Frequently Asked Questions

Our partner universities offer a range of accommodation options both on and off campus. Once you have accepted your offer of study the Admissions team at the University will guide you through this process.

Yes, you can live off-campus in private accommodation, but we advise students to live within 15-minute travel time to ensure you can attend class.

If you are coming to the UK with your partner or family, please get in touch with your college so that they can help you find suitable accommodation.

As a full time student, you will need your own laptop. You can bring one with you, or we can give you advice on where to buy one.

When packing to move to your new country as an International student, think about what you most need or want to have with you.

The UK weather can be very temperamental, so make sure you research and pack suitable clothing.

It might also be a good idea to check the UK government’s customs information. Meat and dairy products, for example, cannot be brought outside of the EU.

Depending on your subject, your course will include a mixture of lectures, workshops and tutorials. You also have coursework assignments which may include essays, independent research, group projects and presentations.

You will be responsible for managing your own workload to meet coursework deadlines. Plan your reading, research, and drawing conclusions from your findings. If you’ve never studied in the UK before, you may find this challenging at first, but with our friendly student support team you will adjust to academic culture.

UKCISA’s website includes a useful guide to study skills for success. The British Council’s free online Prepare for Success tool is a great way to explore in more depth what you can expect when you live and study in the UK.

If you want to open a bank account, you will need the following:

• Bank Reference Letter from the College/University
• You Identification (ID or Passport)
• Accommodation Agreement

You can find further information on the UKCISA website.

We recommend that you bring some cash or a pre-paid travel card (around £300) with you, to make sure you can meet your expenses until your bank account becomes active. Please do not travel with large amounts of cash.

You’ll need to register with a doctor (GP) in your first week of moving to the UK. There will be further advice and guidance regarding this on your induction day. It is free to register with a medical practice and GP appointments are free; however, some NHS services are not free such as prescriptions or appointments with a dentist or optician.

For non-EU citizens, you will be asked to register with the police. This will be stated on your Home Office decision letter or your visa vignette. You will have to register with the police within seven days of your arrival to the UK and pay a registration fee of £34. Please remember the following documents:

• Original Passport
• Biometric Residence Permit (BRP Card)
• Accommodation Confirmation
• Enrolment Letter

It is vital that you have sufficient funding in place before starting your course of study, and this will need to cover your tuition fees, accommodation, books, stationery, food and of course social costs.

The below table is the required funds for your visa application. When applying for your visa, you will need to have evidence of sufficient funding to cover any remaining tuition fees, as stated on your CAS, and living costs. Your required living costs will be the monthly amount stated below for each month of your course, unless your course exceeds 9 months in duration, in which case you will need to demonstrate 9 months of living costs.

Our London Centres are:

• Oxford International Pathway Centre – London
• University of Greenwich International College

Our Non-London Centres are:

• Oxford International Pathway Centre – Oxford
• De Montfort University International College
• University of Bradford International College
• Bangor University International College
• International College Dundee

Students who want a visa to study in the USA require an I-20 / DS-2019 from an accredited and SEVP-certified university; payment of the I-901 SEVIS fee; an appointment at a US embassy or consulate; and a valid visa.  Students are further required to enroll in a minimum number of credits or contact hours each semester as specified by SEVIS and their university program.

Your information will be collected and verified during your arrival as you pass through Customs and Immigration at the airport.
You should plan to have these documents on hand to answer any questions you may be asked:

•  Printed I-20 (for F-1 students) or DS-2019 (for J-1 students)
• Your passport and valid visa
• Proof of finances (e.g., your Financial Affidavit and bank letter)
• Proof of accommodation
• Admittance Letter and any support letters provided by the university

International students have several banking options to choose from. Typically, banks will require a university admission letter, valid identification (passport or ID), and your address and contact information to establish an account. To open an account, it’s important to research local banks to find the best fit for your needs.
For added convenience, consider opening a bank account with ADRO before you arrive, ensuring it’s ready for use as soon as you land. Get started quickly and easily—learn more by visiting the links below:
Sign up for Adro banking 
Compare Adro to other banking options 

Requirements vary by university and program. Some universities require students to purchase a pre-approved health insurance plan and maintain coverage throughout their studies. Please refer to your program admission information for specific details. If health insurance is required, it must be purchased and valid before the start date of your program.

