Grafton College has a college emergency number in case you encounter any situation that requires our immediate advice or guidance (e.g. you have just arrived in London and can’t find to your homestay family).

The emergency number is 07832351570.

The number can be found on your pre-arrival documentation and your enrolment letter. Do not use this number for non-urgent problems. There is a penalty charge of £100 for misusing this number.

 

Having arrived in the UK, it is likely that you will experience a number of unfamiliar situations such as immigration and customs control, onward travel to your pre-arranged accommodation or Grafton College, registration with the police or opening a bank account. The following points will provide you with some guidance when first arriving in the UK.

For more advice on how to manage your first days in your new environment please go to the website of the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/info_sheets/arriving_in_uk.php

Problems at the airport

In case you encounter any problems at the airport (e.g. at the immigration desk, with your luggage or airport pick-up service) and are unsure of how to proceed, please contact the College on 020 8749 8367 during its opening hours, dial the college emergency number 07832351570 during out-of-office hours (£100 penalty charge applies in case of misuse) and/or seek help from the customer information desk at the airport.

Registering with the police

International students, whose passport so indicates, must register with the police within seven days of arrival.

Students studying in London, however, must report to the Overseas Visitors Records Office (Brandon House, 180 Borough High Street, London, SE1 1LH, Tel: 020 7230 1208, Opening Hours: Monday – Friday, 9.00-16.00).

If the office becomes too busy, it may close earlier than 16.00. You are therefore advised to attend as early as possible in the morning, especially in September and October when there can be very long queues. The queues during these months usually start before 07.00am.

How can I get there? Brandon House is opposite Borough tube station on the Northern Line and is served by bus routes 21, 35, 40, 133, 343. There are no parking facilities available on site.

Are there any costs? There is a registration fee of currently £34, which may be paid by cash, sterling travellers’ cheque or most debit and credit cards.

What do I need to bring? You should bring your passport, address and a letter from the College with you.

 

Remember to provide Grafton College with a copy of your police registration certificate.

 

You will need to register any change of address or extension of leave with the office.

 

You should be aware that failure to register with the police is a criminal offence. 

Registering with the College

Grafton College requires you to register with the College no later than your course start date and in some cases your latest date to join the course (e.g. if your visa has been processed late). However, we advise you to come to the College before your course start date to get to know your chosen place of study and to deal with any administrative matters such as having your level of English assessed, completing relevant forms, receiving your student ID card, etc.

Please ensure that you bring the originals of your application documents, your passport with your visa and one passport-sized photograph along with you to register.

Banking and being in control of your finances

Being in control of your finances, whilst studying in the UK, is a matter of top priority. You might therefore find it useful to open a bank account with a UK bank.

There are a number of UK banks located in close proximity to Grafton College. If you require visiting a branch of your home bank, you might be able to do so in the centre of London. Many international banks have a branch in London. Please check with your bank for directions and opening times.

However, if you are in the UK on a course for less than six months, it might be advisable to keep your money in a bank account in your home country. Most UK banks require students to be enrolled on a full-time course for at least six months and you may not be able to open an account. 

To find out more about how to open a bank account and which bank to choose, please contact our Student Welfare Officer. You might also want to speak to a financial adviser in your home country before coming to the UK for alternative banking options such as cash cards or credit cards.   

You can withdraw money from ATMs or Cash Point machines, using your debit or credit card. They are located outside almost every bank, supermarkets and inside shopping centres. When taking cash out from a cash point, please ensure that you take appropriate care and avoid withdrawals of large amounts in one go, as you would in any other city.

If you would like to exchange currency, we would recommend using the services of a local UK bank or the post office. Currency exchange shops that you can mainly find in the centre of London and close to major tourist attractions often charge a higher commission rate or have a bad exchange rate.

You might find the UNIAID International Student Calculator helpful to plan and manage your money during your studies in the UK. It is accessible at http://international.studentcalculator.org.uk/international/

Employment  

Like many students, you might want to gain some work experience and support yourself by taking on a job.

Before you take up any employment, you must ensure that you have the right to work during your studies in the UK. Equally important, you should not allow your work to prevent you from your studies.

If you are a student who requires a visa to join Grafton College, you will not be allowed to work during your studies under the current immigration regulations. For detailed information on the immigration regulations please visit the website of the UK Border Agency at www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/ 

If you have the right to work in the UK and require guidance on how to find a job, put your acquired knowledge into practice and/or the implications of working in the UK (including how to obtain a National Insurance Number), please contact the Student Welfare Officer. 

