Student Guide

Immediately after you’ve received your visa, book your flight. When booking your flight, please make sure you arrive a few days before your first day of the term, so you have enough time to check-in to your accommodation and you join your classes on time.

We will request updates on your flight details via CAS Shield, the online self-service system that you used when you submitted your CAS documents. Once you’ve booked your flight, please upload your flight ticket on CAS Shield so we can prepare for your arrival.

Registration is a three stage process and only stage one needs to be done pre-arrival. Stage two and three need to be completed face to face. All stages are compulsory and need to be completed in the sequence outlined below:

STAGE 1 – Online Registration

Online registration is a compulsory requirement, and all students need to complete it before visa verification. The details that you will provide as part of the online registration task will allow us to prepare for your arrival such as creating your Student ID card, setting up your university email address and enable your IT facilities.

Once you’ve received your CAS, you will be sent an email from maildmu@dmu.ac.uk to complete your online registration which will include a link and login details. Please note that this won’t be earlier than six weeks before your course start date.

Important! Before you are able to start your online registration you must activate your DMU account so that you create a secure password which you will need in order to enter the registration portal. Activating your DMU account requires a personal email address, where we will send you the instructions. If you have not received this email to your personal account, please contact registrationqueries@dmu.ac.uk and provide us with your correct personal email address.

Please remember that activating your DMU account is not online registration.
Once you’ve activated your DMU account you will be able to enter the registration portal and complete your registration.

Please note that you will not be able to attend lessons or receive your timetable until online registration has been completed.

STAGE 2 – Visa Verification (International Students)
Once the online registration is complete and you have paid your fees in full, you will be invited by email to book an appointment for the face-to-face visa verification.

You must book and attend the appointment in order to have your full registration finalised and to officially become a university student. Without full registration status you will be classed as non-arrival and this will have an impact on your visa.

During the visa verification appointment, you will receive your Student ID card.

STAGE 3 – DMUIC Registration
This stage will take place on campus and once you’ve completed it you will receive your timetable and will have access to university’s online services and facilities. Please bring with you your mobile, tablet or laptop as we will need you to complete a short form online.

At this stage we will ask you for copy of your Financial Guarantee Letter, if you are a government sponsored student, or of your SLC application/approval, if you are funding your studies via Student Finance Company (SFC).

Please note that you will not be able to register with us unless you provide proof of tenancy agreement showing that you live within 30 mile radius of the university campus.

We strongly advise that you pay your remaining fee from your home country as soon as you receive your visa and before you travel to the UK. Settling all due payments prior to arrival will allow you to focus on your studies and to enjoy your student life. Without paying your tuition fees, you may not receive your timetable and may have restrictions applied to your university facilities.

You can easily pay your tuition and fees online via Flywire, our preferred payment partner. Flywire provides a secure global payment network that simplifies paying your fees from your home country and countries around the world. Payment options can include bank transfers, credit cards, e-wallets and more, typically in your home currency for most countries. Click here to make your payment.

If you want to discuss about your tuition fee payment, you can contact our Credit Control team at creditcontrol@oxfordinternational.com.

If you will finance your studies via Student Loan Company (SLC), you must make your application prior to arrival at the college. You can start making an application by clicking HERE. Please note that SFE take between 6 to 8 weeks to process SLC applications so please sure that you apply well in advance of your course start date.

Setting up your eVisa account:

You can set up your eVisa as soon as your visa is granted. You should create your UKVI online account before arriving in the UK. This ensures you can manage your digital immigration status without delays.

Steps to Take:

1. Access Your eVisa: Create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to access your eVisa (Get Access – eVisa)

Ensure your personal details and the passport you will use for travel are correctly linked to your UKVI account. (Making sure your eVisa is correct)

2. Verify Your eVisa Details: Use the ‘View and Prove Your Immigration Status’ service to confirm that your immigration status is displayed correctly and that you have permission to travel to the UK.

Pre-Arrival Support: arrivalsupport@oxfordinternational.com

Visa: Pathways@oxfordinternational.com
Accommodation: accommodation@dmu.ac.uk
Online registration: registrationqueries@dmu.ac.uk
SFE application support:  studentfunding@dmu.ac.uk
Tuition fee payments: creditcontrol@oxfordinternational.com
Forgotten password / technical issues: servicedesk@dmu.ac.uk
Online registration / visa document verification:
internationalregistration@dmu.ac.uk
Late arrival: arrivalsupport@oxfordinternational.com

We want you to have the best possible student experience and we will provide you informative induction and orientation events to help you settle into your studies and make friends. We strongly advise that you don’t miss any of these events and that you attend lectures from day one in order to have the best possible academic outcome.

