FAQs about the International Welcome Programme and Airport Collection Service

For questions about Visas and Immigration, visit Visa/ Immigration questions.

For questions about UEL applications and advice, visit Your Questions.

Other

How can I register for the Welcome Programme?

Registration for February 2013 Welcome Programme is now open. Please register now.

The closing date for registration is Wednesday 23rd January

When will the International Welcome Programme take place?

It all begins with Airport Pick Up on Monday 28th January, followed by Orientation on Tuesday 29th January.

If you are not making use of the Airport Pick Up service, your Programme begins with Orientation Day at 10am on Tuesday 29th January.

Please read information about Orientation Day here.

Where will the International Welcome Programme take place?

The Welcome Programme will be at UEL's Docklands Campus. The event will be signposted from the entrance to the University, and there will be UEL student ambassadors on site to show you where to go. You can find a picture of us here so you know who to look out for!

The Welcome Programme Review Day (September and February only) will take place at both Docklands and Stratford campuses.

I am an exchange student, can I take part in Welcome Programme?

Whether you are joining us through the Study Abroad or ERASMUS schemes, all exchange students are welcome to take part in the programme. If you are an EU student not on an exchange programme with one of our partner institutions, you will be required to attend your School induction session and enrol at that time.

I am having trouble signing up for the Welcome Programme, can you help?

The most common problem is that all required fields are not completed properly. There are three or four sections depending on whether you have requested airport collection (Personal details, Airport collection, accommodation, special requirements). Please note that you need to complete all sections and all required fields in order to submit the request. You should know if you have successfully signed up as you will get an automatic response. If you have checked you have filled the form properly yet are still having difficulties, please do not worry - simply contact welcome@uel.ac.uk and we will be in touch as soon as possible to assist you.

Note that sign up for the May Welcome Programme is not necessary.

How do I get to the campus when I arrive in the UK?

The first day of the Welcome Programme is our Airport Collection Service (September and February only). We are able to collect you from either Gatwick or Heathrow airports providing you can arrive on our Airport Pick-up Day. For the September schedule please click here. For the February schedule please click here. Student ambassadors will be at both airports from early morning through till midnight to meet and greet you and take you back to our Docklands campus. Look out for them in their green t.shirts!!

I am a May starter. I understand you are not currently offering an airport collection service, what should I do?

For May starters please see www.uel.ac.uk/campuses/docklands.htm for transport links to UEL. We do however advise taking a taxi as travelling across London with luggage at peak hours is not to be recommended. You can easily order a taxi at the information desk in the terminal at which you arrive. Expect to pay between £60 and £70.

What if I arrive on Airport Pick-up Day but it is past midnight by the time I get through immigration?

As long as your flight arrives on Airport Pick-up Day we will wait a reasonable time for you to clear customs. It would obviously be helpful to take an earlier flight if possible.

What if I am unable to arrive on Airport Pick-up Day?

We would encourage you to make every effort to arrive on the Airport Pick up Day to benefit from this service. If you are unable to arrive on that day you will have to make your own way to the university campus. www.uel.ac.uk/campuses/docklands.htm gives further details of transport links. Please note if you are arriving over the weekend at a time when our Residential Services office is closed, keys will be left at the security desk, but please check in advance with Residential Services

What should I do if there is a change to my flight details or if I miss my flight?

If you have changed your details before the registration deadline (you will receive an email informing you of this date) please simply re-submit the form and will will assume the latest details are correct. If you change your details at the last minute or miss a flight please contact the International Office. Phone +44 (0) 208 223 4167 or email welcome@uel.ac.uk as soon as possible. An emergency number will be given to you when you register for the Welcome Programme which you may call if you miss your flight.

If I arrive at the airport but somehow miss the UEL representatives, what should I do?

This rarely occurs but can happen when flights are rescheduled or when flight numbers are not correct. If this does happen please do not worry as we will be at the airport all day. Provided you have signed up for the Welcome Programme, an emergency number has been emailed to you for use only on Airport Pick-up Day.

If you are unable to call, please go to the nearest information desk and ask for an announcement to be put out for a University of East London Representative to go to the Information Desk to meet you. Failing that please make your way to Terminal 1 (if arriving Heathrow) or South Terminal (if arriving Gatwick) where you will see our team.

I’m not going to stay on campus but would like to be collected from the airport on Airport Pick-up Day. Can you drop me off at another place?

We are unable to drop off at other locations but we can assist by ordering you a taxi from Docklands campus to the place you will be staying. Please contact welcome@uel.ac.uk for an approximate quote of how much your taxi fare would be. You can also check ‘Journey Planner’ on the Transport for London website: www.tfl.gov.uk. The nearest station to UEL Docklands is Cyprus.

Can I move into accommodation before the date of your Airport Pick-up service?

No, you cannot move into our student flats before this date, so if you are planning to arrive before this date you will need to arrange alternative accommodation.

