Before You Start Checklist

1) Qualifications Check ☑

If your Applicant Portal still shows you need to provide evidence of qualifications, please upload these to your portal.  If you are a PGCE student, we must see the original of your Degree Certificate so either post these, bring it with you to Registration, or a drop-in session.

2) Check your Student Finance ☑

Depending on your course, you may be entitled to a student loan or bursary. For more information, see the Money Advice pages and the Student Finance FAQs.

The Student Loans Company guidance provides support and an application tracker.

Create a student budget, using an online budgeting tool or app. This will help you to keep track of your income and outgoings and avoid overspending in the first few weeks.

3) Right to Study Check (On campus, non-DBS courses) ☑

If you have been asked to provide your Right to Study evidence, please upload to your Applicant Portal a copy of your photo ID preferably your passport, if do you do not have a passport you will need to provide an alternative form of photo ID such as your driving licence along with your birth certificate. If you are not British/Irish you will need to provide your Share Code or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).

4) Complete Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) clearance and Right to Work Checks ☑

If your programme requires you to complete a DBS check, this will need to be completed and passed before you are confirmed as a fully registered student.

Our DBS webpage confirms which courses require a DBS and gives guidance on the process including the application process, ID documents required and FAQs

If you have any queries or have not received information about how to apply for DBS, please contact the DBS team: dbsapply@cumbria.ac.uk

If the Applicant Portal still shows you need to provide evidence of the Right to Work, please upload one of the following to the portal. We cannot begin your DBS application without confirming your Right to Work in the UK.

- A current or expired Passport showing you are a British or Irish citizen
- A Birth or Adoption certificate from the UK/Ireland
- A Right to Work share code as part of the EU Settlement scheme
- A Right to Work share code which you have registered your Biometric Residence Permit or Card
- A current Passport (any nationality) endorsed to show you are allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK
- A current Passport (any nationality) endorsed to show you are allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK and are currently allowed to work/study

For further information please see our guidance on the DBS webpage

5) Make sure your vaccinations are up to date ☑ 

Meningitis is a life-threatening infectious disease and the student population is the second most at risk group. Find out more at the Meningitis Trust.

Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) are three common childhood illness which can have serious complications. Find out more at NHS Online. 

If you suffer from a chronic condition, check with your GP about the need for a 'Flu or Pneumonia vaccination. Influenza or 'Flu and Pneumonia are illnesses which can have serious consequences for those with existing healthcare conditions.

Information about Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines

6). Healthy Relationships Training - Blackboard

All new students are required to complete the healthy relationships training at the start of their course. To complete the training you must undertake 3 short courses, (approximately 30 - 40 minutes) reviewing all slides and completing all questions. Shortly before starting your course, we will email you with  a link to the training. Higher Level Apprenticeship students must complete the training as part of their mandatory e-learning in their Learning Plan.

7) Receive your MyCumbria Card ☑

You will be asked to upload a photo during online registration enabling us to create and activate your Cumbria Card before you arrive. See photo upload guide. You can collect your card from the library at your base campus. For distance learners, the card will be posted to you. If you have not received your card within a few days of starting lectures then please contact the library at your site.

8) Do you wish to disclose a disability or learning difference? ☑

Letting our disability team know in advance will help us to make any accommodations you may need to support your learning. Please complete our Support Request Form to let us know about the impact of your disability or learning difference.

9) Transport and Travel ☑

Buses: University of Cumbria students can get discounted season tickets for bus travel in Carlisle and Lancaster. For more details of the offer for each city, see the Unirider section of the Stagecoach website. Scroll down to see details for Carlisle and Lancaster. 

Trains: Get a third off travel with a 16-25 railcard.

Cycling: All university sites have cycle parking facilities. Check the Campus Maps, or ask at the site reception.

Car parking: If you are driving to campus, please familiarise yourself with the University Car Parking Policy. Applications for parking permits for University of Cumbria sites must now be made online. Get a parking permit.

10) Consider an insurance policy ☑

You are responsible for arranging insurance for your own personal possessions. The university does not accept responsibility for loss of, or damage to property brought on to university premises.

Students staying in halls will have content insurance provided as a part of their contract.

For other students, there are lots of insurers and insurance policies available and some specifically designed for students. Do check your current insurance status, you may be able to extend any home insurance policies you already have. Also see NUS Online.

11) Add the Student Hub to your mobile ☑

The Student Hub allows you to easily and simply access all the systems and information you will need whilst at university. You can use the web version hub.cumbria.ac.uk or download the 'Cumbria App' from the following providers:

 

12) Download Walk-Safe (Cumbria Based Students)

WalkSafe+ is the UK’s leading personal safety app which combines journey-sharing features and a national Safe Space map. The map plots safety-trained venues across the UK in partnership with Local Authorities and Businesses that offer safety facilities such as phone charging stations and free period products, enabling our users to find help in real-time while on their commute home. WalkSafe+ has a suite of tracking and non-tracking features available, which enables trusted friends to follow your live journey should you need it. 

The free app has received the backing of organisations and agencies including Cumbria Police, Cumberland Council, Armstrong Watson and the University of Cumbria. 

Google Play Download

Apple Store Download

The app features a map of the city that pinpoints local venues that have received accreditation in certain safety standards that may make people feel safer on a night out.

The app also can help people plot a safer route home. 

Users can share their live location with trusted contacts and the app will notify friends and family when they get home safely. 

