Erasmus Incoming Traineeship Student Handbook
November 2015
Version 1.2
Erasmus Incoming Traineeship StudentHandbook
Version 1.2
Contents
- Welcome
- Erasmusoverview
- Visas and Immigration
- Preparing for the UK
- How to get to Oxford
- Getting around Oxford
- Useful places for your first few weeks in Oxford
- Exploring Oxford
- Useful websites for European and International Students
- Emergency Contact Details
1.Welcome
Welcome to the University of Oxford! We hope that you enjoy your time here on an Erasmus traineeship. We hope that this guide will help prepare you for your visit and provide you with some useful information to assist you during your time here.
Facts and Figures
- There are over 22,000 students at Oxford, including 11,772 undergraduates and 9,850 postgraduates.
- Our academic staff come from almost 100 different countries and territories. The largest groups of international academic staff are from the USA, Germany, Italy, China (excluding Hong Kong), Australia, France, Ireland, India and Canada.
- Almost 40% of our total student body – over 8,400 students – are citizens of foreign countries, including 16 per cent of undergraduates and 62 per cent of graduate students.
- Students come to Oxford from 140 countries and territories. The largest groups of international students come from the USA, China, Germany, Canada, India, Australia, Italy, Ireland, Singapore and France.
- Oxford boasts one of the most extensive global alumni networks in the world, with more than 200,000 Oxonians in over 80 countries.
2.Erasmus Overview
The Erasmus+ Programme builds on the achievements of more than 25 years of European programmes in the fields of education, training and youth, covering both an intra-European as well as an international cooperation dimension.
It encourages student and staff mobility for work and study, and promotes transnational co-operation projects among universities across Europe. The scheme currently involves nine out of every ten European higher education establishments and supports co-operation between the universities of 32 countries.
Erasmus has developed beyond an educational programme - it has acquired the status of a social and cultural phenomenon. It gives many European university students their first chance to live and thrive abroad. Over three million students have benefited from Erasmus since its introduction in 1987.
Tuition fees and College Fees
Incoming Erasmus students do not pay tuition fees or college fees to the University of Oxford. However,you will have to pay for your accommodation, meals etc.
Your home institution will be able to provide you with information regarding the fees that are payable to them whilst you are away and about any financial assistance that is available to you.
Accommodation
Incoming traineeship students would be expected to arrange their own accommodation in Oxford. Room and places to rent are often advertised in the Property section of the Daily Information website.
3.Visas and Immigration
If you are a national of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you do not require a visa to come to the UK to study. Your EEA national/Swiss passport or ID card will be sufficient to enter the UK.
All non-EEA/EU Erasmus+ students coming to the UK on a traineeship must have a visa under Tier 5, Temporary Worker, Government Authorised Exchange under the UK Visas and Immigration points-based system. This is arranged by your home institution and the British Council. Further details are available from the Erasmus+ website.
4.Preparing for the UK
Culture
Coming to a different country is a major change to your life. Even though you probably felt very excited about coming here, adjusting to life in a new culture can be very stressful. This section of our website talks about feelings you may experience, understanding yourself in a new situation and adjusting to life in a different culture.
Living Costs
Living costs vary from country to country and it is important to have an idea of the cost of everyday items.You will need to budget carefully to cover all your living costs, which include accommodation, clothes, transport, books, food and entertainment.The MONETOSwebsite provides estimates on the cost of living in the UK and guide prices for groceries, taxis, books etc.Please note that these figures are for guidance only and are subject to change, but can be a useful tool to help you plan how you will spend your money.
The International Student Calculator websiteis also a useful tool to check that you will beable to manage your finances. This website also provides information on average shoppingprices and the average cost of eating out.
Banking
If you are only staying in Oxford for a short period of time, you may not wish to open a UK bank account. You may prefer to use travellers’ cheques or consider using a credit card or a cash-card that gives you access to an account at home.
However, if you will be in Oxford for a longer period of time, you may wish to open a UK bank account. There are numerous banks in the centre of Oxford, who should be able to help with this.
