We are here to help international students plan ahead to make their arrival go smoothly.
We know that travelling to campus from another country can be daunting but follow our steps and we will be waiting to welcome you.
The visa and immigration process can seem complex. We are here to help and guide you every step of the way. We can help you with your application whether you are a new student looking to start studying with us, or are renewing an existing visa.
As an international student joining us to study at Canterbury Christ Church University, you will likely require a visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) in order to study in the UK. If you’re unsure if you need a visa to study in the UK, the government offers online guidance.
The visa application route for students studying on degree-level courses is called the Student Route. If your study with us is less than six months, you may be able to apply for a standard visit visa or a short-term study visa instead.
Applying for a visa from the UKVI requires planning and preparation. For further information and advice click here or visit:
Make sure you have received your visa vignette (or another form of entry clearance for the UK) before you travel. If you were given a visa vignette, which is a sticker inside your passport, you can only enter the UK on or after the date listed as the “valid from” date on your vignette.
Being well-prepared for your journey makes life a lot easier. With this in mind, make sure you’ve got everything organised with plenty of time to spare before you leave home.
Documents to keep with you when you travel:
You should keep the following documents with you for the duration of your travel to the UK, including when you pass through the UK border. Depending on your nationality and port of arrival, you could be interviewed by UK border forces regarding your stay in the UK. It’s best to be prepared.
We suggest keeping paper copies of these documents with you in case your mobile devices are not accessible.
- A valid passport, with a visa vignette or other UK entry clearance (if applicable)
- Your visa application decision letter that confirms you were granted a Student Route Visa for the purpose of study in the UK with CCCU
- Your boarding pass or other travel documents
- Vaccination certificates, if required
- An X-ray certificate, if required: https://www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa.
- The CAS number confirmation the Compliance Team sent you, which you used when you made your visa application
- A letter of acceptance from Canterbury Christ Church University
- Evidence that you have enough money to pay your tuition fees and accommodate yourself while you’re in the UK (you should bring recent bank statements, proof of scholarship, or a sponsor’s letter)
- Originals (or certified true copies) of any degree certificates or technical qualifications
Most international students travel by air and your first sight of the UK is likely to be an airport. If you are travelling by air you will usually arrive at Gatwick, Heathrow, London City, Luton or Stansted airports, all of which are convenient for onward travel to Canterbury.
If you pass through another European airport check beforehand whether you require a ‘transit visa’, which will normally give you a fixed number of hours or days after arrival in which to complete your onward journey. Certain nationalities require a ‘direct airside transit visa’ even to transit to another flight within the airport, which means that you cannot leave the airport under any circumstances. Certain other nationalities can ‘transit without visa’ provided that the transfer is within the same airport, and you remain within the airport to take an onward flight.
If your air journey involves a connection, whether in Europe or in the UK, ask the airline staff to check you and your baggage through to your final destination, as this will make your transit through the connection airport much easier.
At first sight, an airport can appear a difficult and confusing place, but if you follow the steps below, getting through it is actually quite easy.
These are the steps you must take:
- Follow the sign for ‘Arrivals’ unless you are transferring to another plane at the same airport. If you are transferring to another plane, follow the ‘Flight connections’ sign and any further instructions.
- ‘Arrivals’ will take you to passport control
- As you approach passport control you will see electronic screens; these will show you which zone you will need to go through. Make sure you join the right queue or you could waste a lot of time
- All passengers must go through the immigration zone dealing with their flight. Note that there are different zones for different passport types/nationalities; please ensure you read all signs so you join the right queue
- If you are required to speak to an immigration officer, the officer will want to see your passport and visa vignette (if applicable); they may ask for any of the documents mentioned above in the “Preparing to Travel” section as well
- As long as your documents are in order, you should pass through immigration smoothly. But if you find you need any help for any reason, you can ask the immigration officer to telephone our Compliance Team for assistance at +44 (0)1227 92 3300 (keep the telephone number with you)
- The immigration officer may ask you questions about what you’re studying and why you’ve chosen CCCU. Please be prepared to answer questions about the subject you’re studying
It is very important to plan your journey to the campus.
You can check for any guidelines regarding travel to the UK here.
Getting here by air:
From London Heathrow: take the underground to London Victoria then rail to Canterbury. Alternatively, take the Heathrow Express to Paddington, underground to St Pancras International then rail to Canterbury. Approximate journey time 2 hours 20 minutes.
Plan your journey: from Heathrow
From London Gatwick: take the train to London St Pancras International then high-speed rail to Canterbury. Approximate journey time 2 hours. Alternatively, take the train to London Bridge and then rail to Canterbury. Approximate journey time 2 hours 15 minutes.
Plan your journey: from Gatwick
From London Stansted: take the train to Tottenham Hale then the underground to the National Rail mainline station you intend to travel from. Alternatively, take the Stansted Express to London Liverpool Street, then the underground to your National Rail mainline station. Approximate journey time 2 hours 30 minutes.
Plan your journey: from Stansted
Train
There are frequent, high-speed train services to Canterbury West from St Pancras International. There are also direct services from London Victoria, London Charing Cross, Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International. Both Canterbury West and East train stations are minutes away either on foot or by taxi. Train timetables and fares
Coach
National Express runs a regular service (022) from London Victoria coach station to Canterbury bus station. Coach timetable
Taxi
If you wish to travel by taxi, it is essential to pre-book a car in advance. The International Team (international@canterbury.ac.uk) can provide you with contact numbers.
We strongly encourage our international students to do everything possible to arrive in the UK on time.
Please note: you will be unable to access online learning materials related to your course, until you are here and have presented your documentation to our Compliance Team in-person.
We understand some students may have legitimate reasons for being unable to arrive on time. There may therefore be some flexibility regarding this date, in exceptional circumstances. It is important that you contact ukvi.compliance@canterbury.ac.uk as soon as possible to discuss your options.
My advice is to bring the essentials; health card, student visa, qualifications and other important documents. Do not worry about overpacking, Canterbury is a place full of shops perfect for students’ rooms where you will find everything you need. And remember to make sure you also bring photos to remind you home!
Marta, Film Student
Top Tip
Make sure you have organised somewhere to live before you start your journey to the UK. This may only be temporary accommodation but don’t arrive without anything, as arranging something last minute could be risky and expensive!