When to arrive
Plan to arrive in time for Welcome Week which starts on 15 September 2025. If you are starting your studies in January or May, plan to arrive for our orientation.
During Welcome Week you will attend enrolment, as well as induction and orientation events for your course and university support services. There are also society and sports fairs held by Hull University Students’ Union.
Travelling to Hull
Arriving at UK airports
Hull is centrally located in the UK, with several international airports to choose from. Manchester, London Heathrow and London Gatwick have direct flights worldwide and have rail connections to Hull.
Our local airport, Humberside, is 30 minutes away by taxi, with most flights arriving via Amsterdam (Schiphol). You will need to book a taxi from Humberside to Hull (details below).
Book your air tickets as far in advance as possible for the best prices, once you have received your student visa.
Getting to Hull from the airport
Luggage
What to bring in your hand luggage
You will need to have the following to hand in case you are required to show them at immigration at the airport. Make sure not to pack them in your main luggage as you will
not be allowed to collect your main luggage until you have passed through immigration control. You may wish to keep a photocopy of your documents in your main luggage.
Your passport with visa vignette
(or visa, if separate)
Copy of your Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS)
Medication for ongoing conditions
You may also need a doctor’s letter as well as the medication’s original packaging
A small amount of British currency for immediate expenses.
You may wish to bring a debit or credit card that you can use internationally
A jumper for when you arrive in the UK
The weather in the UK is changeable so a jumper is handy if it is cooler when you arrive
What to pack
Pack light to make your journey smoother – remember that you’ll need to carry your own bags at airports and on connecting trains and coaches. Check your airline’s luggage weight allowance to avoid paying extra charges. You can buy items in shops in Hull or online once you arrive in the UK.
You may wish to bring:
A laptop
There are plenty of computers and printers for use on campus too
UK plug adaptors
For your electrical items
A waterproof coat and waterproof shoes
If you do not have these, they can be easily purchased in Hull or online once you arrive
Casual and formal clothing
Everyday dress at university is informal, and you may wish to bring formal wear of your national dress for special occasions
Small personal items
Photos, posters, or mementoes from home can help you settle into your new home
Buying items in the UK
Once you arrive, you can buy bedroom, kitchen and bathroom essentials from supermarkets and retailers in Hull or order them online. UniKitOut also offers student starter kits for bedding and kitchen supplies.
If you are staying in campus accommodation, you can order items online and have them delivered up to one week before your arrival. Please do not order earlier, as the university does not provide storage.
Sending luggage in advance
If you are unable to bring all your personal items in your luggage, you can send luggage to your campus accommodation. Make sure your belongings arrive after you have arrived at your accommodation as there is no space for storing luggage at the university.
Your first week
Welcome Week
At these orientations, you will experience your introduction to life at the University of Hull. Events will run that will help you navigate the University’s support systems, allow you to meet your course mates and lecturers, get to know the campus and begin to feel at home in Hull. Don’t forget to attend the society and sports fairs held by Hull University Students’ Union too.
Freshers Hull 2024
1 min
Complete your face-to-face enrolment
You must complete the first part of your enrolment online before you leave your country and arrive in the UK. You will be invited to complete this in your myHull Portal up to 28 days before the start of your course.
Once you arrive at Hull, you must visit our International Engagement and Compliance team (IECT) to complete your second part of your enrolment in your first week. You must complete both stages of enrolment no later than your latest course start date. You will need to bring:
- Your passport
- Your UKVI decision letter
- A share code (this will begin with an 'S' ) - Visit the Gov.uk website to get a share code
H3: Open a bank account
There is a wide choice of banks in the UK, and many have branches in Hull. Setting up a UK bank account may take a few weeks, so make sure you have access to funds you can use for your first few weeks in the UK to cover your initial expenses.
Many banks offer special offers for students, so do research online. Banks include: Barclays, Lloyds, HSBC, NatWest, Santander, TSB, Nationwide, TSB, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Halifax. You may wish to choose a bank that has a branch in Hull, so you can visit them if you have any questions.
The documents required to setup an account vary from bank to bank. This may include:
- Your passport
- A 'bank letter' from the University confirming your registration, your home address in the UK and your overseas address – you can download a letter from the myHull website
Register with a doctor
You should register with a doctor’s surgery (known as General Practitioner or GP) shortly after arriving in Hull. Use the NHS search tool to find your nearest GP surgery and visit the NHS website for more information about how to register with a GP surgery.
When registering with your GP surgery, you may be asked to provide your passport details and a letter from the University of Hull confirming your enrolment at the University – you can download a Student Status letter on the myHull website.
