We know there’s lots to think about when your young person is deciding where to study. So we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions that address some of the common queries and concerns we hear from parents and carers.

From bathrooms to employment prospects, we hope you’ll find the answer to your question here, but if you can’t please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us: admissions@uea.ac.uk  

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If your young person is joining us in September, you're likely wondering how we are supporting students with the transition to university this year. 

We know that the transition to university may seem particularly daunting this year. We’ve put together an additional package of support on top of our usual offer to ensure everyone flourishes when they get here. First year courses will be structured to help build their confidence in learning gradually and staff in their School will be available to give help when needed - there is a wide-ranging support package in place. Once they're here with us, before their first week of lectures, new students enjoy a Welcome Week packed with events, talks and activities. This gives them the chance to settle into their new home, gain confidence in their skills and make new friends. To help young people prepare, we recommend the Preparing For University MOOC.

Accommodation

As space in UEA accommodation is limited, we guarantee certain groups of students a room in residences. We do try to offer rooms to non-guaranteed students but this depends on availability. We will usually advise whether we are able to offer rooms to non-guaranteed students in late August or September. 

Further information can be found here: https://www.uea.ac.uk/uea-life/accommodation/application-process/accommodation-guarantee

 

We currently have more than 4,700 rooms on campus.

Accommodation fees should be paid via the Finance Office within 28 days of the license start date. Fees are payable in full in three instalments, or by nine monthly Direct Debits, unless students are here for only one semester. There is no damage deposit to pay and payment of accommodation fees is not required in advance.

The student village accommodation is around a 10-15 minute walk from the centre of campus, or a five minute bike ride.

Around the Christmas holidays in their first year, students should start thinking about securing accommodation for their second year. The Union of UEA students runs HomeRun, a list of approved student properties, and will host well-publicised events in the spring term. Housing is also available through local agencies, though it should be noted that many of these will charge a fee for their services.

Students usually move into private rented accommodation in the local area after their first year. There is a large amount of housing available to students, at prices to suit every budget.

An accommodation licence is for the full academic year, so students do not have to clear their rooms if they go away for Christmas or Easter. A limited number of rooms may be available during the summer vacation period. Students wishing to stay in residences over the summer vacation should apply to the UEA Accommodation Office after Easter.

In recent years we have managed to offer 80% of students their first choice of accommodation. 96% of students received a room from their top three choices.

The allocation is not first come, first served during the summer (for September entry). The accommodation guarantee includes a deadline, and as soon as the deadline passes students are allocated based on their preferences, in an effort to give all students their desired accommodation type. At other times of the year we do operate a first come, first served system depending on what accommodation is available.

There are no restrictions on who can apply for our accommodation, and prospective students who live locally – even those who live within the city of Norwich itself – may live on campus.

When a student applies for UEA and makes a decision on which offers they want to choose as firm and insurance, we will email a link to the accommodation preference form (APF).

On the APF they are asked to rank accommodation by order of preference. In recent years we have allocated 80% of students their first choice and 96% of students received a room choice from their top three choices. Once they receive their allocation (typically around results day) they are advised to accept it within three days or risk losing the offer of accommodation.

Our general advice when packing is to think of the stay in residences as an extended trip, and don't bring too much! Storage space is limited, both in bedrooms and in the kitchens. There is a helpful list of useful items to consider bringing within our accommodation FAQs.

One thing that is often forgotten about is a passport - it might seem like an important document best left at home for safekeeping but it is often needed if your young person wants to get a part time job. Lots of employers, including UEA student jobs, need to see a passport to complete right to work checks so it’s worth packing.

No, UEA does not offer catered accommodation, though there are plenty of places to eat on campus! A lot of students prefer to order from one of the major supermarkets that deliver to halls of residence. Some choose to pool their funds and order for the flat, others shop just for themselves.

The floors and surfaces in the kitchens and communal facilities are cleaned twice weekly during term time. If students have a private shower or washbasin, they will be responsible for keeping it clean, the cleaner will ensure a vacuum cleaner is available for use on request. Waste bins are emptied every weekday during semester time.

