INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY GUIDE
FOR INDIA
INSPIRED. EMPOWERED. EMPLOYED. 1
CONTENTS Welcome to Buckinghamshire New University........... 6 Why Choose Buckinghamshire New University?........ 8 Our campuses.......................................................................10 High Wycombe.....................................................................12 Uxbridge.................................................................................18 Aylesbury................................................................................20 Our Subjects..........................................................................22 Key Stats.................................................................................24 Coming to BNU...................................................................26 Accommodation...................................................................28 Visas..........................................................................................30 Out and About.....................................................................34 Places of worship.................................................................36
2
3
There’s really no limit to what you could achieve with Buckinghamshire New University. Become part of our vibrant student community and you will be inspired. Choosing your university is about finding the right place for you to unleash your determination, explore your potential and achieve your goals. At BNU we are ready for you, ready to give you all the challenge, inspiration and support you need so that you graduate with the right skills to excel in your career.
4
SOUND GOOD TO YOU? THEN RE AD ON.
5
WELCOME TO BUCKINGHAMSHIRE NEW UNIVERSIT Y
Here at Buckinghamshire New University, student satisfaction is at the heart of everything we do. We were delighted to be rated as a top 30 UK University* for student satisfaction with our quality of teaching and twelfth highest in the UK for our academic services spend on supporting services such as libraries and IT*. We pride ourselves on transforming lives through employment-focused and skillsbased education. Our team will work hard to provide you with the best experience, and we’ll listen to your feedback because your opinions really count. You can be sure that our highly interactive, quality teaching, in our caring, inclusive and supportive learning community, will help you reach your full potential. *THE COMPLETE UNIVERSITY GUIDE (CUG 2022) ** HIGHER EDUCATION STATISTICS AGENCY (HESA 2021)
6
We’re ambitious for all our students and your future employability is very important to us. We work tirelessly to ensure every student is well-prepared and confident to succeed in their chosen careers. We’re delighted that the latest HESA data** shows 95% of our graduates are in, or about to start employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. For our postgraduates this increases to 98%, putting us in the top 10 of all UK universities, and ahead of many universities which form the Russell Group. Bucks Students’ Union was again ranked as one of the top five in the NSS. Our partnership with the Students’ Union will give you many different opportunities to try new things, develop new skills and make friendships for life.
We invest heavily in the Students’ Union to ensure that almost all their activities are available to students free of charge, because we believe there should be no barriers to embracing all that university life offers. This is known as The Big Deal.
We look forward to welcoming you to Buckinghamshire New University and, on behalf of everyone here, thank you for your interest.
Professor Nick Braisby Vice-Chancellor
Being a responsible corporate citizen is also incredibly important to us. We strive to make a positive impact within our local communities and on the environment. That’s why we’ve pledged to go carbon net zero by 2030, 20 years ahead of the government’s target. You’ll have a breadth of opportunities to volunteer your time to make a difference to the causes that matter to you. I invite you to see for yourself what makes us such a special and vibrant place. Our face to face and virtual open days provide a great opportunity to speak to our staff and current students, and find out more about our courses.
7
WHY CHOOSE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE NEW UNIVERSITY?
We could list hundreds of reasons to choose us but, apparently, we need to keep it brief so here are our top 5.
1 Employability - our graduate employment rate of 95% (HESA 2021) puts us in the top 10 of UK universities for graduate employability.
8
2 Top quality teaching from academics and industry professionals. We’re proud to be a top 30 UK university for student satisfaction with our quality of teaching, which we rank fifth for in London and the South East (Complete University Guide 2022).
3 We are a modern, agile university that is student-focused and employer-led, dedicated to teaching you the skills you need to futureproof your career. We have invested £100 million in state-ofthe-art learning facilities so you have access to the latest industrystandard equipment and software.
4 Our Students’ Union is in the top 5 in the UK (NSS 2021), and our BIG DEAL means that all our students can take advantage of FREE social, sporting, personal development and fun activities.
5 Our students are core to everything we do, we don’t just teach you, we know you, nurture you and cheer you on. You are never just a number to us.
