PREPARING FOR UNIVERSITY 2022
WELCOME As you’ve accepted your offer to study with us, you’re a step closer to what is going to be an unforgettable and life-changing university experience. By now, you might be wondering whether there is anything else you need to prepare ahead of September, so this guide is here to tell you what you need to know and do before arriving, as well as giving you a few things to look forward to. If you’re not sure about anything, please get in touch – you’ll find useful contact details throughout this guide. You can also visit chester.ac.uk/us to find more information about the University and your course, and better still, you can chat to one of our students to get a firsthand insight into what it’s like and what opportunities are available to you at Chester: head to chester.ac.uk/ask.
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CONTENTS 4 5 6–7 8-9 10-12 13 14-16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Getting Ready Accommodation Before You Arrive Welcome Week Settling In Teaching and Learning Alongside Your Studies Getting About Confirming Your Place What if Chester is Your Insurance Choice? We Know Things Change Money Matters Things to Note Checklist
Contact Details If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch: www.chester.ac.uk enquiries@chester.ac.uk 01244 511000 3
GETTING READY To help you hit the ground running, you’ll need to complete all the activities on PASS, our Pre-Arrival Student Site before you start in September.
pass.chester.ac.uk Logging in is easy – you’ll just need your student number, which is on the front of the letter you were sent with this guide (so keep it safe), and your password, which is your date of birth in the format CheYYYYMMDD (unless you’ve already changed it). Once you’re logged in, you’ll see a list of pre-arrival tasks and information to refer to before the start of term. You can access PASS on your mobile. All you need to do is download the University of Chester app. If you do have any problems accessing PASS, just get in touch.
T: 01244 511234 E: lis.helpdesk@chester.ac.uk 4
ACCOMMODATION If you applied for University or partnership accommodation by the priority deadline on 10th June, you should have now heard from our Accommodation Team regarding a room being available for you. Remember, if you are waiting to receive exam results and your place at Chester is still ‘conditional’, your actual room allocation will be confirmed following results day, around the end of August. If you haven’t yet applied for accommodation, it’s not too late to submit an application via PASS. However, please be aware that priority will be given to applications received before the deadline. For more information on how to apply, please visit our website: chester.ac.uk/accommodation
T: 01244 513000 E: accommodation@chester.ac.uk
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BEFORE YOU ARRIVE We’ll be in touch with a schedule of pre-induction activities to help you get into the swing of things before you even arrive. You can also get prepared by: l
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Joining our Facebook Offer Holders Group to connect with other students joining in September: facebook.com/groups/uocofferholders2022 Attending our online ‘Getting Ready for Uni’ event on Wednesday 10th August, where a wide range of staff from our student support teams will be on hand to chat and answer your questions. Keep an eye on your emails for your link to book.
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WELCOME WEEK Welcome Week is the perfect chance for you to settle into student life. Our Induction Team, the Athletics’ Union and the Students’ Union have pulled together a schedule of activities to keep everyone entertained. With more than 100 events running across the week, there will be something for everyone – and lots of ways to help you explore the area, make friends and settle into your new home before teaching begins. You’ll also be introduced to our many support services and will spend some time with your academic department – getting to know your course friends and lecturers and taking part in a range of activities, as well as beginning to understand the expectations of Higher Education (HE). We’ll be in touch with a full schedule of Welcome Week activities before the start of term.
chester.ac.uk/induction chestersu.com T: 01244 511550 E: induction@chester.ac.uk
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SETTLING IN From before you arrive, to those busy first few weeks of term and far beyond, our aim is to make your transition to university as smooth as possible. Here’s a flavour of what you can expect:
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Residential Life Team
Personal Academic Tutor (PAT)
If you’re moving into University accommodation, our Residential Life Team, comprised of current students and staff, will welcome you and help you get to know everyone when you first arrive, offer lots of advice and guidance, and be a regular point of contact with other services across the University.
You will be allocated a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) before starting in September, who will be there to support your personal development to ensure you reach your potential. Not only that, they’ll be there to help you with the transition into university, giving you a head start, as well as being a friendly face that you’ll recognise when you arrive.
Support for Mature and Commuting Students If you’re a mature student or will be commuting from home, you’ll receive information before the start of term about special events during Welcome Week which are designed to help you get orientated and meet other people with similar circumstances.
