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Student welfare support officer
The College has a welfare officer available to assist all international students with issues such as helping students:
- to register with a local doctor;
- to open a bank account;
- find part-time employment. Students on a student visa are currently allowed by the UK Home Office to work upto 20 hours per week during the academic term;
- to find suitable accommodation by providing details about available accommodation such as shared flats, private rooms or rented rooms in family houses. However the College does not have any on campus accommodation. The College prides itself on its friendly, relaxed environment and all members of staff are always happy to answer and assist with any student queries whether related to course work or general well-being.
to provide students with a complimentary airport pick-up if requested for a week prior to their arrival in the UK.
National Insurance Number (NI)
Are reference numbers given to people who want to work, claim benefits or who recently started working. NINO collects funds essential for your entitlement to social security benefits such as a retirement pension. The quickest way to get it is to email your name , address and phone number to london.ninocallcentre@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk, which will automatically send you a form to fill in. Complete it and send it back. Within a week you should receive a letter with your appointment date. For the interview you need your passport, a proof of address and a document confirming or rejecting your employment and student status. Within 6 to 8 weeks of the interview, your NIN will arrive in the post, shortly followed by card. To find your local jobcentreplus go to: www.hrmc.gov.uk.
Banks - Account
Barclays , NatWest, HSBC, Lloyds TSB are four major banks of the high street. Opening bank account is usually very difficult, especially if you do not have any utility bills. Remember that every bank and every branch is different, so if you are refused in one bank you can go to try to open account into another one. The standard documents you require to open an account for your have a proof of identity and a proof of address (utility bill). However a tenancy agreement is not enough to proof your address but you can try it.
Royal Mail Postal Service
Royal Mail offers multiple postal services. To send the letter within the UK buy first or second class stamp. A first class stamped letter should be delivered the next working day and cost is 23p. A second class letter costs 32p and should be delivered third working day. More valuable documents should be posted by Recorded Delivery and cost is 2.20GBP. Important and urgent letters should be sent by Special delivery
Health Care (NHS)
GP is General Practitioner – is your doctor in a local surgery. To find our where your local surgery is, call NHS Direct on 0845-4647 or go to the www.nhs.uk and be prepared to give your address and postcode. Consultations are free, but you need to pay for medicines – prescriptions. If you are in emergency and you cannot get an appointment with your doctor or you have not yet registered , go to a walk –in clinic. When you get there complete the form with your details and wait in the queue. These clinics also provide free advice on sexual matters.
Employment
There are many ways how to find the job. You can register with a few recruitment agencies or simply buy newspapers or magazines or go online and try good luck with different websites. The minimum hourly pay for workers aged 22 and over is £5.05. A written statement of the employment should be signed within the first 2 months of work. The basic information it should include is pay, hours, notice period and holiday allowance. This will help you if there is any dispute with your employer. There are many websites you can visit for information regarding employment such as : www.tntmagazine.co.uk, www.thegumtree.com, www.thejobccenmtreplus.co.uk, etc. Please remember that international students coming to the UK for studies are permitted as per immigration rules to work max.22 hours a week and their attendance has to be more than satisfactory.
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