Arriving in the UK.
You’ve made it safely to one of the UK’s international airports. Now what?
Clearing Immigration
When you arrive at a United Kingdom port of entry, you will have to go through Immigration Control. European Union (EU) citizens can enter freely by showing your passport or National Identity Card.
Students who are citizens of all other countries will be required to show a valid passport (with the right visas, where necessary), the acceptance letter from Warnborough College to say that you are attending a full-time course (15 or more hours of study per week), documentary proof of financial security to meet tuition fees and living expenses, and any other relevant information (eg. proof of accommodation arrangements).
You should have no difficulties if you can produce these documents. If you do not meet the Immigration Rules for students, the Immigration Officer may refuse you entry.
If there is a misunderstanding or a problem, you are advised to contact one of the following:
- Warnborough College – between 9am and 5pm, Mondays to Fridays on 01227 762 107.
- Citizens Advice Bureau
Assuming everything is alright, you will be given a stamp in your passport stating the length of time you are allowed to stay and other immigration conditions. This will normally depend on the length of your course, although you can extend your stay later if you continue to be a full-time student.
Registration with the Police
Students (and their dependents) from outside the Commonwealth and the European Community who are admitted for 6 months or more are normally required to register with the police. The Immigration Officer may put a stamp in your passport requiring you to register with the police within seven days of your arrival. You will need to go to your nearest police station bringing with you two passport photographs, an acceptance letter from the College, and your passport. There is normally a processing fee you have to pay (in the region of £35). The College will be able to assist you with this process.
Travel Information
Depending on your port of entry, we have listed the main ways of getting to Warnborough College below.
Warnborough College can organise a ‘meet and greet’ service, or transfers to and from all the major London airports for a fee. This can be arranged directly with the College’s Student Services, and is the recommended option for students going to the Canterbury campus. You will be met by special Warnborough drivers who will give you a brief introduction to life in the United Kingdom and what you can expect, during the journey to Canterbury.
Taxis can be booked before arrival, or at the airport itself.
London is well-served by a wide train network.
- Tube and Bus Maps (PDF)
- Click one of the links below for information on London Transport:
Heathrow airport
It can take about 45-60 minutes on the London Underground to get into Central London. At Heathrow Airport get on the Piccadilly Tube Line to get into Kings Cross-St Pancras station, London (approximately 50 minutes). From St Pancras station, you can take the high-speed train to Canterbury in 55 minutes. Alternatively, there is the Heathrow Express which takes passengers from Heathrow straight into Paddington station in only 15 minutes. From there, you take the London Underground to either Kings Cross-St Pancras for the high-speed train, or to London Victoria where you can take the slower Southeastern train to Canterbury (approximately 90 minutes).
Gatwick airport
The Gatwick Express runs every 30 minutes to and from Victoria Station. You can take a Southeastern train and change at Tonbridge to go to Canterbury. Alternatively, you can take the City Thameslink train from Gatwick to St Pancras station and then get the high-speed train to Canterbury. Gatwick is also serviced by South Central, Thames, and Virgin Trains.
Stansted airport
The Stansted Express takes about 41 minutes to the City of London, Liverpool Street station. An hourly local service makes stops all the way into London.
Luton airport
Luton is served by fast and frequent Thameslink trains to North and Central London, the City and Brighton, plus Midland Mainline services to East Midlands, London, Yorkshire. A dedicated Airport Shuttle bus service links the station with the terminal.
To Canterbury: From London, students can take direct Connex South Eastern trains to either Canterbury East or Canterbury West stations from either Charing Cross, Waterloo East, or Victoria railway stations. The journey time to Canterbury is approximately one hour and 40 minutes. The high-speed service runs only from St Pancras International and takes 55 minutes. For more information, visit: National Rail Website
Heathrow airport
Frequent bus and coach services connect Heathrow with over 500 destinations across the UK. Most coach services operate from the central bus station, which can be reached by the subways linking Terminals 1, 2 and 3. The central bus station is well signed posted from all terminals and is located next to the London Underground station for Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
Gatwick airport
Speedlink coaches operate between Gatwick and Heathrow airports.
Stansted airport
The Airbus A6 connects Stansted with Victoria Station in London every 20 minutes.
Luton airport
The Greenline 757 – Bay 7-8: A daily express service runs between London Luton Airport and Central London stopping at Brent Cross, Finchley Road Station, Baker Street, Marble Arch and Victoria.
There are buses from the bus terminal in Victoria Station that can take students to Canterbury. The journey time is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.