Current Students - Life in the UK

Opening a Bank Account

You must open a bank account as soon as you arrive in the UK.

Your chosen bank will ask you to provide photo identification, confirmation that you are a student at ҹɫֱ²¥ and your postal address. Therefore, once you have chosen a bank, email Academic Administration, and they will prepare a letter confirming your student status and your postal address. 

Please make sure you give at least 48 hours' notice - we can only issue one bank letter per student.

If you bring a banker’s draft in your name, in Pounds Sterling (£GBP), with you, please ensure that the draft is drawn on a UK bank, as this speeds up transactions and ensures that commission payments are dealt with locally in your own country. Once you deposit the draft, it should take between seven and ten days to clear. Do not bring personal cheques as many banks will not accept them.

Currency

Notes: £100, £50, £20, £10, £5, and £1

Coins: £2, £1, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, and 1p

In Scotland, three different banks can issue bank notes: the Bank of Scotland, the Royal Bank of Scotland and Clydesdale Bank. In England, only the Bank of England issues banknotes. If you are visiting England and using cash, it is recommended that you take English banknotes with you as some retailers do not accept Scottish banknotes.

Cash machines (ATMs) will accept Visa, MasterCard and most other cards. There are a number of banks nearby in Musselburgh where you can open an account, including:

There are more banks in the centre of Edinburgh. Banks are usually open from 9.00am until 5pm, Monday to Friday, except on bank holidays. Some branches will also open on Saturdays, although often on reduced hours.

Since the COVID pandemic, contactless payments have become widespread and are accepted by most shops and businesses. Keep in mind that some shops no longer accept cash.

The Finance Office aim to issue you with an invoice for your tuition fees by the end of October for September starts, and the end of February for January starts. If you are a sponsored student and require an invoice earlier, please email Registry@qmu.ac.uk.

From the date of the invoice, you will have 21 days to pay your fees in full or set up a payment plan to pay in instalments via the ҹɫֱ²¥ Portal.

Students requiring a Student visa may be required to pay a tuition fee deposit. For further details, please refer to our Immigration section. Students on a Student visa are required to maintain tuition fee payments with the University in order to maintain their Student visa status.

Local Services

Shops

There are several shops within walking distance of the University and on close-by public transport links, including supermarkets Tesco, Asda, Lidl and Aldi. These shops sell a wide range of homeware items, as well as food, toiletries, and clothing.

There is a retail park close to the University called , which offers a range of high street stores including Boots and Marks & Spencer, as well as a cinema and various restaurants. There is a wider variety of shops in Edinburgh’s city centre, ranging from small independent shops to large chain stores.

Many shops, bars, and entertainment venues offer discounts to full-time students. You will need to show your student card to claim any discounts available.

Post Office

The nearest Post Office to the University is:

Musselburgh Post Office, 

80 High Street,

Musselburgh,

EH21 7BX

Getting around Edinburgh and Beyond

As a student, you can apply for rail and bus discount cards, which will give you a reduction on standard fares.

If you are under 22 and living in Scotland, you may be entitled to nationwide .

Two main bus companies operate throughout Edinburgh: Lothian Buses and First Bus. To find out more about the various bus routes, you can visit their websites: and .

Two buses run from Edinburgh city centre to ҹɫֱ²¥: Lothian No. 30 and No. 4. The 30 bus runs approximately every 10 minutes, with a journey time of 20-30 minutes. Sunday service tends to be every 30 minutes. The 4 runs a little less frequently. 

It is possible to travel between Edinburgh and ҹɫֱ²¥ by train in under 10 minutes. Timetables can be found on the .

Edinburgh is extremely accessible by road, rail and air.

Bus

You can purchase student discount cards, which will offer you up to 30% discount on fares (visit the bus companies' websites for further details). The main bus station is in St Andrews Square, behind Princes Street.

Train

You can also use the app to book tickets across the UK.

