Preparation guide For EU/International students | Entry 2009
Our global reputation for academic excellence informed by world-class research, coupled with a perfect location in the heart of London, attracts students from all corners of the world.
This publication is available in alternative formats. Contact the Marketing Department King’s College London Tel +44 (0)20 7848 3997
Designed by the Corporate Design Unit Edited by the Marketing Department, King’s College London.
Preparation guide | Entry 2009 | 1
King’s is… • One of the world’s top 25 universities. • In the heart of London, with four campuses along the River Thames in central London and a further site in south-east London. • A multi-faculty institution, offering high-quality research and teaching across the sciences, humanities, medicine, law, dentistry and social sciences. • Internationally recognised for the quality of its research, with 24 subject areas rated 5 or 5* in the latest Research Assessment Exercise. • Linked for research and teaching with some of the world’s best-known arts and cultural organisations, including the British Museum, the British Library and the BBC. • Europe’s largest centre for medical and professional healthcare education, and part of an Academic Health Sciences Centre linking King’s with our partner hospital trusts. • England’s most successful university for PhD completion rates.
About King’s Next steps Heart of London Starting at King’s A-Z of King’s Contacts Maps
2 7 14 18 21 24 27
2 | Entry 2009 | Preparation guide
About King’s Congratulations on your offer of a place from King’s College London. This guide aims to introduce you to studying in London and what King’s has to offer to students from around the world.
Academic excellence
Community & support
A-Z of King’s
• Academics who are international leaders in their field. • King’s students have access to some of the most exciting, cutting-edge research in the world. • Located in the heart of the cultural capital, with a wealth of research facilities and academic societies, such as the British Library and Royal Society on your doorstep. • Connected to the corridors of power, London’s knowledge capital and host to three of the world’s greatest teaching hospitals. • The College is rated ‘excellent’ for students’ educational experience by the Quality Assurance Agency.
• A welcoming institution, with students from almost every country, ethnic and cultural group. • Dedicated international student welfare advice offering guidance on visa and immigration matters, finance, working in the UK and any other key issues before you arrive and during your time at King’s. • Award winning students’ union providing a range of services including cafés, bars, nightclubs and a gym, as well as offering over 160 sporting and interest clubs and societies, including many specialist international and cultural groups (see page 19). • King’s Careers Service can help you choose your career path and find employment in and outside the UK. It holds regular international careers events, and is one of the few universities in the UK to have a member of staff specialising in international work and study. • Through our English Language Centre, King’s offers pre-sessional programmes, as well as free language and skills support during your studies if required (see page 12).
• See pages 21-23 for an alphabetical run down of key King’s support departments and services.
Online guidance King’s has dedicated web pages for international students at www.kcl.ac.uk/ international. Here you will be able to find all the information you need on key topics. The site includes pages tailored for students from over 50 countries around the world, as well as giving tips on how to enjoy the best of London on a budget. Our International Marketing Team also publishes information on their visits overseas on the site.
Preparation guide | Entry 2009 | 3
Academic culture If you haven’t studied in the UK before it is worth bearing in mind that the academic culture at university in the UK could be quite different from the study environment that you are used to. One of the key features of higher education in the UK, and particularly at King’s, is that you will have direct contact with academic members of staff within your department. You are likely to have large group lectures, but you will also have smaller group seminars, practical sessions and tutorials. You may also see members of staff individually on occasions. Also, students are expected to actively participate in small group sessions and engage in discussions, rather than simply listen.
The academic culture is also relatively informal. Staff members will tell you how they wish to be addressed, but in many cases you will be on first name terms with them. Staff are also there to support and guide you through your programme, but you should bear in mind that you are responsible for your own learning. Time outside of lectures is your own but the understanding is that you will be spending a considerable amount of your time studying. Staff will not tell you to do this; it is something that is expected of you.
4 | Entry 2009 | Preparation guide
‘King’s is well-known for its excellence in teaching, learning and research and is also known as one of the top universities in the world for dentistry. My goal is to become a professional dentist and King’s, with its high education standards, is definitely going to help me achieve this goal.’ Selvaggia Brigo, Dentistry BDS, Italy
Study resources
Access to computers
Information Services & Systems (ISS) provides library and IT services at King’s. Information Services Centres (ISCs) and libraries are located at all the main sites of the College and they provide IT and software support; helpdesks, online enquiry services, photocopying, scanning, lending and reference services, document delivery, individual and group study facilities, access to print and electronic information resources. Opening hours vary between campuses and between term time and vacation periods. You will need your King’s ID card (which is also your library card) to enter any ISC or library and you won’t be able to borrow without it.
PAWS (Public Access Workstation Service) computers are provided at all sites. PAWS provide access to a wide range of software, including Microsoft Office, statistical packages, web browsers and subject-specific learning resources. PAWS have printing, data storage and remote access facilities and some computer rooms are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
searching databases and consulting e-books and e-journals. The wireless networking service at King’s is compatible with PCs, Macs and handhelds (PDAs), and there is a rolling programme of installation across King’s. All King’s residences offer internet and PC access. Remember that the voltage levels in the UK may differ from those in your home country, so you may need to use a voltage adapter with laptops or other electronic equipment.
Wireless
Using wireless, you have access to the internet from laptops or PDAs without having to visit a PAWS room. You can use it for a range of day-to-day work activities including accessing email, downloading lecture notes and past examination papers,
You should receive your King’s email username and password at enrolment. It is important that you use your King’s email because it is the principal means of communication between staff and students.
www.kcl.ac.uk/iss
You will be taught through large group lectures and also smaller teaching groups, and you will have direct contact with academic members of staff.
Preparation guide | Entry 2009 | 5
Information resources
Training
ISS provides access to a huge multidisciplinary, multi-campus information resource base including over one million books, thousands of print and electronic journals, archives and special collections of historical significance. A number of bibliographic and full text databases are available to enable you to find useful research and information to support your study. The web-based library catalogue can be used to locate information resources. You can use it to see what items you have on loan (and when they are due for return), to renew the items you have on loan and to reserve books that are currently on loan to another user. Items can also be renewed using an automated phone service. The extensive portfolio of remotely accessible electronic resources also includes international library catalogues, internet resource discovery tools, subject gateways, data sets, multimedia resources and e-books. Students also have access to the wealth of specialist libraries, archives and collections in and around London.
