International guide to starting life at the University of Gloucestershire by University of Gloucestershire

W00170 07/19

Ready

Your guide to starting life at the University of Gloucestershire

] Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester

Welcome A huge well done for successfully achieving your place at the University of Gloucestershire. We can’t wait to welcome you in September and we hope you’re excited to start too. Starting life at university in the UK is a big change and we want to help you feel prepared and ready. This guide is filled with important information and handy tips to help put those pre-university worries out of your mind, from finances and accommodation to Freshers’ Fortnight and getting to know the area. We hope this will be the start of something special for you, and that you will make the most of the opportunities that are available at the University of Gloucestershire. Together we make an unstoppable team.

Stephen Marston Vice-Chancellor

INDUCTION GUIDE 2019 • T: (+44) 3330 141414 | E: enquiries@glos.ac.uk

Before you arrive Pay your Advance Tuition Deposit

Apply for your university ID card

Arrange a health check

Before applying for your CAS you will be required to pay £3,000 to secure your place. The remainder will be paid via direct debit or be paid in full on enrolment at the University of Gloucestershire in your induction week.

Log into the Applicant Portal studentrecords.glos.ac.uk and upload your photo. Do this before 4 September to ensure your ID card is ready to collect when you arrive. For some halls this card will also be your key.

Check with your doctor that you have all necessary health checks before traveling to the UK.

Apply for your CAS

Check your accommodation move in date and arrival time

Once you have paid your Advance Tuition Deposit, you can apply for your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies). The CAS is a secure record created for you and is essential for your student visa application.

If you’re moving in to halls of residence you can check your room offer on the Halls Portal for your arrival date and time. When you arrive, there will be a host of university staff and students on hand to assist, welcome you and make you feel at home. A link to the Halls Portal is provided to students who receive a room offer.

Get to know other international students before you arrive by joining our international student Facebook group. You can also join groups to make friends with your neighbours and class mates. Find out more and sign up at facebook.com/uniofglos/groups

You can download the CAS form from the University of Gloucestershire Visas and Immigration page glos.ac.uk/visas-and-immigration Once you have completed please email the completed CAS Request form to the Immigration Team along with the following supporting documents: • an electronic copy of your passport photo page • electronic copies of all your previous UK visas • electronic copies of the financial documents you propose to submit with your visa application. (Note: If you are ‘low risk’ and applying from overseas, you do not need to send us these documents.)

Apply for a TOTUM card Download for free and upgrade to access hundreds of discounts, both online and in stores. totum.com Download MyGlos MyGlos is your student app that brings together everything you need at uni, personalised to you. This is also where you will see your timetable once it is available. Read the Student Charter and Code of Conduct These documents are what you sign up to when you enrol at the university. You can read them on MyGlos.

Join our Facebook groups

Bring passport photos You’d be amazed at how useful passport photos can be, especially as you sign up for societies and memberships. Do you need insurance? Ensure you have appropriate insurance if you’re living away from home and not in halls of residence (where contents insurance is included in your rent). Term dates 2019/20 Start

End Weeks

Autumn

23 Sep 2019

20 Dec 2019

Spring

13 Jan 2020

3 Apr 2020

Summer

27 Apr 2020

5 Jun 2020*

*Some courses run until 31 Jul 2020

INDUCTION GUIDE 2019 • T: (+44) 3330 141414 | E: enquiries@glos.ac.uk

Download the MyGlos app today Essential for all University of Gloucestershire students

Bringing together everything you need at uni, MyGlos is your essential guide to student life and study. Get support, news, emails, timetables and much more… • • • • • •

enrol and select your modules find travel info and campus maps keep up to date with events and activities sort your finances and get money advice get study support get in touch if you need help

The MyGlos app also provides access to Moodle, our online learning platform, where you can access course materials and library resources, submit your assessments, register for training events and book appointments. MyGlos is free on your phone, tablet or online. Download it from the App Store, Google Play or type my.glos.ac.uk into your web browser. Scan the QR code to download MyGlos

INDUCTION GUIDE 2019 • T: (+44) 3330 141414 | E: enquiries@glos.ac.uk

Getting started:

International arrivals Airport to campus

Tea and toast

There will be university representatives waiting to greet you at Heathrow airport terminals on the 14 September ready for the move-in weekend. They will be able to direct you to transport links and will provide a point of contact for any additional help. We will also be there to greet you when you arrive at the university.

