Mature Students Guide

MATURE STUDENTS’ GUIDE

Bangor University Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2DG Tel: 01248 351151

www.bangor.ac.uk www.facebook.com/bangoruniversity

The University makes all reasonable efforts to ensure that the information in this leaflet is correct at the time of printing.

36004 10/12

@BangorUni

CONTENTS

"As a Mature Student, I can honestly say that not once did I feel out of place. It was great to study amongst all ages. There is plenty of social life for those who really want to join in. I wasn't always able to socialise as much as I would have liked due to family commitments, but I was always asked and invited to everything and never made to feel 'out of it'. Everyone was helpful, approachable and kind, and the thing I will miss most about Bangor is the genuine feeling of extended family."

DEBORAH RAILTON, originally from Manchester, graduate of the Bangor Law School

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Welcome

03

Advice and Support

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Student Finance

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Accommodation

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Resources and Facilities

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Careers and Employability

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Useful Contacts

WELCOME

ADVICE AND SUPPORT

Here at Bangor we appreciate that as a Mature Student you are slightly different from a student who arrives here straight from school after completing A-level studies.

Student Services Student Services provides a range of professional support services for students. It is located in Neuadd Rathbone, College Road and is open all year round. The services offered include:

We understand that you may have other commitments and responsibilities, that your academic and social approach to university life may vary, that you have had more life experience and that your path to higher education may have been very different. It is for these reasons we acknowledge the fact that your needs, concerns and questions about starting university are unique.

This booklet is an attempt to answer some of your questions. You’ll find information on the services and facilities that are available -- in particular to mature students.

We hope that this leaflet will be a guide for you when you start at Bangor and will also be useful for you during your time as a student here.

“...Studying at Bangor has made the return to education a pleasurable experience. The highlight for me was getting decent results and realising I was capable of degree level study, also meeting all the new people who are like-minded is great.”

LEE ROBERTS, BSc Computer Science

Mature Student Adviser: the first point of contact for mature students with any problems or queries ranging from financial problems to study problems.

Money Support Unit: for financial advice and guidance and the Hardship Fund.

Student Counselling Service: a completely confidential and professional counselling service.

Mental Health Adviser: a member of staff who can provide information, including sources of support and guidance, if you are encountering problems because of mental health difficulties.

Student Housing Service: for details of private accommodation, family accommodation and general help and advice with housing searches.

Disability Support Service: for information and advice on services, facilities and disabled students allowances.

Advice on course withdrawals/transfers: a member of staff who can offer guidance on options, liaising with departments and LEAs. Student Health Services: health services for students; certification; advice on meningitis and mumps.

Tel: 01248 382024 E-mail: studentservices@bangor.ac.uk www.bangor.ac.uk/studentservices

INTERNATIONAL WELFARE OFFICE For International students, staff at the International Welfare Office are available to assist and advise you on a range of welfare matters.

STUDENTS’ UNION SUPPORT SERVICES The Students’ Union is here to represent all students at Bangor University and do this in a variety of ways. The five Sabbatical Officers work to make sure that your time in Bangor is as rewarding as it can be.

The Course Representative scheme is co-ordinated by the Students’ Union - as are all of our sports clubs and societies - and are available free of charge to students. The Union also runs a number of campaigns throughout the year and offers plenty of opportunities for you to get involved - sometimes in ways you wouldn’t expect! There is also a Mature Students’ Senator who sits on Senate (the group that helps decide the policy of the Union) to make sure that the needs of mature students are fully represented.

Why not get in touch? All contact details can be found at: www.bangorstudents.com or if you’re not sure who you need to talk to, just pop in.

Nightline Nightline is a listening and information service run by students for students. All volunteers are fully trained, and ensure all callers an anonymous, strictly confidential, non-advisory listening and unbiased information service. It is open from 8pm-8am every night of term and there will always be someone on duty to listen to you or answer your enquiries.

Nightline: 01248 362121 For more information contact: E-mail: nightline@undeb.bangor.ac.uk www.bangorstudents.com/nightline www.facebook.com/BangorUniversityNightline

YOUR PERSONAL TUTOR Each undergraduate student is allocated a personal tutor. As well as providing advice and support on academic matters, you may choose to use your Tutor as the first point of contact on more personal or welfare matters, even though s/he may need to refer you to other services for more help and guidance.

Tel: +44 1248 388430 E-mail: internationalsuppoort@bangor.ac.uk www.bangor.ac.uk/studentservices/international 2

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FURTHER ADVICE AND SUPPORT Counselling Tutors Some members of staff act as counselling tutors. They are prepared to listen to students who may have problems, whether academic or personal, and the service is confidential. For further information please refer to the Student Guide which you will receive before you arrive here.