9
M1 M11
AYLESBURY A41
HIGH WYCOMBE M25
M40
UXBRIDGE LONDON
PINEWOOD STUDIOS M4
M3 M20 M23
OUR CAMPUSES High Wycombe Campus Queen Alexandra Road High Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP11 2JZ
10
Uxbridge Campus
Aylesbury Campus
106 Oxford Road Uxbridge Middlesex UB8 1NA
59 Walton Street Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP21 7QG
11
HIGH WYCOMBE
Our main campus is right in the middle of High Wycombe – a lively town offering everything you need to make your student years memorable. From amazing shopping to buzzing nightlife, vibrant culture to rolling hills and countryside, High Wycombe has everything you could need right on your doorstep. BNU is renowned for our state-of-the-art facilities and innovative teaching methods. When we say ‘hands-on’ we really mean it. From our TV studios, simulated NHS wards, music mixing suites, psychology labs, police custody suite, brand new photography studios and amazing art and design studios and workshops. Check out our course pages to see how we teach you the real skills you need to follow your dream career.
12
13
Whilst our self contained campus has lots to offer, you will be wanting to explore further afield and High Wycombe has everything you need.
Shopping The Eden Centre is right next to the University campus, with over 100 shops including high-end & high-street fashion and a host of dining and leisure experiences including a multiplex cinema and bowling centre. There are also a growing number of funky independent shops like the Craft Coop, featuring the work of local artists, and Ruby Moon, which “celebrates the unusual”! High Wycombe also has the old town quarter which hosts a lively street market three times a week with a whole array of small street food vendors catering for every possible taste and budget.
14
Restaurants, bars and cafés As well as the usual big chains – Wagamama’s, Pizza Express, Bill’s – High Wycombe boasts a whole host of smaller artisan restaurants, bars and coffee shops. Mad Squirrel combines a local brewery and tap room with the best wood fired pizzas in town. Lata Lata, right outside the University, is the place for cocktails, small dishes and a laid-back vibe. Fancy something spicy? Kapaad is renowned for it’s amazing southern Indian cuisine but there is no shortage of alternatives serving late into the night. The American Smoke House Blue Grass serves huge portions of bbq, burgers and dirty fries all day for really low prices. If coffee is your thing then High Wycombe really is your town – and it’s not just the high street chains. Local independents have a strong presence from Hatch Coffee, The Vanilla Pod Café Patisserie and The Front Room all getting our vote. Great relaxed places to hang out for lunch and a smoothie.
15
E X P LO RE. T HE B E AUTIFUL C HI LTERN HIL L S LO C ATED ON OUR DOOR S T EP.
16
Go to Buckinghamshire New University you won’t get a better all round experience. It prepares you for the working world and it’s a university where you really feel part of it. SOPHIE PARFAIT POLICE STUDIES WITH CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
17
UXBRIDGE
Home to many of our nursing courses, BNU’s Uxbridge Campus is purpose built to deliver our award-winning courses. With state-ofthe-art simulation facilities, library, café and Students’ Union, our Uxbridge Campus is always lively, and our nursing students love the hustle and bustle. Uxbridge is located in West London, meaning you can be in central London in no time, but giving you the best of local culture and community. From the brilliant Chimes Shopping Centre to local delis, countless bars, restaurants and proper local pubs – Uxbridge even boasts a local beach at Ruislip Lido.
18
19
AYLESBURY
Our campus in Aylesbury offers a wide range of specialist, work-related courses for students of all ages, including nursing, foundation year programmes, business, law and computing courses and our apprenticeships. Featuring amazing nursing simulation suites, with scarily realistic mannequins, and all the top end technology our students need to learn the skills for their dream careers. And they have a wonderful canal-side café – mustn’t forget that! Aylesbury is a small and friendly town, mixing modern shopping centres with a traditional high street, packed with independent shops and a weekly Foodie Friday food market in the Market Square.
20
Small doesn’t mean boring – Aylesbury has everything you could wish for, including two theatres, museums, bars, restaurants and sporting facilities, all set in the beautiful Aylesbury Vale with countryside and stately homes on your doorstep.
