Information for international students

Your Student Immigration Advice and Compliance team are here to provide support for you throughout your stay at Leeds Beckett. We can talk to you in confidence to discuss any matter that may be troubling you.

Image of a male architecture student standing with his art work behind him
Clock tower at Leeds Town Hall

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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

  • Paid 50% of your tuition fees? 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
  • Completed the International Check-in Questionnaire to let us know your current location, anticipated arrival date and visa collection information? This will have been sent to you by e-mail after accepting your unconditional offer. If you have only recently accepted your offer this will be sent to you in the near future
 
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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.

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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.

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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
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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 Endsleigh. 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.

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A pre-paid monthly pass gives unlimited travel on buses and trains around West Yorkshire. Find out more about available travel passes from the WY Metro website.

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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.

Nationals of the European Union who take up residence in another member state can continue to drive, using their own national licence, for as long as it remains valid, even after 12 months has elapsed.

Licences from the following countries can be exchanged for a full UK licence:

Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malta, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland and 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 Driving Standards 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. You may bring your own vehicle to the UK and keep it here for six months. If you wish to keep it for longer, you will have to request permission from HM Customs and Excise: Dorset House, Stamford Street, London SE1 9PS. 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

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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.

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Getting involved in Academic English and Study Skills classes can not only help you improve your academic English, but also adapt to life in Leeds. For more information, please email our Department of Languages at elt@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.

In addition, the Library Academic Support Team offer a wide range of resources, workshops, modules and appointments to support you. We also offer support with developing English as an additional language. Please visit our International Students page for further information.

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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.

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As a continuing student who completed the check-in with us previously, if you do not have any new immigration documents, then there is no need to complete international check-in again.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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If you have repeat modules taking place in the following academic year, then you will be able to apply for a visa extension from within the UK. 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.

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The latest date we will accept evidence for CAS issue for continuing students who need to apply for a new visa overseas is 11th August 2022.

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Your BRP 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.

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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.

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