If you are applying from outside United Kingdom, the following information may be helpful:
UK Taxes
Your salary is subject to two compulsory taxes: income tax and national insurance contributions. In addition, there are other taxes (eg council tax) that you must pay.
Income tax
Income tax is a general tax and the rates are shown below:
| Income Tax: taxable bands | |
|---|---|
| 2009-10 | £ per year |
| Personal allowance: 0% | £0-£6,475 |
| Basic rate: 20% | £6,475 - £37,400 |
| Higher rate: 40% | Over £37,400 |
National Insurance
This is a compulsory deduction from your salary which funds pension, health and other government-provided benefits. Rates of National Insurance are reduced if you are a member of a pension scheme.
| National Insurance: bands (pension scheme member) | |
|---|---|
| 2009-10 | £ per year |
| Earning’s Threshold: 0% | £0-£5,715 |
| Upper Accrual Point: 9.4% | £5,716 - £40,040 |
Upper Earnings Limit: 11% |
£40,041 - £43,875 |
| Over Upper Earnings Limit: 1% | Over £43,875 |
Council Tax
Council tax is a tax on domestic property paid to the local government to maintain services such as schools, social care, fire brigades and police. How much you pay depends upon the value of your house. All homeowners and usually all tenants must pay council tax. The level of council tax is determined by the value of your property. An average property will attract council tax of approximately £1,200 per annum.
Buying or Renting Accommodation
Inserting the University's post code (LA1 4YW) into a property search engine will provide you details of properties to rent or buy.
Alternatively see our accommodation page for more information.
Medical Care in the UK
Whilst employed in the UK, you and your immediate family are entitled to full benefits of the National Health Service (NHS) in the same way as a UK citizen.
When you arrive you will need to register with a local doctor (known as a General Practitioner, or GP). You can search the NHS website for a GP near you.
UK citizens pay for medicines from the doctor and for dental treatment, though children are exempt.
Dental Treatment
The NHS does subsidise dental treatment but charges remain payable. Many dentists do not undertake NHS work, and those who do may not have space to take on additional patients, so it can be hard to find a NHS dentist. You can also search for local dentists on the NHS website and this will also tell you if dentists are taking on new patients and whether they provide services for NHS patients.
Alternatively you can register with a private dentist. If you do this you need to be prepared to pay the full cost of dental treatment.
Optical Treatment
Eye tests are carried out by ophthalmic opticians who operate from shop premises. Spectacles and contact lenses vary considerably in price, so it may be worth shopping around. You can also search for NHS opticians on the NHS website.
June 2009