| Click Here For Info! - www.GoUK.com - GoUK.com Online Store - GoUK.com Blog | |
To read this page in Japanese, click
here
日本語ページをご希望の方は、ここをクリックして下さい。
BEFORE YOU COME TO ENGLANDYou will need a valid passport to enter the UK, but EU nationals who intend to stay for less than 6 months can use their identity cards. Students from some countries need a visa or entry certificate; check with the British Consulate in your own country. For your visa application, you will need a Certificate of Admission from your school, which will be sent to you by your school when you have enrolled and paid your deposit. For detailed visa information, click here.
The UK has no controls governing the amount of money you may bring into the country, although your own government may have regulations governing the amount you may take out of your country. To avoid problems, plan your finances well in advance and seek advice from your bank. The Immigration Office may want to see evidence that you have sufficient money to fund your stay in England. You will probably need some cash to pay for train, taxi, etc, fares when you arrive. Be very careful to know the value of the money; it is easy to be confused and to spend more than you need to.
Some countries have reciprocal health agreements with the UK, but you are advised to make sure that you have adequate medical cover. You can also insure your possessions and (in case you have to cancel) your course fees.
You cannot go to a specialist without seeing the family doctor first.
If you have an accident, you can go directly to the casualty department at the hospital where you will be treated immediately. You will have to pay for treatment at the dentist.
There is a saying: "The UK doesn't have seasons, it has weather!" It can be hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of the year. In winter, you will definitely need a thick coat. In summer, you will need a jumper when the evenings get cool. The south of the UK is warmer and usually drier than the north.
When you receive the name and address of your Homestay family, please contact them by letter or phone to confirm your date and time of arrival.
COMING TO THE UKThe Immigration Officer will probably want to know where you are staying, how long you are staying, where you are studying, how many hours a week you are studying, and what financial provisions you have made. Have the documents you need in your hand luggage. If you need to extend your visa, you should contact the Home Office about four weeks before your current visa expires. Unless you are an EU student, you may not do any work in the UK without getting permission from the Department of Employment. (If you come from a country that is a member of the European Union, you can work legally if the duration of your stay does not exceed 6 months.) Look at your visa stamp carefully, you may also have to register with the police. Do this as soon as you possibly can. Your school will tell you where the local police office is. You can contact the Home Office Immigration and Nationality Directorate at: 40 Wellesley Road, Croydon, London, CR9 2BY. Tel: 0181 868 0688.
The stamp in your passport will show:
How long you may stay in the UK
If you are permitted to work
If you must register with the police: "The holder is also required to register at once with the police". You must then, within 7 days report to the local police station and take:
Your passport
Two passport sized photographs
The current registration fee
You will then be registered with the police and given a Registration Certificate - a green book - which you must carry with you at all times for proof of identification.
The Customs Officer may ask you some questions and search your luggage. All drugs, (cocaine, marijuana, etc.) are illegal in England, even if they are intended for private use. If you take medicine prescribed by your doctor, it is a good idea to carry a letter, in English, explaining what the drugs are. Do not bring knives, gas canisters, etc, even if you usually carry them for self-defence, because they are also illegal in England. You cannot bring any pets into the UK.
You will receive advice about how to get to your school. It is normally easy to catch a bus, coach, or train. Taxis are very expensive. If you do use one, choose a Black London Cab or take a taxi from a taxi station where you will get a licensed driver. Ask for an estimate of the fare before you get in. As an example, expect to pay £40-£60 from Heathrow Airport to Central London. If you need train information, click here.
Heathrow: + 44 (0) 208 759 4321
Gatwick: + 44 (0) 1293 53 53 53
LIFE IN THE UKIt is better to exchange your money in large high street banks rather than in small exchange offices, because the banks usually charge less commission. If you are staying long term in the UK, you might want to open a bank account. Ask the school for advice about the best local bank. Most shops, restaurants, etc accept major credit cards.
Stamps are sold in Post Offices and in some shops, especially newspaper shops. If you are writing to a non-EU country, it is cheaper to buy pre-stamped aerogrammes from Post Offices. International letters need blue AIRMAIL labels.
There are many public pay-phones; some take coins or credit cards, others use special Phonecards which have to be bought in advance from Post Offices or other shops. It is useful to buy a Phonecard, as some areas do not have coin-box telephones. If you want to use your Homestay Telephone, please ask for permission first and pay for all calls. It is cheaper to telephone after 6 p.m. on weekdays and at any time at weekends, or after 8 p.m. if you are making an international call. If you want to reverse the charges (make a collect-call) dial 100 for a national call or 155 for an international call and ask the operator to make the connection for you. Most towns will have a fax office; ask for advice from your school.
In case of emergency, dial 999 for FIRE, POLICE, or AMBULANCE. It is an offence, punishable by imprisonment, to make a hoax call to the emergency services.
