Preparing for your arrival

As an international student coming to the University of Surrey for a short exchange or study abroad stay, a research placement or traineeship, there are a number of things you must do before you travel to the UK. This section will help prepare you for your stay at Surrey and for the journey. 

When to start preparing

We suggest you start preparations for your stay as early as you can to ensure that the transition from home to Surrey is an exciting and rewarding experience and to ensure that you don't miss any essential activities at the beginning of the academic year which might have a negative impact on your academic success.

Accommodation 

Visas and immigration

Booking travel

Money matters

Insurance and Healthcare

Orientation 

Buddy network

The University’s International Engagement Office manages a Buddy Network to enable new exchange, study abroad and placement students to meet each other and current Surrey students who have returned from studying or a work placement abroad. The aim of the Buddy Network is to enable you to ask any questions you have and help you to make friends, settle in and get to know the campus and your new local environment quickly. You may even be able to arrange to travel to Surrey with other students coming from your country.

The International Engagement Office will invite you to join our Exchange and Study Abroad WhatsApp group before you arrive. This group is managed entirely by our Surrey students or 'buddies' who have returned from abroad.

We will also provide opportunities for you to meet each other during your orientation and during your stay. We recommend you arrange to meet up for social activities via the WhatsApp group.