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Getting ready checklist

Our pre-arrival checklist will make your journey to York as easy as possible.

Travelling to the UK

Have you...

Confirmed any visa requirements that you may have?

See our Immigration advice for more information about the Student Visa.

Checked whether your country imposes any restrictions on taking money out of it?

You will need to check with your local border control or tax organisation.

Checked what you may need to present at Border Control and any restrictions on goods which can be brought into the UK?

Read the UK passport control student arrival guide for a smoother journey through border control.

Found out what you will need in your hand luggage?

Having the correct documents to hand will help make your transition through the UK border as quick and easy as possible. See our list of what to bring.

Booked a seat on a University-provided coach or arranged alternative travel arrangements from a UK airport to York?

Find out more about getting to York on our travelling to York page, including:

Manchester Airport has the easiest onward connection to York. A train runs directly from Manchester Airport to York city centre.

Arranged travel insurance?

It is advisable for visitors to the UK to take out travel insurance.

Finances

Have you...

Made any necessary advance payments?

For help with payments, see paying the University.

For tuition fee payment dates, see our tuition fees page. 

For full information about finances, see our Essential Financial Information booklet - you can download it on the new undergraduates or new postgraduates welcome pages.

Advised your bank that you're travelling to the UK?

Catering outlets on campus only take Mastercard or Visa card or contactless payments so make sure that your bank card will work in the UK when you arrive. It may take one to two weeks to open a UK bank account once you're here.

Ensured that you have sufficient cash or travellers cheques to live for a week or more while you open a UK bank account?

Make sure you have enough cash or travellers cheques with you to last the one to two weeks it may take for your UK bank account to open once you're here. See information about opening a UK bank account in our support for international students pages.

Remember that if you bring more than €10,000 (or equivalent) in cash, you will need to declare the amount at UK customs control.

Checked current financial scams to be aware of?

All students, in particular overseas students, are targets for criminal gangs who want students to bring illegal money into the UK, legitimise it by laundering it through student bank accounts or enticing students to exchange their own funds for illegal cash.

Be aware that operating a bank account or dealing with cash in this manner is potentially illegal and there are serious consequences for engaging with this type of criminal activity. 

Never give any money to a third party offering to pay your tuition fees or secure a fee discount for you. Fraudsters may present themselves as legitimate agencies, associates or friends.

Always pay your tuition fees directly to the University using the authorised payment methods.

Read our advice for all students Scammers - they’re after your money to find out what to be aware of.

Healthcare

Have you...

Checked if you need additional vaccinations and screenings?

You may need additional vaccinations and screenings before arriving in the UK as part of your Student Visa application. For more information, see the Gov.uk website.

Obtained a full up-to-date vaccination record and any other relevant medical records?

If you require medical treatment in the UK, a full up-to-date vaccination record (in English, if possible) will help to get you the best care possible.

Obtained a European Health Insurance Card? (EU citizen in the UK for six months or less)

If you are an EU citizen, studying in the UK for six months or less, you must obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in your country of residence before travelling to the UK. This card enables you to qualify for free NHS care for the duration of your stay (up to six months). 

An EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance and it is advised that you should have both during your stay.

See healthcare for international students in our support for international students pages for more information.

Arranged medical insurance if it applies to you?

You will need to arrange private medical insurance if you haven't paid the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of your visa application.

See healthcare for international students in our support for international students pages for more information.

Arranged to bring any medication required, as well as a doctor’s letter of explanation?

It is important to keep your medication close to you. You may face problems without confirmation of medicinal intent. 

We recommend bringing at least three month's supply of your regular medication to allow time to for you to register with and see a doctor. See our information on healthcare in York.

Arriving in York

Have you...

Booked accommodation?

Accommodation must be arranged prior to travelling to the UK. For help, see our accommodation information for international students.

If you want to live off campus, see our advice on finding somewhere to live in the private sector.

If you prefer to find somewhere to live after you arrive in York, make sure you pre-book guest house accommodation so you have somewhere to stay while you look.

Ensured you know the details of the University's welcome programme for international students?

All international students are expected to attend the orientation to university life and study at the start of the academic year. See information about our welcome for international students.

Living in York

Have you...

Arranged insurance for your belongings?

If you will be living on campus, personal possessions insurance is included in the price of your University accommodation.

If you will be living off campus, it is highly advisable to insure your personal belongings. You could arrange travel insurance before you come to the UK or buy contents insurance or student insurance after you arrive. Try cost comparison sites such as MoneySuperMarket and GoCompare to compare prices.

Found out about school and nursery places, if bringing children?

If your child is under 16 and going to be with you in York for more than six months then they should enrol in a local school. See information on schools and childcare in our support for international students pages.

Found out about documents you will need if you are thinking of volunteering with children in the UK?

Volunteering is a great way to get to know York, and we offer schemes like York Students in Schools

If you would like to volunteer with children in the UK and have been resident for less than five years, you'll need a translated police check/certificate of good conduct from your home country. 

It can be difficult to obtain this while you are at York so it's a good idea to arrange this beforehand. For more advice, see the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure guide on How to obtain an overseas criminal record check.