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Pre-Arrival Information

We look forward to welcoming you to the University of Greenwich International College. 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 05th April 2024
Course Start Date 08th April 2024

College Address: Bounty House, Stowage, London SE8 3DE

Pre-Arrival Webinars

Our pre-arrival webinar series for international students is designed to prepare you for your upcoming journey to UGIC. 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 12pm GMT Click here to register

College Pre-Arrival Webinar

In this webinar, participants will begin by meeting the UGIC college team for the first time! This webinar will cover UGIC 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
21st March 10.30am GMT Click here to register

Step 1 - 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 2HE549.

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.

Step 2 - Book your accommodation

Accommodation must be arranged before your arrival to the UK.

The University of Greenwich 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 paid your tuition fee deposit or if you have been issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) letter.

1. Select the university as your firm choice before applying for accommodation

2. Go to the Application Status Tracker and enter your details.

3. Once you have confirmed your status and created a password you will be able to access the halls application pages.

If you received your portal login and have any questions, please call +44 020 8331 9000 / or send and an email to international@gre.ac.uk

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 University of Greenwich (UoG) campus. Student pad is the recommended site for UoG and you can search from a wide selection of high-quality accommodation close to the University. Student pad currently offer single student rooms in purpose-built student accommodation, through to student flats, studio apartments and lodgings. Please visit: Student Accommodation Housing Guide – Student pad for more information.

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 one hour of the university campus. Before you book your accommodation, it is important that you check your journey time by using the TfL online journey planner and ensure that travel time doesn’t exceed one hour. If your transport links to University of Greenwich International College are mainly by bus, please note that services during peak times may be slower and, in this case, we strongly advise you to opt for a location with a journey time of under an hour.

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. This is extremely important because the University needs to have your address in their records.

Step 3 - 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 you 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. This is extremely important because the University needs to have evidence of when you are expected to arrive in the UK.

For information on getting from the airport to Greenwich, please check the following link: Travel from overseas | About the university | University of Greenwich

Step 4 - Online registration

Registration is a two-stage process and only stage one needs to be done pre-arrival. Both are compulsory and need to be completed in the sequence outlined below:

STAGE 1 – Online Registration

Online registration is a compulsory requirement, and all students need to complete it. The details that you will provide as part of the online registration task will allow us to prepare for your arrival such as creating your Student ID card, setting up your university email address and enable your IT facilities.

Once you’ve received your CAS, you will be sent an email from the University of Greenwich (UoG) to complete your online registration, with your username, and separate email with your password. Please note that this won’t be earlier than six weeks before your course start date.

Important! Before you are able to start your online registration you must activate your UoG account so that you create a secure password which you will need in order to enter the registration portal. Activating your UoG account requires a personal email address, where we will send you the instructions for a password reset and authentication. If you have not received this email to your personal account, please contact itservicedesk@gre.ac.uk or tel: +44 (0)20 8331 7555 and provide us with your correct personal email address. Please remember that activating your UoG account is not online registration.

Once you’ve activated your UoG account you will be able to enter the registration portal and complete your registration.

Please note that you will not be able to attend lessons or receive your timetable until both stages of registration have been completed.

How to complete online registration?
Online registration | Welcome | University of Greenwich

STAGE 2 – Document Checks

Once the online registration is complete, you will need to come to the International College of Greenwich (UGIC) campus for face-to-face document checks. The UGIC team will assist you with getting your documents checked at the University Student Centre.

You will need to bring current, valid and in date passport and Relevant immigration documents (e.g. stamped entry visa, current visa or BRP if you already have it).

You must attend IN PERSON in order to have your full registration finalised and to officially become a university student. Without THE full registration status you will be classed as non-arrival, and this will have an impact on your visa.

During the document check, you can also pick up your Student ID card and your BRP card if you opted for it to be delivered to the University when you made your visa application.

Step 5 - 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 with an 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. Unfortunately, there will not be permissions to arrive late unless you are going through very exceptional situations, and these are the reasons why you cannot travel in time for your induction date. Please send an email to the College team at ugic-registration@greenwich.ac.uk and let us know what 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 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 pick up and to advise you on how to book and how to pay for this service.
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 days to go Welcome to UGIC!