Halls Senior and Student Wardens Senior Wardens in Halls have a dual welfare and disciplinary role. They are assisted by Student Wardens in the provision of pastoral support for students residing in Halls.

Students may seek advice or support from any Student Warden at any time. Details on how to contact Halls staff are given in the relevant Halls Handbook.

Chaplaincy Service Full details of chaplaincy services and faith provisions are provided in the Student Guide.

Study Support Centres Two Study Support Centres (one in the main Arts Library and one in Adeilad Deiniol/Science Library) provide a range of specialist equipment for students e.g. Braille embosser, voice activated computers, PCs with specialist software for dyslexic students and students with a visual impairment. There is also a range of assistive software available throughout the University computer network, such as SuperNova; Inspiration and Texthelp.

Tel: 01248 382425 Miles Dyslexia Centre Students with Dyslexia can obtain help from the Support Services run by the Miles Dyslexia Centre. They provide help with study skills in either groups or on a one to one basis. Tutors and/or Counsellors are also available for individual study and personal support. The Centre will arrange assessments, help students to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances, and assist with the arrangement of examination provision.

Tel: 01248 382203 E-mail: dyslex-student@bangor.ac.uk www.dyslexia.bangor.ac.uk Student Health Service All students are required to register with a local GP. The University has a contract with a local GP practice to provide special services for students. Currently this contract is held by the Bodnant Medical Centre in Menai Avenue, Upper Bangor.

Appointments: 01248 364492 (between 8.00am and 6.30pm weekdays).

For further details and a list of other local GPs please refer to the Student Guide.

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STUDENT FINANCE Tuition Fees For full-time undergraduate students from the UK and EU the fees for those starting University in 2012/13 were set at £9,000. The latest information on the fees for the current year will be found on the University website.

For UK students, the tuition fee payment is a deferred payment - i.e. you don’t have to pay the tuition fee until you graduate and start earning over £21,000 a year. You defer payment of your tuition fee until after you graduate through a tuition fee loan. The tuition fee loan is paid directly to the University by the Student Loans Company on your behalf.

Students from Wales or the rest of the EU (outside UK) Students from Wales studying for their first degree can apply for a fee grant from the Welsh Government. Based on 2012/13 figures, this means students from Wales (and EU students from outside the UK) could be eligible for:

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means students from Wales (and EU students from outside the UK) could be eligible for: • a non-repayable tuition fee grant of £5,535 from the Welsh Government, and • a tuition fee loan of £3,456, which you start paying back once you earn over £21,000 a year.

Living Costs Students from the UK can apply for a living cost loan to help pay for living expenses such as accommodation, food, books etc. These loans do not have to be repaid until you graduate and start earning more than £21,000 a year.

For students from England and Wales, nonrepayable means-tested maintenance grants are also available to help support you – how much you get will depend on your household income and where you live. Extra financial support is also available in the form of grants or allowances for some categories of students, e.g. disabled students, those with dependents.

Welfare Benefits If you are claiming benefits before starting University, these could be affected once you are a student. Seek advice before starting University. Some people are eligible for certain benefits as a student, e.g. single parents are eligible for Housing Benefit. For advice about benefits contact the Money Support Unit (at Student Services) or contact your local Benefits Office.

Part-time Students You may be eligible to get financial help if you are studying a course that lasts at least one academic year and is equivalent to 50% or more of a full-time course. You may qualify for a grant for fees and a course grant. How much you will get will depend on your income.

Money Support Unit Within the Money Support Unit at Bangor we have a Student Money Adviser who can assist students with budget planning, answering financial queries or offer help with financial problems.

The University has a Financial Contingency Fund (Hardship Fund) to assist UK students experiencing unexpected financial hardship.

The fund does not have to be paid back.

Contact the Money Support Unit if you have any questions regarding financial matters: Tel: 01248 383566/383637 E-mail: moneysupport@bangor.ac.uk www.bangor.ac.uk/studentservices/moneyadvice If you normally live in England: Student Finance England Tel: 08456 077577 www.studentfinance.direct.gov.uk If you normally live in Wales: Student Finance Wales Tel: 08456 028845 www.studentfinancewales.co.uk

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ACCOMMODATION At Bangor, we offer a wide range of self-catered accommodation, including standard or en-suite rooms and all first year single undergraduate students who apply within the given timeframe are guaranteed accommodation.

Undergraduate applicants who have accepted an offer (which may be conditional) to study at Bangor University in September will be e-mailed in early June explaining how to make an application for halls and it is very important that you ensure that the University has your correct email address as all halls correspondence will be via e-mail. Once you have submitted your application you will not hear from us until your place at Bangor is confirmed from mid August onwards.

Each year we try to designate some rooms for students for whom peace and quiet is important.