Developing an awareness of relevant information tools, software and services, and learning how to access and exploit these resources effectively, is essential for effective study. ISS provides important training timetabled into your induction programme. Please make the most of this opportunity to improve your information skills. There are a number of self-paced web-tutorials and learning guides on the ISS website.
Liaison and subject support A dedicated subject specialist is available to support your information needs and to ensure that ISS resources are relevant and of a high quality. They can offer advice on a wide range of issues, including information resources and training opportunities. There is an online comments form on the ISS website, and comments and suggestions boxes are available in all ISCs and libraries.
Outside of your studies The King’s experience covers far more than your academic studies. Our students like to get involved, and there is plenty to get involved with. Besides a host of events including welcome events especially for students from outside the UK (see page 18), high-profile speakers (last year included Gordon Brown, Kofi Annan and Desmond Tutu), exhibitions and debates, the College and the students’ union (see page 19) bring together groups of like-minded students in clubs, societies, volunteering projects and socially at our cafés and bars. Our alumni network, with many overseas branches, also keeps you in touch after you graduate.
Clubs and societies you can join at King’s include theatre, political, country-specific, cultural, academic subjects, food and drink, dance, music, arts, film, sports, religious groups and many more…
Preparation guide | Entry 2009 | 7
Next steps In this section we have put together some advice on what to do next if you decide to accept your offer of a place from King’s. Applying to study in another country and within an educational system which may not be familiar to you can be quite daunting. We hope to guide you through some of the key issues, but also provide links for you to read further.
which determine fee status are complicated so for more information please contact the School Office which sent you your offer letter. If you are an EU student then you will be eligible to take out a tuition fee loan to pay your fees, as long as you have been resident in the European Economic Area (EEA) for at least three years before the start of your course. For more information please contact the EU Student Finance Customer Services Team on +44 (0)141 243 3570 or email EU_Team@slc.co.uk If you are an EU National and have been living in the UK for at least three years before the start of your course, or you are an EEA Migrant Worker (or the spouse/child of an EEA Migrant Worker), then you may be eligible for maintenance loans and grants as well as the tuition fee loan. The eligibility rules are quite complicated, so for further information please see the UKCISA website (www. ukcisa.org.uk) or contact a Student Adviser at welfare@kcl.ac.uk
Accepting your offer You will have received an offer letter from us which explains the conditions of entry. Details of what you need to do if you wish to accept our offer will be included in this letter. We make conditional offers where students have not yet met our entry requirements. Academic conditions are normally one or more of the following: • Achieving a particular grade or level in an examination. • Achieving the required level in an English language test. Please refer to the English Language Centre brochure, also enclosed in this offer pack, for information on the courses available to help you improve your English language skills if required, or visit www.kcl. ac.uk/elc
When you have met the academic
conditions, the offer becomes unconditional. If you receive an unconditional offer it means you have met all the necessary academic requirements for entry into the College. For health programmes, there may be other nonacademic requirements such as occupational health checks. If this applies to you these will all be explained in your offer letter.
Fee status & student support For tuition fee purposes, students at King’s are classified as either ‘Home/EU’ or ‘Overseas’. Your fee classification will appear in your offer letter. If you believe your fee status has been incorrectly assessed, it is important that you clarify the situation before you accept your offer to enrol on the programme. The rules
Further information on funding can be found in My Money, a copy of which should have been included in this offer pack and is also available at www.kcl.ac.uk/funding
8 | Entry 2009 | Preparation guide
Entry Clearance Please note that this information was correct at the time of writing. However, due to the introduction of a new points based immigration system, the processes described below may have altered. We strongly recommend that before you apply for Entry Clearance (commonly referred to as a ‘visa’) you check the more detailed advice on how to apply by visiting the UK Border Agency website at www.ukvisas.gov.uk You can also find information at www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk and www.ukcisa.org.uk If you need more detailed information regarding your individual circumstances, or your application for entry clearance has been refused, you can contact Student Advice and International Student Support at King’s. Full contact details can be found on page 25. The vast majority of students coming to study in the UK are required to apply for permission to enter the country before travelling. Whether or not you need to apply for Entry Clearance depends on where you are from and how long you plan to stay in the UK.
EEA and Swiss Nationals If you are a national of an EEA country (the EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) or Switzerland then you can enter the UK freely as a student with very little documentation. You are not required to apply for Entry Clearance, though you may still be asked to show evidence that you have been accepted onto a course of study and you will need your passport.
Non-EEA Nationals
Anyone from outside the EEA who would like to come to the UK for more than six months and ALL visa nationals must apply for Entry Clearance before travelling. To confirm whether or not you require Entry Clearance, refer to the UK Border Agency website www.ukvisas.gov.uk
Students coming for courses of six months or less and those undertaking ‘distance learning’ can apply to enter the UK as a ‘Student Visitor’. If you are a visa national you must obtain prior Entry Clearance in this category; non-visa nationals can apply on entry to the UK if they wish (eg at the airport). You should be very clear with the immigration officer when you arrive that you intend to undertake a short course of study, and provide evidence of this and proof of sufficient funds, since studying is no longer permitted on standard Visitor visas. You should therefore check that your Leave to Enter stamp clearly states ‘Student Visitor’. You should be aware that Student Visitors are not permitted to work in the UK, or extend their stay for longer than six months. Therefore if you think you would like to work, or that you might wish to stay for longer than six months, you should apply for Entry Clearance as a student.
