Guide for International Students 2011 - Cardiff Law School

inging your family to cardiff4647www.cardiff.ac.uk/internationalbringing your family to cardiffwww.cardiff.ac.uk/internationalFamily accommodationWe strongly advise you not tobring your family to Cardiffuntil you have suitableaccommodation for them,which may mean travellingto the UK alone and makingarrangements for yourfamily to join later. Yourfamily can apply for theirdependants’ visa to join youin Cardiff, as long as theyapply for their dependants’visa in the same countrythat you applied for yourstudent visa (i.e.: yourhome country).University flats for couplesand familiesThere is a small number of University flatsavailable for couples without children andfor couples with children, in the first yearof study. There is a very limited number ofthis type of residence, so we are not able toguarantee this accommodation.To find outabout privateaccommodationin Cardiff, seepage 13 ofthis Guide.What types of family accommodation are available?Private family accommodationThere is a wide choice of privately rentedaccommodation in Cardiff. However, it cantake you some time and expense to findsuitable family accommodation at a pricethat you can afford. If you are going to lookfor family accommodation, we recommendthat you arrange to come to Cardiff, onyour own, in late August/early September.However, please make sure that you makeyour application for entry clearance tothe UK for your whole family. You shouldarrange to stay in bed and breakfast orUniversity residences, for about a week,and try to find accommodation before yourfamily comes to join you. You can arrangeto stay in University summer residenceswhich are available from mid-June until thebeginning of September.For more information on Universitysummer accommodation seewww.cardiff.ac.uk/for/prospective/residencesHealthcare andschooling foryour familyWill my family be entitledto healthcare in the UK?As long as your course lasts 6 months ormore, your wife/husband and childrenunder 16 (under 19 if still at school orcollege) can get free healthcare treatmentfrom the NHS, so they should register witha doctor in the same way as you when theyarrive in the UK (see page 43). Otherwise,you and your family are only entitled tolimited free NHS treatment. You will havefree emergency hospital treatment but onlythe treatment given in a NHS Accident andEmergency department is free of charge.If your course is less than 6 months, it isvery important that you take out medicalinsurance for the duration of your visit tothe UK. For more information see page 42.Dental TreatmentChildren under the age of 16, or under 19in full-time education, are automaticallyeligible for free dental treatment. Womenwho are pregnant or have had a babywithin the last 12 months are also eligible.Child care and schoolingfor your childrenPre-school childrenThe University Day Care Centre providescrèche facilities for children aged 10 weeksto 5 years and is open between 08.00 and18.00 Monday - Friday most of the year.The cost of full-time care is dependent onthe age of your child.Please note that childcare at the UniversityDay Care Centre is not included in yourtuition fees and it is your responsibility toarrange payment for your child’s care.You may be able to get some help withchildcare fees. For more informationabout the possibility of obtaining financialsupport for childcare costs please contactthe Student Support Centre emailstudentsupportcentre@cardiff.ac.ukThe Centre caters for up to 64 children.Demand for places is extremely high andyou are advised to apply for childcare assoon as you know you are bringing youngchildren to Cardiff.Telephone +44 (0) 29 2087 4135or email crèche@cardiff.ac.ukweb www.cardiff.ac.uk/crecheSchooling for childrenChildren between the ages of 4 and 16have to attend primary (aged 4 - 11) andsecondary schools (age 11 - 16). The schoolyear begins in September and ends in July.The school day runs from around 09.00- 15.15. Children are required by law toattend school, which is free for all childrenup to the age of 16. With some exceptions,schools are under the control of the LocalEducation Authority (LEA) which, forCardiff, is Cardiff County Council.Finding a schoolIt is not possible to register your child at aschool before you have an address in the UK.For further information and a list of theLEA schools in and around Cardiff seewww.cardiff.gov.uk/schoolsor telephone +44(0)29 2087 2837.Children for whom Englishis a second languageIf you think your child will need supportin learning the English language in anEnglish speaking school you will be pleasedto know that in Cardiff there are schoolswhich have provision for students who areEnglish language beginners and improvers.Support is provided by Cardiff Council’sEthnic Minority Achievement Service andchildren are supported in their own class.Your child’s school teacher should be ableto access this additional English languagesupport for your child.