New Student Guide
Welcome to Coventry University Many congratulations on gaining your place to study at Coventry University. We wish you every success during your time here. Over the next few weeks, as you prepare to come to University, and when you arrive here, you will receive lots of advice and information about becoming a full time undergraduate student – from managing your finances and planning your studies to making the most of the extracurricular activities that make up student life. This booklet signposts some of the many varied aspects of student life and helps you prepare for the start of your time with us. It’s not comprehensive – we don’t believe in overloading you with information at this stage – because when you arrive you will be given lots more information from your new academic department, our Student Services department and the Students’ Union, among many others. Of course a lot of information is available online – go to our special pages for new students at www.coventry.ac.uk/ newstudents. And don’t forget to keep the letter that came with this pack safe – it gives the date, time and location of your first session at the University.
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In many ways this is the Recruitm ent and Admissions Office – who most new undergraduate stud ents deal with over the course of the application process – handing you on to the rest of the University. And wishing you all the best for the future as well. We understand that arriving at a new place, especially one as big and confusing as a University, can be a bit daunting but bear in mind that you’re not alone and there are thousands of others experiencing the same feelings as you just now. Coming to University presents you with a great opportunity. The University will do all it can to help you along the way but how well you do here - both academically and socially - is really down to you. So grasp the chance with both hands and make your time here as successful and enjoyable as possible. This is where the journey really
begins. Prepare to enjoy...
Claire Bamforth Director, Recruitment and Admissio ns Office Coventry University
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A few administrative things to deal with first... Enrolment University in early September You will receive an email from the il will contain important ema about Online Enrolment. The ils. Please make every effort deta t lmen log-in and online enro as you receive this email. If to go online and enrol as soon Friday 9 September 2011, you have not received this email by ry.ac.uk vent l@co contact us by emailing enro
Student Funding It is extremely important that you enro l online prior to the start date of your course. However, if you expe rience any difficulties, please email enrol@coventry.ac.uk. Staff will be available to assist you in person in The Student Centre on both Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 September. When you arrive on cam pus you will be able to obtain your Phoenix Card (an ID card) whic h you will need to gain access to buildings and rooms around cam pus, for printing services and other functions. The University is carry ing out a pilot this year for the electronic submission of photogra phs for the Phoenix Card. You will receive an email if your course has been selected for this pilot, with instructions on how to complete the process. Further information can be obtained from our online enrolment guide at www.coventry.ac.uk/enrol
to help you explore The Student Funding Office is here available and provide all the different sources of funding confidential advice. you with professional, impartial and ts available from the gran and s loan Funding options include tfinance uden k/st ov.u ct.g .dire www Government at
How to pay your fees...
aries available and There are also scholarships and burs loans. Please note term t shor of emergency help in the form scholarship is emic acad our for y appl to that the deadline 31 August 2011.
There are many ways you can pay your tuition, accommodation and other types of fees including direc t from your bank account, over the counter in the Stud ent Centre and online at www.coventry.ac.uk/epay ments
For further information please visit ort or www.coventry.ac.uk/fundingsupp 2040 7615 call 024
To discuss how to make a payment or for confirmation that a payment has been received, please contact the Treasury section on 024 7615 2255 or email moneyen q.fin@coventry.ac.uk If you have any difficulties with unpa id fees, please contact the Credit Control section for advic e on 024 7615 2266 or email debtenq.fin@coventry.ac.u k If you need advice setting up a direc t debit or if you believe you have been incorrectly invoiced, plea se contact the Invoicing section on 024 7615 2277 or ema il incenq.fin@coventry.ac.uk
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New Student Guide 5
How the University is structured University you will probably be As an undergraduate at Coventry or Schools that make up lties taught in one of the four big Facu School of Art and Design, ntry Cove the the University. These are ent and Society, the Faculty the Faculty of Business, Environm the Faculty of Health and of Engineering and Computing and use the Enterprise and beca Life Sciences. We say probably of the School of Lifelong part ally actu is ee Entrepreneurship degr rgraduate course - Global Learning and we do have one unde our London Campus. Business Management - taught at
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of Art and Design
Coventry School sad www.coventry.ac.uk/c
Your induction into the University will be through one of these Schools or Faculties, normally start ing on the Monday of Induction Week (that’s the 26th Sept ember this year). You will of course get to know your own Facu lty or School very well but you will also get to know som ething about the others too through the friends you make here and the activities you join in with. To find out more now have a look on the web pages for each one.
