This section gives you information on what you need to think about before you travel to the UK. It includes guidance on testing, the forms you need to fill out, your accommodation and the equipment you'll need for your studies.
The University of Sunderland in London does not have designated accommodation for students, nor can we help students find accommodation. Whilst it is your responsibility to find accommodation for yourself and any dependants you bring with you, we can recommend some websites to get started:
Check our Accommodation page for more info: https://london.sunderland.ac.uk/international-help-advice/accommodation/
We recommend all students bring or buy laptops to aid their studies. They are much better than smartphones for attending online lectures as well as completing written assignments that you will need to submit for assessment. Please make sure you have a PC, laptop or tablet available before your induction.
If you are unable to purchase a laptop, you may be able to request a student laptop loan from our TechGuru IT department, however there can be a waiting list for these due to high demand, and it is not guaranteed you will receive one. You can get in touch with Tech Guru through the IT Service Desk.
Because of this, we recommend you bring or purchase your own laptop or PC if you can.
Please check your mobile phone will work in the UK. You may be charged international rates if you use your data, make calls or send texts. This can be very expensive, so check your plan.
Think about getting a UK SIM card or mobile plan that you can use on your arrival. If you get a UK SIM card or change your contact phone number, please make sure you update your contact details on e:Vision.
You will need to make sure your accommodation has an internet connection/WiFi. This is because we still operate on hybrid learning (this means we have classes both on campus and online). You are welcome to come and study on Campus in our library, but an internet connect in your accommodation is best for working in your own time, as our building is only open 8am – 8pm.
You might not be able to use your debit or credit card in the UK (depending on your bank). It's a good idea to have a small amount of UK currency ready for emergencies.
Your home bank might not be accepted in the UK or could incur charges if it is accepted. Check with your bank in advance.
Prepaid cards are reloadable money cards which you add cash to and top up when your funds run out.
You can use a prepaid card for in-person and online payments. They can be purchased online so you can buy one from your home country and transfer money to it before you arrive in the UK.
Pre-paid cards are designed for everyday spending and there's usually a limit to how much you can load. If you've not loaded your prepaid card, you can't spend on it.
This makes them very useful if you're trying to stick to a budget. Make sure you can use your pre-paid card in the UK before you buy it.
Some examples of pre-paid cash cards include:
Cards with the Visa or Mastercard symbol are commonly accepted in the UK.
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