Transportation

1. Walking: most people simply walk around Oxford as it is a small city and many of the colleges are located in the centre. Much of the city is pedestrian-only and it is by far the nicest way to explore. 
    
2. Cycling: bicycle is almost synonymous with Oxford University. It is a quick and easy way to travel around the city. Just make sure to also buy a lock, lights (if you plan to cycle at night) and a helmet. You will be sharing the roads with cars and pedestrians so be careful!

Flying Chalks’ recommendations:

• Plan your cycle journey with Cyclestreets!
• Second-hand bikes are a good option for international students. Have a look at Stuart’s bicycles (www.oxfordbicycles.co.uk) which repairs and recycles old bikes, or Spoke (spoke.co.uk) where prices start at £70 and they also offer a 3 month warrantee.
• Visit BaitonBikes for information of Bicycle hire or Donkey Republic to look for places with bicycle Rental!
   

3. Buses: Buses are a cheap and simple alternative to travel around the Oxford and to nearby towns. The main bus service companies in Oxford are “Oxford Bus Company, Stagecoach Oxfordshire and Thames Travel.
   
   The local Oxford buses are called “City buses” and they serve mainly in Oxford, Kidlington and Abingdon. Different ticket types such as Single and Returns or Day passes can be bought from the drivers themselves. Find out more about the prices and timetables of the different buses!
    
4. Oxford Tube: the Oxford Tube is a 24/7 bus service running from Oxford to London, stopping at Hillingdon, Shepherd’s Bush, Notting Hill Gate, Marble Arch and London Victoria. It is a cheap and easy way to arrive in central London. See www.oxfordtube.com for buses, times and prices.
    
5. Trains (National Rail): managed by Great Western Railway, Oxford train station has fast trains to London Paddington and local trains to Reading, Worcester and Banbury. Trains are an easy although sometimes expensive way to travel around the UK.
   
   ​​Flying Chalks’ tips:

• Trainline is a good tool to use when searching for trains within UK.
• If you are one to travel often, do check on your eligibility for a 16-25 Railcard to receive a 30% discount on train journeys. Group discounts are also available should you be travelling with one!
• Book your tickets in advance as those bought on the day of departure will cost way more! Do note however, that advanced bookings will limit your travel dates.
   

6. Taxis: In Oxford, Taxis are easily available and clearly marked. Only board one when you are sure that it is a licensed Taxi! Otherwise, head over to the Glouster Green bus station or the Train Station to hire one.
   
   The list of Taxi contact numbers are as follow:

• 001 Taxis - 01865 240000
• ABC Taxis - 01865 770077 / 775577
• Radio Taxis - 01865 242424 / 249743
• Royal Cars - 01865 777333
• City Taxis - 01865 201201
• Euro Taxis - 01865 430430

Visit the Oxford city council for more information on Public transportation in Oxford!

Banking Services

During the Orientation Program (1-2^nd October for Graduates, 5^th October for undergraduates) you can meet all the bank representatives to find out more about what they can offer.

Flying Chalks’ tips:

• Go to the banks early to open your account as they are very busy at this time of year, especially at lunch times. Check to see if they have late opening hours to avoid the rush.
• All the major banks offer similar benefits and are equally able to help you with your needs. Exact locations of ATMs can be found in Oxford University’s campus map under “Lifestyle”.

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

To obtain student enrolment certificate:

1. After your offer, you will receive your ‘single sign-on’ login details to access IT services at Oxford.
2. In early September, you will be asked by email to complete an online student registration on ‘Student Self Service’.
3. Complete your registration with your college when you arrive. This will be confirmed on the Oxford student database and may take some time.
4. On Student Self-Service you can print your student enrolment certificate. Take this to your college and ask them to stamp it with the official college stamp. Ensure you have your full student address and postcode on this certificate.

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

Each bank has different requirements on opening a bank 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 help you choose the bank that is most suitable for you!