Learning Resources The University is committed to providing access to selected e-textbooks during your first year of study, working closely with our academic departments to offer these alongside a wide range of academic journals and other resources. You will receive a full induction to our Learning and Information Services at the start of term.
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Peer Mentors Signing up to the University’s Peer Mentoring scheme allows you to connect with a 2nd or 3rd year student as soon as you start your University adventure. Our mentors are here to welcome you to the University community, answer your questions – big or small – and share their experiences with you. Alongside having a connection from the get-go, your mentor will also be there to give you tips and guidance on a range of topics, such as accommodation; student loans; workload management; and clubs and societies. Our Peer Mentors have received training and are clued up on University and external services; so, if they can’t help you directly, they should be able to point you in the right direction! Once you have had confirmation of your University place, you will receive an email with details of the scheme and the link to the online application form, which only takes a few minutes to complete. Once you’ve been matched up with a Peer Mentor, you can get in touch with them before you even arrive. 12
TEACHING AND LEARNING All* the University’s courses are designed around in-person study based on our sites. This includes lectures, seminars and practical classes where you’ll develop your knowledge and skills with your peers. We also use digital technologies to enhance your learning, such as virtual reality and simulation suites; this will vary from course to course and is tailored to each subject area. Most of our courses also include online learning activities which are essential, and can be completed when and where suits you. *Except those designed for fully online delivery and study.
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ALONGSIDE YOUR STUDIES Through your degree and a range of wider opportunities, we'll get you connected to people who will help your career, get you skilled up to face the future with confidence, and offer you opportunity after opportunity to develop as a person and make memories that will last a lifetime.
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Real-world experience Our volunteering opportunities, paid internships and Work Based Learning placements offer both virtual and in-person placement opportunities. All evidence of both academic and personal development can be logged in an e-portfolio which will stay with you throughout your university journey and, we hope, beyond.
Languages for All You can also join one of our part-time language courses at a reduced rate of £100, and better still, this fee will be reimbursed once you complete 80% of the course. We offer courses at different levels so you can begin at a level that’s right for you. The diverse range of languages courses that we offer include: Arabic; French; German; Italian; Japanese; Mandarin; Polish; Portuguese; Spanish; Russian; and Welsh. Please check the website for more details on the language courses available at your site.
Part-time work opportunities If you need to work alongside your studies, look out for information about the UniJob scheme, offering paid work opportunities at the University great for both your CV and your bank balance! Make sure to pack your current, in-date passport and/or birth certificate and to make a note of your National Insurance (NI) number if you are seeking work once you get here, so that the required Right to Work checks can be conducted.
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Sport and Activity Whether you are a seasoned competitor, new to sport and exercise or simply just want to give something a go, then university is the place to do it! We offer great facilities, passionate professionals and a first-class support network to help you engage in sport at any level, settle into life at Chester and enhance your student experience. Look out for taster sessions for over 50 sports clubs during Welcome Week and the start of term.
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GETTING ABOUT All of our sites in Chester are ideally located with everything you need within walking distance. In fact, walking is probably the best way to get around Chester and is another great way of keeping yourself active! Cycling is also a good way of getting around Chester and there are numerous cycle paths available that make our sites even more accessible. Wide city streets, large park and easy access to the countryside make Chester the ideal spot.
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CONFIRMING YOUR PLACE
So, you’ve chosen Chester as either your Firm or Insurance choice, now what? Well, what happens next depends on whether you’ve already got your Level 3 qualifications (A-Levels, BTEC etc). If you’ve already got these, please scan the original copies or evidence from examining boards and email them to our Admissions team referencing your UCAS personal ID number.
chester.ac.uk/place T: 01244 512528 E: admissions@chester.ac.uk
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If you’ve accepted a conditional offer and are awaiting your results, the process of confirming your place will depend on the type of qualification you’re taking. If you’ve got any questions or concerns about confirming your place, please contact our Admissions team.
