Get ready
for UCA

On this page, you will find information to help you get ready to come and study at UCA.

Business School students studying on the Epsom campus, Dec 2018

Visa
information

If you are coming to the UK to study for up to six months, you can do so on a visitor visa.

If you are a visa national (see visa national list), then you will need to apply in advance for a visitor visa, and you can only travel to the UK once your visa has been granted.

The rules for non-visa nationals are changing. From 2025, you will be required to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before flying to the UK.

If you are a national of the EU/EEA, you will need an ETA from 2 April 2025, and you can apply online from 5 March 2025.

If you are a non-visa national from outside the EU/EAA, you will need an ETA from 8 January 2025 and can apply for one online from 27 November 2024.

Before these dates, non-visa nationals will be issued a visa on entry to the UK.

Important: If you enter the UK on a visitor visa, you will not be permitted to work in the UK. This means you will not be able to enrol in UCA work placement modules, unpaid internships, paid or unpaid work.  

Students coming to study in the UK for more than six months or who plan to work or volunteer while they are there will require a Student Route Visa, sponsored by UCA.

You will need to apply in your home country before travelling to the UK, with your Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS) number from the UCA international admissions team.

For further information please read our visa advice webpages or email visaadvice@uca.ac.uk.

Accommodation
information

Student accommodation at UCA consists of flats or houses, each equipped with a communal kitchen and living room. All accommodation is self-catering, and prices range from £150 to £200 per week.

You can apply for accommodation through the Accommodation Portal 48 hours after firmly accepting your UCA offer.

Please note: UCA cannot guarantee accommodation due to limited availability on campus.

The Accommodation Team can provide information about private accommodations for students unable to secure on-campus housing.

Additionally, UCA offers private accommodation advice on finding local housing and a Student Union Facebook page for networking with other students, which is useful for finding someone to fill a space or for those wishing to leave early.

Contact the Team at accommodation@uca.ac.uk.

Health
and wellbeing

If you have any questions about health & wellbeing including services available at  please email the Gateway Service Team at your relevant campus


Visitor visa exchange students

As a visitor to the UK, you are not entitled to free health care, including hospital, doctor, and dentist services. We recommend you take out private travel or health insurance before coming to the UK to cover any healthcare costs. You should also still register with a doctor  (also known as a general practitioner or GP) once you arrive. 

Some EU countries have reciprocal agreements with the UK that may provide some free NHS healthcare even for courses under six months, so check with your home country's health authorities about NHS coverage.

Student Route Visa exchange students

You will pay for UK healthcare as part of your immigration (visa) application. This is called an immigration health surcharge (IHS) and is in addition to the visa application fee.

The immigration health surcharge allows you to access UK healthcare at no additional cost. However, you will still need to pay for certain services, such as prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests, and assisted conception.

You should register with a local doctor’s surgery (also known as a general practitioner or GP) as soon as you can. Don’t leave it until you are ill - especially if you have an ongoing physical or mental health condition. 

You can find further information on access to healthcare and medication available to international students:

If you have a long-term health condition, we recommend that you

  • Speak to your local doctor before travelling to the UK.
  • Bring medical certificates and documentation (in English) from your home country’s doctor with you. 
  • Before travelling, check with your transport provider and the UK border control for advice about allowable medications and customs regulations.
  • When you arrive, consider scheduling an appointment to discuss your needs. For ongoing medical treatment or medication, bring a doctor’s certificate (in English) confirming your treatment and medications. The GP’s reception can explain how to arrange repeat prescriptions, which can take up to 48 hours to obtain.

Note that GPs in the UK may not prescribe certain medications, and not all foreign medications are available on the NHS.

UCA provides comprehensive disability support to ensure all students can fully access their courses and campus facilities. If you have a disability, connect to our UCA Disability Support Services through Global Mobility team when you apply, so we can put together a learning support plan before you arrive.

  • Disability & Specific Learning Differences (SpLD) Team: UCA has a dedicated team that offers support and guidance for students with neurodiverse conditions, physical disabilities, mental health conditions, sensory impairments, and learning differences. If you have a disability or condition that you choose to let us know about, this team can support you.
  • Learning Support Plan: UCA creates tailored support plans based on individual needs. These plans may include adjustments to teaching methods, exam accommodations (e.g., extra time or alternative formats), and accessible materials. Read UCA’s Guidance to Making Reasonable Adjustments.
  • Mental Health & Wellbeing Support: UCA offers counselling services and wellbeing resources and support through UCA myWellbeing app, Spectrum.life and togetherall.com.

For more information, visit UCA Disability Support Services. To arrange support please contact exchange@uca.ac.uk.

Travelling to the UK

All UCA campuses can be reached by public transport from central London.

If you travel to Heathrow Airport, you will find a WeKnow counter at Arrivals where you can enquire about different ways of connecting and their costs to travel to your destination. Alternatively, take a look at the suggested travel routes listed below.

More methods can be found with our campus directions and maps.

Option one

  1. From Heathrow Airport take Heathrow Express or Elizabeth Line to Paddington.
  2. At Paddington station, take the London Underground (also known as Tube) to St Pancras International.
  3. At St Pancras you can take a Southeastern High-Speed train to Canterbury West station (55 minutes).
  4. You can then take a taxi or local bus to the UCA Canterbury campus.

