INTO London: STEM, Medicine and Health pre-arrival guide
Congratulations! You’ve been offered the opportunity of a lifetime. Get ready to start your study abroad journey in London – the UK’s diverse and multicultural capital city.
We’re here to help you every step of the way, from arriving in London to finding your perfect-fit university. Read on to find out everything you need to know before you join us at INTO London.
What do I need to do before starting at INTO 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 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:
transportation links
how much will it cost you?
how long will it take you to get to the INTO Center?
Remember you must be able to get to your class on time. Under 18 students 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 around £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 London before you arrive in the UK.
For students beginning the International Foundation in Medicine and Health Professions in September, there are a number of things to prepare before you start your studies. If you are intending to study medicine or dentistry, review this timeline for key dates.
In order to secure a place to study medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, pharmacy or nursing, you'll need to undertake relevant work or volunteer experience before you begin your pathway. Find out more.
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.
Get in touch
Your pre-arrival questions answered
Pack your clothes according to the seasons. In London, the summers are usually mild and the winters can be cold and rainy. 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.
Watch our how to pack video to check that you’ve remembered all your study abroad essentials.
Make sure that you only pack items that you’re allowed to bring into the UK. You can find the list of banned items on the UK Government website.
We advise arriving in London during the weekend before your course starts. You may be able to arrive earlier if your accommodation contract allows. 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.
It’s perfectly normal to miss the familiarity of your home life when you move abroad to study. At INTO London, we put your wellbeing first. Our dedicated Student Services team are available for any support or help you might need – and your Personal Tutor can assist with any academic queries. You’ll be surrounded by friendly faces and new friends from the moment you arrive at the INTO Center, which will soon become your ‘home away from home’.
Read our tips to deal with homesickness while studying abroad.
Welcome Week at INTO 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
an introduction to your personalized study program
essential study skills development
tours of the INTO Center and local area.
Got a question?
Contact our Student Services team by emailing intolondon@intoglobal.com – they’ll be happy to help.