Arrival Information for Undergraduate International Students (EU and rest of the world only)

We look forward to welcoming you to Downing College on Saturday 1 October from 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm.  On arrival, you will be met by College members who will provide you with a map of the College and direct you to the Tutorial and Admissions Office on B staircase to register.  If you are accompanied by family members, refreshments will be available for them in the Dining Hall on A staircase while you register.  This will also provide an opportunity for family members to visit the Bursary to pay your College bill or ask any questions they may have that relate to financial matters.  At registration you will do the following:

  • Provide original documentation to confirm your identity - we are unable to register you without these.
  • If you are a visa holder, you will need to bring your visa (BRP) and passport documentation, which will be scanned.
  • Student Loan payment authorisation [EU only] - the process to release your student loan will start as soon as we have seen either your passport or driving licence.
  • Receive Registration documentation - any examination certificates previously sent to us will be returned to you.
  • Collect your University Card.
  • Finally, you will be asked to sign-in and then a key to your accommodation will be issued.  (Please note, if your room is accessible by University Card, you will not be issued with a key.)

The Porters' Lodge will be very busy over Freshers' Weekend (Saturday 1 October to Sunday 2 October) helping returning students.  Therefore, please visit the Porters' Lodge at some point the following week (from Monday 3 October onwards) to introduce yourself, find out where your pigeon hole is and register your bicycle if you have brought one with you to College.

Early Arrival

You are not permitted to arrive or come into residence any earlier than Saturday 1 October, unless any of the following circumstances apply to you or your studies.  In which case, you must email the Undergraduate Admissions Office for permission, indicating your planned arrival date and the reason for your request.  We regret that it may not be possible to fulfill all requests, which are granted subject to room availability.

  • I have a compulsory pre-sessional or language course with a start date earlier than Saturday 1 October
  • I am an international student* and wish to arrive or come into residence after 2.00 pm on Thursday 29 September to orientate myself to the UK and settle into my environment and studies
  • I am unable to travel on Saturday 1 October due to religious reasons and wish to arrive and register after 2.00 pm on Friday 30 September 

*International students are deemed to be those who have not previously lived or attended school in the UK.

For students who are granted permission to arrive early (before Saturday 1 October), you should first report to the Porters’ Lodge, at the entrance to the College, after 2.00 pm daily on the date agreed by the Undergraduate Admissions Office and do the following:

  • Introduce yourself as a new Undergraduate Student.
  • Ask the Porters to show you where your pigeon hole is.
  • Collect your University Card.
  • Please sign-in and ask for the key to your accommodation.  (Please note, if your room is accessible by University Card, you will not be issued with a key.)
  • Finally, ask the Porters to provide you with a map of College as well as direct you to the Tutorial and Admissions Office on B staircase, where you can register.
  • Provide original documentation to confirm your identity - we are unable to register you without these.
  • Student Loan payment authorisation [EU only] - the process to release your student loan will start as soon as we have seen either your passport or driving licence.
  • If you are a visa holder, you will need to bring your visa (BRP) and passport documentation, which will be scanned.
  • Receive Registration documentation.

Resources

Please refer to the following for practical pre-arrival information:

  1. International Student Guide
  2. Event Timetable - please print to assist you on arrival at Downing
  3. Visa Advice - as well as your responsibilities under Tier 4, collecting your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) on arrival and police registration
  4. Bicycles, Cars and Parking - rules and regulations