International orientation

Each year we offer an optional International Orientation programme to welcome new EU and international students. This short residential programme runs for four nights before the start of term and helps students prepare for their time with us. You will meet key support staff and attend information sessions aimed at passing on practical information for living in the UK. The programme is also a good opportunity to become familiar with the campus and surrounding area before term begins.

The International Orientation sessions will provide help with enrolment and practical guidance on opening a UK bank account and accessing healthcare as well as information about navigating the admin needed when you arrive in the UK. There will also be sessions to pass on important information about your visa and there will be introductions to members of staff from the Student Support Services team, the Students Union, as well as other members of the RAU community who will become familiar faces in the year ahead. The sessions will be informal and relaxed and there will be low-key social events in the evening and a trip to Oxford or Bath on the final day.

Please note - The International Orientation programme is optional and aims to provide a supplementary welcome to the RAU in addition to our core welcome activities. We will run international-specific sessions during Freshers Week and Student Support Services will be providing an international student drop-in session every day during the first two weeks of term.

Who is it for?

All new EU and international students starting their first semester/year at the RAU.

Cost

£250 per person for 2022.

This includes accommodation and meals for the duration of the International Orientation programme in addition to information sessions and an excursion on the final day. The price does not include transportation to the RAU, but this can be arranged at an additional cost on a case-by-case basis.

There will be optional social activities in the evenings where the transportation and any admittance fee will be included, but you may want to bring some additional funds for drinks

Fees may be subject to an inflationary increase each year.

Dates

Wednesday 7 September - Sunday 11 September 2022.

How to book

There will be 15 places in total and these will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. If you wish to attend you will need to complete the Registration of Interest Form and if a place is available you will be contacted and asked to pay a non-refundable £50 deposit within five days. Once your RAU offer status has become ‘unconditional’ you will be asked to pay the balance to finalise your place. We will operate a waiting list if there is sufficient demand.