Insurance
If you are travelling from outside the UK it is advisable to have travel insurance to cover your luggage, personal possessions, money and medical costs for your journey and first few days here. If you are planning to take out an insurance policy which covers you for the length of your stay in the UK, you may find that this also covers your journeys to and from home at the start and end of each term. Endsleigh are the official insurance service of the National Union of Students and they also offer a policy specifically for international students.
Health Care
To give yourself easier access to healthcare in the UK you should apply for the European Health
Insurance Card(EHIC)before you leave home. This ensures that you pay the same for healthcare as a UK resident.
When visiting a foreign country it is important to be prepared and adequately covered in the event that you require medical assistance.
If you are currently taking medication, ensure you have enough to last the duration of your stay. Also, if you are aware of any medical condition or are taking medication, it is a good idea to have information about your condition translated in the event that you need to be treated in the UK.
All students are strongly advised to take out private health insurance to cover travelling to and from the UK, and for the period of time you are in the country. Read your policy carefully and check any clauses that it may contain. If you are in any doubt about what you are covered for, speak to your insurer.
Information on the entitlement of international students to free hospital treatment under the National Health Service is available on the NHS website and you are strongly advised to consult this.
Clothes
The UK has a fairly mild climate with temperatures reaching between 14°C and 30°C in the summer (June to August) and dropping to between 1°C and 5°C in the winter (December to February). The most important thing to note is that, whatever theseason, the weather is very variable and likely to change from day to day. It is therefore a good idea to bring a selection of light clothes that you can wear in layers, as well as some warm outer clothing and a waterproof coat or umbrella. Hats, gloves and scarves, as well as thick socks, are essential in the winter but can be bought at a reasonable price in the UK. You can get an idea of the weather before you come from the BBCwebsite.
Electrical Equipment
You will need adaptor plugs for any electrical equipment you bring toBritain. The UK uses 3 pin plug sockets and the power is 240 Volts. Adaptor plugs canalso be bought in the UK.
Mobile Phones
Making or receiving calls outside the UK can be expensive. Check the websites of major providers for offers on SIM cards that you can use in the UK on your mobile phone. Pre-pay (also called pay as you go) phones are the cheapest if you do not use your phone very often. To top up your credit to make calls you can buy vouchers from a wide number of shops and ATMs, online or over the phone.
5.How to get to Oxford
Oxford is about 60 miles (90 kms) northwest of London and has excellent road and national rail links. Regular coach services connect Oxford with the capital and also with Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports.
From London airports
The Airline Coach Service operates a frequent 24-hour service to Oxford from Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
The National Express 757 service runs from Stansted airport.
A number of taxi companies offer services to all major airports. Oxicars,CCBCars, and Findlay'sall offer pre-bookable airport transfers.
By train
A direct service operates between Oxford and London Paddington (approximately every 30 minutes), and between Oxford and Birmingham New Street via Banbury and Coventry. Booking train tickets in advance can save you money and reserve you a seat, which is particularly useful at peak travel times.
By coach
Frequent 24-hour direct services connect Oxford with London (every 10-20 minutes at peak times). The OxfordExpressand the OxfordTube websites contain further information.
For information on coaches to other major cities and airports contact National Express. All coaches arrive at Gloucester Green Coach Station in the city centre.
6.Getting around Oxford
The best way to get around Oxford is on foot or by bicycle. There are many cycle lanes throughout the city which make travelling easier and quicker. Local bus services are available to for outer areas.
Mapsand directions on the best routes to and around Oxfordare available from the University website.
7.Useful places for your first few weeks in Oxford
(1) Police registration- some nationalities need to register with the police. This will be marked on the visa stamp in your passport and you must do this within 7 days of arriving.
