chukyrooy:

Ma bad the timetable I have is for freshers. But u can get your course timetable thru Blackboard, but u have to be thru with the E-vision task 1st.

We can always get the timetable when we get there.

Pls shed a little light on hw u secured your accom. Cuz I've nt sercured mine yet.

I am staying wih a friend who works in Slough. Im sure it wont be that hard to secure accomm once you're there. How bou staying at a bed n breakfast till you get accomm?

chukyrooy:

Ok then...I would be travelling from PH via Air France on d 18th in order to meet up with the Orientation week, I've downloaded the timetable, even prospectus. I'm almost through wif my registeration just my passport for my student Id dts pending, I've been given my brunel student Email.

How are your preparations coming?

Hol'up a bit. How come I haven't been able to print my timetable too? You did it via Blackboard abi? Been checking that thing, says I'm not enrolled for courses yet.

I'm through with the provisional registration. That is, as far as I can get without my visa yet. Printed it out too. I've uploaded passport and gotten sch email. That's the one that's got 2 alphabets,followed by 2 numbers then your initials?

Please explain how you were able to get your timetable.
I'll scan my visa once I get it before leaving so I won't have to queue or anything.

chukyrooy:

School resumes on 24th but lectures don't start till Oct. I thought u asked for an extension?

I did but I got a reply saying I don't need an extension cos ukba is aware students will come in late plus lectures actually start 1st of october.

Are you in uk now? You done your provisional registration? What about timetable, have you seen it?

@penfold @Charles. E: Scared to be too sure or start packing. Lol. Thanks guys. Can I get it before 24th considering I stated in my form that I wish to travel on 22nd?

*sigh* 12 days more and I've been mentally going over what I submitted to be sure I did all I was supposed to do. Here's all I submitted:

1. Print-out of mail showing CAS number/unconditionl offer letter
2. Documents stated in CAS: Degree cert and ielts trf
3. 7200 in personal bank statement: had lil less than 7200 before 1st august but got total 7200 on 1st and I printed out on 3rd( stamp date was 3rd sept), tho last transaction registered 29th august. Main depositors were my mum and dad but my aunt (diff surname) paid in 400k (after I alrdy had my balance)
4. Mail correspondence between me and the school asking for extension.
5. Oanda conversion print-out for 3rd sept
6. I had paid full school fees and it was stated in cas.

Did I miss anything out pls?

salsera:
@atlantis
how many more days do you have?

I've got 12 days more though I wrote '22nd september' as 'Date you wish to travel' 'cause school resumes 24th. Hoping that will be in my favour

[/quote]

Donxavier:

Thanks, so it may make sense to start out with the pay as you go, then as one gets established and settled over the course of some months then settle for the contract package. That was what someone told me but I couldn't see the sense in it but with your explanation that seems to make sense for new comers.

it seems to me that it will take some time to develop the network contacts necessary to take full advantage of the contract packages. why have 600 minutes to call only UK numbers when for the first few months I might not have sufficient contacts to call as a JJC. Anyway just my thoughts, suggestions are needed.

Yea, you're right. But are d prices different?

May I suggest you also check out sim-only contracts. They are flexible (you can get one month contract), cheaper and you won't have to get a new phone just yet, atleast till you're well settled, have your own place and have worked out budget, expenses and all that. Of cos, I am assuming you travelled with your bb. Also, while there are no networks as crazy as mtn and its brodas here in nig, some networks are better than others, so gettng a sim-only would ensure you piÇk the best before taking a long-term phone contract. And yea, you'll get lesser minutes.

Donxavier: So I got into the UK today hassle free. I have heard countless stories of how scrutiny at Heathrow is really tight and all that. I was pretty surprised when the border officer just asked for my passport, asked if I was a first time student, gave me a first time student form to fill and stamped me in.As simple as that. Even my cousin that came for me was pretty surprised that I was done pretty quickly. No questions were asked me, he didn't even ask for my admission letter or CAS statement.

I love the UK I must say and that's how Nigeria should be hadn't it been that we are cursed with bad leadership. Anyway, will spend the next few days adjusting and shopping before I find my way to Aberdeen by weekend.

For the contract blackberry I intend to get, Can I use my cousin's address or must I use my own address when I secure my accommodation? Will I have to prove that I live there...someone please help me out? what are the requirements for getting a contract phone?

Cheers.

Yay you! Thank God for journey mercies.

Re contract phone, I think requirements are : Proof of address, Id card, and a bank account for debiting monthly charges. This most likely means you'll need to get to school first cos of Id card and by extension, maybe your accomodation. If u get Id card really early and can't wait, u could use your cousin's addy but that's just gonna mean you'll change it when you get ur place else mails may be forwarded there.

