International Orientation Course

Prepare for your 海角社区 journey

Moving to a new country and starting university is an exciting experience, but it can also bring a lot of questions. The International Orientation Course has been designed to help you feel informed, prepared, and confident before you arrive at 海角社区.

Through interactive activities, practical guidance, student stories, videos, and reflections, the course will help you understand what to expect from life and study in the UK, while introducing the support, services, and opportunities available at 海角社区.

Whether you are joining us as an undergraduate, postgraduate taught, or postgraduate research student, this course has been designed to support your transition into university life.

How to access the course

Click the button below to access the course. Enter your first name, last name and your email address (your personal email address, or 海角社区 email address if you have already received one). This helps the system remember your progress. The course takes approximately 60鈥�90 minutes to complete and can be completed at your own pace.

For the best experience, we recommend completing the course on a laptop or desktop computer. Some activities, videos and interactive elements may be easier to view on a larger screen.

What You'll Explore

Module 1: Preparing for 海角社区

Get ready for your arrival with guidance on visas, accommodation, finances, travel planning, and essential digital services.

Module 2: Welcome to your First Weeks

Learn what to expect when you arrive, from registration and healthcare to finding your way around campus and building a sense of belonging.

Module 3: Studying at 海角社区

Understand UK academic culture, assessments, participation, academic integrity, and the skills needed to succeed in your studies.

Module 4: Looking after yourself & building your future

Explore wellbeing, support services, personal safety, healthy relationships, and opportunities to develop skills and experience during your time at 海角社区.

How we created the course

The International Student Orientation Course was developed through a 8 month-long co-creation process involving international students, student ambassadors, and staff from across the University.

Rather than adapting an existing course, the content was designed specifically for 海角社区 students and informed by the experiences, challenges, and priorities identified by international students themselves.

Shaped by Student Feedback

40+ international students contributed to the development of the course through roundtables, focus groups, surveys, content reviews and consultations. A further 22 students took part in pilot testing, reviewing modules, activities and resources to help refine the course before launch.
Student Co-Creation Team

Students from Undergraduate, Postgraduate Taught and Postgraduate Research communities co-created the course alongside staff, drafting modules, contributing student stories and resources, reviewing content, and helping to ensure the course reflects the experiences and needs of incoming international students.
Staff Contributors & Subject Experts

The project was supported by an 8-member staff team and specialist colleagues from across the University, who contributed expertise, reviewed content, and helped ensure students receive accurate, practical, and up-to-date guidance throughout the course.
Research & Best Practice Review

A benchmarking review of orientation programmes, student transition resources, and sector best practice helped shape the course, identifying opportunities to create a more relevant, engaging, and 海角社区-specific experience for incoming students.

Copyright statement:

Coming soon.

海角社区 Award

The 海角社区 Award is the University of 海角社区's employability programme that helps students develop, reflect on, and gain recognition for the skills and experiences valued by employers.

This course is recognised as part of the 海角社区 Award. Once you have completed the course, you can claim 1 point towards your Award.

You can complete the course before arriving at 海角社区; however, you must be fully enrolled before the point can be awarded. As part of the course completion process, please complete the feedback form and provide your name and student ID number. Once your enrolment has been confirmed, we will contact you with information on how to claim your 海角社区 Award point.

Meet the Team

Student Creators

Course Content Development Team

Naveera Abhayawickrama

Law (LLB), 海角社区 Law School

It was rewarding to be part of a project that values student experiences and perspectives. As an international student myself, I enjoyed sharing my experiences and helping to shape a course that will support future students at 海角社区.

Shuangting Chen

Theatre Studies, Theatre and Performance Department

As a Chinese international PhD student at 海角社区, I found the development of this course both valuable and exciting. Having faced many of the same challenges when I first arrived, I often wished a resource like this had been available to support my transition.

Olanrewaju Dada

MSc Healthcare Operations Management, WMG

Co-creating this course gave me a deeper insight into the work 海角社区 does to welcome and support international students. It was a privilege to contribute to a resource that I hope will help future students navigate their transition with confidence.