If you are looking for something to do on Sunday 15 September, our Chaplaincy team are holding a free tea and toast afternoon across all our Faith Spaces, open to all. Just turn up from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

We would recommend the following websites to book your travel from the Airport to Gloucester or Cheltenham: nationalrail.com nationalexpress.com International Welcome Event Sunday 15 September, 5-8pm Francis Close Hall Chapel. Meet other students from around the world. Details about travel arrangements to follow. For more information, email Jo at jparkin@glos.ac.uk

Come along to a welcome barbecue Whether you’re living in halls, at home or in private accommodation, our welcome barbecues (which take place at our Park, Francis Close Hall and Oxstalls campuses, and the Pittville Student Village) are a great way to meet other students. Need help getting settled in? Look out for our staff and student helpers who will be on hand to help you throughout the day.

INDUCTION GUIDE 2019 • T: (+44) 3330 141414 | E: enquiries@glos.ac.uk

Getting started:

During your first week Induction week

Freshers’ Fayre

Your induction week is designed to ease you into your new life as a student and get the best out of your time here. Visit glos.ac.uk/induction for more information.

Attend the Students’ Union Freshers’ Fayre on Wednesday 18 September from 11am until 4pm at Park campus. For more information visit yourstudentsunion.com/freshers

Enrolment

Timetable

There will be an enrolment session and police registration for International students as part of your induction week. It is very important that you attend with all your documents, identification and payment details so you can pay your fees (in full or via direct debit). Payments can be made via QuickPay, bank transfer or card payments on the day. Once this is completed you can pick up your ID card.

Your timetable will appear in your personal calendar on MyGlos. This will appear up to five days after you have enrolled.

Freshers’ Fortnight The first highlight of your university experience is Freshers’ Fortnight. That’s two weeks of events and activities, including Freshers’ Fayre and the Big Closing Party, that will help you settle in, have fun and make friends. Register your freshers’ account on the Students’ Union website, check out the two-week programme, and grab your tickets from 10am on Monday 19 August.

INDUCTION GUIDE 2019 • T: (+44) 3330 141414 | E: enquiries@glos.ac.uk

Getting started:

During your first month Disability Meet with a Student Disability Adviser if you have a registered disability, on-going medical condition or specific learning difficulty that may not have been disclosed or discussed with the university before you arrived. Contact the Helpzone for information helpzones@glos.ac.uk English language If you need additional support, visit the Helpzone and our friendly Advisers will guide you in the right direction. Sports kit – required for most sports courses Our TeamGlos sports kit is a requirement for sports students when doing practical activities or a work or community placement. Make sure you order your core kit from yourstudentsunion.com/sportswear - it will be ready for you to collect at the Freshers’ Fayre. Doctors Register with the University Medical Centre or associated GP surgery. If you study in Cheltenham, it will be the Medical Centre situated at Park campus. If you’re studying in Gloucester, we are linked to a doctor’s surgery adjacent to Oxstalls campus. You will need confirmation of 8

INDUCTION GUIDE 2019 • T: (+44) 3330 141414 | E: enquiries@glos.ac.uk

Event highlights & key dates

accommodation address to help complete your forms when registering at the University Medical Centre. Please be aware that the Immigration Health Surcharge fee increased on 8 January 2019. The surcharge for students and their dependents is £300 per person, per year of the visa. Students studying periods of less than six months will be charged at £150.

2019

Dentists

2020 13

TBC

Spring term begins

Spring term ends

Student Awards

Summer term ends

16 - 20 4 - 13 SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

13 - 17

4 - 26

26 - 5

6 - 24

Induction week for new students

Cheltenham Literature Festival

Assessment week

Easter holidays

Assessment week

Fast Track Extended term

TBC

2-6

29 - 31 9 - 12 MAY

JULY

World Café (Wednesday 25 September, 7-9pm at Francis Close Hall Chapel)

Freshers’ Fayre

Housing Fayre

Summer term begins

Wychwood Festival

2000trees Music Festival

Every Wednesday evening during term time. Play games, eat toast, drink hot chocolate, meet people from around the world. For more information, email Jo at jparkin@glos.ac.uk

Your Future Plan Inspiration Festival

21 - 12

10 - 13

5 - 10

2-7

27 - 31

Autumn term begins

Christmas holidays

Cheltenham Gold Cup horse race

Cheltenham Jazz Festival

Cheltenham Science Festival

Assessment week

Register with a local dentist. A list of available dentists can be found at gloucestershireccg.nhs.uk/dentists International trip to Oxford (Saturday 21 September) For all international, European and Exchange students. To book your free place, email jparkin@glos.ac.uk (Other trips to follow through the year)