s: Main School building d rlan the Su Graham Ellen Terry Environment Faculty of Business, and Society es www.coventry.ac.uk/b s: Main Faculty building try Business School) ven (Co rris Mo lliam Wi l) Coventry Law Schoo George Eliot (including
g and Computing Faculty of Engineerin c www.coventry.ac.uk/e s:
Main Faculty building Armstrong Siddeley Sir John Laing Alma
d Life Sciences Faculty of Health an ls www.coventry.ac.uk/h s:
Main Faculty building Richard Crossman James Starley Charles Ward
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Student Services
d Student Services team, Coventry University has a dedicate y life and give you all ersit Univ ready to help you settle in to are here. Specialist, you while need t the support you migh help with a whole professionally qualified staff can offer range of things, including: through the Student • Help with finding a place to live ; team n datio Accommo g team including a • Personal support from the CU Livin Faith Centre and and y tualit counselling service, the Spiri as well as a office ort supp s bilitie Disa the Welfare and childcare service; gh Health and • Medical assistance and care throu ery and NHS nurses surg ors’ Wellbeing, which has a doct on site; and recreation activities • Access to a wide range of sports hy; designed to keep you fit and healt ice, including Serv ility • The Careers and Employab placements and work with help ules, Add+vantage mod general advice and support.
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We know that for many of our new students this will be your first time away from home so we do all we can to make sure that the move is as easy as possible. For insta nce, our Customer Service Advisers in the Student Accommo dation team offer support during the moving in period, and beyo nd. We aim to make our students’ time at University a happy and healthy one and are very proud of the provision we have for sport and recreation, designed to give you a complete active experience. Indoor sport and recre ation facilities, located in the Sports Centre in Whitefriars Stree t, include: • Fitness suite; • Four-court hall - suitable for volle yball, basketball, netball, cricket and football; • Two-court hall - suitable for table -tennis and badminton; • Dance studio - ideal for exercise classes. The University outdoor sports facili ties are based at Westwood Heath, about four miles from the campus.
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TheHub Students’ Building ing of TheHub, the brand We are very excited about the open right in the centre of the Well, an new students’ building on Jord be a place for you will ub TheH day the campus. Throughout t up with friends or study to relax, have a coffee or a meal, mee groups. In the evening the informally on your own or in work t venue with bars and the men rtain building will become an ente , which can also be used One re Squa d calle Students’ Union club ic venue. as a cinema, a nightclub and live mus
TheHub is home to many of the servi ces described in this booklet, including: • The Careers and Employability Serv ice and thefutureworks office; the Institute of Applied Entre preneurship; Welfare and Disabilities; Health and Wellbeing, including the doctors’ surgery and NHS nurses; the Spiri tuality and Faith Centre including a multi-faith loun ge, chapel and prayer rooms; • Food and drink outlets, including the University Food Court, a branch of Costa Coffee, Grab and Go food bars and a Pizzeria. There is also a convenien ce store which includes a pharmacy; • Informal learning spaces, many based in pods designed for group project work, and lots of onlin e access; • Coventry University Students’ Unio n, including the Advice Centre and Volunteering Services along with the SU bars, snack bar and Square One. And if you are planning to carry on living at home while you are studying here, TheHub will be a major benefit, giving you a home from home at the Universit y where you will be able to touch down between lectures, get a coffee and catch up with friends or use the flexible work spac es.
