Hello!

What is a lecture? How is it different to a seminar? How do modules work?

Higher Education is full of unique terms and phrases that you may not be familiar with.

The Transition to Higher Education course aims to explain some of the more common terminologies used in Higher Education and help you to find out what studying at Bloomsbury Institute will be like.

The course also explains the structure of the Foundation Year, what subjects you will be studying and what the assessments will be.

Take the course

You are encouraged to complete as much of the course as you feel helpful.

To ensure you’re ready to start at Bloomsbury Institute, and to prepare for your Welcome and Induction Week, we wanted to highlight some of the key digital tools and applications you will need. You’ll also use these a lot as a student, so it’s definitely worth getting to know them early!

Canvas

Our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) – This platform is used by staff and students to support you throughout your modules and courses. You can access it via a web browser and through the mobile app.

Digital Skills Course

Take part in our course to get to grips with the digital programmes and skills you’ll need throughout your studies.

See the course overview.

If you are relocating to London in order to study with us, please do remember to register with a doctors’ surgery so that your medical support can be provided.

Find a GP on nhs.uk

If you are relocating to London to study with us, please do remember to join your local Electoral Register. To be eligible to vote in UK elections you must be one of the following:

• a UK or Irish citizen
• a qualifying Commonwealth citizen living in the UK
• an EU citizen living in the UK

and aged 18 or over.

Electoral Registers are managed by local authorities, so if you are already on an Electoral Register elsewhere in the UK, you must join your new local authory’s Electoral Register in order to vote in it. Students can be on multiple Electoral Registers but must only vote in one.

Find out more on the Electoral Commission’s website

Arrive early if you can

By arriving early, you will give yourself time to settle in London and make the most of your time here.

1. Accommodation

While we do not provide accommodation as an Institution, there are many places around London where you can stay for the academic years you will be studying with us.

2. How to get from the airport

One thing to ensure is that when you are coming to the UK you know how to get from the airport into the city of London. You can find the many options to get from Heathrow or Gatwick Airport, our main international airports, from the following sites: From Heathrow airport and From Gatwick airport.

Once you arrive in London there are a range of transport options to get you around the city like buses, trains and the London Tube. For more information including how to plan your journey to your accommodation and to Bloomsbury Institute, please check on the Transport for London (TFL) website here: Plan a journey.

3. Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) Card

If you are coming under a Student Visa and have obtained your Visa from outside the UK, you should have received a vignette (sticker) on your passport, which should be valid for 90 days. The actual duration of your Student Visa will be featured on a BRP (Biometric Resident Permit) card, which you must collect before the end of 90 days, instead of the normal 10 days of arrival, from a named Post Office branch.

EU Nationals and British Overseas Nationals – If you are coming on a Student Visa you may not have a vignette in your passport, but instead, have a Share Code. These can be generated to demonstrate your ability to study in the UK using the Prove Status web page.

4. National Health Service (NHS)

You are entitled to register with a local General Practitioner (GP) for medical check-ups and consultations with the NHS. The service is free, but you will need to pay for any prescriptions from the doctor and other specialist services. To register with a GP practice in your local area, you will need a letter proving your enrolment as a student. To find your local GP services please click here: Find a GP

Exception:
You can also register with a local dentist and charges will depend on the medical treatment. Please check the NHS website for more information: Find a dentist

5. Bank Account

For those who may not have a bank account in the UK, you may wish to open one for the duration of your course. You can do this by submitting a request on your Student Self-service Portal (SSP) for a bank letter. Please clearly state in the request that the letter is required to open a bank account and write the name of the bank you wish to open an account with. It can take up to 5 working days for letters to be issued at the beginning of the academic year, so please ensure that you have sufficient funds to use until you open a bank account.

6. Mobile phones

You’ll have plenty of choices when it comes to phones. You can choose from either a prepaid SIM card or a phone contract. If your phone is unlocked and operates on the GSM network, then you’ll have the freedom to choose any network provider in the UK. There are many network providers to choose from so it is advisable to undertake some research online or visit a mobile phone shop to discuss your options.

7. Work rights

The main purpose of a Student visa under the Student route is that you come to the UK to study a course. Although work is permitted if you join a full-time course at degree level (RQF level 6 (or equivalent)) or above which is sponsored by a Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance, the intention is that this should be to supplement your income while studying. For these courses, the UKVI will permit a maximum of 20 hours per week of work rights during term time and full-time during holiday periods. This means that for all our courses you will be allowed to work 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during the holiday period.

8. Useful contacts

Compliance Manager
Email: visa.compliance@bil.ac.uk
Telephone: +44(0)20 7078 8840

Admissions
Email: admissions@bil.ac.uk
Telephone: +44(0)20 7078 8840

Academic Administration
Log a request via the Student Self-service Portal (SSP)*
Email: academic.admin@bil.ac.uk
Telephone: +44(0)20 7078 8840

*Note: you will have access to the Student Self-service Portal once you have provisionally enrolled.

Other useful contacts.