Pre-Arrival Information for New Students
Before your arrival, you will be sent an updated Pre-Arrival Guide, which contains all essential information and a useful checklist of all things to do before your departure.
You will also receive a Welcome Pack, which will include:
- Information about the residential team
- Site guide/map and map of Oxford
- Accommodation rules (Promoting Good Behaviour and Sanctions Policy)
- Information about facilities, i.e. laundry and wifi
- Information about weekly room inspections
Upon arrival, you will also be handed a comprehensive student handbook with full details on all aspects of the college and in Oxford.
2021 OIC Pre-Arrival Guide can be found here.
Student Services
Pastoral Care and Student Welfare
We know how important it is to settle into a new life quickly, both socially and academically, and we are confident that we can provide an environment that allows you to make a smooth transition. From the first day of your arrival in the UK, staff will be available to guide and support you. The Pastoral and Welfare Team consists of Student Services, Boarding Team, progress tutors, and a professional counsellor. Each member of the team is available to our students at all times, offering comprehensive and friendly welfare support.
Student Bank Accounts
Students will be assisted in opening a UK bank account at any of the major banks, all of which have branches in Oxford. We are also able to hold pocket money with Student Services if parents wish. When planning a personal budget, any extras that may arise should be taken into account, such as sporting equipment and social activities. We strongly advise that students’ money is held within a bank account or with Student Services. We do not permit large amounts of money to be kept in boarding houses.
Healthcare
Upon arrival in Oxford, the Student Services Manager will assist students in registering at the local medical centre which is located a short distance from the College. Please complete the College’s medical consent form and health questionnaire prior to arrival.
In 2020, we are also offering a private insurance option for access to private medical care in Oxford. Please contact Student Services for more details.
Dress Code
The college is a relaxed environment and uniforms are not required. However, there is a dress code we expect our students to adhere to. Updated dress code requirements will be sent as a part of the pre-arrival pack.
Guardianship Services
Students under 18 must have a guardian. Upon request, the College will recommend a guardianship company. Parents may also choose to appoint their own external guardian. Please complete the appropriate guardianship service form to inform us of your choice
Airport Pick-up and Transfer
Our students can travel from Heathrow airport by individual taxis with mask-wearing DBS-checked drivers. These are free of charge for students that opt in for guardianship service from our preferred partner, otherwise a subsidised £75 fee applies. Students will be provided with full PPE equipment free of charge.
Pre-Arrival Checklist
Before arriving in the UK, the following must be completed and sent to Student Services Manager at jenny@oxcoll.com:
- Airport Transfer Booking Form
- Health Centre Patient Questionnaire
- Pre-Arrival Form to include:
- Medical Consent & Information
- Internet Safety
- Permission to stay off-site
- Photograph and Social Media Consent
- Permission to Travel
On the first day of college, students need to bring:
- Passport Entry Visa (if required)
- Original Visa or Biometric Identification Document/ Residential Permit with approval letter
- Documents as stated in their offer letter:
- IELTS certificate
- GCSE or IGCSE certificate if applicable; otherwise a school transcript or latest school report
Immigration
Immigration
Visa students are issued an initial 30-day entry permit in their passport which enables them to enter the UK. The actual visa, in the form of a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), will need to be collected on arrival in the UK.
The BRP is a plastic card with a microchip that gives permission for students to remain in the UK for the rest of their course and is needed for accessing the National Health Service (NHS) or to register with the police (if required).
If still required, the College will provide you with a letter which will include your residential address . Please show the letter on arrival if asked where you will self-isolate.
Collecting the Biometric Residence Permit
We highly recommend that you use the College’s unique ACL code on your Tier 4 application form so that your BRP card will be sent directly to the College for you to collect. In the section ‘Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) Collection’, enter the ACL code in the ‘Alternative Location’ field: 2LR327.
Your card will be delivered to Oxford International College, 1-5 London Place, Oxford OX4 1BD.
Living in the UK
Moving to a new country or even relocating within the UK is daunting at any age. You are never quite sure what to expect and for students coming from overseas, some aspects of living in the UK may seem very different at first. The OIC staff will help you settle in and will be there for you through all aspects of the transition.
Oxford
Oxford is a small, compact city with a population of approximately 150,000. Many of the shops, restaurants and cafés are located around Carfax Tower, at the intersection of Cornmarket Street and the High Street. Many of the colleges of the University of Oxford, as well as the Bodleian Library, Sheldonian Theatre and Radcliffe Camera are also located in the city centre. The Mathematical Institute and many of the science buildings can be found to the north of the city centre, in and around St. Giles.
Airports and embassies
The international airports that are closest to Oxford are London Heathrow (LHR) and London Gatwick (LGW). All international embassies in the UK are located in London.
Currency
The pound sterling, commonly known as the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom. The pound (£) is subdivided into 100 pence (singular: penny). Larger denominations of money are in the form of paper notes: £5, £10, £20 and £50. Smaller amounts of money are in the form of coins: £2, £1, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, and 1p.
Weather
The weather in the UK can vary from one day to the next. The winter months from November to February are cold with frequent frost and occasional snow. Winter is also when we receive the most rainfall. Students are advised to pack plenty of cold and wet-weather smart-casual clothing including waterproof shoes. The summer months of June through August are pleasantly warm and a daytime temperature of 23°C is considered hot in the UK.
Public transport
Oxford is centrally placed in Southern England, approximately one hour by train to both London and Birmingham. The Oxford bus station is located at Gloucester Green and the train station is located just off the Botley Road, to the west of the city centre. It takes less than 30 minutes to walk from either station to the College. Cities, towns and villages are linked by either coach services or by trains. Journeys by coach are less expensive than the train, but tend to take more time.
The Oxford Bus Company operates a route called the Oxford Tube, with buses to and from London Victoria Coach Station up to every 10 to 20 minutes, 24 hours a day. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. Fast trains operate between Oxford and London Paddington station regularly and the journey takes about 50 minutes. Oxford’s new train station, Oxford Parkway, runs services to London Marylebone
For your general safety and to be polite, it is worth noting the following:
- Traffic travels on the left-hand side in Britain.
- If you are going out, outside of College hours, always tell someone where you are going and what time you will be back.
- Do not carry important documents or too much money with you. The streets of Oxford are generally safe, but you need to use common sense and stay safe.
- Be considerate to others by not making too much noise (for example at the boarding house).
- Expect to spend time queuing while you wait to be served. It is customary to queue in shops and for buses and taxis.
- Face coverings might be required for public spaces like trains or buses.
- Be polite when dealing with other people. Rudeness is considered very poor behaviour.
Being Safe and Legal in the UK
UK laws may vary greatly from those of your own country, and it’s important to be aware of what is, and what is not, allowed:
- It is illegal to buy alcohol if you are under the age of 18 and you would be breaking the law even by attempting to buy it. It is also illegal to provide alcohol to minors.
- Drugs (including cannabis) are illegal in the UK. The police have the right to stop and search you if they have any reason to suspect you are carrying illegal drugs.
- Dropping rubbish in the street is illegal and you can be cautioned and/or charged.
Begin your journey with us