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Computing rated very highly in the latest IT Service support at CU has been help and advice for new Student Satisfaction Survey. All the at rally, natu e, students is available onlin userinfo /its/ k/cu .ac.u ntry http://www.cove is done automatically as part of Your computer service registration h noting that the campus has wort also It’s the enrolment process. te printing facilities and that IT extensive WiFi coverage and remo any wireless device - laptop or Support will endeavour to connect PDA – to the network. ss to a range of on-line services The Student Portal provides acce main University website. and is accessible directly from the the ground floor of the on There is also an IT Service Desk you may have. lems prob IT any Library to help you with soon become familiar with Other online services that you will ent, Echo 360 automatic onm include the Moodle learning envir space for students. Echo olio portf e onlin lecture capturing and an g iPlayer for lectures. It 360 is especially good – it’s like havin mediums such as podcast, captures then converts lectures into you can catch up later. so ia video and other forms of rich med
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Focus on the Library erick The award-winning Library in the Fred the University in role key a Lanchester Building plays pus. You cam on ings build st busie the and is one of spend can s you will be surprised by how many hour the of and ry, there! The main focus of the Libra lop as a student. Library staff, is on helping you deve onments from envir y stud of e rang le There are a who idual study. group areas to silent rooms for indiv and the building s, floor Computers are available on all r bring your eithe can you so t is wireless throughou . wish you if one w borro own laptop or subject areas Study materials are provided for all mmended for reco s book the and we try to stock all buy some to need may you gh thou your modules, able from avail are key texts. CDs, DVDs and videos from nery statio and Media Services on the top floor floor. nd grou the on the Resources Shop ides refreshments The adjacent Deli Marché café prov in the popular hines and there are also vending mac place for good a t, men base Learning Lounge in the ds. frien with meeting up
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Friendly and knowledgeable staff can be found on all floors, so do make the most of them to find out about all that is available and how things are orga nised. The IT Services Help Desk and the Maths Support Cent re are based in the Library, and we also work closely with our neighbours in the Centre for Academic Writing. The Library staff look forward to welc oming you in the Autumn term. Look out for the intro duction to the Library in your Freshers’ Week timetable. This is your chance to meet your Subject Librarian and to find out where the materials for your course are located. Most cour ses include a teaching session with your librarian later in the first term. For further help, you can also ask at any of the enquiry desks or look out for the study supp ort assistants in their bright yellow t-shirts. You can also find out more at www.coventry.ac.uk/library
ship (IAE)
Institute of Applied Entrepreneur
W) Centre for Academic Writing (CA
s all Coventry The Centre for Academic Writing help g; structure, writin y essa of s basic the students with ing, grammar spell t, referencing, organising an argumen and punctuation. s, writing They run a series of regular workshop one-to-one writing groups, 50 minute book in advance day one-to-one the on tutorials and 20 minute book the Frederick in d base is CAW writing tutorials. The nce to the entra the site oppo – xe Anne Lanchester details visit act cont Library. For more information and www.coventry.ac.uk/caw
ed enterprise and The IAE is home to all student relat orts students in a variety supp and entrepreneurship activities lopment, networking, of ways, such as enterprise skills deve , venture creation and workshop events, ideas and planning on the first floor of them business start-up. Pop in and see y.ac.uk/iae entr .cov www at TheHub or find out more
port (sigma)
Mathematics and statistics sup
ort Centre has linked up The University’s Mathematics Supp re at Loughborough Cent with the Mathematics Education ents called sigma. stud for ce servi a University to develop
able on the ground Drop-in support for students is avail weekday in term-time y ever floor of the Library and is open mathematics and their with ents stud to help all Coventry ort available from the statistics. There is also specialist supp ents who are gathering Statistics Advisory Service to stud of data, usually as part of unts and analysing significant amo ides specialist support prov also a sigm a large scale project. alculia who are studying to students with dyslexia and dysc e module as part of a mathematics, statistics or quantitativ their course.
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Supporting and preparing you for a graduate career Coventry University aims to help all its students and graduates achieve their ambitions whether this is in further study, self employment or a graduate job. Most of our courses are employment related and have been designed to provide you with industry related projects and/or work experience. We are proud of our success in supp orting students into employment and postgraduate stud y and, in 2011, 94% of our students were in a ‘positive destination’ after completing their course.
What the University will do to help achieve this
you
bility programme ur unique Add+vantage employa •O including languages, provides a huge range of modules, ership and project lead IT, volunteering, work placement, accredited part of an form ules mod management. These gnise and develop the your degree and will help you to reco be needed for success important transferable skills that will in the graduate job market; lecturers, tutors and • Students will be supported by their ols and Faculties. ‘work placement’ staff in the Scho stry/commerce indu in ed Many of these staff have work ssions and how profe the d rstan unde and they will help you to create a network of contacts; Service will help you to he Careers and Employability •T ortunities and secure opp ce sour make career choices, able throughout a graduate job. The service is avail ds, and after the year, including the summer perio you have graduated.
