You will probably arrive in the UK at one of the main London airports, all of which have excellent transport links to the University. Arriving in a new country for the first time can be disorientating so we will be able to arrange for someone to collect you from Heathrow airport on certain days just before enrolment. This service is only available to overseas non-EU new students.
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When you enter into the UK you will need to pass through immigration. If you are a European Economic Area national (EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) you will pass quickly through immigration just showing your passport and/or national identity card.
Holders of other passports will need to provide:
Students from some countries will need a recent chest x-ray or recent medical certificate - check with your local British Council. The immigration officer may ask you questions about your reasons to study in the UK. It is important that you answer these questions in detail. Make sure you have all your documents in your carry-on luggage if you are flying to the UK. You will not have access to your luggage until you have cleared immigration and failure to have the right documents will result in delays.
The University will arrange for Overseas students paying full fees to be collected from London Heathrow Airport immediately before the course starts. If you arrive outside of these dates, are not staying in University accommodation or a European Union student below is a guide to the main routes to the University:
London South Bank University is situated in central London and the nearest London Underground station is Elephant & Castle - see Transport for London for routes to Elephant & Castle. We recommend that you use public transport rather than taxis, as these can be very expensive. If you do use a taxi make sure you only use a London 'black' cab and not a private car taxi service. Further details on the cost of student travel can be found on My LSBU's travel information page. Also see our Getting here webpage for travel directions and building information.
London Heathrow Airport (LHR), is the main international passenger terminus for London and it is likely you will arrive here. From Heathrow you can either take London Underground all the way to the University, which is the cheaper option, or alternatively take the Heathrow Express to London Paddington rail station to transfer to London Underground.
There are a number of routes from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to the University. The most convenient for the University is to take a Thameslink train from the terminal direct to London Bridge station.
Some 'no-frills' European airlines fly to Stansted Airport and you may find this a cheaper option than other airlines.
If you are travelling by Eurostar from mainland Europe you will arrive at St Pancras International station, which is just a short ride on the London Underground from the University.
If you expect to arrive outside normal office hours and then plan to travel to your University accommodation make sure the Accommodation Office are aware of your arrival time. You can contact them by telephone on +44 20 7815 6417 / 6412 / 6424, by fax on +44 20 7815 6444 or email accommodation@lsbu.ac.uk
Once you arrive in the UK, you may have to register your stay with the police. If you need to register with the police you'll be given a special stamp in your passport. You must register with them within seven days of arriving in the UK. To register, you will need your passport and two passport-size photographs of yourself. If you are told to register you should do this with the Metropolitan Police; their office is just a 10-minute walk from the University.
The Overseas Visitors Record Office
Brandon House
180 Borough High Street
London SE1 1LH
Their office is open between 9am and 4pm, Monday to Friday. For further details visit
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/rightsandresponsibilities/registerwiththepolice/
You will need to open a bank account when you arrive in the UK. There are a number of 'high street' banks and all provide special student accounts. To open a bank account in the UK you need:
