Leeds Arts University Instructions

Leeds Arts University

Specifications:

• Product Name: Leeds Arts University Welcome Guide for New
  International Students

• Manufacturer: Leeds Arts University

• Availability: Available for new international students

• Features: Arrival preparations, orientation activities, contact
  information, transportation guidance

Product Usage Instructions:

Welcome and Arrival Preparations:

Upon arrival, your Course Leader and staff team will assist you
with settling in and organizing activities to help you get
acquainted with the university community.

International Assistance:

If you need immediate assistance or face challenges upon
arrival, you can contact the International team using the provided
contact information.

Arrival Checklist:

During your first week in Leeds, make sure to attend orientation
and induction week activities as well as the International Welcome
Days starting on Wednesday, 25 September at 1pm.

Travel to Leeds:

Prior to arrival, ensure you plan your travel to Leeds as all
students are expected to study in-person. Remote or online study
options are not available for the academic year.

Transportation to Leeds:

Depending on the airport you choose, consider the transportation
options provided in the guide for London Airports, Manchester
Airport, and Leeds Bradford Airport.

Airport Specifics:

• London Airports: Consider traveling to Manchester or
  Leeds/Bradford airports if flying into London for easier access to
  Leeds.

• Manchester Airport: Train is a convenient option with a journey
  time of around one hour and twenty minutes.

• Leeds Bradford Airport: Close proximity to Leeds center,
  consider taking a taxi or pre-booking a Meet & Greet service
  for smoother arrival.

FAQ:

Q: Can I study remotely for the academic year?

A: No, all students are expected to study in-person in Leeds
unless special arrangements have been made.

Q: What if I face challenges upon arrival?

A: You can contact the International team for immediate
assistance using the provided contact information.

WELCOME GUIDE
FOR NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

WELCOME TO LEEDS ARTS UNIVERSITY
Welcome to Leeds Arts University! We are so pleased that you have decided to join our creative community. We understand you may be a little nervous or daunted at the thought of starting University ­ but we are ready to welcome you and to help you enjoy all that Leeds and Leeds Arts University have to offer.
Welcome and arrival preparations are underway and your Course Leader and staff team are developing activities and events for your first weeks to help you settle in quickly and get to know people.
Our community is diverse – our international student body makes up around 10% of our student population. We are proud to have over 70 different nationalities represented on our campus!

One of the best things about being a small and specialist University is that you can never get lost in the crowd. If you have any worries or concerns, there is always someone to talk to ­ so please get in touch with the International Team or Student Advice and Wellbeing team if there is anything we can do to help.
If you require immediate assistance, or are having difficulties at the airport, or another challenge as soon as you arrive, you can contact the International team using the information below:
+44 (0) 113 202 8000
+44 (0) 7824 598 466
international@leeds-art.ac.uk
Jenny Oxley
Head of International
Kim Chamberlin
International Officer
Olivia Burns
International Officer
Omar Trawally
International Officer
Robert Hutchinson
International EAL Tutor
Eliot Rudolph
International Administrator

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WELCOME WEEK CHECKLIST
Things to bear in mind when you arrive
Below is a list of important things you need to do in your first week in Leeds:
· Ensure you have paid at least the first instalment of your tuition fee before enrolment. · Officially enrol online in your course (please see your enrolment email for more
details). · Buy supplies and groceries – see the section Where to buy food, clothes and equipment’. · Collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) from your nominated Post Office, if you are here on a Student visa and have been advised in yourvisa decision letter’ that you need to do this. Your BRP should be collected within 10 days of your arrival in the UK. If your visa decision letter’ advises that you have been granted a digital or e-Visa then you do not have to collect a BRP · Open a UK bank account – seeOpening a bank account pages’.
Orientation and induction week
· Begins Monday 16 September for Undergraduate and Postgraduate · Begins Monday 2 September for Further Education · Everything you need to start studying with us · Get to know your classmates · Settle into life at Leeds Arts University
International Welcome Days
· Further Education: Friday 30 August · Higher Education: Friday 13 September
Hello Café
Fancy a free coffee and the chance to meet other international students? Then make sure you come to our Hello Café! Come and chat, make new friends and new connections. Feel free to bring a friend from your course, they don’t have to be an international student to attend.
Starting Wednesday 25 September 1pm-2pm.

