New international students
Welcome to Bedfordshire!
Studying in a foreign country is as exciting as it is challenging - to help you prepare to leave for the UK and get yourself organised in the first few days here we have put together some useful information for you.
Guide for new undergraduate and postgraduate students
Read our guide on what to expect when you arrive and what you need to do in your first few weeks with us.
Need Directions?
Maps of our campuses are available in the 'Contact/Find us' section. Go to Maps, directions and inter-campus travel
1. From London Heathrow Airport by Underground ('tube') and Thameslink and Great Northern train
At Heathrow the London Underground train station (Piccadilly Line) is located directly under the central bus station for terminals 1, 2 and 3, and is clearly signposted from all Terminals. Terminals 4 and 5 have their own, separate station.
Underground services run from around 05:30 to 23:30.
Take the London Underground train, Piccadilly Line, from Heathrow to London. Change at King's Cross St Pancras station onto the Thameslink and Great Northern train to Luton. Get off at Luton (not at Luton Airport Parkway).
2. From London Heathrow Airport by bus/coach
Take the National Express public coach service direct to Luton – this coach leaves from the Central Bus Station for Terminals 1,2 and 3, and from directly outside the terminal building for Terminals 4 and 5.
You can buy a ticket (cost around 20 GBP) at the National Express ticket office in the Central Bus Station or directly from the driver. This is a high frequency service – there is a bus to Luton every hour 7 days a week from 06:00 to 23:00.
3. From London Heathrow by taxi
Get a cab from the official taxi rank or book in advance
- Have your destination address clearly written on a piece of paper
- Confirm cost before departure to ensure you have enough cash to cover the fare
4. From London Gatwick Airport by Thameslink and Great Northern train
Take a Thameslink and Great Northern train from the North Terminal. Trains for Luton leave every 30 minutes. Get off at Luton (not at Luton Airport Parkway). The journey takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes and a single ticket costs up to 30 GBP (the price varies depending on what time of day you are travelling).
5. From London Gatwick Airport by bus/coach
Take a Jetlink Coach to Luton. A single ticket costs around 20 GBP.
For more information about travelling to and from Gatwick check
6. From Stansted Airport by train, Underground ('tube') and Thameslink and Great Northern train
Take a train to Tottenham Hale, London; then take the Underground to Kings Cross. Thameslink and Great Northern trains for Luton leave from St Pancras International station every 15 - 20 minutes. You should take a Northbound train. Get off at Luton (not at Luton Airport Parkway).
7. From Stansted Airport by bus/coach
Take the Flightlink Airport Service from Stansted Airport Coach Station to Luton. The journey takes about 2 hours and a single ticket costs about 10 GBP. Advanced reservation is strongly advised. Also available is a Jetlink Service from Stansted Airport Coach Station via Cambridge to Luton. The journey takes about 3 hours and a single ticket costs about 10 GBP. The ticket can be bought at the airport or from the bus driver.
8. From London Luton Airport by taxi or bus
Take a taxi or the regular airport bus to Luton Town Centre. The journey takes about 10 minutes. A taxi costs around 5 - 6 GBP.
1. From London Heathrow Airport by Underground ('tube') and Thameslink and Great Northern train
At Heathrow the London Underground train station (Piccadilly Line) is located directly under the central bus station for terminals 1, 2 and 3, and is clearly signposted from all Terminals. Terminals 4 and 5 have their own, separate station.
Underground services run from around 05:30 to 23:30.
Take the London Underground train from Heathrow into London. Change at King's Cross St Pancras station onto the Thameslink and Great Northern train to Bedford. The train terminates in Bedford.
2. From London Gatwick Airport by Thameslink and Great Northern train
Take a Thameslink and Great Northern train from the North Terminal. Trains for Bedford leave every 30 minutes. Get off at Bedford, which will be the last stop on the line. The journey takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes and a single ticket costs up to 30 GBP (the price varies depending on what time of day you are travelling).
