SPEAK TO OUR
EXPERTS
&
advice from support services
FIND OUT ABOUT
YOUR COURSE
TAKE A TOUR
Your open day guide Luton campus 2017
WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF BEDFORDSHIRE Choosing where and what to study is a life-changing decision – that’s why the more information you have, the better. To make sure you get the most out of your day with us, we’ve put together this booklet. Inside, you’ll find details on the University’s Open Day, including campus information, how to find us and campus maps, so you can find your way around once you arrive. When you arrive on the day we’ll provide you with a programme of the days activities; which shows the times and locations of general talks, presentations and subject specific sessions. We have organised a wide range of talks and opportunities for you to meet with academics, support staff and students. We hope you get all your questions answered to help you make an informed decision about your future. Enjoy your day!
We’re now on Snapchat – add us at: uniofbeds or download our app myBeds to get Open Day information during your visit
Contents Our campus Luton What you can do on the day Why Bedfordshire? Getting here – Luton Luton campus map Take yourself on a tour Plan your Open Day We’re committed to student satisfaction Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
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3 4 5 6-7 8-9 10-11 12 13 14-15
OUR CAMPUS LUTON Luton is Bedfordshire’s largest town and is packed full of cultural diversity. The town is renowned for its urban attractions and industrial heritage, despite its close proximity to the Chiltern Hills and other areas of natural beauty. If you have time during your visit, explore Luton and its surrounding areas – location is a big factor in choosing where to study.
Campus Our Luton campus is located right in the heart of the town
St George’s Square, Luton
centre, whereas our smaller teaching sites, Butterfield Park and Putteridge Bury, are close by in the countryside.
Fantastic Facilities Brand-new library In the summer of 2016 we opened our brand-new,
New library, Luton
seven-storey library. It boasts state-of-the-art IT equipment, increased space for individual and group study, as well as presentation rooms and a café.
Dedicated subject facilities You’ll find a vast array of fantastic modern facilities to
support each of the courses on offer at the Luton campus; from a Moot Court and Business Pods, which resemble a modern office environment, to science laboratories, and industry-standard TV Studios. The Alexon building for our art and design students is a five-minute walk from campus and offers studio and exhibition space which replicates the kind of creative space you’d expect to see in industry.
Alexon building
AOursupportive environment Luton campus is also home to our Campus Centre.
Not only does it offer a restaurant, but it also houses all of our student support services under one roof. You can also find our Students’ Union in this building, as well as the bar, which is great for meeting up with friends in between lectures.
Law Moot Court
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WHAT YOU CAN DO ON THE DAY General talks and presentations Welcome talks Our Welcome talks provide you with an
TOURS Campus tours Campus tours offer a great way to get a real
General talks Our talks provide you with detailed information
Accommodation tours Accommodation tours will run throughout the
introduction to the University’s courses, facilities, future plans and visions. It is recommended that attendees and guests try to attend one of the welcome talks. These are run throughout the morning of the Open Day and are delivered by a member of the Vice Chancellor’s Executive Team.
on how to make your application through UCAS, important advice on how to write an impressive personal statement and all money matters relating to university.
Academic hubs We also have academic hubs which provide
an opportunity to have an informal chat with academic staff from your chosen subject areas. They will be on hand to provide detailed course information and answer questions you may have.
Support services Representatives from our support services will be
available throughout the day to offer advice in their area of expertise. Have an informal chat and find out about services such as careers; admissions; welfare and disability support, money advice and the Go Global team.
Subject sessions* Subject sessions allow you to get a real taste for
the course you are interested in and allow you to see and use the facilities and equipment that you would be using whilst studying at Bedfordshire. These are invaluable sessions and aim to give a true reflection of the course you are interested in. *Subject specific programmes will be handed out upon arrival to the Open Day. Check out your reminder email for a sneak peak – you’ll receive this the week of the event.
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feel for the University, and experience the environments that you will be studying and socialising in. You will visit the likes of our Campus Centre, the new library and our Students’ Union space. Tours will run throughout the day, so you can view our campus at your leisure.
day, and will give you an opportunity to see our halls of residence. The tours offer you the chance to see the kind of rooms you can expect to live in whilst studying with us. Our accommodation representatives will also be able to provide you with information such as living costs and how to apply for your place in halls.
General information Catering Complimentary refreshments of tea and coffee
will be available for all attendees and guests throughout the day. You can also purchase lunch from our food outlets in the Campus Centre.
Parking As our Luton campus is situated in the town
centre, we do not have any on-campus parking. However, there are many public car parks close to the University campus which operate on a pay and display basis. See pages 6-7 for a map and for locations of the town centre car parks.
