Have a read through this blog by Milagros Garcia Marroquin | Global Sustainable Development and Business. You can check out this blog and many more on OurWarwick

Moving into university was chaotic for me – a Sunday night on my own in a new country, with no battery left in my phone to tell my family I arrived safely, and without an international plug adaptor. However, your arrival should not be like this at all! So here are my top tips to ensure your university arrival will be much better than mine.

✈️ The Arrival

For international flights, Birmingham Airport and London Heathrow are the most popular airports where students arrive to.

Birmingham

I chose Birmingham Airport as it is the closest one to the university. From there, you have 3 options: taxi, train or bus. I took a taxi due to my 1) big suitcases and 2) as I was unfamiliar with the public transport system. Even though is much more expensive than the other two options, I would advise taking a taxi if you are travelling on your own or with big suitcases. A taxi ride from the airport will cost £30, but an Uber would be slightly cheaper.

The bus is another option, however, you will need to change buses and it might be too much hassle with all the luggage. Also, the train is a cheaper alternative, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you are travelling alone as you will need to get to the train station first and sometimes trains are packed.

London

For the ones arriving at London airports, the university offers airport transfers from London Heathrow Airport. For further information about Airport Transfers 2024, check this website. Link opens in a new window

🧳 Checking in

After arriving at the university, you will need to pick up your key. The location for key collection depends on the day and time of your arrival. You can be dropped off at the designated key pick-up point to avoid walking around campus with all your luggage. In my case, arriving on a Sunday late at night (10 pm) meant picking up my keys from the University house.

The sign-up process is straightforward and fast. After identifying yourself, you will know your accommodation block and room. You can either walk or wait for a student ambassador to give you a ride. Preferably take a ride if your accommodation is in Lakeside, Sherbourne, Heronback or Westwood as these are further away from Central campus. Also, I highly recommend downloading the “My Warwick” app or asking for a physical map after checking in.

You will receive more information once you receive an email with your accommodation allocation. Upon confirming your arrival date, you will get detailed instructions on where to collect your room key based on your planned arrival time.Link opens in a new window

As I mentioned before, my arrival was really stressful due to not preparing well enough, so

What I would change about my arrival?

📅 Choose the day wisely: Arriving on a Friday morning is much more convenient than arriving late on a Sunday night. Keep in mind that all stores and businesses close early on Sundays, at 4 pm. So if you arrive after 4 pm without your essentials ( bedding, kitchenware, or food) you will struggle the first night. My advice is to avoid arriving on a Sunday.

✅ Come prepared: Bring essential items such as an international plug adapter and bedding at least! If you arrive during the day, you will have time to buy any necessities you may need, however, Cannon Park shopping centre is normally run out of kitchenware during welcome week. Buying a student pack will definitely make your arrival easier, do your own research and search for student deals.

🔋 Ensure your phone is charged: Make sure to have your phone fully charged or even better, carry a portable charger. After arriving, you’ll want to inform your family that you’re safe to put their worries at ease.

🏡 Connect with your flatmates: Once you’re settled in, take the time to explore your accommodation and get to know your flatmates. You are going to live with them for the rest of the academic year so building relationships with them will make your academic year more enjoyable.

👟 Explore the campus: Venture out of your accommodation and explore the campus. Walking around the campus is a wonderful experience, and it will help you familiarize yourself with your new environment.

📱 Join the WhatsApp group chats: There will most definitely be more than one WhatsApp group chat created by students. It’s a great way to meet potential friends before arriving at Warwick and support each other. I met my closest friend like that.

⭐ Complete all the tasks on your Student Records PortalLink opens in a new window: As soon as you arrive, register with the NHS to avoid any inconvenience. If you require a Biometrical Residence Permit (BRP), try to pick it up as soon as possible, so you don’t have to carry your passport as your primary ID.

But above all,

🍃Take it slow: Remember that adjusting to university life takes time, it’s a process. Don’t rush yourself too much.

If you want further advice, feel free to drop me a message.

Until next time 🙂

Milagros Garcia Marroquin | Global Sustainable Development and Business

Advice on hiring taxis

There are two types of legal taxi in the UK - Hackney Carriages/Cabs, which you may recognise as the distinctive black London style cab, and minicabs/private hire vehicles. Never get into a unlicensed cab, or a private hire vehicle that you haven't booked.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs has more advice on their websiteLink opens in a new window.

The University uses the following local taxi firms:

• Allens TaxisLink opens in a new window
• A2B Street CarsLink opens in a new window
• Brookline CarsLink opens in a new window

The University also uses the following coach hire suppliers:

• Johnson's CoachesLink opens in a new window (who provide our Airport Transfer service for Welcome Week)
• Silverline CoachesLink opens in a new window

Regional Airport

The closest airport is Birmingham Airport. A taxi to us from the airport will take about 20 minutes and cost around £30. Alternatively, you can take a train to Coventry from Birmingham International station which is located at the airport. Train tickets can be purchased online in advance or at station on the day.

There is also a bus option from Birmingham International to Coventry, X1. Tickets can be purchased with either correct cash amounts (no change given) or contactless card.

Onward travel from Coventry City Centre & Coventry Railway Station

These services all connect the University to Coventry City Centre and Coventry rail station:

• National Express 12X - this express service goes directly from the City Centre to campus, via Coventry Rail station.
• National Express 11 - these services come from Coventry City Centre and Coventry rail station to campus via Earlsdon

Taxis are also available at a cost of approximately £15 - £20, and a travel time of around 15 - 20 minutes, from both Pool Meadow Bus Station and Coventry Railway Station.

London Airports

London Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports are all connected to Coventry by National Express coach services. Alternatively, you can take the train to Coventry, with a change at London Euston.

• London HeathrowLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window has many more flights, and is about 2 hours away from Coventry either by bus (National ExpressLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window) or by rail (from Heathrow to London Paddington, then take tube from London Paddington to London Euston). The bus option is simpler and cheaper.
• London LutonLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window also has various international flights, and is under 2 hours from Coventry by bus (National ExpressLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window).
• London GatwickLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window is the second largest airport in the UK, offering a variety of international flights, and is 3hrs 30mins from Coventry by bus (National ExpressLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window).
• London StanstedLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window has various international flights, and is 3hrs 30mins from Coventry by bus

Coventry can also be reached by train from all the London airports listed above. For more information see the National RailLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window website.

What to do when you get to campus

This information will be detailed in your arrival instructions which you can download once you complete our online accommodation induction and inform us of your travel arrangements. Your arrival instructions will detail where you should go to collect your room key depending on when you plan to arrive to campus. Read our campus arrivals instructionsLink opens in a new window.

For more information on Arrivals, visit the Accommodation FAQsLink opens in a new window.