Pre-sessional Guide - 2019

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E JUN

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your guide to

bristol Summer programme and introduction to Bristol for pre-sessional students

Welcome Welcome to the vibrant city of Bristol. You will be working hard to develop your academic language and literacy this summer, but it is important to enjoy yourself too.

I hope that you will take a look at this exciting programme of events and include some of them in your busy schedule. Bristol really comes to life in the sunshine, and you will find many parks and green spaces to enjoy.

However you choose to relax, we wish you an enjoyable stay in this lovely city.

Maxine Gillway, Director of CELFS Debra Jones, Course Co-ordinator Hazel Newton, Course Co-ordinator

bristolsu.org.uk

BRISTOL SU - YOUR STUDENTS’ UNION Bristol SU represents the interests of students to the University. We’re central to your time at Bristol, and we’re here to make sure you have the best possible experience at university.

We work to make your student life the best it can be, with: • Hundreds of representatives standing up for you on academic issues • Almost 400 different clubs and societies – from board games and football, to Pokémon and Quidditch • Events happening in the Balloon Bar, the Anson Rooms gig venue, and loads of activity space • Free and helpful services including Just Ask (for academic advice), Bristol SU Lettings (for private accommodation) and our Volunteering service Come and find us on the 3rd floor of The Richmond Building, or on our website.

/BristolSU

@Bristol_SU bristolsu.org.uk

0117 331 8600

bristolsu.org.uk

Events, trips and tours The Global Lounge Team (part of International Office) in collaboration with Bristol SU and other departments, have organised trips and events for you to socialise, have fun and familiarise yourself with the city and its surrounding areas.

FREE Bristol walking Tours Discover your new home, learn a little history and get practical tips to make the most of your time here! Tours are free, but you must register to book your space.

22 June

2.30 pm & 5.30 pm

23 June

2.30 pm & 5.30pm

20 July

2.30 pm & 5.30pm

21 July

2.30 pm & 5.30pm

Price: Free. Meet: Richmond Building, main entrance, BS8 1LN Click here to register

bristolsu.org.uk

WEEKLY SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

During your busy study schedule, make sure to find some time to socialise and make new friends. Join us for some of these activities – most of them are free, but you must register to book your space.

speed friending

Quiz Night

26 June & 31 July 5.30pm, Carpenter Room, 2nd floor, Richmond Building

10 July, 5.30pm, Anson Rooms 2, 1st Floor, Richmond Building

Take a break from the classroom and come and chat to new people and make new friends.

Free. Register here

Come along to our Quiz Night. We’ll be testing your knowledge on British culture and Bristol facts!

Register here

Picnic in the Park

Karaoke Night

3 July & 7 August 5.30pm, Royal Fort Gardens Enjoy a traditional British picnic in a beautiful setting after a long day studying.

There’ll be free snacks, drinks and summer games to get involved with.

Free. Register here

25 July & 14 August 6pm - 8pm & 8pm - 10pm, The Lanes, 22 Nelson Street, Bristol What’s more fun than some good old-fashioned karaoke? Come and sing your heart out in your very own private karaoke booth. £4, Register here

bristolsu.org.uk

Graffiti Walking Tour 24 July, 5.30pm, meet outside Richmond Building main entrance Learn about the street art scene in Bristol on this guided Graffiti Walking Tour.

Free. Register here

WANT TO DO MORE? If you are looking for inspiration and ideas for what to do in Bristol, including festivals, make sure to visit visitbristol.co.uk and bristol247.com

day trips What is a better way to spend a weekend than exploring different British sites? Join the Global Lounge team and student ambassadors for a day full of fun.

Stonehenge & Bath This day trip will introduce you to the famous historic site of Stonehenge where you’ll have time to explore the site and learn about a famous part of British history. We’ll then move on to the stunning city of Bath, where we will visit the Roman Baths and have some free time to explore.

Your ticket includes return travel, admission to Stonehenge and entrance into the Roman Baths in Bath.

Price: £45 Meet: Cascade Steps, Anchor Road BS1 4XJ Date: 29 June, 9.30am - 8pm Book here

Stonehenge & salisbury Join this trip to see famous historic side of Stonehenge, followed by a trip to visit a beautiful city of Salisbury and its Cathedral.

Ticket includes: return travel, admission to Stonehenge, admission to Salisbury Cathedral Price: £38 Meet: Cascade Steps, Anchor Road BS1 4XJ Date: 27 July, 9.30am - 8pm Book here bristolsu.org.uk

Cheddar, Wells & Glastonbury Visit the beautiful town of Cheddar and the famous gorge. We’ll visit the smallest city in England, Wells, and its beautiful Cathedral.

Our final destination will be Glastonbury, where we’ll be taken on a guided tour up Glastonbury Tor. Ticket includes travel, entrance to Wells Cathedral, and guided tour of Glastonbury.