21
OUR
SUBJECTS
•
Art and Design, Fashion and Photography
•
Music, Film & TV and Events
•
Aviation and Tourism
•
Nursing & Midwifery
•
Building and Construction Engineering
•
Operating Department Practice
•
Business, HR and Finance
•
Paramedic Science
•
Computing, AI and Games Design
•
Policing and Intelligence Analysis
•
Dance and Performing Arts
•
Psychology and Criminology
•
Education & Early Years
•
Social Work & Health Care
•
Graphics & Illustration
•
Sport and Sport Therapy
•
Hair & Make-Up for Film & Performance
•
Visual Effects and Animation
•
Law
22
23
K E Y STATS
TOP 30
UK University for student satisfaction 1
95%
UK’S TOP 5
2
GRADUATES
ACHIEVE
of graduates in work or further study 15 months after graduation 3
5th lowest graduate unemployment rate in the UK across multi-faculty UK universities 4
TOP 20
TOP 25
for social inclusion 5
24
Bucks Students’ Union in
university for teaching quality 6
All data based on the latest information at time of print.
1 The Complete University Guide 2022 2 NSS 2021 3,4,8 HESA 2021 5 The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020 6 Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021 7 Complete University Guide 2022
£
TEF SILVER
100 MILLION
12TH
TOP 10
in recognition of our teaching excellence
for our academic services spend on supporting services such as libraries and IT 7
Targets for carbon reduction consistently exceeded
63% REDUCTION since 2011
invested in our campuses
for postgraduate employability 8
First university to achieve
GOLD LEVEL corporate social responsibility accreditation
25
COMING TO
BNU We’re really looking forward to welcoming you to BNU. We understand you may be feeling a bit concerned about your travel plans and the extra costs involved with quarantining. Don’t worry – we can help you!
requires it, you will still need to self-isolate in your room for the required 10 days.
Covid-19 testing
Check out our package to help with your travel plans.
Need a Covid test when you arrive? We will cover the cost up to £210 of any Covid testing you are required to take on arrival in the UK, in line with Government guidance.
Coming from a Red list country?
Passenger locator form
To help with your travel plans, we will be refunding the cost of the managed quarantine hotel and test package up to £2,285 for all new and returning students in September 2021.
Not sure if your country is on the red list or the hotel quarantine process? Visit the UK Government website.
Our accommodation To help you, we are allowing all students arriving from outside the UK to arrive at the halls from Saturday 28 August. This will allow everybody who needs to self-isolate to do so before Welcome Week and before your course starts. In addition, we are pleased to confirm that you will not be charged for arriving early. Because restrictions related to individual countries changes regularly, this offer is available to anyone arriving directly to the halls from outside the UK or from hotel quarantine (red countries). If you cannot arrive early, that’s OK, but if government guidance
26
Before travelling to the UK, don’t forget to complete a Passenger Locator Form. The form must be completed 48 hours before you travel and you’ll need to show your completed form when you check in to travel or board your plane, train or ferry to the UK. We’d hate you to be turned away on arrival!
What are the rules for your country? To find out more about which countries are on the red, amber and green list as well as the rules for each country, the Passenger locator form, and the hotel quarantine process, visit the UK Government website.
When to arrive in the UK If you are travelling from, or through a red or amber list country, we recommend that you arrive in the UK by Saturday 28 August. This will allow you to complete the 10-day quarantine before arriving at BNU, ready to join in with all the great activities we’ve got planned for our Welcome Week, starting on Monday 20 September.
Your Covid-19 vaccination Not yet had a vaccination? You’ll be able to get your Covid-19 vaccination in the UK for free, regardless of your nationality or immigration status. Once you have registered with a local GP in the UK, you can book your first and second Covid-19 vaccination. For more information check out NHS vaccination FAQs.
•
You must make this request by Friday 30th October 2021;
•
You can only access this scheme once - the University will not support multiple trips back and forth to the United Kingdom.
•
If you withdraw within 8 weeks from the start of your studies, you are liable to repay these costs back to the University.
How do I apply? Email the Student Information Centre with evidence of your travel fares alongside evidence of COVID test and hotel quarantine. The Student Information Centre will then pay into your nominated bank account within ten working days.