 

Registering with a doctor

In the UK, a medical practitioner is generally called a GP (General Practitioner). GPs generally practice in local surgeries and provide treatment for minor injuries and infections such as flu, fever and sickness. You can search for GP Surgeries on the NHS (National Health Service) website (www.nhs.uk), by typing your postcode into the search function. Most surgeries also offer special clinics for matter such as healthy eating, contraception, pregnancy and sexual diseases.

If you are a student from outside the EU attending a course in the UK which lasts six months or more, you should qualify for free National Health Service (NHS) treatment, on the same basis as anyone who is ordinarily a resident in the UK. We encourage you to register with a GP close to where you will be staying immediately upon your arrival. Don’t wait until you are ill.

Students from outside the EU on courses of less than six months are only entitled to limited NHS treatment and would be charged as a private patient. Private health care can be extremely expensive without medical insurance, therefore it is very important to arrange medical insurance before coming to the UK.

Students from an EU country should apply for a European Health Insurance Card in their home country before you come to the UK. You need to check with your home country what kind of treatment will be covered.  If you need to see a doctor, you can go to a NHS Surgery without an appointment and provide your European Health Insurance Card.

When you go to register with a GP, take proof that you are a student in the UK and proof of address with you and ask to be registered as a NHS patient.

Hospital and Emergency Treatment

Emergency hospital treatment is free for everyone.

If you feel that you need urgent medical attention you should go to A&E (Accident and Emergency). A&E departments assess and treat patients with serious injuries or illnesses. They are not suitable if you have a minor problem. The closest A&E department to Grafton College is Charing Cross Hospital (Fulham Palace Road, London, W6 8RF).

 

If you are unable to go to A&E, dial 999 for free emergency treatment. It is free to dial from any telephone.

  

Students from outside the EU who study in the UK for 6 months or more are entitled to free treatment in NHS hospitals.

Students from outside the EU who study in the UK for less than 6 months will only be entitled to free emergency treatment and should take out private medical insurance before they arrive in the UK.

Students from an EU country are encouraged to carry a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from their home country, and will need to have this card to access free treatment if their course of study is part time or less than 6 months. If you do a full-time course of 6 months or more, you will be entitled to free NHS hospital treatment. 

NHS Walk-In Centre

If you feel unwell whilst you are at the College, you might want to go to a NHS Walk-In Centre. The closest NHS Walk-In Centre to the College is based at the Charing Cross Hospital in Hammersmith. This nurse-led facility provides treatment for minor ailments such as infections, lacerations (minor cuts or wounds) and fractures. No appointment is needed for this service, but you might be required to wait for sometime before you will be seen by a doctor.

Charing Cross Walk-In Centre

Charing Cross Hospital,

Fulham Palace Road,

London

W6 8RF 

Dental Treatment

You can find the contact details of dentists who give NHS treatment at www.nhs.uk. You should ask the dentist whether they accept NHS patients - many do not. If you are entitled to NHS treatment, you may still have to make a contribution towards the cost of your dental treatment. If you are not entitled to NHS treatment, or the dentist you choose does not take NHS patients (some dentists will only accept private patients), you will have to pay for the full cost of your treatment.

Pharmacies

Your doctor may write a prescription for you if you require a medicine. The prescription authorises a pharmacist to give you a particular medicine. You can get prescriptions and other medicines from your local pharmacy.

Please check with your doctor whether you will need to pay for prescriptions.

For more detailed information on medical treatment and how keep healthy please visit the website of the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/info_sheets/keeping_healthy.php#intro_healthy

 

 

Physical Disability 

The College is partially accessible for wheelchair users.  While we aim to provide access to all and make all reasonable adjustments, our courses or facilities may not be suitable for everyone.  In these cases we will give impartial advice about other Colleges and Learning Institutes.

Visual and Audible Impairment 

The College always aims to make all reasonable adjustments to the environment. In some cases, an application can be made to the awarding body, proposing alternative assessment methods and making a request for specifically adapted learning resources. Please telephone the Welfare Officer +44 (0)208 749 8367 to arrange a confidential meeting to discuss your individual needs and requirements. 

Learning Difficulties 

The most common type of learning difficulty that we encounter is dyslexia.  The College will give impartial advice about external agencies and organisations who can offer additional support for a learner to be successful.  In some cases, an application for adaptions and special considerations can be made to the awarding body.  Please telephone the Welfare Officer on +44 (0)208 749 8367 to arrange a confidential meeting to discuss your individual needs and specific requirements.     

