do first, and immediately, upon arriving at Birmingham.
I am Anudheep, from Chennai, India and I study International Business MSc at the Birmingham Business School. I love taking pictures, writing stories and listening to people! For me, personally, it's always been a dream to study abroad and getting to know a new culture.
Firstly, I want to say congratulations! Now that you’ve got your place it may seem a bit daunting about what you need to do next. So, to make it easier, I've made a list of top things you absolutely must do first, and immediately, upon arriving at Birmingham.
Conquer the Nest
Your priority is getting settled in your accommodation. Unpack your bags (leave some room for souvenirs!), familiarise yourself with the facilities, and do not be afraid to say hello to your flatmates or neighbours. Leave them some thoughtful messages on sticky notes. The Guild’s Housing Hub is a great resource, and the Guild’s Support Services are more than happy to help you settle in.
Government Mandates!
There are certain documents and obligations you will need to fulfil as soon as you arrive in the United Kingdom as a student. Here are a few things to get you started:
Passenger Locator Form: Fill your passenger locator form as mandated by the Home Office.
Apply for your NI Number: You will need your NI number to legally work in the United Kingdom. Apply for your National Insurance (NI) Number as soon you can, as it may take some time for it to arrive.
Register with your GP: Registering with a General Practitioner (GP) will give you access to your Immigration Health Surcharge (your medical Insurance) when you need it. Register with a GP at the earliest opportunity as it is important, should you need to access any health or wellbeing support.
DBS Check: Some courses, like Social Work MSc, require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Your offer letter will confirm if this applies to you. If a DBS check is needed, complete it as soon as possible to avoid delays.
Collecting your BRP: The Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) is your essential identification. As an international student, you will need to collect your BRP card within 10 working days of arriving in the UK. Your visa will tell you whether this applies to you. If you selected to collect your BRP card from the University, The University’s International Student Team will email you to make an appointment.
Register, Register, Register!
University Registration: You should have already finished your university registration. If you have not, you should do this as soon as possible. This is important as it is your official enrolment with the University and is what makes you a student here allowing you to access your student portals, academic resources and lecture materials. Set up your university account and make sure you get your ID card from the welcome tents on campus.
Right to Study Checks: Make sure you let the University know you have arrived in the country by finishing your Right to Study Checks. You are required to upload your immigration documents as you progress through your visa application to arriving in the UK. The International Student Team (IST) will then check your documents and the University retains a copy of these documents.
Attend Orientations: Attend mandatory orientations hosted by your school or college to learn more about the academic demands and your obligations. You can find these events on your student portal, University’s ‘What’s on’, or The Guild of Students ‘What’s on’ webpage.
Setup Essentials
It might come in handy for you to setup your bank accounts and find out what transport options you can take in and around Birmingham. Don't forget to take a look at my other blog posts where I talk about how you can do this!
Know your Guild, Attend Events and Socialise
So, the Guild of Students is your Students’ Union! Think of it as the heart of student life. The Guild advocates for students' needs, runs student groups and societies, organises awesome events, provides you with crucial support and is a place to hang out.
The Guild of Students have a lot of events and activities planned for you during Welcome!
Welcome begins on Saturday 21st September and ends on Sunday 6th October. This begins a week before classes begin dedicated to helping you settle in. Expect fairs, socials, karaoke, quizzes, club nights and lots of opportunities to find your people. I have written a blog on finding your community as an International and Postgraduate student – so make sure you have a read.
Anudheep Sriraj