These are some of the questions that you might be asking yourself about the Welcome Programme and the Meet and Greet service. If you don’t find the answer to your question please don’t hesitate to contact us.
International welcome
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What is the Welcome Programme?
When does the Welcome Programme take place?
When is the Meet and Greet service?
Who can use the Meet and Greet service?
Who can attend the Welcome Programme?
Do I need to attend the Welcome Programme?
How do I register for the Meet and Greet service?
How do I register for the Welcome Programme?
Is there a deadline to register on the Meet and Greet service/Welcome Programme?
Where will I stay when I arrive in Southampton?
Which forms do I need to complete before joining the Meet and Greet service and Welcome Programme?
What should I do when I arrive at London Heathrow?
Can my parents accompany me to Southampton using the Meet and Greet service?
Where can my parents stay if they come with me to Southampton?
Which documents should I carry in my hand luggage when travelling to the UK?
What should I do if I don’t arrive on the days of the Meet and Greet service?
How much luggage can I bring with me?
What happens when I arrive at Southampton?
Where should I go if I arrive at the University out of standard University working hours?
What is the Welcome Programme?
The Welcome Programme is designed to minimise culture shock and provides new international and European students with the opportunity to quickly and easily settle into life at the University of Southampton, by learning more about the University, the City and the School that you will be studying in.
The Welcome Programme includes input from Academic Schools, general advice about living and studying in the UK from where to buy food to how to register with the police and extend your visa.
There is also a social programme included in the Welcome Programme that gives an ideal opportunity to meet other new students and make new friends. The Welcome Programme is an 'add-on' extra for all international and European students and precedes the general 'freshers week' induction for all students.
When does the Welcome Programme take place?
The Welcome Programme will take place on the 23rd and 24th September 2010, additional activities will be available to those students arriving from the 20th September onwards. It is timed to start immediately after our Meet and Greet service from Heathrow Airport. The Students Union will be running a social programme over the weekend following the Welcome Programme.
When is the Meet and Greet service?
20th, 21st and 22nd September. The Coach will collect new students from London Heathrow airport, Terminal 3 at 1000hrs, 1400hrs, 1800hrs and 2200hrs.
Who can use the Meet and Greet service?
The Meet and Greet service is available to new international and European students coming to the University of Southampton. The service is not available to visiting/socrates students or returning students.
Who can attend the Welcome Programme?
The Welcome Programme 2010 is open to all new international and European students joining the University of Southampton for the beginning of the academic year 2010.
Do I need to attend the Welcome Programme?
It is not compulsory but it will provide you with all the information you need. Settling in to life at University of Southampton is important for your enjoyment of the study experience and if you are happy you will study better! We strongly recommend all new international and European students attend the Welcome Programme 2010.
How do I register for the Meet and Greet service?
You need to register for the service online, we will be accepting applications from June 2010.
How do I register for the Welcome Programme?
You need to register using the same form as the meet and greet service online, which will be available from June 2010.
Is there a deadline to register on the Meet and Greet service/Welcome Programme?
The deadline for reserving a place on the programme is 1 September 2010. If you miss the deadline and would still like to come along please contact us, we may be able to find a place for you on the programme but will not be able to offer accommodation.
How much does it cost?
The Meet and Greet service and the Welcome Programme are free to all new international and European students.
Where will I stay when I arrive in Southampton?
If you have booked University accommodation or you have arranged private rented accommodation in advance and you are using the Meet and Greet service, you will be taken directly to your hall of residence or the Univeristy main interchange. If you have not arranged accommodation the University will provide either emergency accommodation in a hall of residence or help you to find an alternative.
Which forms do I need to complete before joining the Meet and Greet service and Welcome Programme?
Online:
Enrolment
www.enrol.soton.ac.uk
Accommodation
www.onlineaccommodation.soton.ac.uk
Meet and Greet service/Welcome Programme
Application form available online from June 2010.
What should I do when I arrive at London Heathrow?
If you are arriving on the 20th, 21st or 22nd September and you have registered with the Meet and Greet service then you should make your way to the group meeting point in Terminal 3.
If you arrive outside of these dates or at another airport you should take the express coach from the airport to Southampton. National Express Coaches will be operating through the Interchange at the Highfield campus, which is the central point of the University. You can take this coach from London Heathrow airport.
further information on other forms of travel to Southampton.
Can my parents accompany me to Southampton using the Meet and Greet service?
If there are spaces available then your parents are welcome to join you. Priority will be given to students. If the coach is full, the member of staff accompanying the coach will assist your parents with taking an alternative form of transport.
Where can my parents stay if they come with me to Southampton?
Your parents will not be able to stay with you in University accommodation. There are various types of accommodation that your parents can choose. The University provides information on local guest houses.
Which documents should I carry in my hand luggage when travelling to the UK?
- Valid passport with a visa or entry clearance as required
- Air ticket
- Vaccination certificates if required
- X-rays if required
- University of Southampton offer letter
- Evidence that you have enough money to support yourself whilst studying - ie bank statements, letter from sponsor (if applicable).
- Details of the Welcome Programme
- Details of how to travel from the airport to Southampton
- Details of accommodation (if you have booked it)Emergency contact telephone numbers
What should I do if I don’t arrive on the days of the Meet and Greet service?
You should take the express coach from the airport to Southampton. National Express Coaches will be operating through the Interchange at the Highfield campus, which is the central point of the University. You can take this coach from London Heathrow airport.
Alternatively, you may wish to order a taxi. English Rose Collection can provide a taxi service from the airports to Southampton. The price from Heathrow to one address in Southampton is approx. £79 and from Gatwick it is approx. £81. If there are more than one of you travelling on the same flight please contact them as arrangements can be made for larger vehicles at different prices.
Visit their website for terms and conditions. You can book directly with them on line:
www.englishrosecollection.co.uk
further information on other forms of travel to Southampton.
How much luggage can I bring with me?
Please note that the coaches used for the Meet and Greet service have limited luggage capacity. Consequently, a luggage allowance of a maximum of two large suitcases (which you must be able to pick up yourself!), and one small piece of hand luggage to take on the coach with you has been put in place. We may not be able to transport students who exceed the luggage limit.
What happens when I arrive at Southampton?
If you are arriving on the Meet and Greet service you will be taken to your University accommodation.
If you arrive at Southampton outside of the Meet and Greet dates you will need to go directly to your accommodation. If you are unsure of your accommodation you should go directly to the Student Service Centre, George Thomas Building 37 on the Highfield Campus and go to the reception desk.
Once you are settled into your accommodation you must register your arrival at the Student Service Centre, George Thomas Building 37, Highfield Campus. You will then collect your welcome pack.
Once you have registered your arrival you should join the next available activity on the Welcome Programme.
I am taking a pre-sessional English course at the Centre for Language Studies; do I need to attend the Welcome Programme?
It is not compulsory but you may still find it useful to learn more about your academic school and to meet new people and make new friends. We would recommend that you join for these reasons.
Where should I go if I arrive at the University out of standard University working hours?
You should go directly to the University's emergency accommodation which will be confirmed at a later date.