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

Useful contact information

Registration: ugic-registration@greenwich.ac.uk

Registration login issues: itservicedesk@gre.ac.uk

SFE application support: ugicfinance@greenwich.ac.uk

College team: ugic-admin@gre.ac.uk

Tuition fee payments: creditcontrol@oxfordinternational.com

Forgotten password / technical issues: itservicedesk@gre.ac.uk

Visa: Pathways@oxfordinternational.com

Accommodation: international@gre.ac.uk

Student Checklist

Complete your face-to-face registration at the Queen Anne Building. This is where you will also collect your Student ID Card.

Once you have completed your face-to-face registration, you will receive your official student ID card. This must always be worn around the college and other university campuses. Once you have collected your ID card, you will be asked to visit the college where you will receive a welcome pack.

Should you lose your ID card, you will need to go to the student centre to receive a new one. Your first replacement will be free of charge. However, any further l will be a £10 replacement fee.

You will have access to many facilities on campus by using your Student ID card including the Students’ Union, student clubs and societies, Counselling Centre, Student Advice and Information Service, and non-denominational Faith Room for religious support.

You can collect this at the Student Centre in the Dreadnought Building after you have completed face-to-face registration at the Queen Anne Building. If you have chosen to collect your BRP at registration, you need to complete your online registration and your UGIC registration at the Queen Anne Building based at the university campus.

Please ensure you take your passport, qualifications, and proof of address (original documentation) when you collect your BRP. Failure to
do this will delay you becoming fully registered. If you are not sure, please contact the UGIC Registration at Ugic-Registration@greenwich.ac.uk.

You will receive your induction timetable once you have completed your face-to-face registration and will be given instructions on how to get to Bounty House. This is where you will meet the Student Services Manager and receive your course-specific induction timetable. You must attend all induction sessions.

You will need your University of Greenwich email and password to access Eduroam (University network) below.

If you are experiencing difficulties, please call the UGIC reception where IT will be on hand to help or alternatively email IT Support at itservicedesk@gre.ac.uk.

 

Eduroam

Please make sure you pick up a UK SIM Card as you will be required to have a UK number for the duration of your studies.

You will receive your teaching timetable via your University of Greenwich email address once you have completed your induction.

Do not use the timetable function on the student portal.

You can register with a GP at a Doctor’s practice close to where you live. The same goes for a dentist. Do not wait until you are ill. You can speak with UGIC Welfare who will be able to help you find GPs and dental practices in your local area.

International students are able to open a UK bank account. To open a bank account you need to show a University registration letter (or status letter). These must be requested from the UGIC Student Services Desk, by completing an online form for which you will find a QR code at UGIC Reception.

You will be eligible to apply for a University registration letter after you have attended one full week of lessons. Opening a bank account can take between two to three weeks.

If you have any queries about banking, please contact the college reception.

Some banks will not open accounts for students under the age of 18. If this is the case, please come and speak to the College Manager. We can provide advice and will help you during induction to get the correct documentation in place.

The bank will also need to see other documents including your passport and visa. Each bank will have its own requirements and will explain which documents they require and you can check these online.

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 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

Edna Mohamud
Student Welfare Officer & First Aider

Chloe Wallder
Student Finance Officer & First Aider

Jack Eastment
Retention and Success Officer

Esther Mungai
Student Experience Officer

Ben Smith
UGIC Head of English

Jonathan Tangri
UGIC EAP and Digital Literacy
Programme Coordinator

Richard Brown
First Aider

Ben Smith
First Aider

Jonathan Tangari
First Aider

UGIC Student Services Support
ugic-admin@greenwich.ac.uk

Call UGIC Campus Security at 02083317970 or

Emergency Police/Ambulance/Fire call 999.

University Of Greenwich International College 

Bounty House
Stowage
London,
SE8 3DE
Tel No: +44 (0)20 8331 7567
Email: ugic-admin@greenwich.ac.uk

For the Greenwich Campus: GREENWICH 2023

For the Medway Campus (For Engineering & Science Stds): MEDWAY 2023 (gre.ac.uk)

The Student Union can also provide job and career support and can be reached here.

For student discounts click here. You can also download apps such as StudentBeans, UniDays & Totum.

Please make sure you provide the college with your up-to-date UK address and phone number. If any of these details change at any point, please let the college know.

Please inform the college team if there are any medical/health conditions that may impact you whilst studying. You can inform the college of this at registration or email the college welfare officer at UgicWelfare@greenwich.ac.uk.

