September sorted
Preparing for University 2020
“Shrewsbury is big enough to be a great place to meet new people and experience different things, but also small enough to be a unique town, full of character, where everything is easily accessible. It really does have something for everyone, and you’ll quickly make friends that you can explore the town with and experience it to the fullest.” Amy Lloyd, English Graduate
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What Happens Next? With only a few months between you and the start of your student life at University Centre Shrewsbury, we hope you’re just as excited about the start of term as we are. By now, you’re probably thinking 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 in Shrewsbury, as well as giving you a few things to look forward to.
Blended Learning We want to reassure you that we have a plan in place for September. You may have lots of questions about what your university experience is going to look like, so we are making sure that our plans for the next academic year ensure that you have a memorable, positive student experience with the same high-quality teaching offered by University Centre Shrewsbury. So, what’s it going to be like? We are going to be offering a blended learning experience that puts as much emphasis on face-to-face teaching as it does on online learning. Our students at University Centre Shrewsbury value the smaller class sizes we have and thrive from their experiences with face-to-face teaching. With that in mind, there will be as much social learning as safely possible, alongside a variety of online lectures that you can access from anywhere.
www.ucshrewsbury.ac.uk/ september
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Where to Start? 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: Tel: 01244 511234 Email: lis.helpdesk@chester.ac.uk
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Guaranteed Accommodation The accommodation at Shrewsbury is located in Mardol House and The Tannery; our halls of residence right in the heart of the town centre. By now you should have received your ‘Applying for Accommodation’ guide which tells you all you need to know about the rooms available and how to apply. Remember there is no ‘first come, first served’ policy at Shrewsbury, so as long as you submit your application before Monday 20th July it will be considered fairly. If we receive your application after this date we will endeavour to process your application, but those received before the deadline will take priority. For any accommodation queries, please contact us: Tel: 01743 297185 Email: enquiries@ucshrewsbury.ac.uk www.ucshrewsbury.ac.uk/accommodation
Getting About Safely If you’re keen to avoid public transport and concerned about how you’re going to get across town, you needn’t worry. Our Guildhall campus 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
Your Offer Having selected Shrewsbury as either your Firm or Insurance choice, what happens next depends on whether you have an unconditional or conditional offer.
Unconditional Offer
Insurance Choice
If you already have your Level 3 qualification(s), please scan and email the original certificates (not photocopies) or evidence from examining boards to our Admissions Team, referencing your UCAS personal ID, by Friday 24th July.
If Shrewsbury is your Insurance choice, we’ll be here if your circumstances change. If you don’t get the results required for your Firm choice university, your Insurance option with us is there. Even if you do get the results you need for your Firm choice but decide that University Centre Shrewsbury is best suited to you, don’t worry! Simply get in touch with our Admissions experts who will be able to talk you through what to do next.
Email: admissions@chester.ac.uk
Conditional Offer If you have accepted a conditional offer, the process for confirming your place will vary according to the type of qualification you are already taking. In the first instance, we would recommend checking UCAS Track to see if your place has been confirmed. If you have any questions or concerns about confirming your place, please contact our Admissions Team.
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Tel: 01244 512528 Email: admissions@chester.ac.uk
Induction Pack Make sure you look out for our Induction Pack, which will be sent out to you in the next few weeks. This will contain further information about what will be happening during Induction Week in Shrewsbury and any additional information you will need to know before starting. Also included in your Induction Pack will be further instructions on how to register, as well as more details of events organised by Shrewsbury Students’ Union.
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Your Induction Induction Week will take place between Sunday 13th September and Sunday 20th September. During the week you’ll be welcomed onto your course, receive your timetable and be introduced to your lecturers for the first term. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to settle into your new surroundings and make new friends. Alongside the Students’ Union, we are working hard to create innovative ways for students to get to know one another during Freshers’ Week, so keep your eyes peeled for a range of online and group social events. Term
From
To
Autumn
21st September 2020
11th December 2020
Spring
4th January 2021
26th March 2021
Summer 19th April 2021
Email: induction@chester.ac.uk
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9th July 2021
Aspire Book Scheme As a welcome gift to you, we have arranged for all 2020 full-time undergraduates to receive a handful of key course texts at no extra cost. Once you have enrolled and received your student identity card, you’ll be directed to pick up your books. During your online enrolment, remember to agree to share your data with John Smith’s bookshop, as this will save any delays to receiving them. 9
Alongside Your Studies Stand out at University Centre Shrewsbury! University is the perfect opportunity to make your CV as impressive as possible. Real-world Experience
Sports and Activity
At University Centre Shrewsbury, there are a number of placement opportunities available to help you gain experience and build your confidence in the workplace. Our volunteering, internships and work-based learning programmes now offer virtual alternatives to ensure that you have a variety of opportunities to make the most of throughout your studies. Your academic and personal development will be documented and logged in an e-portfolio which will stay with you throughout your time at university.
Taking part in sports and activities can be one of the most exciting things about starting university. We understand that the events of this year so far have changed the idea of playing sports, so that’s why we’ve worked alongside University of Chester to introduce our new initiative ‘Chester Rules’! ‘Chester Rules’ are customised games that can be played whilst maintaining social distancing, so you can get involved without having to worry about close contact. Here at University Centre Shrewsbury, we will be offering a combination of face-toface physical activities, as well as a variety of virtual fitness classes, so look out for more information. There’s something for everyone!
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. You can choose from the diverse range of languages courses that we offer, including: Arabic; French; German; Italian; Japanese; Mandarin; Polish; Portuguese; Spanish; Russian; and Welsh. All courses will run subject to demand and can be offered virtually if necessary. 10
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Student Finance and Bursaries There’s lots of information and advice available when it comes to student finance. Furthering your education is an investment in your future and you don’t have to pay a penny of your tuition fees until you have graduated and started earning over £25,000 per annum. If you haven’t already, we’d advise getting your application for student finance in as soon as possible: www.gov.uk/student-finance For bursary information, please visit: www.ucshrewsbury.ac.uk/2020-21-bursaries Tel: 01244 512810 Email: finance.tuitionfees@chester.ac.uk
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If Things Don’t Go to Plan 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). Tel: 01244 512528 Email: admissions@chester.ac.uk
What if You Change Your Mind? 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
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Other Things You May Want to Know… Shrewsbury Students’ Union Hear all the latest updates from Shrewsbury Students’ Union and the plans for Welcome Week at: www.facebook.com/shrewsburysu Mature Students Worried about returning to education? Contact Student Futures Support at: Tel: 01244 511550 Email: wellbeing@chester.ac.uk Disability and Inclusion If you need to know more about Disability and Inclusion, we’d recommend contacting us at: Tel: 01244 511550 Email: disability@chester.ac.uk
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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
Additional Circumstances Apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance Disclose to Disability and Inclusion
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#SeptemberSorted
For opportunities to visit and see all that we offer for yourself, please visit: www.ucshrewsbury.ac.uk/visit-us