•T he University is in contact with many employers who are interested in recruiting Cove ntry students and graduates. Graduate job vaca ncies and internship opportunities are available through the Careers and Employability Serv ice and your department and staff are available to support you with your CV, applications and inter view preparation; •T he Careers and Employability Serv ice organises Employer Events which bring man y employers and other organisations into the Univ ersity, including professional bodies, volunteering providers and work and study abroad agencies; •O ther staff are available in the Univ ersity to support your employability. These include ‘thefutureworks’ (University Job Shop ); Volunteering and Employability and The Institute of Applied Entrepreneurship which will help you develop entrepreneurial skills and run your own business.
ice:
For further information and adv www.coventry.ac.uk/careers careers.ss@coventry.ac.uk
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New Student Guide 15
Developing Global Graduates proud of our strong At Coventry, we are immensely International Experience the ugh thro international links and based in the Student Centre, we and Mobility Service, which is of opportunities to help you gain have put together a catalogue me attractive to employers beco international experience and around the world. able to study, work and / or These opportunities include being and taking part in international trips volunteer abroad, going on field of these opportunities are funded projects and competitions. Many available, our international but where no funding is otherwise es provides grants towards experience suite of mobility programm also offer free language We s. cost travelling and / or subsistence for experiences abroad you are prep help to s classes in 12 language e. through the Linguae Mundi programm of its long association with the Coventry University is very proud you the opportunity to study s offer mus Erasmus scheme. Eras s e, first hand, the joys and challenge abroad, where you can experienc its cred l tiona addi ing gain t whils of integrating into another culture studying abroad are exempt from towards your degree. Years spent y offers additional maintenance tuition fees and Coventry Universit y in a range of countries, with grants. Erasmus students can stud sia in Cyprus, Malaga, Valencia popular destinations including Nico as well as many other cities in , Paris and Barcelona in Spain, and ible for you to study in the US, France. Outside the EU, it is also poss Canada and China. 16 New Student Guide
We’ve also launched the Marco Polo mobility scheme for visits to China. This scheme is designed to help students and graduates become more familiar with Chinese and other Asian cultures and business practices, thus preparing you to beco me more globallyaware and globally-employable and ultimately to enter the global graduate market with those skills and attributes employers value. Funding is available for study in a number of destinations for shor t-term or longer-term placements, up to one full year. You will also be able to gain internatio nal experience by working overseas. The University actively encourages students who want to spend time as an overseas intern, on short and long placements. Rece nt students have gained work experience in businesse s, charities and organisations in China, India, Afric a, North and South America, Australia and New Zealand. Wherever possible we will help you apply for internal and external funding to help subsidise the additional costs involved. Since 2006 the University has help ed hundreds of graduates gain work experience withi n the European Union (EU). In fact, we are the lead ing UK University in our use of the EU Leonardo da Vinci scheme to support students seeking inter national work placements. Recent students and graduates obtained valuable experience with compani es including Fiat, Audi, Opel, Renault, BNP Paribas, Kuon i DMC, Bertrandt, Airbus, Atlantic Whale Foundation, and Action Against Hunger. All Leonardo work placeme nts are fully funded. China is increasingly the number one business
destination for the globally-aware and globallyemployable graduate. Our Marco Polo programme gives our students the opportunity to work or volunteer in this part of the world. To help you prepare, Mandarin classes are available through our free Linguae Mundi programme. We also have programm es to enable you to gain international experience work ing or volunteering in India (Vasco da Gama programm e), the US and Latin America (Columbus programme). Finally the Global Volunteering prog rammes help students and graduates engage with communities worldwide and support volunteering missions in developing countries. Recently stud ents have volunteered to help communities in Thailand, the West Indies, Indonesia and other developin g countries. For example, the Safari programme spec ifically supports volunteering and local development in Africa. To find out more visit IEMS in the Student Centre building or go to www.coventy.ac.u k/iems
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Shops on campus building means that many The opening of TheHub students’ d there. These include shops and services are now centralise which is open from 7.00am the convenience store, Amigo’s, 12.00pm to 6.00pm from to 10.00pm six days a week and ntials and includes a esse ent stud on a Sunday. It sells all the Shop hairdressers, a pharmacy. TheHub also has the Mop erous other food and drink branch of Costa Coffee and num outlets around the food court.
d in the Lanchester The University bookshop can be foun ated by Waterstone’s oper It’s ry. Libra the building, right next to and lots more besides. and stocks textbooks, paper, pens ive 10% off purchases Coventry University students rece October*. There are also 18th between 27th September and the start of term for at able avail s deal a number of bundle t you’re looking for the new students. If you can’t find wha book and, in most cases, booksellers can help you order any s Coventry University one’ erst you’ll have it in 48 hours. Wat via facebook.com/ or 8261 290 0843 can be contacted on twitter: @wstonescovuni wstonescoventryuniversity and located in the Library The University Resource Shop is e’s. It provides a rston Wate site walkway too, just oppo , copying and binding ning scan , print of e rang e comprehensiv drawings for nical services, including the printing of tech Resource The ing. neer Engi courses like Architecture and should see the You lies. supp art and nery Shop also sells statio ing in their hand ents are queues outside when final year stud dissertations to be bound...
