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Arriving in the UK

Arriving at the airport

Most international flights will arrive at one of the London airports, either Heathrow or Gatwick.  Bristol International Airport and Exeter Airport are closer to Plymouth.

 Immigration

You will need to show the immigration officer your valid passport or national identity card and your entry clearance documentation (visa, entry clearance sticker, Biometric Residence Permit)

 You are also advised to carry your Plymouth University offer letter and evidence of financial support (your bank statements or a letter from your sponsor) 

You may also be asked for evidence of a recent chest x-ray, or the Medical Unit may x-ray you at the airport if you are a national of a tuberculosis-endemic country.  Alternatively you may be requested to make an appointment at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth once you have arrived.  
 
Customs 
Please make sure you accurately complete your customs declaration on the plane.  At Customs there will be three channels:
Green Channel:  No goods to declare
Red Channel:  Goods to declare, for example if you are carrying prohibited goods or more than the permitted currency, duty and tax allowances.
Blue Channel: For people arriving from the EU   

Travelling to Plymouth from London airports 

By train:
If you arrive at Heathrow airport, you can catch the Heathrow Express train, which runs every 15 minutes to Paddington Station in London from where you can catch the train to Plymouth. It is also possible to catch a train to Reading Station where you can join the Plymouth train
 
If you arrive at Gatwick you can catch the Thames Trains Service to Reading Station, where you will join the train to Plymouth. These services are approximately hourly.  
 
If you arrive at Stansted you can catch the Stansted Express to London Liverpool Street. This service runs every 30 minutes and takes up to an hour. Once you have arrived at Liverpool Street take the Underground (Circle/yellow or Hammersmith & City/pink Line) or a taxi to London Paddington. You can then join the direct train to Plymouth.
 
The journey from London Paddington to Plymouth takes 3-4 hours and will cost approximately £70. Check train timetables and ticket prices. The train station in Plymouth is very close to campus and the city centre but it is advisable to take a taxi if you have luggage. 
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 ​Useful links

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Student Coach Card

Guest house and hotel temporary accommodation

Travelling to Plymouth from London airports 

 By coach:

National Express coaches run from Gatwick, Heathrow (Terminal 3) and Stansted to Plymouth approximately every two hours. National Express coaches also depart from Victoria Bus Station in central London for the 4-5 hour journey to Plymouth. The journey by coach is longer but it is cheaper and will cost around £40. Coach prices and timetables are available through the National Express link. The Plymouth Bus Station is very close to campus and the city centre, but it is advisable to take a taxi if you have luggage. 

 

​Arriving in Plymouth
If you are arriving for a course that starts in January please note that the University will be closed throughout the holiday period until the 3rd January. 

If you are arriving into Plymouth during working hours (Monday to Friday 8.45am to 4.30pm) then please go directly to the Student Accommodation Office or the International Student Gateway on campus.  The university campus is very close to both the coach station and the train station although if you have a lot of luggage you may still need to use a taxi. 

If you will be arriving into Plymouth in the evening or over the weekend when the Student Accommodation Office will be closed and you do not make arrangements for a permanent room before you come to Plymouth it is a good idea to organise some temporary accommodation for when you arrive.