Birmingham Bound: 5 Top things you should do as an international & postgrad student.

Commissioned by The University of Birmingham, Welcome Week 2024

Published On: The Guild of Students, Welcome Week Newsletter, September 2024.

Congratulations! You've landed a spot at the prestigious University of Birmingham – exciting times! But with arrival comes a swift of emotions and a to-do list that might seem a bit daunting. Here are the top 5 things you absolutely must do first, and immediately, upon arriving at Birmingham.

1.       Conquer the Nest

Your priority is getting settled in your accommodation. Unpack your bags (leave some room for souvenirs!), familiarize yourself with the facilities, and don't be afraid to say hello to your flatmates or neighbours. Leave them some thoughtful messages on sticky notes. Need help finding your residence? The University's Housing Hub is a great resource, and Guild’s Support Services are more than happy to help you settle in.

2.      Government Mandates!

There are certain documents and obligation you will need to fulfil as soon as you arrive in the United Kingdom as a student on TIRE IV VISA or similar.

Fill your passenger locator form as mandated by the Home office. You will need your NI number to legally work in the United Kingdom. Apply for your National Insurance (NI) Number as soon you can as it may take some time for it to arrive.

Registering with a GP will give you access to your Immigration Health Surcharge (your medical Insurance) when you need it. Register with a General Physician (GP) at the earliest opportunity as it is important for your wellbeing and health.

Some programs, like Social Work MSc, require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Your offer letter will confirm if this applies to you. If a DBS check is needed, complete it as soon as possible to avoid delays.

The Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) is your essential identification. As an international student, you may need to collect your BRP card within 10 working days of arriving in the UK. Your visa will tell you whether this applies to you. If you selected to collect your BRP card from the University, The University will email you to make an appointment with the International Student Team with more information.

3.      Register, Register, Register!

You should have already finished your university registration. If you haven’t, you should do this as soon as possible. This is important as it's your official enrolment with the University and is what makes you a student here and provides you access to your student portals, academic resources and lecture materials. Setup your university account and Get your ID card from the welcome tents on campus.

(if you are an international students) Make sure you let the University know you have arrived in the country by finishing your RIGHT-TO-STUDY Checks. 

You are required to upload your immigration documents as you progress through your visa application to arriving in the UK. The International Student Team (IST) will then check your documents and the University retains a copy of these documents.

Attend mandatory orientations hosted by your school or college to know more the academic demands and your obligations. You can find these events on your student portal. University’s What’s on, or Guild of Students What’s on Website

4.     Setup Essentials.

It might come in handy for you to setup your bank accounts and commute options as soon as possible. We’ve written an entire blog about this. You can check this out here.

5.     Know your Guild, Attend Events, Socialize

So, the Guild of Students - It's your student union! Think of it as the heart of student life. The Guild advocates for students' needs, runs student groups and societies, organizes awesome events, provides you with crucial support! is generally a place to hang out.

Guild of Students have a lot planned for you during the welcome week. The Welcome Week is a jam-packed week at the start of the year dedicated to helping you settle in. Expect fairs, socials, info sessions, and lots of opportunities to find your people. We have written a blog on finding your community as an International and Post graduate student – you can read it here.