Why Bedfordshire? Although a new university, Bedfordshire is an institution with a rich heritage, and academic roots across the county dating back to 1882. We have over 22,000 students, from more than 120 countries, giving our students a truly global experience. We nurture talent and encourage creativity, and provide a stimulating learning environment where you can flourish and reach your full potential.
Based on 2016 figures.
Butterfield Park Bedford Campus 20 miles/31km Stopsley Common
Stopsley Wardown Park
Alexon building Dunstable
Luton Station Town Hall
Arndale Shopping Centre
Luton campus
Luton Airport Parkway Station
London 30 miles/48km
Stockwood Park
See pages 8 and 9 for full campus map.
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Vauxhall Recreation Centre
Putteridge Bury
GETTING HERE: LUTON
N
Luton campus 30 miles north of London, 0
2000
boasts superb road, rail and air links. Luton is just off the M1 at junction 10, northbound and junction 11, southbound Luton railway station is a five-minute walk from the campus and is served by trains from London St Pancras International and Bedford stations London Luton Airport is three miles away and has easy access by taxi or airport bus Excellent bus and coach connections nationwide ■
■
Ft 0
1 Kilometre
= Student Accommodation
London Luton Airport
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Car parking If you are travelling to the Open Day by car,
please be aware that the University does not have on campus parking. Being in a town centre location, there are plenty of public car parks all within a short walking distance from the Luton campus, which operate by pay and display.
LUTON CAMPUS Your arrival
You will receive a coloured wristband on arrival at the Open Day. The coloured of the band signifies the subject area you are interested in.
•• • •
Health & Social Sciences Psychology
Business School
Creative Arts, Technologies & Science Art & Design
•
G Block – Campus Centre Registration Welcome to Bedfordshire talk Academic Hubs: Health & Social Sciences – Level 1 • Nursing & Healthcare • Paramedic Science • Psychology • Social Sciences • Sports Therapy Business School – Level 1 • Law & Finance • Strategy & Management • Business Systems & Operations Creative Arts, Technologies & Science – Level 1 • Computer Science & Technology • Life Sciences • Media & Performance • Culture & Communications • Art & Design – Alexon House Campus and accommodation tours – Ground floor Support services – Level 1 Refreshments – catering outlets
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Open Day registration
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TAKE YOURSELF ON A TOUR Our Open Days are designed so that you can tailor the day to suit you. We’ll have student-led campus tours available throughout the day, but if you’d rather go solo, you can use this section to go on a self-guided tour and navigate your
way around campus based on what you would like to see. Each of the facilities listed are numbered in accordance to the map, so it’s easy for you to find your way around.
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43 43
42 5 41 4
46 47 46
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41 New Library
In the summer of 2016 we opened our brand-new multi-million pound library. Spread over seven floors, this exciting facility is home to state-of-the-art IT and AV equipment, group study areas, quiet study areas, a cafeteria, presentation rooms, and is designed to suit the differing requirements of our learners.
42 Careers
Based on the ground floor of the Campus Centre is our new look, award-winning Careers service. The team is made up of qualified and experienced advisers, information and guidance experts, as well as industry experts who offer a drop-in service and bookable guidance appointments to help you shape your career options. The team also help students secure internships and placements, as well as part-time or volunteer work. Be sure to ask them about our EmployAble initiative, and find out more about the many extra-curricular activities you could get involved in to build up your skills and experience, ready for when you graduate.
43 Student Information Desk (SiD)
The Student Information Desk, or SiD as we like to call it, is the gateway to student services in one convenient location. SiD desks are located in our Luton Campus Centre on level 1 and also in F block. SiD is also available online as a 24/7 support tool, which enables you to view and update enquiries, log new enquiries and search a database of over 500 Frequently Asked Questions via the internet. We also have our student support here, which offers practical and confidential advice and support for all students at the University; such as disability support, welfare and community and faith.
If you get a little lost during your campus tour, visit us on the ground floor of our Campus Centre (the gold building) where there will be lots of people who can point you in the right direction.
44 Students’ Union
The Campus Centre is also home to Beds SU. On the mezzanine floor you can check out The Lounge, which offers reasonably priced food and drink and runs a variety of events, including quizzes, open-mic nights and the latest society events. The SU also spans the first floor of the Campus Centre, and this is where you can go if you have any questions about your studies during your time as a student, and you can seek free, confidential advice from the Beds SU’s Advice Centre.
