Pre-arrival Checklist

The following pre-arrival checklist includes some useful tips and advice to ensure you are prepared for your arrival in the UK.

Make sure that all travel documents for you and any family members are in date and valid for entry to the UK;
Book your travel tickets to the UK;
Make your travel arrangements from the airport/port of entry once in the UK to your accommodation:
From Bournemouth Airport there is a regular bus service or alternatively you can take a taxi or hire a car.
From Southampton Airport the quickest and easiest way to travel to Bournemouth is to catch a train.
There are a range of services from Gatwick Airport. Visit Gatwick Airport website to plan your journey.
There are a range of services from Heathrow Airport. From Heathrow Airport website for available transpost and directions.
The journey to Bournemouth Train Station by a fast train from London takes around 1 hour and 50 minutes. For timetabling and fare information please call National Rail Enquiries: +44 (0) 3457 484950 or visit: www.nationalrail.co.uk
Coach travel to Bournemouth Station takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes from London Victoria Coach Station. Visit www.nationalexpress.com for timetables and fares.
We have 2 main campuses, Lansdowne and Talbot. Review our campus maps and information about how to travel to each campus. You may wish to consider which campus you will be based at when planning your accommodation.
It is advisable to make copies of all important documentation before embarking on your travels.

Tell your bank you are moving to the UK;
Check with your bank how your money can best be transferred to or accessed in the UK.

Arrange some form of accommodation before you arrive in the UK. You may find the web-sites listed below helpful in order to find either temporary, or long term accommodation:
Rightmove
Prime Location
Gumtree
Decide whether to store, sell or take your possessions with you. Check which goods you can bring into the UK through customs control;
Get quotes from removal companies and book well in advance of the moving date;
Cancel any utilities and subscriptions in your present country and redirect your mail.

Depending on what country you are relocating from you may need to get vaccinations before you arrive. Some vaccinations need to be given weeks in advance. Make sure to keep an international vaccination booklet;
The National Health Service (NHS) is the publicly funded national healthcare system in the United Kingdom. All visitors to the UK are entitled to some treatment from the NHS although what is covered free of charge will vary depending on where you are from and the treatment required. Depending on your nationality, you may be required to pay the NHS surcharge as part of the visa process. This will allow you to access NHS services once you arrive in the UK;
The NHS offers a range of services. For urgent accidents and emergency services you should phone for an ambulance on 999. You can also visit the Accident and Emergency department (A&E) which provide immediate emergency care for people who show the symptoms of serious illness or who are badly injured.
If you need immediate help but it’s not a life-threatening situation but cannot wait until you see a Doctor, you can visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111.
A dental practice can be found near you. Not all dental practices will have the capacity to take on new NHS patients. If this is the case, you may either choose to be seen privately, join a waiting list of find a dentist that is able to take on new NHS patients.

Begin searching for your new school or nursery provider. Visit the Bournemouth Council website at www.bournemouth.gov.uk/childreneducation for helpful advice and guidance.

UK driving requirements may be different from your home country. Anyone driving a vehicle in the UK must:
Have a valid, current licence to drive that type of vehicle,
Be covered by insurance to drive that specific vehicle,
Ensure that the vehicle is registered in the owner’s name,
Have valid road tax,
Register the car if they are going to drive in the UK for six months or more,
Have a valid MOT certificate for the vehicle.
Before driving any vehicle check that you meet all of the legal requirements which apply. To establish whether or not you can use your existing licence in the UK and, if so, for how long use the driving in GB interactive tool.
All drivers are required to follow the UK Highway Code.