Stockton-on-Tees

When you arrive in Stockton-on-Tees

Arriving in Stockton-on-Tees

We can’t wait to welcome you to the International Study Centre. We expect to see you on the first day of term for the start of your induction programme, allowing you to meet your fellow classmates and teachers and find out what to expect from your first weeks at the centre.

Your programme start date is stated on your offer letter or can be found here.

Please note that you need to ensure you apply for your Student visa in plenty of time so you can then book your travel to the UK. You can find the latest deadlines to apply for your Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) through the below link.

View your CAS deadlines

Getting to the ISC on day one

The International Study Centre is located on Queen's Campus, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees. On the first day of your programme, you should report to the International Study Centre to begin Welcome Week and receive your timetable.

Download your Welcome Week Guide

Stockton-on-Tees - Your future home

Stockton-on-Tees is a town located in the North East of Engalnd, 40 minutes drive south of Durham. It is near the lively coastal city of Middlesborough, which boasts a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and activities.

People from the North East have a reputation for being friendly and welcoming, as well as fostering a strong sense of community. They also have a strong passion for sports.

How to settle in

We understand that settling into a new environment can be both exciting and challenging, so we're here to support you every step of the way. Your journey begins with our comprehensive Welcome Week. This is an opportunity for you to familiarise yourself with the campus, meet your fellow students, and get to know the staff who will support you throughout your studies. During this week, you will receive your timetable , take part in campus tours and attend welcome sessions to find out more about your academic programme.

What to expect when you arrive

There’ll be plenty of induction activities for you to join once you arrive. You will immediately be a part of a welcoming and supportive community, both at the International Study Centre and the wider university. Making friends should be easy and our nurturing staff are here to ensure you find the support you need to succeed both academically and socially.

Your wellbeing matters

We’re committed to supporting your positive wellbeing and mental health both prior to your enrolment and whilst you are studying with us. For that reason, we encourage you to take advantage of our free Student Assistance Programme (SAP) to help you deal with any personal or student related problems that might be affecting your studies or day-to-day life.

Provided by Health Assured and Endsleigh Insurance, the Student Assistance Programme is designed to help you manage and enhance your mental health and overall wellbeing through two main features including:

  • Wellbeing connected
    A unique counsellor-led service available 24 hours a day. 7 days a week, ready to respond to any need for emotional or practical support from international students.
  • Health hub
    The health hub includes a range of ways to help you keep track of different aspects of your health and fitness such as water intake and sleep. There’s also a range of healthy, easy-to-make recipes to give inspiration as well as access to loads of articles, podcasts and videos.

To get started with SAP:  
1. Download the Wisdom app for IOS or Android.
2. You’ll then need to enter the following unique code: MHA305915 before completing your set up.

For more information, please contact your central student support team.

Your Campus

Queen's Campus is a diverse, lively place to begin your academic journey. It is a cosmopolitan hub with state-of-the-art facilities for teaching and sports. A variety of enrichment activities are available, from community projects to societies. You will have the opportunity to socialise and attend classes with students from all over the world, making life-long friends.

Queen's Campus tour

Join our Global Student Ambassador programme today!

By becoming an Ambassador, you join a network of international students studying at International Study Centres/Colleges around the world.

With regular training sessions, catch-ups and creative activities to get involved in, the role is perfect for those of you interested in sharing your experience with others, developing your professional skills and boosting your CV.

It's a really exciting programme to be a part of, with a variety of tasks and activities to get involved in from blog writing, social media takeovers, attending events and taking part in focus groups.

Complete the application form below to apply now.

Student Ambassador Tips

We have asked our Global Student Ambassadors for some tips to help you settle in when you arrive to begin your studies. 

Go to ISC induction week 

ISC will host induction seminars talking about different things. It will be about your admission, tutors that will be teaching you and ISC policies that aim to protect you and your classmates. It will also answer students’ questions, for example, how to take sick leave? If you can, please go to the ISC induction week, it is filled with everything you need to know before you start your course in ISC. Going to ISC induction week also allows you to meet new friends. You will see everyone in the lecture hall who you will bump into everyday in the ISC.  

Go to induction week society and sports fair 

Going to societies and sports fairs during induction week is a MUST!!! You will meet committee members and make new friends by connecting and speaking with them. Also, you might see some societies that you do not know of, which you might be interested in joining. Some societies give students a tester session or give it a go events, where you should join and check it out before joining the society. Mostly these events are free or pay a small fee to join, but it is a good idea to see if you like society and the vibe before becoming a member of the society. 

Explore the city and nearby areas 

Go and explore the city. You will be spending your next 4 years in the city, you should explore and go around the city to check out different spots, especially those tourist attractions as your parents might ask you for photos. For the first few weeks, your studies should not be busy, it is a chance to hop on the bus or train and explore nearby cities and town for a day trip with your new friends.  

Loneliness & Homesick 

I am sure not many people talk about loneliness in university, especially leaving your home to study aboard. The time difference between home and university is hard to talk to your family and you might be getting homesick because you are so far away from home. My solution is really to step out of your comfort zone and meet new people. There is no cost to meet new people, you can really be best friends with some of them. Surrounding yourself with friends will make you feel less homesick and lonely. 

Relax  

There is nothing to worry or scared about studying in the ISC. Professors and tutors are not scary people.  You will be making friends with your groupmates as you will see that in class for a year. It is also a chance to make some friends before progressing to the undergraduate degree. Just relax and enjoy your time studying in the ISC. Do something you always love to do, travelling, cooking, watching netflix... Pick something that relax you and have fun while studying in ISC. 

written by Jason from Hong Kong

Preparation

After securing a room in University or off-campus accommodation, it is then essential to confirm the move in date with the school. So to ensure the room is ready and reserved on the move in day.

Since many students would probably move in during the welcoming week. To smoothen the unloading process, it is suggested to research the key collection spot and parking spot in advance.

Moving In

Once the room keys are collected from the reception and entered the room. Do not get too excited to start unpacking the boxes. To prevent disputes over damages and security deposit afterwards, it is advised to fill in a move-in checklist and take a picture to inform school for any major damage. When all checks are completed, start setting up the room

Settling

Moving away from home and studying abroad is daunting for most people. To ease homesickness, it is suggested to decorate your own room to feel as much as home. Apart from attending seminars on campus, students would probably stay in their rooms for most of the time. So the key is to decorate the room as comfortably as possible. Do not be embarrassed by anything you would like to put in your room. It is your room, so just make it your own.

written by Joan from Hong Kong

Chat with our ambassadors

Find out what to expect by asking our staff and student ambassadors about our programmes, studying at Durham and life in the UK.

Chat now

Student Enrichment Survey

Complete our student enrichment survey to let us know what opportunities you would be interested in whilst studying with us to make the most of your experience. Choose from sport, volunteering, leadership, music, theatre and more.

Complete the survey

Meet the Team

Get to know some of our teaching staff and support team members who you will meet on campus soon.

Meet the team