To enjoy the full student experience, you need to arrive at the College no later than the course start date as stated in your offer letter and Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

If you anticipate arriving in the UK after your course start date, it is crucial to inform us as soon as possible. Please email the Pre-Arrival team at arrivalsupport@oxfordinternational.com

Kindly note that late arrival requests submitted to other teams will delay processing. To ensure a prompt response, all requests must be directed to the Pre-Arrival team at the email provided above.

By Train

1. From Birmingham Airport to Birmingham New Street:

Step 1: Follow the signs to the Air-Rail Link, a free monorail service that connects the airport to Birmingham International Train Station. This takes around 2 minutes.

Step 2: Take a train from Birmingham International to Birmingham New Street. Trains run frequently, and the journey takes approximately 10-15 minutes.

2. From Birmingham New Street to Leicester:

Step 3: At Birmingham New Street, catch a direct train to Leicester. Trains to Leicester are operated by CrossCountry and East Midlands Railway, and the journey takes about 50-60 minutes.

Step 4: Upon arrival at Leicester Train Station, exit the station.

3. From Leicester Train Station to De Montfort University:

Step 5: Exit the station and walk to De Montfort University. The Estates Development Building on Richmond Street is approximately a 20-minute walk from Leicester Train Station. You can use a mapping service on your phone for precise walking directions.

Cost: Single Ticket approximately £14-18

By coach

1. From Birmingham Airport to Leicester:

Board the coach at Birmingham International Airport outside the terminal on stand J

Coach will terminate at Leicester St. Margaret’s Bus Station (stand SZ)

The coach journey takes approximately 1 hour and 30mins.

2. From Leicester St. Margaret’s Bus Station to De Montfort University:

From St. Margaret’s Bus Station, walk or take a local bus to De Montfort University. It’s about a 15–20-minute walk to the Estates Development Building on Richmond Street.

Cost:

£9 for a single ticket if you book online

You can purchase a ticket on the day, subject to availability, this will cost £16 (cash is not accepted)

By private car/taxi

You can take a taxi directly from Birmingham International Airport to De Montfort University, Estates Development Building. The journey by car is approximately 40-50 miles and takes about 1 hour, depending on traffic conditions.

Private Taxi hire: Approximately £100-£120

DMUIC airport pickup service: You will be picked up from the airport and dropped off at your accommodation. Advanced payment is required before booking the transfer, please allow a minimum of 5 working days’ notice.

For more details on how to book, please email: prearrivals@dmu.ac.uk

By train

1. From Heathrow Airport to London St Pancras International:

Step 1: Take the Heathrow Express from Heathrow Airport to London Paddington. The Heathrow Express departs every 15 minutes and takes about 15 minutes to reach Paddington.

Step 2: From London Paddington, take the London Underground (Hammersmith & City Line or Circle Line) to King’s Cross St Pancras. The journey takes about 10-15 minutes.

2. From London St Pancras International to Leicester:

Step 3: At St Pancras International, board an East Midlands Railway train to Leicester. Trains run frequently, and the journey takes approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.

3. From Leicester Train Station to De Montfort University:

Step 4: Exit the station and walk to De Montfort University. The Estates Development Building on Richmond Street is approximately a 20-minute walk from Leicester Train Station.

Cost: Single Tickets can range from £50-£100 and may sell out. We recommended to book 2-4 weeks in advance.

By coach

1. From Heathrow Airport to Leicester:

Step 1: Take a National Express coach directly from Heathrow Airport to Leicester St Margaret’s Bus Station. Coaches leave from Heathrow’s Central Bus Station, which is well-signposted and connected to all terminals. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours.

2. From St. Margaret’s Bus Station to De Montfort University:

Step 2: From St. Margaret’s Bus Station, walk or take a local bus to De Montfort University. It’s about a 15-20 minute walk to the Estates Development Building on Richmond Street.

Cost: Single Tickets can range from £17-£50 and may sell out. We recommended to book 2-4 weeks in advance.

By private car/taxi

You can take a taxi directly from London Heathrow Airport to De Montfort University, Estates Development Building. The journey by car is around 100 miles and takes about 2 hour and 30 minutes to 3 hours, depending on traffic conditions.

