Pre-Arrival Information

We look forward to welcoming you to International College Dundee. We want all our students to have the best possible start and for this to happen, it is essential that you follow the below steps.

Important Dates

April 2024 intake

Online Registration Opens 18th March 2024
Induction 29th March 2024
Course Start Date 01st April 2024

Pre-Arrival Webinars

Our pre-arrival webinar series for international students is designed to prepare you for your upcoming journey to ICD. You can find out some of what we discuss in these webinars below and how to join them.

In these live sessions, your key staff contacts, as well as current international students, will provide you with guidance and advice as a newly-admitted international student.

Do you have questions?

All our webinars have a LIVE question and answer session at the end!  You will have the opportunity to ask our speakers questions during the meeting and get fast answers!

Pre-Arrival Webinar

In this webinar, participants will begin by meeting the pre-arrival team for the first time! The webinar will cover a host of topics designed to assist you with all you need to do before reaching the UK, including:

  • Information and updates about booking your visa
  • Booking your accommodation
  • What is registration?
  • Booking your flight
  • Bringing dependants
  • Arriving in the UK
  • And much more!

You’ll also get an opportunity to hear from our Student Experience Officers, who will be on hand to help you as soon as you arrive in the UK.

Date Time Link
05th March 11am GMT WATCH RECORDING

Accommodation: Your Options

In this webinar, participants will learn about university accommodation, the advantages and disadvantages of living in privately-owned housing and things to consider before booking.

The webinar will also cover:

Where you should live and why it is important to be close to campus
The best websites to search for accommodation
The importance of booking early

Date Time Link
18th March 12 pm GMT Click here to register

College Pre-Arrival Webinar

In this webinar, participants will begin by meeting the ICD college team for the first time! This webinar will cover ICD specific topics, including:

  • Notable dates
  • Your journey to the college
  • How to complete your online registration
  • The cost of living in the UK
  • Welcome week and induction

You’ll also hear from current student representatives who joined the course within the last year!

This webinar will be repeated three times before your course start date; you can join as many times as you like and ask questions – we recommend joining at least once!

Date Time Link
11th March 9.30 am GMT Click here to Register
25th March 11.30 am GMT Click here to register

Apply for your visa

In order to avoid delays in getting your visa, it is very important to apply for your Student visa as soon as you have received your Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (CAS) letter. Any delays in receiving your visa, will impact your ability to register onto your course on time.

Our team can support you through this process. You can reach out by using this form.

We will request updates on your visa application status via CAS Shield, the online self-service system that you used when you submitted your CAS documents. Please ensure that you click the button that best represents your situation so we can promptly assist you. Once you’ve received your visa, please upload the vignette on CAS Shield.

Important Note for BRP Collection

We strongly advise you to ensure that your BRP will be delivered to the University and NOT to the Post Office! In order for the BRP to be delivered to the University, you will need to enter an Alternative Collection Location (ACL), on your visa application form (in the section ‘BRP Collection Location’, under the Alternative Location field). Our ACL code is 3HE297.

You will need to have collected your BRP in order to be eligible to complete face-to-face registration!

Benefits of university collection

Convenience: You can pick up their BRP without having to travel to a separate post office. The post offices in the UK typically has a long queues – so it’s best to avoid collection here if possible.

Reduced Wait Times: The university have dedicated staff and procedures in place to streamline the BRP collection process for you.

Support Services: The university staff can provide additional support and guidance regarding immigration matters.

Book your accommodation

You must book your accommodation before you come to the UK

Accommodation must be arranged before your arrival to the UK.

University of Dundee (UoD) offers several halls of residence options according to your preference.

If you prefer to live in halls of residence, please apply as early as possible as places fill up fast!

You’ll be able to book your accommodation if you hold a Conditional or Unconditional Offer letter and have paid your tuition fee deposit or if you have been issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) letter.

Select the university as your firm choice before applying for accommodation
The university will send you an email once you have confirmed your status as firm, with a form to fill in. If you received your portal login and have any questions, please email residences@dundee.ac.uk

Once you’ve submitted your application successfully you will get a confirmation email sent to you. It will take the University up to 3 weeks to respond with an offer of accommodation or further information.

Take a Look at the range of university managed accommodation from this page

If you want to live off-campus, you can book private accommodation close to the UoD campus. We recommend starting your search with one of the following websites:

It is advisable to move into your accommodation a day or two before your course start date so that you are fully rested and ready to attend our informative and engaging induction events.

