PREPARING FOR UNIVERSITY 2022
CONTENTS 4 5 5 6-7 8 9 - 10 11 12-13 14 15 16 17 18 19
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Getting Ready Accommodation Getting About Before You Arrive Welcome Week Settling In Teaching and Learning Alongside Your Studies Confirming Your Place What if University Centre Shrewsbury is Your Insurance Choice? We Know Things Change Money Matters Things to Note Checklist
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 first-hand insight into what it’s like and what opportunities are available to you at University Centre Shrewsbury: head to chester.ac.uk/ask. 3
GETTING READY PASS The best place to start is to log on to PASS, our Pre-Arrival Student Site, which will allow you to interactively engage with the activities and applications you will need to complete before you arrive: pass.chester.ac.uk Your username for PASS is your student number, which can be found on the letter sent with this mailing. Your password is your date of birth in the format: CheYYYYMMDD unless you have changed your password previously. You can also download the University of Chester app to access PASS via your mobile device. The app is available in the App Store and Google Play. Should you have any problems, please don’t hesitate to contact us:
T: 01244 511234 E: lis.helpdesk@chester.ac.uk
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ACCOMMODATION Our partnership accommodation at Shrewsbury is located in Mardol House and The Tannery halls of residence right in the heart of the town centre. If you applied for 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
GETTING ABOUT Our Guildhall site is ideally located for getting about, with everything you need within walking distance. In fact, the best way to get around in Shrewsbury is by foot…and it’s better for the
environment that way too! Cycling is also a good way of getting around Shrewsbury, with numerous cycle paths available that make the campus even more accessible. 5
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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: 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. 7
WELCOME WEEK Welcome Week will take place between Monday 19th September and Sunday 25th September. 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. 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 get the chance to spend some time with your academic department – getting to know your course friends and lecturers and getting stuck into 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 8
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: Residential Life Team
Personal Academic Tutor (PAT)
If you’re moving into our partnership accommodation, you’ll be introduced to your Residential Assistant; a current undergraduate or postgraduate student who will be your go-to person for accommodation matters and 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 which will 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 Centre Shrewsbury 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 event arrive.
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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. Real-world Experience
Sports and Activity
Our volunteering opportunities, paid internships and Work Based Learning placements offer both virtual and in-person placement opportunities. . Your academic and personal development will be documented and logged in an e-portfolio which will stay with you throughout your time at university.
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!
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. 12
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 Shrewsbury and enhance your student experience. .
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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CONFIRMING YOUR PLACE So, you’ve chosen University Centre Shrewsbury 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. 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.
chester.ac.uk/place T: 01244 512528 E: admissions@chester.ac.uk 14
WHAT IF UNIVERSITY CENTRE SHREWSBURY 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 University Centre Shrewsbury 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 University Centre Shrewsbury 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
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WE KNOW THINGS CHANGE If things don’t quite go to plan and your grades aren’t what you were expecting, don’t panic. We recommend contacting us to see whether or not we are still holding your place. We are always happy to help, and if you have been unsuccessful in gaining a place on the course you applied for, we may be able to offer an alternative (subject to availability).
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If you’re having second thoughts about the course you have applied for, we’re here to advise you on your options and to help you come to a decision that’s right for you. Just give us a call if you have any queries. Tel: 01244 512528 Email: 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.
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’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.
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THINGS TO NOTE Nursing and Midwifery
Disability and Inclusion
Unlike other undergraduate courses, Nursing runs for a calendar year rather than an academic year. Further information on this, plus other matters concerning Nursing 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
If you are worried about returning to education, our Wellbeing Advisers are on hand to help:
DBS
T: 01244 511550 E: wellbeing@chester.ac.uk
Childcare If you’re looking for childcare, you will find everything you need to know at: chester.ac.uk/childcare
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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
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
CHECKLIST Apply to Student Finance Access PASS Apply for Student Accommodation Provide proof of qualifications (if applicable) Submit photograph online for a Student Identity Card Sign up for a Peer Mentor Remember NI number and proof of ID for term-time employment opportunities
Special Circumstances
*Sent out following confirmation of place to all Nursing and Teacher Training applicants. **Further information to follow subsequent to confirmation of place for all Nursing and Teacher Training applicants.
Complete Declaration of Health questionnaire* Complete DBS Disclosure** Apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance Disclose to Disability and Inclusion Support 19
www.chester.ac.uk
E: enquiries@chester.ac.uk T: 01244 511000 W: www.chester.ac.uk
