Congratulations on your choice to work for UCL.Ìý
Moving overseas can be both exciting and daunting.ÌýWe have put together various resources to assist your move to London and UCL.ÌýLondon is an exciting place to live and work, and UCL offers fantastic opportunities for development.Ìý
To find out a bit more about UCL, take a look at . Also to find out whether you are eligible for financial support to assist your move to UCL, see UCL’sÌýRelocation Scheme. Our preferred suppliers for relocation services offer a range of services, such as shipping of personal effects, pet relocation, storage facilities, settling-in assistance, school search and cultural orientation.
Key aspects of the move
- Household Goods Removal
UCL has been through a competitive tender process, and recommends that you useÌýRobinsons Relocation,ÌýLexicon Relocation, orÌýPickfordsÌýto move the contents of your home.Ìý For contact details, see theÌýRelocation Scheme.
Ìý
- Visa - Permission to Work
UCL’sÌýImmigration webpageÌýcontains a lot of information about visas that will allow you to work for us.ÌýIn the first instance, you should liaise with your Departmental Administrator about obtaining your visa.ÌýYou may also speak to theÌýHR ServicesÌýteamÌýin Human Resources.ÌýÌý
Settling-in and useful information
- Activities in London
Ìýprovides information about events, theatre shows, museums, markets, restaurants, and a whole lot of other useful information for visitors to London.Ìý
As part of the UCL community you can access freeÌýÌý,ÌýÌýandÌý.
On campus UCL has theÌýÌýhosting a range of performances and a series ofÌý and other facilitiesÌýwhich UCL staff can use.
- Bank Account
Before you come to the UK
You may wish to consider carrying out the following steps before you actually come to the UK:
The bank in your home country may have a special relationship with a bank in the UK.
Speak to your bank before you leave for the UK.
Ask your bank if youÌýcan use your cash card in UK bank machines and if there is any charge.
Find out how you can transfer money to and from the UK and how much this costs.Find out about opening a UK bank account.
Should you require further information on UK banking, head to .
TheÌý, which was set up by government, andÌýÌýboth provide a range of information about financial servicesÌýTypes of UK bank accounts
There are twoÌýÌýfor managing everyday money, a basic account and a current account.Ìý ÌýIn order to open one of these accounts you will need to complete an application form and provide certain personal information and documentation.
- Benefits for Employees
UCL offers a range of employee benefits, for more information see ourÌýUCL Employee BenefitsÌýwebpage.
- Childcare and Education
The following websites provide information and advice for parents and carers about children's learning and the English Education System.
- : is responsible for education and children's services.
Ìý - : Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills. They regulate and inspect to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners for all ages. Local councils provide a range of education and training related services for parents and young people. Each local council will have its own policies on school term dates, admissions, transfers and pupil benefits.
Ìý - The UCL Day Nursery provides high quality childcare and nursery education for children aged 0-5. We also offer a range of Family Friendly benefits °ÄÃÅÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼. To make the most of your money you can apply for Childcare Vouchers.
- : is responsible for education and children's services.
- Council Tax
If you are buying or renting property in the UK, you will have to payÌýCouncil Tax. Information regarding how much you need to pay can be found on the .Ìý
- Driving in the UK
If you drive, cycle or are a pedestrian in the UK, you must comply with theÌý.Ìý Check if you can drive in Great Britain with yourÌý.
- Employee Assistance Programme
TheÌýÌýis available to all staff, and provides a wealth of information about a variety of topics, such as health and living, access to free counselling and they also have a section about international issues.
- Essential Travel Items for the UK
- Passport
- Visa Air ticket
- Travel insurance documents (you may wish to leave a copy of these in your home country)
- AddressÌýand telephone number of your final destination
- Details of your onward travel details when you get to the UK British currency
- A full list of the contents of your suitcase in case it gets lost
- Enough prescribed medication for the journey. If you’re travelling with a longer-term supply ofÌýÌýyou may need to get a licence first.
- Healthcare
UCL’s occupational health service also offers advice on a range of healthcare matters including accessingÌý, such as registering with aÌý.Ìý
- Induction
Visit theÌýInductionÌýpage to find out what you need to know when you start working for UCL.
- Outside of London
Once you’ve found your feet in London, you’ll want to explore other part of the United Kingdom. TheÌýÌýwebsite has lots of ideas and information about other places to see in this wonderful country.
- Pension
Whether you’re going to join USS, SAUL or NHSPS or opt-out of contributions, all you need to know is available on the Pensions website, and if you have any questions then the UCL Pensions team are always happy to help.Ìý
- Pet Travel
To find out the rules about bringing pets to the UK, visitÌý.
- Postcodes
If you want to send a letter in the UK you will need to know theÌýÌýfor the address.
- Research and Teaching
Excellence and the UCL community: a shared endeavour is a key document °ÄÃÅÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼ that sets out the expectations of Academic, Research and Teaching staff °ÄÃÅÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼. The Academic Manual is a compendium of key documents relevant to academic quality management and enhancement operations °ÄÃÅÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼ and particularly to Internal Quality Review (IQR).
- Tax and National Insurance
For advice on tax and NI requirements please go to UCL'sÌýPayrollÌýwebsite.
- Transport
Ìýis a can be used to plan journeys by public transport, car or foot.
Ìýis provides up-to-date information about rail services across the UK.
TheÌýÌýwebsiteÌýis particularly useful for finding the quickest way to get around London using public transport.- Weather
The is the leading source of weather informationÌýin the UK.