You should plan to join us in person for the start date of your course, which for most students joining BU is Monday 26 January 2026 (we call that first week “Welcome Week”). Your welcome week will include important course introduction sessions and an International Orientation Day.
Your International Orientation Day will take place on Wednesday 28 January on Talbot Campus. Please meet in the Share Lecture Theatre in the Fusion Building on Talbot Campus at 9:00am promptly.
9.00am Arrival and Welcome (tea and coffee will be served on arrival)
Introduction to key support services and practical information about life in Bournemouth:
- Summary of BU support services
- Life in Bournemouth
- The NHS and registering with a doctor
- Opening a bank account
- Getting around town
- Keeping you and your money safe (Dorset Police)
- Social and extra-curricular opportunities (SUBU)
- Time for your questions
11.00am to 11.15am: Formal welcome to BU from the Vice-Chancellor and CEO, Professor Alison Honour
11.15am to 11.30am: Comfort break
11.30am to 12.30pm: Introduction to UK Higher Education:
- An essential overview of the UK academic system, what is expected of you as a student here and how to access study support.
12.30pm to 2.00pm: Lunch*, campus tours and information fair
- The information fair takes place in FG06 (Ground floor Fusion Building). Meet a variety of different support services and organisations, including: IT, SportBU, Medical Centre, CareersBU, SUBU and many more.
- *Lunch vouchers will be provided at the end of the Introduction to UK HE session. If you are not in attendance, you won’t be able to claim a lunch voucher.
Afternoon workshops:
2.00pm to 2.50pm: Workshop 1 (select one workshop from the two options below:)
Culture shock and British culture (F201, Fusion Building)
Moving to a new country is exciting, but not always easy. Join us for some interesting discussions about British culture and how it may differ from what you expect and what you’re used to at home. We’ll give you some tips for minimising your experience of culture shock and you’ll have chance to share your observations and ask questions.
OR
Budgeting, saving money and where to shop (F205, Fusion Building)
Join this informative workshop for a variety of useful tips about ways to save money and plan your budget carefully.
3.00pm to 3.50pm: Academic Style (Share Lecture Theatre, Fusion Building)
This workshop is suitable for all students and explores ways to make your writing more formal and academic. This Academic Style workshop will help you to avoid common errors of academic writing, ensure the focus of your sentence is appropriate whilst showing you how to use cautious language and write in a concise manner.
3.50pm to 4.10pm: Grab a quick coffee and cake before the final workshop of the day!
4.10pm to 5.00pm: Careers support and how to find a part-time job (Share Lecture Theatre, Fusion Building)
Find out about the many ways in which the Careers team can support you. You’ll get tips about how to search for a part-time job and information about National Insurance and immigration restrictions related to your Student Visa. Plus, we’ll tell you about other careers-related workshops, services and activities that you can access later in the term if you need to.
5.00pm to 6.30pm – Global Café (Faith & Reflection Centre, 1st floor, Talbot House)
Global Café is a place for international students to relax, meet and make new friends. Free hot or cold drink and cookies, every Wednesday at 5pm in the Faith & Reflection Centre on the first floor of Talbot House.