LIVING AND STUDYING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

Oxford is one of the most beautiful and historic cities in Britain, and we hope that your stay here will be as enjoyable as possible. The following information will help you understand more about our city and our country before you arrive.

Many things, such as food and drink, are more expensive in the UK than in most countries, so you should expect to spend more money here than you would at home. Click here for more information on budget planning in the UK.

First of all, British food is not as bad as people often say. Our food is extremely international, and food from all parts of the world is available, and many places in Oxford cater for special diets, such as vegetarian or vegan, Halal and Kosher.

In Britain, the main meal of the day is in the evening.

If you are over 18, you may want to visit some of the local pubs and bars. In Britain, we do not have waiters in pubs - you have to get your drinks yourself. Also, we pay every time we get a drink, not at the end of the evening.

People do not usually drive into central Oxford. There are excellent bus services to and from the city centre to all areas of the city and its surrounding areas. There are two bus companies that operate in Oxford, Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach.

Please note that in the UK, we drive on the left, so make sure you remember this when crossing the road or driving.

Most people are polite, but like many countries, we have a number of customs related to how we behave: - Always say "please" and "thank you" - Queuing. British people love queuing - in shops, waiting for buses etc - and will not be happy if you push in front of them.

Click here for more information on British customs and manners.

Oxford is an extremely welcoming city, and generally very safe. However, you should take the same usual safety precautions as you would in any other city. Speak to the school or family if you become worried about your safety at any time.

The British Council and Education UK have produced a number of booklets and websites giving excellent advice and information for people coming to study in the UK. These can be downloaded or viewed here:

Travelling to the UK Accommodation Contacting home Health and safety

Safety Travelling around the UK Money Matters Life and Culture

Please see the links section of our website for more information about studying and living in the UK and Oxford.

We hope this information has been helpful. If there are other things you would like to know, please contact us and we will do our best to help you.

It is important that you inform the school of your expected arrival time well in advance so the host family know when to be at home to welcome you. You should plan to arrive at your host family after 07:00 in the morning and before 23:00 in the evening. If you cannot arrive by 23:00, you should arrange a hotel near your arrival airport for the first night and travel to Oxford the following day. It is also important to let the family know if you have been delayed on your journey. If you have difficulty getting to your host family and cannot contact them, please contact one of the school emergency numbers you have been given.

Your family will show you where to catch the bus to school. They will also give you a map to show you the location of the school.

You will be staying with a carefully selected family, whose main language will be English. They will provide you with a room containing a bed and storage space for your clothes. You will have access to a table or desk and chair for private study with a table lamp, either in your room or in a quiet area. You will have access to the bathroom and can take a bath or shower each day. Please ask your family about convenient times to use the bathroom. Laundry (one or two loads per week) is included. Your family may wash your clothes for you or they may show you how to use the washing machine. Bed linen and towels are provided and are changed each week. The family will clean your room once a week but you are responsible for ensuring it remains tidy. You should make your own bed and put your clothes away. Most families accommodate more than one student, although we try to ensure that if you share, it will be with somebody of a different nationality.

Breakfast, evening meals and a light lunch at weekends are included. You may be asked to make your own breakfast if the family have to leave early to go to work. Breakfast is usually toast and/or cereal. You will normally eat your evening meal with your family. They will let you know at what time they eat their evening meal. It is important and polite to tell the family 24 hours in advance if you plan to miss a meal. It is not normal to be allowed to use the kitchen to store your food or cook for yourself. If you require a special diet you must tell the school when you book your accommodation so we can select a family who can offer this. Please note that there may be a supplementary charge for special dietary needs, and that our families are unable to cater for Kosher or Halal diets. People requesting these will normally be given vegetarian meals.

You are not permitted to use the family's telephone without their permission and all calls must be paid for. A number of mobile phone companies offer cheap pay-as-you-go phones and sim cards, and most newsagents sell international phonecards giving you cheap international calls.

Click here for further information. A leading low cost provider for cheap telephone calls abroad is BUDGETCOM.

