Begin@Beds Undergraduate Welcome Guide 2023

begin @ beds

Begin

Your student journey Thrive SUCCEED

YOUR TO-DO LIST

What to do before you arrive:

Apply for your student loan, if applicable, at www.gov.uk/student-finance

Visit your welcome portal at beds.ac.uk/welcome

Download the MyBedsLife app from the Apple app store or Google Play Store

Make sure you’ve arranged and paid for your accommodation, if applicable

Complete Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and health check (healthcare and teaching students only)

Send details of your second referee (healthcare students only)

If you require additional support, visit beds.ac.uk/disability

Find your reading lists at readinglists.beds.ac.uk

Make sure you have the following documents available in electronic format before you start your online registration. You may be asked to upload them as part of your registration.

• A passport-style photo in one of the following formats: .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .tiff; file size less than 2MB

• Access to your offer letter

• Passport/visa

• Qualifications/certificates

• Student loan and the CRN (Customer Reference Number) /finance documents/ method to pay remaining fees

• DBS and health check (healthcare and teaching students only)

Please note: registration is fully remote and supported online. Some professional courses such as nursing, teaching and social work will expect you to show original documents at on-campus appointments. Please look out for an email from noreply@beds.ac.uk with further instructions.

Arriving on campus:

Visit our halls of residence and pick up your accommodation keys, if applicable

See what support and advice the Student Information Desk (SiD) offers at beds.ac.uk/sid

Visit the library to familiarise yourself with its wide range of resources and facilities

Find out how the library supports your study at lrweb.beds.ac.uk

Access BREO - log in at pwd.beds.ac.uk to change your password. Once you’ve done this, you will be able to access BREO anytime at breo.beds.ac.uk/webapps/login

Get your individual timetable at beds.ac.uk/welcome

Attend Welcome events and activities during your first few weeks. For more information, visit: beds.ac.uk/welcome

If you require any letters or support, contact the Student Information Desk (SiD) sid@beds.ac.uk

Once you have registered, sign in to the MyBedsLife app to access your personalised student dashboard

Check out what your membership to Beds SU (your Students’ Union) has to offer at www.bedssu.co.uk

YOUR FIRST WEEK

Welcome to the University of Bedfordshire. We want to make your transition into life at Bedfordshire as easy as possible, which is why we offer you support as well as lots of opportunities to meet fellow undergraduate students.

We aim to have a mix of face-to-face and online activities to help you settle in and to get to know your fellow students and your lecturers. Our events are designed to assist you with integration into life at Bedfordshire and to support you with making new friends.

You are actively encouraged to take part in the academic welcome and induction events on campus to give you the best possible start to your University journey and life at Bedfordshire. When you arrive on campus during your first week there will be support staff on hand to help you find your way around.

To start your student journey, visit welcome.beds.ac.uk

GET TO KNOW US

Advice and insights from students

“My objective for the upcoming year is to improve student experience. I hope to achieve this by first creating initiatives that embrace diversity with the support of Beds SU team.”

“As I enter my second year in office, I am thrilled to continue serving as one of the Co-Presidents and campus equity advocate, championing inclusivity and fairness for all students.”

“I’m looking forward to making sure that students concerns are being addressed in record time.”

“In this position as the Co-President of the students’ union, I hope to serve as a representative that will be accessible to students.”

Ryan Murphy Co-President of Beds SU

chidera Umeh, Co-President of Beds SU

Mina Awal Co-President of Beds SU

Chidinma Akwada Co-President of Beds SU

SUPPORT STUDENT

Throughout your degree, you’ll have access to our Student Support teams, offering you practical and confidential advice and support.

Student Information Desk (SiD)

Located on every campus, our Student Information Desks act as your gateway to all student services at Bedfordshire. You can also access SiD online 24/7 to update and log enquiries, or search our FAQs. For more information, visit beds.ac.uk/sid

Student Engagement and Mitigation (SEAM)

The Student Engagement team provides general advice and support to students on a wide range of issues that might be impacting on their attendance, ability to submit work and progression on their course.

Disability support

Our disability support team can assist you if you are affected by a disability, a long-term medical condition or a specific learning disability.

Counselling service

We provide professional, confidential counselling for students experiencing problems of a personal or emotional nature that may be interfering with their academic work and life.

Mental health

We offer personal support to students experiencing mental health difficulties as well as support for students returning to study after a period of illness.

Student money advice

Our money advice team are available to provide you with support and information on a wide range of money matters, from hints and tips on budgeting to directing you to sources of funding.

Community and faith

All students are welcome to join our exciting programme of activities or access our confidential, personal support - as well as a range of social activities and events.