ARRIVING IN THE UK
I’m planning my travel to Leeds, what do I need to do prior to my arrival?
All students are expected to begin and continue studying their course in- person in Leeds (unless special or prior arrangements have been made) for the start of the academic year.
With our hands on approach and our emphasis on the ability to work in small groups, our teaching is solely face-to-face. There is no option to study remotely or online for the entirety of the academic year.

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ONCE IN THE UK, HOW DO I GET TO LEEDS?
Getting to Leeds will depend on what airport you’ve chosen to fly into:
London Airports
London airports are around 300 km away from Leeds, so we would advise you to arrive at an airport closer to Leeds, such as Manchester or Leeds / Bradford airports. If you choose to fly in to a London airport, you may wish to organise a connecting flight to Manchester or Leeds / Bradford.
Coach: The coach is usually the cheapest option and the journey will take between six and eight hours.
Train: There is no direct train from Heathrow Airport to Leeds. This route involves a journey that is difficult with heavy luggage, including changing trains and using the underground. The journey will take around three hours and forty minutes. You can plan your journey through Trainline at www.thetrainline.com
Manchester Airport
If you are flying into Manchester Airport (about 1 hour away from Leeds) ­ you can either pre-book a taxi or take a direct train from Manchester Airport to Leeds Station.
The train station is situated between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, although it is within walking distance of all three terminals. The journey will take around one hour and twenty minutes.
Tickets on public transport are usually cheaper when booked in advance, although less flexible if you are delayed on your journey.
Leeds Bradford Airport
Leeds Bradford Airport is around 10 kilometres from the centre of Leeds. As it is a small local airport, immigration queues will often be shorter than other airports.
We recommend taking a taxi, or pre-booking a Meet & Greet with the International team when arriving at Leeds Bradford Airport to help you to your accommodation.

For students taking taxis there are four easy ways to book your taxi with Arrow Cars:
· Online: simply enter your journey details into their search page · App: download the Arrow Cars app on Android and Apple · Phone: + 44 (0) 113 258 5888 · In person: at the Arrow Cars airport office on the terminal front or using the
touchscreen kiosk in International Arrivals
Meet & Greets
New international students flying into Leeds Bradford Airport, or arriving at Leeds Train Station are able to book a Meet and Greet with our friendly student ambassadors, or member of the International team to welcome you into Leeds and help you settle into your accommodation.
The service is free of charge, but only runs on our recommended arrival dates:
Further Education students (Foundation Diploma) 26 – 29 August
Higher Education students (BA and MA) 9 – 12 September

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REGISTERING WITH A GP / DOCTOR
Find a GP that suits what you need. Some GP surgeries offer more services than others. You can look up GP surgeries to see what they offer and how they compare.
You can:
· Check the GP surgery website to see if you can register online · Call or email the GP surgery and ask to be registered as a patient · You can download a GMS1 registration form on GOV.UK if you’re asked to
complete one · Many students register with Leeds Student Medical Practice (which is on the
same road as Blenheim Walk campus) and offers student orientated services, students may choose to register there

What is an NHS number?
An NHS number is a 10-digit number, like 485 777 3456.
Your NHS number is unique to you. It helps healthcare staff and service providers identify you correctly and match your details to your health records.
If you have an NHS number, it does not mean you’re automatically entitled to the free use of all NHS services.
In England, you usually have to pay patient contributions towards some NHS services.
If you have never had NHS care or treatment
You can register with a GP practice to get an NHS number. If you do not already have an NHS number, you’ll be assigned one during registration. You’ll get a registration letter in the post and your NHS number will be shown in the letter.