Price: £25 Meet: Cascade Steps, Anchor Road BS1 4XJ Date: 7 July, 8.30am - 8pm, Book here Date: 4 August, 8.30am - 8pm, Book here

SS Great Britain Discover the ship that changed the world, the SS Great Britain, sitting peacefully in Bristol’s harbourside. We’ll catch a ferry from the city centre, then have a guided tour of the ship and explore its history. Ticket includes ferry ride, ticket to visit SS Great Britain valid all year, tour of the ship.

Price: £12 Meet: Cascade Steps, Anchor Road BS1 4XJ Date: 13 July, 11.20 am - 2.30 pm, Book here Date: 3 August, 11.20 am - 2.30 pm, Book here

Oxford This day trip will take us to the famous University city of Oxford.

We will start with a guided walking tour and visit Trinity College.

We’ll then visit the Ashmolean Museum and have some free time before heading to the River Cherwell to go punting - a traditional river sport in Oxford. Ticket includes return travel, guided tour of Oxford, visit to Ashmolean Museum and punting.

Price: £32 Meet: Cascade Steps, Anchor Road BS1 4XJ. Date: 14 July, 8am - 7pm, Book here Date: 17 August, 8am - 7pm, Book here

Due to limited number of spaces, we would like to ask you to just pick one of the trips, to allow more students to share in this experience. bristolsu.org.uk

staying active We know how important sport and activity can be in improving your physical and mental wellbeing. Our excellent sports and fitness facilities will help you keep fit and healthy in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Sport memberships offer great value for money, giving you low costing or even free access to the University’s extensive sports facilities and activity programmes.

A great network of facilities provides opportunities for sports participation at all levels, and the chance to take part in a huge range of healthy activity. To find out more about the swimming pool, sports centre, tennis and squash courts and playing fields visit our website at: bristol.ac.uk/sport/facilities

Want to keep fit over the summer? Take advantage of our summer sports pass offer, which includes access to our Gym, Swimming Pool, exercise classes and outdoor tennis courts for six weeks for a one-off payment of just ÂŁ45.

Available from 1 June to 22 September. bristol.ac.uk/sport/memberships

bristolsu.org.uk

Bristol SU Living Room The Bristol SU Living Room is a space where any student can go to relax, take a break and meet new people. There are daily events held by student groups to help you unwind or try something new. We also have lots of comfy seats, cushions, board games, books and games consoles. It aims to reduce isolation and facilitate positive wellbeing for the benefit of students just like you.

It’s usually situated on the 4th floor of a central University building, but this summer the SU Living room will be taking up temporary residency in the SU’s Balloon Bar. Find out more here.

bristolsu.org.uk

Volunteering

Volunteering in Bristol is a great way to learn about your new home, to give something back to the local community, improve your communication skills and to meet new people.

• Search for summer volunteering opportunities by using the Bristol SU online tool.

• Join the RAG, Volunteering and Sustainability Network Facebook page • Join the Bristol SU Volunteering Facebook Page • Check out the Bristol Hub website too and their Facebook page for summer events

Sustainability

During your time in Bristol, there are countless ways in which you can help to reduce your negative environmental impact.

Make sure to buy a resuable coffee cup and use a refillable water bottle to reduce waste.

Check out the Local Guide to Bristol. It will help you enjoy all Bristol has to offer, while enabling and inspiring you to have a positive social impact.

Find out how to get involved in making Bristol Uni a sustainable university here

bristolsu.org.uk

HEALTH AND HELP FOR STUDENTS If you have a medical emergency call 999 or go to your nearest hospital.

If you have a question about health or don’t know where to go, you can call 111 for advice (non-emergency).

Most illnesses and other medical problems can be treated by a doctor (GP). You should register with the Students’ Health Service or GP as soon as possible.

There is lots of support available to help you though your time at Bristol. You can use these services for free anytime, you do not need to wait until you have a serious problem. In the UK it is common to ask for help or advice when you are worried even if the problem seems small.

Your first point of contact for problems, worries or questions should be you Residential Life Team if you live in university accommodation.

Wellbeing Advisors are available for you to talk to. They can also help you find extra help if you need it. Contact the Student Wellbeing Team by email student-wellbeing@bristol.ac.uk or call +44 (0) 1174284300.

Click here to find out about all the help that is available and where to find it.

bristolsu.org.uk

other contacts bristol su - Just Ask Just Ask offers free and confidential advice and support to all students across a broad range of subjects. We specialise in academic issues such as appeals, extenuating circumstances and plagiarism interviews. bristolsu.org.uk/justask bristolsu-justask@bristol.ac.uk 3rd Floor, Richmond Building. 0117 331 8634

International Student Visa Advice & Compliance Team The International Student Visa Advisers can support and guide you on matters related to your immigration status throughout your student journey.

They work with the Visa Compliance Officer to help you meet UKVI requirements and rules.

