YOUR PROGRAMME FOR OUR OPEN DAYS LUTON CAMPUS
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. On the day we’ll provide you with a programme of the days activities and a schedule of the sessions that are relevant to your particular subject. With a wide range of talks and opportunities to meet with academics, support staff and students, we hope you get all your questions answered and get the information that you’re looking for. Enjoy your day!
CONTENTS Our campus Luton What you can do on the day Getting here – Luton Luton campus map Take yourself on a tour We’re committed to student satisfaction Notes FAQs
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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. Situated just off England’s main motorway, the M1, Luton is just 30 minutes from central London, and is home to London Luton Airport, which is just three miles from our Luton campus and the town centre. Campus Our Luton campus is located right in the heart of the town centre, whereas our smaller teaching sites, Butterfield Park and Putteridge Bury, are close by in the countryside.
St George’s Square, Luton
Brand-new library At our Luton campus work is underway on a brand-new, seven-storey library that will offer state-of-the-art IT equipment, in addition to increased space for study either individually or as a group, ready 2016. Exhibiting the best Located just off-campus, we’ve opened brand-new facilities for our School of Art and Design. The Alexon building provides students with dedicated studio and exhibition space, and replicates the kind of creative space you’d expect to see in industry. Services in a central location Our Luton campus also plays host to a Campus Centre. Not only does it offer cafes and 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. Emulating the work environment You’ll also 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 an industry-standard TV Studio, we have it all.
Artist's impression of the new library, ready 2016
Alexon building
Law Moot Court
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WHAT YOU CAN DO ON THE DAY
Welcome talks Our welcome talks will provide you with an introduction to the University; from our courses and facilities, to our 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. General talks These talks will provide you with detailed information 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. Campus tours Tours are a great way to get a real 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, Learning Resources Centre and our Students’ Union space. Tours will run throughout the day, so you can view our campus at your leisure.
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Accommodation information and tours Accommodation tours will also run throughout the day, and will give you an opportunity to see the halls of residence we have around campus. 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, as well as lots of other useful information. Academic hubs Our academic hubs provide an opportunity to speak with academic staff from your chosen subject areas. They will be on hand to provide detailed course information and answer questions you may have. Pop along for an informal chat.
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 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 8-9 for a map and for locations of the town centre car parks. *Subject specific programmes will be handed out upon arrival to the open day.
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. Support services Representatives from our support services will be available during the day to offer advice and information in their area of expertise. Have an informal chat and find out all the information you need regarding the support services available to you. Support service representatives who will be present on the day include: • Careers • Students’ Union • Admissions • Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) • Disability Support • Money Advice Plus more…
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GETTING HERE LUTON
Butterfield Park Bedford Campus 20 miles/31km Stopsley Common
Stopsley Wardown Park
Alexon building Dunstable
Luton Station
Arndale Shopping Centre
Town Hall
Luton campus
Luton Airport Parkway Station
London 30 miles/48km
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Stockwood Park
Vauxhall Recreation Centre
Putteridge Bury
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Luton campus: 30 miles north of London, 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 ■
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2000 Ft
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= Student Accommodation
London Luton Airport
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Car parking If you are travelling to the open day event 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 colour of the band signifies the faculty your course of interest sits in.
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Health & Social Sciences Education & Sport Business School
Creative Arts, Technologies & Science
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G Block – Campus Centre Registration Welcome to Bedfordshire talk Academic Hubs: Health & Social Sciences – Level M • Nursing & Healthcare • Psychology • Social Sciences • Sports Therapy Education & Sport – Level M • English Language & Communication Business School – Level 1 • Accounting & Finance • Business Management & HRM • Marketing, Tourism & Hospitality • Law Creative Arts, Technologies & Science – Level 1 • Computer Science & Technology • Life Sciences • Media & Journalism • Art & Design – Alexon House Campus and accommodation tours Support services Refreshments
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TAKE YOURSELF ON A TOUR
Our Open Days are designed so that you can tailor the day to suit you. As well as subject specific talks, we have campus tours available throughout the day which give you a great overview of the Luton campus and our many facilities. 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. Take a look at our guide below for the things you just won’t want to miss out on.