Preparation guide | Entry 2009 | 9
How to apply for Entry Clearance You will need to apply to your nearest British Diplomatic Post (Embassy, Consulate-General or High Commission) that has a visa section. Some accept applications online whereas others insist on applications by post or in person, so you should check their procedure before submitting your application at www.fco.gov.uk
Under the new system (see Introduction to the Points Based System on page 10) students will need to obtain a certain number of ‘points’ in a number of categories in order to be granted Entry Clearance as a student. Therefore when applying for Entry Clearance you will need to show the Entry Clearance Officer that you meet all the requirements for a student visa. In order to do this you will need to provide the following important documents: • Your passport, two recent passport
photographs and the relevant fee (currently £99 in your local currency). • A Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS). This will be issued by King’s as proof that you have been offered and accepted a place to study here and should include full details of your course of study, including the start and end dates. • All the documents used to obtain your CAS (ie evidence of the qualifications required to secure your place at King’s). • Evidence of your ability to meet, without working in the UK, the full costs of your course, fees, living costs and accommodation, and the costs of any dependants accompanying you. If you are on a course of less than one year you will need to show you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees, plus £800 for each month you are in the UK; if your course is longer than one year you will need to show evidence
that you have the money to cover your first year’s fees, plus £9,600 living costs for your first year. • Graduate students coming to study certain science or mathematics-based courses will also be required to provide a clearance certificate for the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS). Information about ATAS and a list of affected courses can be found at www.fco.gov.uk/atas
• Applicants are now required to supply biometric data (fingerprints and iris scans) with their applications. Details of how to provide these can be found on the website of your local British Diplomatic Post. • Applicants in some countries are required to undergo health screenings. Check with your local British Diplomatic Post if you are required to do this.
10 | Entry 2009 | Preparation guide
You must never use fake or forged documents to obtain a visa. If you do your application will be refused and you will automatically be banned from entering the UK for ten years. You should expect to be granted leave for the length of your course up to a maximum of four years. If your course lasts for more than four years you will need to extend your visa later on in order to stay and complete your course. You will be able to do this from within the UK. Your visa will be issued for the purposes you declared when you submitted your application, so when you are issued with your Entry Clearance it should say ‘King’s College London’ on the visa. If you decide to change your course or place of study you will need to obtain a new visa. Contact a Student Adviser for further information.
Introduction of the Points Based System The information below was correct at the time of writing. However, due to ongoing changes to the introduction of the new points based immigration system we recommend you check www.ukba. homeoffice.gov.uk for the most up-to-date information.
The Points Based system was introduced from February 2008 and means that people who wish to come to the UK to work or study now need to obtain ‘points’ in certain categories before they are granted a visa. Students apply to come to the UK under Tier 4 of the new system. Under this system visas are issued for a specific institution. When you are issued with your Entry Clearance it should say ‘King’s College London’ on the visa. If you decide to change your course or place of study you will need to obtain a new visa. Under the new system the College is required to inform the UK government if a student: • fails to enrol on their course • stops attending their course • is absent without consent • withdraws from the course or defers their studies • changes their course or course length. If you know you are going to be late and will miss enrolment you must contact King’s to see if it is possible to make alternative arrangements. If you decide to change your course or institution and have already applied for your visa you should seek advice from a Student Adviser.
‘My study is demanding, but I found outstanding support available from tutors and peers. As an international student I also cherished the support offered by the Student Advice service; a comforting, discrete and welcoming place to turn to away from academic matters.’ Sarah Leyla Puello, Critical Methodologies MA, Dominican Republic
Preparation guide | Entry 2009 | 11
Health Insurance
Accommodation
Students who are in the UK for full-time programmes lasting six months or more are entitled to use the National Health Service (NHS) on the same basis as UK nationals. This means you can get free healthcare, though you will have to pay for any prescriptions. Students who are registered on courses lasting less than six months are not entitled to free healthcare under the NHS. If this applies to you, you must make sure you obtain adequate medical insurance before coming to the UK.
Your first point of contact for advice on housing issues is the College Accommodation Office (www.kcl.ac.uk/ accomm). The office is located on the Strand Campus. They can be contacted by telephone from Monday-Friday from 09.30-13.00 and 14.00-17.00.
Vaccinations Before you come to the UK you should ensure that you are up to date with vaccinations against tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, meningitis C and MMR (measles/mumps/rubella). These vaccinations are strongly recommended as coming into contact with a new group of people raises the risk of infection, and there have been outbreaks of, for example, mumps in UK universities in recent years. You will be asked about your immunisation status when you register with a doctor in the UK and should be offered any vaccinations you have not had. You should therefore bring copies of any vaccination certificates you have with you. If you will be returning to an area where you are likely to come into contact with malaria, seek medical advice as your immunity may be reduced during your stay in the UK.
King’s residences and University of London intercollegiate residences In this offer pack you should also have received a copy of the student accommodation booklet My Digs. This includes all the information you should need on the different residences and how to submit your application. You must submit your application to the College Accommodation Office as soon as possible if you wish to be considered for College or intercollegiate accommodation. If you have not received a copy of My Digs contact the Accommodation Office.
12 | Preparation guide
Privately-let flats and houses
English Language Centre
There is a huge and varied supply of private accommodation in London. Accommodation Office staff are available to give help and advice on finding somewhere to live, although they cannot find accommodation on your behalf. The University of London Housing Services provides lots of useful accommodation for students seeking private accommodation, including lists of available properties and information on privately-run halls of residence. For further information visit
The English Language Centre is accredited by the British Council and its role is to prepare and support students in language and study skills before and during their time at King’s. The Centre offers English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programmes throughout the year to prepare students whose first language is not English for their studies. These include extensive pre-degree programmes such as the highly-regarded and intensive nine-month foundation (for potential undergraduates) and pre-master’s (for potential graduates) programmes. The Centre also provides in-sessional language and study skills support for all students, including native speakers, currently studying on graduate (both taught and research) and undergraduate programmes. Courses are offered in key academic skills areas including presentation skills, exam skills, academic writing and grammar. One-to-one and online tutorials are also available, and all in-sessional and study skills courses are free for King’s students.
www.housing.london.ac.uk
If you want to rent privately you are unlikely to be able to find a suitable property from abroad. Instead you should arrange temporary accommodation in a hotel or hostel for the first few days of your stay. If this is during the summer vacation you might be able to stay in a College residence. Further details are available from the Accommodation Office.