(2) Main Post office – postal services and also issue TV licences, travel insurance, etc
(3) University shop -for official merchandise
(4) Gowns shop – for hire or purchase of academic gowns
(5) Covered market- cafes, delicatessens and shops
(6) Marks and Spencers department store- food, clothes and foreign exchange section upstairs
(7) BHS department store- cheap household products in basement
(8) Argos store- cheap household and electrical goods
(9) OUSU- Oxford University Student Union
(10) Oxford Union- debating society; cheap bicycles for sale on Wednesday mornings
(11) Western Union- International Money Transfers
(12) Job Centre Plus- if you get a job you will need to get a National Insurance (NI) number here
(13) STA Travel- discount student travel and International Student Identity cards
(14)Boswells department store- household goods in basement
(15) Tourist Information and foreign exchange
(16) Blackwells Books- largest bookshop in Oxford
(17) Boots- Pharmacy/chemist, also have photographic facilities upstairs
Opening hours
Sainsbury’s Supermarket (Magdalen Street) 7am-11pm Mon-Sat and 11am-5pm Sunday
Sainsbury’s Supermarket in Westgate centre)7am-8pm Monday to Saturday and 11am-5pm Sunday Tesco Supermarket (Magdalen Street) 7am-11pm Mon-Sat and 11am-5pm Sunday
Blackwells Books- 9am-6pm Monday to Saturday and 11am-5pm Sunday
Post Office- 9am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday, closed Sunday
Banks- usually 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings
8.Exploring Oxford
Oxford is a lively and beautiful city with much to offer both students and visitors. It is about 57 miles (90 km) northwest of London and has excellent road and rail links to the rest of the UK and all major airports.
The total population of Oxford is about 140,000 including over 30,000 students in total from the University of Oxford and the city’s other university, Oxford Brookes. As a result, you will find a wealth of cultural, recreational and sports facilities with a busy and cosmopolitan atmosphere. Enchanting historic buildings sit alongside all the main high street stores, numerous coffee shops and restaurants, and a thriving bar and club scene. Oxford also boasts a surprising amount of green spaces, including beautiful waterways that you can walk alongside or punt down, the oldest botanic garden in the country, the University parks, and individual college gardens.
Relatively compact, the city can be easily covered on foot or by bicycle and there is a good network of cycle lanes. Bicycles can be hired or bought (many are available second-hand) and there are also many excellent local bus services to reach the more outlying areas.
Most colleges and departments are situated in and around the city centre. College accommodation is usually on the main college site, or in annexe buildings only a short walk or cycle ride away from other college and University buildings.
Whilst you are here you may wish to Visit the Colleges and visit the many Museums, Libraries and Places of Interest. The leaflet ‘Explore the University of Oxford’ contains a map as well as information on opening times of colleges, museums and other places of interest. You can download a copy of this leaflet from here.
The website Visit Oxfordshireis the official tourism guide to Oxfordshire and contains details of many places to visit. In addition, there is aTourist Information Officesituated on Broad Street where staff will be able to assist you.
9.Useful websites for European and International Students
Erasmus+ Student and Alumni Association
Travel
Train timetables and information
UK coach timetables and information
Bus information and timetables, including
buses to London (Oxford Express)
Bus information and timetables, including
buses to London (Oxford Tube)
(click on ‘the airline’) Bus to Heathrow and Gatwick airports
London Underground information
Find UK addresses
Cheap flights to Europe
Cheap flights to Europe
Oxford Information
Useful guide to living in Oxford
Oxford news and classified adverts
Oxford City Council
Immigration Advice
Erasmus+ visa advice for traineeships
UK Border Agency
(Council for International Student Affairs)
Home Office guide to working in the UK
Other Information
advice for International Students (Council for International Student Affairs)
Welcome scheme for International Students
UK telephone directory
guide for International Students (click on Life in the UK, then creating your Life)
10.Emergency Contact Details
In an emergency, where there is a danger to life or a crimeis in progress, you can contact the police, fire brigade or ambulance by dialling 999 from any telephone. This callis free of charge, but should be used only in an emergency.
The contact details of all foreign Embassies and High Commissions in the UK can be found here.
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