GETTING IMMIGRATION ADVICE Guides to making a Student or Standard Visitor visa application can be found on the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website: ukcisa.org.uk The UK Visas and Immigration website also provides detailed information on the visa application process, both for the Student and Standard Visitor visas: gov.uk/visas-immigration
If you need help with your visa application or advice about the UK’s immigration law and requirements please contact our Student Welfare Service. Please do not rely on unprofessional immigration advice from friends or tutors who may not be properly informed. welfare@gsa.ac.uk +44(0)141 353 4485
BREXIT AND EU CITIZENS Immigration advice for EU, EEA nationals and Swiss citizens coming to the UK to study is available on the UKCISA website: ukcisa.org.uk/brexit
NEW GRADUATE VISA ROUTE The UK Government has launched a new Graduate Immigration Route. This visa route will enable an international student who completes a degree in or after the summer of 2021 to apply for a visa to remain in the UK for an additional 2 years. More details can be found on the UK Government website: gov.uk/graduate-visa
SEMESTER DATES Updated semester dates are available on our website: www.gsa.ac.uk/semesterdates
OUR CAMPUS Download a map of the GSA’s campus, located in the heart of Glasgow: www.gsa.ac.uk/campusmap
ARRIVING IN GLASGOW At UK airports students will pass through immigration control. Citizens of the EU/EEA, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the USA can use the eGates (electronic immigration control gates) if they have a passport with a chip and are over 12 years old. Eligible students with a Student Visa can use the eGates. Students studying for less than 6 months who choose not to apply for entry clearance and instead intend to receive a Standard Visitor Visa upon arrival at UK may also use the eGates to enter the UK as a visitor. However, this will mean that you do not receive a visa stamp endorsed in your passport, as you do not have to see a Border Force Officer. It is important that all students entering the UK via eGates retain some form of evidence of your date of arrival in the UK, such as an e-ticket or printed/ electronic boarding pass, as you will not receive any stamps on your passport. You will be required to produce this evidence when enrolling.
TRAVELLING TO GLASGOW Nearest Airports Glasgow International Airport 20 mins from city centre Glasgow Prestwick Airport 40 mins by train Edinburgh Airport 60 mins by bus Glasgow International Bus into centre of Glasgow Taxi into centre of Glasgow
£9/8.50 via app £35
Glasgow Prestwick Train into Central Station Taxi into centre of Glasgow
£8.90 £90 £13
Nearest Train Stations Glasgow Queen Street; Glasgow Central Check the Traveline Scotland website or download the Traveline app for updated timetable information for planes, trains and buses in Scotland. www.traveline.info
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VIDEO: LIVING IN GLASGOW
AT THE AIRPORT
Edinburgh Airport Bus to Buchanan Bus Station
ACCOMMODATION Glasgow boasts a wealth of great culture, shopping and green spaces, along with one of the best collections of metropolitan galleries and museums in Europe. Interior Design student Omaima Abdulla talks about her experiences living and studying in Glasgow.
As Scotland’s largest city and with five higher education institutions, Glasgow has an excellent supply of student accommodation, whether you choose to apply for a room in one of the GSA’s two Halls of Residence, or rent a private flat or room sharing with others. Students can expect to pay £350 – £450 per month for a room in Glasgow’s private accommodation sector. Our Student Welfare Service can support you in your search for appropriate private accommodation. Please contact: welfare@gsa.ac.uk
VIDEO: ACCOMMODATION Chinese Interaction Design student Zexuan Qiao talks through his experience finding a flat in Glasgow. vimeo.com/265731624 vimeo.com/265731003
OUR HALLS OF RESIDENCE TRAVELLING VIA THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
The GSA offers two halls of residence, both within 5 minutes’ walk of the main GSA campus.
You might choose to travel to the UK via the Republic of Ireland. It is important to understand that both countries are part of a Common Travel Area (CTA). The CTA streamlines arrival in the UK from the Republic of Ireland for most travellers, because there is no immigration control on arrival in the UK.
Blythswood House
When travelling from the Republic of Ireland to the UK you do not receive a visa stamp endorsed in your passport, as you do not have to see a Border Force Officer. It is important that you retain some form of evidence of your date of arrival in the UK such as an e-ticket or paper/electronic boarding pass. You will be required to produce this evidence when enrolling. Any immigration permission you are given on arrival in the Republic of Ireland is for the Republic of Ireland, not for the UK. More information can be found here: tinyurl.com/GSAviaIreland This is only an issue when arriving via the Republic of Ireland (for example, via Dublin). Northern Ireland is part of the UK, so if you fly directly to Northern Ireland (for example, direct to Belfast), the problem does not arise.
Students can rent a deluxe room with en-suite bathroom within a flat with shared lounge/kitchen, or rent a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment with private living area within the halls of residence. From £153 per week. Margaret Macdonald House Flats based on 4, 6 or 8 residents sharing, with single bedrooms – some en-suite – and a spacious shared lounge/kitchen area in each flat. From £122 per week. More information and an application form is available at www.gsa.ac.uk/accommodation
VIDEO: CAMPUS TOUR A virtual tour of our Glasgow campus, covering studios, workshops, accommodation and facilities, and led by GSA Student Ambassadors. vimeo.com/411375014
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