3. From Stansted Airport by train, Underground ('tube') and Thameslink and Great Northern train
Take a train to Tottenham Hale, London; then take the Underground to Kings Cross. Thameslink and Great Northern trains for Bedford leave from St Pancras International station every 15 - 20 minutes. You should take a Northbound train. Get off at Bedford which is the last stop on the line.
4. From London Luton Airport by bus and train
Take the regular airport bus to Luton Airport Parkway railway station. The journey takes about 10 minutes. Then take the Thameslink and Great Northern train (northbound) to Bedford. The train terminates in Bedford.
St Pancras International Station (London)
The three London railway stations St Pancras International, St Pancras and Kings Cross are located very close to each other. They form a 'hub' where many London Underground 'tube' services and many national and international (Eurostar) train services stop or terminate. Trains for Luton and Bedford depart from St Pancras International.
To Luton and Bedford - from London St Pancras International by Thameslink and Great Northern train
Thameslink and Great Northern trains for Luton and Bedford leave from St Pancras International every 15 - 20 minutes. You should take a Northbound train. Get off at Luton (not at Luton Airport Parkway). The train terminates in Bedford.
From London Heathrow Airport
- To Luton: Take the National Express public coach service direct to Luton from the Central Bus Station for Terminals 1,2 and 3, and directly from outside the terminal building for Terminals 4 and 5.
- To Bedford: Take the London Underground train (Piccadilly line) from Heathrow to Kings Cross St Pancras. From St Pancras International station take a Thameslink and Great Northern train (northbound) to Bedford. The train terminates in Bedford.
From London Gatwick Airport
To Luton and Bedford: Take the Thameslink and Great Northern train service from the airport train station direct to Luton and Bedford.
From Stansted Airport
To Luton and Bedford: Take a train to Tottenham Hale, London; then take the Underground (Victoria Line) to Kings Cross St Pancras. From St Pancras International take a Thameslink and Great Northern train (northbound) to Luton and Bedford.
Maps of our campuses are available in the 'Contact/Find us' section.
Health information
Your health and wellbeing is important to us, we want you to enjoy your university experience and with a reduced risk of becoming unwell.
You must register with a local doctor (GP) when you come to University - do not leave this until you are unwell.
We recommend you do this during your induction week. You must have your UK address and student number to register.
Stay healthy: checklist
- Check your vaccination status with your GP.
- Get vaccinated, if necessary, before you come to university.
- Register with one of the local GPs below if you relocate to attend the ÑÇÉ«ÊÓƵ.
- GP surgery for Luton students: is a local GP surgery for students at the Luton campus. It is a 5 minute walk from the University Square building
- GP surgery for Bedford students: is the dedicated GP practice for students at the Bedford campus
- GP surgery for Milton Keynes students: is the nearest GP surgery to Milton Keynes campus. It is easy to walk from the campus using the 'redways' cycle/footpaths
- Also familiarise yourself with the symptoms of measles, mumps and meningitis and know what to do if you become ill. More information about these illnesses and what to do if you suspect you are ill can be found here on the UK National Health Services Choices website:
Remember, we are here to help. If you require any assistance or further information please email prearrival@beds.ac.uk or international@beds.ac.uk
Support and Report
Our Support and Report service is strictly confidential and is designed for you to bring to our attention the issues below that may be concerning you directly or indirectly,
- Bullying & harassment
- Sexual abuse & harassment
- Hate Crimes - Harassment motivated by your race, disability, religion, sexual or gender identity
More information on the service at Support and Report
If you would like to get in touch, you can do so by emailing supportandreport@beds.ac.uk
Please be assured that contacting the service should not impact on your academic studies or your visa status.
Not sure? Thinking of reporting something?
Please come and speak to us, we will guide you through what the procedures are and how we can support you from initial advice through to conclusion.
If you would like to speak with someone confidentially in the International Office, you can contact Richard O'Halloran at richard.ohalloran@beds.ac.uk
All communications will be treated as confidential and the ÑÇÉ«ÊÓƵ will be with you every step of the way.
Opening hours
Mon-Thur: 09:00 to 16:30 (UK time)
Fri: 09:00 to 16:00 (UK time)