All students that are in the UK on a Student Route visa MUST reside within a 40-mile radius of the university campus. Student Route visa Students who declare a term-time address outside of a 40-mile radius, or that are believed to have declared an address at which they do not genuinely reside in during term time may have their registration cancelled and the University will notify UKVI of a withdrawal of Student Route sponsorship for that Student.

We will request updates on your accommodation details via CAS Shield, the online self-service system that you used when you submitted your CAS documents. Please ensure that you click the button that best represents your situation so we can promptly assist you.

- Renting in the Private Sector

Unfortunately, there is limited accommodation at present and some students are finding they need to stay in temporary accommodation locally until they are able to secure longer-term accommodation. You may also wish to expand you search area to cover surrounding areas of Perth, Angus and Fife as well as Dundee if you haven’t already.

Renting in the Private Sector

Private rented accommodation is usually:

  • A self contained flat or house
  • A shared flat or house with other tenants
  • Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)
  • A room in your landlord’s house or flat

All private landlords in the city must be registered with Dundee City Council. All registered landlords will be able to produce a registration number.

You can check the Letting Agents Register here: https://register.lettingagentregistration.gov.scot/searchtype

For more information on renting in the Private Sector go to: https://dundeecity.gov.uk/service-area/neighbourhood-services/housing-and-construction/housing-options-in-dundee/renting-in-the-private-sector

 

Finding accommodation:

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/ – search rental properties by area

https://sturents.com/ – student homes portal with property listings

https://www.facebook.com/dusa.housing – DUSA Housing Facebook page for advertising spare rooms *

https://www.roomgo.co.uk/ – find rooms to rent or flatmates

https://www.lettingweb.com/ – find rental properties by area

http://www.letting-in-scotland.co.uk/ – lists rental properties across Scotland

https://www.accommodationforstudents.com/ – search rental properties by area

https://www.gumtree.com/ – classified advert site with property listings

https://www.s1homes.com – search rental adverts

https://www.zoopla.co.uk – property website with rental listings

https://www.spareroom.co.uk/ – look for rooms to rent

* If you are looking for a room, you may want to post an advertisement on DUSA HOUSING FACEBOOK page as well. Draft up an advertisement and send it to ADVICE@DUSA.CO.UK

WHAT TO INCLUDE:

–        Who you are

–        What are you looking for

–        What is your budget

–        How to contact you

 

Housing Advice:

https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/guides/students – renting advice aimed at students

 https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help/webchat – Shelter WEBCHAT available Monday to Friday 9:00 to 5:00

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/ – general advice pages for Citizens Advice, useful information on many topics.

https://www.dundeestudenthomes.co.uk/Accommodation – general housing information for students

https://www.dusa.co.uk/advice/housing – Information on student housing and living in Dundee

 

Guarantor Information

DUSA cannot act as a guarantor, however the following organisations can provide a paid guarantor service:

 

The University has now launched a pilot scheme which allows students who do not have access to a UK guarantor for private rentals to apply for the University to act as guarantor – see Rent Guarantor Scheme | University of Dundee.

Please note that this scheme will not be suitable for every student as it requires them to meet a number of eligibility criteria and also have found a suitable property which will accept the University as a guarantor. 

 

Bringing a family?

UKCISA Information: https://ukcisa.org.uk/Information–Advice/Preparation-and-Arrival/Planning-your-housing#layer-3097

Book your flight

Immediately after you’ve received your visa, book your flight. When booking your flight, please make sure you arrive a few days before your first day of the term, so you have enough time to check-in to your accommodation and join your classes on time.

We will request updates on your flight details via CAS Shield, the online self-service system that you used when you submitted your CAS documents. Once you’ve booked your flight, please upload your flight ticket on CAS Shield so we can prepare for your arrival.

Click this link for information on getting from the airport to Dundee.

Online registration

The online matriculation task is available via your eVision account and can be accessed here.

Please login using your University Username and Password. This was provided to you in your Approval of Offer letter from Admissions.

If you do not know your login details, or are having difficulty logging into eVision, please contact UoD IT from here by quoting your Student ID number and date of birth.

When you have completed all parts of this registration online, once you come to the UK you will be invited to a document check, where you will also be able to pick up your student ID card.

