Pre-arrival guide

Secure your place by accepting your offer and paying your fees through INTOPay – our safe online payment system. 

• You can pay by credit card, debit card or bank transfer. 

• You’ll receive a link to INTOPay and instructions on how to use the system in your offer letter.

• Remember to reference your application ID when you pay via INTOPay. 

Watch our videos to learn about your offer of study and how to pay your fees, with simple step-by-step guidance.

All students must have full travel, medical and health insurance while studying with us in the UK. Unless proof of suitable insurance is provided during the application process, Uniplan Insurance will automatically be added to your fees.

To receive your timetable and start your classes, ensure that you've paid your fees and that you're officially enrolled.

If you haven't requested accommodation yet, check your inbox – you'll have received an email from us shortly after accepting your offer, inviting you to submit your accommodation preferences. This will guide you through the next steps. 

Our student residences offer a choice of on-campus living options, just a 15-minute walk from the study centre. Explore your accommodation options.

Spaces in our student residences fill up quickly, so we advise that you book and pay to confirm your place as soon as possible. Students under 18 must book accommodation with us.

Most international students need a visa to study in the UK. Once you’ve accepted your unconditional offer and paid your deposit, we'll provide the documents you need to apply for a visa. We recommend that you apply as soon as possible.

Remember to check if you need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge – this gives you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). You can check how much you’ll need to pay by using the UKVI calculator.

Find out more about the Student visa, including how to apply.

Book your flight(s) and plan your arrival to coincide with your accommodation start date.

Submit your flight details, including arrival date and flight number(s), via INTO's arrival details form as soon as possible. Providing your arrival details before you travel will ensure: 

• we can meet you as soon as you land, if you opt for an airport transfer 

• staff will be on-hand remotely to help if any issues occur during your travels 

• your room is ready for you to move in as soon as you get to your accommodation.

We recommend that you consider travelling to an airport in Bristol or Exeter if you’re able to, as transfer times to the university are significantly shorter. There are also several international airports in London, including Heathrow and Gatwick.  

To make your journey seamless, we can arrange a transfer from any UK airport to your university accommodation. This is compulsory for students under 18. 

Airport transfer fees vary depending on the airport you are travelling from. It costs around £50 if you’re travelling from Exeter Airport, £211 from Bristol Airport, £385 from Heathrow Airport or £428 from London Gatwick Airport. 

Simply complete the arrival details form, selecting an airport pickup, at least 7 days before your arrival.   

The University of Exeter also offers a coach service from London Heathrow for students arriving in September – this can be booked on the university’s website. 

If you haven't opted for an airport pickup service, you should make your own travel arrangements. Please plan the journey to Exeter before you arrive in the UK. The University of Exeter has provided guidance on travelling from some of the UK's main airports to the university's Streatham Campus, where our accommodation is located. Visit their website to learn more. 

The weather in Exeter is generally mild all year round, but you should still bring warm clothing such as a coat and sweater for the colder, wetter months. Exeter city centre has a range of shops, so you can easily buy what you need if you forget or don’t own something.  

It’s a good idea to bring a few familiar items that remind you of home, such as pictures of friends and family.

Make sure you only pack items that you can bring into the UK. You can find the list of banned items on the UK Government website along with guidance on bringing food into the UK. 

We advise that you arrive in Exeter the weekend before Welcome Week. However, you may be able to arrive earlier if your accommodation contract allows.  

It’s very important that we know when you’re arriving in Exeter, even if you don’t book your airport transfer with us. This is so we can ensure a member of staff is available to meet you on arrival at our accommodation.  

For students under 18, it’s essential that we know when you will arrive, who will accompany you and any other specific requirements. You can provide this information by filling in the arrivals detail form.

You’ll receive an email from our Accommodation Team after you’ve applied, confirming which type of accommodation you’ve been allocated. Please make sure you bring a copy of this email with you on arriving at your accommodation to help staff find your details easily.   

On arrival, you’ll find out your allocated building and room number. The accommodation address is University of Exeter International Study Centre, Duryard Halls, Lower Argyll Road, Exeter EX4 4RG.      

The accommodation is located on the university’s Streatham Campus – around a 15-minute walk to the International Study Centre on Stocker Road. 

You’ll be able to collect your student ID, which gives you access to the accommodation, during Welcome Week. To ensure your student ID is ready to collect on arrival, email InternationalStudyCentre@exeter.ac.uk with your full name, date of birth, student number and your photo (jpeg format).

You’ll receive your academic timetable via email, at the end of your first week. You need to have paid your fees and enrolled before you can start classes.

Firstly, these are perfectly normal emotions to experience when you move abroad to study. Don’t be afraid to talk about how you’re feeling – our Welfare Team are available for any support or help you might need. You can ask for them at the International Study Centre reception or email them at InternationalStudyCentre@exeter.ac.uk. You can also talk to your Personal Tutor about any academic queries you may have.