Private Taxi hire: Approximately £230

DMUIC airport pickup service: You will be picked up from the airport and dropped off at your accommodation. Advanced payment is required before booking the transfer, please allow a minimum of 5 working days’ notice.

For more details on how to book, please email: prearrivals@dmu.ac.uk

By Train

1. From Gatwick Airport to St Pancras International:

Step1:

Gatwick Express: Take the Gatwick Express train from Gatwick Airport to London Victoria Station. This service runs frequently, usually every 15 minutes, and takes about 30 minutes.

Thameslink: Alternatively, you can take a Thameslink train directly from Gatwick Airport to St Pancras International. This journey takes around 50 minutes.

2. From St Pancras International to Leicester:

Step 2: At St Pancras International, take an East Midlands Railway train towards Leicester. Trains to Leicester run frequently, approximately every 20-30 minutes, and the journey takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

3. From Leicester Railway Station to De Montfort University:

Step 3: Exit the station and walk to De Montfort University. The Estates Development Building on Richmond Street is approximately a 20-minute walk from Leicester Train Station. You can use a mapping service on your phone for precise walking directions.

Cost: Single Tickets can range from £23 to £84 and may sell out. We recommended to book from 2-4 weeks in advance.

By coach

1.  From London Gatwick Airport to Leicester

National Express: Take National Express coach from Gatwick Airport London (North) or Gatwick Airport London (South) Coach Station to Leicester St Margaret’s Bus Station. This journey takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes to 5 hours and 30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

2. From Leicester St Margaret’s Bus Station to De Montfort University:

Taxi or Walk: From St. Margaret’s Bus Station, walk or take a local bus to De Montfort University. It’s about a 15-20 minute walk to the Estates Development Building on Richmond Street.

Cost: Single Tickets can range from £44-£75 and may sell out. We recommended to book from 2-4 weeks in advance.

By private car/taxi

You can take a taxi directly from London Gatwick Airport to De Montfort University, Estates Development Building. The journey by car is around 140 miles and takes about 3 hour and 30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

Private Taxi hire: Approximately£300

DMUIC airport pickup service: You will be picked up from the airport and dropped off at your accommodation. Advanced payment is required before booking the transfer, please allow a minimum of 5 working days’ notice.

For more details on how to book, please email: prearrivals@dmu.ac.uk

Directions:

CityMapper – Citymapper – The Ultimate Transport App

Google Maps – Google Maps

Buying Train Tickets:

National Rail – Welcome to the Official source for UK trains | National Rail

Trainline – Search, Compare & Buy Cheap Train Tickets

Buying coach Tickets:

National Express – Coach Travel & Airport Transfers | National Express

Local Buses in Leicester:

Leicester Buses – Travelling by bus

Booking Taxi’s Pre-Arrival:

Jewels Airport Transfers – UK Airport Transfer Service to and from All Airports

DMU Airport Pickup – Email prearrivals@dmu.ac.uk for more details

Booking Taxi’s at the Airport:

Uber – Ride with Uber 

For further information, you can also check this link, provided by the university!

It is important that you declare any medical conditions, disabilities or specific learning differences during your admission stage so that we can prepare to support you before you arrive. However, you will also get the opportunity to let us know during your face-to-face registration. You can let us know anytime if anything changes and we can offer support and guidance.

Keep us up to date with your details (UK address, phone number, email) if anything changes. You can change any details on the ‘Personal Information’ tile of the DMU Student Portal app. You can also email college@dmu.ac.uk.

You will be given your card when you attend your face-to-face registration appointment. You must have this with you at all times when at the college and on the university campus. You will need your Student ID card to access many of our services and buildings, so you must keep your card safe.

Your Student ID card also allows you to claim numerous student discounts and enjoy cost-effective entertainment, food, clothes etc.

If you have lost your card, you will be required to pay £12.50 for a replacement. You can do this through the online store and we will let you know when you can collect it. Alternatively, you can visit us in the Student Gateway during our opening hours.

GP (General Practitioner) is a doctor that provides medical treatment and can refer you to other National Health Services (NHS)
dmu.ac.uk/healthy/take-care/gp-registration.aspx

• De Montfort Surgery is on campus and is an NHS general practitioners’ surgery which provides medical care for students and local residents who live within the practice boundary.Register online today by visiting:
  www.willowshealthcare.org/practices/de-montfort-surgery/

• Leicester Royal Infirmary is a hospital that is less than a 9-minute walk from campus. You can visit the Accident & Emergency at the hospital (A&E) in case of an emergency.You can find more information here;
  leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/our-hospitals/leicester-royal-infirmary/

• Download the NHS app for a range of NHS services such as booking appointments, viewing your health record and many more.
  nhs.uk/nhs-app/

SIM operators such as GiffGaff offer local calling, SMS, international calling, and mobile data bundles packages at a low price. DMUIC also has SIM cards available at induction.