Option two

  1. Take RailAir coach (bus) from Heathrow Airport to Woking station.
  2. At Woking station, take a South Western Railway train to Waterloo station.
  3. At Waterloo station, take a Southeastern train to Canterbury East station.
  4. You can then take a local bus or walk to the UCA Canterbury campus.

Option three

  1. Take a National Express Coach from Heathrow airport to Canterbury. There may not be direct buses, so you might need to change at Victoria Coach Station. It is always better to ask clearly before the bus departs.
  2. It's then a 10-15 minute walk from Canterbury bus station to the UCA Canterbury campus.

Epsom railway station is only a five minute walk to UCA Epsom campus. Uber is available in Epsom.

Option one

  1. Take a Heathrow Express or Elizabeth Line train from Heathrow Airport to Paddington station.
  2. At Paddington station take London Underground (also known as Tube) to Victoria Station.
  3. At Victoria station you can connect to South Western Railway train to Epsom, usually changing at Clapham Junction.

Option two

  1. Take RailAir coach (bus) service to Woking station.
  2. At Woking station, transfer to a South Western Railway train towards Epsom. You may need to change at Guilford or Clapham Junction depending on the time of day.

Option three

  1. Take a National Express Coach or local bus directly from Heathrow airport to Epsom. This is a less common option because bus routes may vary, but sometimes direct buses are available to Epsom or nearby locations. The cost is around £10 to £15. Please check before you travel. 

Farnham station is a 15-minute walk to UCA Farnham campus. Taxis are also available outside the station.

Option one

  1. Take a Heathrow Express or Elizabeth Line train from Heathrow Airport to Paddington station.
  2. At Paddington station, take the London Underground (also known as Tube) to Waterloo Station.
  3. At Waterloo station, take a South Western Railway train to Farnham station via Woking.

Option two

  • Take a RailAir coach (bus) from Heathrow Airport to Woking station.
  • At Woking station, transfer to a South Western Railway train towards Farnham.

Travel Insurance

We recommend purchasing travel insurance before coming to the UK for medical coverage, protection for personal belongings, trip cancellations/delays and repatriation.

More
advice

Along with all other necessary items, there are something to bear in mind, they are:

  • Essential Documents:
    • requested by UKVI;
    • copy of your travel insurance and other important documents;
    • your accommodation address in hand, digital and paper.
  • Season-appropriate clothing (UK weather can be unpredictable; layers are key).
  • Credit/debit card (ensure it works internationally).
  • Adapter for Type G plugs (three rectangular prongs).
  • Portable battery pack.
  • Prescribed medication including doctor's letter.

Important tips

  • Check your baggage allowance with your airline to avoid excess fees.
  • Label your luggage with your contact information.
  • Research UK customs regulations to avoid bringing prohibited items.
  • Pack light but ensure you have essentials to avoid unnecessary purchases.
  • You can read UCA Graphic Communication graduate and blogger Henrietta Howling’s advice as a reference:  a student’s guide to packing for uni.

Accommodation

  • On-campus accommodation: Prices vary by university and location, ranging from £150 to £200 per week. Confirm availability and book early.
  • Private accommodation: Can be cheaper in some areas, but check carefully if utility bills, internet, and possibly council tax are included.

Food and groceries

  • Estimate around £100 per week for groceries if you’re cooking at home.
  • Eating out is more expensive, so budget extra if you plan to dine at restaurants or cafés.
  • A basic coffee is around £4.
  • A sandwich meal deal which includes a sandwich, drink and snack from a supermarket costs from £4-£6.

Transportation

  • Public Transport: A student railcard or an Oyster card for London travel can save you 1/3 on fares.
  • Local bus fares for a single trip start from £2 per trip.
  • Budget around £30-£60 per month for travel, depending on how often you use public transport.
  • Cycling is popular in many cities, so consider buying a second-hand bicycle as a cost-effective transport option.

Insurance

  • Buy travel or health insurance to cover medical emergencies, lost luggage, or other incidents while in the UK.
  • Set aside your access fee, depending on the coverage.

Leisure and social activities

  • Include a monthly budget for social events, cinema, student union activities, and trips. Around £100-£150 per month should cover modest expenses.
  • Gym membership costs from £25 - £60 per month depending on the type of facilities.
  • Fitness classes such as yoga costs from £15-£30 per session.
  • The UK offers student discounts on many activities, so take advantage of UNiDAYS or TOTUM cards.

Mobile Phone

  • A pay-as-you-go SIM card with unlimited data for a month costs between £10-£30 per month, depending on the provider. 

Clothing

  • The UK can be cold and wet, especially in autumn and winter. If you need to buy warm clothing, budget about £100-£200 for a good coat, umbrella, and waterproof shoes.

Emergency fund

  • Set aside around £500 - £1000 as an emergency fund in case of unexpected expenses.

Previous steps

Here's what you need to have done before this step:

Step 1: How to apply

Next steps

Find out what else you need to do:

Step 3: Enrolment Step 4: Starting at UCA Step 5: Living in the UK