Pay your tuition fees

We strongly advise that you pay your remaining fee from your home country as soon as you receive your visa and before you travel to the UK. Settling all due payments prior to arrival will allow you to focus on your studies and to enjoy your student life. Without paying your tuition fees, you may not receive your timetable and may have restrictions applied to your university facilities.

You can easily pay your tuition and fees online via Flywire, our preferred payment partner. Flywire provides a secure global payment network that simplifies paying your fees from your home country and countries around the world. Payment options can include bank transfers, credit cards, e-wallets and more, typically in your home currency for most countries. Click here to make your payment

If you want to discuss about your tuition fee payment, you can contact our Credit Control team at creditcontrol@oxfordinternational.com

If you will finance your studies via Student Loan Company (SLC), you must make your application prior to arrival at the college. You can start making an application by clicking HERE. Please note that SFE take between 6 to 8 weeks to process SLC applications so please sure that you apply well in advance of your course start date.

Late arrivals

We want you to have the best possible student experience and we will provide you informative induction and orientation events to help you settle into your studies and make friends. We strongly advise that you don’t miss any of these events and that you attend lectures from day one in order to have the best possible academic outcome. To enjoy the full student experience, you need to arrive at the College no later than the course start date as stated in your offer letter and Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

If you believe you are going to enter the UK beyond the course start, it is very important your let us know. Please send an email to the College team at icd-office@dundee.ac.uk and let us know w hat date you expect to arrive and the reason for the delay. This is so we can ensure   you are fully registered and will receive an induction once you arrive.

Pre-arrival timeline

As the course start date approaches, we will be in regular contact with a lot of useful information which will fully prepare you to have the best start. Please check your personal email regularly so you don’t miss out. It is important to update us on any changes to your contact details (phone number and email address) so that we can continue to keep in touch with you and give you the support that you need.

 

Seven weeks to go EU students with settled and pre-settled status – Apply for SFE loan
We will send an email reminder to all eligible EU students at Conditional and Unconditional offer stage to advise that you need apply for the SFE
loan in order to have your funds approved by face-to-face registration. The processing time for loan applications is 6-8 weeks. You will need to provide proof of SLC loan application in order to be able to attend classes.
Six weeks to go Attend our pre-arrival webinar
In this webinar we will provide you information on accommodation, registration steps, what to bring with you at enrolment and we will answer any questions you may have. You will receive an email invitation on your personal email address well in advance.
Six weeks to go Complete online registration
The registration portal will be open and you will receive the portal login details.
Six weeks to go Book your accommodation
If you haven’t booked your accommodation yet, we will contact you to advise you on accommodation availability and to check if you need any
support from us. Please note that we won’t be able to book accommodation on your behalf.
Four weeks to go Book your flight
By now you should have received your visa and you need to make your travel arrangements, so you arrive at the college on time to attend our induction events, collect your timetable and student ID card. We will contact you to request your flight details so we can prepare for your arrival.
Four weeks to go Pre-arrival emails

The College pre-arrival emails will be sent regularly until the end of registration period and will inform you as well as remind you that online registration is required before the face-to-face visa verification.
Two weeks to go Airport pick up
We will contact you to check if you would like us to arrange your airport.
One week to go Self-funded students – Pay your outstanding tuition fee

We will remind you that your remaining tuition fee will become due and will advise you on how to pay.

0 week to go Welcome to ICD!

Our friendly team will be there to help you with any information you may need!

Useful contact information

Transport

Due to the shortage of private housing in Dundee, you may need to expand your search to include areas like Perth, Fife and Angus. Travel times can vary from 30 minutes to 90 minutes per journey.

Some areas to look out for:

  • Monifieth, Carnoustie, Forfar, Arbroath, Montrose
  • Coupar Angus

There are good travel links in and out of the city, and the main bus service providers are Stagecoach and Xplore. Student bus tickets can cost as little as £2.80 per day, or £5.10 if you are travelling from out with Dundee. Discounted weekly passes are also available, with prices starting at £11 per week. Find out more below:

Led by The Scottish Government, young people in Scotland aged under 22 years old are entitled to free bus travel.

To access the scheme you must apply for a new National Entitlement Card (NEC) card.

Those aged between 5-15 must have a parent, guardian, or carer apply for a new NEC card on their behalf. Those aged between 16-21 should apply themselves.

It’s important that you apply for your new NEC Card in order to access the travel scheme, as old Young Scot Cards will not be accepted, and you will be required to pay your fare as normal.