Students can apply to change their accommodation type if they are unhappy. In the first instance, we would recommend that they speak to their senior resident to try to resolve the conflict, but we would be happy to try to move students if this cannot be resolved, based on availability.

Norfolk is one of the safest counties in the UK, with one of the lowest crime rates in the country, and our campus is incredibly safe.

UEA security guards can be found around campus on foot, by bicycle and in our dedicated vehicles and are on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Their response target time for emergencies is three minutes, anywhere on campus. We have 200 CCTV cameras on campus which are monitored 24 hours a day, solely for our students’ safety.

All students will be automatically covered by the UEA block insurance scheme. Unless they wish to increase their personal cover, they do not need to take any other action in relation to room insurance. If they want to watch live television or the BBC (including iPlayer) on any device, they must purchase the relevant TV licence to avoid fines from TV Licensing.

Applications from students with disabilities are prioritised to ensure they receive the most appropriate room for their needs. It is also highly likely that we will be able to provide accommodation for the duration of their studies, meaning they would not need to seek adapted accommodation in the city.

Adapted rooms for wheelchair users or students with restricted mobility are available in Britten House, Colman House, Orwell and Wolfson Close, and the University Village (these options cover a variety of price points). We may be able to provide accommodation for live-in carers where necessary. We recommend that students with special requirements to get in touch with us to discuss their individual situation and the support available: disability@uea.ac.uk.

There are a variety of different types of accommodation, both on and off campus. Student residences have between five and twelve bedrooms in a flat, and students will either have en-suite rooms or shared bathroom facilities.

Student Services Residents (SSR) are current UEA students who are a first point of contact for matters related to life in residences. They can provide help and support, especially during out-of-office hours.

Undergraduate students studying in the Faculty of Health Sciences at UEA may be on a course that is longer than the standard UEA undergraduate course and will therefore need to stay in UEA Accommodation for longer than the standard licence period.

Because of this, we do have to limit the buildings that we offer students studying these courses, however they still have the full range of room type options available to them. Each flat in a designated MED and HSC area will normally have half its residents from these courses, enabling them to meet students from all over the University.

Admissions

We advise that students try to be contactable via phone and email on A level results day in case we need to get in touch about their application.

Results day dates for 2024 are:

  • Thursday 15 August: A Levels, Cambridge Technicals, BTEC's and other Level 3 qualifications
  • Thursday 22 August: GCSEs, Cambridge Nationals and other Level 2 qualifications

This varies depending on the other results other applicants achieve and the spaces left on different courses. Some years we can be more flexible than others.

This depends on the entry requirements for the course applied for. For example, if the course requirements were AAB, we would not accept the student who received A*BB. When we are screening applicants, we adhere to the policy that higher grades in particular subjects do not redeem lower grades in others. A*BB does not equal AAB, for example.

We base our offers on final grade results, not tariff.

This all depends on the grades required by the insurance choice university. If their insurance choice university has lower entry requirements than their firm choice and the student meets those requirements, they will switch to their insurance choice automatically and that institution must accept the student.

If an applicant has met the grades of their firm choice institution but wishes to attend their insurance choice instead, they will need to decline their firm place in UCAS Track (or by contacting their firm choice institution). This will enter them into Clearing, so they should contact their insurance choice before declining their firm place, to see if they will accept them.

We took a number of students through Clearing last year. If we have spaces that need to be filled, we will take people through Clearing again this year. This is entirely dependent on the places available on particular courses. Not all courses at UEA will have places to offer through Clearing.

Clearing is an opportunity for students who have not managed to secure a place so far in the process to apply for a place on a course that still has vacancies. Every year we admit excellent students through Clearing to a variety of courses. In fact, after any initial disappointment students can find Clearing to be a positive experience and are often surprised how many degree programmes are still available to them.

On results day, students need to check their UCAS status to see if they are eligible for Clearing. Then they need to check which universities have places available and contact them directly to apply.

We will publish a full list of available courses on our website just before results day and would advise that students check our website at that time.

