You should read the information on this page before booking your flight to the UK.
What happens when I get to the UK?
Passport control
You will need to show your passport and visa to the immigration officer and may be asked about the intention of your stay and about your course.
If there are any problems please ring the ISAS immediately on 0121 414 8464 and ask to speak to an advisor.
Customs
You will go through an area marked as customs, you will have to declare certain items. If you do not declare these items you will be committing an offence and can be fined:
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Money over 10,000 Euros, approximately £9000 (including bankers drafts and cheques)
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Food - certain food is not allowed into the UK, check the regulations
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Alcohol, tobacco, perfume and souvenirs - see the detailed guidance
How do I get to the University?
If possible you should fly to Birmingham International Airport as this is the closest airport to the University. A free airport collection service is available for new international students arriving at Birmingham International or London Heathrow on 15 and 16 September 2012. This service will take students to the main University campus in Edgbaston, Birmingham.
There will be student helpers in University of Birmingham tops to help you on the day and you will need to register in advance.
If you are flying into a different airport, you can take a National Express coach to Birmingham International Airport and come and find us in the arrivals lounge.
Register for airport collection
Deadine for registration
Registration for airport collection will end at 10am on Friday September 14. You will not be able to register for airport collection after this time.
How to register
You will need to register online to book a seat for the airport collection services. Please do this as soon as possible to ensure you can be collected. Airport collection is free. To provide you with transport from the airport, the University needs to collect data about your arrival. The information will be retained for 3 months.
How much luggage can I bring?
If you want to use the airport collection service you can only bring one large piece of luggage and 1-2 pieces of hand luggage. If you have more than this, please make your own arrangements to get these shipped to the UK.
Travelling on your own from Birmingham International Airport
You have two options for travelling to the University:
Option 1: costs about £25, takes around 30 minutes
Get a taxi from Birmingham International Airport to your University accommodation. Signs in the airport will show you where you can get a taxi.
Option 2: costs about £15, takes 45 minutes to an hour.
Take the free monorail to Birmingham International train station. Get a train from Birmingham International to Birmingham New Street. There are regular trains between 6am and 11pm (search the train timetable) and then get a taxi to your University accommodation from New Street Station.
Travel on your own from any other UK airport
If you arrive at UK airports outside Birmingham, you should travel to Birmingham Digbeth Coach Station by coach. Travelling by coach is more convenient and secure if you are carrying heavy or large luggage, than travelling by train.
You should then get a taxi from Digbeth Coach Station to the University. Depending on the traffic, this journey takes approximately fifteen minutes and should cost approximately £15.
UK travel companies and useful websites
Coaches
National Express & Flightlink Coaches
Trains
National Rail
Eurostar
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www.eurostar.com
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From France tel: 0170 706 099
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From Belgium tel 02 4006776
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From elsewhere tel: +44 (0)1777 777 879
Taxis
TOA Taxis