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(and anyone else for that Students on Art and Design courses shop located in the the from matter) can get art supplies ing, while students on Build d erlan Suth am basement of the Grah can use the free equipment media and performing arts courses eras to cables - that is available loan service - everything from cam of the Ellen Terry building. The floor from the shop on the ground wide range of films on DVD which Media Loan Shop also carries a can be borrowed free of charge. we don’t really need our own Being a city centre campus means t banks and major building bank branches – all the high stree t, which is a two minute societies can be found on High Stree ing going towards Broadgate. walk from TheHub students’ build – one in the Student Centre, gh thou There are cash machines one next to the entrance to two on the ground floor of TheHub, one at the back of the old the Richard Crossman building and y Hall). Students’ Union building (next to Prior try
’s Coven Offer period exclusive to Waterstone *Offer ends 18th October 2011. in store for details See only. items ed Select rsity. Unive
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There’s more to university life than le ctures Sports ******* Societies *******
Support
n (CUSU) is an independent, Coventry University Students’ Unio your interests within the University. s student-led charity that represent le, make new friends and find new It is also a place to meet new peop l clubs and entertainment, CUSU passions. On top of the sports, socia and the chance to campaign on is there to offer you advice, support issues you feel strongly about. Get involved at www.cusu.org
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U
or visit facebook.com/CoventryS
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Going Green... At Coventry, we take our responsi bility for the care of the planet very seriously , and aim to help you manage your carbon footprint during your time with us. Our key obje ctive is to become a low carbon campus, and we have set a challenging target to redu ce our carbon footprint by 35% between 2010 and 2015. This means the University’s Environm ental Policy is delivering action on energy effici ency, waste minimisation and recycling, travel, and even natural wildlife – planting over 1,000 nativ e trees and shrubs in 2011. We are pleased to have achie ved a 2:1 in the People and Planet Gree n League in 2011 – find out more at http://peopleandp lanet.org/ green-league-2011/table You can start planning your sustainab le living at Coventry before you arrive on cam pus...
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Due to our city centre location, prox imity of student housing and a main coac h/ bus station, the University has an enviable low car use by students. If you are new to the city, walking and cycle routes can be found at http://walkit.com and http :// cyclemaps.coventry.gov.uk For cyclists the campus has rails and hoops, and also lockable facilities. If you are interested in using bicyc le garages or containers, please email genenq.e st@ coventry.ac.uk for further informati on. Also, there are great student disco unts for bus and coach travel. Further infor mation and journey planners can be foun d at www.networkwestmidlands.com Re-use is the best environmental option for unwanted goods and also save s you money. Coventry’s own enterpris ing students have set up a secure web site for students with coventry.ac.uk ema il addresses to trade items; take a look at www.cutrader.co.uk
The campus recycling target for to 2011/12 is 60%, and we continue ly cular parti ties facili improve recycling y ersit Univ in With s. ence in our resid buildings look out for the easy to use mixed recycling scheme for paper, card, cans and plastic bottles. From s our administrative and technical area er print nt, pme equi rical elect cle recy we ries. batte cartridges, green waste and The main environmental impact of the campus is carbon emissions from our use of energy in buildings. Last year we invested heavily in insulation and lighting so that people are more h off comfortable and can actively switc ing build Hub unwanted lights. Our new , ents stud for res is full of exciting featu gy ener le wab rene first our des and inclu n source – ground water cooling. Whe s open ing the new Engineering build on in 2012 we will have biomass heat site too.
or houses, or in private If you are living in one of our halls control of and accommodation, you can easily take hing off unwanted reduce your carbon footprint by switc r you don’t need neve whe nt lights and electrical equipme ents to try stud with ing work be them. This year we will save energy to how icate mun com to ways new and fun so look out for that. may wish to get There are groups and events you e environmentalist. activ more a are you if involved with ities or local cycle Look out for Fairtrade Fortnight activ rg.uk. You may list.o ycyc groups such as www.coventr onmental envir age vant Add+ our even wish to enrol on ns Highly Commended courses, which won a Green Gow k) award in 2010 (www.eauc.org.u ent support for The University has a lot of stud look forward to We . ities activ l enta its environm your involvement!
