International students
Living in Dunstable
Police Registration
You may be required to register with the local police. If you are required to do so, your passport will have been stamped to that effect when you arrived in the UK. You will need to register within seven days. We will provide you with the necessary form to do so. You will need two recent passport photographs and will be required to pay around £34.
Opening a bank account
You can only open a bank account with a local bank once you are in the
UK. Take the following documents with you, when you go to apply for an account:
• Your offer letter from College
• A letter from College confirming that you are a bona fide student
• Your passport
• Proof of your home address in your home country – this could
be a letter from your previous college or your home bank.
Please note: Some banks prefer to open accounts to students living in Halls
of Residence only and some require a £5,000 deposit.
Providing you have the appropriate documents with you and meet the required
criteria, you may be able to open an account immediately. Please remember,
when you make a deposit by cheque or banker’s draft, it will usually
take seven working days for the funds to clear.
Writing your name
As you will be required to write your name in English, please decide on one version of spelling it and stick to it always. This will avoid any confusion on official documents. Remember to write your family name after your first name.
Cost of Living
You should budget for around £500 per month to cover all your living expenses, including accommodation, food, books, clothes, bills, local travel and entertainment. This amount does not include tuition fees, which will have been outlined to you separately.
Seeking Employment
You are allowed to work part-time up to 20 hours per week during term time and unlimited hours during the holidays. Most job vacancies that are suitable for students tend to be in the areas of retail and catering. To work in the UK you will need a National Insurance Number, we will advise you on how to obtain one.
Council Tax
Local government taxes are known as Council Tax in the UK. If you live in private accommodation you may be liable to pay; however, if everyone in the house is a full-time student you will be exempt. You will need to complete a Council Tax Exemption Certificate form available at College.
Television Licence
If you are living in private accommodation and have your own television, you must have a TV Licence. This will cost you about £115 per year. Forms for this are available from Post Offices.
Health Care
For the latest information on what health care facilities you are entitled
to free of charge or whether it would be advisable to obtain private health
insurance, please refer to:
www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/International/OverseasVisitors