Can I stay on campus for a few days whilst I find off-campus accommodation?

No. Please note there is no temporary accommodation available and it is very important that you organise your own temporary accommodation before you arrive.

I want to stay on campus but haven’t yet booked accommodation.

Normally you can apply for accommodation through your UEL Direct account. You will need to make a payment of £750 (£500 accommodation payment and £250 deposit). If paying through our cashiers please quote your student number and specific payment is for accommodation.

However, please note: For February 2013 starters, if you have not already obtained a place in University accommodation, unfortunately no further places are currenltly available, due to high demand.

For advice on finding accommodation off campus see link below

www.uel.ac.uk/wwwmedia/services/international/welcome/FindingAccommodation.pdf

Can I arrive after the final date for enrolment?

No, absolutely not. This is the final enrolment date as stated on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and on your offer letter. Please note this means that on or before this date you should be on campus at UEL having made at least 60% payment of fees (with all funds cleared), fully enrolled (with ID card) and attending your classes. If you are unable to arrive on or before this date, you will need to write to admissions.international@uel.ac.uk requesting that your offer be considered for the next entry date.

I have my School's induction on the same day as international students' enrolment. What should I do?

September starters will enrol the week before School inductions so this situation will not arise. This should only occur in very few cases if you are starting in February, but if it does, you should attend your School induction as this is most important and you will be able to enrol with during the School's enrolment slot. Please see www.uel.ac.uk/firstweek (September) www.uel.ac.uk/febstarters (February) for details. For May starters the School induction is included as part of the Welcome Programme schedule so this problem will not arise..

NOTE:

If I am arriving after Enrolment Day but before the final date of enrolment, how can I enrol?

Normallly you should enrol with your School. Please see www.uel.ac.uk/firstweek for details. If you are unable to do so, UEL can normally allow you to enrol late up to the last date for enrolment as stated on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and on your offer letter. You will not be able to enrol after this final date.

How can I get my Oyster card for travel on the DLR / How can I open a bank account?

These are probably the 2 most commonly asked questions on arrival. You will need to wait until you are fully enrolled (click here for a definition) before you can open an account or are entitled to student travel discounts. An information session on this will take place during Welcome Programme. Please see the schedule.

Opening a Bank Account

Firstly you will need to research the various banks in the UK and find out which one suits you best. You may wish to consider if there is a branch near to where you are living, and how readily they provide statements (which you may need to use in future immigration applications). Some international banks might have branches in the UK as well as in your home country, so you may prefer to use the same bank here.
When you have decided which bank to use, find out what documents are required in order for you to open an account with them.
Most banks will require evidence that you are enrolled at UEL. You can obtain a letter confirming this when you are fully enrolled, by visiting the Student Services helpdesk (with your UEL ID) or via UEL Direct (go to the ‘My Record’ link and select the Student Services Letter Request container on the bottom left-hand side of this page). You will need to provide the Bank name and address. Please ensure you have access to funds to cover this period.
When you open the account, make sure that you use your full name as it is in your passport. If you do not, this can cause problems with immigration applications and other official processes.

Oyster Cards

Full time students are eligible for discounted travel - but you can only apply for this when you are fully enrolled.It can then take approximately one week to arrive.
We therefore strongly recommend obtaining a normal Oyster as soon as you arrive in the UK, as using an Oyster card is up to 30% cheaper than paper tickets. You can obtain a normal Oyster card at most stations, and at John Smith's shop on both Docklands and Stratford Campuses.
Once you are fully enrolled, you can order your student discount oyster card online. See http://www.uel.ac.uk/studentservices/helpdesk/traveldiscount.htm for more information.

If you have queries about Oyster cards or bank accounts, please contact Student Services.

Am I fully enrolled if I have completed the online enrolment task? / I have completed enrolment online so I am now able to apply for Oyster card and bank account, right?

No, online enrolment just speeds up the process but please note you are NOT FULLY ENROLLED until you have

Completed online enrolment task
Paid all or at least 60% of the fees (an extra 10% if you have already paid 50%) OR 100% of fees if International Foundation Programme or pre-masters student
Set up an instalment plan if you haven’t paid in full
Have your UEL photo ID card

How can I know my timetable and register for course modules?

In addition to the Welcome Programme you will need to attend your School induction, at which you will be given information on timetables and module registration.

If you have missed your School induction you will still be able to find out your timetable from your School helpdesk.

To confirm your modules for this semester:

Register via UEL Direct online for the modules you will be taking

In some cases you will be given a manual form to fill from your school helpdesk if you cannot register your modules online.
After completing the form, please hand them over to the School Administrator
If in doubt or require any academic assistance, contact the School Administrator of your programme or School Registrar

What do I do if I have further questions?

Please email welcome@uel.ac.uk

However, if your question does not relate directly to the Welcome Programme you might find the answer on these international webpages or try Your Questions

Page last updated: 10.01.2013

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