Pre-departure Information

Travel Plans - Packing - Housing - Insurance - Banking - On-Campus Orientation - Additional Funding

The US-UK Fulbright Commission, EducationUSA and US Embassy London would like to invite you to complete a survey on US study. Tell us where you are studying and why you want to study in the US – and you could win £300 toward your costs in the US!

The survey will take only a few minutes to complete. Good luck with your studies in the US, and we look forward to hearing from you!

As you prepare to study in the US, you may have practical concerns about moving abroad. Here we have outlined some useful tips.

Pre-Departure Information:

Preparing to travel to the US for the first time as a student is an exciting and busy time. In addition to learning more about what to expect from academic and social life on campus, you will also need to attend to a number of practical matters to ensure that you are well-informed and well-equipped before departing the UK:

Travel Plans: When making your travel plans, consult a number of different airlines and online travel websites to ensure that you choose the most cost efficient flight arrangements. Additionally, it is advisable plan to arrive up to one week in advance of the start of term for students living in off-campus accommodation and to arrange for your arrival to coincide with the opening of university housing if residing on campus.

Packing: Packing for an extended stay requires a considerable amount of planning. Before you begin ask yourself the following questions: What will you need? How much can you bring? Will you bring it with you to the United States, send it separately or purchase it there? Airline luggage restrictions, both with regard to weight and content, will require you to pack as light and compact as possible. In addition to electronic goods and bed linens, both of which are not be compatible with US standards, we recommend that students purchase stationary, toiletries and bulky articles of clothing (such as winter coats and boots) in the US.

Housing: Postgraduate students are usually offered the option of living on- or off-campus. International postgraduates are often given priority for on-campus accommodation if offered by the university. The types of accommodation available to you will vary depending on the university and specific information will be provided after you have accepted your place. As on-campus housing tends be less expensive than living off-campus and university accommodation available to postgraduates is usually limited, it is important to submit a university housing request as soon as possible to ensure that you are considered. For students interested in living off-campus, ask the university's housing office for suggested websites or consult the classified advertising section (also called "want ads" or "classifieds") of the local newspaper for advertisements.

Insurance: The United States does not have a government medical plan or health care service that covers the whole population. Instead, most people have private health insurance to assist in the costs of any doctor and hospital visits. International students are usually required to prove they have a certain amount of health insurance (as determined by the university) before they will be permitted to register for classes. Thus, we recommend that students investigate insurance providers in consultation with their International Student Advisor (ISA) before arriving in the US to ensure that they have affordable access to healthcare whilst studying.

Banking: The ISA on campus should be able to advise students about which banks are convenient to campus and what materials you will need to take with you to the bank to open your account. Generally speaking, you will need your passport, proof of enrolment in the university, statement of good standing from your UK bank, residence details (both at the university and in the UK).

On-Campus Orientation: An orientation session will likely be scheduled before classes begin for all new students to introduce them to the campus and local area. Some institutions will have additional orientation activities specifically for international students. The dates and tentative schedule of the orientation programme should be included in the packet of information that you'll receive once you have accepted your place on the degree course. We recommend that students take full advantage of the opportunities that orientation offers to meet other students, as well as becoming familiar with life off campus. After orientation, the ISA will remain a valuable contact during your studies and can help you with any issues that may arise - from visas to homesickness.

Additional Funding: In the US, many scholarship deadlines run simultaneously with admission application deadlines. You will want to enquire about all funding possibilities by contacting your department, the graduate school, financial aid office and the international student's office to enquire about scholarships and loans for your first year. Generally, there are two types of university-based funding, fellowships (similar to a grant) or assistantship positions (through which you receive funding for tuition, fees, living costs and/or professional development in exchange for teaching or researching on campus). Also keep in mind that if you are unable to secure university funding for the first year, there are often opportunities for funding that become available for second year students and beyond.

More Information:

For further advice and information about traveling to and living in the US as a student, you may wish to read the extensive information provided on the EducationUSA website. Additionally, in the section below, you will find links to several videos on cultural and academic adjustment, as well as our most recent handouts on preparing to go to the US.