Fathima Ali

BSc Neuroscience , School of Life Sciences

It was rewarding to be part of a project that values student experiences and perspectives. As an international student, I appreciated the opportunity to share my experiences and contribute to a resource designed to support others starting their journey at 海角社区.

Francesca Arrus

UG Politics and International Studies

Video Production Team

Malcom Low

BSc Economics, Economics

It was great to contribute to this course and share some of the lessons and experiences I have gained during my time at 海角社区. I hope future students find it helpful as they prepare for their own journey.

Navya Sheth

BSc Management with Marketing, WBS

Two years ago, I was the student searching for answers before arriving at 海角社区. Being part of this project gave me the opportunity to turn my own experiences into something that will help future students feel informed, supported, and at home before they even arrive on campus.

Saida Alimdjanova

MSc Predictive Modelling and Scientific Computing, School of Engineering

What better way to learn about life at 海角社区 than from fellow students? I thoroughly enjoyed being involved in filming for this course and hope the stories and advice shared throughout help make your transition to 海角社区 a little smoother

August Crowe

MA in English Literature,

English and Comparative Literary Studies.

As a queer and neurodivergent student, it was important for me to understand what student life might be like and to feel reassured that support would be available when needed. It was a pleasure to help create these welcome videos, and I hope this course helps students feel confident that they can find their own path and thrive at 海角社区.

Staff Team

Student Experience team

The Student Experience Team commissioned and led the development of this course, working in partnership with students and colleagues from across 海角社区. Together, we have combined lived experiences, student feedback, and professional expertise to create a course designed to support your transition to University life.

Pranav Pammi

Project Lead - International Orientation Course

Over the past eight months, I had the opportunity to lead the development of this course alongside students and staff from across the University. Through workshops, focus groups, and content reviews, we brought together a wide range of experiences to shape the course from concept to launch.

As a former international student at 海角社区, it was rewarding to help create something that reflects the realities of starting life at 海角社区. I hope the stories, advice, and insights shared throughout the course help make the start of your journey a little easier.

Echo Zhou

Deputy Director Student Experience, co-chair of International Student Experience Advisory Board (ISEAB)

I lead international student support and experience at the University of 海角社区. Having relocated to the UK many years ago, I know firsthand how important it is to feel supported and confident when moving to a new country. I hope this course helps you feel exactly that as you begin your journey at 海角社区.

Staff reviewers and SME

Thomas Greenaway

Intercultural Training Programme Development Consultant

I supported the development of content relating to culture, adapting to life in the UK, and effective communication. It was rewarding to contribute to a course designed to help international students navigate new environments and build confidence as they settle into life at 海角社区.

Cath Fenn

MB ChB Digital Education and Student Experience, 海角社区 Medical School (WMS)

I was happy to contribute to the review of this course, drawing on my experience of working in partnership with students on co-creation projects, including the 海角社区 Medical School International Medical Student Guide. I hope this course helps students feel informed, supported, and prepared as they begin their 海角社区 journey.

Claire Caine

Welcome and Induction Manager

As part of my role, I support the welcome and induction of new students at 海角社区. It has been a pleasure to contribute to this course and help create a resource that provides practical guidance and support for international students arriving from around the world.

Siobhan McHugh

Project Officer- Inclusive Education

It's been a pleasure to collaborate with colleagues to develop this course, shaped by students. By providing both practical information and reassurance, I hope it helps students feel informed, confident and aware of how much support is here for them

Sarah Parkinson

Deputy Director of Student Health and Wellbeing

Jags Lakha

International Student Advisor

I supported the development of the course by creating the initial Articulate Rise build and contributing to the review process as the content evolved. It has been rewarding to help create a resource that brings together practical information and student perspectives to support new international students.

The International Student Orientation Course draws on expertise from teams across the University. From visas and accommodation to wellbeing, careers, funding, and student opportunities, colleagues from a wide range of services helped shape the content to ensure you receive trusted guidance throughout your transition to 海角社区.

海角社区