Getting ready checklist

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

Coronavirus
If you can't get to York before the start of Autumn Term due to Covid-related travel restrictions, international students are permitted to study remotely without a visa and in most circumstances begin their course online. Visa concessions for those on Student Visas allow for the provision of online learning for students outside the UK until 6 April 2022.

See the latest travel guidance from the UK Government on what you need to do when travelling to England.

Travel to England from another country during coronavirus (COVID-19)

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

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

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.

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

• if there is a free Manchester Airport collection service
• more information about travelling to York from UK airports

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

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.

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're travelling from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and bring more than €10,000 in cash or travellers cheques, you will need to declare the amount at UK customs control.

Unfortunately, there are people in the world who make a living by tricking others out of money. International students are often targeted but you can learn to recognise scams and protect yourself against them.

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

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.

Coronavirus
It is not a requirement to have a Covid-19 vaccine in order to travel to the UK - however a period of testing and quarantine may be required. See Travel to England from another country during coronavirus (Gov.uk) for full details.

Anyone aged 18 or over in the UK is eligible for the Covid-19 vaccination free of charge, regardless of your nationality or immigration status. If you have received a first dose of Covid-19 vaccine overseas that is also available in the UK, you should receive the same vaccine for your second dose. If the vaccine you received for your first dose is not available in the UK, the most similar alternative should be offered. Once registered, contact your UK doctor to ensure you receive an appropriate vaccine for your second dose.

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.

Coronavirus
It would be sensible to bring evidence of any Covid-19 vaccination you have received in your home country (in an official format and translatable into English), though the UK Government has not yet provided official guidance on recognising vaccinations taken in another country.

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.

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.

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

We recommend bringing one 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.

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.

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

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.

If you're an undergraduate, our student buddying scheme will help you settle in to York from the start. Your buddy will be a second or third year student and you can ask for someone from a similar background in the same department as you or someone with similar interests.

Sign up for a buddy

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.

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 a year, 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.