There may be an easier way tho

Donxavier:

it makes sense for mobile. In naija, landline isnt the norm, it's mobile and 4p per min makes sense. Same as the icard mobile too it's cheap but i dont know the quality of calls to naija. I will settle for icardmobile but I hope the network is good and there are few dropped calls.

Oh right. Never heard of iCard. Leme know how it is when you get it pls.

P.s: by landline, I meant hand-held fones from visafone, starcomms and all. I've got a tiny mobile starcomms that's charged as 'landline' too.

Is it possible to get ones passport back before 15 working days? I applied 4th september, which means I'll get passport on 24th which happens to be resumption date . Its reassuring to see good news and excitemnt Òf y'all that have received but makes me feel like a kid whose driver doesn't come to pick early from primary school

kunlewoye:
Yup. It's installed on your phone and you ring them up or visit their website to create an account which is credited on an as-you-want basis. when you try to make any call from your mobile, you get a prompt to specify if you want to use your Rebtel account. Lebara network isn't so good from what I have seen jare; voice calls not clear, na 'ehn? ehn??' all the time . I may change to another network.

But wait oo, this Rebtel you speak of, just checked the int'l call rate for Nig and its 3.9p/min. If that's true, then its not cheaper than Lyca or Vectone which are 1p/min for landline. Tho using Rebtel to call nig mobile is cheaper than the rest. Or im not getting it?

Dharkchild:

Thanks. Would be flying tomorrow as a first timer to the UK. U never know how this little piece of info can save someone. Thanks

Aww, wishing you a safe trip and all the best in, well, everything! You're welcome... Cheers

Nemsy: Hmmmmmmmm,finally after 19working days,my application is ready for collection.I hope to share the goodnews tomorrow

Finally! Been reading about your worrying and everything. At last its here. All the best tomorrow!

I just felt it important to add this bit for first-timers especially:

Uk is different from nigeria in the sense that no one is really looking at you or cares if you're lost or anything except you ask. You could be dancing on your head and no one would look too hard at you. Lol.

So in the absence of NL or maybe you suddenly realize you need directions you didn't remember to ask on here, don't be shy to ask at any help desk you see and/or look out for signs, maps etc. This are legible and placed conspicuously.

All the best!

Dharkchild:

Do you need any special registration or doc before you can get a line or you could just buy

Nope. No registration needed. Pay as you go sims and can be bought pretty much anywhere; corner shop, airport etc

chukyrooy:

Sorry 4 d late reply dear ma network has been messed up... I ve nt made any accomodation plans yet. When I get there I'll. Hope U've booked ur place for Orientation.

No I haven't . I just applied September 4th and I'm not sure I'll get my passport back before 24th. Would really love to be there tho

drunkenmaster: Please i want to travel to the uk next week as my school resumes in September 25. Am i ok with a One way ticket?Thank you!

If you have no intention of coming back anytime between 25th september and the time it takes to complete your studies, you can buy one way ticket.

Are you aware though that the difference between one-way ticket and return is most often not much at all?

okolodaniel: Good evening house!

Please what documents are requested of someone at the airport upon arrival with a student visa?

I used my personal account to process my visa.

Please your help is greatly appreciated.

To be on the safe side, have all the documents you submitted for visa application in your hand luggage and don't be scared when you're asked any question. The officer may just be in the mood to chat and not to send you back home. So answer whatever questions honestly, show documents when asked and you should be fine (by God's grace )

Nothing wrong with using your personal account. Its even better its an account in your name. Less paperwork and straightforward as long as its got the requisite amount in it.

kunlewoye:
Pence is referred to as "p" here. My brother here got me on contract with T-mobile for local calls, and arranged Lebara for Naija calls.... but having Rebtel installed on your phone and creating an account is better than all of them, as I have seen. It's about 4p per min to Naija, and even free for Rebtel to Rebtel calls!

Lebara is actually a bit more expensive than the rest as I just told @Donxavier.

Donxavier:

The p qouted is what? Is it pounds or pence?

P= pence.

Just checked now: Vectone; 1p/min(landline) and 8p/min)mobile)
Lebara: 5p/min(landline). 8p/min(mobile)
Lyca: 1p/min(landline). 8p/min(mobile)

There may be cheaper ones but this ones I've used on visits. Your gf may also have to get a landline now too.

chukyrooy:


What are your plans for accommodation?

I've got accomodation in Slough already. You?

Brunel University. MSc International Business. Awaiting visa. Haven't read about anybody else apart from @Chukyrooy o.

Donxavier:

Thanks very much. More questions

How much will phone bills eat into my budget?. I have a gf I call every now and then. All these special friends calling that glo and mtn offer has made us talk every often.
How can I continue that from the uk? What network is the cheapest for international calls. How much can I budget if I intend to call like 4 times in a week for some minutes.