16 - 28 28 SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER

Freshers’ Fortnight

Students’ Union Big Closing Party

SEPTEMBER

NOVEMBER

DEC

JAN

JANUARY

MARCH

APRIL

JUNE

MAY

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

Non-university organised event

University organised event

JUNE JULY

JULY

INDUCTION GUIDE 2019 • T: (+44) 3330 141414 | E: enquiries@glos.ac.uk

Accommodation Make yourself at home

University-approved housing

Moving away from home is a big and exciting step to take, but it can also feel a bit scary.

This involves finding a shared house or flat away from campus that is privately owned. All university-approved housing is advertised at glosstudentpad.co.uk

Don’t worry, whether you want support and a family away from home, freedom and independence, or the best of both worlds, there are lots of options to suit everyone…

We also have a housing support team that can help you in finding private accommodation.

Halls of residence Halls of residence can be a great start to university life. All halls of residence are situated on or near our campuses, as well as all being close to the town and city centres. Get to know your neighbours before you get here by joining our halls of residence Facebook groups. To find out more visit: facebook.com/uniofglos/groups and glos.ac.uk/accommodation If haven’t yet booked your place in halls there’s still time. Please contact our accommodation team on (+44) 1242 714544 or email accommodation@glos.ac.uk

INDUCTION GUIDE 2019 • T: (+44) 3330 141414 | E: enquiries@glos.ac.uk

If you need anything or have any questions you can email accommodation@glos.ac.uk

INDUCTION GUIDE 2019 • T: (+44) 3330 141414 | E: enquiries@glos.ac.uk

Packing list If you're moving away from home there are a few things you won't want to forget. Your accommodation provider will supply you with a list of things to expect in your room and kitchen, but here are some of our suggestions for you to tick off. Bed linen, towels and kitchenware

Fancy dress

You will need to have your own bed linen, towels and kitchenware (such as plates and cutlery). If you haven’t been able to bring bedding or plates, do not worry as there are plenty of shops in Gloucester and Cheltenham city centre to purchase these in the first few days.

If you have any fancy dress outfits, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to wear them – especially during your first few weeks!

Preparing for English weather Remember that English weather may be quite different from where you have come from. Remember to bring a coat and pair of boots just in case.

Useful shops closeby

Your toothbrush

Tesco Cheltenham and Gloucester

It’s easy to forget the small things when focusing on the big ones. A toothbrush and some essential toiletries will be handy in the first few weeks.

Wilko Home goods shop in Cheltenham & Gloucester

Stationery A notebook, some folders and a couple of pens is a good start.

Door stop

Clothes hangers

It’s good to have an open door policy in the first few weeks as it’s a great way to make new friends. Always remember to shut and lock your door whenever you leave, though, even if it’s just for a minute.

Keep your space organised and tidy with a few essential storage items. Something to feel at home Whether it’s posters, games, treats or your favourite novelty lamp, we all need a little something to help make a house feel like a home.

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Primark Clothes shop in Cheltenham & Gloucester Yip Shing Ltd Chinese Supermarket in Gloucester Oriental Food Store Asian food Supermarket Cheltenham INDUCTION GUIDE 2019 • T: (+44) 3330 141414 | E: enquiries@glos.ac.uk

Outstanding support “We want to help make your move to university as easy as possible, and to help you get the most out of your student experience. My team and others across the university offer a wide range of services, information and support to help you feel connected, involved and inspired.” Stewart Dove Student Registrar

Personal Tutor You will have your own personal tutor who will support you throughout your time with us. They will work with you to identify a range of exciting opportunities that will enable you to achieve your future aspirations and make the most of your university experience. 14

INDUCTION GUIDE 2019 • T: (+44) 3330 141414 | E: enquiries@glos.ac.uk

Our support staff will find the best way to meet your living and learning needs. We offer a range of advice and support services: Helpzones

Financial support

Disability/specialist support

Our Helpzones, which can be found on every campus, can: • provide confidential advice, support and guidance • advise on academic progression and regulations • support you with accommodation issues • signpost you to our counselling and wellbeing services • suggest appropriate childcare • support you with your mental health and wellbeing • help with money advice • signpost you to our study skills and assignment writing service.