There are various bank branches in the Leicester (Barclays, Lloyd, HSBC, Santander) where you can open a student bank account. In order to open a bank account you will need proof of identity showing your full name (your passport will be accepted). Some banks may want to see an official document of proof of address. Once fully registered, we can also provide a bank letter from the university.

Everyone who possesses a TV, or devices such as a radio or tablet, must pay a TV licence fee.  TV licences must be renewed annually and can be purchased from the Post Office or online.  For more information go to www.tvlicensing.co.uk

There are three ways that you can pay your fees.

1. Online payment via Flywire, our preferred payment partner (click this link) – you will need to enter your 6-digit student number found on your unconditional offer letter.
2. Credit or debit card at the DMUIC Estate Development Building reception on Campus. (Open Mon – Fri from 8.30-16.00 BST).
3. Bank transfer using the payment details below (please ensure that you use your student ID as a reference).

Account name: LIPC Partnership Limited

Bank: NatWestAccount: 73770248

Sort code: 60-09-15

IBAN: GB10NWBK60091673770248

BIC: NWBKGB2L

You will need to be connected to the Wifi to complete your registration form after your visa verification appointment. It’s a good idea to get connected ahead of time. DMU uses a global WiFi network called eduroam. You will need to know your student number and your password that you created during online registration to login. There are lots of posters and leaflets to help you connect. You can also ask the friendly college team for help.

During your face-to-face registration, you will receive a quick post arrival survey to complete. This will allow us to see how you have found your arrival at the College and highlight to us any areas of improvement or changes that we can make to ensure the process is as smooth as possible for students.

Familiarise yourself with the Academic Offences & Bad Academic Practice Policy to understand what is expected of you and what is deemed as unacceptable in your studies. You can talk to your module leader for guidance if you are concerned.

Ensure that you have familiarised yourself with the DMUIC attendance policy. The course is an in person course and your attendance is monitored daily. Failure to attend may result in you being terminated from your course and your visa being curtailed.

This handbook aims to introduce students to the programme of study by providing information which we hope you will find useful, particularly at the start of your programme.  It provides an outline of the Programme, its ethos, structure and assessment, and the University services that are available to you, both at De Montfort University International College and De Montfort University.  Use the guide to familiarise yourself with the programme, to acquaint yourself with the Programme Regulations, its aims and objectives, and to establish what the learning outcomes are so that you are well prepared to tackle the requirements of the programme and the various assessments and examinations you are set.

Join us for the welcome event, exclusively for DMUIC students! This is a fantastic opportunity to meet new people, make friends, and connect with your fellow students. You can book your place upon arrival on campus. A full event diary will be found on LearningZone.

The induction sessions will help you familiarise yourself with the College, the team, the campus and facilities, and the city. It will also be an opportunity to speak with current students and to make friends. You will receive a lot of useful information about how to open a bank account, how to register with a doctor and what services are available to you. You will also attend an academic induction during the first week of teaching. This is an opportunity for you to meet your tutors, learn all about your course, meet classmates and ask questions.

These inductions also give you the opportunity to ask questions and get an understanding of what to expect during your time at the college.

Once you finalise your registration, you will be sent your timetable usually within 24 hours. This will be sent to your student email address which you can access through the DMU Student Portal App. You can also download the Outlook app for quicker access.

You can get to most places on campus within 5 minutes of walking. Please attend a campus tour during induction week where a student ambassador will show you around, how to navigate the campus and also some hidden gems!

Check out the virtual campus tour HERE

Follow us on Instagram @DMUIC to be the first to hear the latest news and to see what the students get up to!

We are dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment and DMU has onsite campus security available 24/7. It is recommended that you save the number 0116 2577642. You can also email security@dmu.ac.uk

Click here to find out more about the range of sports clubs you can join at DMU

Click here to find our more about the societies you can join at DMU

For more information about events, activities and support on with your student union visit their website https://www.demontfortsu.com/

The college inbox is monitored Monday to Friday on college@dmu.ac.uk. You can also call on 0116 2078138 (don’t forget to omit the 0 and add the country code prefix +44 if you are not using a UK sim)

You can visit us in the Philip Tasker Building reception between 8.30am – 4pm Monday to Friday. You will find your tutors contact details on Blackboard once you complete registration.