For further details about the English Language Centre and the range of courses available visit www.kcl.ac.uk/elc
‘I spent my first year in College accommodation and my second year in a privately rented flat with friends. I found both to be great experiences in different ways. Living in College accommodation is the best way to meet new friends as you can share ideas and cook with each other. Plus, you don’t have to worry about paying rent or electricity bills every month.’ Nantariga Pukasemvarangkoon, Business Management BSc, Thailand
14 | Entry 2009 | Preparation guide
Heart of London London attracts a huge number of students, with 17 per cent of all students in the UK studying here, a quarter of whom are from overseas. Over the following pages you’ll find an overview of King’s in London, a rough guide to yearly events and plenty of sources of information on life in the capital.
At the heart of London King’s College London is located right in the heart of one of the most exciting cities in the world. When you become a student at King’s you will have access to unrivalled resources to support your study. You will find yourself surrounded by world-class cultural organisations, many of which offer free entry or have discounted rates for students. Just a few of the famous places that will be right on your doorstep include Tate Modern, the British Museum, the British Library and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. The capital also boasts an incredible range of theatres, cinemas and concert venues, from the West End, National Theatre and Royal Opera House to much smaller venues offering intimate gigs with new and upcoming artists. From rock to
reggae, grunge to garage or classical to country, London is undoubtedly one of the world’s music capitals. Student discounts on tickets are available virtually everywhere for a range of sports, cultural and, entertainment activities with a number of free festivals and concerts throughout the year. We recommend that you invest in a guide such as Time Out London, which will give you an overview of where to go, where to avoid and how to get the best out of the capital for less. Also remember to make the most of the King’s College London Students’ Union (KCLSU) and all of the clubs, societies and leisure facilities that it offers at reduced prices. See the useful websites section on page 17 for further details.
Preparation guide | Entry 2009 | 15
Event calendar
Whatever your interests, London is without equal when it comes to ways to spend your free time. Here is a calendar of events offering a flavour of what you can enjoy as a London resident during 2008-9. January – enjoy the New Year’s Day parade; taste Russian culture at the Winter Festival; enjoy the London Art Fair showcasing modern British and international contemporary art.
July – the 02 Wireless Music Festival at Hyde Park for latest bands and artists; BBC Proms, the Classical Music Festival; the summer opening of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace.
February – celebrate Chinese New Year; shop at London Fashion Week; discover Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde and Virginia Woolf through a tour of literary London.
August – enjoy Asian food, music and dance at
March – join the St Patrick’s Day carnival; watch the Six Nations championship at Twickenham Rugby Stadium.
September – discover some of London’s
April – watch the London Marathon, the world’s largest annual fundraising event; celebrate Vaisakhi, the Sikh New Year Festival; party at Camden Crawl Music Festival with the hottest new talent in music.
May – Africa Day celebrations; watch the historic FA Cup final, the oldest football competition in the world; explore the Chelsea Flower Show, the world’s most famous flower show.
June – watch the Queen celebrate her official birthday at Trooping the Colour; enjoy the London Literature Festival; watch the world’s premier tennis tournament, Wimbledon.
London Mela; dance in the streets at Europe’s biggest street party, the Notting Hill Carnival; relax at the Great British Beer Festival.
most celebrated buildings at the Open House weekend; open air arts, events, music and theatre at the Thames River Festival; enjoy free jazz concerts at the Canary Wharf Jazz Festival.
October – the London Film Festival, one of Europe’s largest film festivals; Diwali on Trafalgar Square, watch the capital’s famous square come alive with magical light displays; October Plenty, a free autumn harvest celebration on the banks of the river Thames.
November – join the Lord Mayor’s procession winding through 800 years of London history; Bonfire Night fireworks celebration of the failure of a plan to blow up the Houses of Parliament on 5 November 1605.
December – Hyde Park Winter Wonderland with ice-skating, tobogganing and traditional German food at this winter themed festival; New Year’s Eve fireworks against the backdrop of the London Eye and Houses of Parliament.
16 | Entry 2009 | Preparation guide
A vibrant multicultural community London is possibly the most cosmopolitan place on the planet. A staggering 300 different languages are spoken, and communities representing almost every corner of the globe have made their home here. Indeed, of the 7.5 million people who live in London, nearly half are from overseas. Just as London is extraordinarily multicultural, so is King’s. Coming here is not just a chance to study alongside some of the most talented students in the UK, but with the most talented from around the world. From this mix of cultures and ethnicities comes a huge selection of international cuisine, making London a destination that’s no longer shunned for its
bland food but instead celebrated for its culinary excellence. So if you need a taste from home or fancy sampling some Vietnamese rice paper rolls, Brazilian Feijoada or Caribbean jerk chicken, you’ll never be far from a restaurant that will be happy to oblige. There are also a number of international societies and community groups that you can join if you wish to meet up with others from your own country or are simply interested in a particular culture. Find out more by seeing the societies listed on our website at www.kcl.ac.uk/ international/country
‘Living in London has its perks – it’s the city that never sleeps. Being able to reside alongside the London Eye, Big Ben and the Thames makes London a place like no other. There are many advantages of being a student in London, including discounted travel and entrance to venues, which makes student life in London unique.’ Giri Krishnan, Biochemistry BSc, Singapore
Preparation guide | 17
Useful websites The following list features a selection of websites that will give you a flavour of all that London has to offer. • Explore the official London website with information on accommodation, attractions, events, restaurants, shopping, entertainment, getting around and much more: www.visitlondon.com • Plan your journey across the capital with Transport for London: www.journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk
• Get a location map of any London street:
• Your critical guide to arts, culture and going out in the capital: www.timeout.com/london
• Find out what King’s College London Students’ Union (KCLSU) is currently offering in terms of activities, clubs and concerts: www.kclsu.org • Covent Garden is located within minutes of the Strand Campus. See what’s going on at: www.coventgardenmarket.co.uk • Check out this shopping guide to London: www.londontown.com/shopping
www.streetmap.co.uk
• Free events in London: • For cheap student travel fares to Europe and worldwide: www.statravel.co.uk • Download a free Visit London podcast - expert guides walk you through six of London’s most fascinating villages: www.visitlondon.com/areas/villages
• Streetscapes showing over 3,500 shops, bars and restaurants in the liveliest areas of London: www.streetsensation.co.uk
www.londonisfree.com
• Find out more about London’s top museums and art galleries: www.ukguide.org/london/museum.html
• Find special offers at London’s top restaurants: www.toptable.co.uk • London’s website for international students: www.studylondon.ac.uk
Further information After you have accepted your offer you will receive a Welcome Guide from King’s outlining everything you need to know to help you prepare for your arrival in London. Information included in the Welcome Guide will include advice on travelling from the airport, registering for the Welcome and Orientation programme, opening a bank account, registering with a doctor and lots more useful tips and advice for international students. Expect to receive this guide in June/July.