UK Operator Service - Dial 100
UK Directory Enquiries - Dial 118 118
International Operator - Dial 155
International Directory Enquiries - Dial 118 505
GETTING AROUNDIf you travel by bus or train every day, it is usually cheaper to buy a season ticket. It is often cheaper to travel after 9 am. Students should look for special price travel tickets. Full-time students studying for more than 26 weeks may apply for an International Student Identity Card, available form student travel offices, and which should be obtained before travelling so that you can get a discount on your outward journey. It is a good idea to have a few extra passport type photos available when applying for such tickets/cards.
You must be 17 or older to drive a car or ride a motorbike in the UK. Normally you will have to be over 23 and have a valid driving licence to hire a car. Non EU citizens will probably also need international driving licences. Check the regulations from your own country before you leave. If you want to hire a bicycle, you should be able to do this in your local town. Ask your school for advice.
I f you drive in the UK you should carry both your driving licence and insurance papers. You can use your own driving licence or an international driving licence provided that you do not stay in Britain for more than 12 months.
You should buy a copy of the Highway Code if you are going to drive in Britain. This book is available from bookshops. Remember we drive on the left in Britain and you must wear a seat belt.
The speed limits are:
30 m.p.h (48 k.p.h) in towns
60 m.p.h (97 k.p.h) on most roads
70 m.p.h (113 k.p.h) on motorways and dual carriageways
GOING OUTYour school should have a notice board for local entertainment places. You can also find information in the local or national papers. If you go to the theatre or to a concert, arrive at least 10 minutes before the performance and go to your allocated seat, because if you are late, you will probably not be allowed in until the interval. Smoking is not allowed in theatres or most cinemas. Some museums are free, others you will have to pay to get in. Look for special cheap student rates in cinemas, theatres, and museums.
Public Houses 'Pubs' are important as social meeting places. They serve alcohol, cold soft drinks, and - in some places - coffee. Most are open all day, from 11 am, but all of them close at 11 p.m. Ten minutes before closing time the publican will call "last orders" or ring a bell. This gives people 10 minutes to buy and drink their last drinks.
Most pubs sell snack foods and often meals as well. Pubs do not have waiters. You order your food or drink at the bar, pay, and then take a seat. You must be over 18 to buy alcohol and you may be asked for proof of your age. An identity or student card is usually sufficient. British people DRINK when they are in pubs. It is not polite to sit in a pub all night with one glass of orange juice! Soon after finishing one drink, you are expected to buy another drink or leave!
It is traditional to buy 'rounds' for your friends - each person buys drinks for everybody else in turn. This is especially true if you are out with a small group of (English) friends or your homestay family. If you go to the pub with a large group of people, it is okay to buy a drink for yourself only.
Discos and Nightclubs are usually open until the early hours of the morning. You have to pay to get in and may have to follow dress rules, for example, no jeans allowed. Drinks in discos are normally more expensive than in pubs, but you do not have to buy and drink so many.
Wine Bars are bars where they only serve wine! They are more expensive and sophisticated than pubs.
Snack bars do not usually sell alcohol. If you want a meal with alcohol, you will have to go to a restaurant. You may need to book a table in advance, especially if you go to a restaurant in the evenings or at weekends. A service charge is sometimes added to the bill. If not, it is customary to give a tip of between 10% - 15%. Many restaurants do take-away meals. Some will deliver to your house. Ask your school or homestay family for local information.
If you are invited to eat at another person's house, it is polite to take the host/hostess a small gift, for example, wine, or chocolates, or flowers, or a traditional gift from your country.
Smoking is not allowed in many public places. There are special smoking areas in some public places. If you smoke in a non-smoking area you may be asked to leave or even fined.
English people who see each other regularly do not normally shake hands or kiss when they meet. They sometimes shake hands when they meet somebody for the first time.
A tip is the money you give to people to thank them for a service. If the service is included in the bill you do not need to leave a tip. This is what you should tip in Britain:
Restaurants: 10 -15% of the bill
Hotels: 10 -15% of the bill, usually shared amongst all the people who gave you service
Hairdressers: 5 - 10%
Taxis: 10%
Tips are not usually given in pubs, cinemas, or garages
Shops are normally open from 09.00 - 17.30 and some shops open on Sundays for a shorter time 10.00 - 16.00. Banks are open from 09.30 - 16.30 and on Saturday mornings.
You should get keep your receipts for items you buy in shops, in case you need to return or exchange your items. A receipt will also protect you against any accusation of shoplifting.
You should not handle fresh fruit unless you intend to buy it.
VAT is a tax that is added to many shop items like clothes. It is currently 17.5%. If you are from a non-European country you can claim back VAT if you spend a lot. You need to ask for a VAT form from the shop where you buy your goods. You then give the form to the UK customs officials at the airport when you return home. Keep all receipts.
HOMESTAYSee our full Homestay advice page.