11 minute read
Supporting You
OUR TEACHING AND LEARNING PHILOSOPHY
WHAT MATTERS TO YOU?
Whether you’re ready to tackle climate change, disease control, or mental health, our courses focus on solving global problems that really matter, and giving you the skills to navigate constant change, in an environment that develops self-worth and resilience.
What’s more, our aim is to make your whole University experience as fulfilling and valuable as possible – and this guide will show you how we do that. Through the opportunities, support structures and experiences we offer throughout your degree, you can be sure to leave us ready to take your place in the world, having had the best possible time along with way.
A BLENDED LEARNING EXPERIENCE
We understand the value of learning in person and being part of a community, so our approach supports and promotes social learning. This ensures we put as much emphasis on in-person teaching as we do on digital learning, allowing students to get the best of both worlds.
All our teaching is guided by research – our staff are experts in their field and ensure that courses, modules and learning activities are all informed by relevant research and practice. But we also focus on teaching excellence and a social learning experience, meaning you will feel part of a real community from day one, for example, through working on applied or collaborative projects with fellow students and people and organisations within the community.
Even before you arrive, you’ll be supported by your very own personal academic tutor (PAT), and taught by staff who’ll inspire you as they get to know you, and who will go the extra mile to support you in your ambitions.
I have made some of my closest friends through living in halls and living in student accommodation has allowed me to become independent, gain valuable life skills and become a lot more confident in myself.
Lucy Box - Assistant Residential Tutor View from Mardol House, halls of residence
A HOME FROM HOME
The partnership accommodation Mardol House and The Tannery is owned and managed by Shropshire Council and is located right in the centre of town – putting you at the heart of the Shrewsbury experience.
These safe and secure halls are just a five-minute walk from Guildhall and are only a few steps away from local food producers, convenience stores and shopping centres . Mardol House offers self-catered and en-suite: either in single rooms with a shared kitchen and lounge facilities, or in single studio apartments with a bed and a fitted kitchen . Our new purpose-built accommodation, The Tannery, also offers self-catered, en-suite rooms just a stone’s throw away from the Quarry Park . All rooms include WiFi access, laundry facilities, a 24-hour concierge service for security and maintenance, as well as an assistant residential tutor for welfare matters . has everything a student could need . I feel extremely safe here and I know that there are plenty of people on hand in the building that I can go to if I have any problems . The best thing about halls, is that it’s only a five minute walk from the university campus, and is in walking distance of the shops, pubs and bars . Not only this, but I have made some of my closest friends through living in halls, and I am so appreciative of these friendships! Finally, living in student accommodation has allowed me to become independent, gain valuable life skills and become a lot more confident in myself .
For information about the rooms and to view prices, please visit: www.chester.ac.uk/accommodation
If you choose UCS as your Firm or Insurance choice we will let you know when the applications for accommodation open and how to apply for a room .
We’re pleased to be able to guarantee accommodation for all applicants who choose University Centre Shrewsbury as their Firm choice, and apply by the advertised deadline .
I absolutely love living in the Shrewsbury student accommodation! The town is small and friendly and Lucy Box - Assistant Residential Tutor
WELFARE, COUNSELLING AND WELLBEING
At UCS we’re commited to offering support to any and all students who need it, so to find out more about it we had a chat with Student Experience Manager David Clarke.
What support is available for students at UCS? “At UCS I like to think that our students have the best of both worlds . Firstly, they are part of a small, tight-knit community where everyone tends to support each other – more so than might happen in a large university where you can feel a little bit lost in a big crowd . Secondly, students have access to all of the wide range of support and specialist help that is available within the University of Chester . ”
What can students do if they have financial problems or concerns? “Our Wellbeing Advisers can help students manage their finances and work to a budget . If a student gets into a tricky financial situation then our advisers can help with managing debt too . We can also provide support and signpost students towards help with their student loan and maintenance grants, which I know from experience can be a very confusing system to get to grips with!” Does the University have options available for students who may be having difficulties with their mental health? “Pretty much everybody suffers from mental health issues at some point, and there are lots of ways we support our students through this . We have Wellbeing Advisers who act as a first port of call for all of our students that are experiencing difficulties of any kind . We also have Counsellors and Mental Health Advisers that students can be referred to, along with lots of links with external organisations and charities, including MIND, Samaritans and the NHS . These external links are important as we aim to help students build their resilience and ensure that, if they need it, they have continued access to support from external organisations after their time at UCS . ”
How are disabled students supported? “Our Disability & Inclusion team works closely with students to ensure that all students have the necessary support, and that all reasonable adjustments are made . Each student that has any extra requirements or needs any additional help in relation to a physical or mental condition can work with the team to put their own personal Inclusion Plan in place . ”
Could you tell us some more about the information available for care leavers, young adult carers, international students and mature students? “We recognise that certain groups of students have slightly different needs when it comes to support . The support available is wide-ranging and we work with each individual to ensure that they have an appropriate support package put in place . This can range from support with accommodation, exploring what loans and bursaries are available, to working as a link between a student and the Local Authority or other external agencies . ”
Listen to the Welfare Podcast studentsupport.buzzsprout.com
FROM ACCESS DIPLOMA TO UNIVERSITY DEGREE
Everyone’s path to university is different and here at University Centre Shrewsbury we’re committed to helping you achieve your goals regardless of your background. With that in mind, we caught up with Medical Science graduate Kirstie to hear about her journey to University Centre Shrewsbury.