Living costs will vary by city.  Please refer to your program’s I-20 / DS-2019 issuance requirements for more information on the expected cost of living at your study location.
To learn more about the estimated cost of living and compare cities in the USA, you may browse free online tools like: Numbeo’s Cost of Living. 

International students are allowed to work part-time on-campus jobs up to 20 hours per week, during their study in the US. Please speak to representatives from your program of study for additional information, policies, and/or limitations.  You may only proceed when authorized by your program and a university DSO.
Students may not work off-campus and could face termination of their I-20 and violation of their visa status and program if working off-campus illegally.  Additionally, international students do not qualify for “work-study” jobs on campus.

Students should plan to have a laptop computer or tablet that can reliably connect to the internet and be used for word processing, presentations, and online research. Most U.S. universities use Learning Management Systems (such as Canvas or Blackboard) to organize course materials, submit assignments, and engage in discussions. In some cases, students may also need access to Zoom for hybrid or online synchronous courses.

Plan to bring a 1-3 month supply (if possible) and a record of your prescription (translated if necessary).  After arrival, you’ll need to schedule a doctor’s appointment to receive a prescription in the USA. Your program office can assist you with this.

If you require special accommodations due to a documented disability, please contact your program’s campus team as early as possible to discuss your needs. In most cases, you will need to work with a designated campus office responsible for coordinating accommodations. It’s important to follow these steps, as instructors are unable to provide accommodations without proper documentation and coordination.

Please refer to information from your specific program of study for information on class registration.

Students with I-20s are invited to attend a Pre-arrival Orientation. While attendance is not required, it is highly recommended, as students who participate tend to be better prepared for their arrival and more successful in their first semester. For more information, please refer to the communications from your specific program.

Additionally, all students are required to attend a mandatory Arrival Orientation around the program start date. This session is essential for getting settled and understanding important academic and campus information. Please check the communications from your program for specific dates and further details.

Please contact your program’s campus team as soon as possible to update them on your visa appointment date.  In some cases, you may be approved for late arrival.
Students may also defer their admission for some programs to the following semester. Please work with your counselor and contact your campus team for additional information.

In most cases, students will be able to choose from a university dormitory, homestay, or private accommodation.  Prices and deadlines will vary based on location. Please refer to communications from your program’s campus teams for more detailed information.

To maintain visa status, you generally need to maintain enrollment in a certain number of hours or credits each term of study.  This will vary by the type of program you are in, so please read through orientation and admission materials very carefully.  Students are also expected to attend classes and submit assignments to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress in their program.  Students who fail to attend class and/or earn failing grades risk becoming out of status.
Out of status students are not in compliance with SEVIS requirements to maintain their visa status.  These students risk termination of their I-20 and study program.  When terminated, students are not allowed to continue to study, and their visa becomes invalid, requiring them to leave the US.  For more information, refer to your program’s campus team on information on maintaining your status and requirements for attendance and satisfactory academic progress.

To find out the latest domestic restrictions and guidance in England please visit gov.uk/coronavirus

For daily updates on UK Covid-19 statistics, please visit here.

Oxford International Education Group is acting on advice from sources including the FCO, WHO, NHS and Public Health England.

We have taken proactive steps to contact our students and staff to ensure that everyone has access to the latest advice. This includes conducting surveys on staff attitudes to working from home and returning to work and ensuring there is a focus on staff mental health and wellbeing.

Our risk assessment details the steps we are taking to manage the risks posed by Covid-19. These include enhancing our cleaning provision, ensuring social distancing in classes and offices and introducing a rota system for those staff that need to enter the workplace..

We will promote working from home where possible and work to ensure this is done as effectively and as mindfully as possible. Click here for our Covid-19 Policy.

For the latest UK government guidance on travel to England from another country during Covid-19 please click here.