18 | Entry 2009 | Preparation guide
Starting at King’s Starting your studies may seem a while away yet, but we thought you’d like to know some key initiatives which King’s has set up to ease the transition for students not from the UK. You should also receive information from the School/department to which you have applied, about induction onto your programme.
Welcome Guide You will receive a Welcome Guide in June/ July that will contain lots of information and advice about coming to London as a student. But in the meantime, should you have any questions that are not answered in this guide, please refer to our international pages at www.kcl.ac.uk/ international
Arriving in London and the UK The Welcome Guide will provide you with advice about travelling from your point of entry into the UK to King’s and our halls of residence. Provided that you have obtained the appropriate entry clearance and have all the relevant documentation with you, immigration and passport control procedures should not present you with any problems when you arrive in the UK. However, if you should have any concerns or questions about visas and entry clearance please do not hesitate to contact the College’s Student Advice & International Student Support team (see Contacts section on page 25 for contact details) in advance.
Please note that we strongly urge student visitors not to enter the UK via the Republic of Ireland. You should also be aware that if you intend to travel outside the UK you may need further visas.
Orientation and Welcome Programme The Student Advice and International Student Support team at King’s hosts a free Orientation and Welcome programme for new international students at the beginning of the autumn term from Wednesday 16 September to Friday 18 September. Further information including the proposed schedule of events will be included in the Welcome Guide and also posted on the international pages of the website from June.
Finance Please refer to the accompanying guide My Money, also included in your offer pack, for further information regarding tuition fees, funding and expenses once you arrive. There will also be further tips and advice on making the most of your money contained in the Welcome Guide.
Term dates 2009-10 28 September to 18 December 2009 11 January to 1 April 2010 26 April to 4 June 2010
Registration week 21 to 25 September 2009 Dates for graduates may vary from those given above. To check dates for your particular programme please contact the department to which you are applying.
Preparation guide | Entry 2009 | 19
Students’ Union (KCLSU) At King’s you will have automatic membership of King’s College London Students’ Union. KCLSU is run by students for students and campaigns on issues that affect students as well as providing you with a wide range of recreational, social and welfare services including cafés, bars, nightclubs, shops, and a gym. If you are arriving in September make sure that you visit the Freshers’ Fair (normally on the Saturday before the start of term) where all the different societies and sports clubs will be represented. This is your opportunity to sign up and get involved. To get more of a flavour of what KCLSU has on offer visit www.kclsu.org
KCLSU start of term events (2008) included: • KCLSU welcome fairs (the main events to sign up for clubs and societies) • Music/club nights (a variety of events to suit all tastes and some you can showcase your talents at) • Sports/activities fun days • Sightseeing trips around London • Treasure hunt • The Apprentice Business Challenge • Poster sales • Comedy nights • Boat trips on the Thames • Volunteering taster day • Postgraduate and mature students games night • Ministry of Sound Freshers’ Party • The Autumn Ball
‘There are many social clubs and societies at King’s. As there are a large number of international students from a range of countries studying at King’s, KCLSU provides a very good opportunity to meet new friends from around the world.’ Patarabutr Masaratana, Nutritional Sciences PhD, Thailand
Preparation guide | Entry 2009 | 21
A-Z of King’s A Accommodation Details of the College’s accommodation, plus advice on renting privately can be found in the My Digs (guide to student accommodation) guide. See www.kcl.ac.uk/accomm for further information. Advice and guidance See also Student Advice & International Student Support. The Compass, located at the Strand Campus, opened to students in September 2008. It is a purpose built student centre providing enquiry and support services to students, as well as facilitating access to specialist services, including graduate advisers. A range of study spaces are also available for students to use. Please refer to www.kcl.ac.uk/thecompass for further information. Alumni When you graduate, you will automatically become a member of the King’s College London Association; a worldwide network of over 100,000 former students of King’s and its merged colleges. Membership lasts a lifetime, it’s free, and being part of our alumni network provides a wide range of benefits, including a variety of social and educational events and reunions, a dedicated website (www.kcl.ac.uk/alumni) which helps you keep in touch with friends and make new contacts, and In Touch, our free alumni magazine. You can also continue to benefit from free access to King’s libraries, discounts at the KCLSU Kinetic gym, language courses and world wide discounts on travel and entertainment. B Bars The Waterfront, Second Floor, Macadam Building, Strand Campus. Venue for great nights such as Bar FTSE; excellent views of the River Thames. Tommy’s Bar, First Floor, St Thomas’ House, St Thomas’ Campus. Regular venue for the Hop and hosts events and shows. Guy’s Bar, Basement, Boland House, Guy’s Campus. Regular host for live music events, quizzes and karaoke. See www.kclsu.org for further information. Bursaries See Funding for more details. C Careers Service King’s has one of the best careers services in the UK which can offer students a wide range of assistance to help them pursue their career interests both in the UK and abroad. Students can benefit from the expertise of the advisers and information staff to identify suitable career opportunities, gain practical guidance on applying for jobs, finding appropriate work placements or investigating graduate study and funding opportunities. The Careers Service also organises an International Expo, which is specifically for those who wish to return to their home country, or elsewhere abroad, to work after graduation. See www.kcl.ac.uk/ careers for further information.
