UK arrival
Preparing for your arrival to the UK can be overwhelming. We're here to support you and provide information that will hopefully answer all your questions about your arrival to the UK.
In your hand luggage, you should have original versions of:
- Your valid passport, with a visa or UK entry clearance (if applicable)
- Your visa permission – in the form of your UK entry clearance or online digital visa status
- Visa application decision letter
- Your travel tickets
- Vaccination certificates (if applicable)
- An X-ray certificate (if applicable)
- A copy of your unconditional offer letter and CAS certificate
- Recent financial evidence proving you have accessible funds to pay your tuition fees and support yourself in the UK (i.e., bank statements, proof of financial scholarship, sponsor letter, online banking). This financial evidence should mirror the overall funds that you included in your CAS and visa application process
- Travel and medical insurance
- Confirmation of your accommodation booking(s)
- Academic qualification certificates
It's important that you have all the required documents in your possession when you arrive at the UK border. If you're not prepared, you may be interviewed by a border force officer. If you're unable to provide the required evidence, you may be refused entry into the UK.
As well as original documentation in your hand luggage, we advise you to keep copies of all the above-listed documents in your main suitcase and leave additional copies with a family member or relative at home. It would also be useful to have digital copies of your important documents so you can easily access information if required.
You're encouraged to order British Pounds Sterling currency and travellers’ cheques in advance of travelling to the UK. Bring enough money to cover your immediate needs on your arrival in the UK, including customs charges, coach/rail fares, food and clothing, and any emergency expenses.
You may be expected to pay a substantial deposit for your accommodation before you move in, so you must ensure that you have sufficient funds available if you have not secured long-term accommodation in advance of your arrival in the UK.
We advise you not to bring large sums of cash for your own safety, to avoid the risk of theft. We recommend travelling with no more than £500–£600 in cash and putting the rest of your funds on a pre-paid credit card or Travellers' cheques. If you travel with more than £10,000 in cash funds, you must declare it at UK customs.
Cashless Campus
We are now a cashless campus, meaning all on-campus payments must be made by card or contactless. In the city, shops, restaurants, and supermarkets will still accept cash, giving you plenty of options depending on your preferred payment method.
You need to take out travel insurance to cover you on your journey to the UK. A good policy will cover travel delays and cancellations, medical emergencies, and loss of any belongings while in transit.
Unless you are coming from a country with a reciprocal agreement, you must pay for any medical care you need if you are staying in the UK for less than six months. In this case, you are encouraged to take out health insurance. To discover if your country has a reciprocal agreement, you should visit the NHS website. Health cover on a reciprocal agreement can be limited, so you should consider taking out private medical insurance as well.
Healthcare
When you arrive in the UK, you may be asked for evidence of your immigration status when accessing healthcare. You can do so by presenting your vignette, BRP, visa decision letter or digital share code.
The UK Government have produced a guide for migrants on what you're entitled to, and how to register for services within the NHS.
You must register with a general practitioner (GP) as soon as you arrive in the UK. A GP is a doctor who manages your general medical needs, and for most issues, a GP practice is usually the first place you'll go. You'll need to register with a GP close to where you will be living. If you require any appointments with a nurse or GP (or someone from the wider practice team) you can make these via telephone or an online portal once you have registered.
Bring with you any medical and vaccination records from your home country to share with your GP, once you have registered. Providing these records will assist your UK GP with your medical care. We also advise you to bring any prescribed medication from home, enough to last around 2 months, until you have registered with a GP.
If you’d like to discuss a minor health problem (such as a cold or flu), you can also get free, confidential advice from a pharmacist.
Pregnancy
If you intend to come to the UK to study whilst pregnant, consider whether this is the best time for you to commit to full-time studies. You'll be engaging in lectures, seminars, group work, independent study or even a placement.
If you want to work during your studies, think about the support that will be available to you and how you will manage your time.
You'll also need to think about the financial cost of having and caring for a child, including suitable accommodation and having access to essential items.
If you do intend to travel, follow the required advice based on the stage of your pregnancy. Check with your airline, as they may have specific rules in place regarding flying whilst pregnant, and expect documentation from a medical professional. Generally, it is not advised to fly if you are in the final stages of your pregnancy. Once you arrive in the UK, it's important to register with a GP as soon as possible.
If you are due to travel soon and would like to discuss your options, email international.office@sunderland.ac.uk.
Dentists
Dental Practices deliver dental care in the UK. You may find that many dental services are full and can take on no further patients. Try to make sure that whichever dental practice you register with isn’t too far from where you are living.
As part of your Student Route visa application, you demonstrated that you held the required funds to sustain yourself in the UK for the first 9 months of your course, which would be a minimum of £10,224. You must retain this money in your account until you arrive in the UK, as this is used to support yourself throughout your studies.
We have seen increasing numbers of students being requested to present their financial evidence at the border on arrival in the UK. Please ensure that you have a recent bank statement to show the border control officer, if requested. It's also advisable to have access to online banking so you can quickly demonstrate the finances available to you, particularly if your bank statement is deemed to be too old. If you are not able to provide evidence of finances, you may not be permitted to progress through border control and formally enter the UK.
Once you've arrived in the UK, we recommend you start the process to set up a UK bank account as soon as possible. This will enable you to transfer any additional funds from your home country to the UK, avoiding any transactional costs that may be incurred if you decide to use your overseas bank card for purchases within the UK.
The cost of living in the UK has risen. Food prices and energy costs have increased significantly. Be prepared for this and ensure that you have the required amount of money available to you for the duration of your studies.
