WOW!! THANK YOU!!

these are all great info!! well, it's not too difficult to find your old posts actually since i was searching for the exact same thing you were asking last time haha. only difference is this time someone (you) could share the experience..

so i guess i can worry less on my luggage/backpack/laptop bag packing for now. i wonder if i could prepare anything at all to know the directions from the arrival hall to the departure hall in heathrow, other than getting lost lol. btw, you said you carried your luggages around, does this mean you have to collect your checked-in luggage first, and then check-in again at heathrow?

you did mention something about contract phones and that you don't really recommend it. i do know that getting those contracts from mobile operators are not as worth it, but what if i get those contracts with promotion like cashback etc from e2save or mobiles.co.uk? worth a shot?

I read somewhere that the cashback is not really cashback, so you don't really gain anything.

Most people just buy original unlocked phone and then get a non-commitment 1month contract sim. It's cheaper that way according to them.

yes, i collected my luggage after my arrival ... cause BA is another airline and you will have to check in your luggage again then.

a map of heathrow is available on their airport's website, google for the web add... though i did printed a copy out of it, but i didn't managed to use it anyway ... the fastest and easiest way by then is just grabbing some staff and ask for directions.


contract phones on e2save/mobiles.co.uk were one of my previous interests as well ... since they have cashbacks or free wii or whatever ... however, they have now offering 12 months contract no more ... so the shortest one would be on 18 months contract, and the deal is available to everyone provided you can pass the credit check ... which is something to do with your residency status like staying for 3 years or something like that and have a healthy credit score that was reflected from your bank account (UK only)...

Hence, passing the credit check or not is one issue, worthwhile or not is the second.

Also, talking on cashbacks / x months FREE ... sounds interesting isn't it?
BUT, have you read the small prints on it? the cashback system is going to divide into few installments for like ... every 3-4 months? which it would be like this: you got 100 quids cashback, but that would be divided into 3 or 4 installments, which would be 25 quids each time every 3-4 months... IF you can showed them some proof ... i forgot what that is, but it is something like mailing them the receipt or something like that to verify the status ... so ... put it in simple words, it means: it is gonna be Kelam Kabut sometimes, and very Bah Huan (messy) ... also, it doesn't guaranteed you will 100% get all the cashback if you got this and that not right somewhere ...

In addition, even they are offering cashback ... let's calculate on a 18 month contract basis:
A HTC Desire for example ...
Go for Vodafone on mobiles.co.uk (Vodafone tends to be cheapest among contract phones i found)
15 quids pm for 18 months, then you have to pay 249.99 for the handset ...
it means: 15 x 18 + 249.99 = 270 + 249.99 = 519.99 quids!
and you will get 100 minutes and 500 text ...

then, if you buy it as the way i recommended, like buying the handset on eBay ...
just checked, the average sold off price for Desire is at about 200 - 250 quids as well, so, let's say it's the same; ok, then you compare the package price ...
as i said earlier, 10 quids is given with 150 minutes and 300 free text, and if you go for 3 (Three, the telco), you will get free 3 to 3 calls (unlimited), and 150mb internet allowance free!! (I prefer this 3 package as it is the most worthwhile i felt ...)
after all these extra freebies, you still get to save 5 quids pm for 18 months ... which is 90 quids~!
some more, if you doesn't mind phones that has been used slightly ... (the mat salleh likes to buy then sell after they found it they doesn't like it ... for maybe from 1 hour to 10 days or 10 weeks or 3 months ...) and if you have sharp eyes by picking out the best option, the phone you get will be as good as new ... even it is actually a used handset ...

some may felt buying things 2nd handed is a bit yucky ... but hey, UK is different from Malaysia ... especially on these 2nd handed items ... it is the trend in fact ... people buying things that has been used ... and they have great market on it ... (note: this is possible as the quality of the goods are at very niche standard ... i.e. buying a good condition used Guess bag at 10 quids where the original price is 200 over when new ... what you think?)

what i can say about contract phones is, unless you can signed for a 24 months contract (and if you are eligible to sign it) ... else most of the time it wouldn't be as worthwhile lol...
(p/s: someone told me to just sign the contract then LARI with the phone without paying monthly ... lol DUDE, if anyone is having this in their thoughts, FORGET it! it ain't gonna happen as the charges are deducted from your bank account DIRECTLY!)

jeanyl,

Do you have any recommendation for Pay As You Go mobile sim package ?

jeanyl...do you have any recommendations for blackberry plans?

nope ... i don't have much on blackberry ... sorry~

1) I'd stay away from 3 and Orange. Also, if you're going for a smart phone plan, watch out for the hard limit on data which is being imposed by O2 and Vodafone.

2) For PAYG, they are all roughly the same. I'd go for O2.

3) Buying on eBay sounds OK, but when you have to think about warranty and the risk, I personally feel it's not worth it unless if you're getting a massive saving.

4) I'd stay away from cashback, they are never worth the effort.

5) For Blackberry, I think T-Mobile is offering some decent plans.

go for 3 (three) ... 150 min, 300 text, 150mb internet, unlimited free calls between 3 to 3 users...
you can top up 5 quids, 10 quids and 20 ......
but 5 quids top up can only be done online ... using the debit/credit card (no worries, you will get one when you open a bank account here, all students will get that, mostly.) ... and 5 quids top up have less freebies ... top up 10 quids will get you some additional internet allowance and etc ... the freebies are either valid for 90 days or 'won't expired' ... so you can use your credit for a longer period without forcing yourself to top up just to keep it valid when you just hardly use your phone ...

however, mobile reception varies across places ... some better some worse ... i am not sure about others, but mine in a small town works just as well as other telco ...

