Here are some suggestions for things to pack in your luggage:
Hand luggage
- Important documents (you should keep documents relating to your visa and studies with you and not in your checked luggage, as you may be interviewed by immigration and health officials at Border Control):
- Your passport and your UK visa
- Your flight details/ticket
- Vaccination certificates where required
- TB X-Ray report where required
- Your CAS Statement
- Bank statements proving you have sufficient funds to cover your first year’s tuition fee and living costs for the first 9 months.
- Originals of your academic qualifications and English language certificate
- Photocopies of your qualifications, passport and visa
- Insurance documents
- A list of the items in your luggage, in case you need to make an insurance claim
- Money – You can open a UK bank account once you enrol on the course and collect your BRP. You will need a bank letter, which you can download following the instructions on the Hub. It can take a few weeks for your account to be opened so you should make sure you have access to some money in British currency until your bank account is open. The UK is increasingly becoming a cashless society with contactless payment, Apple Wallet and Google Pay accepted widely. That being said, there are some shops, in rare cases, that will only accept cash…and increasingly more that won’t accept cash at all! So it’s wise to have access to both forms of payment. The amount you will need to cover your costs until you can open your bank account depends on individual circumstances, but we would recommend making sure you have access to £400 – £600 (not including accommodation and tuition fees) to cover costs. This could be:
- A credit card you can use in the UK
- A pre-paid debit card /virtual debit card that you can use in the UK
- Travellers cheques – although they aren’t widely accepted, they can be exchanged at Bureaux De Change for a small commission and are more secure than cash. More information on travellers cheques can be found here
- Cash, although it’s not recommended you bring large quantities of cash for security reasons
- Some warm clothing – the climate in the UK can be unpredictable and the temperature when you arrive may be colder than in your home country, so it’s a good idea to have something warm to wear in case you need it. You may also need a waterproof jacket or umbrella!
- Medicines – if you take prescription medicines, you should take these in your hand luggage, along with a letter from your doctor explaining what they are. Make sure to bring at least a few weeks’ medication with you, so that you don’t run out before you register with a doctor in Cardiff.
- Mobile phone/ personal electronic devices – make sure to check with your airline what items you can and can’t take in your hand luggage. Electronic devices should normally be kept turned off or in flight-safe mode while you are on the plane, but make sure that all of your devices have a charged battery so that you can turn them on at airport security if you are asked to, and so that you can use them once you land in the UK.
- And…Any other items you may need for your journey and your first few days in the UK in the event that your checked luggage is lost. Some items are not allowed to be carried in hand luggage. Please check with your airline for the latest rules.
Main luggage
- Instruments – If you are bringing an instrument, it may need to be checked in separately to your suitcase. Check with your airline for any additional costs and for recommendations on the safest way to transport your instrument. You may also want to purchase travel insurance to cover your instrument in case of loss or damage.
- Clothing – You will need clothing suitable for a variety of weather conditions and temperatures, as the British climate can be very unpredictable! For example, you will need a warm coat or jacket that is also waterproof for the winter months. You may find it easier to buy suitable clothing when you arrive, rather than bringing lots of clothes with you. Cardiff city centre has lots of shops where you can buy clothes appropriate for British weather and it is only a 10-minute walk from the College!
- Bedding and household items – Student accommodation in the UK is normally furnished, meaning that you will not need to buy large furniture items for your room. However, you will need to provide your own bedding, kitchen utensils, toiletries and cleaning products. Contact your halls of residence or landlord for more information on what is provided and what you will need. Bringing all of these things in your luggage would be impractical, so consider bringing only what you need for your first few nights and purchase other things once you are here. If you are staying in halls of residence, you can choose to purchase a bedding and kitchen pack when you book your room – Unite Students has a number of different packs on their website. There are also a number of shops in Cardiff that sell these items relatively cheaply, for example:
Easily accessible by bus or taxi:
- Electrical appliances – you may want to bring small electrical appliances with you, such as a hairdryer, laptop, rice cooker, etc. Electricity voltage in the UK is 240 volts and appliances use a 3-pin plug. These items can be purchased relatively cheaply in the UK, which is a safer option than bringing your own if the voltage and plugs are different in your country. If you do bring your own electrical items with you, make sure to use the correct UK plug adaptor for appliances from your country.
- Course Materials – Any books, clothing or equipment that you will need for your course. Again, these can be purchased once you arrive in the UK.
- And…You might also want to bring a few personal items, such as photographs of family and friends and your favourite music! This will help you to feel at home in your accommodation.
Keeping your luggage safe
Make sure you use strong suitcases and label them with your name and your Cardiff address if you know it. You may need to walk long distances through the airport, so make sure that your luggage is not too heavy and you can carry it for 10-15 minutes. You should also be able to lift your hand luggage above your head to be able to stow it in overhead compartments on the plane.
Avoid bringing valuable items unless it is absolutely necessary. You should insure valuable items before you travel and keep them in your hand luggage.
You should keep copies of insurance policy numbers, passport, visa etc. in a separate and safe place in case they are lost or stolen. As an additional precaution, leave copies with family or friends as well.
Never leave your luggage unattended in or around an airport, train or bus station. If you do, your belongings may be stolen, or destroyed by security staff!