International Students' Guide

W E L C O M E

HELLO AND WELCOME TO ENGLAND AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE NEW UNIVERSITY!

We are so excited to have you on campus and studying with us.

Whether you study at High Wycombe, Aylesbury, Uxbridge or Pinewood Studios, you are now part of the BNU community and a member of Bucks Students’ Union - the second best students’ union in the UK.

We know that starting university can be an exciting but nerve-wracking experience, especially when you have relocated to a new country entirely.

That’s why we’ve created this little booklet to help guide you through settling in, life in the UK and where to go if you need help. Don’t worry!

You’ll have plenty of introductions and welcome talks to help you get settled in, but we thought it would be handy to have this guide to refer back to when you need.

You are our number one priority. It is our mission to make life better for students at Bucks, by making you feel safe, cared for and included. We provide unmatched opportunities to get involved with sports, societies, events and so much more, entirely for free, all thanks to The Big Deal

So, what are you waiting for? Get stuck in, we can’t wait to see you.

Charlotte Leighton-Woods Your Bucks Students’ Union President

I N T E R N A T I O NA L O F F I C E R

Hi everyone,

A warm welcome to all of you. I am Sruthi K Subhash, an international student from India. I am currently pursuing my International MBA at BNU, and am happy to share that I am your Executive Officer for international students this year.

As an international student, I know the struggles we face are real and tough to go through. You may have different concerns and requirements than I have, but we are here to make sure that you are not alone in this new journey. Our Students’ Union is with you in this journey and you can find everything you might need on their website bucksstudentsunion.org to get solutions for all your queries. They are here to make your life at BNU easier and more comfortable. I will frequently be in touch with you all throughout this journey to help and guide you.

Once again, welcome to BNU and let us learn and grow together and bring wings to our dreams.

All the best for your future and lets make BNU proud.

- Sruthi

B E N E F I T S

The Big Deal is a unique package that allows us to be the only Students’ Union in the UK to offer all our services for free. This includes everything from sports, societies, events, nightlife, trips and so much more. As a student at BNU you are automatically a member of the Students’ Union (ranked second best in the country) and have access to The Big Deal, so make sure you get involved.

You can find everything that’s covered at bucksstudentsunion.org/ bigdeal.

Student discount cards/apps – As a student, you can sign up to several organisations that provide discounts for students on things like tech, clothing, food and much more. Here are just a few: UNiDAYS Student Beans

A lot of chain shops/restaurants offer student discounts too, so it’s always worth asking if there is any student discount available.

Railcards – if you plan to travel by train a lot, we recommend you purchase a Railcard, which gives you 1/3 off rail travel. Visit railcard.co.uk to get yours.

S E T T L I N G I N

First things first – get to know your fellow students. The Students’ Union offer mixer sessions for many different groups of students,so keep an eye on the What’s On page for thisForgottenbucksstudentsunion.org/whatsonsomething?

Don’t panic. The Multifaith Chaplaincy run Bucks New Usage, which collects donations of houseware, such as pots, pans, kitchen utensils, bedding etc., which BNU students can help themselves to for free.

Private accommodation – there are strict rules to protect tenants against mistreatment at the hands of landlords. You’re entitled to live in a home that is safe, secure and clean. Don’t be afraid to report broken furniture/inadequate living spaces (mould, leaks, broken windows etc.). It is the landlord’s responsibility to fix these things and this is what you pay rent for. It may also help to get contents insurance just in case you accidentally damage something within the house as this can save you a lot of money. If you have any concerns or queries, please contact the Students’ Union Advice Centre or The Accommodation Service.

Council tax – all homeowners/renters must pay council tax in the UK, however full-time students are exempt. You may need to prove this by getting a ‘Proof of Student Status’ letter which you can get from The Student Hub students@bucks.ac.uk. If you are living with someone who is not a student, the household will still be required to pay council tax, but at a discounted rate. For more information please visit gov.uk/council-tax.

TV licence – households in the UK require a TV licence if they want to watch live TV or BBC/BBC iPlayer content. However, if you are simply using streaming services such as Netflix to watch on demand shows (ones that are not broadcasted live) you do not need a TV licence. Visit tvlicensing.co.uk for more information.

Feeling unwell? – The NHS is a great service but can feel a little complicated at times. You should register with a GP (general practitioner) as soon as possible and in most cases that can be done both online and in person. Once registered, it takes around seven days to process your paperwork before you can make an appointment. Due to COVID, most appointments are over the phone and the doctor will decide whether to prescribe you with medication or see you in person. If the doctor prescribes you medication, this comes at a charge of £9.35 per prescription. It is important that if you are given a course of medication, such as antibiotics, that you complete the entire course. Even if you start to feel better before it is finished, or this can lead you to becoming more unwell.

The difference between 111 and 999 – if you are having a medical emergency and yours or another’s life is at risk, you must call 999 and request an ambulance. The operator will ask a series of questions about the injured person, how the emergency happened and your location before sending out an ambulance to transport the person to the nearest hospital.

111 is an NHS helpline that you can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, where you can report symptoms and they can advise you on the best course of action, whether that be making an appointment with the GP or going to hospital.