The UGIC Student Services Team are key people you can speak with and get help for:

  • Student Letters and Bank Letters
  • Student Well-being and Welfare
  • Student Finance and Student Loans
  • Student Attendance
  • Part-time job applications
  • Student – Tutor meeting arrangements

Welfare:
One-to-one confidential meetings, referral to the UoG well-being team for free counselling from professionals, advice on living/working as a student in the UK, under-18 attendance monitoring and regular group & one-to-one meetings throughout the year etc (this list is not exhaustive)
For confidential support, you can also email UGIC Welfare at ugicwelfare@greenwich.ac.uk.

Attendance:
Daily, weekly and monthly attendance monitoring, authorisation of absence requests, meetings with students on attendance warnings, weekly meetings with Programme Coordinators and Senior Tutors to flag up students on warnings and agree on a plan of action. For support, you can also email UGIC Attendance at ugicattendance@greenwich.ac.uk.

Finance:
Debt collection reminders, one-to-one meetings for debt management and fee collection, liaising between OIEG, agents and college for fee waivers and potential scholarships, liaising with OIEG, agents and college in terms of hardship funds and safeguarding expenses as necessary. For support, you can also email UGIC Finance at ugicfinance@greenwich.ac.uk.

Student Records and Exams:
Circulate exam timetables, advise students on grades, failed modules, resubmissions and liaise with Programme Coordinators and Welfare regarding GIPs and ECs

Each student will be appointed a personal tutor and will be expected to attend a two-hour personal tutorial session each week. Personal tutorial sessions cover issues such as culture shock and homesickness, time management, dealing with stress, and preparing for exams and assessments. The sessions consist of group activities and discussions and some one-on-one discussions with the tutor. Students are encouraged to discuss issues with their personal tutor at any time.

The UoG Students’ Union is a democratic organisation run by students for students with over 20,000 members, to represent student views to the University at all levels and to provide support services for its members.
As a UGIC student, you are a member of the Students’ Union and are encouraged to join one of the many student societies and take part in any of the SU events
You can find more information below.

UoG Students’ Union

IT Services:
Services include IT labs and open-access computing areas with general and specialist software, online print credit, printing and scanning, and the Eduroam wireless network. For further details including how to access Microsoft Office for free on your personal devices while you are a student see IT and Library Services | University of Greenwich.

The university offers many services which can be accessed remotely. This page will help you to find the resources you need. Connect to the university from home by clicking: IT and Library Services | University of Greenwich. 

The IT Service Desk is available via email or telephone to all students needing IT help. Face to face help is also available in our libraries – ask for the IT support staff. Email at itservicedesk@gre.ac.uk or phone 020 8331 7555.

Academic Support:
The University’s team of expert librarians and academic skills tutors can support you with your studies, especially when you are writing an assignment or at exam time. Enhance your information skills and academic skills by attending a workshop or get personalised help in a 1-2-1 tutorial. Book a session via your Moodle account or in the Academic Skills Hub.

Well-being Support:
The University offers a wide range of wellbeing support as well as support for students with disabilities and specific learning difficulties (including dyslexia). The Wellbeing Service is located in the same area as the Student Services Centre in the Dreadnought Building (Park Row, London, SE10 9LS).

Report & Support  Team: 
If you or someone you know has experienced or witnessed any form of harassment, including bullying, discrimination, hate incidents, or sexual misconduct, you can report it anonymously or ask to speak to a trained advisor to get information on reporting options and support available so that you can make an informed decision on what happens next. You can report and get support by clicking here.

FAQs

6 weeks prior to course start date.

Call IT service at +44 208 331 7555 or email itservicedesk@gre.ac.uk.

Once you are fully registered: UoG student centre, Dreadnought Building, Greenwich campus.

UoG student centre, Dreadnought Building, Greenwich campus.

University Accommodation options (Greenwich is on campus, Avery Hill is approx. 30 minutes by bus (free campus bus), Medway is not recommended as over an hour away.

How to apply | Accommodation | University of Greenwich – How to apply

Renting privately | Accommodation | University of Greenwich – Private renting

If you have any questions, please contact: +44 (0)20 8331 8272/ gr.accommodation@gre.ac.uk

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.

Fill out Student Confirmation Letter Request Form and collect after 2 working days from UGIC reception (Devonport House).

Timetable for term 1 will be sent to your university email address after the registration is finalised (once you’ve completed both online registration and face to face visa verification) during induction week.

Click here to see the nearest GP, students need to fill out a patient registration form.

This page shows routes to Greenwich from major London Airports.

ugic-admin@gre.ac.uk , alternatively please contact student support officer Susan Clarke susan.clarke@greenwich.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