Listen to our Parent & Carer Ambassador, Rachel, talk about what Clearing is and how you can support your young person on results day:

 

If a student decides they want to change course they must complete a transfer form through the Admissions Service. Course changes are subject to approval by the University. Students will need to meet the entry requirements for the course they wish to transfer to and there needs to be space on the course. If a student is studying under a Student visa, we recommend seeking further advice prior to submitting a transfer request.

This entirely depends on the course and varies year on year. We make more offers than there are places, and this is because some students will go elsewhere or not achieve the entry requirements. The number of places on a course are not set in stone and can fluctuate depending on demand.

If we offer a student a conditional place, they go firm with us and meet the entry requirements by the required deadline, we will honour the offer. If we offer an unconditional place and the student goes firm by the required deadline, we will honour the offer.

Many students choose to take a gap year or defer their year of entry and we are happy to accommodate this for the majority of our courses. Students wishing to defer their entry should choose this option in their application so that we can confirm their place for the following year. Keep in mind that we would prefer deferring students to make the most of their year out, ideally doing something related to their course.

Unfortunately we cannot take exceptional circumstances into account. Students should inform their school and exam board(s) of any exceptional circumstances prior to their exam and coursework deadlines so that concessions can be made during the marking process.

Both. We look at an applicant’s previous academic achievement, together with their predicted grades and their personal statement and reference. We’re looking for applicants that can demonstrate they would make a valuable contribution to their chosen course of study and the university as a whole.

An unconditional offer is one that has no academic conditions. It is normally given when a student has already got their A level or equivalent results and these meet our typical entry requirements, so they are therefore already qualified for entry onto our courses.

Once a place has been confirmed, an email will be sent to students a few weeks prior to the course start date containing a link to the new students’ website. This will include their timetable for their first week, information about their School of Study, and any reading lists (if applicable).

Campus and Norwich

  • The Complete University Guide 2024: 23rd

  • The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023: Top 30

  • Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 for research citations: Top 100

  • Times Higher REF2021 Analysis: UK Top 20 for research quality and 13th in the UK for quality of research outputs

League tables are a popular way used to define the “best” universities. Always bear in mind though that while league tables are useful indicators, students should choose the university that feels right for them – not just the top ranked.

We have around 16,872 students, most of whom are undergraduates.

The University of East Anglia is a globally significant centre of research, bringing fresh thinking to the major challenges facing society. In the most recent national assessment of university research – the Research Excellence Framework or REF2021 -  91 per cent of our research was rated as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.

UEA is ranked 13th in the UK for the overall quality of our research outputs, with our researchers being the sixth most highly-cited in the country (Times Higher Education REF2021 analysis).

Encompassing science, health and medicine, social sciences and humanities, UEA research makes a real-world impact – from transforming the lives of children in state care, to providing the global temperature records which inform international climate change policy.

One example of our research is in 2019, UEA joined the Gloucester Shipwreck project as the academic partner – lending its world-leading expertise in maritime history to tell the fascinating story of the shipwreck and the lives – both privileged and ordinary - of those on board:

 

Find out more about our research 

UEA is well known for providing an excellent student experience, which is reflected in our strong satisfaction scores in the National Student Survey.

We have a beautiful campus, with highly rated accommodation, more than two thirds of which is en-suite. The LCR, our Students’ Union gig venue, hosts intimate performances from some of the world’s top music acts. Norwich itself is a historic, vibrant and culturally rich city, which also happens to be easy to navigate and affordable to live in.

Visit our ‘Student Life’ YouTube playlist to hear from current students about their life at UEA

You and your young person can chat to students, staff, advisors, and experts through our ‘ask us’ platform:

Chat with us

Very! Every year graduates from across the UK are contacted as part of the national Graduate Outcomes Survey. In May 2023 we achieved our highest ever percentage, with 84% of graduates in professional work or further study within 15 months of graduation. 

Plus, in 2022, we were voted as number one in the Best Universities for Job Prospects list 2022 on StudentCrowd.  Based on over 15,000 authentic student reviews, we came out top for what was described as ‘superb on-campus careers guidance’ and ‘fantastic graduate outcomes.

The Teaching and Excellence Framework (TEF) is the government’s method of assessing the quality of teaching delivered by higher education providers.

