Joining us on campus
We're looking forward to welcoming you
We are really looking forward to welcoming you to the International Study Centre. When you join us on campus, you will benefit from a high-quality blended learning experience ensuring you get the best of both worlds: with some classes taking place face-to-face, and some activities taking place online.*
It is important that you are able to regularly attend your face-to-face classes as this is a UK visa requirement. To help with this, we provide accommodation options and support with the booking process. Should you choose to book your own accommodation, we suggest you live close to the Centre so you can make the most of your student experience, but your accommodation should be no more than one hour travel time from the Centre.
*This excludes students enrolled on the Online Accelerated Pre-Masters Programme.
Here to support you
From visa application through to booking accommodation, you’ll be fully supported by our dedicated team every step of the way. We’ll support you with:
- What to pack
- Planning for your arrival
- Visa
- Insurance
- Accommodation
- How to make the most of your time with us
When you confirm your place, you will be able to access our Welcome Hub, which will give you lots of useful information to help you prepare for joining us on campus.
- Your passport and visa
- UKVI decision letter
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Study letter (CAS)
- Your offer letter
- IELTS certificate or other original Secure English Language Test result
- Evidence of funding for your tuition fees and living costs, including sponsor letter (if you are being sponsored)
- Accommodation documents, including your signed tenancy agreement
- Four passport-sized photographs
- Insurance documents
- Medical certificates (including vaccination records)
- If you are under the age of 18, a copy of your UK guardian's details
- Prescription medications, with prescriptions translated into English
- Essential toiletries – you can buy any other medicines and toiletries once you arrive in Egham
Bring essential clothing for all weather conditions, including a warm coat. There is no dress code at the International Study Centre, so bring comfortable clothes like jeans, t-shirts and jumpers. Guildford has plenty of shops where you can buy any other clothing you need.
- It is recommended that you bring your own laptop computer for your studies, or you can buy one once you arrive. We can help you purchase a laptop that meets study requirements at a reasonable price through our trusted supplier, Plan-IT.
- Travel adapters: It is a good idea to bring a travel adapter with you, so that you can charge your phone and computer as soon as you arrive.
- Personal items: You may also want to bring a few personal items, such as photos and books, to make you feel at home.
- Cash: It's useful to have some money in cash when you are travelling. We recommend about £50.
- Guardianship letter (if you're under 18).
Once you arrive
There’ll be plenty of induction activities for you to join once you arrive at Royal Holloway. You will immediately be a part of a welcoming and supportive community, both at the International Study Centre and the wider university. Making friends should be easy and our nurturing staff are here to ensure you find the support you need to succeed both academically and socially.
Apply for a Student visa
You will need a visa to study in the UK. Read more about what you have to do to get one, when you should apply, and how to prepare for a possible credibility interview.
Read more about visasStudent life
Join a friendly, multicultural student community at the International Study Centre before joining the student community at the University.
Join the community