45 Treehouse
Our Community and Faith team based in the Treehouse at Luton welcomes students of all faiths and beliefs. The team offers confidential personal support and a range of social activities and events. Treehouse can give you information and link you with local faith communities and places of worship. Prayer and Quiet Rooms are also available at our Putteridge Bury and Bedford campuses.
46 Accommodation
Take a look around Fitzroy Court, our on campus, en-suite accommodation. Meet the team and find out more about what campus living is really like. The accommodation team assists you in many ways: from greeting you and making you feel welcome, to planning social events and activities throughout the year. Speak to the team today, and find out about the Vplus membership, which provides some great free activities or discounts to enjoy around town. Other accommodation is available.
47 PG Centre
The Postgraduate and CPD Centre opened in 2013, and offers innovative teaching and learning spaces, two Harvard-style lecture theatres, social space and even a games room. This professional facility is dedicated solely to the use of our postgraduate students.
Any questions? Feel free to join our main campus tours, which are held throughout the day. Or if you have any questions, please do ask any member of staff or our student ambassadors who are all on hand to help.
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PLAN YOUR OPEN DAY Time: General talks and presentations
Subject sessions
Tours
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Location:
We’re committed to student satisfaction At Bedfordshire we have made enhancing the student experience our top priority over the last four years, which was reflected in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2016 results. Our students continue to have a positive and satisfying experience at the University of Bedfordshire, and we remain one of the top 20 universities in the country for improving the student experience. We also continue to be one of the leading universities in the country for career prospects and career choices.
“These results will show to students considering the University of Bedfordshire that we are wholly committed to ensuring our students have the best possible student and learning experience. This is reflected in our high-quality teaching, our outstanding facilities and the great student support we provide. “We offer our students a truly lifechanging, life-enhancing experience that will inspire them to become employable and entrepreneurial global citizens.” Bill Rammell Vice Chancellor University of Bedfordshire
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) Q A
Q A
Q A
Where should I park? As the University of Bedfordshire is situated in a town centre location, we do not have any on-campus parking. However, there are many public car parks close to the University campus which operate on a pay and display basis. See pages 6-7 for a map and for locations of the town centre car parks.
Q A
Can I view the student accommodation at an Open Day?
Q A
Can I go on a campus tour?
Q A
Can I bring family members and friends along to the Open Day?
Do I need to come for the whole day? We recommend that you come for as much of the day as you can to get the best experience of the University of Bedfordshire. We have a range of talks and tours available to suit your needs which are held throughout the day. Can I attend more than one subject talk? Yes. Many of our visitors will be interested in studying more than one subject with us, and it is up to you which sessions and talks you attend. You can customise your day, and select the talks that you are most interested in. If it is not possible to attend talks for all of the subjects that you are interested in, you can pop along to the academic hubs to speak to our academics directly to find out more about your subject and particular course of interest.
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Yes. You are able to see our show flats during our accommodation tours, which are run throughout the day.
Yes. Guided walking tours around campus take place throughout the day and last approximately 45 minutes-1 hour.
Yes. When you pre-register online to attend the Open Day, we ask you how many people you will be bringing with you, and any special requirements that you and your guest(s) may have for the day. If the number of people who are attending the event with you changes, simply contact our Recruitment team to notify them: study@beds.ac.uk
Q A
Do you have disabled access?
Q A
What happens if I can’t attend an Open Day?
All our campuses have disabled access. If you need any help on the day please do ask a member of staff or one of our student ambassadors who will be pleased to assist. If you would like to contact us before the Open Day to discuss your requirements or for further advice, please email: study@beds.ac.uk
Q A
Where can I stay overnight? There is a wide selection of hotels in the town centre, some of which are within walking distance of the Luton campus.
If you can’t make it to our Open Day, don’t worry. We run a number of events throughout the year so there are plenty of opportunities to visit us on campus. Visit: www.beds.ac.uk/opendays to take a look at the next available dates. If you can’t wait until the next event to take a look around, then have a look online for our list of campus tours. These offer a more informal tour around campus and our facilities, often led by one of our own students. If you have particular questions that you would like answering, then don’t forget you can ask via our online Live Chat, accessible via our website: www.beds.ac.uk
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“I came to an Open Day and saw the facilities and it got me really excited.” Chera Gilbert BA (Hons) Business Studies (International) student
Luton campus University Square Luton Bedfordshire United Kingdom LU1 3JU To find out more, contact the Recruitment team: T: +44 (0)300 3300 073 E: study@beds.ac.uk W: www.beds.ac.uk/opendays Chat to us live, Monday-Friday between 8.30am-5pm via: www.beds.ac.uk
We’re now on Snapchat – add us at: uniofbeds or download our app myBeds to get Open Day information during your visit