The website has a page dedicated to Pre-sessional students.

other useful university contacts Staff and students bristol.ac.uk/contacting-people Accommodation bristol.ac.uk/accommodation/contact Printing bristol.ac.uk/it-services/applications/ printing/byod Sport bristol.ac.uk/sport/contacts Wellbeing bristol.ac.uk/students/wellbeing Student Health Services bristol.ac.uk/students-health/contact Study Spaces bristol.ac.uk/students/study-spaces Transport and Travel bristol.ac.uk/transportplan/contact

bristolsu.org.uk

bus travel As a student studying on a pre-sessional course at the University of Bristol you can get 50% off your bus travel with First Buses. This discount can be used on weekly and monthly bus passes during your course. To receive your discount code, please visit the CELFS reception. Make sure you don’t share your unique discount code with anyone else, otherwise you might not be able to get your discount.

Once you have received your discount code from CELFS reception, select either a ‘Bristol FirstWeek Student’ (£12) or ‘Bristol FirstMonth Student’ (£46.20) ticket and add it to your basket. When you go to pay, enter your 8-digit discount code and your 50% discount should be applied.

Follow this instruction video for more advice.

If you have any problems downloading the FirstBus app or redeeming your voucher code, contact the FirstBus mTicket team at mticket-support@firstgroup.com or ring 03300947577 Find out further information about travelling by bus here.

bristolsu.org.uk

bristol - a guided tour Here’s our quick guide to your new city! Five must-see areas in Bristol

The Triangle & Park Street Very close to the Students’ Union, it’s busy day and night and is very student friendly. You’ll find pubs, bars, clubs, coffee shops and some really cool shops.

Try: Roccotillos American Diner, BS8 Fashion Emporium and the Bristol Museum

City Centre

Whiteladies Road & Cotham Hill

Gloucester Road & Stokes Croft

One of the main student hubs in Bristol. There are loads of nice cafés and restaurants, and the charity shops are some of the best in the city. Lively bars make this a great place to go out.

Home of Bristol’s independent shops, Stokes Croft has a liberal attitude towards street art.

A favourite student spot, it boasts funky bars and pubs. On Gloucester Road, you can find specialist food shops, vintage clothing and trendy coffee shops, plus legendary clubs like Blue Mountain and Lakota.

Try: Pasta Loco, Yume Kitchen, Everyman cinema and Highbury Vaults pub

Bristol city centre mixes unique pubs, markets and arthouse cinemas with highstreet brands and fancy restaurants. The city centre’s highlight is the waterfront (including the new Wapping Wharf area), where you’ll find great food, drink and views.

Clifton Village

Try: Boat trips, St Nicholas Market and Arnolfini gallery

Try: Primrose Café, Coronation Tap and the Suspension Bridge

Home to Bristol SU, Clifton Village is full of beautiful Georgian and Regency houses, terraces and plazas.

You’ll find upper market restaurants, boutiques and pubs. It’s gorgeous, but can be expensive! Our bar, The Balloon, is the exception, and is the cheapest around.

bristolsu.org.uk

Try: The Canteen, Blue Lagoon and the Amnesty International Bookshop.

The best of Bristol

With so much on offer, you’ll soon discover your favourites. But to help you start, here are a few of ours.

Theatre

Fashion

Film

Bristol Old Vic - home to the oldest auditorium in the world. The building itself is beautiful and Kings Street has so much history you can almost see the pirates!

The charity shops on Cotham Hill are full of cheap vintage and designer clothes.

The Watershed is one of the best arthouse cinemas in the country, with new and classic films from around the world.

For great theatre on a small budget, try The Wardrobe, at the Old Market Assembly.

Cooshti on Park Street, has great street gear, discounts and friendly staff, and That Thing, in Stokes Croft, is home of Bristol’s independent fashion designer-makers.

Music

Sport

Colston Hall programmes a great range of musicians and comedians but they often sell out fast.

Bristol SU is home to over 60 sports groups, so start with us! We also run Get Active, offering cheap fitness sessions for students.

For local music, choose any one of Bristol’s thousand little venues why not try Mr. Wolf’s, The Exchange or The Canteen.

Bristol SU’s own Anson Rooms host a great selection of British and international talent, so keep an eye on our website.

There are two big football teams in Bristol. Bristol City play at Ashton Gate in the Championship, and Bristol Rovers play at the Memorial Ground in League One. There are lots of beautiful cycling routes - the first you should try is the Bristol to Bath cycle path. bristolsu.org.uk

Showcase Cinema de Lux in Cabot Circus has great facilities for watching blockbusters and films in 3D. It’s expensive, but they give good discounts for students and members.

The Scott Cinema and The Cube are small independent cinemas.

They don’t show every film that comes out, but are cheaper and have nice atmospheres.

Everyman cinema has recently been renovated to its glorious past as the historic Whiteladies Picture House. It’s a ’boutique’ cinema so expect luxurious sofas in the theatres and table service.

the best breakfast As well as yummy breakfasts, the Balloon Bar serves freshly made food and drinks throughout the day!

Build your own burger or try one of our weekly specials.

Please note that no outside food can be brought into the venue.

Opening times: 9am - 4pm, Monday to Friday

The Richmond Building, 105 Queens Road

Find your University of Bristol hoodies, hats, scarves, teddy bears, gifts and more!

10% off discount code SUMMER19 for online and instore until end of July

Visit us today at bristolsushop.com