Library study support

Our library offers Study Hub to support you with your studies via academic liaison librarians; computer skills trainers; and help with enhancing your writing and study skills.

International office

We have a dedicated team based at our Luton campus, which offers support to all our international students, across all our campuses.

Registering with a doctor’s surgery

You will need to register with a local doctor when you join us; we will offer advice on how you do this during your induction week.

For more information about any of our support services, visit beds.ac.uk/studentsupport

LEARNING AT BEDS

All students at the University of Bedfordshire are asked to participate actively in personalised and realistic learning that is:

1. Meaningful

You will see personal, social, professional, intellectual and practical relevance in the curriculum

2. Active

You will be actively engaged in the learning process

3. Challenging

Your existing ideas, knowledge and assumptions will be challenged through opportunities for creative and enjoyable learning

4. Reflective

You will have structured opportunities for reflection within a process of development that will encourage you to internalise your experiences and make connections across boundaries

5. Collaborative

You will learn with and through your peers, tutors and others, face-to-face and online, creating and sustaining a learning community

6. Co-created

You will have the opportunity to influence aspects of the teaching and assessment you experience

7. Employment focused

Your learning here will have a cutting-edge focus on your future employment ambitions. This will require you to engage with employmentfocused opportunities; to reflect on your skills and experiences; and consider their relevance to the world of work

Where does learning take place?

On campus

This is the learning you will complete face-to-face. It will happen in lecture halls and seminar rooms with lecturers and a range of other professionals who may come into your classes and co-deliver sessions on academic skills, information literacy or career development. You will also learn from your peers in the cafeterias, libraries and even the gym. The campus is a learning environment so learning is everywhere.

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) or BREO

Your BREO sites will contain activities and resources you should engage with to drive your learning forward; it is also the hub for any distance learning you may be required to do.

In-work or off-campus practice

Because of our focus on employability, many of you will have placement opportunities or offcampus experiences embedded into your course. This could range from a year’s placement in a local hospital to a field trip to a construction site. The important thing to remember is that this is all part of your learning experience.

Independently

At a higher-education level of study, you will be required to work independently. This will mean completing reading and research on your own so your preparation skills will be put to the test. It is through engaging with independent study that students achieve higher grades, so keep that in mind!

UNION STUDENTS’

On accepting an offer to study at the University, students automatically become members of Beds SU, which offers a great range of services and entertainment. From championing students’ opinions to supporting a range of societies, Beds SU aims to empower every student to achieve their full potential, as well as provide a great student experience along the way.

Student community

Students can get involved in a whole range of events and activities whilst at university, from joining one of the union’s many societies to getting involved in volunteering opportunities.

Beds SU has a huge range of faith, academic, cultural and recreational societies aimed at helping you meet like-minded people and life-long friends, whilst enjoying extra-curricular activities. Volunteering is a great way to build valuable skills whilst giving something back to the community. There are plenty of ways you can get involved in volunteering at the SU, from representing your university community to fundraising events.

Student Voice

Beds SU is run by its members (the students of the University of Bedfordshire), who are at the heart of the work Beds SU do. The Union ensures that student views and feedback are championed at all levels, whether that is through the academic representative system; speaking to the Sabbatical Officers either by contacting them directly or joining them either via online or in person meetings; and offering students the opportunity to elect their representatives via the annual student elections.

Advice and support

Beds SU provides all students with access to free, confidential and impartial advice on all aspects of University life including finance, housing issues, representation, safety and welfare. Student life can be challenging at times and that’s why Beds SU has a friendly, dedicated team at hand to offer individual support when it’s needed.

ENTERTAINMENT

With the help of our Students’ Union (Beds SU), we have lots of exciting things going on in and around our campuses to make your time at Bedfordshire full of fantastic experiences.

Beds SU offers all students a range of activities and events to suit our diverse student community, ensuring students have the opportunity to meet like-minded others or experience new activities and interests. From daytime talks, family fun days, themed nights and activities hosted by clubs and societies to virtual and on-demand events, there really is something for everyone to get involved in, no matter where you are based.

Beds SU venues

Beds SU is the proud owner of two multi-functional venues in Luton and Bedford. These venues play host to a variety of events throughout the year, as well as offering a comfortable, relaxed space to simply take a break and socialise with friends.

The Metro, Luton campus

By day, the award winning venue, The Metro proudly serves Starbucks coffee along with a range of other soft drinks, sandwiches, paninis and snacks. It’s a great space for socialising with friends, catching up on some course work or taking a welldeserved lunch break with a game of table tennis. By night, the venue becomes the place to be with events such as quizzes and various themed club nights. Try our delicious range of food from great ‘grab and go’ options to freshly made pizzas served throughout the day.