It features an SOS button to alert trusted friends immediately that you feel in danger. The app also highlights features such as:

• Venues that operate the Ask for Angela scheme, where people can ask a member of staff for support by “asking for Angela”.
• On-street support, such as the Safer Streets Welfare Hub in Carlisle City Centre.

13) Make childcare arrangements ☑

If you are a parent or carer, there is information and support available.

Westmorland & Furness Children & Families information service

Cumberland Children & Families information service

Lancashire County Council's childcare information services

Childcare support & advice (for distance learners and work-based courses)

14) Keep up-to-date via Social Media ☑

Follow @UoCStuServ on Instagram or X for regular up-to-the-minute updates on events and news.

 

1) Check your details in APTEM ☑

You will have already used a system called APTEM to complete your application to the programme. Use your personal email account to log in to APTEM and check your details.

2) Sign Training Plan and Apprenticeship Agreement ☑

Both 'Training Plan' and 'Apprenticeship Agreement' documents need to be signed before you start on programme, digital copies of the signed agreements can be found in APTEM under 'Compliance Documents' in the Document Tab. These will be revised if you take a break in learning, or any agreed adjustments need to be made to your programme.

1) Medical Clearance ☑

If the completion of a medical is a condition of your offer, you will be required to undertake a health assessment.  This will be via an on-line platform provided by our appointed Occupational Health provider, Industrial Diagnostics Company Limited (Latus Group). 

The Medical Clearance (also referred to as Occupational Health) is split into two sections:

• Fitness to Train 
• Vaccinations 

Please see the medical clearance page to understand the full process.

 

1) Check our Accommodation pages ☑

We also have a handy checklist of the things you'll need to bring.

2) Money ☑

It is essential that you arrange a bank account before you start your course. All the high street banks offer student accounts and it is worth doing some research into the best offers. Do pay attention to any interest rate charges linked to your student bank account.

It is important to think about how far your money will go. We appreciate that money can be a concern and we make it our priority to give you all the help we can. Visit our Money Matters section for advice and contacts.

The Money Advice Service offers a free, confidential and expert advisory service to applicants and students. We provide guidance and specialist case-working in the areas of student funding eligibility, bursaries and issues where previous study impacts future funding. If you have trouble managing your money, we can also help you plan your finances while at university.

Remember to arrive with sufficient funds to last until your student loan comes through.

3) Plan to register with a GP ☑

If moving away from home, we recommend you register with a local GP as soon as possible after starting University. GP stands for General Practitioner, and is a Doctor who is trained to diagnose a wide range of health problems. GPs are based in Health Centres or GP Surgeries. 

Anyone in England can register with a GP surgery to access NHS services. It's free to register. You do not need proof of address or immigration status, ID or an NHS number but if you know your NHS number it will speed-up the transfer of your records. 

 

From visa advice and accommodation to adjusting to UK life and making new friends — we’re here for you every step of the way. You’re now part of a diverse, welcoming community, and we look forward to supporting your journey.

Registration and starting your studies

Step 1 – Online Registration   

All new students are required to complete an online registration form. This will be sent to you via email approximately four weeks before your course start date. Please check our Online Registration page if you have any further queries on this process.

 

Step 2 – Attend your Welcome and Registration / Welcome week

Timetables are available to access here.

If you are joining us on a student visa, you will be invited to attend a specific international Welcome event. Please find more information here. 

Step 3 – In-Person International Student Registration

New International students are required to attend an in-person registration session, to allow our compliance team to check your student visa and documents. This should take no more than 20 minutes and will take place during your international welcome event or on an appointment basis (you will receive an individual appointment if you miss your induction).

What to bring with you?

 

• Passport
• Boarding pass
• Original academic certificates and transcripts
• UK address 
• UK phone number

Before you attend, you should ensure all your travel and arrival sections are fully complete within your CAS Shield profile – including accessing your UKVI Account and uploading your 9-digit share code.

Step 4 – Academic Expectations

During your first few weeks, you will receive an academic induction detailing the varying teaching methods, systems, processes and learning methods you should expect and become familiar with during your studies.

 

Alongside in-person support, we strongly encourage students to explore Skills@Cumbria for detailed guidance on skills support available, covering critical topics such as avoiding plagiarism and generative AI. You can also book a student support appointment if necessary here.

 

In line with the principles of academic integrity and academic regulations, all work submitted for assessment must be your own work. Any suspected malpractice, including cheating, plagiarism, collusion, fabrication or falsification or inappropriate use of AI will be viewed as a serious matter and be investigated inline with our procedures and processes.  

Please explore our Visa Advice and Support page for further information relevant to you both during and after your studies.

 

Step 5 – Policy documents

We recommend that students read the Student Policies and Procedures.  

The Student Policies and Procedures give you the guidance you need to deal with any challenges you may face during your studies.

We strongly recommend you read the Financial, Placement , Assessment and Student conduct policies.

 

 

1) Using the Library as a Distance Learning

You may be studying at a distance from our physical libraries but you can still use the Library as a Distance Learner.

 

2) Other Libraries

University of Cumbria students can access and borrow from other academic libraries through schemes like SCONUL and CHELPS. Learn more about this on our Using Other Libraries page.

 

3) Sports Centre

UoC Active offers students access to gym facilities, fitness classes, sports events, and wellbeing activities across multiple campuses. Membership options include pay-as-you-go and subscriptions, with reciprocal access to partner gyms nationwide for distance learners. To find out more see the UoC Active Partner Sites page. 

 

4) Learn Well at Cumbria guidance

The guidance offers practical advice for the multiple demands on you when studying at home including how best to manage your time.