Transportation:

In Exeter, we can always commute on foot, because the city is relatively safe, clean and has a nice view. Buses and trains are also convenient for places a little bit far off. However, there is no tube/underground in the city.

1. Train
St David’s Railway Station is Exeter’s main train station, while Exeter Central and the St Thomas are the second and the third one respectively. St David’s is the gateway to the West Country with regular services to and from London as well as Scotland and the North of England. It is a wonderfully atmospheric station that provides a terminus for not just the national rail services but also the local services both down (to South Devon) and up (to North Devon as far as Barnstaple).

2. Bus
Buses in Exeter are mainly modern and comfortable. They travel to places like Barnstaple, Ilfracombe, Lyme Regis, Exmouth, Teighmouth, Totnes, Torquay and Beer. The roads of Devon are undulating, winding, and safe. Buses run from Exeter St David’s Railway station to and from the airport roughly during the day, with stops in the city centre including the main bus station. Before you leave home, you have to search for bus connections on Traveline Bus.

3. Car
In Exeter, there are several central car parks available which will cost £6 to £11 for the day. A much cheaper alternative is to use the Park and Ride Service, which also benefits the city by reducing pollution. These are 5 car parks strategically located on the outskirts of the city and are linked to the centre by subsidised bus services. The buses run from 7 am to 7 pm and the buses run with a peak frequency of every 10 minutes. At the time of writing, a return bus trip will cost £2 per person which includes the use of the car park. You can find out more information about the Park and Ride Service here!

Banking services:

To set up a bank account, you will be required to provide the bank with:

• Passport or national photo ID card (EU citizens)
• Proof of student status – with updated UK address and contact number

Once a bank account (savings or current account) is open, the bank will usually issue you a debit card, and a PIN and dongle for phone or online banking.

Each bank has different requirements to open an account, with differing minimum balances and service charges. Do visit the British Bankers’ Association (International Students) (BBA) for more information or download the BBA International Students guide to choosing the right bank for you!

Flying Chalks' tips:

• It is recommended that you make an appointment to open an account with the bank, especially with popular banks like HSBC as they get very busy during the September-October period.
• Still, be prepared for a 1-2 weeks’ wait as all international students will be setting up their accounts at the same time!
• Make sure you bring sufficient cash to tide you through the first 2-3 weeks in London. Setting up a UK bank account and transferring money can take more time than expected.
• Bank branches are very specific about the format of the documentation they will accept, so check with them the exact requirements so that you will not waste your time making a trip down.

For Singaporeans:

Alternatively, you can choose to set up your UK account in Singapore via HSBC (just walk-in) at least 1.5 months before departure. Do note that a processing fee will be involved and this process takes at least 4 weeks hence do check with your preferred bank for more details!

Major Banks in the UK:

1. Barclays
 

Procedures:
1. An Introductory Banking Facilities letter will normally be provided to students during the induction
2. Obtain an appointment with Barclays and a document with the address of your UK residence.

You will be able to set up a Barclays Student Bank account at no cost after providing these documents to the bank!

Homepage:  Barclays International Students Account
Locations: Locate a Branch
Customer Service: Contact Barclays Bank

2. Lloyds Banking Group
 

Locations: Locate a Branch
International Students Guide
Customer Service: Contact Lloyds Bank

3. HSBC
 

Homepage: HSBC Student Banking and Basic Bank Account
Locations: Locate a Branch
Customer Service: Contact HSBC

4. NatWest
 

Homepage: Banking for International students
Locations: Locate a Branch
Customer Service: Contact NatWest

5. The Royal Bank of Scotland
 

Homepage: Banking for International students
Locations: Locate a Branch
Customer Service: Contact RBS

Flying Chalks' tip:

• All major banks in the UK share the same ATM machines (also known here as cash points) and will not charge you additional fees should you use your card to draw money from another bank’s ATM. Do note, however, that some ATMs (especially those in news agents) will charge a small fee for withdrawing cash.
• The biggest denominations dispensed by ATM machines are £20 notes. Should you need to withdraw a significant amount of cash for travelling, you can get your £20 notes changed to £50s at the bank.
• We would recommend that you create a bank account in Lloyds, HSBC or NatWest as the services are very good. The banks are usually opened from from 9AM- 5PM on weekdays. Each bank has different opening hours during the weekend. 