English for Speakers of other Languages

Accredited by the British Council, for the teaching of English, the College has a dedicated and well established English language department, offering a range of English language classes for anyone whose first language is not English.  The provision allows for progression from preparation to a more intensive programme of study.  Please visit our website for a full course list and programme details.   

Your time in London and at Grafton College should be an enjoyable one. To make this possible we want to ensure that you stay safe throughout your studies with us. 

 

The College’s ‘Be Safe. Be Healthy. Be Heard’ policy is a cross-college initiative which involves all students and staff and aims to ensure that they feel safe, secure, respected and heard, regardless of their background.

 

Every opportunity is taken to display posters and information throughout the corridors and in the classrooms to raise awareness about personal safety. Crime prevention and personal safety events are part of the College’s enrichment activities. There are security systems in place at the College that monitor who enters and leaves the building. Our health and safety policy and procedures ensure the safety, cleanliness and security of the College premises. Both policies can be viewed on the College website under Student Resources – College Policies.

Our health and safety dedicated person will be happy to answer any questions relating to your health and safety.

Never forget, in case of an emergency dial 999!

 

 

Our reception is committed to providing a welcoming and professional reception service to all staff, students and visitors of Grafton College. As a student, our reception is your main point of contact and our reception staff aims to provide you with guidance on any enquiry that you might have. The main day-to-day services that our reception provides to students are as follows, but there are many more:

·         Issuing and replacing student ID cards

·         Taking requests for letters to be issued by the College such as letters to open a bank account, holiday letters and general verification letters

(please ensure you complete a request form available at reception and allow three working days for your request to be processed)

·         Updating your contact details in our system

·         Making appointments with the relevant member of staff and / or directing you to the relevant person

·         Taking payments

·         Taking registrations for awarding bodies and assignments / exams

·         Support for booking a language test

 

Please feel free to speak to reception regarding any other enquiry – we will try to help.

 

 

Student Voice is a College initiative which encourages students to achieve change for students. It is part of the College’s “Be Safe. Be Healthy. Be Heard: Policy” and aims to build student representation into the College’s review and evaluation process. Student Voice supports students of the College in having their say on areas that concern them.

We are continuously looking for interested students to join Student Voice and to participate in committee meetings on aspects such as health and safety, enrichment activities, student support services, equal opportunities and others. Students can nominate themselves and get involved by contacting the College’s quality and curriculum principal.

 

Going on a course after completing school can often be challenging even if you don’t study in a different country. As an international student who is new to the UK, you may find that the teaching methods that are used and the skills you need differ, depending on your previous learning experiences and the course that you have enrolled for. At Grafton College we support our students’ learning by giving you an in-depth induction to your course of study and by fostering your development with foundation classes and other support activities. Please speak to your teacher or the Quality and Curriculum Principal of the College should you require any additional support. We may be able to provide the required support ourselves or refer you to an independent body who offers the support you need. To find out more about study methods in the UK visit the information sheet by UKCISA available at http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/files/pdf/info_sheets/study_methods_print.pdf

Grafton College London is located in Shepherds Bush – a very lively and multicultural area in Zone 2 on the Central Line in West London. Shepherds Bush is within easy reach of all major London sights and attractions, including Oxford Circus (approx. 10 mins by Tube), the British Museum (approx. 15 mins by Tube), the British Library (approx. 22 mins by Tube) and Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park (a short bus ride away). Shepherds Bush is also easily accessible by public transport from all major airports and parts of London.

Within the close proximity of the College itself, our students can choose from a variety of local places of interest, sports, shopping and entertainment facilities and other useful services.

Westfield Shopping Centre

This mall offers more than 300 shops under one roof, including all major high street brands and designer labels. It also hosts a large cinema complex, gym and various eateries. Westfield is located just across the road from the College.

Shepherds Bush Library

The Library is located at Westfield London and describes itself as one of the most exciting and innovative public libraries in the UK. It’s the place to study, surf, relax. It is free to join and the College organises tours to the Library for students to find out more. You need to show proof of ID to become a member.

Shepherds Bush Market

This market is a 2 minute walk away from the College. You can buy fresh produce, cooked food, household goods, furnishings, etc. from around the world at very reasonable prices.

Post Office

Right outside the College you will find the local post office, which offers worldwide postal services, travel money, insurance and much more. The opening hours are Mondays to Saturdays, 9.30 – 17.30.

