INTO City, University of London pre-arrival guide
It’s almost time to begin your study abroad journey in London – the city of bright lights and big possibilities.
We’re here to help you every step of the way, from arriving in the UK to progressing to university and securing a career for life. Read on to find out everything you need to know before you join us.
What do I need to do before starting at INTO City, University of London?
The easiest way to pay your fees is using INTOPay – our secure online payment system.
You can use this system to pay by credit card or debit card, or you can find our details for a bank transfer there.
You’ll receive a link to INTOPay and instructions on how to use the system in your offer letter.
Remember to reference your application ID when you pay via INTOPay.
All INTO students must have full travel, medical and health insurance. Unless proof of suitable insurance is provided during the application process, Uniplan Insurance will automatically be added to your course fees.
To receive your timetable and start classes, please ensure that your fees have been paid and that you're officially enrolled.
You may have applied for accommodation when you applied for your course. But if you didn’t, it’s not a problem. Please contact your education counselor to arrange your accommodation.
Spaces fill up quickly, so we advise that you book and pay to confirm your place in a student residence available for INTO students as soon as possible. Students under 18 must book accommodation with us.
Find out more about your INTO City, University of London accommodation options.
For students thinking about living off campus
When choosing your accommodation please ensure you are located in the Greater London area. Think about the transportation links, travel costs, and how long it will take you to get to the Center. Remember, you must be able to get to your class on time.
For students under 18
Due to the additional safeguarding measures required, all students under the age of 18 must stay at IQ Will Wyatt Court unless:
You are living with your parents or legal guardian in London.
You are living with a named adult over the age of 21 and appoint an AEGIS approved guardian.
You live in homestay, booked via INTO.
These alternatives are subject to approval by the Center. Please contact your Admissions Advisor for further information.
Most international students on an academic course with INTO will need to apply for a Student Route visa to study in the UK. As the UK is no longer part of the EU, most EU citizens planning to study in the UK will now need a visa too.
You’ll be provided with the documents you need to apply for a visa once you’ve accepted your unconditional offer and paid your deposit.
As part of your visa application, you may need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge – this gives you access to the UK’s National Health Service. You can check how much you’ll need to pay by using the UKVI calculator tool. Follow the Government’s Student Route visa guidance for the most up-to-date visa information.
You should arrange your flight(s) to ensure that you arrive on your INTO accommodation start date.
Please submit your arrival details as soon as possible. Your flight details, including arrival date and flight number(s), should be shared in our arrival details form. Providing your arrival details before you travel will ensure:
we'll be able to meet you as soon as you land, if you opt for an airport transfer
staff will be on-hand remotely to help you if any issues occur during your travels
your room is ready for you to move in as soon as you get to your accommodation.
There are several airports in London you can fly to, including Heathrow, Stanstead and Gatwick. To make your journey seamless, we can arrange a transfer to your accommodation. This is compulsory for students under 18.
Airport transfer fees vary depending on the airport you are traveling from. It costs £210 if you’re traveling from London Stansted Airport, £174 from Heathrow Airport or £198 from London Gatwick Airport.
Simply complete the arrival details form, selecting an airport pickup, at least 7 days before your arrival.
If you haven't opted for an airport pickup service, you should make your own travel arrangements. Please plan your journey to INTO City before you arrive in the UK.
Helping you every step of the way
Start your UK studies with confidence – free program
INTO’s Get Ready to Study online pre-arrival program will help prepare you for UK student life, study and employability.
Confirm early to access this free program. Available to students starting their studies with INTO in September or January.
Your pre-arrival questions answered
Weather-appropriate clothing. Temperatures in London can range from around 0°C on winter evenings up to around 30°C in the summer. We can experience all types of weather, so it’s best to be prepared for anything. Don’t worry if you forget or don’t own something – London has a huge range of shops where you can purchase what you need.
You should also bring a payment card that works in the UK, a laptop for your studies and some items to remind you of home. Watch our how to pack video to check that you’ve remembered all your study abroad essentials.
Make sure you only pack items that you can bring into the UK. You can find the list of banned items on the UK Government website along with guidance on bringing food into the UK.
We advise arriving in London during the weekend before your course starts. Always double check when you can move into your accommodation with your accommodation provider. If you are under the age of 18, you must not arrive in the UK any earlier.
Don’t forget to provide us with your arrival details beforehand.
You’ll receive your academic timetable via email, at the end of your first week. You will need to have paid your fees and enrolled before starting class.
These are perfectly normal emotions to feel when you're going through a major life change. We’d encourage you to contact our Welfare Team who are on hand to provide help. You can ask for them at the Welcome Desk, email them at into-studentwellbeing@city.ac.uk or complete a self-referral form.
Additional support is also available from City, University of London’s Student Counselling, Mental Health and Accessibility Service during office hours, as well as the Togetherall and Wisdom Health Assured apps, which are confidential, digital mental health services available to you 24 hours a day.
Read our tips to deal with homesickness while studying abroad.
Welcome Week at INTO City, University of London
We look forward to meeting you during Welcome Week, which takes place across the first week of the semester. It may include the following:
a fun-filled orientation program
meeting the Student Services team and support staff
getting to know your classmates and teachers
help opening a bank account and registering with a doctor
registering for your classes
setting up your IT accounts
tours of the INTO Center and local area.
Got a question?
Contact our Student Services team by emailing into-studentservices@city.ac.uk – they’ll be happy to help.