Clubs and societies See Students’ Union. Computer rooms Public Access Workstation Service (PAWS) machines provide the main student computing facility across the campuses. They are PC compatible running Windows XP. Access to PAWS is via a login and password, which you receive at enrolment, together with your email account details and a PAWS handbook. See www.kcl.ac.uk/paws for further information. Counselling Counsellors work within Student Services on the main campuses. Their aim is to enable students to make the most of their time at College by helping them to cope with any problems or difficulties of a personal or emotional nature. All help is offered strictly in confidence. If you feel confused, isolated, anxious or unhappy you might find that talking about it helps. See www.kcl.ac.uk/counselling for further information. D Disability The Disability Support Team, based within the Equality & Diversity Department offers disability-related information and advice. The College has a detailed Disability Guide, which is available online, from the department directly or from your School Office. Each School also has a Disability Adviser who can provide advice about your course and its location. A list of advisers is also available via our web pages. We encourage all students to let us know as early as possible about any specific needs, so that we can try to ensure that the necessary support arrangements are in place. The International Students with Disabilities Fund (ISDF) can pay for specialist study equipment or disability-related support you might need as a student at King’s. In addition, the department can also loan items of equipment such as recording devices, laptops with software or portable spellcheckers. If you have a disability, funds will be allocated on a needs basis and equipment is supplied as a long-term loan. See www.kcl.ac.uk/equalopps for further information. Doctors We have our own health centre where you can register if you live within the catchment area or search for your nearest doctor’s practice.
22 | Entry 2009 | Preparation guide
E Eating A large selection of on-campus catering is provided by the College and, of course, London offers every type of food, style of eating and price you could possibly imagine. Email You receive a College email address at enrolment. Most communication at King’s takes place via email that you access from the computer terminals in any of the Public Access Workstation Service (PAWS) rooms or from home through webmail. See www.kcl.ac.uk/iss for further information. English Language Centre For help with your English language skills, go to www.kcl.ac.uk/elc for programme details. F Fees See tuition fees. Funding Both the Student Funding Office and the Student Advice & International Student Support service at King’s offer advice on student funding issues. Details of funding available can be found in the My Money brochure. See also www.kcl.ac.uk/funding Faith See religious provision.
I ID Card At enrolment you are issued with an ID card that you should keep with you. It is also your NUS card (see NUS card) and can get you discounts. IT facilities See computer rooms. L Libraries Library and information facilities, with extensive printed and electronic collections are located at all of our sites, catering to the subject areas taught at that site. See www.kcl.ac.uk/library for further information. Language study The Modern Language Centre at King’s teaches a wide range of languages both as part of your programme (if this option is allowed on your course) and as a range of evening programmes at a competitive price. See www.kcl.ac.uk/mlc for further information. M Medical centre Please see Student Support for details of the College’s medical services. Money and budgeting For help and advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact the Student Advice & International Student Support team who run budgeting sessions and can offer general guidance. Please also refer to the My Money guide. See www.kcl.ac.uk/welfare for further information.
G Graduate School For graduate level students, our Graduate School aims to enhance your King’s experience by offering training, support and a thriving graduate student community. See www.kcl.ac.uk/graduate for further information.
Music As well as the College’s impressive choir, there are a variety of music societies and a College orchestra. King’s College London Students’ Union hosts gigs and other music nights at their venues. See www.kclsu.org for further information.
Gym There is no joining fee at Kinetic Fitness (the gym provided by our students’ union at the Waterloo Campus) and the following services are provided free as part of your membership: inductions; exercise programmes; fitness appraisals; a wide range of classes. See www.kclsu.org for further information.
N Newspaper King’s College London Students’ Union produce a student newspaper ROAR to inform you of events, activities and opinion within KCLSU and the College, including Freshers’ Week, RAG, elections and campaigns organised by the Union. See www.kclsu.org for further information.
H Health Centre King’s Health Centre gives full medical services including emergency advice and care. Information about services can be found at www.kingshealth.nhs.uk
Nightclubs King’s College London Students’ Union runs a variety of club nights and London is packed with night time venues. See www.kclsu.org for further information. NUS card Your King’s ID card doubles as your NUS Card providing many advantages including discounts on travel, fashion, food, theatre tickets and lots more.
Preparation guide | Entry 2009 | 23
R Registration Registration week is 21 to 25 September 2009. Most taught programmes begin on Monday 28 September 2009. Please ask your department if you are unsure. Religious provision The College has had strong Anglican (Church of England) traditions since its foundation. The Dean of the College, the Reverend Dr Richard Burridge, is responsible for ensuring that the religious and spiritual aims of the College are met. The major world faiths are represented, and the rights and views of students of all beliefs and backgrounds are fully respected. Provision is made for people to practise their faith; the College has two chapels, one at the Strand Campus and one at Guy’s, in which prayers are held daily. There is also a quiet room at the Waterloo Campus, and all three are open to everyone for private prayers and reflection. There are also dedicated Muslim prayer rooms on the main campuses. The Dean and the Chaplaincy are part of the College’s pastoral provision, available to students of all beliefs and backgrounds. The Rabbi to Jewish students in London works with the Chaplaincy, and visits King’s regularly. There are also religious student societies covering different denominations of Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. See www.kcl.ac.uk/chaplaincy for further information. S Societies King’s College London Students’ Union has over 100 different student societies, covering everything from dance to Model United Nations. See www.kclsu.org for further information. Sports A wide variety of sports activities are provided by King’s College London Students’ Union and London is home to many other sports activities and events. See www.kclsu.org for further information. Student Advice & International Student Support Our Student Advice & International Student Support services are located at the Strand, Waterloo, Guy’s and Denmark Hill campuses. They have experience in helping students with a wide range of issues covering immigration advice, money management, legal issues and housing. They can also provide information specifically for international students including Home Office and employment regulations and the HOST programme which offers the opportunity of a short-term stay with a UK family providing you with valuable insight into life in the UK. All the help provided is confidential, impartial and free. See www.kcl. ac.uk/welfare for further information. Students’ Union At King’s you will have automatic membership of King’s College London Students’ Union, or KCLSU for short. KCLSU is run by students for students and represents the interests of all King’s students, as well as campaigning on issues that affect students. KCLSU also provides a wide range of recreational, social and welfare services including cafes, bars, nightclubs, shops, and a gym. See www.kclsu.org for further information.
