Additional useful information

Immigration

Students from overseas who are offered places to pursue studies at the Institute of Child Health must obtain visas etc before travelling to the UK. It is recommended that this process is started in good time (several months) before the programme starts.

Foreign nationals from a country outside the Commonwealth or the European Community may be required to register as an 'alien' on arrival in Britain. The Immigration Officer at the airport/port of entry will make a ruling in each case, and if the passport is stamped with the statement 'Required to register with the police' the student must register within seven days of entering Britain at the Aliens Registration Office.

Further information is available on the UCL website's international pages.

Additional help, for students already registered with UCL, is available form the Rights and Advice Centre at the UCL’s Students’ Union email address: uclu-rights.advice@ucl.ac.uk.

Living in London

Living in London is expensive - the figure of £750 per month for a single person is regarded as a minimum and does not include any additional expenses if a student is accompanied by a dependent. The Institute unfortunately does not have any funds available to help students in cases of hardship and prospective students should ensure that they have sufficient financial support to cover both academic fees and maintenance expenses before they arrive in the UK to take up their programme.

Council tax

All residents over the age of 18 are liable to pay the Council Tax levied by the Local Authority in the area in which they live. However, Halls of Residence and hostels whose main purpose is the provision of student accommodation, and houses occupied only by students are exempt from the Council Tax. Houses with at least one student and not more than one non-student resident currently qualify for a 25% discount.

Accommodation

It is very difficult to find good, cheap accommodation in London. The Institute does not have any residential accommodation of its own, but ICH students are eligible to apply to the various halls of residence run by UCL and the University of London (Note: there is considerable competition for places and application needs to be made well in advance). Information about UCL's Halls of Residence, the University's Intercollegiate Halls, student hostels and estate agencies which handle property for rent is available on request from the Student Residences Office at UCL.

Graduate students can help themselves by planning as far in advance as possible. Students who wish to apply for UCL or University accommodation should make every effort to meet housing application deadlines. Further information about the types of accommodation available for students living in London is available on the UCL website.

Student Facilities

UCL Health Centre

The Health Centre at UCL offers a wide range of services for students including access to a National Health Service (NHS) practice, a Counselling Service, and an NHS dental practice.

UCL Day Nursery

The Day Nursery is available to staff and students. There is usually a long waiting-list for places and anyone hoping to use the Day Nursery should contact the the Officer-in-Charge as early as possible for further information.

Dean of Students

The Dean of Students co-ordinates all aspects of student support in UCL and is able to give individual advice to students about personal, academic and social problems.

UCL Union

UCL Union provides a service to UCL students through political representation, student activities, training, welfare and academic support, cultural pursuits, sporting and fitness facilities, shops, bars and entertainment.

University of London Union (ULU)

In addition to membership of UCL Union, membership of 'ULU' is open to all students of the University. ULU represents the views of the students to the University authorities and to outside bodies and elects student members of various University committees. The Union further provides for social, cultural, intellectual and recreational student activity on a University and intercollegiate basis, supplementing the facilities of the individual college unions.

Visit the University of London Union website.

Cultural and Local Amenities

As a major capital city, London has many intellectual, cultural and social assets which make living here an exciting, stimulating, and rewarding experience. The Institute's convenient central location offers students the ideal opportunity to explore places of interest in central London. It is close to the shopping district of the West End; a short walk from the main theatre and film districts, and is also within walking distance of the British Museum, British Library and Covent Garden.

Lectures and meetings

Find out more about the Otto Wolff Lectures

Links