What to bring

Read our list of important documents and items you might need to bring to university. Before you start packing, make sure you read about what you can’t bring into the UK.
Documents needed for UK entry
Whether you're coming to the UK for a short-term or long-term course, a Border Force Officer may ask you to show documents proving you're allowed to enter the UK.
Be sure to keep a digital record or pack these documents in your hand luggage to avoid any problems at border control.
Essential documents
If you’re entering the UK on a Student visa, you may be asked to show these documents at border control:
- The passport that is linked to your visa.
- Your visa and the email confirmation you receive when your visa is issued.
- Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
- Proof that you have enough money to pay your tuition fees, cover additional expenses during your stay in the UK, and pay for your return flights to your home country (such as recent bank statements, a scholarship letter, or a sponsor’s letter).
- Details of the accommodation you’ve arranged for your stay. This could be a booking confirmation for short-term accommodation (hotel, bed and breakfast), your accommodation contract from the University of Leeds or from a private housing provider.
Don’t forget to check the list of ‘additional documents for UK entry’. A Border Force Officer may also request to see extra documents, if they feel it's necessary.
If you’re entering the UK as a visitor or you’re on a short-term study visa:
- Your passport.
- Your valid visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) linked to your passport.
- Your academic offer letter for your course.
- Proof that you have enough money to pay your tuition fees, cover additional expenses during your stay in the UK, and pay for your return flights to your home country (such as recent bank statements, a scholarship letter, or a sponsor’s letter).
- Details of the accommodation you’ve arranged for your stay. This could be a booking confirmation for short-term accommodation (hotel, bed and breakfast), your accommodation contract from the University of Leeds or from a private housing provider.
Don’t forget to check the list of ‘additional documents for UK entry’. A Border Force Officer may also request to see extra documents, if they feel it's necessary.
Additional documents for UK entry
A Border Force Officer might ask to see extra documents if they need to check more details before letting you enter the UK.
We strongly recommend bringing these additional documents, in case you’re asked for more evidence.
- Original academic qualification certificates and English language test report –remember to bring formal translations if your documents are not in English.
- Proof of your address in your home country – this can be a recent letter from your bank or another official document that shows where you live.
- Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate and a confirmation letter from the University – check if you need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.
- Health and insurance documents (see the ‘Health and insurance documents’ section of this page).
- Evidence of any ongoing medical condition (see ‘Medication’ section of this page).
- Certificate enabling you to work with vulnerable people if needed (see the ‘Work documents’ section of this page).
- Marriage and birth certificates for you and your family, if you’re travelling with dependants.
- Health and insurance documents (see the ‘Health and insurance documents’ section of this page).
- Proof that you have been screened for tuberculosis, if needed. Check if you need a tuberculosis test certificate.
- Any vaccination and health check records for you and any family members coming with you to the UK, including evidence that you have been vaccinated for Meningitis C and Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR). Find more information on the vaccinations page.
Health and insurance documents
Bring any vaccination and health check records for you and any family members coming with you to the UK.
Before you start university in the UK, all students must have had vaccines for:
- Meningitis C
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella
Before you travel to the UK, you may also need to:
- Show proof of a tuberculosis screening. Check if this is required for your visa.
- Bring any vaccination and health check records for yourself and any family members coming with you, including proof of Meningitis C and MMR vaccines.
If you were asked to do a tuberculosis screening for your visa, make sure to bring the certificate with you. The UK Border Force might ask to see it when you arrive. Find more information on the vaccinations page.
Finally, it’s also important that you know what healthcare you’re entitled to depending on your visa status.Buy extra health insurance to give you extra cover, if necessary.
Medication
If you have an ongoing medical condition, check before you travel:
- if your medication is available in the UK
- any regulations related to bringing your medication into the UK.
- If your medicine is on the list of controlled drugs in the UK, check what you'll need to show on arrival.
These could include a letter from your doctor explaining:
- the name of your medical condition
- the name and dose of your medication
- any regular visits or monitoring requirements, such as regular blood tests.
Bring this letter and your medication in the original packets to show your doctor when you arrive in Leeds.
If you have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), check what ADHD medication is available in the UK.
Work documents
If you want to do paid or voluntary work in the UK that involves working with young people under the age of 18 or vulnerable adults, you will need to get a criminal record check certificate before you leave your home country.
The checking process can take several weeks, so make sure you apply for a criminal records check in plenty of time.
Find more information on how to get a criminal records check certificate from overseas.
Money
You will need a bank card that you can use in the UK. It can take a few weeks to open a UK bank account.
Bring enough money to pay for a taxi from your Leeds arrival point to your accommodation if needed. If you’re paying with cash, be aware that taxi drivers don’t accept £50 notes for short journeys. Make sure you bring £10 and £20 notes with you.
Many banks require you to be in the UK to complete the process of opening your account. However, some banks could allow you to open an account from your home country. For example:
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If you live in China, Bank of China can help you to open a UK account before coming to the UK.
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Customers who have a relationship with HSBC in their home country can use HSBC’s International Banking Centre (IBC) network to open a UK account before they arrive. This is available to customers in 29 countries, and the average time required to process this before you come to the UK is two weeks.
Visit our Opening a UK bank account page for more useful information.
Student blog: essential packing tips
- Read Ranice’s tips on essential packing or get advice on packing for Leeds by chatting to a Link to Leeds ambassador.
Think about which important items you need to bring with you, and what you can buy after you arrive in the UK, like bedding and toiletries.
The University has partnered with UniKitOut, a company that sells starter packs with everything you need for your room. You can order online, and your pack will be delivered to your accommodation before you arrive. Use the code LEEDS10 to get 10% off your order.