The Hub, Bedford campus

The Hub, offers a space to meet with friends in the evening and enjoy a number on regular events including club and games nights.

Societies

On top of all the activities and events offered directly by Beds SU, we also have a diverse range of student-led societies that organise a whole host of activities and events. Why not get involved by joining a society or even setting up one of your own?

Welcome Week

During Welcome Week, Beds SU aims to help you settle in to University life, by making you aware of what Beds SU, the University and the local area have to offer. For full details on the activities and events taking place during your first few weeks at the University, visit bedssu.co.uk

THAN A DEGREE MORE

Represent your University

As a course or faculty representative, you’ll act as the voice for your fellow students, and help to raise and solve any issues on their behalf. You’ll receive full training from the Students’ Union.

Connections to industry

We work with lots of national and international organisations so you can benefit from masterclasses and industry talks, external competitions and live briefs. These opportunities develop your industry knowledge and experience, and build your industry network.

Enhance your employability

We offer a range of employability units which you can study alongside your degree to develop transferable skills which you can use in the work place. Build your confidence with our public speaking unit, discover the skills needed to become a freelancer, learn a new language, and much more.

Gain industry experience

Many of our courses provide you with the opportunity to gain industry experience alongside your studies. Law students are able to volunteer with the Law Clinic and Refugee Legal Assistance Project, whilst students within the School of Art and Design can gain experience at Guildford Street Press, to name just a few.

It’s a competitive world out there. That’s why we offer a wide range of initiatives and activities to enable you to develop key skills and build experience so you can stand out from other graduates.

Volunteer your time

At the University of Bedfordshire we’re committed to contributing to the development of civic and public life through involving students and staff in volunteering programmes. We offer a range of ways for students to get involved in volunteering, from one-off events to regular and long-term commitments.

Take over the airwaves

Radio LaB is the University’s very own community radio station, broadcasting throughout Luton and Bedfordshire. You can get involved in presenting and producing your own shows on a subject that interests you. Listen online at: radiolab.beds.ac.uk

Get into clubs and societies

At the University of Bedfordshire we have a wide range of faith, academic, cultural and recreational societies for you to get involved in. And if sport is more your thing, we have over 40 sports teams competing in the British Universities and Colleges Sports (BUCS) leagues.

Free Gym Membership

As part of our commitment to your wellbeing and as an acknowledgement of the impact of the cost of living, we are introducing free gym memberships from September 2023 for our students in Luton and Bedford. That means you can use our gyms, take part in our free Get Active fitness classes and get advice from our gym staff all without charge. This offer is currently for the academic year 2023/24.

Both gyms feature a selection of cardiovascular equipment and free weights, and Bedford also benefits from a strength and conditioning room.

For more information, and to find out what else is available at the University of Bedfordshire, visit beds.ac.uk/morethanadegree

YOUR CAREER ENHANCING

We provide you with the support you need, alongside a range of opportunities to help you stand out from the crowd, ensuring you are ready to enter the world of work when you graduate.

Our award-winning careers and employability service

The University’s Careers and Employability Service will unlock your potential and enable you to manage your future career by providing you with professional, high-quality information, advice and guidance including:

• Specialist employability advisers

• Access to a wealth of careers information and resources online

• Help with securing professional practice years, internships, part-time jobs and volunteering opportunities

• Employment-related events, competitions and careers fairs

• Coaching on CV writing, interview skills and assessment centres

Experience through placements

Most of our courses offer you the opportunity to undertake a professional practice year in an organisation of your choice. This is an exciting opportunity that helps you apply your learning to the work place and puts you on the first step to your future career.

We also offer courses at our Milton Keynes campus, which have a 12-week industry placement sourced by the University.

*T&Cs apply. Open to UK students only. Excludes Nursing, Education and Social Work courses.

Global network

Our links with numerous organisations around the world provide you with unique opportunities to gain valuable experience and create your own global network of industry contacts. International businesses such as Nestle and Volkswagen have given our students real-world company briefs to work on as part of their studies.

Just a few of the other organisations we have connections with include: BBC, GlaxoSmithKline, Aston Martin F1, Reuters, Dance East, Luton Town Football Club, Machins, Luton, Bedford and Stoke Mandeville Hospitals, London Luton Airport, MAC Cosmetics, MIND, Sports Therapy UK and TUI Travel PLC.

Professional accreditations

Many of our courses are accredited by professional bodies which gives you a career advantage from day one. Just a few of the professional bodies that accredit our degrees are: Association of Certified Chartered Accountants, British Computer Society, British Council, British Psychological Society, Chartered Institute of Marketing, Chartered Management Institute, Health and Care Professions Council, Institute of Biomedical Science, National Association of Licensed Paralegals, Association for Nutrition, Institution of Engineering and Technology, British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences.