No! The Russell Group is a self-selecting group of universities, based on the highest performing institutions in 1994. A lot has changed since then, and so has the university landscape. We consistently rank higher than a sizeable number of Russell Group universities and our research is very highly rated.

Less than two hours from London by train and boasting a well-connected international airport, Norwich is one of the UK’s safest, happiest and most beautiful cities. It’s a fantastic mix of new and old England, with traditional markets, plenty of friendly pubs and a stunning cathedral. UEA is ideally-located, with the option to walk, cycle or take a short bus ride to the city centre.

See more about travelling to/from UEA campus.

Check out our ‘Welcome to Norwich’ video to get a sense of our beautiful city:

 

Norwich is known as the 'Fine City'. Not just because we’ve got bags of culture, but because of our fiercely independent streak and a history of doing things differently. From quirky shops and cool cafes to an amazing nightlife scene.

The medieval city centre is bursting with cool and unusual streets to explore. From the splendour of Norwich Cathedral (it’s the 2nd tallest in Britain) and the mighty Norwich Castle to the old-world charm of Elm Hill, you’ll have plenty to see when you come to visit! If you need to blow the cobwebs away, head for a walk around the river and take in the Cow Tower and picturesque Quayside. And if you’re flagging, there are plenty of cosy pubs and cafes to relax in as you explore.

Beyond Norwich lies the Norfolk Broads and the beautiful Norfolk Coast, where you can walk some of the best beaches in the country or visit one of the picturesque seaside towns that lines the coast.

UEA is home to the £30 million Sportspark – currently the largest indoor sports centre in Britain. It boasts a 50m Olympic size pool, 8 lane athletic track, indoor climbing wall, badminton courts, hockey and football pitches, tennis courts, 40 acres of playing fields as well as state of the art gym.

 

UEA has a vibrant international community. When a student first arrives at UEA there is a full Orientation Programme to help students settle into life at UEA. There are also many societies international students can sign up to meet other students, as well as a social programme that runs during the year to help students settle into Norwich and the UK.

The Student Support Service also has a dedicated team to support international students with any concerns they have including cultural adjustment, preparing to return home, visa advice, opening a bank account, English language support, and support with adjusting to new academic procedures.

At UEA we have a Multifaith Centre which is a spiritual meeting place and community on campus. The team are always happy to meet students socially and pastorally. There are Prayer and Worship Rooms on campus which students can access for prayer, services, communion and meditation.

 

We run various events throughout the year including Open Days and Campus Tour Afternoons on most Fridays. Our Visit page has more information and booking. UEA applicants will be invited to an Applicant Day, where they will find out more about the Schools of Study and Student Life at UEA. Parents can attend a Parent Panel during the Applicant Day where they can put questions to a panel of experts from various university services including accommodation and finance. International students can arrange a guided tour at any time by contacting intl.officesupport@uea.ac.uk

Discover what parents and carers are saying about our friendly and welcoming Open Days:

 

Parents and carers can call our Admissions team who can answer generic questions on 01603 591515. Due to Data Protection laws, we can only speak to applicants directly. International students can contact the international office support team directly by emailing intl.officesupport@uea.ac.uk for more information.

Employability 

Finding the right career path can be tricky. That's where our dedicated careers service comes in, supporting students and apprentices to explore career options, overcome obstacles to progress, connect with employers, develop vital career skills, and find opportunities such as part-time jobs, paid internships, volunteering and student enterprise. Our team of professional careers advisers are specially trained to provide one-to-one guidance and advice, tailored to the student’s stage in their career journey, sector interests and their employability goals.

We’d be surprised if they haven’t! We have a global reputation, ranking among the top 300 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024).

Check out our latest facts and figures

There are a number of ways we help students and apprentices at UEA develop their experience and confidence as they prepare to enter the workplace. From events to careers mentoring, to internships, volunteering opportunities and hundreds of part-time jobs. When the time comes, we can also support students in finding their first graduate level position, or in starting their own business. And we can help whether they want to do any of this either in the UK or abroad! Students can make as much or as little use of these resources as they want throughout their studies and for up to three years after they graduate.