Terms and Conditions •
You must be enrolled full-time or part-time on a BNU taught course at our High Wycombe, Uxbridge or Aylesbury campus.
•
You must be an international or EU student. The University will not support home students returning from holidays/ overseas visits.
•
You must evidence your travel fares in your own name to the United Kingdom.
•
You must evidence your Covid-19 tests booked/paid for and obligation for hotel quarantine (if required by government guidance).
27
ACCOMMODATION There are a number of accommodation options available at BNU. If you are studying part-time or distance learning or are only required to come to the University on occasion, there are many hotels within a short distance to campus. It may also be possible to stay in our halls of residence, depending on availability. You could also choose to stay at Missenden Abbey Conference Centre, where BNU students may receive a discounted rate.
For information Visit bucks.ac.uk/accommodation Call: 01494 603 063 Email: accommodation@bucks.ac.uk
28
Full-time postgraduate students can stay in our halls of residence. There are a variety of different accommodations and rent levels and we can offer accommodation during the summer, if required. The University can also provide details of where to look for private sector housing near all our campuses.
A 12th Century former medieval abbey, set within 10 acres of beautiful grounds in the heart of the Chilterns.
29
VISAS The UK’s new and improved Student route, which falls under the UK’s new pointsbased immigration system, is now open for applications. The Student route improves on the previous Tier 4 route making for a more streamlined experience for international students. Visas that have been issued through the Tier 4 route are still valid and those eligible will still be able to apply for the Graduate Route when it opens in summer 2021. We have summarised the main things to be aware of when applying for your visa below. There’s a lot more detailed information about student visas on the UK Government website.
•
evidence of your academic qualifications – if the certificates aren’t in English, you will need to have them translated by an official translator
•
evidence of your English language proficiency
•
your deposit for your course (50% of the first year’s fee)
•
evidence you have funds to cover the remainder of your tuition fees plus living costs (see below) – this needs to be in an accessible bank account for at least 28 consecutive days
•
evidence of your immigration history – such as an immigration history questionnaire, previous CAS, previous academic results gained in the UK, exit evidence, vignettes, Biometric Residents Permits, refusal documents or curtailments
•
your valid passport.
Our admissions officer can answer any questions about visas, so feel free to contact them if you need some assistance. If you apply through a recruitment agent in your country, they can help with your visa, too. See your country page for details of agents working locally to you.
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) If you apply to Buckinghamshire New University, you meet our entry requirements and there are enough places on your course, it’s likely you will receive an unconditional offer to study with us. Once you have one of these, you can then ask for your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, or CAS, which you will need before applying for your visa. •
To issue your CAS, we will ask you to provide:
•
your unconditional offer letter (signed by you)
30
We can issue your CAS up to three months before your course starts.
31
As evidence of your funds, you can show us one or more of these: •
personal bank or building society statements – in your name or your parent’s or legal guardian’s
•
deposit certificates
•
letter from your bank or a regulated financial institution
•
letter from an official financial sponsor
•
letter from a regulated financial institution confirming you have a government, government-sponsored, academic or educational loan.
Questions about obtaining your CAS? Contact our admissions officer.
Health Surcharge As part of a Student Route visa application, all students coming to the UK need to pay a health surcharge of £470 a year to the UK Government for each year of their course. This will be calculated automatically on your Student Route application form when you start your visa application process. When you pay it, you will receive an email with your Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) reference number, which will appear automatically on your visa application.
Application process Once we send you your CAS, you can complete your Student Route application form online. You can start your application as early as you like. During your application, you will need to: •
pay your immigration health surcharge
•
choose which category/type of visa application you want to make, eg Student Route (General)
•
provide your biometrics for your Biometric Residents Permit (BRP)
32
•
pay your application fee online.
Your application will then be submitted. The Home Office will consider it and either grant or refuse your application to study in the UK, and confirm that to you in writing.
If your application is refused: You will need to let us know as soon as possible.
If your application is successful: Your passport will be returned to you with your entry clearance vignette in it. Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) will also be ready for you to collect from your designated post office when you arrive in the UK. Any questions, or need help with your visa application? Contact our admissions officer.