Places of Worship

Visit the Faith Directory to find local places of worship close to the College in Shepherds Bush http://www.lbhf.gov.uk/Directory/Links/36351_Faith_Directory.asp

 

 

All our courses lead to an approved qualification or enable you to take a recognised test at the end of your course. With such a qualification or award behind you, there are plenty of progression opportunities to higher level courses available for those who are interested and committed.

You might want to continue with your studies at Grafton College after you have finished your first course with us. Our Admissions Officers will be happy to help you find the course that best suits your ability and career goals – simply make an appointment at reception to discuss your options.

If you are thinking about going to university, but are unsure about what subject area is right for you or which university to choose, please speak to our Student Welfare Officer for guidance. We also arrange talks held by representatives of our affiliate universities for you to attend and to get all the information you need to apply for a university course. Grafton College, because of its existing relations with a number of UK universities, has helped many students in the past to get admitted to a university course.

 

We strongly advise all our students to arrange health, personal belongings and contents insurance before leaving home. International students should take out insurance before they come to the UK. As a home or international student you can take out insurance through any insurer or use the services of Endsleigh Insurance Services Limited, which offers insurance covers specifically designed for home and international students.

Find out more by visiting the website of Endsleigh Insurance Services Limited:

International Students http://www.endsleigh.co.uk/Travel/Pages/international-student-insurance.aspx

Home Students http://www.endsleigh.co.uk/Student/Pages/student-insurance.aspx?agent=09137

 

 

There may be times when you feel you need someone to talk to about a personal matter. This may be because you need advice about something or simply need a listening ear from somebody outside your circle of friends or family. For international students it is not unusual to feel homesick or experience culture shock. College life overall can be very stressful and a new experience. In such situations, it is good to be able to talk to someone. Our Student Welfare Officer is able to provide you with advice and guidance on any personal matter and is there to listen to you.

If you would like to read more about culture shock and find out what it is you can go to the website of the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) at http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/files/pdf/info_sheets/culture_shock_print.pdf  

 

As a student in the UK, you will be required to obtain a licence when you want to watch TV at your rented accommodation or drive a car, for example. Licence evasion is a criminal offence.

TV Licensing

Remember whatever you watch live online no matter on what device (even on your laptop) must be covered by a TV Licence. The current cost for a colour TV Licence is £145.50. If there’s a joint tenancy agreement for the whole house, you may only need one licence. However, you may need your own licence if your accommodation is self-contained – i.e. you have exclusive access to washing facilities or you have your own entrance to the property. If you have a separate tenancy agreement for your room, you’ll need to be covered by a separate licence.

 

If you don’t watch or record television programmes, or you only stream TV programmes online after they’ve been broadcast – through on-demand services like YouTube, BBC iPlayer and 4oD – you don’t need to be covered by a TV Licence.

 

To find out more visit www.tvlicensing.co.uk

 

Driving Licence

 

Before you can drive in the UK you must have a valid licence. It is a criminal offence to drive using a (foreign) licence that is not valid in the UK. Visit the information sheet by UKCISA about driving in the UK as an international student available at http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/files/pdf/info_sheets/driving_print.pdf

 

To enhance our students’ development we offer an enrichment activity programme throughout the year. Our enrichment programme aims to broaden horizons and to develop new skills. Activities range from class trips, library tours and cinema evenings to sports days, crime prevention events and university guest speakers. In 2011, for example, our students visited the World Travel Fair in London, went on a tour at the BBC Television Centre and participated in a personal safety event organised by our local police station.

 

We would like you to tell us if you are dissatisfied about the service or treatment you have received, so that we have the opportunity to try and put things right for you. You have the right to complain and to have it considered and investigated. To help us achieve our aim and be fair to everyone, we have written a complaints procedure, which can be accessed on the College website under Student Resources – College Policies. Our aim is to learn from any mistakes and the complaints procedure is seen as a very important part of the College’s continuous improvement plans. You can use the Complaint Form to tell us about your complaint or speak to the College’s Student Welfare Officer informally and in confidence.

If you are planning to return to your home country after your course, we advise you to make preparations for your departure as early as possible. In the last months of your study you might be busy with preparing for your exams or submitting your assignments. Don’t leave the preparations for your departure to the last minute. You should think about buying your departure ticket, terminating your rental agreement, notifying various people and institutions of your departure and forwarding address (College, bank, accommodation provider, friends, etc.), obtain reference that you might need for your career, etc. We advise all students to book an appointment with the Student Welfare Officer to discuss your departure and future prospects. For more detailed information on returning home visit the UKCISA information sheet at http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/info_sheets/returning_home.php