Information for Channel Island Students
Welcome
Hello from the University of Winchester!
Choosing what and where to study is a really important decision. This leaflet will provide you information about studying at the University of Winchester, but also some general tips about moving to the UK to continue your education.
As you narrow down your choices, try to visit those universities that will be top of your list, there is nothing quite like the feel of a place to help you decide if it could be right for you. You can find information about visiting us at winchester.ac.uk/opendays
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the schools and colleges team via schoolsandcolleges@winchester.ac.uk
Top 10
in the UK for employability Uni Compare 2026
An introduction to Winchester
The University of Winchester is committed to delivering a superb teaching and learning experience, and we encourage our students to go on to make a real difference in the world. There are around 7,500 students on undergraduate, postgraduate and research degree programmes in the areas of education, the arts, humanities and social sciences, business, sport, law and health and wellbeing. The campus has excellent facilities to support the student learning experience including, but not limited to, two libraries, Multimedia centre, state-of-the-art recording studios, a range of sport facilities, performing arts building and on-site Students’ Union space. We are currently top 10 in the UK for graduate employment and/or further study (Uni Compare, 2026).
Our Students’ Union strives to empower its members through the provision of exceptional student led, and student delivered activities and services. As well as supporting student’s education and welfare, they offer a range of social activities aimed at all students ranging from quiz and film nights to different themed club nights.
The city itself is historic but lively, offering a variety of activities to keep you entertained.
The city centre is a fifteen-minute walk from the campus and has an array of pubs, bars, cafés and restaurants. The campus is close to Winchester train station. From Winchester to Southampton Airport, the train takes around 8-15 minutes and there are regular flights departing to Jersey and Guernsey from Southampton Airport.
Study Options
We offer a variety of courses, where many of the degree programmes offer the opportunity to take either work experience modules or a year out to create a sandwich degree style pattern of study. The university recognises the importance of students gaining experience within the industry they wish to work in to heighten their employability upon graduation.
Please visit our website for the most up-to-date list of courses: winchester.ac.uk/courses
Applications
All applications to UK universities are made via UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service) – ucas.com
Some of the courses we offer require an interview or an audition. These can include:
• Acting
• Musical Theatre
• Nursing
• Midwifery
• Physiotherapy
• Primary Education
• Social Work
If you want to visit us, you can do so in a variety of ways. We offer Open Days in July, September, October, November, and January with specific dates and sign-up information on our website. In addition to this, we offer Experience Winchester Days, which are for our applicants. These usually take place in February and March and applicants are invited to book onto one of these when
they have submitted their application and received an offer from us. Finally, you can book onto a weekly campus tour, which lasts for approximately 60 minutes. Unfortunately, for the weekly campus tour, we are unable to organise for you to meet the academic staff due to their teaching commitments. All information about the availability of tours and to book a place, please visit winchester.ac.uk/opendays and scroll down to campus tours.
If you plan on visiting us at any of our events, you are welcome to email a member of the schools and colleges team (schoolsandcolleges@winchester.ac.uk) to organise a one-to-one conversation, if you would like.
Useful information – after you apply
HOUSING
We can guarantee a room in universitymanaged accommodation to full-time Channel Island students for their first year of study, provided they hold Winchester as their firm choice and apply for accommodation before the deadline (always check the website for the up-to-date deadline). Accommodation may also be available for Channel Island students beyond their first year of study, subject to availability –students must reapply for housing in each subsequent year by the deadlines published on our website.
You can find out about all our accommodation options and how to apply at winchester.ac.uk/housing
Typically, during the second and third years of study, most students move out of university accommodation into private landlord properties. It is easy to find housing, and
there are lots of houses around in a variety of places in and around Winchester. Don’t panic when people start looking around in October, you will find somewhere if you are looking later in the academic year.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
For students from Jersey, support it available to help with the cost of course fees and living costs. Financial assistance is means-tested and takes the form of a grant, which does not need to be repaid unless you withdraw or fail your course. Check here for more information:
gov.je/Working/ SkillsCareersHigherEducation/ StudentFinance/pages/home.aspx
For students from Guernsey, support it available to help with the cost of course fees and living costs. Financial assistance is means-tested and takes the form of a grant, which does not need to be repaid unless you
withdraw or fail your course. Check here for more information: gov.gg/studentfinance
BURSARIES AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Bursaries and scholarships are often available via Channel Islands organisations and companies. These can be a very useful source of extra financial support. Your Education Department will have more information about what is available and how to apply.
