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British schools, colleges and universities have developed world-class student services. These, along with the welfare services provided in the wider community, ensure quality support for international students.
Many schools, colleges and universities will send a representative to meet new students at the nearest railway station and provide transport to the campus. Institutions also stage orientation programmes, just before term starts, to help new international students find their way around.
At universities and many colleges, there are student counselors
available to advise on personal, financial, practical and health matters; and specialist careers advisers will discuss your career options with you and help you formulate practical plans. Most boarding schools, colleges and universities have professional health care staff on site to advise on day-to-day health matters.
English language courses
Most English language schools provide a student welfare service to help with accommodation, visas, legal requirements and so on, even before students reach the UK. On arrival, schools provide a 'meet and greet' service for new students, as well as transportation to the school. Orientation courses will help you settle in.
Boarding schools and colleges
All boarding schools have excellent arrangements for meeting pupils at airports. As a precaution, they will require most families living outside the UK to appoint a guardian in this country.
Once pupils reach the school, their care is usually the joint responsibility of academic staff and qualified house parents. Most schools allocate pupils to individual mentors, who take a personal interest in their welfare. Many schools both have a matron and provide access to a school doctor.
Career based courses
Most international students on career based courses study at colleges of further education. These colleges make extensive welfare arrangements for international students, and have teams of advisers whose job is to work with students from other countries, understand their needs and appreciate their cultures.
Degree courses, postgraduate programmes and MBAs
Many UK universities and colleges have specialist international advisers whose job is to provide support for international students. The international office is the first point of contact for many international students. You can approach these officers for independent advice and information on almost anything, from accommodation through to how to extend your permission to stay in the UK.
Many international students find it useful to join an international student society within their institution. There are two types: societies for all international students, irrespective of nationality; and societies for students from specific countries or regions. Both types of organisation provide useful information about the UK from a student's point of view, and are a good way of meeting and socialising with other students. The students' union or international students' association may also have information about national or cultural groups outside the institution in the town or city - another possible source of support.
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