Finance advisers in our Money Advice team can offer guidance on all aspects of student funding and advice on budgeting. If you have any queries please email moneyadvice@glos.ac.uk or visit glos.ac.uk/money

Our Disability, Dyslexia and Learning Support Service offers confidential, one-to-one support for students with disabilities, including specific learning difficulties, mental health difficulties, and medical conditions.

Faith and spirituality

We can help with: • advice on diagnosing specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or dyscalculia • support with applying for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) • advice on disability access • academic support • accessible travel • liaison with academic staff and student services regarding support needs

If you’re not on campus, you can contact them in the following ways, visit glos.ac.uk/support call 01242 714444 or email helpzones@glos.ac.uk You can also find a host of advice and guidance on MyGlos and MyGlos Help.

The chaplaincy team are here to provide a listening ear for students of all faiths and none. As well as our beautiful Chapel at FCH, each campus has a welcoming Faith Space where students can drop in for tea or coffee, or just enjoy a quiet place to sit. We also offer a varied programme of activities including mindfulness, inter faith dialogue, discussion groups and different forms of prayer. Every Wednesday is the World Cafe run from the Chapel at Francis Close Hall, where students from all round the world meet, play games and there are also trips available. You will find out more information in your induction week about the events that they run.

INDUCTION GUIDE 2019 • T: (+44) 3330 141414 | E: enquiries@glos.ac.uk

Your Future Plan

Students’ Union

We want you to have the time of your life while you’re here, but we also want you to leave feeling ready for the next step. Whether you know what career you want to progress into or you’re not sure yet, we support you to explore all your options, clarify your goals and develop the skills you need to progress through Your Future Plan.

Led by students for students, we’re here to ensure you have a life-enhancing student experience by providing support, representation, campaigns, activities, job opportunities and more.

The placements you do Every year, our students complete over 3,000 work placements and internships. From Superdry, Cheltenham Festivals and GE Aviation to the BBC, Sky News and Universal Music, our students get the opportunity to work with local companies and international brands alike. The trips you take

Societies

Sports and clubs

uogsu.com

With over 60 societies to choose from, there are plenty of opportunities to meet like-minded students. Share your love of reading with our book club or step behind the microphone with our student radio. Plus, if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for, the Students’ Union can help you start your own society.

With over 30 sports teams for you to get involved with, from American Football to Dance, there really is something for everyone. Whether you want to compete in university leagues or just play recreationally, our teams are inclusive to everyone.

twitter.com/yoursu facebook.com/uogstudentsunion instagram.com/uogstudentsunion snapchat.com/add/uog_su

From field trips to international placements: these are the defining moments of your degree. They will shape the way you think about the world, your place in it and where you want to take your career. The time you give back Use your time at university to volunteer and show the world what a rounded, ambitious and exceptional person you are. With more than 10,000 hours of volunteering on offer a year, you’ll have the opportunity to enhance your CV and explore something completely new. Start Your Future Plan at futureplan.glos.ac.uk 16

INDUCTION GUIDE 2019 • T: (+44) 3330 141414 | E: enquiries@glos.ac.uk

Get to know the area

Gloucester

Cheltenham Gloucester

The city’s rich history goes hand in hand with its Hollywood fame. Visit the cathedral and step into the world of Harry Potter, or explore the set of Star Wars: The Force Awakens in the nearby Puzzlewood. Off the screen, the renovated dockside offers an incredible range of shops, restaurants and bars, while Gloucester Rugby’s Kingsholm stadium is the home of Premiership action. Cheltenham

Whether you’re starting out somewhere new or you’re a local, there’s lots to discover as a university student. Exploring the area is a great way to make friends with new housemates, as well as an opportunity to plan visits from friends and family. Gloucestershire Whether you’re looking for live music, festivals, pubs, clubs and bars, great places to eat and drink, discount shopping or beautiful hills to climb and forests to explore, Gloucestershire is a county that has it all.

From theatre to fashion, secret bars to Art Deco swimming baths, Cheltenham is at the heart of culture and spectacle. It plays host to some of the UK’s biggest festivals including jazz, science and literature as well being the home of the world-famous Cheltenham Racecourse, which attracts celebrities and royals among its 250,000 visitors every March for the Gold Cup. Nearby Major cities (and even the seaside) are only a short journey away! Birmingham 80 minutes by car, 40 minutes by train Bristol 60 minutes by car, 30 minutes by train London 2 1/2 hours by car, 2 hours by train Cardiff 1 1/2 hours by car, 80 minutes by train Weston-super-Mare 1 1/2 hours by car, 1 1/2 hours by train

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Getting around

Park

Regardless of whether you live or study in Gloucester or Cheltenham, getting between campuses has never been easier.