There are many employment opportunities available to students and apprentices studying at UEA, not only in the local area but also on campus. Our careers service advertises thousands of jobs and runs a part-time jobs fair in September each year enabling students and apprentices to explore the opportunities available. The University also runs a Student Ambassador scheme, which allows students to pick their own working hours.

There are many employment opportunities, not only in the local area, but also on campus. Our careers service advertises thousands of jobs and is the best place to start your job search.

The University also runs a Student Ambassador scheme which allows you to pick your own working hours and is relatively well paid. You will have opportunity to apply for this in the first few weeks you are at University.

Finance

Students should apply for their loan in the spring of the year they are going to university. Unlike university places, student loans cannot be deferred, so if a student has deferred they will need to apply for student finance in their gap year. The application form is usually open from March onwards and the end of May is the cut off for the loan instalment to be paid on time in the first week of term. Students can still apply after this date, but may find payments severely delayed.

Student finance applications can be completed online.

No, but students are advised to think carefully before choosing to not take a loan. Student loans are unusual in being unsecured loans that the borrower is not compelled to pay back if they cannot afford to. Additionally, any balance outstanding after 40 years will be written off. Student loans do not currently affect credit ratings, nor the ability to obtain a mortgage.

Gross. (Pre-tax household income from the last full financial tax year – unless there has been a 15% or greater fluctuation).

Tuition Fee Loan – Everyone from the UK (and, currently, the EU), regardless of Household income, is entitled to the full tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 per year.

Maintenance Loan – This is also sometimes known as the Living Cost Loan. That’s exactly what it’s for – to support your young person with the cost of living whilst at university e.g. accommodation, transport, food and books. The amount they receive depends on your household income, and where they plan to live and study.

The Student Finance Calculator is a useful tool to find out how much maintenance loan your young person is entitled to, and what extra funding they could apply for to support their life at university.

If household income goes down by 15% or more, students can be reassessed for their support. Contact the Student Loans Company for more information.

Yes, the support is twofold:

A deduction will be made from your income of £1,130 for each child who is dependent on your income, either as a student or below the age of 18.

If you earn over £42,875, the Student Loans Company define an "assessed contribution" (an amount they expect you to pay to support your child), which is divided by the number of children in HE at the same time. This is then subtracted from the total living cost loan amount available.

Worked example

An only child comes from a household income of £50,000 pa. This child will receive £5,404 pa. A child from a family of two children, of which only one child will be in HE, receives £5,541 pa: £50,000-£1,130 = £48,870 household income A child from a family with two children, both in HE, the child will receive £5,912 pa.: as above, plus £370.50 [Assessed contribution – (Assessed contribution/2)], rounded up to nearest whole pound.

The maintenance loan is paid directly in to the student’s bank account in three instalments, at the beginning of each semester. Bank details can be updated online with Student Finance England. You may need to keep in mind that the student may need a little money for the first day or two at university in their first year, as their loan will only arrive after they register.

The tuition fee loan is paid in instalments directly to the University, with 25% at the start of both the Autumn and Spring semester, then the remaining 50% in the Summer term.

As a UEA student, you’ll get more from us than just your lecture and seminar time whilst completing your degree!

See what’s included in your fees as part of your UEA learning package.

Some university wide bursaries are automatic and there is no need to apply (consent to SFE sharing your income assessment with partner universities and you’ll can be assessed by both at once). EU students need to make sure their parents income is assessed as part of their application for eligible bursaries. Scholarships usually need you to apply via a short application form by March (deadlines may vary depending on scholarship). Search online for ‘UEA Scholarships’ for full info.

International students should check their country page for more information on the scholarships available. 

Both. Though there are limits on which scholarships may be combined with each other. Bursaries are separate to this.

Home/EU students spending the year abroad or a year in Industry on the £9,250 fee rate will be charged a reduced tuition fee:

Fee Status:

  • Home/EU UG Fee £9,250
  • Undergraduate Year Abroad/ERASMUS £1,385
  • Undergraduate Year in Industry £1,385
  • Undergraduate Semester Abroad/ERASMUS or
  • Industry Placement £9,250

International students will pay a percentage (25% at time of publishing) of their annual tuition fee whilst on a study abroad year or year in industry.