Apply here: https://getyournec.scot/nec/

Students can also get up to 50% off train journeys with ScotRail. Details on this can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/studentoffer

 

 

 

Your Career (for Pre-Master's students)

We are delighted to have you here. If you’re a Pre-Master’s student, we’re happy to announce that you benefit from exclusive access to Student Circus, a careers platform explicitly tailored to international students seeking visa-enabled jobs in the UK or abroad, including your home country.

Through the Student Circus, you can search and apply for full-time jobs and be prepared after completing your postgraduate degree or even look for part-time jobs or internships during your studies.

If you’re not ready to look for a job now but are keen to get started on building your profile, please do sign up here: oieg.studentcircus.com

Then:

1.      Select your institution: International College of Dundee, DMU, Bradford, Bangor, Greenwich

2.      Click sign up

3.      Enter your name, email address and password

4.      Create an account

Besides job listings, you have the opportunity to take part in careers workshops and the Oxford International Bootcamp, where you’ll benefit from CV building, top tips in the workplace and much more.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity. It is FREE!

Sign up here: oieg.studentcircus.com

If you encounter any issues during signup, please email: hello@studentcircus.com. Share your name, student email ID, and a staff member will be in touch.

Best of luck!

Student Checklist

You will need to collect your BRP card as soon as possible, normally within 10 days of your arrival in the UK. You will have specified a pickup location during your visa application. If you specified the pickup location as the Dundee Post Office, this will be: Post Office, 30 Whitehall St, Dundee DD1 4AF. You can check which collection location you selected either on your Home Office letter or by logging back in to view your visa application summary.

If you did not choose the Dundee Post Office. You can use the branch finder on the website below:

Branch finder

When you’ve completed ICD registration you are required to attend a face-to-face registration session before you are fully matriculated as a university student. You are required to bring along with your passport, visa and all documents listed on your CAS to the session. We will send out the face-to-face registration details to you soon.

If you have uploaded your passport photo onto the eVision a week prior to your face-to-face registration, the immigration compliance team will bring your student ID to the face-to-face registration session.

If you haven’t uploaded your passport photo, the immigration compliance team may take a photo for you during the face-to-face registration. It may take up to a week for your student ID card to be available for you at the Enquiry Centre/ICD office.

The introduction session will help you familiarise yourself with the College team, and our facilities and will be an opportunity to meet your classmates. You will receive lots of information that help your study here.

The welcome week in ICD will take place from 11th Sept to 15th Sept. The schedule of events will be sent to all new students once it is confirmed.

University of Dundee’s superfast Wi-Fi network, eduroam, is available throughout the campuses. You’ll also find eduroam in different places across the globe and can use your full username (@dundee.ac.uk) to connect.
Please find the details below:

University of Dundee Wi-Fi

Some service providers provide new SIM card delivery service to your home country address and all you need to do is activate your SIM card once you arrive in the UK. You can check on the following website and compare the deals:

Get a UK SIM Card 

You will receive your timetable during the ICD registration. If you are not sure about the details on it, please come to the student experience team and we will be happy to help.

You can check on the link below to find your closest practice.

Contact the local GP practice that you have chosen as soon as possible as there may be limited spaces available.
You will need three forms of identification to register:

  • A passport or UK driving licence
  • Student ID card
  • Documentation with your Dundee address on it (for example, a utility bill or Matriculation Letter from eVision)
Find your closest practice

You may want to register with a dentist as well. Please find the website below for more information on how to register a dentist in Scotland.

Register with a dentist 

You’ll need to make sure you have a bank account for coming to University. Some banking advice drop-in sessions will be held during this September intake at the University of Dundee. Please find the website below for more details:

Open a UK bank account

If you intend to work part-time during your studies, we advise you to apply for National Insurance –  this is a unique personal reference number which will be required for tax and employment purposes. The application takes a maximum of 4 weeks for approval. The NI number comes through the post and it is important that you provide your correct address details to ensure that you don’t lose it.

You can apply for a National Insurance number online using the link below.

You can work in the UK for a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations.
You must ensure that you comply with the work restrictions that apply to you, as it is a criminal offence to breach any immigration conditions.

Apply for a National Insurance number

You need to apply for exemption from Council Tax, this is not automatic. If all adults in your household are students you can get 100% exemption from Council Tax. You need to apply yourself or you will be liable to pay Council Tax, this is not automatic.

