Frequently Asked Questions
All International students living in the halls of residence accommodation received a bedding pack . The pack includes a duvet, pillows, sheets, towels etc.
The weather in Britain can be unpredictable. It can rain on any day of the year, but there are also many sunny days. Bognor Regis and Chichester are the sunniest places in the UK! The temperature does not often drop below zero degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit), but the dampness can make it seem colder in the winter and humid in the summer. The warmest months are June, July and August and the coldest usually December, January and February.
Tip from a current student: It is a good idea to carry an umbrella with you at all times. You never know when you might need it, especially in the winter months.
Most students, international and UK students, will feel homesick at some point and it is perfectly normal feeling to have. Make sure you stay in touch with your friends and family back home, but also do your best to make friends and participate in activities in your new location. This will help foster a sense of belonging and will help manage homesickness. The Wellbeing team and the International Advice team are here to support you if you feel overwhelmed and need someone to talk to.
Tip from a previous student: Bring your favourite food/ingredients from home. It is not always easy to find food you are used to using and having them with you can make a big difference when you are missing something familiar from home. It is also nice to share your country’s culture and cuisine with others.
You may need a letter from the University for various reasons. It may be to prove your student status, your address or that you can work. Please see a list of the most common letter requests we receive and instructions for how to get your letter.
Bank letter: Log into Chiview, search for a “printable documents” tile. You will need to know your bank’s address and include it on the letter. The letter will be signed and appears as a PDF document and you should print it in colour.
You can print a bank letter via Chiview, once you have registered and visited Registry with your original ID documents.
Council tax* exemption letter (students who live outside Chichester/Bognor Regis): If you live in the local area, the University confirms your student status directly to the local council. If you live further away and need a council tax exemption letter please contact sturecords@chi.ac.uk. You should also make sure you inform your local council that you are a student by completing their online form.
*What is council tax? Visit UKCISA website to find out more.
Student Status letters (September starters) – log in to Chiview and print your letter via “printable documents”. You can print a student status letter with our without your term-time address. The letter will be signed and appears as a PDF document.
Student Status letters (January/Summer starters) – If you start your studies outside our standard semester star dates and can’t see a “printable documents” tile on your Chiview record, please contact sturerecords@chi.ac.uk to request a letter.
Schengen visa letter: If you need a student status letter in order to apply for a Schengen visa, please email international@chi.ac.uk. More information about the Schengen visa application process is available on our website.
Letter for your employer (Student Route visa holders): Email academicregistry@chi.ac.uk. This letter will confirm that you are a student and includes a sentence about Student Route visa holders being able to work part-time during term-time and full-time during vacations.
Letter confirming your term dates (if you want to work full-time during vacations): Email academicregistry@chi.ac.uk to request this.