When should I arrive?
You should not regard the last date of arrival stated on your CAS as a target date to arrive. You should aim to be in the UK in time for the start of your course or as soon as possible afterwards. If you are unsure, or can’t travel to the UK before your last date of arrival, please email international@northampton.ac.uk.
Can I bring dependants with me?
Broadly speaking, in light of changes announced by UKVI on 17 July 2023, only the students coming to the UK to undertake a research course are permitted to bring dependants. UKCISA provides a full guide to bringing dependants including who can be a dependant, their work rights, the financial requirements and education for children. Should you have further queries about bringing dependants, please contact the ISS team: iss@northampton.ac.uk
How early can I arrive in the UK?
You can arrive up to 1 month before your course start date, if your course lasts more than 6 months. However, you must not travel to the UK before the start date of your visa, no matter when your course starts.
What are my options if I am unable to travel to the UK before the last date on my CAS?
If you are not able to arrive by the last date of arrival shown on your CAS please contact international@northampton.ac.uk as soon as possible and we will advise.
What can I do to get ready for coming to the University?
We will send you a series of emails once you have confirmed your place with us. These emails will provide next steps such as enrolling online, information about accommodation and travelling to the UK. Before every intake we run a pre-departure webinar for students about to start their courses with us. We will invite you to join by email.
Please also visit our International Student Support webpages and new student webpages for information on international student orientation, and ongoing events and services on campus.
Where can I find out about the rules for travelling to England?
Please check the UK Government’s Rules for Travellers entering England carefully, to ensure you comply fully with the regulations.
What else do I need to bring?
In addition to your qualifications, CAS document and passport, you will need to bring your own laptop or similar device to access our online teaching platforms. We have a laptop loan system, but we cannot guarantee availability. Please note it is not always possible to use a smartphone to access online classes.
Is there budget friendly accommodation for guests?
We appreciate that you may have friends and family who will want to visit you after you’ve settled in. There are many different hotels and bed and breakfasts in the town, including our on-campus hotel, Sunley Hotel.
There is also Northampton Travel Lodge which has local budget-friendly hotels in the area for your visitors wanting an extended stay in Northampton.