Families do not provide internet access. You may use the facilities at school or at one of the many internet cafes in Oxford. In addition, a number of mobile phone companies offer cheap pay-as-you-go internet access.

Click here for further information.

You should bring all items for personal use, such as toiletries, hairdryers and plug adaptors (in the UK, we use three-pinned plugs). All of these items can be purchased easily in Oxford.

Your host family will give you a key to their home. Please use it responsibly and return it to them before leaving.

Please discuss this with the family first as they will want to know who is visiting their home.

This is sometimes possible but please check with the School Administration staff first as the room may be reserved for another student.

You should speak to the School Administration staff about availability of another family and the reasons for the request. At least one week's notice should be given to the family. If you feel you have identified a genuine problem with your host family please tell the school immediately. We cannot know of a problem if you don't tell us.

We strongly advise all students to take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance for the duration of your stay in England. Please do not keep large amounts of cash in your bedroom and only carry a small amount around with you. If you have arrived with a large amount of cash please ask the school for advice. The school and family cannot take responsibility for loss of money or expensive belongings.

Staying with a family is not the same as staying in a hotel. You will be able to join them at appropriate times. However, it is important to remember there may be times when the family wish to entertain at home or relax in private areas of the home. If you are not sure what you can and can't do in the family home, please ask. It is the family's responsibility to make you feel welcome but it is your responsibility to treat them and their home with respect, and to follow their house rules.

We hope this information has been helpful. If there are other things you would like to know, please contact us and we will do our best to help you.

It is important that you inform the school of your expected arrival time well in advance so the warden knows when to expect you. You must print a copy of your accommodation confirmation and bring it with you to show the warden on arrival. You should plan to arrive at the residence after 10:30 in the morning and before 21:00 in the evening. If you cannot arrive by 21:00, you should arrange a hotel near your arrival airport for the first night and travel to Oxford the following day. If you have difficulty getting to your accommodation please contact the residence or one of the school emergency numbers you have been given.

You can ask the warden where to catch the bus to school. You can print a copy of the map to show you the location of the school.

You will be staying at a residence in carefully selected self-catering accommodation. Your bedroom will contain a bed, desk, chair, reading lamp, wardrobe and hand-basin. Rooms are arranged in flats of 6 or 7 with shared kitchens and bathrooms. You will be responsible for doing your own laundry during your stay. There are shared laundry facilities with coin-operated machines and dryers. Although bedding is provided, towels are not you will need to bring your own . You are responsible for ensuring your room remains tidy. You should make your own bed and put your clothes away.

Residential accommodation is usually self-catering, so no meals are provided. There are shared kitchens where you can cook and eat your own meals. The kitchen contains a fridge/freezer cooker, microwave and kettle.

There is no telephone in our residential accommodation. However, a number of mobile phone companies offer cheap pay-as-you-go phones and sim cards, and most newsagents sell international phonecards giving you cheap international calls.

Click here for further information.

Residential accommodation does not include internet access. You may use the facilities at school or at one of the many internet cafes in Oxford. In addition, a number of mobile phone companies offer cheap pay-as-you-go internet access.

You should bring all items for personal use, such as towels, toiletries, hairdryers and plug adaptors (in the UK, we use three-pinned plugs). All of these items can be purchased easily in Oxford.

The warden will give you a key to your accommodation. Please use it responsibly and return it to the warden before leaving.

Please discuss this with the warden first as they will want to know who is visiting the accommodation.

This is sometimes possible but please check with the School Administration staff first as the room may be reserved for another student.

You should speak to the School Administration staff about availability of other accommodation and the reasons for the request. At least one week’s notice should be given. If you feel you have identified a genuine problem with your accommodation please tell the school immediately, we cannot know of a problem if you don’t tell us.

We strongly advise all students to take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance for the duration of your stay in England. Please do not keep large amounts of cash in your bedroom and only carry a small amount around with you. If you have arrived with a large amount of cash please ask the school for advice. The school and family cannot take responsibility for loss of money or expensive belongings.