1. WHEN TO ARRIVE.

2. WHAT TO BRING.

3. TRAVEL TO ABERDEEN.

4. MEET AND GREET SERVICE.

5. ACCOMMODATION.

6. INTERNATIONAL ORIENTATION PROGRAMME.

7. ENROLMENT.

8. FURTHER INFORMATION.

PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION.

The following information is intended for students who are coming to Higher Education College Scotland, Aberdeen.

September 2009 entry.

1. WHEN TO ARRIVE

We recommend that you arrive in the UK with some extra time to spare before the start of your course. This will allow you to recover from your journey, to settle in, and to familiarise yourself with HECS and the City of Aberdeen. You must also allow time to• attend Orientation enrol formally at HECS and• attend your School’s official Induction session

2. WHAT TO BRING

PRE-ARRIVAL CHECKLIST

(i) Documents

• Passport

• Visa/Entry Clearance documentation

• Bank reference, statements or letter from your home bank

• Official proof of your home (non-UK) address

• HECS Unconditional Offer Letter (Letter of Acceptance)

• Sponsorship Letter (if applicable)

• Details of your accommodation address on arrival in the UK.

Keep these items in your hand luggage as you may be asked to show them on arrival in the UK.

(ii) Money

• Cash for arrival and first few weeks (see below)

• Bank draft for fees (if applicable)

• Bank draft for living expenses

• Credit Card.

Do not carry large amounts of cash in your personal belongings. It is simply not safe to do so, and once the money is lost, it cannot be replaced. We suggest the safest way to bring money to the UK is to bring two bank drafts:• one payable to HECS  for your fees (remember to write your HECS student number and full name on the back)and • one for your living costs, payable to your own name. In addition to these, you should bring around £300 in cash and traveller’s cheques for your first few days in Scotland. For safety, do not bring it all in cash. If you are planning to bring some of your home currency, check that you are permitted to take it out of your country, and that it can be changed in the UK.

(iii) Bringing cash to the UK

If you bring cash equivalent in value to £8,000 (€10,000) or more into the UK, you must declare it if you enter the UK from a country outside the EU. See http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/cash restrictions

(iv) Health matters

We recommend that you bring a doctor’s letter detailing any ongoing treatment, if any, and that you bring up to 6 weeks’ supply of any prescription medication you require, to last you until you have registered with a doctor in Scotland.

(v) Clothing for winter

• Winter jersey or pullover

• Warm hat

• Strong shoes

• Warm jacket with hood

• Socks

• Waterproof jacket

• Gloves

All these items are available in Aberdeen.

(vi) Computers and Electrical Equipment If you wish to bring computer equipment, such as a laptop, we recommend that you insure it as repairs can be expensive in the UK. Most computer and electrical goods retailers can assist you in choosing the right insurance package.

If you are bringing electrical equipment with you to the UK, remember that the system here operates on 240volts and electrical sockets use a 3-pin system. You may need to bring an adapter with you in order to use your equipment safely.

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3. TRAVEL TO ABERDEEN

(i) By air

Aberdeen has its own international airport with direct connections to London, Amsterdam, Paris and Stavanger (Norway). Note that this is the only airport which serves the north-east of Scotland.

If you are flying to Aberdeen from an airport which does not offer a direct service, you may find it easier and cheaper to connect via Paris or Amsterdam to Aberdeen. You can also fly to Aberdeen from London (Gatwick, Heathrow and Luton) as well as other major UK

airports, such as Manchester and Birmingham. The official website for Aberdeen Airport is www.aberdeen-airport-guide.co.uk .

(ii) By train

There are direct rail connections from London to Aberdeen. The average journey time is about 7 hours and prices vary according to when you travel and how far in advance you book your ticket.

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4. MEET AND GREET SERVICE

We will be happy to meet you at Aberdeen Airport when you arrive and take you to your accommodation. If you wish to use this service, please return a completed ‘Meet and Greet’ request form to us, including your flight arrival time and an email address at  which we can contact you, no later than 72 hours prior to your arrival in Aberdeen. Meet and Greet request forms can be completed online:

The Meet and Greet Service is available from Saturday

6 September.

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5. ACCOMMODATION

 Accommodation at HECS

HECS does not have its own accommodation but HECS will assist you in finding suitable private accommodation provided request is made in advance at least 8 weeks earlier than their arrival in Aberdeen We recommend that you try to book your accommodation before you leave your home country.

6. INTERNATIONAL ORIENTATIONPROGRAMME

All new International Students must attend one International Orientation Programme session before they can enrol at HECS.

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7. ENROLMENT

After you have attended an International Orientation Programme session, and collected your Enrolment letter, you can then enrol at HECS. Enrolment is on the same days as Orientation

9. FURTHER INFORMATION

(i) International Student Finance Calculator There is useful new tool to assist you in calculating your expenses whilst in the UK: the International Student Finance Calculator. Visit www.studentcalculator.org.uk/internationalfor a money management tool that assists international students in planning their finances before they arrive in the UK.

(ii) Prepare for Success

Prepare for Success is an interactive pre-arrival learning tool for international students who are getting ready to come to the UK to study. It contains twenty-two different learning resources on themes connected with academic life in the UK. International students can find out what British academic life is like and what kind of academic skills they will need for effective study. Visit www.prepareforsuccess.org.uk.(iii) Safety First For many international students this will be the first time living away from home in an unfamiliar country. The British Council has prepared a useful guide to help you prepare for your stay, and gives practical advice about living and studying in the UK. Visit www.educationuk.org/safetyfirst.

For further details about Aberdeen City can be found in www.aberdeencity.gov.uk. For city Buses, please visit www.firstgroup.com.

(iv) UKCISA

The UKCISA (The UK Council for International Student Affairs) website provides useful information for international students preparing to arrive in the UK: visit www.ukcosa.org.uk.

(v) HECS: First Year Website

HECS has prepared web pages especially for students new to HECS. Visit www.HECS.ac.uk/firstyear for useful information for your start at HECS.

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Should you have any further questions on pre departure matters, please contact us:

international@hecs.ac.uk

telephone +44 1224 685088

fax +44 1224 05603148933.

We look forward to welcoming you to HECS and wish you every success during your studies with us.