Specialist Advisers
We offer a specialist immigration, information, advice and guidance service to international students whilst you are on your course. Our Specialist Advisers are specifically trained and qualified and can be contacted via the Gateway in the library on your campus.
Information for international students
UCA provides a wealth of information to make it easier for students from across the world to apply to us and study in the creative arts in the UK.
Visas and immigration
Find out about visas (including Schengen visas) and your responsibilities when you arrive to the UK.
Introduction to UKCISA for Chinese students
UKCISA provides immigration, fees and wellbeing advice to international students, from application process to studying in the UK. Moving from China to the UK is a significant move, so our information is available to support you throughout.
English for Academic Purposes
The English for Academic Purposes (EAP) team provides academic English support during your studies at UCA (In-Sessional EAP). This could be embedded EAP support sessions timetabled alongside your main subject units or bespoke 1:1/small group tutorials and workshops. Further information as well as self-study EAP resources are available here.
Host UK
UCA is affiliated with the organisation Host UK, which links international students at UK universities with friendly approved hosts who offer an invitation to their home for a day, a weekend, or at Christmas.
International Disabled Student Support Service Statement
For more information on how the Disability & SpLD Team can help you, please see read our International Disabled Student Support Service Statement.
ActionFraud's advice on fraud and scams
ActionFraud have listed some of the most common scams circulating right now with advice on how to spot, report and avoid falling victim.
#WeAreInternational UKCISA Student Ambassador programme
The #WeAreInternational Student Ambassador programme is UKCISA's student network of global future leaders. An education policy and leadership development scheme for exceptional individuals from around the world, it is open to any international student who is currently studying in the UK and will graduate on or after summer 2025.
Prepare For Success
Prepare For Success is a free web learning resource for international students coming to study in the UK. It was developed by the University of Southampton with funding from UKCISA.
This online toolkit aims to:
- introduce you to aspects of university study in the UK which might be new or different for you
- help you prepare for any cultural changes that might lie ahead
- answer some of the questions you probably have about studying in the UK
- provide you with an opportunity to use and improve your language skills at the same time as finding out about studying in the UK
Differences in university study
Listen to international students talking about differences in study they experienced when they came to the UK. Find out what differences there might be for you.
How prepared are you for the language challenge ahead? Watch a video to learn how other international students faced the challenge when they arrived and find out how you can prepare yourself.
Ways of being taught on your course
Explore four common ways of being taught on university courses in the UK. Find out what to expect in a lecture, a seminar, a tutorial and a workshop.
Watch a video in which students talk about the cultural challenges for students coming to the UK, then assess yourself to find out how ready you are for them.
Consider different advice about how to study independently and then assess your own study habits.
Academic writing at university
Do a quiz to find out how prepared you are for the academic writing you will need to do at a British university.
Explore what critical thinking involves and identify any skills that you might need to develop.
Understanding course assignments
Compare course assignments in the UK with those in your home country and practise interpreting essay titles set by British university tutors.
Using what you read in your academic writing
Learn about the correct ways to reference what you read in your own writing. Find out how to avoid plagiarism.
Your relationship with your tutors
Listen to a British student talking about his relationship with his tutors. Do a quiz to find out what to expect of university tutors in the UK.
Discover what the best study routine for you might be. Practise organising a day's timetable for an international student on a university course in the UK.
Consider how you would manage the production of a 2000-word assignment.
Listen to a British university tutor talking about what seminars are like and explaining what is expected of students.
Find out how lectures in the UK might be different from those you have attended before and listen for clues in a lecture that can help your understanding.
Find out how you can manage your course reading list and learn to read more efficiently.
Skills for presenting in seminars
Think about the skills you will need if you are asked to give a presentation on your course. Watch a video of a student presenting to identify some useful techniques.
Discover what group work involves and the kind of skills that students need to work together effectively.
Preparing for coursework and exams
Listen to an interview with a student comparing exams in the UK with exams in her home country. Identify ways to deal with some common course work problems.
Listen to student advice on how to settle down to study in the UK.
Reaching the end and taking the next step
Do a fun quiz to find out how much you remember.
Contact Gateway
Canterbury
Anna Mepstead
Email: advicecant@uca.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1227 817 307
Epsom
Nyawira Nijirani
Email: adviceeps@uca.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1372 202 441
Farnham
Andrea Beattie
Email: advicefarn@uca.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1252 892 612