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Living in the UKClick here for more information (main University site) Preparing to live in another country or finding out more about the country once you have arrived can be an exciting, if daunting, task. The British Council produce various information booklets for International students living in the UK that include some good hints and tips to help you adjust to living in the UK. Download copies on the right hand side of this page. If you would like more information on any aspect of living in Cornwall and the UK, please contact the International Student Adviser Living In CornwallWhat's it like to live in Cornwall? See our Living in Cornwall page >> Where is the Cornwall Campus? See our Maps section for more information >> A to Z of Living in CornwallChildrenIf you are applying for your husband/wife or child to come to the UK as your dependants you will also be asked to show that you have appropriate accommodation for them. The immigration authorities will normally give them permission to be in the UK for the same amount of time as you. We strongly recommend that students come to the University of Exeter’s Cornwall Campus on their own in the first instance, and send for their family only when they have found suitable accommodation. Students who ignore this advice could find themselves staying in a hotel for several weeks with their families, which would be extremely expensive. Children of students at the Cornwall Campus may attend the day nursery at University College Falmouth’s Woodlane Campus, which is close to Falmouth town center. For details please contact : Nursery Manager, TCS Woodlane Day Nursery, Woodlane, Falmouth TR11 4RH Tel: +44 (0) 1326 213765 Further information is also available on the Tremough Campus Services website For further information download the UKCOSA Guidance Note Your Family Climate and WeatherThe climate of the south west peninsula (Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset and Avon) is quite mild compared with the rest of the UK. However the weather is very changeable and can be unpredictable. In early spring you may see rain, snow, thunder and lightning, hail and lovely spring sunshine in the course of a single day! The months between November and February are usually cold and wet so must make sure that you have an umbrella, a waterproof/windproof jacket and good sturdy footwear. Gloves, a woollen hat and a scarf are also good ideas. One good way to keep warm is to layer your clothes. For example if you wear a cotton shirt underneath a woollen sweater and your weatherproof jacket you will be warmer than if you wore just one thick layer. If you come from a very different climate, it may be cheaper to buy suitable clothes when you arrive here. The average figure for warm clothes, for one year, is £400. Dress in Britain, especially at University, is mostly informal. It will usually be made clear to you, when you are invited, that an occasion may demand something more formal or smart – if in doubt just, ask. You may want to bring your national costume to wear on special occasions. Council TaxFor further information download the UKCOSA Guidance Note Council Tax and International Students CultureFor further information download the UKCOSA Guidance Note International Students and Culture Shock DentistsIf you are eligible for NHS treatment you will be eligible for treatment from a dentist accepting NHS Patients. Please note that dentists accepting new patients are extremely limited – hence the need for private insurance. There are charges for NHS dentist services based on a percentage cost up to a maximum of £375. Dental Healthcare For further information download the UKCOSA Guidance Note Keeping Healthy DrivingEducationShould you decide to bring your family and your children are between 5 and 16 years old, the Local Education Authority (LEA) has a duty to provide a place for them in a local school. Cornwall County Council – Schools If you are applying for your husband/wife or child to come to the UK as your dependants you will also be asked to show that you have appropriate accommodation for them. The immigration authorities will normally give them permission to be in the UK for the same amount of time as you. We strongly recommend that students come to the University of Exeter’s Cornwall Campus on their own in the first instance, and send for their family only when they have found suitable accommodation and investigated which schools would be able to offer your children a place. Cornwall County Council – Choosing a School Students who ignore this advice could find themselves staying in a hotel for several weeks with their families, which would be extremely expensive. Where your children go to school depends on where you live and therefore you cannot finalise arrangements for schooling until you know exactly where you will be living. In addition we advise that you bring examples of your children’s' school work with you in order that the school that your children will attend when they arrive is able to assess which class would be suitable for each child. Primary schools in the Penryn and Falmouth area Secondary schools in the Penryn and Falmouth area Although the majority of schools have their websites listed on the above Cornwall County Council webpages, the International Student Adviser has a selection of prospectuses for those Primary schools that do not yet have website facilities. For further information download the UKCOSA Guidance Note Your Family ElectricityBritish electricity works on 230volts/50 cycles. Most sockets take 13 amp square three-pin fused plugs. You may need an adaptor if you have brought your own electrical appliances. You can buy these at ASDA and B&Q in Penryn as well as in supermarkets in Falmouth and Truro. If you use a multi-plug adaptor, which supplies electricity to several appliances, particularly sound systems and computers, do ensure that you do not overload the circuit by using heavy usage appliances together as you risk causing a fire. All students receive a free e-mail account when they register with the University. It is important to check your university email regularly as it is policy for university staff to use that address to contact you. HealthcareThere is a nurse drop-in clinic at Student Services (based in the Annex) twice a week where you can register with the Penryn Medical Centre should you miss the general registration sessions in September/October of each year. The nurse can provide immunisation (as long as you are registered with the practice), contraception and sexual health advice and general health advice. For further information download the UKCOSA Guidance Note Keeping Healthy IMPORTANT Laws in the UKFor information see: Important UK Laws (Link to main Exeter website) Postal ServiceYou can post stamped letters and small parcels in the many red post boxes found on the streets of the UK. There is a red post box opposite Reception at the Tremough Campus. Stamps bought in post offices can be bought either singly or in books. Most newsagents and supermarkets sell stamps in books of 6 or 12. Stamps can be bought from the campus shop (in the Annex). The main post office is in Falmouth on the Moor –in the town centre where you would get off the bus from Tremough. Postal Orders can be bought at any post office, which you may need to do if you are choosing this method of payment if you need to renew your UK visa. Television licences can also be bought in post offices and you can also make payments for gas, water, telephone and electricity bills there if you are in private rented accommodation. Private AccommodationFinding Accommodation in the Private Sector Public TransportTremough Campus Travel Information Safety
ShoppingIf this is your first visit to the UK, or if you are having to shop in the UK for the first time, you may need some advice on the normal cost of items that you need to purchase. There can be huge variations in cost in different shops for very similar items – this is usually based on quality, image and service. You should ‘shop around’ to find the best deal. The largest local supermarket is ASDA at Penryn which is the nearest supermarket to Tremough Campus. There is also a Tescos in Falmouth town center. Both are easily accessible from Tremough campus by Bus Shopping tip: buy the store’s own brand (the one labelled with the store’s name.) Arrive shortly before closing time, when prices on some vegetables, meat and dairy items may be reduced because the store needs to sell them by the end of the day. To check the price of food and household goods look at www.tesco.com/price_check_search. This is a good site with a comprehensive list of commodities TelevisionsYou may wish to rent or buy a television for your own room in University accommodation or if you are living in private accommodation. TVs automatically receive BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. You must buy a Television Licence if you rent, buy or possess a television. If you decide to rent or to buy a TV in the UK your name and address will be forwarded to the licensing authorities who will check whether you have a valid licence. If you evade payment of the licence fee you may be subject to fines of up to £1,000. You can obtain a TV Licence form from any post office and can pay for the licence there as well. The post office will give you full details of the cost of a licence for a colour TV for one year and you can pay for the licence by instalments. |
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