Main Buildings

Halls of Residence

1a Elwes Teaching Centre (TC)

18 Challinor Hall

Hop on the bus

1b The Media School (EW)

20 Tyndale Villa

The university inter-campus bus service (94U) operates between all three of our campuses and the Pittville Student Village during term time. This service, along with all Stagecoach West services in Cheltenham and Gloucester, is only £1.60 per journey (£3.00 on the N10 and N94 late night services) with your university ID card. Alternatively, you can also buy an annual bus pass which gives you unlimited travel on local Stagecoach services. You can purchase the pass online via the MyGlos app. Get on your bike Cycling is one of the most cost-effective ways to get around. We also have secure bike stores on all campuses. Visit our partners at gloucestershirebikeproject.co.uk for cheap, second-hand bikes. Cars and parking Parking facilities at the university are extremely limited , and available on a first come, first served basis. If you’re living in halls, you aren’t allowed to bring cars as a condition of your contract (or any other motor vehicle) unless you have a valid Blue Badge.

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If you’re travelling from home or private rented accommodation and you need to drive, you will need to purchase a parking permit to park on the university grounds between the hours of 8.30am–5pm, Mon–Fri. Please be considerate of your neighbours and refrain from parking on residential streets around campuses and halls of residence. You can apply through the online store glos.ac.uk/studentpermits Travel survey Take our Smart Travel survey, it opens on 24 September for two weeks and can be found at glos.ac.uk/travelsurvey You could win an iPad or vouchers for food and drink. Check out smart travel options: https://tinyurl.com/UoGtravel

Bedford Building (BE)

Hall Building (HA)

Design Centre (Owen Building, OW)

Jones Building (LC)

6 Pallas Villa (PL) 7

Reynolds Building (LC)

8 Computing and Technology Suite (Waterworth Building, WW) 9

Monk Building (MK)

19 Cooke Villa 21 Dowty Villa 22 Jenner Villa 23 Grace Villa

Key

Main Reception

Library and Information Services

Student Helpzone

Students’ Union

Refectory

10 Fullwood House (FW)

Car Park

11 Broadlands Villa (BV)

Disabled Parking

12 Dunholme Villa (DH) 13 Cornerways (CW) 14 Broadlands Lodge (BL) 15 The Farmery (FB) 16 Fullwood Lodge (FWL) 17 Farmery Lodge (FL)

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Francis Close Hall 5 minutes' walk to Hardwick

(Pedestrian only)

Oxstalls Main Buildings

Main Buildings

Clegg Building (CL)

Reception (LC)

Clegg Old Pottery (CL)

Library (LC)

Bodley Building (BO)

Hospitality Centre/ Teaching Rooms (HC)

Nursing and Allied Health facilities

Refectory (HC)

Link Corridor (LC)

Chapel (CH)

Sports Centre (SC)

Quad East (QU)

Priory (QU)

School of Business and Technology (BG)

Centre for Active Learning (CeAL)

Performing Arts and Events Centre

15 Jonathon Porritt Building

10 Lodge (LO) 11

Quad West (QW)

16 Willow Lodge (W)

12 Principal’s House (PH)

17 Mulberry Lodge (M)

13 Quad Tower (QT) 14 Teaching Centre (TC)

Halls of Residence

Robinswood Villa

10 Crickley Villa

15 Shaftesbury Hall

Key

4 Teaching Centre (TC)

Key

Coopers Villa

12 Chalford Villa

Main Reception

Refectory

Main Reception

Refectory

Library and Information Services

Car Park

Library and Information Services

Café Area

Students’ Union

Disabled Parking

Student Helpzone

Car Park

Student Helpzone

Students’ Union

Disabled Parking

13 Birdlip Villa 14 May Villa

Gym

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Hardwick Main Buildings Francis Close Hall campus

1 Fine Art Studio (AP) 2 Photography Studios (AP) 3 Hardwick Administration Centre (HA)

Halls of Residence 4 Thames 5 Severn 6 Avon

Key Café area Car Park Disabled Parking

INDUCTION GUIDE 2019 • T: (+44) 3330 141414 | E: enquiries@glos.ac.uk