FAQs

We understand that you will have lots of questions, both before you arrive in the UK and during your studies with us.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs).

What do I do if I need help with visas?

Many of our international students need a visa to study in the UK and it is vital that you have the correct paperwork before you arrive to begin your studies.

Applying for a visa can take several weeks, sometimes even months. Lengthy delays should be expected during the peak time when students are due to begin their courses in the UK (August/September), delays can be even longer, so make sure you apply as early as you can.

You can apply as soon as you are accepted onto a course and have an unconditional offer.

Please note:

• You can obtain your visa from your nearest British diplomatic post, such as the British Embassy or Consulate-General 
• If you are not sure whether you require a visa, or where your nearest British diplomatic post is, visit the British Government's website www.ukvisas.gov.uk for further advice
• The Foreign Office website at www.fco.gov.uk will give you details about how to apply in your home country

For further visa advice, or general information for international students coming to study in the UK for the first time, visit the UKCISA website at www.ukcisa.org.uk|.

Once you arrive at De Montfort University, our International Admissions Office can help you with any questions you have about visas, but it is very important to make sure you have the correct visa before you travel to the UK.

For further information contact the International Admissions Office: 
T: +44 (0)116 207 8617 or +44 (0)116 250 6322
E: iao@dmu.ac.uk|

Are there any scholarships available?

Yes, we do offer scholarships for international students. Click on the link to find out more.

International Scholarships| 

All research scholarships are advertised in the national press. The British Council also offers a limited number of scholarships. For more information please go to:

Wingate Scholarships (for Research)|

British Council – Scholarship Information|

I am a research student and will not be arriving at the start of the academic year. What should I do?

As soon as you know when you will be arriving, contact the Research Office and they will advise you on what to do. They will also liaise with your tutors who may then contact you directly.

The Research Office is open from Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm and is based at 12 Castle View, De Montfort University, Leicester, LE1 9BH, UK.

If you would like any advice, please contact the Research Office:
T: + 44 (0)116 250 6309
F: + 44 (0)116 250 6431
E: researchstudents@dmu.ac.uk|

When will my accommodation be available?

This can vary so make sure you inform the accommodation office at your allocated hall of residence of your planned arrival date; they will let you know if your room is going to be ready.

If you plan to attend the pre-sessional or orientation programmes, your accommodation will be available.

For further details please visit the accommodation pages|.

Can my husband/wife come to DMU with me?

If you are a national of a European Economic Area (EEA), your husband or wife may accompany you to the UK and work here without any restrictions.

For all other countries, your husband or wife can come with you as a dependant. You will need to get entry clearance and be able to show the immigration officials that:

• You are married
• You intend to stay married and live together while in the UK
• You can accommodate and support yourselves without the need for public funds
• Your husband or wife is not intending to work in the UK (unless given stamped permission in their passport on arrival)
• Your husband or wife intends to leave the UK at the end of your permitted stay

If you have access to the Internet, you can check the advice sheets for students at www.ukcisa.org.uk| for further details.

Private accommodation for married couples can take a little longer to organise so please contact Student Housing| for advice as soon as possible. If you would like a list of all the flats and houses currently available, please send a stamped, addressed envelope to the Student Housing Office, De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK.

Please note: a husband/wife cannot stay with you in university-managed accommodation. If you sign a contract for a hall of residence, you cannot prematurely terminate your agreement and move out to join your spouse in private accommodation until the end of the licence period, except if another student can be found to take your place (the Student Housing Office will advertise for a replacement, but it is not guaranteed one will be found). If you move out early, you will still be financially liable for the reminder of the rent (unless you find a replacement).

Will I be able to find part-time work?

You will first need to check that you are eligible to work in the UK. Recent changes in legislation mean that most international students can now work:

• Up to 20 hours per week without a work permit during term time
• Full-time during vacations

Staff in Student Services will be able to check your eligibility from your passport.

There is a Careers and Employment Support team that provides a comprehensive range of information and job vacancy services for international students. The team can give you advice on where to search for part-time vacancies and how to market yourself effectively in the application and recruitment process. You can drop in to see Careers and Employment Support in the Student Services Centre.

We always recommend that you view any wages from part-time work as extra money rather than relying on them for regular income or a contribution towards your course fees.

Do I need to register with the police?

With the exception of Commonwealth and EU Citizens, everyone over 16 years of age who intends to remain in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) for more than six months should register with the police within seven days of arrival. You will be given a stamp in your passport when you enter the UK that will tell you if you need to register.

Please do not be concerned about this. It is simply a routine procedure and the police in this country are generally helpful and friendly. To register you will need to take your passport, two passport-sized photographs and the fee to the Nationality Department at the local police station. 