E X P L O R E

Food shopping - the UK has several different supermarkets that all vary in range and price. The cheaper supermarkets tend to have a little less on offer but still a good variety with good value for money.

◊ Cheaper supermarkets (£): Aldi, Lidl, Iceland

◊ Mid-range (££): Tesco, Morrisons, Asda, Sainsbury’s

◊ High-end (£££): Marks & Spencer, Waitrose

Heading into London - you can jump on a direct train to London Marylebone from High Wycombe, or Aylesbury where you can then hop on the London Underground (tube). The tube system can appear really confusing at first, but Apple/Google maps can give you a detailed plan of exactly which line to get on, where to get off and how long it will take when you input your destination. If you are travelling from Uxbridge, you’re already on the London Underground.

To travel on the tube you will need either an Oyster card, a travel card or a contactless debit/credit card. You can get an Oyster card at oyster.tfl.gov.uk/oyster. Travel in London is almost entirely cashless.

Things to do – the possibilities are endless and there’s so much in London that a quick Google search will reveal, but here’s some ideas:

◊ Camden Market

◊ Buckingham Palace

◊ West End Shows (download the Tix app for discounted tickets, or keep an eye on our What’s On page, as we often have free tickets)

The Students’ Union regularly organise trips and events to London so keep an eye on the What’s On page. Alternatively, if there is a specific activity/ event you would like to attend that we don’t already offer, please email Jess at jess.bradbury@bucks.ac.uk and we may be able to arrange it.

H E R E H E

T L O P

The Students’ Union Advice Centre - gives you confidential information, advice, and guidance and helps to solve whatever problem you may have. Drop an email to suadvicecentre@bucks.ac.uk who can help guide you through booking an appointment.

Representation - the Students’ Union run a large representation scheme across ALL courses, giving you the opportunity to speak your mind, give feedback and make a real positive change to our University. Every cohort can nominate a member of their class to be a student rep to represent them, and it could be you. Make sure to chat to your course leader about representing your class, or email surepresentation@bucks.ac.uk.

Counselling - if you are struggling with your mental health, please reach out. We have dedicated teams and staff members who want to help you. Simply send an email to counselling@bucks.ac.uk who will guide you through the process of booking an appointment.

Employment - if you need help with finding work whilst you are in the UK, email sujobs@bucks.ac.uk who will be happy to support you with this.

A C A D E M I A

◊ As an international student, we know the transition into UK student life might be scary, but we’re here to support you every step of the way, especially through your studies.

◊ It is so important that you attend lectures, but if you find yourself unable to for any reason, make sure to check in with your lecturer. Most will be happy to send over any key information you might have missed. Alternatively, ask one of your classmates for a catch up.

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Don’t suffer in silence - if you are struggling with anything on your course, speak up. Whether it’s a chat with your lecturer, the Students’ Union or anyone in between, a two minute conversation can solve so many problems and get you the support that you need.

Don’t fall for scams! You may be approached by ‘essay writing’ companies who offer to write your assignments for you if you pay them. Not only is it likely they will steal your money, but this is classed as academic misconduct and can get you into a lot of trouble. All work that you submit must be your own work with correct references. If you are struggling to complete work, there is lots of support on offer to help you. Contact the Student Learning and Achievement team on sla@bucks.ac.uk for further guidance

B R I T I S H E T I Q U E TE T

◊ The UK, by law, is a very inclusive place to all faiths, sexualities, cultures and disabilities. Harassment/hate is not acceptable and is, in most cases illegal, but it does happen. Make sure to report any issues within the University to a lecturer or other member of staff, and serious public offences, such as harassment and violence, to the police using 101 for non-emergency and 999 for emergencies.

◊ Staring is generally considered impolite and people like their personal space. People tend not to talk to strangers and avoid making eye contact, especially in London and on public transport.

◊ There are a huge range of accents in the UK which can be difficult to understand. Don’t be afraid to ask people to repeat things slowly for you if you don’t quite get it first time.

◊ A common greeting in the UK is ‘You alright?’ which means ‘how are you’. It’s a quick pleasantry and a good ice breaker, the best response is ‘I’m okay, you?’

◊ You may hear British people curse or swear and this won’t always be meant in a negative way. Sarcastic comments may also be difficult to interpret so please do ask if you are unsure of the intention when in conversation.

◊ A lot of places you may visit will serve alcoholic drinks and this doesn’t mean you should ever feel pressured into drinking if you don’t want to. There’s plenty of tasty soft drinks available, that are often much cheaper.

P L A C E S O F

WP O R SI H

There are multiple places of worship, for many cultures and faiths, these are just the closest to the High Wycombe Campus.

◊ Kings Church Desborough Rd, High Wycombe HP11 2PU

◊ High Wycombe Mosque 34 Jubilee Street HP112PG

◊ Gurdwara Amrit Parchar Dharmik Diwan Brook Street, HP11 2EQ

◊ Uchi Murugan Koyil Bridge Street, HP11 2EL

◊ The Sanctuary

We have a multi-faith prayer/quiet room (The Sanctuary) available for quiet reflection, meditation and prayer for those of any faith or none in room N1.10, on the High Wycombe Campus, and 3.09, on the Uxbridge Campus. This is an open door facility and does not require a booking.

C O N T A C T S