To find our about all our scholarships, including our competitive one for music and sport, see our Scholarships Finder.

Interest starts to accrue as soon as the first instalment of a living cost loan is received, or the first tuition fee payment reaches the University. While studying, the interest is charged at Retail Prices Index (RPI) + 9%. After graduation, students will pay a variable rate based on their salary (capped at RPI +3%) when earning over £25,000. An explanation of interest rates can be found on the Student Loans Company website.

Repayments start from the April after the student graduates but they won't pay anything back until they earn over £25,000. The student loan will be deducted automatically from their pay through the tax system, at a rate of 9% of anything they earn above £25,000 per year.

If they stop working, or their salary drops below £25,000, the repayments automatically stop. Think of it like a graduate tax, and after 40 years , it's completely written off. More information can be found on the Student Loans Company website.

At the same time. So it’s not a tax benefit, but the repayment amount is based on Gross income.

No, but graduates are advised to think carefully before paying off a student loan. Unless they have no other debts (and even then sometimes if they do) it’s usually best to use the money for something else – a deposit on a car or house can help a graduate be geographically mobile for jobs after graduation. You can read more on this topic on the Money Saving Expert website.

This depends on how students choose to spend their money. An Undergraduate student who lives in our standard accommodation, shops well, and has a modest social life would probably need around £7500 per year. That would give a budget of around £100 to buy food, books and socialise weekly. It is important to note though that every student’s circumstance will be different and it’s important to look into budgeting before coming to University so that they know what their income and outgoings may be.

Key things to consider when budgeting are:

  • Income: Student loan, grands or bursaries, wages from part-time employment, support from parents.

  • Outgoings: rent, bills (if not included in rent), phone bill, groceries, travel (eg. bus pass), socialising, memberships (eg. gym), subscriptions.

The Student Life Finance team offer budgeting advice and even face-to-face workshops throughout the year to current students. To find out more you can contact the Student Life Finance team.

Students also tend to make use of discounts available to them wherever possible. For example, UEA has negotiated a discounted annual bus pass that students can purchase to help with travel costs. Details of this are shared with students once they join UEA. There is also a Student Discount card which students can sign up for online that allows money off at lots of high street stores.

Check out UEA on YouTube, and listen to our Parent and Carer Ambassadors offer guidance on how to help your young person prepare for the costs of university:

 

Within Student Services at UEA there is our Student Life Finance team can provide support and advice to students who may be experiencing financial hardship during their time at University.

Throughout their studies students can meet with a financial adviser within the Student Life Finance team to discuss their situation and help to plan the best way to pay for essential expenses.

The Student Life Finance team also administer direct financial support for students who may require it, via two processes:

  • Firstly is the Vice-Chancellor’s Emergency Hardship Loan: If students are experiencing a temporary cash flow problem or face a financial emergency, they may be eligible for a short-term, interest-free cash loan from UEA.

  • Second, if a student is facing longer-term financial difficulty, we have our Student Services Fund. This is available to applications from home students, and international students who have access to public funds. Those who apply to the Student Services Fund are assessed to see if they are eligible for a non-refundable grant from UEA.

To find out more information on the above, email the Student Life Finance team.

International

All international students must pay their £4000 deposit by the deadline to secure their place on the course they have an offer of admissions for. Tuition and accommodation fees can then be paid in one lump sum, three instalments or nine monthly instalments after arrival on campus.  There are some Year 2 or 3 Undergraduate entry courses that require a lower deposit but students should check the fees and scholarships page for up to date information.

International students will likely need to apply for a Student visa. More information, including information about the official government UKVI website, can be found on our student visa page.

International students are guaranteed accommodation on campus for the duration of their Undergraduate studies or for their Postgraduate students (as long as they are a new entrant to UEA). We have a variety of accommodation available including shared accommodation. More information can be found on our accommodation pages.

If students would prefer not to live with members of the opposite sex for any reason, they should let us know in advance. This information can be entered in the disability/medical/other field of the online accommodation form. We will try our best to help but we cannot guarantee same sex accommodation.