Details of which hall has been designated as such will be on our website. These may be suitable, though not exclusively, for mature students who often prefer a quieter environment.

Please note however that communal living will also be noisier than living in your own home and that we can not control noise coming from outside the building. There is very limited availability for these rooms so we can’t guarantee that everyone will be successful in their request for a designated ‘quiet’ room.

Tel: 01248 382667 E-mail: halls@bangor.ac.uk www.bangor.ac.uk/accommodation

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Family Accommodation The University is currently reviewing the provision of family accommodation. Please contact the Halls Office for further information.

Tel: 01248 382667 E-mail: halls@bangor.ac.uk www.bangor.ac.uk/accommodation Private Accommodation The Student Housing Office has a list of available private accommodation in the Bangor area. You can access this information in the Student Housing Office itself (First Floor, Neuadd Rathbone, College Road) where staff are available to give help and advice.

Most, if not all, of the properties are also advertised on our website where you can search our database for your ideal property to rent: www.bangor.ac.uk/studentservices/ studenthousing We would advise you not to sign a tenancy agreement/contract until you have seen/viewed the property and made sure that it is suitable.

For peace of mind a member of staff at the Housing Office will check the contract for you before you sign.

Tel: 01248 382034 E-mail: studenthousing@bangor.ac.uk www.bangor.ac.uk/studentservices/ studenthousing

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RESOURCES AND FACILITIES Students’ Union A common misconception about the Students’ Union is that it is there only for the so-called ‘typical’ student, i.e. someone aged between 18 and 22. This is not the case!

Each year Bangor opens its doors to students of all ages, from 18 to 80, and as such a key aim of the Students’ Union is to provide appropriate support and representation for mature students.

There is a Mature Students’ Senator on the Senate who is there to represent the views and needs of mature students. This representation is absolutely vital to the work of the Union, as the Senator ensures that those who have very specific needs, such as child care and family considerations, work commitments, or specific learning requirements are properly considered in the work that the Union does. Another key element to her/his role is the social side, and she/he organises regular social events around Bangor – look out for posters advertising the next one!

There are of course a huge variety of activities and events provided by the Union for the whole of the student population, regardless of age. There are over 135 clubs, societies to get involved in ranging from film and photography, and drama to sports such as canoeing, football and surfing. Student membership of clubs and societies is free. A brand new Students’ Union night club opened in 2011 – Academi – which also houses two bars, a café and shop.

The Students’ Union is located in Bryn Haul near the Ffriddoedd Site on Victoria Drive.

Tel: 01248 388000 E-mail: undeb@undeb.bangor.ac.uk www.undeb.bangor.ac.uk BangorStudentsUnion @Bangorstudents

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Day Room Many mature students travel to Bangor everyday from quite long distances. It can sometimes be difficult finding somewhere to relax, away from the library and coffee bars. A day room is available on the ground floor of Neuadd Rathbone, off College Road. Here you can sit and relax and eat your sandwiches, read the newspaper etc.

Library Trying to use the University library for the first time can be quite daunting. It is for this reason that the University organises interactive introductory tours of the library during Welcome Week. On these tours you will learn how to find what you are looking for in the library. These tours are extremely useful so please make sure that you go, it will save you a lot of time in the long run, especially when you receive your reading list in those first lectures. Details of the library tours can be found in your departmental Welcome Week information pack.

Bangor has eight libraries, each serving different Schools. Anyone currently registered as a student at Bangor University automatically has library borrowing rights.

These cease at the end of your student registration. A valid library and access card is required to use library facilities; you will get one of these during Welcome Week and in the libraries thereafter.

If you live off-campus and find it difficult to get to the library, the library runs a scheme called LINC y Gogledd, which, if you are a member of a public library, makes it possible for you to have any books you borrow from the University Library delivered to your nearest public library branch. Ask at the library desk or at your public library for details of the scheme.

If you would like further details on the libraries e.g. regulations, locations, opening hours etc. see the website at: www.bangor.ac.uk/library

Parking at the University A vehicle parking permit is required to park in the University car parks.

Applications for permits will be available in Bar Uno at the Ffriddoedd site during the first week of term and at the Estates and Facilities Office (above Bar Uno) thereafter.

Further information on car parking is available at: www.bangor.ac.uk/eo/VehicleParking

EDUCATION If you are relocating to Bangor with your family, you may well need information about local schools and childcare. In Gwynedd, children are allowed to start primary school on a part-time basis in September following their 3rd birthday. Full-time attendance in primary school will start in September following their 4th birthday. Here is a list of primary and secondary schools in Bangor: Primary Schools in Bangor: Ysgol Cae Top Ysgol Our Lady RC (Catholic School) Ysgol Hirael Ysgol y Faenol Ysgol y Felinheli Ysgol y Garnedd (Welsh school) Ysgol Babanod Coed Mawr Ysgol Glanadda Ysgol Glancegin Ysgol Llandygai

Secondary Schools in Bangor: Ysgol Friars Ysgol Tryfan To enrol your child at a school, please contact the school nearest to where you live. Please be aware that there is no guarantee that your child will be placed at your nearest school as there may be no spaces. For further information please call the School Admission Service on 01286 679904 (Gwynedd) or 01248 752915 (Anglesey).