Please find the details on the website below:

Exemption from Council Tax

Go onto the National Entitlement Scotland website below and click apply. You will need the following documents submitted with your application:

  • A form of ID (your passport or BRP)
  • Proof of your address in Scotland,
  • And a photo of yourself.
National Entitlement Scotland website

You may want to download the following apps for free in order to get your best student experience here:
My Dundee and Blackboard
Microsoft Teams apps
SEAts Software
Microsoft 365

The Main Library has an access control system with four security gates regulating both entry and exit. Everyone visiting the building is required to scan a current membership or ID card for access.

Students from the University of Dundee should open the gates using their University of Dundee ID card or barcode tile generated on the University of Dundee app.
For more information please visit the website below.

Dundee Library

Absences should be reported to the ICD email (icd-office@dundee.ac.uk) and your tutors by 10 a.m. on the first day of absence.

If you are off for more than one day, you will also need to fill in a self-certification form that will be sent to you. If you are off longer than one week you will be required to get a note from your doctor.

You will get more information during the introduction and will receive a registration pack with details on it.

This information will be included in the introduction to ICD and academic introduction sessions. Students must attend those inductions as compulsory events and reach out to the SET for more help.

Please reach out on our email: icd-office@dundee.ac.uk

You can click on the virtual tour below to explore the place:
https://www.dundee.ac.uk/virtual-tour/
Click here to access the campus map.

Dundee virtual tour

Dundee University Students’ Association known as DUSA is committed to creating an environment in which all staff, volunteers and members are supported to continuously develop their talents, skills, and knowledge. For more details please read the website below:
https://www.dusa.co.uk/

University of Dundee’s 240+ student societies bring together groups of students who all share the same interest – be that a hobby, belief, or passion. Students can join as many as they want. Please find the details below:
https://www.dusa.co.uk/societies

First, you will need to create a CV which will explain things that you are good at, such as your skills, experiences you have and what makes you the right person for a job such as your personality traits. If you need further help you can make an appointment with the university’s Career Services or contact our student support officer to arrange a meeting or attend our employability sessions.

  • Accommodation support
  • Employability support
  • Attendance support General Queries
  • Fees
  • Registration and timetables
  • Where to go in Dundee

  • Academic skills
  • Queries about assessment submissions
  • Impartial advice about studies
  • General questions about course and studies
  • Other queries that students prefer to speak to the advisor about

  • Cost of Living
  • Academic Support
  • Health & wellbeing
  • International students
  • Housing advice
  • Keeping Safe
  • Students with children
  • Disabilities
  • LGBTQ+
  • ISE- Institute of Sport and Exercise – clubs, facilities and sports

  • Disability Support
  • Careers Services
  • Counselling Service
  • Chaplaincy
  • International Advice Service
  • Global Room
  • Academic Skills Centre
  • Dyslexia Support
  • Health Service

FAQs

6 weeks prior to course start date.

Contact IT Support for a password reset:
+44 (0)116 250 6050 /help4u@dundee.ac.uk.

Once you are fully registered: UoD Enquiry Centre, Campus Green.

The Immigration Compliance team will email your university email address when your BRP card arrives and let you know when and where to collect it from.

You are expected to be on campus for the start date of your course, you will need to be there at least 1 week before to complete registration and collect your ID card, settle into accommodation and attend induction events.

Get a student letter from the college once fully registered, you can use this along with your CAS to open a bank account. This can also be used to show employers term times.

This will be available on student evision account.

Timetables will be available 2 weeks in advance and available on  the ICD New Students Teams pages.

Click here to see the nearest GP.

Click here to see travel options from the closest airport (Edinburgh).

icd-office@dundee.ac.uk

or for any pre-arrival queries prearrivals@dundee.ac.uk 

For Travel:

  • A current passport
  • A Student Visa (if required)
  • Permission to Travel Letter (if applicable)
  • Acceptance Letter (CAS)
  • Evidence of financial support
  • Medical records for pre-existing conditions & details of vaccinations Any medication you are currently taking
  • Travel insurance
  • Cash or travellers’ cheques for everyday expenses, before your bank account is set up

For university:

  • A suitable laptop or computer for study that can connect to Wi-F
  • A mobile phone with a number you can easily be contacted on
  • A smart phone so you can download the DMU Student Portal App