Pre-departure guide for stuents starting at Brunel University in September 2013

1. Pre-Departure Webinar 2013
WELCOME!

2. Welcome to Brunel – your campus!

3. Pre-departure Briefing 2013
Aims of the session
• Preparing for life in the UK –
What to bring
• Arriving in the UK – The first
few weeks and Fresher's Week
• Our free International Student
Orientation Programme
• The Airport Welcome Scheme
• Life on campus and what to
expect
• Making friends and social
activities and events

4. Checklist – before you depart
• Book your flights – as early as possible
• Book your airport meeting service (10th, 11th and 15th
September , 7am – 7pm only) – online at
www.brunel.ac.uk/international/applying-to-
brunel/unconditional-offer/orientation
• Complete your E vision online task
• Check your accommodation arrangements & arrival address
– Let the Accommodation know when you are planning to arrive
• Decide method of payment for tuition fees and
accommodation
• Leave photocopies of important documents details/copies
with family/friends
• Make sure you see www.brunel.ac.uk/life/student-guide
• 3 – week Academic English course

5. E Vision – online task (ANEW)

6. Hand Luggage
• Valid Passport, with visa – should be TIER 4 with Brunel
University as the sponsor
• Official CAS/Offer letter from University, Original
documents to prove financial support for tuition fees and
maintenance
• Originals of important documents (e.g. travel insurance)
• Health certificate/check-up/X Ray –highly recommended
but not compulsory
• Details of your destination - address/telephone number
• Note rules regarding liquid and gels and fish/ meat
products
• Proof of purchase for IT equipment
• British Currency (approx. £600)
• Spare passport-size photographs

7. Main Luggage
• Photocopies of important documents
• Some warm clothing & comfortable shoes
• Things to remind you of home
• Sharp objects (e.g. scissors, razorblades) in suitcase, not
hand luggage
• National/traditional dress for social events
• Be careful of weight limits on baggage – some airlines are
getting strict on this but some will give higher weight limits
to students eg MAS.
• Other essential items – eg rice cooker, etc. can be bought in
the UK

8. Arriving at Brunel
• By plane – make sure London
Heathrow is your final
destination (only 5 miles from
Brunel)
- from Heathrow you can take
the following to the University:
By Taxis (roughly £30-35)
By Bus (U3 bus - £2.40 or
£1.20 pence with Oyster card)
We have an airport meeting service
on specific days in September

9. Arriving at Brunel
• By train – from the central London train
stations you can take the Piccadilly or
Metropolitan Underground to Uxbridge
Tube Station (20 mins walk away or short
taxi ride).
• By National Express coach – Some
National Coaches will stop at Hillingdon
Tube station which is a short taxi ride to
Brunel.

10. Accommodation
• Please confirm your
accommodation and pay the
deposit as soon as possible.
• If you arrive between 9 am –
5 pm on a weekday – go to
either Bishop Reception or
Isambard Reception for your
keys (stated on your tenancy)

11. Accommodation
• If you plan arrive after normal office hours – make
arrangements with accommodation office for after hours
access.
• We have extended opening hours for this on some days and
you may still be able to collect your keys from the relevant
Residence Office. Otherwise you will be asked to go to the
Security office at the Wilfred Brown Building for your key. Be
sure to confirm these arrangements as keys will only be
available by prior arrangement.
• Things you need for accommodation:
- towels, bedding/linen (if you do not wish to use the ones provided by the
university), TV license, kitchen stuff (cutlery, cooking utensils
etc), insurance and an alarm clock!

13. Orientation
• Three day orientation programme from
the 12th – 14th September.
• Programme is free except for
accommodation.
• Range of activities – talks and
briefings, opportunities to make
friends, acclimatise and have fun, early
enrolment/registration and trip to the
countryside.
• Additional assistance from student
ambassadors.
www.brunel.ac.uk/international/applyi
ng-to-brunel/unconditional-
offer/orientation

14. Orientation
“The orientation program was really fun! It enabled me to make loads of friends
before the beginning of uni! The activities organised were really good as well”
“The International Orientation Programme was very helpful and enjoyable. It gave
us an insight of the atmosphere prevailing within the Brunel's community”
“Furthermore most of the activities undeniably allowed us - International Students
- to interact with each other and eventually make lots of friends worldwide.
Besides, many students generally face lots of difficulties to live their first few days
abroad. I honestly never felt that I have missed something since my days here. I
came across students with different cultures, traditions and lifestyles. The
orientation was well organised and made us feel more at ease in our daily lives
here”
“It is a great and useful week for all new students to have. We learnt a lot and had
fun!:D”

15. Life on campus
• The Union of Brunel Students
– Fresher's Week and Fresher's Fayre
– Clubs and Society
– British Students
• Six Degrees – international student society – get involved!
• Brunel International Events
– Day Trips
– Social Events
– Language Café
– Much, much more
• Read our student blogs

16. Final Thoughts
• Learn to be independent
• Learn from your experiences
• Balance between study and other
commitments
• Establish global friendships that last
• Make the most of your time at Brunel and
enjoy yourself!

17. For more in-depth pre-arrival information, have a
look at our online pre-arrival guide which will be
on our website soon!
www.brunel.ac.uk/international
Also see www.brunel.ac.uk/life/student-guide
You can also email us:
bi.studentservices@brunel.ac.uk

18. Thank you – Questions?