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TOP TIPS AND OTHER BITS
It is time to start preparing for your new life as a Leeds Arts University Student.
This section explains everything you need to do in advance to make sure things run smoothly.

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Leeds City Centre and Town Hall

· If possible, it’s always best to carry a small amount of British Pounds (£) with you when arriving into the UK. This can be beneficial if your credit or debit card experiences any problems or difficulties.
· If you have medication on a repeat prescription, bring a 1-2 month supply with you, as it can take a while for your notes to be transferred from your usual doctor.
· Pack some dry goods or some of your favourite dry snacks – such as noodles, crisps, crackers, granola bars, or tins of food to ensure you have something to eat when you first arrive in the UK.

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BUYING FOOD, CLOTHES & EQUIPMENT
You can find food from all over the world in Leeds, plus a great choice of shops for food, bedding, kitchen equipment, electrical items and a range of household products.
Across the road from the Blenheim Walk site, on Woodhouse Lane, there are a number of shops, banks and cafés. Other shops can be found in the city centre, Headingley and surrounding areas; here’s a few shops to get you started:
Morrisons
A large supermarket near the Vernon Street site. The store sells a wide-range of food and household items. (see next pages for online grocery delivery).
Sainsburys
A supermarket with branches in the city centre and Headingley.
Kirkgate Market
Opened in 1857, this is one of the largest covered markets in Europe. The market sells a wide-range of groceries, meat, fish, and cuisine from all across the globe; as well as fashion, jewellery, flowers, fabrics, and even furniture!
Argos
Choose household and electrical items from a catalogue online and have them delivered to the store for pick-up.
Taste the Orient
117 Vicar Lane Food from South East Asia.
Nong Fern Thai Supermarket
97-99 Vicar Lane Thai grocer for fruit, vegetables, spices & packaged goods.
Mahmood Halal Butchers
23 Alexandra Road, Hyde Park.

Abu Bakar International Supermarket
37 Queens Road, Hyde Park. Good quality fruits, vegetables and Halal food.
Gourmet Butchers and Deli
584 Harrogate Road. Retailer of Kosher meats and other products.
Chapeltown Road area
This area has many shops specialising in Afro-Caribbean food.
Sing Kee Oriental Supermarket
Merrion Centre, Leeds City.
Kirkgate Market

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WHERE TO BUY FOOD ONLINE
Prior to your arrival, or when you first arrive in Leeds, you may want to place an order for an online grocery delivery.
There are a number of grocery stores who delivery directly to your door:
Iceland
Free next day delivery on orders over £40
Morrisons
Minimum spend of £25 – delivery charges vary depending on your delivery address, the day & time of your chosen slot and the value of your order. All delivery charges will be shown to you before you place your order.
Ocado
The delivery charge for your order depends on the day and time of your slot, and the value of your order. If your order is less than £75, there’s a minimum charge of £2.99 and a maximum of £6.99. For standard orders of £75 or more, you may be offered free delivery.
Asda
Minimum order of £40. Charges range between £3 and £5.50
Sainsbury’s
Minimum order: £25 – delivery charges may vary
Tesco
Minimum order of £50 (otherwise charged £5 `small basket fee’, delivery between £3-4.50)

Food Delivery Apps
If you’re looking just to order a single meal, or takeaway food ­ there are a number of great apps that will deliver to your door, including:
Uber Eats

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Just Eat

Deliveroo

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MOBILE PHONES
Getting Started
A SIM card is the small chip that goes into mobile phones allowing the phone to connect to the local network. Making calls in the UK using your own international SIM card is likely to be expensive so you might want to buy a new SIM or buy another mobile phone with a SIM included. The University will also provide you with a SIM card with credit included as part of your `Welcome Pack’. It can sometimes be cheaper to buy an international calling card that will let you make calls home from a landline, mobile phone or phone box. Since January 2021, UK operators have been allowed to reintroduce so-called roaming charges because the UK’s Brexit trade deal with the EU, signed at the end of 2020, did not rule them out – so please check with your provider if you are planning to use your mobile phone throughout Europe.