WHAT IF CHESTER IS YOUR INSURANCE CHOICE? The university you selected as your Firm choice might have just pipped us to the post when you replied to your offers, but as your Insurance choice we will be here for you if things change. If your results come through and you decide that Chester is the place for you (even if you meet the requirements of your Firm choice), don’t worry! Just get in contact with our Admissions experts who will talk you through the easy process of what you need to do next. If you don’t get into your Firm choice once you get your results, this doesn’t mean you won’t be going to a university you really wanted to (that’s why you selected your top 2). Your place at Chester will be subject to meeting the conditions of your offer from us. You’ll need to check UCAS Hub to see if your place has been confirmed: accounts.ucas.com/account/login 19
WE KNOW THINGS CHANGE Every year students join us after making a last-minute change of course, so don’t worry if you’re having second thoughts about the course you applied for, it happens! We’re used to dealing with this and are well equipped to ensure a smooth transition. Get in touch and our Admissions experts will happily advise you on your options. We’ve got a range of quality single and combined honours courses to choose from, so we’re pretty confident that you’ll find something to suit your interests. If you haven’t changed your mind about the course you applied for but don’t quite achieve the grades you were expecting, don’t panic! First, give us a call to find out if we’re still holding your place. If you are unsuccessful in gaining a place on this course, we may be able to offer you an alternative. At Chester, we offer a Foundation Year on many of our courses which are designed for students who do not have the necessary academic qualifications required to enter directly onto the first year of a degree, but who have the ability and commitment to do so.
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Visit the clearing pages on our website for more information about the clearing process and to find out about some of our students’ experiences of applying through clearing.
chester.ac.uk/clearing T: 01244 512528 E: admissions@chester.ac.uk
MONEY MATTERS It’s time to talk finance. Not the most exciting topic, we know, but it’s a necessary and important step in your lead up to starting university. If you haven’t already done so, you’ll need to apply for student finance as soon as possible. Where you live will determine where you need to apply for student finance and what support is available to you. We’re here to help you through each step, just take a look at the finance pages on our website for more information.
chester.ac.uk/finance If you’ve already applied but your choice of university or course has changed, you will need to update these details on your student finance account: gov.uk/studentfinance
T: 01244 512810 E: finance.tuitionfees@chester.ac.uk We also have additional financial support available depending on your circumstances. See chester.ac.uk/bursaries for more information. 21
THINGS TO NOTE The term dates for 2022/23 are as follows:
Term From To Autumn
19th September 2022
16th December 2022
Spring
2nd January 2023
7th April 2023
Summer
24th April 2023
9th June 2023
Nursing and Midwifery
Disability and Inclusion
Unlike other undergraduate courses, Nursing and Midwifery courses run for a calendar year rather than an academic year. Further information on this, plus other matters concerning Nursing and Midwifery students, can be found on PASS. pass.chester.ac.uk
If you need to know more about Disability and Inclusion support, contact us now to discuss how we can help:
Mature Students
T: 01244 511550 E: disability@chester.ac.uk chester.ac.uk/our-services
DBS
T: 01244 511550 E: wellbeing@chester.ac.uk
For courses that involve regulated activity, you will receive instructions on completing your DBS check following your unconditional Firm offer. Further information can be found at: chester.ac.uk/dbs
Childcare
Parking
If you’re looking for childcare, you will find everything you need to know at: chester.ac.uk/childcare
Non-residential students may be entitled to apply for a parking permit. For more information, please email: parking@chester.ac.uk
If you are worried about returning to education, our Wellbeing Advisers are on hand to help:
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CHECKLIST Apply to Student Finance Download the University app Access PASS Apply for student accommodation Provide proof of qualification(s) (if applicable) Submit photograph online for student identification card Sign up for a Peer Mentor Remember NI number and proof of ID for term-time employment opportunities
Special Circumstances Complete Declaration of Health questionnaire* Complete DBS Disclosure** Apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance Disclose to Disability and Inclusion Support *Sent out following confirmation of place to all Midwifery, Nursing, Nutrition and Dietetics, Social Work and Teacher Training applicants. **Further information to follow subsequent to confirmation of place for all Early Childhood Studies, Early and Middle Childhood (including a Foundation Year), Education (including a Foundation Year), Midwifery, Nursing, Nutrition and Dietetics, Physical Education, Primary Education Studies, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, Social Work, Sports Coaching, and Teacher Training applicants.
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chester.ac.uk
Want to find out more? Join our online community and stay connected by following us on social media and by keeping up to date with our blog.
chester.ac.uk/blog E: enquiries@chester.ac.uk T: 01244 511000 W: www.chester.ac.uk
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