Introductions Congratulations for being accepted to study Philosophy at University of Manchester. This welcome guide will give you an introduction to the Social Sciences department a well as some useful tips about being a student in Manchester
Content:
An introduction to Peer Mentoring Meet your mentors Packing to come to Manchester Finding your way around Manchester Studying Philosophy Living in Manchester Useful Information and Contacts
Peer Mentoring The Philosophy mentor scheme is run by students to help new students get to know Manchester and settle into the Philosophy department. It gives you the chance to talk to second and third year students about module choices, their time in Manchester, and ask any questions you might have. Every first year student will be assigned a second or third year Philosophy student who will be your mentor throughout your time in Manchester. Your mentor is someone you can turn to for help in all aspects of student life, from financial problems to what club nights are good! You will have their email and can get in touch whenever you want to. Mentors will keep you informed of Philosophy events happening around the university such as lectures, society events and drop-in sessions. We also organize socials each term, attending these will be a great way to meet other Philosophy students.
Meet your Mentors Welcome to Manchester! We are Naomi and Ellie, the student co-coordinators for the Philosophy Mentor Scheme. Manchester is a great place to be a student and your first year will be amazing. Make sure you join everything you can in fresher’s week because the year will go so fast. If you have any questions before you arrive in Manchester or have any problems throughout the year feel free to contact either of us anytime. Here are the contact details for all the Philosophy mentors: First Name
Surname
Naomi Ellie Max Lauren Jonathan Skye Sebastian Rachel Benjamin Fabian
Bentley Foreman Abendstern Bourne Howie McGregor O'connor Sykes Tohill Wallace-Stephens
naomi.bentley@student.manchester.ac.uk eleanor.foreman@student.manchester.ac.uk max.abendstern@student.manchester.ac.uk lauren.bourne@student.manchester.ac.uk jonathan.howie@student.manchester.ac.uk skye.mcgregor@student.manchester.ac.uk sebastian.oconnor@student.manchester.ac.uk rachel.sykes-2@student.manchester.ac.uk ben_tohill@hotmail.com fabian.wallace-stephens@student.manchester.ac.uk
You can also join the Facebook group, which will keep you up to date on Philosophy events and the program for Fresher's week. Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/139712742894325/
Packing to come to Manchester There is so much to think about the week before starting uni and moving to Manchester so it’s easy to forget to pack those essential bits and pieces. Here’s a checklist that will hopefully help you not forget anything too important.
Bedding – Duvet, Pillows, Bedsheets Cutlery and Crockery – Mugs, Glasses, Plates, Bowls, Pans, Forks, Knives, Spoons, Bottle Opener, Tin Opener Tea Towels, Cloths Washing up liquid Speakers Doorstop Extension Cord Medicine – Painkillers, Stepsils, Plasters Flip Flops/Slippers Posters, Pictures, Blu-Tack (Alarm) Clock Coat Hangers Laundry Bag Fancy Dress Socket converter (for international students) USB drive Books, DVDs
Finding your way around Manchester. Bus There are 3 main bus companies. Stagecoach is the most expensive. Magic Bus is owned by Stagecoach, but it is cheaper and comes more frequently. Finglands is as cheap as Magic Bus but comes least frequently. If you’re going to use the bus a lot it might be worth investing in an annual bus pass for about £170. Stagecoach passes can be used with any Stagecoach or Magic Bus. There is also a free bus service between the two campuses (University Oxford Road Link, 147), just show your student card. Buses run all day and night. Bike Cycling in Manchester is popular, especially because it’s so flat. It takes around 10 minutes to cycle from Fallowfield to uni. There are lots of places to lock your bike around campus so make sure to bring a good bike lock. Walking It’s easy to find your way around Manchester walking. It takes roughly 35 minutes to walk from Fallowfield to uni, which during rush hour can be as fast as the bus. From campus to the City Center it takes about 30 minutes. Taxis Taxis are everywhere, just make sure to set money aside on a night out. If you can’t wave one down, try 01612759339—Oxford Cars, 01612283355—Manchester Cars and 01612368033—Radio Cars.
Studying Philosophy at Manchester Communication It‘s important to make sure your university email is set up and that you check it regularly. This is the main means of communication between you and your lecturers, tutors and department staff. Reading Most modules have an essential reading list but don’t feel you need to buy all the books. John Rylands library will have most of these books available for 1 month loans. You can then easily renew them for another month. In fresher’s week we will give you a tour of the campus and show you around the library so you know where everything is. Lots of reading material will be made available on Blackboard and additional articles can be found free on Jstor. If you do need to purchase any books Blackwells on Oxford road will have all the texts you need. It also sells second-hand copies – the books with green spines.
The Arthur Lewis Building is where the School of Social Sciences is on Campus
Living in Manchester Nights out Revolver, Gold Teeth and Reggae Thursdays – The Deaf Institute Pout – Revolution, Deansgate Locks Au Social – Tiger Tiger Juicy – Joshua Brooks Murkage Antwerp Mansion Look out for nights with DJs from:
Hit & Run (dubstep, drum and bass) Gold Teeth (Hip hop classics) Heads High (Dancehall. Bashment) Murkage (dubstep, drum and bass) Juicy (90s hip hop classics)
Other nights/places to look out for:
Soup Kitchen – Northern Quarter Warehouse Project Itchy Feet Red Rum in Fallowfield Canal Street is Manchester’s gay scene, a good night out for everybody Northern Quarter has lots of little jazz bars and quirky cafes Parklife Festival in the summer Pangaea Festival in the Students’ Union at the end of each semester
Little Secrets of Manchester
Font and Whalbar in Fallowfield has deliciously cheap cocktails. Trof in Fallowfield has amazing pancakes!
The Royal Exchange theatre offers discounts early on Friday morning. The Corner House is a tiny cinema and café on Oxford Road that shows international films. There is a drive in cinema if you have a car called Route 66, near the Trafford Centre. Kosmonaut is an amazing bar in the northern quarter with table tennis tables. Even though you may not be living in Withington, it’s worth the 10 minute walk from Fallowfield. There is a tasty vegetarian café called fuel and a jazz bar, Indigo, which has great Jazz improvisation nights on a Wednesday.
Useful Information and Contacts Term Dates 2013/2014 Academic Year Semester 1 starts Christmas break starts Christmas break ends Semester 1 ends Semester 2 starts Easter break starts Easter break ends Semester 2 ends
16 September 2013 13 December 2013 13 January 2014 26 January 2014 27 January 2014 4 April 2014 28 April 2014 6 June 2014
Students with Disabilities: The University has its own Disability Support Office (DSO). This is found on the second floor of University Place. You can telephone to make an appointment (Tel: 0161275 7512/ 8518.) Their website is www.manchester.ac.uk/dso Accommodation: Each individual Hall of Residence can be contacted through their reception. The accommodation office can also be contacted for general enquires on 0161 275 2888. International Students: The International Student’s Advice team can be contacted by emailing iat@manchester.ac.uk. There is also an International Society found in the William Kay House opposite the Students’ Union, which can be reached on 0161 275 4959 Nightline: This is a telephone advice and listening service run for students by students between 8pm and 8am everyday. You will find their phone number on the back of your student card (you will pick this up in the first few days) Director of Undergraduate study of Philosophy – Dr Graham Stevens. Email Graham.P.Stevens@manchester.ac.uk Philosophy Administrator – Joespeh Barrett. Email joseph.barrett@manchester.ac.uk
See you Soon!
Keep an eye on your emails for information about events in Fresher's week and see you all soon.