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, such as:

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, before confirming your itinerary, you should contact your university’s International Student Advisor (ISA). The ISA will be able to inform you as to whether the on-campus halls of residence will be open at the time of your anticipated arrival and whether the university will be able to assist you in arranging transport from the airport to 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 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: First-year undergraduate students are usually required to live on campus in one of the university dormitories or residence halls. Living on-campus is a great way to meet US students and make new friends rapidly, whilst becoming accustomed to the local area and academic life. The types of accommodation available to you will vary depending on your status at the university (undergraduate, postgraduate, first-year, etc.) and further information about housing at your university will be provided after you have accepted your place.

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 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 and 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 first-year and transfer 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 will receive once you have accepted your place at a university. We recommend that students take full advantage of the opportunities that orientation offers to meet other international and first-year students on campus, as well as becoming familiar with life off campus. After orientation, the international student advisor 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 funding deadlines run simultaneously with admission application deadlines. However, you may still be eligible for funding if you have already been admitted into an undergraduate programme. You will want to enquire about all funding possibilities on campus by contacting the financial aid and international student offices of your university for information on funding options and scholarships for international students. Even if you’ve already been in contact with them, it may not hurt to contact them again to be sure you’ve exhausted every possible opportunity. You may also wish to contact the department of your anticipated major for information about additional scholarships, grants, and other funding available to admitted students and how you might go about applying for these. Also keep in mind that if you are unable to secure a scholarship 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 travelling 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.