Many professional bodies offer free or reduced memberships for students so you can begin to build your network and keep up-to-date with industry-specific news.

Employability units

We offer you the opportunity to take 12 creditbearing units based around the theme of employability that will enhance your career prospects, develop transferable skills, and earn you extra credits in the process. Lasting between five and six weeks, the units aim to increase your knowledge and understanding of the key skills employers are searching for, helping you to stand apart from other graduates.

For more information, visit www.beds.ac.uk/careers

FACILITIES FANTASTIC

At the University of Bedfordshire, we’re continually investing and developing social and learning spaces to ensure we’re providing first-class facilities to support you throughout your studies.

Luton campus

• Specialist Art and Design building, Alexon House

• Campus Centre, housing all student services under one roof

• Multi-purpose Business Pods and Law Moot Court in our Business School

• Nursing simulation suites, contemporary skills labs and medical training mannequins

• Our on-campus gym, Aspire, offering a range of flexible membership options

In 2019, our STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) building opened featuring:

• Modern engineering labs and three specialist research labs

• A modern imaging suite which houses confocal and fluorescence microscopes

• Dedicated space for histopathology and mammalian cell culture

• Robotic equipment including humanoid robots, robotic arms and wheeled robotic platforms

Bedford campus

• Purpose-built, three-storey building, Gateway, featuring everything a student could need under one roof

• Our Campus Centre, home to a 280-seat theatre, as well as a smaller 80-seat theatre

• A Physical Education and Sports Science Centre, used to train elite athletes, including Team GB

• Nursing simulation suites, contemporary skills labs and medical training mannequins

• Our on-campus gym, Aspire, offering a range of flexible membership options

Aylesbury

Our Aylesbury campus is equipped for our nursing and midwifery students. Based at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, our students learn in a modern and vibrant environment suited for today’s vocational approach to teaching.

Milton Keynes

This campus houses high-spec teaching rooms with top-quality AV and IT equipment; a purposebuilt electronics and telecommunications lab; and a large computer lab.

For more information about the facilities available at any of our campuses, visit beds.ac.uk/about-us/campuses

YOUR LIBRARY

Our students have fantastic multimedia study resources at their fingertips in our cutting-edge, well-equipped libraries.

Our library resources

The nine-storey library at the Luton campus has dedicated silent areas, breakout spaces, pods to facilitate group work and the latest IT and AV equipment.

There are also libraries at Bedford and Aylesbury providing study spaces, ICT, customer services assistance, and Study Hub support.

The library is not just a repository of books and study resources; it’s also an important partner in research and in teaching, working towards equipping you with the skills and knowledge needed to achieve academically and maximise your future employability. That’s why our library service is open when you need it - to fully support your learning and academic life whilst at Bedfordshire.

To help with study needs, we offer induction loops, height-adjustable tables, flat-screen monitors, keyboards for visually impaired users, and Keyboard Pro software for developing typing skills.

Our extensive, sector-leading, digital library is available from most devices with internet access whether you are on or away from campus. Explore the full range of print and online books, journals, articles, databases, exam papers and dissertations with DISCOVER - the online single-search tool that searches most electronic resources and the library catalogue in one go. It saves time by showing what’s available to read online and what’s on the shelves.

For more information, visit: lrweb.beds.ac.uk. lrweb.beds.ac.uk/library

Study Hub

The Study Hub, based within our library facilities, will help you to develop your academic skills which will lead to better grades and enhanced employability.

You will find a wide range of online materials on the Study Hub A-Z resources pages, accessible at any time. These cover key areas for success such as library resources, referencing, academic writing, maths, study skills. For more information, visit: lrweb.beds.ac.uk/library/studyhub.

You can also book a Study Hub appointment which will be conducted however you feel comfortable; online, in-person or over the telephone. The service is available throughout the year, completely free and open to all our students.

Academic Liaison Librarians (ALLs)

ALLs work with faculties within the University to ensure that the resources you need for your course are available and easily accessible to you. They can show you, both individually and within small groups, how to search for the resources you need to help you with your research and/or assignments as well as provide advice on topics such as plagiarism

Microsoft Office Trainers (MOTs)

The MOT team can help you with using Microsoft Office, Word, Excel or PowerPoint in your studies. They provide help guides, training workshops, and individual or group support depending on your needs.

Professional and Academic Development (PAD)

The PAD team are here to help you enhance your writing, maths and study skills. They provide regular drop-in sessions across our campuses so you can easily access the team when you are working on an assignment or following up your assessment feedback.