Scholarships For information about scholarships, please refer to the My Money brochure. T Term dates 28 September – 18 December 2009 11 January – 1 April 2010 26 April – 4 June 2010 Tuition fees You should be given fee details by your School of study. Contact the School if you are in doubt. U University of London King’s College London is a constituent college of the University of London. W Welcome and orientation A free programme for international students from 16-18 September. Further details to follow in the Welcome Guide.
24 | Entry 2009 | Preparation guide
Contacts School offices (for full degree undergraduate and graduate students) School of Biomedical & Health Sciences Guy’s Campus King’s College London Henriette Raphael Building London SE1 1UL Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 6400 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 6399 Email: guysadmissions@kcl.ac.uk
School of Biomedical & Health Sciences Waterloo Campus King’s College London Room 3.56, Franklin-Wilkins Building 150 Stamford Street London SE1 9NH
School of Humanities Undergraduate Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 2350/2374 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 2415 Email: hums-admissions@kcl.ac.uk School of Humanities Graduate Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 2765/1592 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 2415 Email: hums-admissions@kcl.ac.uk School of Law King’s College London Strand Campus Strand London WC2R 2LS
Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 4172 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 4500 Email: biohealth.admin@kcl.ac.uk
School of Law Undergraduate Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 2503 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 2465 Email: enq.uglaw@kcl.ac.uk
Dental Institute Undergraduate Student Admissions Office King’s College London Hodgkin Building Guy’s Campus London SE1 1UL
School of Law Graduate Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 2097 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 2912 Email: enq.pglaw@kcl.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 6512 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 6510 Email: guysadmissions@kcl.ac.uk Dental Institute Graduate Academic Centre King’s College London 2nd floor, Henriette Raphael Building Guy’s Campus London SE1 1UL Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 6703 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 6730 Email: postgrad-dentistry@kcl.ac.uk School of Humanities King’s College London K0.30 King’s Building Strand Campus London WC2R 2LS
School of Medicine Undergraduate Student Admissions Office King’s College London Hodgkin Building Guy’s Campus London SE1 1UL Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 6501 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 6510 Email: guysadmissions@kcl.ac.uk School of Medicine Graduate Academic Centre King’s College London 2nd floor, Henriette Raphael Building Guy’s Campus London SE1 1UL Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 6704 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 6730 Email: postgrad-medicine@kcl.ac.uk
Florence Nightingale School of Nursing & Midwifery King’s College London James Clerk Maxwell Building Waterloo Campus 57 Waterloo Road London SE1 8WA Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 4698 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 3680 Email: nightingale@kcl.ac.uk School of Physical Sciences & Engineering King’s College London K0.59 King’s Building Strand Campus London WC2R 2LS Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 2267/2268 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 2766 Email: pse.schooloffice@kcl.ac.uk Institute of Psychiatry King’s College London Education Support Team De Crespigny Park London SE5 8AF Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 0335 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 0620 Email: educationsupport@iop.kl.ac.uk School of Social Science & Public Policy King’s College London Room 129 Strand Building Strand Campus London WC2R 2LS Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 1495 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 2984 Email: sspp.schooloffice@kcl.ac.uk
Preparation guide | Entry 2009 | 25
International Marketing Team
The Compass
King’s College London James Clerk Maxwell Building 57 Waterloo Road London SE1 8WA
King’s College London Floor B1 Macadam Building Strand Campus Strand London WC2R 2LS
Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 3388 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 4261 Email: international@kcl.ac.uk www.kcl.ac.uk/international For general international student enquiries.
English Language Centre King’s College London 26-29 Drury Lane London WC2B 5RL Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 1600 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 1601 Email: elc@kcl.ac.uk www.kcl.ac.uk/elc
Credit Control Office (Fee payment) King’s College London Room 6.20, James Clerk Maxwell Building 57 Waterloo Road London SE1 8WA Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 3290/3372 Email: credit.control@kcl.ac.uk www.kcl.ac.uk/finance
Study Abroad Admissions Officer Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 6579 Email: studyabroad@kcl.ac.uk www.kcl.ac.uk/studyabroad
Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 7070 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 7071 Email: thecompass@kcl.ac.uk www.kcl.ac.uk/thecompass For general enquiries and specialist support services as well as study spaces for students.
Accommodation
Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 2530 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 2754 Email: welfare@kcl.ac.uk www.kcl.ac.uk/welfare
King’s Accommodation Office King’s College London Strand Campus Strand London WC2R 2LS Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 2759 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 2724 Email: accomm@kcl.ac.uk www.kcl.ac.uk/accomm
Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 4028/4026 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 4030 Email: welfare@kcl.ac.uk www.kcl.ac.uk/welfare
King’s Conference & Vacation Bureau King’s College London 3rd floor, Strand Bridge House Strand Campus 138-142 Strand London WC2R 1HH
Guy’s Campus Paul Cornell, Senior Adviser Gretta Gavin, Student Adviser Room G.05, Ground Floor Henriette Raphael Building St Thomas’ Street London SE1 1UL
Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 1700 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 1717 Email: stopover@kcl.ac.uk www.kcl.ac.uk/kcvb
Student Funding Office
For vacation accommodation.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 4362/4363 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 4366 Email: funding@kcl.ac.uk www.kcl.ac.uk/funding
Strand Campus Laura Spencer, Student Adviser The Counselling, Welfare & Health Centre 3rd Floor Macadam Building Strand London WC2R 2LS
Waterloo Campus Polly Mackwood, International Student Adviser Liz Holdsworth, Student Adviser GF001/1A, Franklin-Wilkins Building Waterloo Bridge Wing 150 Stamford Street London SE1 9NN
For incoming Study Abroad and Exchange students.
