Your
UK Guide
Set up a bank account Find your school office
What to
do in your
first week?
Manage your money Sort out your mobile phone
– be careful with contracts
Register yourself with the NHS Understand your bills
(visit the University Health Centre) (Council Tax exempt)
Not sure about any of the following?
Ask the International Office at:
international.office@hud.ac.uk
Queries with your accommodation? Find out what events are
Contact DIGS or HudLets (Students coming up
union)
2 3
Understand
your money
£1 £2
One pound Two pounds
Also known as a ‘quid’ Also known as a ‘two quid’
£5 £10
Five pounds Ten pounds
Also known as a ‘fiver’ Also known as a ‘tenner’
1p 2p 5p
One pence Two pence Five pence
Also known as a ‘penny’
10p 20p 50p £20 £50
Ten pence Twenty pence Fifty pence Twenty pounds Fifty pounds
Also known as a ‘twenty’ Also known as a ‘fifty’
4 5
Bus Taxi
■T
ell the driver where you are ■ Often cheaper to pre-book
going and pay on the bus
Transport in
■A
sk for a price before you
■W
eekly tickets – pay on the book or travel
bus or online
■C
onvenient to book with
■ Try to use exact change and mobile apps
the UK
don’t pay with £10, £20 or £50
■ Always check that the taxi
■ Late at night – it is safer to is licenced
avoid the top floor
■D
o not put your hand out
■P
ress the bell on the bus on the road to stop a taxi
before the stop you want
Train London Underground
■ Cheaper if booked in advance ■P
ay for single or daily tickets,
Oyster or contactless card
■K
eep your ticket until exiting
station of destination ■ Different lines in London
have different colours
■ Book online, use ticket machines
or buy at the ticket office ■ tfl.gov.uk has up-to-date
information for delays and
■ Ask the ticket office about the
travel plans
16-25 railcard – save up to a 1/3
off the standard ticket price
6 7
WHAT IS IT?
Culture
‘Culture Shock’ describes the impact of
moving from a familiar culture to one which
is unfamiliar. It is an experience described by
people who have travelled abroad to work, live
Shock
or study; it can be felt to a certain extent even
when abroad on holiday. It can affect anyone,
including international students. It includes the
shock of a new environment, meeting lots of
new people and learning the ways of a different
country.
The weather The food The language The behaviour
The weather can change quickly in You may find British food strange People might speak quickly or Social behaviours may be different
the UK and people can find it difficult at first. It may taste different, or with a strong regional accent, to what you are used to, and you
to adapt to these changes. It can rain be cooked differently, or it may so you may find it difficult to may find that people seem busy,
a lot, so be sure to have a waterproof seem bland or heavy compared to understand. Don’t be embarrassed distant or appear cold especially in
coat and an umbrella no matter what what you are used to. Try and find to ask somebody to repeat what the large cities.
the season. Dress up warm in the a supplier of familiar food, and eat they have said.
You may be surprised to see public
winter months where the weather plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. ? displays of affection, differences in
can get extremely cold and the sky
what people wear and differences
gets dark much earlier.
in same sex social contact and
relationships. We are a very open
nation, and it is important not to
laugh, stare or point at things you
may not be used to seeing.
8 9
“Cheers” “Knackered”
Meaning to celebrate when Meaning ‘tiredness or
toasting a drink, but also exhaustion’ in any given
another way to say ‘thank you’. situation.
British “Chuffed” “Mate”
slang Meaning to be very
‘happy/pleased’.
Meaning a ‘friend’ but also
used as ‘a friendly greeting’
in conversation.
“Dodgy” “Naff”
Meaning something or Meaning something is rubbish
someone is ‘untrustworthy’. or ‘not very good’.
Just when you thought you understood
the English language, here are some “Fortnight” “Okie Dokie”
popular slang words used in daily life...
Meaning ‘two weeks’. Meaning another word to say ‘OK’
“Gutted” “You ok?”
Meaning ‘saddened or Meaning another way to say ‘how
devastated’ about a situation. are you’.
10 11
Do’s... Dont’s...
