WHEN YOU ARRIVE
Getting to Campus
International arrivals and airport pick-ups
For international students, we will be in touch to obtain your arrival details so we can organise your travel to your accommodation on arrival from the airport. Contact welcome@rvc.ac.uk for any queries.
How to get here
- It is advisable to plan your journey on Google Maps or using the TFL Go app before your arrival
- We recommend taking public transport upon arrival at Heathrow as it is not only more cost-effective but also likely the fastest way to reach your accommodation
- The Elizabeth Line gets you to central London (Paddington Station) in just over 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the Heathrow Express for a quicker 15-minute journey, but it is more costly at around £25 compared to £11.50.
- From Paddington station, Lilian Penson Hall is only a short walk away. You can also take the Circle or Hammersmith and City Line tube trains to either Euston Square (College Hall) or King’s Cross St Pancras, where you can walk to College Grove or The Garden Halls.
- From King’s Cross Station you can take the Victoria line to Blackhorse Road (Mannequin House) or the Northern Line for Kentish Town (Mary Brancker House)
- The Piccadilly line can be taken from Heathrow into Central London for about £5.50. Although this takes longer than the Elizabeth line (an hour or more) you will not need to make any changes and can get the tube directly to Russell Square for College Hall, International Hall or The Garden Halls, and King’s Cross St Pancras for College Grove. If you are in Mary Brancker House you will need to change at Leicester Square for the Northern Line to Kentish Town. If at Mannequin House, you can change at Green Park for the Victoria Line to Blackhorse Road.
- If you would prefer to take a taxi, consider taking an Uber instead of a black cab or pre-booking a taxi. Uber is readily available in London and at all airports, offering cheaper rates than traditional taxis ·
- London buses are cashless, so you'll need an Oyster Card or contactless bank card
- For more information, including information about accessibility on London transport, please visit the Transport For London (TFL) website
- It is advisable to plan your journey on Google Maps or using the TFL Go app before your arrival ·
- Thameslink trains offer a 45-minute direct service to St Pancras International (Kings Cross) with great views of London. Use the Trainline app to search for and buy tickets.
- From Kings Cross St Pancras, you can walk to College Grove, International Hall or The Garden Halls in about 10 minutes. College Hall is a 15 minute walk. For other halls, take the tube from King’s Cross St Pancras: via the
- Victoria Line to Blackhorse Road for Mannequin House
- Northern Line to Kentish Town for Mary Brancker House
- Circle or Hammersmith and City Line to Paddington for Lillian Penson Hall
- London buses are cashless, so you'll need an Oyster Card or contactless bank card.
- For more information, including information about accessibility on London transport, please visit the Transport For London (TFL) website
Your Accommodation
Accommodation Pack
All offer-holders are sent an Accommodation Pack by email. If you are due to enrol with the RVC in September and have not received any information about RVC accommodation, please contact admissions@rvc.ac.uk.
Moving in
Your new RVC home awaits, and we look forward to your arrival.
You are advised to move into your accommodation before Welcome Week begins on 23 September 2024.
If you are joining the RVC on one of our MSc Masters courses, you will be sent separate information on your move in dates.
You can visit the accommodation website for more information, including information on Camden and Hawkshead accommodation.
Private accommodation
If you want to move into private rented accommodation, the University of London Housing service has lots of useful resources. These include a list of potential properties, advice on contracts and deposits, and a guide with advice on looking for housing in London.
Sign-up for Welcome Week events
If you haven’t already downloaded the RVC app, now’s the time to do it so you can browse all the exciting Welcome Week events.
Once you have your RVC email address you will be able to log in to the app.
See here for full details on what is included in the RVC App.
On-campus Enrolment Steps and documents
Step 1 – Online Pre-enrolment
- You will be invited to pre-enrol online in early September by email
- Pre-enrolment is conducted using the RVC’s eRegistry web portal (Rover)
- Once you’ve completed this, you’ll be able to upload a photo for your student ID
Step 2 – Online Induction
- You will then need to complete KickStart, the RVC’s online induction
Step 3 – In Person Enrolment
There will be scheduled sessions in your first week to complete in-person enrolment where you will collect your student ID and Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) (where applicable).