Wherever possible we will try to arrange for the police to hold registration sessions on the DMU campus during the main arrival times in August and September.

For further information contact the international student support officer:

Andy Gale
Student Services
Gateway House
De Montfort University
The Gateway
Leicester LE1 9BH (UK)
T: +44 (0)116 250 6388
F: +44 (0)116 257 7609
E: agale@dmu.ac.uk|

What happens if I am ill?

One of the first things you need to do when you arrive in the UK is to register with a local doctor - it is best to do this as part of the enrolment process.

If your course is longer than six months, any treatment you receive will be free through the National Health Service (NHS). This means that you will not have to pay for consulting a doctor or for emergency or non-emergency treatment in hospital. You will still need to pay for medicines prescribed by your doctor and for optician and dentist services.

The DMU surgery is based on campus and provides a full range of standard medical services and specialist clinics.

Consultations are completely confidential, so no information can be given to any member of staff (or anyone else) without your permission.

Am I allowed to drive in the UK?

If you have a valid driving licence or international driving permit, you can drive in the UK for 12 months from the date you arrive. After that time, you may have to take another driving test to continue driving.

Valid licence holders from certain countries can exchange their driving licence for a British one.

Please remember that the driving laws in the UK are very strict. The regulations and speed limits apply to everyone using the roads and penalties for breaking the rules can be quite severe; driving whilst under the influence of alcohol can result in a lengthy ban. You must also have a valid insurance policy before you drive.

If you do not drive and you wish to learn while you are in the UK, a websearch will provide details of many local driving schools. You'll also find contact details in the local telephone directory.

There is more information about driving in the UK available on the website of the UK Council for International Student Affairs| (UKCISA).

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency| (DVLA) site also contains lots of useful information.

If you have any further questions, the international student support officer should be able to advise you.

Do people get homesick?

Everyone feels a little homesick from time to time, especially after the initial excitement of arriving at university. You might find that the food, climate, language, dress or rules of behaviour are strange compared to what you are used to in your home country. These feelings are completely normal, and remember that most people (including students from the UK) will feel exactly the same as you do, and that for everybody it takes a little time to settle in and make friends.

International Welcome and Orientation Week is a great opportunity to meet other international students and the International Students' Association (ISA) runs regular trips and social events. If you need to talk to someone, you can visit the international student support officer, or get in touch with the Counselling and Personal Support team, who can offer you a wide range of confidential advice and assistance.

What if I don’t understand my tenancy agreement/contract?

If after you have read it through carefully there is anything you are not certain about, you can get more advice from the Student Housing Office|, or the Student Union|.  

You don’t want to have any problems at a later date, so it is much better to delay signing your contract than to sign something you do not understand.

What will the weather be like?

It doesn't rain all the time… honestly!

Our climate does offer a lot of variety – from snow to brilliant sunshine. Average temperatures rarely rise above 26 degrees centigrade in the summer, or drop below freezing in the winter. The weather is also unreliable and it can rain at any time of year, so bring an umbrella.

International students are sometimes surprised by the long summer days and short winter ones; it gets dark at 4pm in the UK in December but not until 10pm in July, which may be very different from your home country.

Do you offer an orientation programme for new international students?

Yes, we offer a free orientation programme for new international students. It's a great way to get used to living and studying in Leicester and to meet staff and other international students. The week includes social events, trips to places of interest, tours of the city and the campus and practical help with things like opening bank accounts. It's also a chance to join the International Students Association (ISA).

We strongly recommend that you take part in orientation as it is the ideal opportunity to make new friends and can help you to make a smooth start to student life.

What is enrolment and how do I enrol with De Montfort University?

Enrolment is the way you legally become a student of the university. It entitles you to attend DMU lectures and tutorials and to use the library, and sporting and catering facilities.

To enrol you need to respond to your letter of unconditional acceptance by completing and returning the confirmation of acceptance (Form P76). The precise date for enrolment varies between faculties, but is normally during enrolment week at the end of September; your faculty office will give you the exact details.

During enrolment, members of staff from your department will give you an enrolment form and advise you how to complete it. You will be asked to agree to follow the university’s regulations and you will also need:

• Proof of qualifications
• Evidence of how your fees will be paid
• At least four recent colour passport photographs of yourself
• Your UCAS number (if you applied through UCAS)

If you arrive later than enrolment week, you will need to contact your programme leader or a member of staff in Academic Registry and they will help you to make arrangements.

What if I don't like my programme?

First of all, don’t worry. Lots of students find it difficult to adapt to a new way of learning so try and work out what it is that you don’t like. Then you can discuss the issue with your tutor and work out what options are available. It may be possible to change a module or even move to a different programme.