Life in England
How to exchange currency
The best way to obtain cash is using an ATM. Check with your local bank for information regarding ATM charges as they can vary with “hidden” charges. The bank ATM’s in England use the standard 4 digit pin number like the U.S.A. Please be aware that some savings accounts do not issue an ATM card. Please check with your bank before arrival that you will be able to withdraw cash with the particular account that you hold.
Money can also be changed locally at a competitive rate at a store nearby.
How to pay for things
The best way to pay for:
- Fee’s, trips and outreaches is by cash or personal cheque. We are not able to accept money orders.
- Cash is needed to pay for laundry, snacks, bus fares, taxi’s and pay phone use.
- Paying by credit card at the Bible College is not an option at this time.
Should you want to use a credit/debit card/ATM card over here you must tell your bank you will be using your card in England so they are aware and do not think your card has been stolen and stop it’s use.
Extra things you need to pay for
Outreach oppurtunites:
It is required for every student to go on a 10 day outreach trip during the semester. You will have a choice of outreaches throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland and Europe. The prices for the outreach trips range from $0 - $800.
To and from the campus:
If you are travelling into Britain by plane you will need to travel to the campus from the airport. You can pay for train tickets by credit cards, but you will need cash to pay for taxis.
Books: You will need to pay for required course books when you get here. The cost of this will be between $25 - $100.
Telephone:
Phone cards are available for purchase in the UK but buy a reputable brand - several of the cut price operators have gone out of business. Those brought from other countries must be able to be used in the UK. You can also use coins for payphone usage.
Laundry:
For a charge of £1 per load (small machine) or £2 per load (large machine), students can use the washers and driers at the school. There is also a Laundromat nearby where the cost for a large load is about £3.50.
Postage:
Mailing a letter to the States from here costs between £0.47 to £0.68 per letter depending on weight.
How can family and friends contact you?
Each flat has a telephone so that your family and friends can call you. You will be provided with the number when you arrive. You will not be allowed to be pulled out of class to take phone calls. It is always best to arrange times for your family and friends to call so ensure you will be in to take their call.
The college provides free internet access for you to email.
You can receive mail at:
CCBC York
P.O. Box 171
York
YO1 9XR
England
or your flat address (you will find this out on your arrival).
Can family and friends visit you?
If your family and friends want to visit you they will not be able to stay in the flats. They can find hotels through York’s accommodation web site www.roomcheck.co.uk/yk/
There are no vacations in the semester and you are not allowed to miss classes. However, you are allowed to travel for 2 weekends each semester, not including outreach week.
Mailing parcels
You can mail parcels to the Bible College, but please be aware there is not much storage space per student.
The address to send the parcels to is:
Calvary Chapel Office
11A Barbican Road
York
YO10 5AA
England
You must ensure that the parcel will arrive AFTER the start of the semester as the office is only manned during the semester.
Please ensure that you fill in the customs slip stating gift otherwise the parcel may be held up indefinitely in customs & a charge be made.
What to bring when you come
Clothing:
Weather in York may be more seasonably variable than you are used to at home. It is important to bring clothing for both warm and cold weather. However, heavy coats can be acquired cheaply in charity/thrift shops to save you packing them.
Toiletries:
You will need to supply these yourself and they can be bought in local supermarkets. Many brand names found in the U.S.A. are also available in the UK.
Tape/CD player:
For Bible Overview tapes. We have the Bible Overview 5000 Series on MP3 format CD. You will need an MP3 player or laptop computer on which to listen to them. Bring extra batteries, or a battery charger to save money. Remember, it you want to use a wall outlet, the UK uses 240V rather than 110V.
Electrical items:
American curling irons and straightening irons generally do not work in the UK. Even with converters they usually always melt and blow the fuses, so it is best to purchase them in the UK. The generally cost approx £10-12 ($20).
Laptop computer:
Bring one if you will need it to do your work. We do have desktop computers available for student use.
School supplies:
These may be purchased in York at comparable prices to the U.S.
Linens:
Quilts and pillows will be provided. You will need to either bring or purchase locally a bottom single size sheet, and pillowcase and bath towels. You can also buy your own pillow here if you want to.
Backpack:
to carry books and other essentials.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS:
alarm clock, laundry bag, vitamins, small musical instruments, stationery, camera and film and ATM card.
Remember:
Our space is limited so you will have minimum storage space. You will also have to carry your luggage from the airport to the train station. Don’t overpack.