Currency Exchange

Thomas Exchange offers very competitive rates as compared to airports and other money exchange offices. Order the amount you want in any currency online, and you can collect it at any of their branches in Bishopsgate, Oxford Circle, Baker Street and Kings Cross on the same day.

Post office services:

Posting can be done at any royal mail post box that is scattered everywhere in the city.

For more comprehensive postal services, there is a post office at the city centre area in Princesshay. Students can also post things at the campus.

For students staying at the dormitory, parcels addressed to the students will be collected at the dormitory reception or at Devonshire house for general collection. Students are required to present their student card and the notice to collect.

Medical services:

Students studying in the UK will need to procure insurance and every medical check will be free of charge. However, this does not cover medicines or drugs. There are medical facilities and services on campus available for students where they can approach the Student Support Services or Wellbeing Staff Member to inform of the sickness or discomfort. Medical services also include mental discomfort such as stress, anxiety, depression, etc. These services are provided free of charge.

There is also a walk-in clinic at the city centre, while the Royal Devon & Exeter (RD&E) Hospital is located a little far from the city. Bus H runs from the city centre to RD&E (Wonford) and Bus D runs from the city centre to the Heavitree Hospital.

If you are on a short course (less than six months), you are not entitled to free health care under the National Health Service other than emergency treatment in a hospital casualty department. It is important, therefore, to take out comprehensive medical insurance before you leave your home country. Some countries have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK; please check with your British Embassy/High Commission. You must ensure you have adequate insurance cover as health care in the UK can be very expensive. Details of eligibility for NHS care can be found at the Department of Health website.

Healthcare

In Exeter, there are 3 health centres: Student Health Centre on the Streatham Campus, the Heavitree Health Centre on St Luke’s Campus in Exeter, and the Penryn Medical Centre on the Penryn Campus in Cornwall.

For Penryn Campus in Cornwall registration forms for Penryn Surgery can be obtained from The Compass during Freshers' Week.

The Health Centres are open weekdays 08:45 to 13:00 and 13:30 to 17:00.

Medical history

If you will be registering with a doctor, you will have to bring the following information for yourself and your family (if they are coming with you):

• Details of any past illnesses requiring medical treatment
• A full record of past immunizations

If you are taking medicines, you need to make sure that you have the medication sufficient enough to cover your first weeks at the University. You will also need to keep bring the medicines or bring the container of the medicines to be given to your doctor on your first appointment.

If you have a serious illness, currently undergoing medical treatment or hospital investigation, or currently taking medication, you need to provide the doctor a brief summary of your medical history. This will help the Health Centre to provide you with uninterrupted health care.

Telecommunications:

There are 16 mobile network providers in the UK. Most students in the UK subscribe to the pay-as-you-use monthly service. This is a cheap option that provides much flexibility, as students can suspend their line anytime. It is best to check which network offers the best coverage in your area when deciding which network to subscribe to. This website shows you the coverage of each network.

Some telecommunications companies may require a credit check before providing you with a mobile contract. They would expect you to have a credit history (eg. live in the UK for at least 6-months) and would require documents such as a UK bank account and proof of residence in the UK. This option is not recommended for students who have just arrived, or are only staying for a short while.

Here are some of the biggest telecommunications companies in the UK:

1. Vodafone

Vodafone UK offers “Vodafone Free SIM” with “Big Value Bundles” that allows you to top-up, earn reward points, and cancel at any time! It functions like a “pre-paid” SIM card.

Another option is the “SIM-only Bundle” that requires you to pay monthly. You can only choose from a 30 days or a 12 months contract.

