Two international students socialising at an international welcome event

Getting started

The essentials for starting your journey at Manchester Metropolitan.

getting started

You have accepted your offer, and now it’s time to start planning for your exchange to Manchester Metropolitan. What do you need to do before you arrive? Depending on which country you are coming from, you may need to apply for a visa, and complete pre-enrolment. Our handy packing tips, and airport transfer service, can help take the stress out of preparing for your exchange. And once you arrive, there is a range of services available to help you make the most of your time with us. 

This page will help you to understand what you need to do next to prepare for your exchange, and what support will be here for you when you arrive. 

  • Before you arrive

    Online enrolment

    If you do not need a visa to enter the UK, you can enrol online about three weeks before the start of your course on our online enrolment system. 

    Your unit options and timetable

    We will send you an email with your unit options when they are confirmed. After you complete online enrolment and your unit options are confirmed, you will be able to see your timetable and course content in MyMMU. Please be patient. If you still cannot see any unit information on MyMMU at the time of the welcome activities, let us know and we will be able to help you. You can change your unit options up to two weeks after classes begin by asking for a Change of Unit Option Choice form from a Student Hub.

    You can contact exchanges@mmu.ac.uk if you need more help with your options.

    Preparing for travel

    You will not be able to bring everything to the UK with you. Check luggage restrictions with your airline and think about the essential items you can bring and the items you can buy when you arrive such as bedding, toiletries and textbooks.

    If you need to bring medication, check that is it legal to bring into the UK. You can also contact your country’s UK embassy for advice before you travel. 

    Visit the Global Graduates website for further advice about packing for studying abroad.

    The average temperature in Manchester is 14°C / 56°F in September and 4°C / 39°F in January. You should pack clothing appropriate for these temperatures, and consider how the weather will change during your time in the UK. However, remember Manchester Metropolitan (and most likely your accommodation) is close to city-centre shopping where you can buy clothing for all conditions.

    We advise that you bring around £200 cash with you to cover initial costs in your first few days. Check with your local bank that you will be able to use your bankcard to withdraw cash in the UK, and check online for locations of ATMs.

    We also recommend that you bring:

    • important documents such as your offer letter and travel insurance
    • technology that you want to use to study and record your time at Manchester Metropolitan
    • a checklist of tasks for immediately after you arrive in the UK

    We advise that you do not bring:

    • very valuable items (e.g. expensive jewellery)
    • food products
    • heavy electrical items (e.g. rice cookers)

    You do not need to buy any textbooks for your course before you arrive.

  • Additional information for students from outside the EEA

    Pre-enrolment

    If you are not a citizen of a European Economic Area (EEA) member state or Switzerland, you will need to pre-enrol with us. You can do this during the welcome activities before the start of term. We will send you an email confirming the time and place of your pre-enrolment session.

    Entry Clearance / Visa into the UK

    If you are not a citizen of an EEA member state or Switzerland, you need to have a visa to enter the UK. What you need to do depends on how long you are staying in Manchester:

    Staying for one semester (autumn or spring)

    Only “visa nationals” must apply for a visa beforearrival. Check if you need a visa on the UK government website. If you hold a US or Australian passport confirming you are a US or Australian citizen, then it is not compulsory to apply for a visa prior to arriving in the UK. If you hold a different nationality, please visit the UK government website to check. 

    If you do not need to apply for a visa before arrival, you need to show your acceptance letter on arrival at the airport, to the immigration officer at the UK border. The immigration officer will stamp your passport. The stamp in your passport is your entry clearance/visa. Do notuse the eGates.

    Staying for longer than six months (or doing a teaching placement in schools)

    You need to apply for a Student Visa. You can also find information in your offer letter. 

    If you have any further questions, please email visaextension@mmu.ac.uk. 

    Health Insurance

    Students travelling on a Tier 4 visa pay the immigration health surcharge that grants them access to the NHS, the UK’s state-provided healthcare service. We recommend Tier 4 students register with a GP after arriving in the UK.

    Students travelling on a Short-term study visa can visit an NHS drop-in centre for non-emergency medical treatment.

  • Arriving at Manchester Metropolitan

    Your airport transfer

    We run a free taxi service throughout the year to ensure your arrival goes as smoothly as possible. Visit our airport taxi service page for details on how to book your transfer.

    International welcome activities

    We will email you with lots more information about the events and activities taking place so you can get the best start at Manchester Metropolitan. There will be essential induction information, tours of our campus and the city, and chances to socialise with other international students. The dates of the welcome programme are at the top of your offer letter.

    Student card

    You can only get your student card after you have enrolled online. After you have enrolled online, you can visit any Student Hub on campus to collect your printed student card (you will need your MMU ID number to do this). Most of our buildings have a Student Hub, you can find one on our campus map.

  • Support after your arrive

    University Support Services

    While you are enrolled at Manchester Metropolitan, you have full access to our student support services such as the student support officers, the counselling, health and wellbeing service, disability support, the careers service and more. We encourage you to access these services and take advantage of the support available throughout your time with us.

    We also encourage you to look at the International Society and the Students’ Union. These independent organisations provide students with an opportunity to meet people with similar interests and take part in a wide range of activities.

    Weekly Drop-in

    Every Wednesday during term time from 1pm to 3pm, someone from the exchanges team will be in the Business School Student Hub, pod G.31B. If you want advice in person, need to have a document signed, or just want to get some support, feel free to visit us. There is no need to make an appointment, just go to the Student Hub and an advisor will show you where to go. This service begins on the first Wednesday of term.

    Health Insurance

    The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is available to residents of European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Switzerland. It gives you access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the UK. Please read the complete information about the EHIC card on the European Commission’s website.