Credibility and Admission Interviews In 2012 the Home Office introduced credibility interviews for applicants applying for Student Route visas from overseas. You may need to attend one of these. The purpose of the interview is to check that your intentions to study in the UK are genuine. Depending on where you apply for your visa, the interview can take place at different times and places, so it’s important you are ready for this as soon as you make your visa application. You will need to be familiar with the University, the location and your chosen course of study in some detail. We also conduct admission interviews for all Student Route students, where we will ask you questions on a range of topics. Being well prepared for this interview should give you a head start if you then need to have a credibility interview as well.
Two year post-study work VISA The new ‘Graduate’ route will be open to all international students from the 20/21 academic cycle who have valid UK immigration status as a student and have successfully completed a course of study in any subject at undergraduate level or above at an approved UK Higher Education Provider. The visa will allow eligible students to work, or look for work, in any career or position of their choice, for two years after completing their studies. More information is available on the gov.uk website.
33
OUT AND ABOUT High Wycombe nestles in the valley of the River Wye and is surrounded by the beautiful Chiltern Hills. Whilst the University campus and our accommodation is all on the flat, High Wycombe is very much a land of hills. Within walking distance of the University is the Wycombe lido, with its heated outdoor main pool, plus grass and terraced sunbathing areas. Open all year for swimming followed by a stroll around the sprawling Rye, a huge open green space for picnics, sport, games or just hanging out with your mates. How about a spot of heritage for when the folks come to visit? Look no further than the National Trust’s Hughenden Manor, the family home of Disraeli, or the elegance of West Wycombe park. And the Bradenham Estate and the scenic village of Bradenham is just a stone’s throw away with its flint cottages, village green and cricket pitch.
34
Messing about on the river The picturesque water-side towns of Henley and Marlow are just a short distance from High Wycombe and offer their worldfamous rowing regattas, rowing clubs and opportunities for sailing and open water swimming. Or how about a day trip to historic town of Windsor, where the Queen lives, is just a short drive away.
With all this going on, why would you ever want to leave? Well London is just a 27-minute train journey away, meaning you can take in the culture and sights of the capital and return home to High Wycombe at the end of the day (or night). If you fancy a bit of high-end shopping then a train ride of 30 mins in the opposite direction to Bicester Shopping Village with its 160+ luxury fashion, lifestyle, beauty & homeware outlet boutiques. Or stay on the train a few more stops, and experience the dreaming spires of Oxford
35
PLACES
OF WORSHIP SIKH TEMPLE Gurdwara Amrit Prachar Dharmik Diwan Brook St, High Wycombe HP11 2EQ 11 minute walk via Desbourough Road
SOUTH INDIAN TEMPLE Arul Gana Miku Uchi Murugan Kovil Bridge St, High Wycombe HP11 2EL 8 minute walk via Desbourough Road
36
MOSQUE Juiblee Road Mosque Juiblee Road Mosque, High Wycombe HP11 2PG 11 minute walk via Desbourough Road
37
EN J OY. T HE HUS TL E AND BUS TL E WI TH LONDON CLOSE BY.
OUR HIGH W YCO MB E C AM P U S I S
UN DER 30 MINUTES AWAY F RO M LO ND O N BY T R A I N .
38
OUR
UXB RIDG E C AMPUS I S S I T UAT ED I N W ES T LON D O N .
39
High Wycombe Campus Queen Alexandra Road High Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP11 2JZ
Aylesbury Campus 59 Walton Street Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP21 7QG
Uxbridge Campus 106 Oxford Road Uxbridge Middlesex UB8 1NA
BF1312
Telephone: 01494 522 141 Email: advice@bucks.ac.uk
BNU based at Pinewood Studios Pinewood Studios Pinewood Road Iver Heath Buckinghamshire SL0 0NH Missenden Abbey London Road Great Missenden Buckinghamshire HP16 0BD
This publication was produced by Buckinghamshire New University. © Buckinghamshire New University.
BucksNewUni @BucksNewUni BucksNewUni
BucksNewUniversity
