London, england

Steps to Study Abroad at Chelsea College of Art & Design

Visa and Travel Information

The first step in your preparation to study abroad should be to ensure you understand the correct visa status you will use while studying in the UK and how it affects travel plans.

Students who study in the UK for six months or less should enter the UK as a “Student Visitor.” Student visitor status allows you to remain in the UK for up to six months. Student visitors are not eligible to work while in the UK and you cannot extend the status beyond six months. Entering as a Student Visitor also means that you do not need to secure any type of student visa before you leave the U.S.; you simply declare your intent to be a “Student Visitor” when you go through immigration entering the UK.

The following list details the specific documents you will need to have with you when you go through UK immigration.

• Letter confirming you’ve been accepted as a student to Chelsea College of Art & Design. The letter should confirm the institution is accredited and holds a Tier 4 Sponsor License. Chelsea College of Art & Design will supply this letter.
• Documentation that you can financially support yourself for the length of your program. This can be in the form of scholarships, grants, or other financial aid award letters, as well as bank statements in your name. Bank statements should be dated no more than one calendar month before you arrive in the UK. Be prepared to demonstrate approximately £5000 for accommodation and living expenses. To check the current exchange rate between the U.S. Dollar and the British Pound, please visit www.xe.com. Since exchange rates fluctuate daily it is important you review this before going through UK immigration.
• You must also be prepared to demonstrate your willingness to leave the UK once your course of study is complete. The primary way of doing so is by showing return tickets or an itinerary with your name and information on them.
• You must also present a valid U.S. Passport that will not expire while you are in the UK.

Once you show these documents to the immigration officer, you will receive a student visitor stamp/endorsement in your passport. If you travel outside the UK during your course of study, you will need to show the Immigration Officer your Student Visitor stamp/endorsement (code 5N) and the institution letter when you re-enter the UK. If you plan to arrive in the UK through Ireland, you will need to actively seek out an immigration official upon your arrival in the UK to ensure that your passport is stamped with the student endorsement.

Money and Banking

As a study abroad student, you are unlikely to be able to open a UK Bank account. Before coming to the UK you should:

• Open a bank account in your own country with a multi-national bank. You should then be able to use your international card in ATMs in the UK (although you will have to pay a small fee each time you do so).
• Bring a credit card just in case you need it
• Or you could bring Traveler's Checks to cover the whole period that you are here
• When you are in the UK - never carry large amounts of cash with you.

Living Expenses in the UK

London is an expensive city to live in but how much you spend depends on your lifestyle. You must ensure that, after paying your fees, you will have enough money to pay for rent, food, travel, books, materials and other living expenses. (One great thing about London, however, is that state-funded museums are free.) We recommend that you allow around £800 per month for regular living expenses.

Student Discounts

In addition to the transport card, there are many discounts in Britain for students - in art galleries, cinema, and in many shops. You will be able to use your University ID card but some places only accept a student discount card which you can obtain from the Student Travel Agency. You can get cheap international flights through STA as well.

Health Insurance

You will need to have health insurance that covers you during your semester abroad in London. If you enroll in SFAI’s health insurance plan, you will be automatically covered while abroad. If you have health insurance from a non-SFAI health plan, you should confirm that you will be covered the entire time you are outside of the U.S. You are required to show proof of coverage upon your arrival.

Safety

London is a fairly safe city considering its size but as always you should exercise common sense. If you need to get a cab late at night, make sure you flag a black cab or a licensed minicab firm. Unlicensed cab companies are common and may be unsafe. When traveling via The Tube, choose a car with other people in it and avoid deserted stations. Pickpocketing is probably the most prevalent crime so be on guard, especially in crowded areas.

Housing

Student Housing

Chelsea offers a variety of student housing options throughout London to fit most budgets. There are 12 residences throughout London that vary from small independent houses to more traditional residence halls. For more information on student accommodations, please visit: http://www.arts.ac.uk/housing. Accommodation size, location, style, and prices vary significantly, depending on which residence you choose. To learn more about life at Chelsea, please visit: http://www.arts.ac.uk/international/prospective/ido_life_in_arts.htm.

If you plan to apply for student housing you will need to send a copy of your passport bio page and two passport photos in order to receive an ID number. Once you receive the ID you will be eligible to apply for student housing. For more information please contact Millie Goonerage at m.goonerage@chelsea.artsac.uk.

Off-Campus Housing Options

The Accommodation Advice Centre is a “one-stop-shop” for information and advice on finding accommodations while at Chelsea. It is located at 272 High Holborn, London, WCIV 7EY, UK.

London is an expensive place to live, and rents will be comparable to that in San Francisco. Off-campus housing rents will vary considerably depending on where you live in London. However, most university students who live in travel zones 2 or 3 and share with other students on average pay less per month. For additional information about off-campus housing, visit:

http://www.arts.ac.uk/housing/private_sector.htm
http://housing.london.ac.uk/cms/
http://www.studenthousing.lon.ac.uk/

Course Registration

Chelsea’s fall semester usually runs from late September to early December, while the spring semester typically begins in early January and ends in late March. SFAI students should note that the exchange periods are not as long as SFAI semesters. Orientation typically takes place the week before classes start. In order to schedule a time to enroll in courses, contact m.goonerage@chelsea.arts.ac.uk Milly Goonerage, Admissions Administrator to coordinate. Be prepared to enroll in courses after you have arrived at Chelsea. UK schools often run this way with students waiting until the first week of classes to register for courses. Chelsea will be in touch with you before the term starts with additional information on course registration and orientation.

Contact Info and Website

While at Chelsea you may contact the following staff members to help you with any questions or concerns that come up.