You should bring the following documents with you:

• passport and visa
• UKVI Decision Letter
• Confirmation of Acceptance for Study letter (CAS)
• International College offer letter
• accommodation documents
• academic qualification certificates 
• sponsor letter (if you are being sponsored)
• four passport-sized photographs
• insurance documents (unless you are covered by StudyCare Insurance Plus)
• medical certificates and vaccination records
• copy of your arrivals/transfer confirmation letter
• guardianship letter (if you are under 18).

• Prescription medications, with prescriptions translated into English
• Essential toiletries – you can buy any other medicines and toiletries once you arrive in Sheffield

Bring essential clothing for all weather conditions, including a warm coat. There is no dress code at the International College, so bring comfortable clothes like jeans, t-shirts and jumpers. Sheffield has plenty of shops where you can buy any other clothing you need.

It can be useful to bring the following personal items:   

• a small amount of British money in case you need cash 
• travel adaptor 
• laptop or you could buy one in Sheffield when you arrive
• something to remind you of home.

Our expert teachers will deliver a high-quality blended learning experience making use of both face-to-face teaching and our innovative digital teaching solutions. When you study face-to-face you can expect classes of no more than 25 students, whilst our digital platform allows you to enjoy interactive classes with plenty of discussion opportunities to improve your English. Both types of learning allow for self-study time to help you to learn to study independently. You will be assigned a Personal Tutor who is there to support you every step of the way to help you to stay on track to progress to the University.

You will have access to a Learning Management System (LMS) or Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), the online hub for your programme. Here you will find recorded lessons, collaboration tools, helpful materials, and more.

To access course materials on a Learning Management System/Virtual Learning Environment or platform and undertake assessments, it is important that you come prepared with the appropriate technology. While it is possible to access and interact with most course content using tablets and smartphones, such as iPads, iPhones and Android devices, these devices will not work for assessments. Therefore, you must have a PC or Mac based computer available for use. Please note that Linux and Chromebooks are not supported.

Minimum recommended specifications:

PC 

• A Microsoft Windows-based PC with at least 4gb RAM and 200mb available free disk space (laptop or desktop, preferably running Windows 10 or 11)
• Web Browser: Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge (Chromium version) 

Mac 

• An Apple MacOS 10.12 and above based laptop or desktop with at least 4gb RAM and 200mb available free disk space
• Web Browser: Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge (Chromium version) 

To support you to success, you must arrive in the UK, on campus, by your programme start date, and be ready to attend your induction programme and all subsequent timetabled classes. Please note that poor attendance that conflicts with our Attendance Policy (in accordance with UKVI requirements) will result in the termination of your studies. Visa sponsorship will also be withdrawn.

Our induction programme will introduce you to your Centre, our staff, and welfare and support services. You will also receive full guidance on maintaining your health and safety whilst studying in the UK.

You will find out about your timetable, as well as important information about how we deliver your course through a mixture of classroom teaching and online learning. There will also be events to help you get to know your fellow students.

Student accommodation is available. If you indicated at application that you would like to book through us, our Central Student Services Co-ordinator will contact you.

If you are booking private accommodation, you must live within a 60-minute commute of the Centre.

If you are coming to the UK to study for 6 months or longer on a Student visa, you will be required to pay an immigration health surcharge as part of your visa application fee.

The immigration health surcharge will entitle students in the UK under the Student visa route to access NHS care at no additional cost in the same way as a permanent UK resident. The National Health Service (NHS) provides a wide range of health care services including:

Registration with a GP practice (family doctor) for non-urgent appointments and health checks. You will receive information about how to register with a doctor when you arrive. Once you have registered with a GP you will be eligible for:

• The Covid-19 vaccination programme.
• Emergency care in local hospitals
• Referrals to specialists if and when required (waiting lists may apply depending on the urgency of the problem)
• On-going medical support and care for any long term medical conditions such as diabetes or asthma

Not all treatments are covered by the NHS. For example; non-emergency dentistry, orthodontics, routine eye tests and prescriptions for medicines need to be paid for.

If you are studying in the UK for less than 6 months on a short term study visa, you are not required to pay the health surcharge as part of your visa application and are therefore not eligible for full NHS support. In these circumstances, you are advised to take out medical insurance as you will be liable for NHS charges for the treatment you receive in the UK except for in a medical emergency. If you already have medical insurance in your home country, you may wish to check whether this can be extended to cover your stay in the UK.

Assuring the safety and wellbeing of our student and staff communities is at the heart of all of our planning and decision-making. We follow guidance provided by the government, public health authorities and the University, and our measures include:

• Risk assessments of all our International Study Centre buildings 
• Hand sanitisers in all our International Study Centre spaces 
• Face coverings are available to you
• Regular deep cleaning for all our buildings 

StudyCare Insurance Plus helps to protect you from unexpected accidents and circumstances that may impact your health, belongings, or travel plans.

We recommend that all students take out our own StudyCare Insurance Plus Policy or an adequate alternative.

More information about insurance is available here.

If you are issued a CAS to study in the UK, you can arrive on-campus in the UK at any time until 10 June 2022. If you wish to complete your studies online, and your programme ends after 30 June 2022, you will need to follow the application process as set out here. If approved, you can complete your studies online. However, if you do not apply or are not approved for this, you will need to arrive on-campus in the UK before 10 June 2022.

Yes, providing it is a Study Group issued CAS and you are not on an Integrated CAS, you will be able to apply and if successful the CAS will be withdrawn. This will not affect CAS application for your future studies at the University of Sheffield when you progress.

No, once you have applied and been approved to complete your course online you will not be able to apply for another CAS and travel to the UK for face-to-face studies for your pathway. You will be able to apply for your next visa and commence studies in the UK as normal for your progression degree at the University of Sheffield.