Before you arrive

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Before you arrive

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International students

If you are an international student, the following steps will help you prepare for your journey and arrival:

Check your passport

Make sure it’s valid for travel. If you're an EU national, you can only travel on an EU ID card if you hold Pre-Settlement or Settlement Status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Apply for your Student visa

If your course lasts more than six months, you’ll normally need to apply for a Student visa - unless you are already holding or entitled to another visa

  • You can apply up to six months before your course starts if applying from outside the UK. Or three months if applying from inside the UK. 
  • Visa processing can take time—especially in summer—so apply early.
  • If you need an ATAS Certificate or TB Certificate, get these before submitting your visa application. Your offer letter will tell you if ATAS is required.

Set up your UKVI account and access your eVisa

Most students will not receive a visa vignette or BRP. Instead, you’ll use a digital immigration status (eVisa).

  • Link your UKVI account to the passport you’ll travel with.
  • Your visa decision email will explain how to set up your account.

Provide your Share Code

Once your eVisa is issued:

  • New Sponsored students: Upload your Share Code in CAS Shield
  • Bring your visa decision/grant email with you—it contains important information for registration and border checks.
  • All other students: Submit your Share Code using the online Share Code form.
  • All students not holding a UK or Irish passport will need to provide a Share code to prove their right to study in the UK. 

Prepare for arrival

  • Get some British currency for use during the first few days or weeks. Everything on campus is cashless and most shops, bars etc. accept card payments, but sometimes you may need cash (for example: market stalls, taxis).
  • Plan how to get here and arrange your travel.
  • Buy plane tickets and travel insurance.
  • Research banking in the UK and see if your bank can help you to arrange a UK bank account.
  • Read our International Welcome guide from Leicester Students’ Union.
  • Check our pages on Share codes.

You may also want to

  • Get a letter from a doctor for any prescribed medication you need to bring with you.
  • Bring 12 weeks’ worth of medication with you, if you are taking it on a long-term basis.
  • Get an GHIC card, if you’re coming from an EU country, which provides sickness insurance. Please note this only applies if you intend to spend less than 6 months in the UK. If you have applied for a Student visa you will have paid an IHS which will entitled you to use the UK’s NHS which is free at the point of use for most treatments.

Returning students

If you are returning for another year of study, you will need to:

  • Arrange to pay your fees.
  • Register as a student for this academic year - you will get an email about this.
  • Once your payment has been processed you can complete online registration on MyStudentRecord.

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