Flying Chalks' tips:

1. 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.
2. Even if you make an appointment, be prepared for a 1-2 weeks’ wait as all international students will be setting up their accounts at the same time
3. 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.
4. Bank branches are very specific about the format of the documentation they will accept, so check with them the exact requirements so you will not make a wasted trip 

For Singaporeans:

Alternatively, you can choose to set up your UK account in Singapore via HSBC 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 Bank (Recommended by City University)

Procedures:

1. Students would usually receive an introductory letter from Barclays during the orientation.
2. Book an appointment with Barclays and obtain a formal document with the address of your UK residence, proof of enrolment and personal identification. 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:

Royal Mail delivers letters and Post Office Ltd oversees post offices. Most colleges have a post box for you to post letters. For parcels, you will need to go to the post office. Exact locations of “Posts” can be found in Oxford University’s campus map under “Lifestyle” or you can find a branch here! Costs for International postage can be found here!

You will receive post in your pigeon hole (small box or similar in the postal room) in college where the porters will put any post that arrives at the college with your name on it. Checking for post each day will become a fun ritual as people often leave chocolate, sweets and flowers, or even Christmas presents, for each other!

Flying Chalks’ tip: It is important to pay the correct postage amount otherwise the Royal Mail will either delay delivery to the recipient or retain the letter or package. You can also return your online shopping purchases for free at the post office!

Medical Services:

Facilities in Oxford city

Hospitals

1. John Radcliffe Hospital (Emergency services)
   Headley Way, Headington
   OX3 9DU, 24 hours a day
   Contact number: 0300 304 7777
2. Churchill Hospital, Headington
3. Horton General Hospital, Banbury

Sexual health clinics

1. Oxford Churchill clinic: located in the Churchill Hospital in Headington
2. The Rectory: located in East Oxford on Recotry Road, Oxford
3. The Banbury clinic: located in the town centre at the Orchard Health Centre

For more details, visit www.sexualhealthoxfordshire.nhs.uk/visiting

Medical facilities on campus

1. College doctors and nurses: for minor sicknesses and problems, you can obtain treatment from your college nurse. 
2. Local GP: your college will have an arrangement with an NHS doctor and practice in the city with whom you will register when you arrive. Alternatively, search for your nearest GP on the NHS website!
   For more details, see: www.ox.ac.uk/students/welfare/health/doctors?wssl=1

Most clinics do not welcome walk-in patients so give them a call to schedule an appointment beforehand. Additionally, GPs in the UK do not dispense drugs. You will need to buy and pay for your prescription medicine at a pharmacy (such as Boots and Superdrug).

Medicine

Should you require specific prescribed drugs, bring along your doctor’s prescriptions (name and brand of drug). Do ask for a receipt for any future insurance claim!

Cost of health care

All international students registered on full-time courses for more than 6 months are eligible for NHS treatment:

• ONLY UK nationals are eligible for NHS. However, if your full-time course of study in England, Wales or Northern Ireland is for 6 months or more, OR if you are studying in Scotland (duration does not matter), you will automatically be eligible for free NHS hospital treatment like residents of the UK!
• 11-month short-term student* route: If you were not asked to pay the immigration health surcharge when your entry clearance application was made, you will not have to pay hospital fees (Free hospital treatments). Do note however, that the waiver of the “immigration health surcharge” is only temporary. It will be implemented again, in future.
• "Overseas Visitor" route: If you are an ‘overseas visitor’ do make sure that you have medical insurance coverage as you will be charged 150% of the usual tariff!

Click here for more information!

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 the most popular option for students at Oxford. 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 and have a reputation for being rainy and grey. 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.

• Spring, the season of blossoming floras and thawing of winter takes places between March to June. Early spring can feel like winter sometimes getting as low as 8°C while late spring can reach up to 15°C.
• Summer in Oxford takes place between July and August with temperatures fluctuating between 16°C and 21°C.
• Autumn, the season with the largest climate change takes place around mid-August to November or early December. Temperatures range from 18°C – 7.5°C
• Winter months are December, January and February, between 3 and 6°C. 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.

Click here or here to find out more!

Flying Chalks’ tip: It rains throughout the year and the weather can change quickly. Hence, it is recommended to always carry an umbrella, especially in spring and autumn.

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!