Prohibited items are: Personal fridge (Unless you have gained prior permission on medical grounds), Microwave, Mini oven/grill/heater, Washing machine, Candles (or any other apparatus for combustion, such as an oil burner), Pets (including insects, reptiles and fish), Soft furnishings (including bean bags, mattresses, floor cushions, rugs), Curtains or fabric hangings, Obstructive furniture (any additional furniture which in any way obstructs access to or from your room or bathroom entrance), any class of weapon or firearm (including fireworks, air pistols, paint ball guns, ammunition and replica guns).

On average, UEA has 3500-4000 international students enrolled on campus each year and we do not have a maximum limit for the number of international students that we can register on the majority of our courses. Some courses in the Faculty of Medicine and Health have a quota for the number of international students that UEA can register, due to a limited number of placement opportunities. 

UEA accepts a wide variety of international qualifications for direct entrance to its programmes. You can check your country page to find out whether your qualification is accepted. For those holding qualifications that we do not accept for direct entrance, INTO UEA offers a number of foundation programmes that lead into both undergraduate and postgraduate courses at UEA.

Our on campus supermarket stocks a wide range of international ingredients. There are also a number of international food stores in Norwich city, catering to a wide audience.

This useful map shows some of the supermarkets around the city centre.

The UEA campus is based on the edge of the city and can be reached in 15 minutes by bus. There is a regular bus service departing the campus for the city centre and train station every ten minutes, and students can buy a discounted bus pass. Many students also use bicycles to get between the city and campus.

There are more than 200 clubs and societies for students to join and participate in. This will allow students to meet others with shared interests, whether it’s climate change, drama, photography, music or basketball. All of these groups are open to all students.

Most international students who hold a Student Visa will be allowed to work in the UK. It is important to check your visa for any work-related conditions. Students studying on a Tier 4 visa can work up to 20 hours per week during semester and up to 40 hours per week during holidays. It is the students responsibility, as the visa holder, to ensure they do not breach their visa conditions. Detailed information can be found here.

The UK student loan system is not available to international students.

When applying for a new student visa for more than 6 months, international students will need to pay a healthcare charge as part of their visa application. More information including the costs can be found on our Immigration Healthcare Surcharge web pages.

Student Support

Our Student Service team offers a range of professional, proactive and approachable services for students. They offer help with study skills, money management and wellbeing, to name a few. There is a dedicated International Student Advisory Team (ISAT) that is available to international students and aims to provide high quality, free, confidential immigration advice and guidance to prospective and current UEA Students. 

Our team of Advisers are all experienced mental health professionals and are available for students with diagnosed or emerging mental health conditions. The service provides support for current students and those taking a break in their studies who require assessment and ongoing support related to their wellbeing needs.

Wellbeing Advisers can assess and signpost students related to their mental health condition and liaise with health and social care professionals to facilitate appropriate support. The team will also ensure that necessary reasonable adjustments are made for students with a mental health condition.

The Wellbeing Service provides a range of interventions for students encountering emotional, mental health and physical or learning difficulties while at UEA, enabling them to realise their potential and participate fully in their university lives and beyond. Within halls of residences there is also a senior student available to offer advice and support. Students themselves also run an anonymous service called Nightline, which is available Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays 8pm to 8am during term time.

A student’s Personal Adviser is often their first source of advice. They can help with all sorts of questions, from future careers to dealing with personal concerns. If an adviser is not able to answer a question, they should be able to point students in the direction of further support. Academic staff are also available for one on one advice during their weekly office hours or at other times arranged via email. A programme of sessions on academic reading and writing, plus referencing are often put on by the student support service.

We hope students will enjoy the early weeks of meeting new people, beginning their studies and adjusting to (possibly) living away from home for the first time. We understand, however, that this time can be daunting, scary and unsettling at first. It is perfectly normal to feel anxious, and maybe even feel a bit homesick. However, if your young person is finding these feelings difficult to deal with, or they are feeling overwhelmed by the experience, they can come and talk to us, the Student Services team.