Academic Success: Regular attendance is crucial for your academic success and progress in your studies. Attending classes allows you to engage with course material, participate in discussions, and seek clarification on any topics you find challenging.

Visa Compliance: Compliance with attendance requirements is essential to maintain your immigration status in the UK. The UKVI expects student visa holders to fulfil their obligations to their educational institution by attending classes regularly.

Future Opportunities: Maintaining good attendance is not only important for your current visa status but also for any future visa applications or extensions. Immigration authorities may consider your attendance record when reviewing your visa application.

Student attendance is monitored on a weekly basis, with all students are expected to maintain attendance between 80% and above. The college monitors the attendance of all students using various methods, including electronic attendance tracking systems and tutor registers to record your presence in class.

If your attendance falls below 80% with no valid evidence to explain your absence, the following sanctions will be applied:

1. An email and phone call from the college highlighting your low attendance. You will be given some time to improve your attendance rate.
2. You will receive a warning letter from the college regarding your attendance, this letter outlined the implications on your sponsorship from the university. This will count as a warning and be stored on your student record.
3. A meeting with a member of the college staff / Head of Department to discuss the reason(s) for your lack of attendance,. This will count as a warning and be stored on your student record.
4. Your sponsorship from the university will be cancelled, your studies at the college will be terminated and your visa will be cancelled, requiring your to leave the UK.

We understand that there may be occasions when you are unable to attend classes due to reasons beyond your control, such as illness or family emergencies. If you find yourself in such circumstances, please inform attendance@dmu.ac.uk as soon as possible as we have procedures in place to support students facing genuine difficulties. You are required to inform the college of any absences with sufficient reason before the start of your class. This allows for your attendance to be monitored accurately.

If you require a leave of absence for more than 3 days you will need to complete an absence request form. This will need to be approved by your programme leader or Immigration Compliance (for absences over 30 days). The full details of your period absence are considered before approval, to ensure appropriate support can be provided before you are able to take a leave of absence.

In the case of an unexpected absence for more than 3 days due to illness, you will be required to provide medical evidence.

It’s important to provide clear and concise evidence that demonstrates the impact of the mitigating circumstances on your ability to attend classes. Additionally, ensure that your documentation is authentic and accurately reflects the situation. If you’re unsure about what evidence to provide or how to present your case, please contact attendance@dmu.ac.uk

Failure report or request absences may mean your absence is not supported and will be recorded as unauthorised, potentially leading to the sponsorship of your visa being withdrawn.

The UKVI may request your student records at any time during your studies to ensure that you are in the UK as a genuine student. If you are issues with any warnings due to your absence being below 80% this would need to be disclosed to the UKVI for immigration compliance.

Here is an example of a timetable from DMUIC, this is NOT your actual timetable, but will give you an example of the expectations for your course. Please note that lessons can take place Monday to Friday between the hours of 8am and 6pm and may include all 5 days. If you are considering working part time whilst in the UK, you will need to ensure that your working hours fit around your timetable, as work is not considered a mitigating circumstance.

Please note that your timetable will change every term and you may be given a new group each term.

If you intend to work part-time during your studies, we advise you to apply for National Insurance –  this is a unique personal reference number which will be required for tax and employment purposes. The application takes a maximum of 4 weeks for approval. The NI number comes through the post and it is important that you provide your correct address details to ensure that you don’t lose it.

You can apply for a National Insurance number online below.

You can work in the UK for a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations.
You must ensure that you comply with the work restrictions that apply to you, as it is a criminal offence to breach any immigration conditions.

You can apply for National Insurance number online Apply for a National Insurance number: www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number

Unitemps provides employment services on campus, as well as off campus with a variety of external businesses. You can sign up online at unitemps.com or visit them in the Campus Centre, first floor.

DMU Works can help you with your CV and cover letter developments:
dmu.ac.uk/current-students/careers/index.aspx

You can also find a wide range of part-time vacancies online, via jobs boards or directly through an organisation’s vacancies pages. Make sure to refine your search by job type, area and contract type to get the best results.

• Find a job is the jobs database from Jobcentre Plus, the UK government department that provides support for people seeking employment. It has useful advanced search features to help refine your search and is a good source of local part-time jobs.
• Indeed 
• Totaljobs