Computer usage
There are desktop computers and a printer available for student use.
You can bring your laptop if you wish. Broadband wireless and wired connections are available.
The electricity in the UK is 240v and not 110v. Therefore check your laptop, either within the product’s manual, or on the power cable’s transformer, to ensure that it will convert. If it will not convert you will need to bring a transformer. IF YOU PLUG IN A LAPTOP THAT DOES NOT CONVERT IT MAY DESTROY YOUR LAPTOP!
The plugs (outlets) here are different, so you will need an adapter to plug your items into the outlets. These can be purchased either in the U.S., or after you arrive here in York. They cost £1-3.
Food
You will need to buy and prepare your own food.
Every flat has a shared kitchen where all kitchen equipment, including pots, pans, plates, dishes, glasses and cutlery are provided.
A food allowance is distributed each week and if budgeted carefully can stretch to cover the cost of eating some meals out.
Health care
European Union students coming to York will normally be eligible to receive medical treatment under the National Health Service.
United States students coming to York will need health insurance because you do not qualify for free medical treatment under the National Health Service.
We can not advise you from here how best to get adequate health insurance coverage. You will need to do that from home. You will either need to be put on your parents insurance as a student or find other insurance.
You must have full health insurance that covers you for:
- Visits to doctors
- Any medication that is prescribed for you
- All medical and hospital fees
Students from all other countries should check with their own government agencies whether there are arrangements for them to receive medical treatment in the UK under the National Health Service. If not, they will need medical insurance, as described above.
Prescriptions
If you are taking prescription medication you should either bring enough with you to last the semester or arrange with your parents for them to mail it to you when you need it. It may not be possible for you to obtain the specific prescription you need in a UK chemist due to different brands & suppliers.
If you need a prescription from the doctors here, there is a standard charge of £6.50 per item (subject to change). In certain circumstances you may be eligible for exemption from prescription charges; your doctor will be able to give you details.
Prescribed medicines are only available from chemists’ (pharmacy) shops, which are generally open from 09:00 to 17:30, with some late evening opening. Chemists’ shops also sell non-prescription medicines for minor ailments (headaches, coughs, etc.) and are happy to give advice.
Travelling to York
Please, advise us in advance of your arrival date and time!
Please let us know which day you are arriving and, if applicable, the scheduled arrival time of your flight. It does help if you can give us advance notification of when approximately you expect to arrive so that we can make sure your accommodation is ready for you.
Arriving by Air
Travelling to York is not complicated as a good network of roads and rail services serve the city. If you arrive in Britain by air, the easiest routes to York are:
From Manchester airport (about 2 hours)
There is a train station within the airport complex that has a direct service to York (TransPennine Route). Services to Newcastle, Middlesborough and Scarborough all call at York. A single rail ticket is £18.00.
From London Heathrow airport (about 4 hours)
Take the underground train (Piccadilly Line) to London King’s Cross station. Change trains to York (East Coast main line) at the King’s Cross station. A ticket for the underground train from the airport to King’s Cross is about £4.00 and a single rail ticket from King’s Cross to York is about £50.00 to £60.00.
From London Gatwick airport (about 4 hours)
Take the train to London Victoria Station. Change to the underground train (Victoria line) to London King’s Cross station. Take the train from King’s Cross to York (East Coast main line). A single ticket may be purchased for this journey, Gatwick through to York for £63.00.
Coach travel
You may be able to save money by travelling to York by coach, but in general services are less frequent and may not be as convenient, with limited space to stow luggage.
One way car hire
It is also possible to arrange one way car hire - a medium size (by UK standards) car could cost approx. £60, but you will probably need to be at least 24 or 25 years old.
Staying over in London
If your plane arrives after 5pm in the evening, you may choose to stay overnight and travel to York the following day. The cost of travelling by train between London and York varies greatly depending on the time of day. Travelling between 06:30 and 09:00 is the most expensive. Ask when you buy your ticket about the lower rates.
If you need to stay in London on your way to York, use either the:
London Tourist Board
Hotel Accommodation Service
26 Grosvenor Gardens
London SW1W 0DU
Tel: 01891 505 487
International Students’ House
229 Great Portland Street
London W1N 5HD
Tel: 0171 631 3223
Either can make a booking for you subject to availability. The International Students’ House is a reputable and friendly hostel with modest accommodation at a reasonable cost quite close to King’s Cross station.