There are two different ways to buy a mobile phone: pay-as-you-go or contract:
Pay-as-you-go
You can get a pay-as-you-go mobile phone or SIM card very quickly and it is easy to keep track of how much you are spending on calls. You can buy credit online, in supermarkets, newsagents, petrol stations and at some ATMs.
You may be able to buy a SIM card in the UK and use it in your own phone from home. If you want to do this you might need to have your phone “unlocked” as it may be “locked” to your home network. You may be able to get this done at Kirkgate market in the city centre. Some smartphones cannot be unlocked.
Most big companies such as 3, EE, O2 and Vodafone offer pay-as-you-go contracts. Other companies popular with many international students are GiffGaff, Lebara and Lycamobile.
Things to look out for:
· How much it costs to buy the SIM card · How much calls cost – this can vary depending on the type of call you are making
(to a UK landline, mobile phone, international or non-geographic such as 0845 or 0870) · If you want to use the internet on your phone how much it will cost · If there are any “bundles” ie offers – for example spending £10 and getting · unlimited texts
Contract
With a contract, you pay a set fee per month and have an allowance of minutes and text messages. Contracts are either sim-only, or offer you an (often free) mobile phone handset as part of your tariff. Some packages may include international calls at a cheap rate or for free. It is mostly the main phone companies that offer contracts, for example, EE, Vodafone, 3 and O2.
In order to set up a contract, you will need to have a UK bank account registered to your UK address. Often you will need to show proof of your UK address – usually in the form of a bank statement, credit card statement or utility bill (electricity, gas, water, telephone).

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Some companies may accept a letter from the University. Many companies will also require a credit check, and may require you to have a credit history with a UK bank for the past few years: for example, GiffGaff and Vodafone request this with their contracts that include phone handsets but not for their SIM- only deals.
When buying a contract phone you also need to spend time comparing the different packages on offer. If you don’t get the right amount of inclusive calls and data you could find that your monthly phone bills are very expensive.
Things to look out for:
· Check the length of your contract. Most contracts are normally either 12 or 24 months minimum and cancelling contracts before the end date can be very expensive, so they are not ideal if you are staying in Leeds for under 6 months. However, EE and Vodafone offer 30-day rolling contracts for people that want shorter-term contracts that can be cancelled anytime.
· If the contract includes any internet access or downloads and how much this costs to use if not.
· How much calls, texts and data cost once you have used up your allowance for the month – again check the price for landlines, different networks and if the price changes at different times of day.
· What type of phone you can get cheaply or for free as part of the contract.
· How good the network coverage is with different companies ­ network levels vary in different parts of the UK.
· How to give notice that you wish to cancel your contract when it expires ­ most require at least 30 days’ notice.
Where to buy a mobile phone
It can be better to start by going to a shop that offers products from a range of different suppliers so you can compare the different offers. Shops in the city centre that sell mobiles on different networks include Carphone Warehouse.
Alternatively you could go to a shop that only deals with one network to see if they have a better offer. Shops in the city centre that sell mobile phones on their own network include: O2, EE, Vodafone and 3.
A useful comparison site for both SIM only and contract mobile phone deals is: www.uswitch.com/mobiles

OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT
To open a bank account, you’ll need:
· Proof of your identity: this should preferably be your passport, but your chosen bank may accept other forms of ID, banks usually provide a list of acceptable documents.
· Proof that you are a student: this could be your offer letter or a bank letter from the University.
· Proof of your address: some banks will require proof of your UK address and/or your overseas address. This could be your contract, a utility bill or a bank letter from the University.
Details of local banks offering student accounts and/or cash accounts