King’s College London Room 1.19, Franklin-Wilkins Building 150 Stamford Street London SE1 9NH
Student Advice & International Student Support
University of London Housing Services Private Housing Unit 4th floor ULU Building Malet Street London WC1E 7HY Tel: +44 (0)20 7862 8880 Fax: +44 (0)20 7862 8084 Email: housing@lon.ac.uk www.housing.london.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 6858/6860 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 6859 Email: welfare@kcl.ac.uk www.kcl.ac.uk/welfare Denmark Hill Campus Becky Cooper, Student Support Officer Education Support Team West Wing W1.11 Main Building Institute of Psychiatry London SE1 1UL Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 0237 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 6859 Email: welfare@kcl.ac.uk www.kcl.ac.uk/welfare
26 | Entry 2009 | Preparation guide
Equality & Diversity Department King’s College London Room 7.36, James Clerk Maxwell Building 57 Waterloo Road London SE1 8WA Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 3398 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 3490 Email: equality@kcl.ac.uk www.kcl.ac.uk/equal-opps The Office of the Dean King’s College London King’s Building Strand London WC2R 2LS Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 2333 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 2344 Email: dean@kcl.ac.uk www.kcl.ac.uk/dean Careers Service King’s College London Level 1 Macadam Building Surrey street London WC2R 2NS Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 4053 Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 4054 Email: careers@kcl.ac.uk www.kcl.ac.uk/careers
Immigration & Government departments UK Visas Foreign & Commonwealth Office King Charles Street London SW1A 2AH Tel: +44 (0)20 7008 8438 www.ukvisas.gov.uk For general information on visas.
Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) 115 Old Street London EC1V 9RT Tel: +44 (0)20 7251 8708 Email: info@jcwi.org.uk www.jcwi.org.uk For advice on immigration and nationality problems. Immigration Advisory Service (IAS) 3rd Floor, County House 190 Great Dover Street London SE1 4YB Tel: +44 (0)844 974 4000 or +44 (0)20 7967 1299 outside office hours www.iasuk.org For urgent advice if you are refused entry into the UK on arrival at a port of entry. Home Office Public Enquiry Office Initial Consideration Unit (Border & Immigration Agency) Lunar House, 40 Wellesley Road Croydon CR9 2BY Tel: +44 (0)870 606 7766 www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk For an application form please call +44 (0)870 241 0645 or download from the Border & Immigration Agency website. Overseas Visitors Records Office (Metropolitan Police) Ground Floor, Brandon House 180 Borough High Street London SE1 1LH Tel: +44 (0)20 7230 1208/1286 Registration with the police is required for some international students.
General advice & information The British Council Tel: +44(0)161 957 7755 Email: general.enquiries@britishcouncil.org www.britishcouncil.org
UKCISA: UK Council for International Student Affairs 9-17 St Albans Place Islington London N1 0NX Tel: +44 (0)20 7288 4330 Student Advice Line: +44 (0)20 7107 9922 www.ukcisa.org.uk Offers information and advice to all international students. International Students House (ISH) 229 Great Portland Street London W1W 5PN Tel: +44 (0)20 7631 8300 www.ish.org.uk Provides accommodation and a social club for UK and international students and has nursery facilities for residents’ children.
Preparation guide | Entry 2009 | 27
Maps
28 | Entry 2009 | Preparation guide
E LA N R BO U AR LD H
FER N
HILL
King’s College Hall
ALD
Strand/Waterloo Campus
King’s Denmark Hill Campus
Guy’s Campus
St Thomas’ Campus
L
WATERLOO
DEN MAR K
N
AD RO
DE
E
HIL
YO RK RO AD
AD
RO
Stamford Street Apartments
N PIO AM CH
ILL
RD
King’s Denmark Hill Campus
RUSKIN PARK
RD
BELV EDER E
Maudsley Hospital
EH
Waterloo Campus
R
EM BA NK ME
CO M STA
T D S FOR
King’s College Hospital
RN HE
R I V E
ND
OO RL TE WA
EHALL WHIT
VICTO R IA
ROU RG
STATION RK N PA MPIO A H C
RD
ANE VE L
E UPP
ER SEM BES
GRO
NATIONAL THEATRE
ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL
Weston Education Centre
Dental Institute
HILL
T
RD
M E S H A
BE OM
NT
C CUT
T YS
CHARING CROSS NORT HUM EMBANKMENT B AVENERLAND UE
TEMPLE
OO RL TE WA E IDG BR
ND RA ST
ST
E RR
LEICESTER SQUARE
Rayne Institute
K PAR NY SPIG Institute of E R DE C Psychiatry LK WA R O S D WIN DENMARK HILL
ARK
SU
Strand Campus
James Black Centre
D TR
ST
ND RA ST
COVENT GARDEN
TRAFALGAR SQUARE
EET STR ET E L F
CH WY
M DEN
E
O DEC
AN
CAL
UR YL
EL ND ARU
ON GT LIN EL
LANE ST MARTINS
W
DR
CH
N PIO AM
L HIL
Preparation guide | Entry 2009 | 29
30 | Entry 2009 | Preparation guide
Notes
www.kcl.ac.uk International Marketing Team King’s College London James Clerk Maxwell Building Waterloo Campus 57 Waterloo Road London SE1 8WA United Kingdom Tel +44 (0)20 7848 3388 Fax +44 (0)20 7848 4261 Email international@kcl.ac.uk www.kcl.ac.uk
DESIGN & PRODUCTION Corporate Design Unit & Marketing Department King’s College London design@kcl.ac.uk © King’s College London November 2008 183