Finance and insurance
This section will give you guidance on finance and insurance for your travel, enrolment and studies. This includes:
Payment of Hall Fees (If you are staying in a Hall of Residence)
You will be charged for your Hall accommodation from Sunday 3 October or your date of arrival if earlier. The cost of accommodation during the welcome week is not included in the term fees quoted.
You will receive your statement of account (request for payment), via email to your University email address, early in the Autumn Term.
Payment of tuition fees
The Receipts Office, in Whiteknights House (Building 27) will be open from 11am to 3pm on Sunday 3 October 2010 if you wish to make any payments such as your tuition fees.
Alternatively, payment can be made via the online payment system
Information on alternative methods of payment
Bank accounts
Most students find it necessary to have a British bank account. You may open an account with the bank of your choice.
Lloyds TSB Bank has a small office (sub-branch) in Black Horse House near the Students' Union building on the Whiteknights Campus (www.lloydstsb.com)
There is also a NatWest Bank on Christchurch Road just off the main Whiteknights Campus (www.natwest.com)
Barclays Bank offer an International student account which you may be able to open before leaving for the UK. You will find further details at http://www.barclays.com/studentandfamily/
In Reading town centre there are a number of other banks which you may wish to consider.
Opening an Account
In order to open an account:
- You will need to take your passport and a bank letter which details the course you are studying and your local address in Reading.
- This bank letter has to be provided by the Student Services Centre in the Carrington Building. You will need to have completed on line enrolment before they can issue this letter.
- Student Services Centre staff will be available over the weekend (2 & 3 October) to provide bank letters.
- Please check with the bank of your choice exactly what information they require from you in order to open an account with them. Different banks may have different documentation requirements. It may take several visits to the bank to open an account.
You will not be able to open an account without the official bank letter from the University.
International students do not always find it straightforward to open a bank account in the UK as different banks have different policies and apply different conditions. You should assume that it will take at least 2 weeks to open a bank account and make sure you have access to the money that you will need during this period by making financial arrangements similar to those you might make if you were a tourist. Bring travellers' cheques with you, and possibly a credit card and a cash card.
International students at the University for less than six months may not be able to open a bank account.
Speak with your bank in your home country before you leave. Ask their advice about running a bank account in the UK. Find out what methods of transferring money are available, including the security of each method and the costs involved. Ask if your home country bank has a special relationship with a bank in the UK and whether this can help with setting up an account or in any other way. Also find out if you can use a cash card from your home country bank to withdraw money from cash point ('ATM') machines in the UK. You will need to have a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for that card.
If you want an account based on Sharia principles, check banks' websites and publicity materials. Some mainstream banks offer accounts and services that meet these principles and there are also a few specialist banks that operate in accordance with them.
Once you have opened a bank account in the UK, always let your bank know in writing and a soon as possible if you change your address.
If you are leaving the UK for a long break, for example during the summer break, let your bank know - otherwise they might treat your account as 'dormant' and close it.
It is also important to keep your bank statements (details of your transactions and current bank balance sent regularly by your bank) safe as you will need these when extending your visa.
Insurance
Travel Insurance
You are strongly advised to buy comprehensive travel insurance before leaving home to cover you for your journey to Reading.
Health Insurance
Students staying in the UK for more than six months are covered by the UK National Health Service and do not normally need to take out any additional health insurance.
Students staying for six months or less should be sure that they are covered either by the European Union (EU) reciprocal arrangements (for EU students), or by their home university, or by private insurance arrangements made before they arrive in Britain.
For any student staying less than six months, emergency medical cover in the UK can be bought. One option is to contact Endsleigh Insurance by telephoning 0800 7832801 (from overseas 0044 800 7832801).
Further details can also be found at www.endsleigh.co.uk/category-travel.html
(Please note the University does not endorse or recommend this insurance but gives this information as advice only).
Personal Possessions Insurance
The University has agreed with Endsleigh Insurance a special scheme for students resident in University owned Halls. The annual premium will be automatically charged along with the first Term's accommodation charges.
If you wish to opt out of the insurance scheme you must contact the Student Services Advisory Team Leader in writing (located in the Carrington Building, Building 135) by Friday 8 October 2010.
You are strongly advised to check the insurance wording of the Endsleigh scheme to ensure it meets your needs.
If you are staying in private accommodation you will need to make your own arrangements for insurance cover.