For more information about upcoming workshops, drop-in sessions and one-to-one appointments, visit lrweb.beds.ac.uk/studyhub-library

FINANCE & FUNDING FOR UK STUDENTS

We want to make sure that financing your studies is as simple and affordable as possible. Here at the University of Bedfordshire we offer a range of scholarships and bursaries to support you.

UK students: University tuition fees

The 2022/23 fee for full-time undergraduate courses is £9,250 per year. For 2023 fees, visit beds.ac.uk/fees

Every course is different but you may need to budget for additional course costs such as books, study resources, uniforms and equipment. To find out more about individual course costs, please see our course information online.

Student finance

We hope you have already applied for your tuition and maintenance loans. If not, do so as soon as possible so your finance is in place for the start of term.

If you are a UK student, you can apply for a tuition-fee loan through Student Finance England, Wales or Northern Ireland, and the Student Awards Agency in Scotland, depending on where you live. Part-time students can also apply for a tuition-fee loan, providing they complete a minimum of 25% of the full-time course content per year. For more information, visit gov.uk/student-finance

UK students can also apply for a student maintenance loan to help with living costs whilst at University. The amount you receive will partly

depend upon your household income. For more information, visit gov.uk/student-finance

New students starting in 23/24 taking out SFE loans will be on payment plan 5. You do not start repaying your loan until you are earning £25,000 per year. The repayments will be automatically deducted from your salary, so you do not need to worry about sorting this out yourself. If you decide to undertake a postgraduate degree, travel, do voluntary work or start a job which pays less than £25,000 per year, then repayments will be suspended. All outstanding payment will be written off after 40 years.

Scholarships and bursaries*

We offer a Merit Scholarship, worth £2,400* over three academic years, which is awarded to those who can demonstrate a high level of academic achievement, through scoring 120 UCAS tariff points or more.

Bedfordshire Bursary

If you aren’t eligible for the Merit Scholarship, this Bursary is there to help UK students with aspects of student living such as course costs. The Bursary will give you £1,000* over three academic years, or £1,300* if you are taking your course over four academic years (including those with a Foundation Year). Please see the T&Cs.

We also offer various other scholarships and bursaries including our Sports Scholarships, Care Leavers Bursary and Independent from Family Bursary. For information about all of our scholarships and bursaries as well as eligibility criteria, please visit beds.ac.uk/scholarships

ACCOMMODATION

As a undergraduate student, there are many housing options at our Luton and Bedford campuses where you can make yourself right at home - and the University can provide help and guidance on finding the perfect place.

With London on Luton and Bedford’s doorstep, you can benefit from its cosmopolitan social scene but with considerably lower living costs. In fact, our accommodation has been voted one of the most cost-effective in South East England (Student Crowd, 2021).

Luton accommodation

The University of Bedfordshire’s Fitzroy and Wenlock Courts provide over 800 fully furnished flats with a bed, desk, wardrobe, and en-suite shower pod. Each flat also features a spacious kitchen/lounge area to relax in with your flatmates. For those wanting a little more space and privacy, our studio flats are a great option, offering a double bed, private en-suite shower room and kitchenette.

Fitzroy and Wenlock Courts have fantastic communal lounges, a games room, media room, group study room, a fully equipped gym, and laundry facilities on-site. Our halls of residence are ideally located for student life on campus, and are just a short walk from Luton town centre.

Bedford accommodation

Polhill Park is located on campus, within easy reach of the town centre and station. It offers over 500 en-suite study bedrooms grouped in flats with fully furnished, spacious kitchen/lounge areas to relax with your flatmates. Studio flats and rooms with a shower en suite are also available. The accommodation has fantastic communal areas, including a gym and on-site laundry facilities.

Added benefits

• Safety first - we have staff on site 24 hours, and electronic fob and swipe-card entry systems

• All-inclusive value - your rent in Luton and Bedford includes all utility bills and contents insurance

• Stay connected - free 30Mb Wi-Fi is also included

• Village Life Programme - meet new friends from week one with events such as BBQs and movie nights

Milton Keynes accommodation

If you are studying at our Milton Keynes campus, we recommend you stay with us at our Bedford campus for the best student accommodation. Bedford is just 45 minutes from Milton Keynes by bus. Letting agents in Milton Keynes also offer private rented accommodation options.

For more information about our accommodation options, visit beds.ac.uk/accommodation or email accommodation@beds.ac.uk

LUTON CAMPUS MAP

BEDFORD CAMPUS MAP

Aylesbury campus

Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Mandeville Road

Aylesbury United Kingdom

HP21 8AL

beds.ac.uk