I'd recommend Lyca, Lebara or Vectone. The rates are about 8p/min or 1p/min. Can't remember now.

You could take have 2 fones. One for your blackberry and the other for calling int'l (I.e for ur lyca or lebara or vectone- whichever one you choose)

Donxavier:

You are not yet ready
The day you get ready, you will pay. It's the consular rate of exchange nothing can be done about it. As to whether its a rip off, that's a topic for another day.
Visa is 78,030. You will also pay 400 for sms and 500 for VFS charges, that's like 79k. That's the amount it will cost you. Just take 79k there and then take your passport there before you enter, that's another 1k so 80k.

Lol. Applied yesterday at Lekki, got a text at night saying my application had been sent for processing. Now, i wait...

By the way, congrats on your visa. Wishing you a great year ahead

Morning everyone,
I thought i read somewhere on this forum working hours has been reduced to 10hours during term time?

ikcbn:

My dear @ the VFS center, the exchange rate i§ £1 = N270. Thats Naija 4 you oooo

omg! that's a blatant rip-off! How come no one has ever said anything about this? why do we keep quiet in the face of such unfairness?? Max, 265 would have even been better. In the uk sef, this kinda shit won't fly but our very own people would let it slide. smh.

How about i take 286 'gan gan' and see what they have to say about that, eh?... oh, wait, i don't have time for such rough play

Hi everyone,

i've got about 300 pounds with me. can i just take 290 to pay for the visa fee or it has to be in naira?

Also i've seen people saying they paid 78k, is that right? if ukba page states 286 pounds, how does that translate to 78k?

honey86: This is from the uel form

This is the part i was just going to quote. i think this just about settles it.

"Put a cross here if you do not have any course fees or maintenance outstanding because your official financial sponsor has agreed to pay all your fees and all your living costs and move to part 7.

If you do not have an official financial sponsor, or if your official financial sponsor has not agreed to pay for your full course fees and living costs - do not put a cross here - instead put a cross in the YES box."


1. I do have maintenance fee 'outstanding'... ( can we all agree our understanding of the term outstanding and ukba's definition are different)
2. I do not have an official financial sponsor hence whatever our understanding or disagreement with the terms stated here, this paragraph firmly settles it; ticking Yes is correct.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to painstakingly go over this with me.

Charles. E:


LOL. Means we had same fears. My cousin wanted to put money into my Dorm account and pay using my VISA dollar debit card, I told him that even with Interswitch sey transaction dey hang for local payments, sey make him no come try am with a transaction of over £10,000 o

Proper one chance mehn! Lol! Its all done now. Gonna apply dis week. There's nothing wrong in making transaction just before printing out bank statement, is there?

justwise:

Like i said before, the CAS and the bank statement is there to help the her, so such mistake can be seen as a minor one because she met all the requirement with paper evidences to proof it, ticking a wrong box 'may' not get you a refusal but ticking YES is wrong.

Oh, now y'all are scaring me oo. Actually if I were to go by the UEL interactive form, I'd tick Yes, cos maintenance fee is outstanding. Its still with me and I'd go further down to 6.20 and tick personal bank statement Às evidence of money held.

If I tick No however, it doesn't leave space to tick that I'd be submitting my bank statement as evidence of my maintenance fee. Plus ticking no has sumn to do with financial sponsor having paid all your monies or sumn like that.

What did y'all fill for that question. I'm curious please.

Charles. E:




I actually asked cos Access Bank took three days for each transaction of my cousin to get credited in the school's bank in the UK. My friend who is going to Birmingham was charged astronomically for bank charges by Ecobank when he paid the first £6000 of his tuition, so out of anger, he paid the remaining £10,000 in one single transaction using his GTB Mastercard Naira Card via the school's portal (instant, no hidden fees, no extra charges)

Oh wow, he took a great gamble. I wanted to do that as well cos of the bank charges and commission involved in direct bank transfer. I didn't though cos I imagined the stress I'd go through if my money had somehow got lost somewhere in cyberspace as a result of gtb netwrk or just bad luck. Lol.

The Bank charges commission on whatever amount you're sending, telex charge, offshore charge and something else I can't remember. Oh well, we learn everyday. I'm def not doing bank transfer ever again! Charges were indeed high cos u have to pay twice and different days to transfer except u use two different account same day (which was what I did eventually. Hiss)

honey86:
I will suggest you follow the instructions in the uel interactive form. I made use of it and also crosschecked with a Pfl agent and she said its ok. Will check my form when I get home and get back to you.

.

Oh I'd appreciate that. Thanks!