**Do note that not all available contracts are shown in the tables above. Do check their website for more information. 

2. O2

O2 UK also offers “Pay as you go SIMs” with “Big Bundles”

O2 UK offers “Pay Monthly SIMs”. You can only choose from a 30 days or a 12 months contract.

3. EE

EE UK offers plans ranging from “Pay as you go Data Plans”, “Pay as you go Plans”, “Monthly/Pay as you go SIM only” and “Pay as you go packs”

There are 3 types of Pay as you go packs: “Everything Packs (30 days talk text and data)”, “Talk and Text Packs (7/30 days talk and text)” and “Data packs (7/30 days Data, talk and texts)”!

4.Three Mobile 

There are 44 SIM only plans available at Three Mobile. These plans provide users with unlimited texts, 4G at no extra cost, hotspot allowances and usage abroad at no extra charges! 

Flying Chalks’ recommendation: Unless you use your phone a lot, purchase the Pay as You Go plan (PAYG) from Three mobile as it is cheaper, easier and more flexible! PAYG comes in £10 for 1GB of data and £20 for 12GB of data. Do keep an eye out for promotions for their 12-month contract plans. You might end up saving more. 

Other than the service providers mentioned above, you can also consider GiffGaff. It is an online-only provider, which means they do not have a physical store for you to make purchases. Ordering a SIM card from GiffGaff online is simple and fast. They also offer excellent deals. Its plans offer greater flexibility as you are not tied to a 2-year contract. 

User Opinions

Flying Chalks’ basic summary of the service providers:

• Vodafone: very popular and offers free streaming services and try-before-you-buy data schemes.
• O2: Has long-running customer reward schemes and discount offers.
• EE: Has the best coverage in the UK, with 4G speeds up to five times faster than 3G.
• Three: Cheap calls, generous data allowances and free overseas roaming in 18 countries with ‘Feel At Home’ plan; ideal if you are planning on visiting other countries during your time in the UK.

Weather:

Weather and seasons in the UK is unpredictable and differs daily. Seasons usually overlap and don’t follow regular patterns making it a common conversation topic within the UK. As such, although the UK is not large, temperatures and climates vary between the North and South, East and West. Basically, expect colder and windier climate higher up North and wetter weather in the direction of the West.

The average daily temperature in this part of the UK is about 4°C in winter and 18°C in summer. It is also known for its wet weather, averaging about one in three rainy days.

Spring
Smell the blossoming signs of spring and thaw out the remnants of winter’s cold between March to May. This is also the period where days stretch longer with unpredictable showers so it’s a wise idea to keep and umbrella close to you.

Temperatures fluctuate between 9.3^oC – 15.4^oC and daylight lasts between 11-15 hours.

Summer
The warmest season in the UK coupled with occasional thunderstorms takes place in the period between June to August. This is when you lose your coats, bring out your sunglasses, hit the beach and bathe in the sun.

Temperatures range between 18.1^oC – 20.6^oC, sometimes reaching 30^oC. Daylight normally lasts around 16 hours. Do protect your skin from the harsh UV even though it might not feel hot!

Autumn
The season with the largest climate range, falling leaves and dipping temperatures is normally experienced from September to November. Early autumn can sometimes feel warm, like summer while Novembers can get very cold like winter.

Temperatures range from 18^oC – 9.5^oC and daylight lasts between 10-14 hours. 

Winter
Temperatures fall and morning frosts get common. The holiday season as they call, begins in December and last through February. Winter in the UK is commonly wet and windy.

To add to the terrible weather combination, this is also the season with shortest daylight lasting between 8-9 hours. Temperatures range from 6^oC to 7.5^oC sometimes even plunging close to freezing point (0^oC).

Flying Chalks’ recommendation: Do consider bringing along a sturdy umbrella that can withstand strong winds!

Flying Chalks’ tip: When you do not have signal on your phone, you will still be able to make emergency calls using other available networks! Also, it is advisable to use the roadside phones if you meet an emergency on the highway.

Here is a list of embassies should you require urgent assistance!