Bank Name
Bank of China Ltd Co-operative Bank
Halifax HSBC Lloyds Nationwide NatWest Santander TSB

Nearest Branch
Manchester Leeds: Commercial Street Leeds: Commercial Street
Leeds: Park Row Leeds: Briggate Leeds: Albion Street Leeds: Park Row Leeds: Briggate Leeds: The Headrow

Website
bankofchina.com/uk co-operativebank.co.uk
halifax.co.uk hsbc.co.uk lloydsbank.com nationwide.co.uk personal.natwest.com santander.co.uk tsb.co.uk

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HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
This section includes information on medical care, mental well-being, recreational activities and English Language Support, as well as where you can access help and advice to help you feel at home whilst studying with us.

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MEDICAL CARE IN THE UK
If you become unwell during your time in the UK, you’ll need to know about the medical care you can receive:
Health Entitlements – All students
· You’re entitled to health care, free of charge, through the National Health Service (NHS).
· Medication prescribed by your doctor is subsidised by the NHS, but there is a standard charge of £9.90 per item that you must pay when you collect your medication from the pharmacy.
· Services from dentists aren’t free (except for children under the age of 18, or aged 18 and in full-time education).
· Eye treatment is not free. If you are under 19, you may be eligible for an NHS voucher for a free eye test. There is a charge for glasses and contact lenses.
Students studying for less than six months
· You’ll only get a limited number of services free.
· Only initial emergency healthcare services provided by a hospital accident and emergency department will be free.
· You’ll be charged as a private fee-paying patient for all other treatments and services including consultations with doctors.
· You won’t be able to register with a doctor, but you will be able to use their services as a fee-paying patient.
· You should buy health insurance to cover you for using medical services while you’re in the UK.
· If your home country has a reciprocal health agreement with the UK you may be able to reclaim some healthcare costs. If you’re from an EEA country, you’ll need to apply for a European Health Insurance Card before leaving your home country.

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Students studying for longer than six months
· You are entitled to free medical treatment from the NHS.
· You must register with a local doctor as soon as possible.
· This does not include dental care, treatment for pre-existing conditions or nonnecessary treatment.
· You may need to buy health insurance to cover any treatment which is not covered by the NHS, or for private, non-emergency medical treatment.
· For more information about entitlements for children, pregnant women or health benefits which may subsidise the cost of NHS prescriptions, dental charges and optical costs, visit the NHS website.
Emergency healthcare
· Emergency services: Telephone 999.
· Leeds General Infirmary Accident & Emergency Department: Great George Street, Leeds, LS1 3EX. Tel. 0113 243 2799.
· NHS 24-hour helpline (health advice): Telephone 111(You can contact this number for minor injuries and illness for advice).
· Both the emergency services and the NHS helpline are free to call from any phone and operate 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
Doctors
Find a GP that suits what you need. Some GP surgeries offer more services than others. You can look up GP surgeries to see what they offer and how they compare. But typically to register, you will need:
· Proof of your identity (e.g. passport, driving licence, etc) · Proof of your student status (e.g. student card) · Proof of your Leeds address (e.g. accommodation contract, utility bill)

Most students choose to register with the Leeds Student Medical Practice located near the University campus. You can find a list of other local doctors on the NHS Choices website. Once you are registered with a doctor, you can then make appointments if you are feeling unwell.
When you are ill
If you have a minor health problem such as a cold, sore throat or dry skin, you can visit a pharmacy (chemist) to buy treatments.
For other non-emergency health problems you should see your local doctor.
If you have a serious accident or emergency you should go to the Accident & Emergency department of your local hospital (Leeds General Infirmary is the city centre hospital). You will not be seen for routine illnesses.
What to do if your studies are affected by illness
If you are ill for less than seven days, contact your Programme Administrator to explain your absence.
If you are ill for more than seven days, or if you have to miss an assessment, you must request a letter from a doctor in the UK during your illness. Letters issued after the illness won’t be accepted. This letter will prove to the University and UK Visas & Immigration that you have health circumstances which should be taken into account when assessing your progress.
Mental well-being
It’s normal to feel down or stressed at times, but if these feelings don’t go away quickly, or if you find it hard to cope with the normal stresses of life, it is important to seek help. If you feel depressed, stressed, anxious or lonely for whatever reason, you can seek confidential help by:
· Talking to a counsellor from the university’s Student Advice and Wellbeing team · Visiting Leeds Student Medical Practice or your local doctor

