Before you get here

You've accepted your place at ARU: what next?

On this page, you'll find information about day-to-day matters such as:

• managing your money
• shopping for the basics
• registering with a medical practice
• looking for a job
• Welcome events
• registering as an ARU student
• moving in to your accommodation.

Manage your money

Not sure how you'll manage your money while studying? That's understandable. This may be the first time you'll be responsible for buying food or paying bills; you might have caring responsibilities or be a care-leaver. Our Money Advice Service can give you confidential advice on:

• funding
• budgeting and money management
• additional funding; trusts and charities
• tax credits; student entitlement to child tax credit and working tax credit
• welfare benefits; student entitlement to benefits
• council tax.

Open a student bank account

Look into all the high street banks and find out which one offers the best rates and incentives for a student bank account. Make sure you’ve opened your account before you apply for your student loan.

Apply for student finance

Go to our student finance section for more information about loans and grants. Log in to gov.uk/studentfinance from February of the year that you’ll be starting university to apply for financial support.

Work out your living budget

Once you’ve confirmed your accommodation and you know what your rent will be, it’s a good time to look at your loan and how best to budget to cover your living expenses. Our Student Money Advice Service can help you with this: call 01245 686700 or email moneyadvice@aru.ac.uk.

Buy books and course materials

Once you’ve worked out how best to manage your money, make sure you set enough aside to cover the cost of any materials required for your course. You can order books, art materials, computing equipment and more online, through John Smith's.

Shop for the basics

Living items

If you're living in university accommodation, there'll be items you’ll need to bring with you that aren’t included in your rent – such as bedding and kitchen utensils. There's a full list on our website. You’ll also need a TV licence if you’re planning to have a television in your room.

Possessions insurance

Make sure you have insurance for your personal possessions. It means you’ll be covered in the event of loss or theft of expensive items such as laptops, smartphones or musical instruments.

If you're living in university accommodation that we manage your possessions will be covered up to £5,000. There's more information on our accommodation pages.

Register with a local medical practice

You may be able to register with a local GP before you move to university but if not, try to do so as soon as possible. Don’t wait until you’re ill! See our page Staying safe and healthy for more information about registering with a GP, and the meningitis jab for new students.

Research local employment opportunities

You may want to get a part-time job while you study. We suggest registering with ARU Temps: they’re based on campus and can help you find work that fits around your studies.

Check out our Welcome pages

Our Welcome pages are bursting with information for new students.

There are maps to help you find your way around, and information on Welcome events and activities throughout the semester designed to help you when you're likely to need it. You'll also find our Student Charter which explains what you can expect of us, but also what we expect of you while you study here.

Follow our Welcome pages on Facebook Twitter for useful information about starting your studies with us.

Register online

You’ll receive details of how to register in your Welcome email from our Admissions Office once you've met the terms of your offer. You’ll need to register in order to become a student so that you can attend lectures and seminars, receive tuition, sit exams, and access library facilities and other services.

You’ll find a checklist of things you need to do before you arrive, and more information about registration on our our Welcome pages.

Move into your student accommodation

If you’re moving into our university-managed accommodation you'll need to pre-book your arrival slot. Find out more on our accommodation pages.