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Beyond the University and into the c ity... Cinemas and Film
Coventry showing all the There are two multiplex cinemas in at the Skydome in the city on Ode the are e latest releases. Thes Showcase Cinema which centre and, further out of town, the interesting are the regular is at Junction 2 of the M6. Far more Design and the Roots to and Art of film nights held in the School y last Thursday of the month Shoots events that take place ever The best place to see films at Taylor John’s House in Coventry. ick Arts Centre. There are that are on limited release is at Warw ding the very active and inclu y, ersit also film societies at the Univ h regularly manages whic ety Soci Film n very popular East Asia e of the best in Asian to get exclusive UK premieres of som writers or producers. films, often with talks by directors, . more See www.cueafs.com for
Coffee Shops
including lots of independent There are coffee shops everywhere, out, try them and choose ones, and it’s often best to seek them here too of course, with are rs playe your own favourite. The big Precinct (opposite HMV) the in a Cost e, dgat a Starbucks in Broa shop by the fountain in and also inside the Waterstone’s book ub). And there’s a TheH in the Precinct (as well as on campus in the West Orchards rt Cou Food the BB’s Coffee and Muffins on Shopping Centre.
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Festivals
Coventry and Warwickshire There are numerous festivals in the y of them are free. The area and the good news is that man (http://godiva.coventry. biggest by far is the Godiva Festival July in the War Memorial in gov.uk) held on the first weekend iva Festival has grown God the , days Park. Running over three features a big main stage as fast over the last few years and now a carnival procession and a well as lots of smaller tented stages, last three years include the in fun fair. Acts to have played there Animals, Ash and Furry r Supe s, vega The Enemy, Idlewild, Glas arances by Heaven 17, Badly Drawn Boy. This year saw appe Bizzle. Young Knives, Athlete and Lethal Festival in Leamington In Warwickshire the annual Peace is now a well established June in ) g.uk al.or (www.peacefestiv g mix of music, poetry event which attracts a really interestin al Folk Festival in late July and arts while Warwick hosts an annu k) .co.u (www.warwickfolkfestival
Food shopping
As in most cities, the really big supe rmarkets are located outside the city centre, including Europe’s largest Tesco at Arena Park. Most local to the University is the Amigo’s convenien ce store in TheHub and the Sainsbur y’s in Trinity Street – very close to the campus and very handy for students . There is also a Tesco Express in Shel ton Square, a food department in the Co-op on Corporation Street and an Iceland in Queen Victoria Road . Coventry market is also on this road and sells a big range of fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, bread and fish. And before you arrive take a look at the Student Food Survival Guide at www .coventry.ac.uk/cu/hospitality/ survivalguide as this will give you a list of the basic kitchen items you’ ll need if you are going into self-cate red accommodation.
Museums
Our next door neighbour on Universit y Square is the recently refurbishe d and extended Herbert Art Gallery and Museum. You may have been in there and not realised, if you came to a University Open Day. It has eigh t permanent galleries and there are regular temporary and touring exhib itions as well as a History Centre and med ia studios. It’s also got a smart cafe and the museum is free to get in. Go to www.theherbert.org for more details and check out www.emergem ag.co.uk for information on the local art scene. Our own Coventry School of Art and Design has two exhibition spaces – one in the Graham Sutherland Build ing and one in TheHub. These are well worth keeping an eye on for new exhibitions, especially during May and June when the Art and Design Degr ee Shows take place.
The city’s motor industry heritage is captured at the Coventry Transpor t Museum which has the largest colle ction of British road transport in the world, much of it originally built in Coventry. They also do some really interesting temporary exhibitions – ice cream vans through the ages anyone? Again, entry is free and it’s well worth a look especially if you’ re new to the city - you’ll learn a lot abou t the history of the place. Go to www.transport-museum.com for more.