To do before enrolment
Before you come to enrolment:
- Pay your tuition fees see: www.rvc.ac.uk/online-payment/tuition-fees
- Complete online pre-enrolment
- Complete your Occupational Health Questionnaire
- Read the HESA Data Collection Notice
- Read the Tuition Fee policy
- Read the College Regulations
- Read the College’s Student Protection Plan
- Read the College Charter
To bring to enrolment
All students enrolling on-site must bring:
- Passport
- Original qualification certificates (where applicable)
International students must also bring:
- BRP (if you have opted to collect the BRP from somewhere other than the RVC).
- A copy of your boarding pass and/or flight ticket showing date of entry to the UK
- Original qualification certificates (if original not already seen in person)
Original certificates for English Language qualifications, where applicable, if original not already seen in person
Enrolment documents to submit online
(all students)
All students may be asked to submit copies of documents online through Rover or via email as part of the enrolment process. Please keep an eye out for these requests and respond promptly.
These requests may include:
- A photo for your Student ID
- Your Passport
- Original qualification certificates (where applicable)
- One of the following: If you are self-financing, payment details see: Study Fees policy and payment
- If you are sponsored by an employer or private organisation, proof of sponsorship
Enrolment Documents to submit online
(International Students)
International students may also be asked to submit copies of:
- A share code for your digital immigration permission (EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals)
- Your BRP (if you have opted to collect it from somewhere that isn’t the RVC)
- A copy of your boarding pass and/or flight ticket showing date of entry to the UK
- Original certificates for English Language qualifications, where applicable
Once you enrol your student loans and bursaries (where applicable) will be released, student Oyster cards will be approved, and you will become eligible for council tax discounts.
You will also be able to access RVC LEARN where course materials and online assessments are hosted.
Your Digital Environment
The RVC App
Don’t forget to download the RVC app, which is available in the App stores for Android and iOS.
Once you have your RVC email address you will be able to log in to the app.
See here for full details on what is included in the RVC App.
IT Setup at the RVC
Once you enrol at the RVC, you’ll be set up with your own IT/ library account giving access to a range of services including LEARN, our virtual learning environment.
Please check your personal IT set-up before you arrive to make sure it is compatible with your programme needs. The RVC Library offer a limited number of new laptops at a reduced price. Contact library@rvc.ac.uk for more information.
IT Support and digital learning
The Digital Learning team and the LEARN helpdesk are here to help you to learn how to use all the tools you’ll need during your course. You’ll be introduced to these tools during Welcome Week and in KickStart.
The Digital Learning Champions also offer peer-to-peer support for all our students.
The RVC has a combined Library, IT and Estates (ISD) service desk to support students with day-to-day IT and information based activities, which can be accessed remotely.
A joint IT and Library enquiry desk also operates in the Learning Resources Centre at each campus.
Digital Support Fund
You may find that you need to buy some new IT equipment for your studies. The RVC Digital Support Fund aims to assist RVC students with the cost of essential equipment to ensure they can fully engage with their studies.
Find out more about the Digital Support Fund and how to apply here.
If you have a Disability or Specific Learning Difference (e.g., Dyslexia or Dyspraxia) and would like to learn more about equipment and software available to support your studies, please contact disability@rvc.ac.uk or find more information here.
Using RVC email and accessing college systems
Before arriving, you will be sent instructions including your RVC email and password. You will need to use this email address to access all RVC systems.
All users at the RVC are required to set up Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) on their accounts to be able to access RVC resources whilst offsite.
You will be asked to set up MFA the first time you log onto the RVC email offsite or onto the college PC’s.
Our recommendation is to use the authenticator app rather than the phone call method so that you won’t need to change your MFA number if you change phone numbers.
Any Issues?
If you have any problems with finding the RVC or your accommodation, or with downloading the App or your IT setup, please get in touch so we can help.
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