Learn English in Birmingham

You can book your accommodation in 3 simple steps: 

• Step 1: You can indicate your preferred type of accommodation (homestay, shared apartment or residence) on the application form during your application for a course. Our Student Services team will record the preferred choice of accommodation. 
• Step 2: EP will be able to secure the accommodation option once the invoice has been paid. Our team will send you the accommodation confirmation with further details on the selected option. 
• Step 3: You will need to confirm your arrival and send your flight details to our team, as soon as the flight is booked and no later than one week before the flight date. Our team will be able to book and confirm your accommodation and/or transfers and provide more details within the confirmation document.

Here are some important things you need to know to make your arrival as smooth as possible. Use our checklist to ensure you don’t forget anything and are prepared for the exciting times ahead. 

(i) Checklist 

Here are a few important items that you should bring with you: 

• Passport 
• Acceptance letter 
• Accommodation letter 
• Proof of health/medical insurance 
• A bit of cash and credit/debit cards/Apple or Google Pay 
• Weather-appropriate clothing (depending on the season you come to London) 
• Adaptor for electrical appliances 
• Prescription medication and medical records 
• Emergency information 
• Toiletries 
• Notebook and pen 
• Backpack for classes, social programmes, and day trips 
• Reusable water bottle 

(ii) Pocket money 

Recommended weekly budget: £150. This should cover expenses, laundry, local travel and activities. You will need additional money if you want to take weekend trips. Bring £100 with you in cash and a debit or credit card. You will need to check with your financial institution to make sure you will be able to withdraw money from a UK ATM. Do not bring foreign currency. It is not wise to carry around large amounts of cash. 

(iii) Clothing 

Most students dress casually for classes, but you should bring nice clothes for going out and sportswear for sports and outdoor activities. The climate is changeable and may be different from your own. The` typical temperature is 25-30°C in the summer and 2 to 6°C in the winter, although it can drop below freezing. Bring waterproof clothing if you’re arriving in the autumn or winter. 

(iv) Electrical current 

Standard voltage in the UK is 230 volts; remember to bring an adaptor with you or buy one when you arrive.  

We encourage you to follow the school’s Instagram account before you arrive and especially during your stay. This will give you an idea of what is happening at the school and help you connect with staff and students. This is also where we will post notifications of any unexpected school closures: it is important you check our Instagram account for any messages while you are attending the school, especially if there is severe weather in the area (e.g., snowstorm, flood, etc.). If the school cannot open or school opening will be delayed, we will post a message as soon as possible (the night before or in the morning) to advise you of this, along with information on how to get further updates and any alternate scheduling, (if applicable). Follow EP! @englishpathschools.

Call 999 in case of fire, a medical emergency or if you need the police.

You can use the following modes of transport to reach the centre from the airport: 

• If you choose to book an airport transfer, your flight details should be sent to us 4 weeks in advance to ensure we will be able to provide you with an airport transfer. 
• A driver will meet you after you come through the customs area and drive you to your accommodation. 

*Students under 18 years old must book homestay breakfast and dinner & return airport transfers. 

On your first day at English Path School: 

• Inductions start at 08:45 am (for morning students) and 12:00 pm (for afternoon students). 
• This includes a placement test, induction presentations about the school and academic programmes and the distribution of class timetables. 
• A tour of the local area. 
• Have their picture taken for a Student I.D. card. 
• Must complete the emergency contact details & publicity consent form. 
• A welcome coffee (midday). 
• Classes begin at: 09:15 am (classic morning), 12:45 pm (elective/semi-intensive), and 01:45 pm (classic afternoon). 
• On their first day, you are expected to bring your passport and proof of medical insurance. 

To get an Oyster card in London, visit a ticket machine or Oyster Ticket Stop at any participating station. Choose the card type (standard or visitor) and load it with credit using cash, card, or contactless payment. Registering the card is optional but can provide added security. Simply touch the card on the yellow reader when starting and ending your journey on buses, trams, the Underground, and other TfL services. Top up as needed and remember that there is a daily fare cap for cost control. For the latest details and any potential updates, check the official TfL website.

1. Find a doctor in your local area www.nhs.uk
2. Contact the practice and ask to register with them. You will need: your name and address, date of birth, id card / passport and proof of address
3. Once registered, you will receive an NHS card. Keep it safe and take it with you when you go to the doctor, dentist or hospital.

Please visit https://clch.nhs.uk/services/walk-in-centres for more information.

The main banks in the UK are HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds Bank, RBS, Natwest, Nationwide and Santander.

To open a bank account, the following documents may be needed:

• Passport or EU ID;
• A valid visa;
• A school letter.

You can get the school letter from Student Services to take to the bank.

For online banks, you may open your account online without the school letter from us.

You may also be required to provide with further documents, such as: Proof of address, Proof of income or Bank statement.

For all other locations, you can reach out to one of our Student Services Officer or contact us via here.

Some people need to register with the police after arriving in the UK with a visa, or after getting permission to stay for longer in the UK.

If you need to register, you must go to the police within 7 days of you:

• arriving in the UK if you applied for a visa from outside the UK
• getting your biometric residence permit if you applied to stay for longer from inside the UK

For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/register-with-the-police