There is also financial support available from the University of Winchester. For the most up-to-date information about eligibility and figures, please visit our website winchester.ac.uk/studentsandmoney
FLIGHTS AND FERRIES
When you are choosing your university, you may want to think about your flights. It may be a simple flight to the airport nearest your university, but what is the onward travel like? There may be regular flights during the summer, but do they reduce them over the winter, restricting the times you can travel?
Some airlines give you extra baggage as a student – check with your airline if you can take two bags for the price of one. If you are asking, check what you need to qualify. Some airlines ask for a student ID card, which you probably won’t have when you first fly over in September, but they may accept a university offer letter/email or accommodation rental agreement. Make sure you book in advance to get cheaper flights, but check semester dates carefully, or you may end up spending a lot of money changing your booking.
There are also regular ferries departing
from Jersey and Guernsey to Poole and Portsmouth. Fast ferries to Poole take approximately 3-4 hours, while conventional ferries to Portsmouth take 7-10 hours. This may be useful when first moving to university, as you can bring a car-full of belongings rather than limited space on a flight.
WORKING IN THE UK
Most students choose/need to work to support their university studies. To work in the UK, you will need a National Insurance (NI) number. To get a National Insurance number you need to apply online and be able to prove your identity when you apply. You’ll need to have a passport handy when you are applying; you can still apply if you do not have any of these documents, but you may need to attend an appointment in person to prove your identity.
After you apply, you’ll get an email with your application reference number. The email will tell you if you need to provide further proof of your identity. It can take up to four weeks to get your National Insurance number after you have proved your identity. Look at gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number/ how-to-apply for more information.
If you do not have a National Insurance number when you start work, you can still your employment. Your employer will typically ask you to provide proof of your right to work in the UK, such as a passport or biometric residence permit. When starting work without a National Insurance number, make sure you let your employer know what stage of the application process you are at, so they know how to proceed with your contributions.
HEALTH
When you are a student, you are entitled to National Health Service (NHS) medical cover. Your visit to the doctor is free, but any medication they prescribe for you is chargeable. When you arrive at university, you will be advised to register with a GP and will be given information about the surgeries within the local area.
MOBILE PHONES
The cost of making phone calls with your Channel Islands SIM card can be very expensive as it may be classed as an international call. Many students, therefore, but a UK SIM card when they arrive, which they use for all UK contacts, and keep their Island card for when they return home.
BANK ACCOUNTS
Some students find that private landlords or service providers are wary of Island bank accounts and there have been previous students who have opened a UK bank account to pay their rent and bills for second and third-year housing if they are no longer living in university managed accommodation. This may be worth checking when you are looking for housing.
DISCOUNTS
There are lots of ways you can get discounts as a student, with your university ID card may be enough in some places. You can purchase a TOTUM card (NUS), which for one-year costs £14.99 or for three years costs £24.99. This gives you discounts for over 100s of retailers for eating out, entertainment, health and fitness, travel and fashion. There are also many free websites/apps which you can sign
up to, such as Student Beans and Unidays.
If you are thinking about travelling a lot on trains, you can buy a National Rail Card, such as a 16-25 railcard. This will provide discounts on off-peak travel.
DRIVING IN THE UK
The University of Winchester is unable to offer parking on campus for students. If you are living off campus, you may have a space to park at the accommodation but cannot bring a car onto campus for lectures. If you have a medical reason for needing a car on campus, then please speak to our Student Support and Success team.
Our current and alumni Channel Islands students have said that the roads in England are very different from back home and are crazy!
We have lots of roundabouts and some roads which are dual carriageways where the speed limit is 60 or 70 miles per hour. Because of this, some have recommended that if you want to drive over here, you may want to have a driving lesson to get used to them.
THE WEEKENDS
You may find that some students who live locally travel home at the weekends, and this can mean that it feels a bit lonely for you. Use this time to explore the city or further afield! You could also use this time to engage in extra-curricular activities or arrange to meet other Channel Island Students.
Alumni Profile: Charlotte Green
What course did you study?
Media and Communications
What year did you graduate from your degree?
2024
What School or College did you attend before university?
Guernsey Grammar Sixth Form Centre
What were some of the best things about your course?
50/50 practical theory, lots of creative freedom with the dissertation
What do you do now? How did your degree from Winchester help you achieve this?
Completed a PGCE and now a Primary Teacher. The degree gave me the right skill set to perform well at interview and then get on the course
What attracted you to Winchester?
How it’s one of the safest cities in the UK and it felt right
If you did postgraduate study at Winchester after your undergraduate degree, what did you do and when did you graduate?
PGCE Primary with mathematics, graduated in 2025