Music Venues
The Kasbah is the city’s most popu lar live music venue and is a short walk from the campus and very close to Singer Hall and Raglan House. The Kasbah has been an iconic venu e in the city for years and attracts a diverse range of top acts. The last few months has seen gigs by, amo ng loads of others, Foals, Example, Publ ic Image Ltd, White Lies and The Cribs. Taylor John’s House is well worth visiting for a chance to see some of the country’s best upcoming talen t in a small scale setting. Taylor John ’s also arrange occasional performan ces in St John’s Church in the city (on Corporation Street) which is a grea t alternative venue for live music. Coventry’s stadium venue is at the Ricoh Arena on the edge of the city. Some of the top bands to have playe d there in the last year or so are King s of Leon, Pink and Take That. Ther e’s a large hall venue at the Ricoh too which gets some good bands. Nearby Leamington Spa is home to The Assembly, a regular winner of best live venue awards. The Assembly boasts an impressive catalogue of past performers including Pete Doherty, Primal Scream and Pendulum. New Student Guide 25
Theatres
the biggest theatre in the city and The Belgrade in the city centre is (deep breath) jazz, comedy, drama, ding hosts a wide range of events inclu and icals, live music, stand-up comedy pantomime, West End shows, mus on orati Corp off just ent, Plaza developm dance. It’s set in the new Belgrade The too. show a after or re befo eat es to Street, which has some good plac site for students so check out their web Belgrade offers discounted tickets at www.belgrade.co.uk rmance venues include the Criterion Smaller, more intimate, theatre perfo by an amateur theatre company ed own Theatre in Earlsdon, which is tre in the 2009 Godiva Awards, in Coventry and was voted Best Thea ey Theatre in Nuneaton. Or why the Loft in Leamington and the Abb tre al shop front theatre, run by Thea not try out the UK’s first profession de. See Arca City the in shop chip and Absolute, based in a former fish t lute.co.uk for more. And don’t forge their web site at www.theatreabso the at e plac take that performances to look out for the many shows and g ents in the Department of Performin stud by on put ly main , itself y Universit ub. Ellen Terry Building or TheH Arts. These usually take place in the Centre on the edge of Coventry is A bit further afield, Warwick Arts nds and holds over 2000 theatre, the largest Arts Centre in the Midla l arts events each year. visua film, music, comedy, dance and ly acclaimed Royal Shakespeare high the of e Stratford-upon-Avon, hom ty ey away and £5 tickets for a varie Company, is just a train or bus journ also is ntry Cove And 5. 16-2 aged e of performances are available to thos es Birmingham and its many big venu only twenty minutes by train from tre. Thea ry erto odrome and the Rep including Symphony Hall, the Hipp
26 New Student Guide
New Student Guide 27
Spor t in Coventr y
Coventry Bees speedway team are another Coventry institution with a passionate support. Based at Brandon, about 5 miles out of the city (car or lift needed really), the Bees ride in the Elite League and are the reigning league champions. There is also a basketba ll team in the city – the Coventry Crusaders, who play in EBL Division 1 – based in the City of Coventry Sports Centre which is in Fairfax Street, so just next door to the University.
ting tradition - the football The city has a long and proud spor rugby club is even older, the club was founded in 1883 and it’s a newer sport that’s days e thes ugh founded 1874 – altho ys some sport going on, the most successful. So there’s alwa much of it on your door step. are one of the most The Coventry Blaze ice hockey team s. They celebrated their 10th successful British ice hockey team were given the perfect anniversary season in 2009-10 and seasons that made it 10 four in gift – a third Elite League title e to Coventry in 2000. cam they since ons trophies in 10 seas centre, so it’s a really easy They play at the Skydome in the city e games on a Sunday place to get to. There are regular hom evening and in mid week.
the Ricoh Arena Coventry City Football Club play at h day buses to matc are e Ther city. on the edge of the buy tickets can ents stud and nd grou the get you to pionship Cham the at a discount. Although playing in the than r bette is all we actually think that the footb ay, if Anyw that! say ld wou we Premiership – but then your newly be ld shou they ntry Cove to ing you’re mov adopted team. Play up Sky Blues. Park Arena which Coventry Rugby play at the Butts anyone living at for y hand very so – End is in Spon in the Earlsdon area the Sherbourne or Apollo halls or all club, they’ve footb the (popular with students). Like in National ntly curre – ion divis top slipped out of the support and nt dece a y enjo still they but – League One . noon after it’s a good place to go on a Saturday
28 New Student Guide
For anyone interested in cricket we have the mighty Warwickshire Bears! They may play their home games in Birmingham but they are still our coun ty team. And just occasionally they play a game in Cove ntry or Stratford. The other big sporting tradition in Coventry is swimming and the City of Coventry Swimming Club is one of the best known in the country. The city’s swimming baths are located virtually on the campus – next to Priory Hall in fact. And finally some very exciting new s for next year: Coventry is going to be a 2012 Olympic venu e as the Ricoh Arena – or the City of Coventry Stadium as it is being renamed for the Olympics – is a host venue for the Olympic football tournament. Should be great!