CHILDCARE For information on all aspects of childcare including nurseries, childminders, after school clubs, holiday clubs/ play schemes etc in the local area please call: Gwynedd: 01286 675570 Anglesey: 01248 752699 Conwy: 01492 876260 Tir Na Nog is a University owned day care nursery based on the St Mary’s Site, Lon Pobty; which provides childcare for the children of staff, local residents and students should they choose.

Tir Na Nog Nursery: 01248 370747 Childcare grants are available through LEAs for eligible students.

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CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY For many students, higher education is a step along a path to many future opportunities.

With the investment you will be making in both time and money, you want to be sure that you will have the best chances of success as a graduate. Our Careers and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions.

From the minute you arrive at Bangor we’ll be there to advise you and provide practical information on work experience, vacation jobs, term-time work and, of course, help you to identify what you’ll do after graduation.

Because we want you to achieve your goals, we’ll even continue to support you for three years after graduation.

Bangor Employability Award The Bangor Employability Award (BEA) scheme is designed to enhance the immediate and longer-term career prospects of Bangor University students. The scheme is on offer to undergraduate students and works alongside the University’s academic Schools, the Students’ Union, and with private, public and voluntary sector organisations.

The BEA enhances students’ understanding of the long-term potential of the activities they take part in during their time at Bangor. It also encourages them to take advantage of each and every opportunity that comes their way in order to develop themselves and their employability.

The BEA offers accreditation for co-curricular and extra-curricular activities (e.g. volunteering, clubs and societies, work experiences, part-time work, learning a new language, etc.) which may not be formally recognised within the academic degree programme, but are considered valuable in the graduate jobs market.

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The Jobzone

B-Enterprising Programme

The Jobzone is the University’s student employment service, here to help you find term-time employment to fit in around your studies; vacation work and most importantly graduate opportunities nationally and locally.

Additionally, work experience, internship opportunities and voluntary work are also advertised. You can access the information online, or call in for support and advice on searching for and applying for employment opportunities.

This programme provides budding entrepreneurs with enterprise and business training and support. It will help you to consider and prepare for self-employment.

We will also help you to develop enterprise skills in order to make you more successful whether you want to be an employee or run your own business. You will learn how to network, think creatively, promote yourself or a product effectively as well as develop more practical skills to do with starting up a business.

Work Experiensce Scheme Work Experience is a critical factor in gaining future graduate employment. We recognise this by providing you with advice and information on a wide range of term-time and vacation-based work experience opportunities, and even deliver a programme of work placements from the Careers and Employability Service.

The highly regarded GO Wales Work Placement Programme is a paid work experience scheme that offers finalists the chance to work with employers during term-time and the vacations, carrying out high-level projects. This enables you to develop work knowledge, business awareness and commercial skills, whilst also earning some very welcome income! As part of the GO Wales Programme we also offer the Work Taster Programme which helps you undertake a period of work-shadowing, experiencing professions at first hand.

Peer Guide Scheme

Volunteering For students interested in volunteering whilst at university the Careers and Employability Service can help you arrange voluntary experience through the GO Wales Work Taster Programme, Aspirational Mentoring Programme and the Peer Guiding Scheme.

We also host recruitment days for local organisations and advertise national and international volunteering opportunities in our JobZone.

USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS Visit Us: 01248 388143 Student Finance Helpline: 01248 383637 or 383566 Student Services: 01248 382024 International Welfare Office: +44 1248 388430 Halls Office: 01248 383477 or 383941 Admissions Helpline (operated in August at exam result time): 0800 0851818

FINALLY… For further details on all student support services, for information on your course, your rights as a student, University rules and regulations, see the Student Guide available from your Tutor, at Registration or Student Services.

Online careers advice Because we realise that students often need access to careers advice at short notice, we offer online advice to supplement our usual guidance provision.

Tel: 01248 382071 E-mail: careers@bangor.ac.uk www.bangor.ac.uk/careers

We also run the nationally-recognised Peer Guide Scheme which is highly-regarded within the Higher Education sector.

Our Peer Guides are second and third-year students who are trained to offer you a little friendly support as you settle in at Bangor. There are approximately 500 Peer Guides – that’s one for every 4-5 new students!

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