Information for international students

If you are a new student trying to enrol for the current academic year, please check whether you have completed the following;

• Paid 50% of your tuition fees?For information on how to pay visit our Tuition fee payment page
• Created an account in our Online Welcome and Registration System? In here you can find lots of useful information, enrol online and view your course induction information and key course contacts

If you are experiencing log in issues, please contact one of the below teams who can assist with log in queries and account re-sets.

• Library Services
• Student Advice

To find out your student email address, log into MyBeckett and click on the IT tab, here you will see the student email service and further guidelines.

Many international students live in privately rented accommodation, partly due to the fact it can often be cheaper than university accommodation. You must remember that signed contracts are legally binding. You cannot change your mind after signing a contract on a house or a flat. You should also be careful when signing contracts to ensure that you understand what you’re signing – the Students’ Union can assist you with this and check private accommodation contracts for you before you sign.

For more information, contact the Accommodation Office on 0113 812 5972. Alternatively you can email them at accommodation@leedsbeckett.ac.uk or you can visit their website.

When budgeting for accommodation, it is important to be aware of all the charges landlords may ask for:

• Deposit – most landlords require a deposit of one month’s rent. This should be returned at the end of your tenancy providing the property has not been damaged in any way. This is the joint responsibility of all tenants
• Rent – this is normally paid on a termly or monthly basis and contracts are usually offered for 12 months. The first month’s rent is usually paid in advance along with the deposit. Prices vary widely depending on the area
• Insurance – make sure to compare insurance quotes before signing a contract, and consider if you can get insurance that covers you for a variety of different things

One of the first questions you might have about moving to the UK is whether or not you require health insurance. The answer depends on a few factors – for full details please see our page on health and wellbeing for international students. 

In addition to health insurance, you should consider taking out insurance to cover your possessions and personal liability. It’s advisable to do this before your departure, but if you have difficulty doing this then it is possible to arrange insurance through schemes in the UK.

Most insurance companies have special policies for students. Comprehensive insurance including medical expenses, personal liability, personal injury and reimbursement of fees in case of prolonged serious illness, is available to international students through Howden. Compare policies and costs before you enter into an insurance contract.

You must be insured before you can drive a car in the UK. There are two types of insurance cover available in the UK: Comprehensive or Third Party, Fire and Theft. The compulsory Third Party insurance does not cover loss or damage to your own car caused by unknown or uninsured persons. Car insurance is very expensive for people under the age of 30.

Leeds has an excellent public transport network. Many students use buses as a cheap and easy way to get around. You are advised not to bring your car unless it is really necessary as owning and running a car in the UK can be expensive. If you do choose to use a car, legally it must be roadworthy, registered, insured and taxed. Parking for students is not available at City Campus except in expensive public car parks and parking is limited at university residences. Parking is also limited on Headingley Campus and you are advised not to bring your car.

Driving licences

If you wish to drive in the UK (either your own or a hired vehicle), you must have a valid driving licence. Licences which are issued outside the UK and international driving permits, are valid in the UK for 12 months. After 12 months it is necessary to obtain a UK licence by taking a driving test. If you do not take the test after 12 months, you may be prosecuted for driving without a valid licence and this would invalidate your insurance.

You may be able to exchange your driving licence for a full UK licence if it was issued in one of the following countries:

Andorra, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Japan, Moldova, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Republic of North Macedonia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Zimbabwe.

Application forms for UK driving licences and an explanatory leaflet can be obtained from all main Post Offices. Application forms for a driving test can be obtained from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

The Highway Code

Rules and regulations, as well as information about road safety, can be found in The Highway Code, which is available from bookshops. Strict laws cover drinking alcohol and driving in the UK. The best policy is DO NOT drink and drive! Further information regarding drivers’ licences, vehicle licensing and road tax can be found on the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency’s website.

Further information

• Driving in the United Kingdom: A Guide for International Students – UK Council for International Student Affairs
• The Highway Code
• Road Safety

During Welcome Week, and as you start your course, you will probably find yourself talking to people and making friends without even thinking about it. Our Global Village is here to help you enjoy your time in Leeds as much as possible, and they run a host of events from speed-friending sessions and virtual cafes to movie nights and fancy-dress parties. There are lots of these events during our September and January Welcome Weeks, but they also run throughout the year. The team can be contacted via email at globalvillage@leedsbeckett.ac.uk or you can like their Facebook page for more information.

You can find advice on improving your English Language on the Skills for Learning website. You can also book an appointment to discuss how best to approach this.

Coming back to the UK for Graduation? Need visa and immigration advice on planning your return? Contact Student Immigration Advice and Compliance at SIAC@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.

You can also keep up to date with the latest info, as well as book your tickets and gown, on our graduation website.

Most continuing students do not need to attend International Check-in, but we may ask you to if you have a new visa that we need to see. The SIAC team will email you if you need to attend International Check-in.

The UKVI expect students to have an attendance requirement in order for us to extend your visa. If you have already received all of the teaching and supervision on a given course, without a physical attendance requirement, we would not be able to issue a CAS.

Undergraduate students can access the academic calendars here to view details of term time study.

For Masters students, Christmas and Easter are usually the only vacation periods in each academic year. If only your dissertation/projects are left outstanding, your working hours are still restricted because working on your dissertation is classed as term time study.

Masters students who started their programmes in January may be entitled to a summer vacation period. However, you must check with your Course Administrator first as vacation times vary between courses.

Students with re-sits and/or deferred modules cannot work full time until they have completed their studies and had their results confirmed by an exam board.

Research (PhD) students are considered to be studying throughout the year and should not exceed their working hours limitation at any point without first contacting their academic team.

The UKVI expect students to have an attendance requirement in order for us to extend your visa. If you have already received all of the teaching and supervision on a given course, without a physical attendance requirement, we would not be able to issue a CAS.

You may be able to extend your visa if you need to repeat modules. You will usually need to pay the repeat module fees. We will then review your documents and, if you meet the criteria, issue you with a new CAS. Please contact SIAC once your official results are released for specific advice.

Your visa will usually state that you can work up to 20 hours per week during term time. We do not issue letters regarding your eligibility to work full time as it is the employer’s responsibility to check your work eligibility. Instead, you can provide your employer with a copy of your academic calendar here as evidence of your academic terms and vacation dates. If necessary, a ‘Confirmation of Enrolment’ letter can be obtained from your Course Administrator or the Student Advice team: studentadvice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

If you are unsure when your term time takes place, e.g. your term time does not match-up with one of the calendars linked above, please obtain confirmation of this from your Course Administrator.

Once we have notified the UKVI that you have officially passed the course as stated on your CAS, we will email you and provide the details of your CAS and the link to the Graduate Route visa application and guidance. Please do not apply until you have received our email. We hope to send you this email between 5-7 working days after your results are released.