Alternatively, visit Waverley Station on Princes Street for further information. You can purchase a young person's/student railcard that lasts for one year and gives you up to 1/3 discount off all rail travel.

Air

Edinburgh is well served by several airlines, including budget carriers and – visit their websites for details of special offers.

Remember to check if you require a visa for your chosen destination if you decide to travel outside the UK – even within Europe. Don’t leave this until the last minute!

Car

Please note that in accordance with the University's Transport Strategy Action Plan, there is no on-campus parking for students in University accommodation who wish to bring their own cars. Exceptions can be made for students with mobility impairments.

Travel Accommodation

You may wish to become a member of the (SHA), which gives you access to budget accommodation across the country.

Leaving home to study in a foreign country can be a very exciting experience, but we recognise it can also be challenging, particularly in the early days. Often, students are surprised by the effect that travelling to another country can have on them. However, it is important to realise that many of your reactions are perfectly normal, regardless of where you are from or what you are studying.

Culture Shock can be caused by several things:

• The shock of a new environment
• Different study methods
• Constantly meeting new people
• Being separated from your loved ones and the people whom you would usually turn to for advice
• The climate
• The food
• Being immersed in a foreign language
• Social customs that challenge what you have always accepted as ‘normal’.

It is important to recognise the symptoms of culture shock and look after yourself. It is perfectly normal, and to be expected, that you may feel homesick, and you may be surprised when it hits you. You may have difficulty sleeping, or want to sleep all the time; you may get headaches or be overanxious. Often, your concentration span is affected, and your emotions may fluctuate more than normal.

Remember that support networks are in place to help you through any difficult times. Here is some basic advice:

• Maintain a healthy, balanced diet
• Take regular light exercise
• Keep in touch with your friends and family at home by email, or make a few extra phone calls or video chats 
• Make friends with other international students, as they often will understand what you are going through
• Join some societies, or get involved with your local community, as this is a way of keeping yourself busy and also getting to know other Scottish students who can, in turn, help you to understand the culture better
• Speak to someone from the International Office, the Wellbeing Adviser or a Student Counsellor
• Ultimately, look after yourself and remember that culture shock is a perfectly natural reaction to life in a new environment

It is very common for international students to suffer from culture shock at some point during their studies. UKCISA have produced a useful , which you might find helpful and reassuring.

It is even known that students experience reverse culture shock when returning home. More information about reverse culture shock can be found on .

English Language and Study Skills Support

Free English language support is available from the Effective Learning Service (ELS), which is based in the Learning Resource Centre. The Effective Learning Service provides support for all students who wish to develop their English language skills.

The Effective Learning Service can also help you with your study skills and with making the transition from high school to undergraduate study, or from undergraduate to postgraduate study in your home country, to studying the UK. 

For information on the support available and how to make an appointment with one of the team, visit the Effective Learning Service ±è²¹²µ±ð.Ìý

You can also contact the Effective Learning Service at ELSinternational@qmu.ac.uk.

Student Services

The Student Services team acknowledge the diversity of students’ backgrounds and experiences and has established a range of support services designed to meet your needs and requirements.

ҹɫֱ²¥ has a dedicated team of specialists in the areas of transition and pre-entry guidance, careers and student employment, disability advice, counselling and wellbeing, financial advice, and for students who are living on campus, a medical service linked with Riverside Medical Practice in Musselburgh.

All services are confidential and free.

International Team

The International Team are available to help answer any questions, particularly if you need information about immigration and extending your visa. We offer information and advice on a range of topics and can also provide you with supporting letters for extending your visa, inviting a family member to visit you, and for visiting another country.

During term time, we run regular drop-in sessions. At the start of each week, you will receive a link to the online drop-in session by email. Dates for these sessions will also be published on our Opportunities to Meet Us ±è²¹²µ±ð.Ìý

If you have any questions throughout the year, you can also email the team at international@qmu.ac.uk.

The International Team organise several social events for international students. These usually include a familiarisation tour of Edinburgh, a Burns Night lunch, and a bus tour.

