1. Check if you need a visa
Most international students will need to apply for a Student visa before travelling to the UK. Use our guidance webpages to plan and prepare your visa application, understand the supporting documents you'll need and learn about your responsibilities as a Student visa holder.
Once your eVisa has been issued, you'll need to provide the university with your share code so we can verify your immigration status.
Your visa application
2. Activate your university IT account and email
Check your personal email approximately four weeks before you are due to start your course. You'll receive an email from us with the subject line 'Activate your 糖心原创 IT account' which confirms your IT account can be activated. The email will contain your student ID number, which you'll need to activate your university IT account.
Once activated:
Activate your IT account
3. Register with the university
To become a fully registered student, you must complete both online and in-person registration.
Before you arrive:
When you arrive on campus:
You'll receive instructions on completing online registration via your university email account after activating your IT account. Make sure you complete both parts of registration as soon as possible, to confirm your attendance and release any funding you may be entitled to.
Start registration
4. Apply for your university card
Once you've completed online registration, apply for your university card as soon as possible. Uploading your photo early means your card is more likely to be ready for collection when you arrive on campus.
To apply, you'll need:
Your university card gives you access to buildings, libraries, printing, sports facilities and other university services.
When collecting your university card, you will need to bring photo identification. You will not be able to collect your card without it.
Apply for your card
5. Prepare your laptop and mobile phone
Check your laptop meets any course-specific requirements and take advantage of the free software available to students, including Microsoft 365 and specialist software for your studies.
Don't forget to install key apps on your smartphone, including Outlook and MyNottingham, so you can stay connected and access important university information wherever you are.
Get tech-ready
6. Complete module enrolment
Some courses include optional modules that allow you to tailor your studies to your interests. You will need to select these during module enrolment:
Before you can complete module enrolment, you must register online.
Not all students need to complete module enrolment. Visit our module enrolment webpages to check whether this applies to you.
More on module enrolment
If you're moving to Nottingham, look out for arrival information from your accommodation provider, which will be sent before you arrive. You’ll need to:
If you haven't arranged accommodation yet, there's still time to explore your options.
Get ready to move in
8. Sign up with a local doctor and check your vaccinations
Register with a local doctor as soon as you know your term-time address, so you can access healthcare quickly if you need it during your studies. If you’re living close to University Park or Jubilee Campus, you’ll be able to register at our on-campus health service to make looking after your health as easy as possible.
Before arriving, you should also check that you have all the UK government recommended vaccinations to protect you during your time here. These include:
- MenACWY
- MMR
- HPV (if eligible)
MenB (meningococcal group B) vaccination programme
Undergraduate students who are should aim to receive at least their first dose before arriving at university. International students should receive at least their first dose in their home country where possible.
Start health care registration
9. Connect to eduroam Wi-Fi
When you arrive on campus, connect your devices to the university's Wi‑Fi network, eduroam.
For British and Irish students, connecting to eduroam will also complete your in-person registration and enable access to any funding you may be entitled to.
Get connected
10. Pay your tuition fees
Make sure you're familiar with your tuition fee payment arrangements before your course begins:
How to pay
11. Access IT when you are on campus
Once you're on campus, you'll be able to access computers, printers and study spaces using your university IT account. You can also access specialist IT support at our Smart Bars.
Getting familiar with these services early will help you make the most of your first few weeks.
More on campus IT