We have accommodation wardens who promote the well-being and good order of students in residences by striving to create a positive living environment. They are a good first port of call if students have any questions about their living arrangements.

We offer over 200 sports clubs and societies so there is something for everyone. Joining a club or society enables students to meet others with similar interests, make friends, continue an existing hobby or try something completely new. UEA is a community and we do all we can to help students feel part of it.

Advisers in Student Services offer a confidential and non-judgemental service where students are free to discuss anything that is impacting on their ability to be the most successful student they can be. We work closely and liaise with Student Services teams such as the Mental Health Advisers, Counsellors and the Disability, Finance and Learning Enhancement teams. We also liaise with other University departments including the Learning and Teaching Service (LTS).

Accommodation wardens work closely with staff in Student Services to deliver high quality advice, guidance and support to students living in residences and to facilitate the development of a well-integrated residential community. Wardens promote the wellbeing and good order of students in residences by striving to create a positive living environment. Wardens are experienced students; they all have life experience and most already have a first undergraduate degree. They live in individual flats or houses on campus.

Students will be assigned a Personal Adviser from their school of study who is able to help with module, course and career queries. Students can also benefit from a free, student-led initiative called Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) that supports undergraduate students in their first year at university.

There is a wide range of support available for student with disabilities. Find out more on our disability page.

Yes, there is an array of support available for students with dyslexia and appropriate concessions may be made in exams and with course work. Student Services also offer a whole host of learning enhancement activity. 

Limited car parking spaces are available on campus, and students will only be able to obtain a parking permit in exceptional circumstances. Residential areas around the University also have restrictions on parking, so students are advised not to bring a car. There are two bus services which run directly through campus and travel through the city centre to the train station, and we offer a discounted bus pass for all students. There are also ample facilities for bicycles. Find out more on our Travel and Transport page.

Students are required to attend all lectures, seminars, workshops and other classes as prescribed by their course of study. If a student is unable to attend, due to illness or another unforeseen reason, they should contact their school Hub as soon as possible to report the absence.

Low or unsatisfactory submission of work, attendance and/or engagement may lead to a formal warning from a student’s Head of School under the University's Disciplinary Procedures. If there is no improvement, the case may be referred to the Senate Student Disciplinary and the student may be withdrawn from the University. Parents and carers are not notified as such, as the university views students as adults and expects them to take responsibility for their own actions.

There is a medical centre on campus, housing a doctor’s surgery and a dentist’s office.

This varies greatly depending on the year of study and course choice - there is no one size fits all answer.

Yes, all students will be assigned a Personal Adviser, who is usually involved in the student’s degree discipline in some way.

This rate of students failing to complete the studies at UEA varies each year, but we have one of the lowest dropout rates in the UK at around 5%.

  • If you wish to let us know about a concern you have for your child, please contact our Student Information Zone at:
  • Please note, these contacts are only monitored Mon-Fri, 10:00 – 16:00. Once we have received your message we will confirm receipt.   
  • Please note, unless we have explicit consent from your child or they are under 18, we are not allowed to update you or provide you with any information regarding their welfare.
  • Please be reassured that when you contact us, we will do everything we can to ensure that your child’s needs are met even though we may not be able to feed back to you.
  • Do not use the live chat for emergency situations, please call 999 or 01603 592222 (Security) for assistance.

Don’t delay, call 111, option 2 if it’s a mental health concern or 999.

Helpful numbers:

  • Medical Emergencies: 999
  • Urgent Medical Advice: 111
  • The University Medical Service: 01603 251600
  • UEA security: 01603 592222
  • Samaritans: 116 123

We understand that sometimes you may want to contact your student but be unable to do so. We recognize students at the UEA as independent adults. We therefore need their consent to talk to anyone outside the University about them, including parents and guardians. 

This is why we ask students to opt in and give consent for us to contact a designated parent, guardian or friend in situations that are not emergencies, but in which we have serious concerns about their welfare. 

Under current data protection legislation, we may disclose personal information about a student without their consent only when it is in their vital interests to do so; this means in very serious or life and death situations. 

Further information on the universities' opt-in framework can be found in the scheme document.