Get involved with campus events/societies Swipe any other student card other than your own*
Get active, participate in class and make new friends Miss class – your attendance is monitored and very important*
Queue and respect it – it’s a British art form Spit
Respect animals and nature Swear or use abusive language
Respect everybody around you, and respect their opinions, Throw rubbish on the floor
personal space and privacy
Cross the road until the green man is displayed
Respect equality – everybody should be treated the same
regardless of race, disability, gender, sexuality or religion
Smoking indoors or public places (cafes, restaurants,
shopping centres – anywhere indoors)
Pay attention to your surroundings, especially when crossing
the road – remember we drive on the left
* Visit http://hud.ac/dja for more information
12 13
English breakfast Beans on Toast
Get to know
your British
dishes Fish, chips and mushy peas Toad in the hole
Pie and mash Strawberries and cream
Sunday roast Everything with a cup of tea (Cuppa)!
14 15
Paying for drinks
When out for drinks with a
group, it’s common for one
member of the group to buy
Eat and
Paying the bill
a drink for everyone (called a
If you are invited out, generally ‘round’). Once everyone has
the bill is split evenly between finished that drink, another
everybody there. Sometimes, the person in the group takes a
drink -
host will pay for everything – but turn to buy everyone a drink.
not always. You are certainly This will go on until everyone
expected to offer to pay your share. has bought a drink for
everyone.
the rules
Tipping UK alcohol law
Tipping is not a big custom in the The law in England states that
UK but there are certain situations you have to be over 18 years
where it is regarded polite to do so. old to buy alcohol from a pub,
Restaurants are a prime example. off-licence, supermarket or
Some restaurants will include a other outlet. If you look under
12.5% service charge on the bill, so 18 years of age then you will
you need to check in order not to be asked for some ID with your
tip them twice. date of birth written on it.
16 17
Keep calm... ...stay safe
in the UK
The UK is generally a safe place with low levels of Stay safe whilst in the UK.
crime. But whenever you travel to a new country, Important contact numbers:
it is vital you look after yourself.
999 – Emergency (police, fire and ambulance)
Avoid displaying expensive items such as watches, jewellery
or mobile phones in busy public places.
112 – Emergency (UK Mobile)
Try not to carry large amounts of money with you.
111 - Non-Emergency for health
If you have lost a key or just moved into a new property, it is a
good idea to change the locks after speaking with your landlord.
101 – Non-Emergency for police
18 19
Your first Paniz
Iran
Jaber
Bangladesh
day in class “You have all the
support you need
on campus, just
ask for help and
there are always
“Embrace the
challenges and use
your creativity. Think,
find & create the next
beautiful thing.”
nice people in the
university to help
you.”
Babatunde Ana-Maria
Nigeria Romania
“Its important to “Get involved and
know your timetable take advantage of
and get to know your the opportunities
by joining various
coursemates, this will
societies on campus
help you integrate” to make settling in
quickly” easy and form long-
lasting friendships”
20 21
Supporting Use the FREE
support available
you...
to you on campus.
Don’t be shy – it’s there for you!
Accommodation iPoint
Get support from the DIGS office (Ashenhurst/Storthes Hall) or ask Get help with student cards, certificates, letters and changing details
Hud Lets in the Students’ Union to check your contract before signing
Visit us in Student Central
Visit us in the Schwann Building or Student Central
Students’ Union
Careers and Employability Get independent help and advice on University life and activities
Get support with CVs, interview techniques, preparing yourself for Visit us in Student Central
work
Ask at the iPoint for more details University Safety Officer
Visit the Safety Officer on campus for advice
International Office Ask at the iPoint for more details
Immigration advice, tuition fees and guidance on living in the UK
Visit us in Student Central Wellbeing and Disability
Homesickness, personal problems and advice
Visit us at iPoint
22 23
Explore ...and beyond
Huddersfield...
Knaresborough Haworth
Marsden Standedge Tunnel Castle Hill/Jubilee Tower Chatsworth House Buxton
Yorkshire Sculpture Park Huddersfield Town Football Club Lake District Northumberland
Harold Wilson statue Holmfirth Whitby London
National Coal Mining Museum Beaumont Park Edinburgh
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International Office
University of Huddersfield
Queensgate
Huddersfield
HD1 3DH
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0) 1484 957505
Email: international.office@hud.ac.uk
Web: hud.ac.uk/international
UoHinternational
huduniint
19093