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Added on August 27, 2010, 11:54 pm1. i choose 3 due to the costs and data plan given ~ money saver~

2. o2 is good, good service, good reception, but charging on data plans ... (no oppose to it, I was o2 user previously as well!)

3. lol ... I am an Ebay fans! well, talk about warranty ... hmm ... yes, that is an issue you would want to consider if you are staying in UK for longer periods ... else after going back to Malaysia ... warranty voids anyway ... Risk? ooo ... this one ... all you need is just a little bit of experience of online shopping ...... pretty much of my pals here are crazed by ebay offers ... haven't heard from anyone that their transaction turn sour though ... of course, first and simplest way to be more confident of the seller's credibility is through their feedback score ... and you can file a complaint or ask for refund if chances were given ...



This post has been edited by jeanyl: Aug 27 2010, 11:54 PM

Thank you for the info.

Is Lebara a good PAYG choice ?

Malaysia
.....................................................
Landline 5p /min
Mobile 5p /min

http://www.lebara-mobile.co.uk/en/nationaltariffs.php

Dear All,

As I’m planning to go for my next year September intake, I would appreciate bro & sis here can provide their Visa application duration.

This may also serve as our LYN guideline, I understand that the current UK Board have stated the duration of visa application in their page and will be update in every end of the month.

I am not confidence with the result as it is only stated in monthly per percentage basis.

If possible, please stated you application process as below:

Application form submitted to Uni: xx Aug 20xx
CAS received: xx Aug 20xx
Medical check: xx Aug 20xx
IELTS : xx Aug 20xx
Submission of Visa: xx Aug 20xx
Receive Visa: xx Aug 20xx

Please provide any steps where I have been miss out,
Thank you very much,

hey guys,

i have a question here. i understand that if a source of funding of my studies is not under my name (my parents) therefore i need a letter of consent and my birth cert to confirm the relationship and certify my funds.

However, my parents have a few FDs which are joint named with my aunt, so my question is , do i need another letter from my aunt to certify her consent as well? or is the one from my parents enough as the FDs are free for all, which means any one of them named in there could withdraw full amount. thx

There is no definate answer in this world, if u have read, visa application itself takes around 6 to 9 days and varies according to the application-load. ppl take the initiative to update the website once there r any changes, and u still have no confidence?
I guess u need to read more urself, rmb there are no spoonfeeding in the UK unlike our country here.

after attending the UK pre-departure breifing by the BC M'sia, i feel that alot students and parents totally rely on others for information rather than digging out and searching themselves, its bloody irritating, for your (i mean them) own sake! its higher education u r going after please do more research and only ask if u r totally uncertain.

hard to determine in this case, but for me i would 'play safe'. Submit the mentioned letter by ur aunt.

The brittish guy from the BHC says that getting a visa to UK is as easy as A B C as long as u got all the required documents. Even if u were deported from the UK many years ago, if u have the evidence and documents supporting u, u will also be granted a visa.
forgot to addon, plz be as honest as possible, it was mentioned that the BHC have the rights and can easily trace out any faults or any sorts of false statement and u will get rejected immediately. A simple case would be those who got their 1st application rejected, when they submit their 2nd application, they either left the part "Have you been rejected a visa before?" unanswered or choose No, their application will once again get rejected.

This post has been edited by alvinz: Aug 29 2010, 02:22 PM

Hi,

anyone here apply through some sort of agent like uni-ed? Any contact I can have?

Yup, i am still not confidence. Spoonfeeding??
Dun be a smart kid, when your earn your own tuition fees and pay your family bill, then you talk to me..

if you do not have any good answer or reply please just leave it...

i done my research, go read what i post and i just want to get some "personal data"....is that something wrong for asking extra info?

Higher education?? typical Asian mentality will never go far for kids like u...please be polite and dont think that you are the smartest A$$ on earth.

we have to go to level 4 for our docs to get checked????
i went on last tues (24th) and i went straight to lvl 19 for my visa application. when did they inform us that we have to go to lvl 4?

I think it all started last week. I went on 26th ( Thursday) and I need to wait at level4 for my doc to be checked before manage to go into level19th. I guess lvl19 cant handle all the crowd

sounds very chaotic now, do i need to wait this long even if i had made an appointment in advance and i arrive on time? going to submit mine later this week

u can try mabecs, their reviews seems to be good. some forumers have gone through their application successfully with Mabecs
http://www.mabecs.com/

How about meeting up and showing proof to each other of who is paying for my own bills then, smart grandpa!
No confidence then y ask here? as far as typical asian mentality goes, they have no confidence in others' words/actions other than they themselves.
Polite u say? i may and may not be the smartest fella on earth but who r u on earth to judge others and calling other names that u assumed urself? I was merely speaking as an neutral and u assume that i am 'attacking' u. Sorry about that, i meant not to offend, but then y with all the defensive statements? Please be polite to urself and not to make assumption too much. How i wish i could continue staying and being a kid but oh well, everyone grows and hopefully wont be like u making assumptions in others. How sad.

Well, i wish u all the best and hope someone else would reply to ur personal data collection. Good Day

even you got appointment, no need to wait this long. maybe around 15-30 minutes. but you still have to go lvl4 for the checking process first.

Yeap its very chaotic and crowed with both parents and future students to be. I would suggest make an appointment and get there early before the appointed time. The guard or personnel there will gladly give u a queue number 10 to 15mins before ur appointed time. Just make very sure that u have all the required documents so that everything can go smoothly and quickly.

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Added on August 30, 2010, 6:14 pmbtw, i have just organized post #2 for the FAQ and Tips section. If anyone have information or anythings related to add, do post here or pm me/TS. Lets pump the 1st page with useful information

for those who contributed, THANKS alot!!!

This post has been edited by alvinz: Aug 30 2010, 06:14 PM