New Student Guide 29
And finally... Travelling and Commuting travelling in from home to If you are already living locally and will find that the single site the University on a daily basis you in really straightforward lling city centre location makes trave e. plac one the in is because everything the number 27 – which A number of bus routes, including University Hospital and on runs between the Railway Stati Cox Street and n dow pus, cam the – pass right through road between ring the r unde s stop with t, Gosford Stree Buildings. is Morr m the Graham Sutherland and Willia at site ntry The National Express Cove all the information you http://nxbus.co.uk/coventry has the county. need for getting around the city and that the public car Another option for travelling in, given busy and expensive, both be can pus parks around the cam the North and South of are the Park and Rides located in cially useful if you are the city. Park and Ride North is espe orth area as the bus Bedw and coming in from the Nuneaton be found at can ils Deta pus. cam comes through the parkandride om/ ds.c idlan estm orkw netw http://www.
Before you arrive why not check out...
You may be the kind of person who is already compiling lists of what to bring – or you may be the type that just throws some stuff in a bag the night before. Either way, if you are bringing a TV, you will need a licence for it. You will also need to bring bedding, some form of ID (passport or driving licence) and your medical card. Passport photographs are always useful too, as are clothes hangers. Also note that all University owned and man aged accommodation now comes with a personal possession insurance policy. You can check out the accommodatio n website for lists of things to bring, but we asked some of our curre nt students for their advice on some of the more unusual items. Here are some of their tips: • School tie (for the school discos you’re BOUND to have!) and fancy dress items; • A warm coat, gloves, scarf, hat and a brolly - so many students pack in sunny September and get caught out when Autumn comes round; • Ice cube tray and straws and a cocktail recipe book; • Enough clothes for two weeks (you can go back and collect the rest later); • Don’t bring a kettle, toaster, iron or sandwich toaster until you have moved in and seen what the rest of your flat mates have brought. There’s no point in having six kettl es. You can get all of these items for around £10 each.
Alternatively...
t’s facebook – stay in touch with wha fan a ming happening here by beco of our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ coventryuniversity twitter – follow our tweets on http://twitter.com/covcampus
See you in September...!
run YouGoFurther – the social network r othe with chat can you re by UCAS whe ntry Cove to ing com ents stud www.yougofurther.co.uk s of videos CUTV, a student channel with load can also from Coventry University. Students at nel chan submit their own work to the ent stud /cov com http://www.youtube. s for iTunes U – podcasts, talks and video ia med our students to listen to, including of e ramm prog movers and shakers Coventry Conversations at http://www.coventry.ac.uk/itunesu
If you don’t bring anything, you mee t lots of people when you ask to borrow their stuff... 30 New Student Guide
New Student Guide 31
umbers Some useful n 7688 oard 024 7688 Main Switchb 2200 istry 024 7615 Academic Reg or 7304 73 4 7688 03 02 n io at od m Accom 7765 2011 ployability 024 Careers & Em 55 ts 024 7615 22 Fees – Paymen 15 2266 Control 024 76 Fees – Credit 77 g 024 7615 22 2040 Fees – Invoicin ants) 024 7615 gr d an s an (lo 4 7615 2050 Funding holarships) 02 sc d an s rie sa Funding (bur 33 e 024 7765 83 Medical Centr 7765 6565 TheHub 024 65 8029 isability 024 77 Welfare and D udents ac.uk/newst y. tr n ve o .c w ww
Disclaimer While the University makes every effort to check the accuracy of the factual content in this guide at the time of publication some changes may occur before the start of the academic year to which the document relates. External companies and services are referred to for guidance purposes only and inclusion in this guide does not mean that the University necessarily endorses these companies or services. Accordingly, Coventry University does not accept any responsibility and shall be under no liability whatsoever for any loss suffered as a result of a third party’s failure to supply goods and/or services. Produced by the Recruitment and Admissions Office, Coventry University, August 2011
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