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SMOKING, ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
Smoking
It is illegal to smoke in virtually all enclosed public places, workplaces and on public transport in the UK. If you break the law you can be fined or even prosecuted. You cannot smoke in any University buildings, but there is an outdoor picnic area where smoking is allowed. Leeds Student Medical Practice or your local doctor can offer you support if you want to stop smoking.
Alcohol
For some UK students, drinking with friends is a very important part of their social life and some may drink more than is good for them. However, many UK students just have a few drinks and some choose not to drink alcohol at all.
You certainly won’t be alone if you ask for a non-alcoholic drink, whether you are at a bar, or at someone’s home. All UK social venues offer a wide range of non-alcoholic drinks. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to buy alcohol.
Drugs
All controlled drugs such as cannabis, ecstasy/MDMA and cocaine are illegal in the UK. If you are caught with controlled drugs in your possession you can be criminally prosecuted.
If you are concerned or have questions about drugs, the National Drugs Helpline is a 24-hour, seven-days a week, free and confidential telephone service that offers advice and information: 0300 123 6600. There’s also lots of information on the NHS Choices website.
Living in a new country can be very exciting, but you may find the changes can feel difficult and stressful for a while. Things like the climate, food and behaviour in social and academic situations may all be different to what you’re used to, and some of the people around you may have different values and viewpoints.
What can you do?
There are many different things that you can do to help feel more at home and confident in your new surroundings. Whether it’s meeting other people who are away from home, getting involved in Student Union activities, or being part of clubs or societies – the International team is always here to help as well!

ENGLISH LANGUAGE SUPPORT
English language support is provided free of charge to all our international students. Rob Hutchinson, our EAL tutor, offers support with essays, presentations, conversational English and anything else you may need assistance with.
Further Education Students (Vernon Street)
There will be weekly drop-in sessions at Vernon Street where you can come to discuss anything with Rob. He will email out the details to your university email address once you have been enrolled.
Higher Education Students (Blenheim Walk)
You can contact Rob directly via email to book a session: robert.hutchinson @leeds-art.ac.uk There are weekly drop in sessions during term time where you can come to discuss your work without needing to book a session. Information on the drop-in days and times can be found on the EAL page on estudio. Both the drop-in and sessions with Rob are held in the Internationalisation teaching room at Blenheim Walk. Please note that proofreading is not a service offerred by the university.

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Student Advice and Wellbeing Team / International Office
Come and talk to us! We are here to support you during your time here and to help you settle in during your first few weeks.
You can find the Student Advice and Wellbeing Team at the Blenheim Walk site, or send an email to:
saw@leeds-art.ac.uk
You can find the International Team at our Vernon Street campus. You can send us an email to:
international@leeds-art.ac.uk
More information
UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) British Council.
www.ukcisa.org.uk +44 20 7788 9214

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Cover artwork by Nicole Regine,
BA (Hons) Visual Communication
WELCOME GUIDE

References

• Welcome to GOV.UK
• Halifax - Internet Banking - Error
• HSBC UK - Personal & Online Banking
• Lloyds Bank - Internet Banking - Error
• Nationwide | A good way to bank
• Personal | Santander UK
• Trainline | Search, Compare & Buy Cheap Train & Bus Tickets
• UKCISA - international student advice and guidance - Studying in the UK?
• Mobile Phone Deals: Compare Contracts in September 2024 - Uswitch

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