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41 Learning Resources Centre
Also known as our library, the Learning Resources Centre (LRC) offers a vast array of facilities which our students use extensively to support their studies. Not only is the LRC open 24/7, but it also offers 150,000 printed books, 30,000 e-journals and 4,000 e-books. The LRC also houses our new IT Suite on the ground floor with PCs, as well as areas designed for group study.
42 New Library – under construction
By late 2016, our Luton campus will boast a brand-new multi-million pound library. Spread over seven floors, this exciting facility will be home to state-of-the-art IT and AV equipment, group study areas, quiet study areas, a cafeteria, and is designed to suit the differing requirements of all Bedfordshire’s learners.
43 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 careers, 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 the EmployAble’ initiative, and find out more about the many extra-curricular activities you could get involved in as a student to build up your skills and experience, ready for when you graduate.
44 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 levels 1 and 2. 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.
45 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.
46 Tree House
Our Community and Faith team based in the Tree House at Luton welcomes students of all faiths and beliefs. The team offers confidential personal support and a range of social activities and events. Tree House 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.
47 Accommodation
Take a look around Fitzroy Court, our new 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 V Plus membership, which provides some great free activities or discounts to enjoy around town. Other accommodation is available, see pages 8 and 9.
48 PG Centre
The Postgraduate and CPD Centre is the newest addition to the Luton campus. The PG 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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We’re committed to student satisfaction
At Bedfordshire we have made enhancing the student experience our top priority over the last three years, which was reflected in the 2015 National Student Survey (NSS) results. Our students continue to have a positive and satisfying experience at the University of Bedfordshire and we remain one of the top 10 universities in the country for improving the student experience. We also continue to be one of the leading universities in the country for improving the career prospects and career choices of our students.
“These results will show to students considering the University of Bedfordshire that we are whollycommitted 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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NOTES
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) Q
Where should I park?
Q
Can I view the student accommodation at an open day?
A
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 8-9 for a map and for locations of the town centre car parks.
A
Yes. You are able to see our show flats throughout the day to give you an idea of what the accommodation is like at Bedfordshire.
Q
Can I go on a campus tour?
A
Yes. Guided walking tours around campus take place throughout the day and last approximately 45 minutes – 1 hour. Taking a campus tour provides a great opportunity to get a feel for the campus, see our facilities, and speak to one of our current students as they lead you round.
Q
Do I need to come for the whole day?
A
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.
Q
Can I bring family members and friends along to the open day?
Q
Can I attend more than one subject talk?
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Yes. Many of our visitors will be interested in studying more than one subject with us, and it is up to you as to 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 hub to speak to our academics directly to find out more about your subject and particular course of interest.
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 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: opendays@beds.ac.uk
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Q
Do you have disabled access?
A
All our venues 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: opendays@beds.ac.uk
Q
What happens if I haven’t pre-registered for the open day?
A
Don’t worry. We usually ask event attendees to register to attend prior to the open day to save you time on the day when you arrive. If you haven’t pre-registered to attend the open day, just pop along to our registration desk on arrival and complete a registration form. Once this is complete you can get your programme for the day and begin looking around the University.
Q
What happens if I can’t attend an open day?
A
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. This offers 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
Q
Where can I stay overnight?
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There is a wide selection of hotels in the town centre, some of which are within walking distance of the Luton campus.
Q
It’s less than a week before the open day and I haven’t received any information from you by post, what shall I do?
A
Quite a lot of our communications about open days are sent via email, so please do check your email account for any communications from the University of Bedfordshire. If you haven’t received an email, or anything via the post please do not worry. Key information about the campus and talk times will be in our online brochure for you to look at, as well as maps and directions to reach us on campus. You can ask our advisers for information via our Live Chat: www.beds.ac.uk or you can contact our Recruitment team for information regarding our open days by emailing: opendays@beds.ac.uk
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Luton campus University Square Luton Bedfordshire United Kingdom LU1 3JU To find out more, contact the Recruitment team: T: +44 (0)1582 489052 E: opendays@beds.ac.uk or W: www.beds.ac.uk/opendays Chat to us live, Monday – Friday between 8.30am – 5pm via: www.beds.ac.uk
Log in to your very own personalised web portal: Belong at Beds, which tells you everything you need to know about your subject area. Visit: belong.beds.ac.uk