Students' Union

ҹɫֱ²¥ Students’ Union is a not-for-profit organisation led by students. It offers advice and support, student representation, extra-curricular activities and volunteer opportunities.

Find out more information, including a full list of the sports and societies the union offers

Term Dates

The term dates for the whole academic year are published on our Academic Calendar. 

Teaching and Learning Methods

During your studies at ҹɫֱ²¥, methods of teaching and learning may differ from what you are used to:

• Lectures - Traditional teaching, where a lecturer speaks on a particular subject to many students.
• Tutorials - This is where you will meet your tutor, in a small group of your fellow students. You will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the topic and contribute to discussions.
• Independent Study - You are expected to undertake some independent study, either alone or in small groups. You will be required to read about your subject so that you can contribute in class and write assignments. Reading lists are provided for guidance.
• Assessment - Assessment is carried out through examinations and coursework. Do not put your studies and preparation off until the last minute, as pressure soon mounts.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a very serious matter in the UK. You should never copy someone else’s work or even repeat it in different words without stating where you found the information and who it came from. Guides about referencing are available from the Library.

Remember, if you are struggling with your studies, you must seek advice from academic staff as soon as possible, rather than wait for them to approach you.

Further information about study methods used in the UK is provided on the .

Personal Academic Tutor (PAT)

Your Personal Academic Tutor is the member of staff who will be your guide and mentor for academic issues throughout your time at ҹɫֱ²¥. Your PAT will be:

• a friendly and helpful first point of contact within the institution
• a source of advice and guidance on all matters relating to academic progress
• a link with other academic staff
• aware of the broader network of support services at ҹɫֱ²¥ and advise you as appropriate.

All Student Route students who have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of the visa application process are entitled to free medical advice and hospital treatment under the National Health Service in Scotland. The cost of dental care and eye tests are not covered by the NHS.

It is advisable to register with a doctor once you are settled in your accommodation. If you are living on campus, you can register with our local GP online.

Student medical services are delivered in partnership with:

Esk Medical Centre
Ladywell Way
Musselburgh
EH21 6AB
0131 665 2267

You can if you are not living on campus.

Most international students studying for longer than six months do not require a work permit to work part-time. As a full-time international student, you are permitted to work in the UK for up to 20 hours per week as long as the work meets certain conditions:

• You must not work for more than 20 hours a week during term time, except where a work placement is to be undertaken as a necessary part of the course of study, as agreed by the education institution.
• Your BRP must not say 'prohibition on taking employment'.
• You cannot engage in business, self-employment, the provision of services, or take work as a professional entertainer or sportsperson.
• You should not pursue a career by filling a permanent full-time vacancy.

Further details about the regulations on employment can be found on the .

If you are on a short-term study abroad or exchange programme from a country which does not require a UK entry visa, you will need to obtain a student visa if you want to work part-time while studying. If you are a study abroad or exchange student, please contact StudyAbroad@qmu.ac.uk for further guidance.

If you decide to work, you will need to obtain a .

It is vital that you attend your classes and engage with your studies. You should also be aware of the conditions of your visa. Please refer to the Maintaining Your Student Visa section on our Visas and Immigration page for more details.

If your passport is lost or stolen, you will need to report the loss to the police in the country where the loss or theft occurred and make an application for a replacement passport to your Embassy or High Commission where you currently are.

If your passport is lost or stolen, please also report this to the International Office.

You will also need to ensure you link your replacement passport to your eVisa account.

We understand that there may be some occasions where you need a letter from the University to support a range of different activities. If you need a student status letter, you can download this from the ҹɫֱ²¥ Portal.

If you are planning to travel overseas and need to apply for a visa, you may need a letter of support from the University. Please complete the International trip letter request form (web form), and forward permission from your PAT in an email to the International Office.

If you require a letter to attend graduation, please email Registry@qmu.ac.uk.

We aim to issue letters within 48 working hours of details and approval (where required) being received.