Kirstie Penny - Medical Science Graduate
“I completed an Access to HE diploma in Health in July 2016 . Since then I worked in a primary school - a job that I loved but knew I didn’t want to pursue as a career . I found that most universities listed Access courses on their Entry Requirements, however, as I was applying for BSc Medical Science, most seemed to be looking for an Access Diploma in Science rather than Health .
I decided to email University Centre Shrewsbury’s Admissions Team directly to find out whether or not I could apply to the course and I was delighted to find that I could! After my first day at University I left feeling overwhelmed and deflated . I felt like I had little knowledge compared to my peers and I was really worried about the course ahead . In hindsight, I realise that everyone probably felt the same on the first day regardless of A-Levels, Access courses or any other entry pathways .
While I do recognise that there are some gaps in my knowledge, it has now become clear that everyone is in a different position, with people in my cohort coming from all over the world!
My first year was great and I gained more and more confidence along the way . Plenty of reading around the subject really helped me expand my knowledge and I exceeded my own expectations in the summer exams, something that I’m really proud of! I no longer feel different to everyone else because I studied an Access Diploma, which is a great feeling . I feel that studying an Access Diploma prepared me for university in alternative ways, especially the Study Skills module which helped me with academic writing and referencing; a great skill to have before starting university . My advice to anyone applying to university after studying an Access course would be to realise that first year is designed to get everyone to a similar academic position, so use every opportunity to your advantage and you will do great!”
ACADEMIC SKILLS
Studying at university may seem a little different than what you’re used to but the Academic Skills team have got all the tools to prepare and support you along the way.
The advisers can help you with:
Time management Reading and note-making Academic writing Academic integrity and referencing Revision and exams Posters and presentations Critical thinking Reflective learning Numeracy Statistics Quantitative analysis SPSS
One-to-ones, Events and Activities
The team run regular group activities and have lots of pre-recorded sessions or if you’re struggling with an assignment, want to develop a specific skill or plan for the future, a one-to-one with an adviser might help .
Feedforward is the email advice you can receive before you hand in your assignments .
The Skills Pod
Want to know more before you enrol? Listen to The Skills Pod on Spotify to brush up on your skills .
Online Resources
Once you’re a student you can access the Academic Skills and Maths and Statistics Moodle spaces for a wealth of online resources .
FIVE BUDGETING TIPS FOR UNIVERSITY
There’s a lot to take into consideration when starting university and it may be the first time you’re living away from home. A big concern for many students is budgeting, which is why we’ve put together a few handy tips that can help you be financially prepared and enjoy your time at university without money worries getting in the way.
Use your NUS Totum Card
One of the biggest perks that comes with being a student is being able to get your hands on a NUS TOTUM card and app. This will entitle you to discounts at a wide range of places including Superdrug, ASOS and a whole lot more. It’s also worth signing up for UNiDAYS for more great deals and even asking when you’re out and about if you can get student discount. You never know where you can make some savings!
Shop around
It’s worth exploring around Shrewsbury to see where you can get the best deals. A great place to start is the Market Hall. As well as being conveniently located right by our Mardol House accommodation, it also provides a wealth of local businesses selling delicious fresh food often at a fraction of the price of big supermarkets.
Don’t be fooled by big name brands
You may feel like you can’t live without Heinz baked beans, but in reality you often find very little difference between the big name brands and supermarket own brands. Own brands are usually significantly cheaper, so you can save a few pennies and your beans on toast won’t be any less enjoyable for it.
Don’t get too many takeaways
We realise that there are lots of great choices for food in Shrewsbury and while a takeaway as a treat every now and then isn’t going to hurt, eating out or getting takeaways too often can soon prove to be very expensive. Some alternative options can be partnering up with flatmates to cook dinner together, freezing leftovers for other days and ensuring you’ve got food at home after nights out so you’ve got a cheaper and healthier option to deal with those munchies than being tempted by the kebab shop!
Avoid credit cards
Credit cards may seem like a brilliant idea at first – being able to spend to your heart’s content and not having to worry about paying it off until later. However, you do have to pay it off at some stage and often minimum monthly payments barely cover the cost of interest, leaving you with a balance that is incredibly difficult to clear. A better option is speaking to your bank about what options you have available. They may be able to offer you a student account with benefits or an interest free overdraft to help in those times when money is a bit tight.
