Before You Leave Home
Now that you are preparing to leave to come to Portsmouth, we thought you might like a few checklists and a little bit of information to help you prepare for your arrival.
Important documents
- Your passport or national ID card
- BRP letter (please note you cannot travel to the UK before the 'Valid from' date on your entry vignette)
- Your travel tickets
- Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) or offer letter
- All your original certificates and diplomas, as listed on your CAS or offer letter
- Your accommodation contract or letter if you have booked a place in halls of residence or evidence that you have arranged accommodation at a private address in Portsmouth
- If needed, bring your Tuberculosis (TB) screening
- Your emergency contact telephone details, including the ICP emergency phone number: +44 (0) 7872 548496
- If you have a pre-existing medical condition, please bring any medication you require and copies of your medical notes to show your doctor when you register
Luggage
Here is a quick look at what to bring and what needs to stay behind when you pack.
- Money in cash/bank draft/bank cheque format. Make sure to have enough British Pounds (£) for the first few weeks until you are able to open a local bank account.
- UK power adaptors
- Clothing: UK weather is unpredictable, so pack a good mix of summer and winter clothing
- You may wish to bring something that has sentimental value for you, i.e. a picture of your family
- Cooking spices in small quantities
- You may wish to bring some bedding
- Some basic toiletries to have with you on arrival
- Laptop/computer
- Medication for personal use (large quantities must have doctor’s letter)
What not to Pack
- No liquids (over 100ml) in your hand luggage
- Cooking equipment
- Food items such as grains, rice, pickles and fruit
- Frozen or cooked food
Weather
Being located on the south coast of England, Portsmouth enjoys a mild and sunny microclimate compared to the rest of the UK.
In summer, temperatures are generally mild or cool with average temperatures between 18°C-23°C, although hot periods cannot be ruled out, usually of short duration. The temperature reached 32.6 °C (90.7 °F) in August 2022.
During winter, temperatures average 3°-12° and the days are much shorter. Rain, high humidity and moderate to strong winds are typical for that season. Snow is rare but can occasionally occur. We suggest you pack a good mix of winter and summer clothes before you travel to the UK.
If you would like to look at the weather forecast, you can got to the BBC Weather Forecast to find out more about the exact temperatures compared to your home.
Before You Arrive in the UK
Please ensure you have the ICP Emergency phone number +44 (0) 7872 548496 with you when you travel, or the contact information for student services.
If you do not have a working mobile in the UK when you arrive, you will find public telephones at all airports. Instructions on how to use them are displayed next to the telephone. Most accept coins from 20p upwards and many phone boxes also accept credit cards, or phone cards (these can be purchased from most convenience stores and newsagents, and come in many values from £2 to £20).
It is very important that once you have been issued your UK Study Visa, you arrive in time for orientation. Orientation is compulsory, and enrolment occurs during this period, so please arrange your travel to the UK in good time and plan how you will get to Portsmouth.
Finally, don’t forget to make sure you have arranged accommodation for when you arrive in the UK – there are lots of options to suit your style, preference and budget.