Your offer guide
2019
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Congratulations A huge well done for successfully being offered a place at the University of Gloucestershire. Starting university may feel like a long way off, but there are some important steps you need to take between now and then. We’ve made you this useful guide with information about the next steps in your application, booking your place at an Applicant Day, as well as what it is like to study with us and live in our beautiful and exciting locations.
Contents Your application journey
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Location 6 Campuses 8 Facilities 10 Accommodation 12 Lecturers 14 Trips and placements
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Your Future Plan
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Support 20 Bursaries and scholarships
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What next?
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They’re the best way to get a feel for university, second to actually going! It was a great day experiencing lectures and getting to know the campus and town I’d come to call home. You’re welcomed by staff and students, who quickly put you at ease, and I just knew after I left – this was the place for me.” Sam Hirons, Business Marketing and Management student
Book your Applicant Day at
www.glos.ac.uk/applicantdays |3
Your next steps January – April 2019
From March 2019
Book your Applicant Day
Apply for student finance
Experience your degree first-hand and see what it’s like to study with us. Book now at www.glos.ac.uk/applicantdays
Understand what funding you’re eligible to receive and get your student finance in place. You can apply online at: www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
Tel: 03330 141414 Email: enquiries@glos.ac.uk
4 | Your application journey
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By 2 May 2019
By 4 July 2019
If you have applied by 15 January you should have received all your decisions by 31 March. You then have until 2 May to reply to all offers.
If you make us your firm choice and apply for accommodation by 4 July, we guarantee you a place in university halls of residence or university-managed housing. To apply and check out our accommodation options visit www.glos.ac.uk/accommodation
Confirm your firm and insurance choices via UCAS Track
Guarantee your accommodation
From July – August 2019
The long wait is over – you did it! Once you’ve received your results, if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to call us on 03330 141414.
September 2019 University life begins!
Ahead of enrolment, we’ll be in touch about moving in, Freshers’ Fortnight and getting to know the area, so you feel prepared and excited to start in September.
Your application journey | 5
GLOUCESTER QUAYS
GOLD CUP, CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE
BREWERY QUARTER, CHELTENHAM
GO APE, THE FOREST OF DEAN
Location
From busy cities to stunning countryside, there’s lots to discover in Gloucestershire. Be sure to check out the area when you visit us and find out first-hand from current students what it’s like to live here. Explore
From theatre to fashion, Art Deco swimming baths to Gothic cathedrals, Cheltenham and Gloucester are at the heart of culture and spectacle. If shopping is your bag, you won’t go without as Gloucester is home to its own outlet shopping centre, while Cheltenham has both high street brands and independent boutiques.
Nightlife
Whether you prefer pubs or clubs, cinemas or eating out, there’s always something to do with friends. Check out the Students’ Union club night at MooMoo in Cheltenham, welcoming top DJs to three clubrooms, or enjoy al fresco dining next to the water in Gloucester’s renovated docks.
6 | Location
Adventure
Explore the forests and hills on foot or bike, hit the slopes at Gloucester’s very own ski centre, or paddleboard and kayak along the rivers and waterways. If you’d rather be a spectator, check out Premiership Rugby at Gloucester’s historic Kingsholm stadium or go along to the famous Cheltenham Racecourse, which attracts celebrities and royals among its 250,000 visitors every March, for the Gold Cup. All journeys on Stagecoach West bus routes are just £1.40 for our students – handy for exploring other places in Gloucestershire. We also have great cycle routes and you can buy cheap second-hand bikes with our partners at www.gloucestershirebikeproject.co.uk
Festivals Gloucestershire has over 45 festivals a year, including jazz, science, literature, food and drink. When they’re not among the crowds, our students can be found performing and working backstage, making valuable industry connections.
Location | 7
Campus life We have three stunning campuses – two in Cheltenham and one in Gloucester. Each has its own distinctive atmosphere and subject areas taught on campus, but all three offer a supportive and close-knit community to all our students.
Oxstalls - 15 minutes’ walk from Gloucester city centre and station
8 | Campuses
Located in the heart of Gloucester, Oxstalls is home to our nursing facilities, Performing Arts and Events Centre, and brand new sports arena and School of Business and Technology. Here, our students train and compete with elite athletes, perform and produce shows, work alongside real businesses and gain valuable industry connections. This is a high-energy campus of forward-thinking and competitive students.
Francis Close Hall and Hardwick - 10 minutes’ walk from Cheltenham town centre - 20 minutes’ walk from Cheltenham Spa station
Referred to as ‘the Hogwarts campus’, Francis Close Hall (FCH) is a truly inspiring place to study. Home to our health and social care, liberal arts, education and natural and social sciences courses, this is a campus of ground-breaking research and modern theory. It’s complete with a Gothic library and chapel, as well as high-tech labs and cutting-edge VR equipment.
Park - 20 minutes’ walk from Cheltenham town centre - 15 minutes’ walk from Cheltenham Spa station
Originally laid out as a zoological garden with its own lake and elephant walk, Park campus is far from quiet. Home to our high-tech Media Centre, state-of-the-art Computing and Technology Suite and brand new Design Centre, this campus has a real buzz. Our creative hub of artistic and innovative thinkers inspire each other, collaborating on projects or just hanging out in the beautiful grounds. Campuses | 9
NEW BUSINESS SCHOOL
STUDENTS PERFORMING AT CHELTENHAM POETRY FESTIVAL 2017
EEG EQUIPMENT
SPORTS SCIENCE LABS
Cutting edge No matter what course you decide to study, you’ll work in fully equipped facilities, to ensure you achieve the very best while you’re with us. Here’s a taste of the type of equipment you could get your hands on. Business
Our brand new School of Business and Technology at Oxstalls, Gloucester, will provide you with a dedicated space to grow as a professional. The new facilities include an expanded Growth Hub which provides the opportunity to work with real businesses and even set up your own, a moot court room for our law students to practise in, and a live Thomson Reuters trading room.
Liberal arts
Our liberal arts students can be found researching in our Gothic library, debating and analysing texts and theories in our modern teaching facilities, and performing their own work as part of Cheltenham’s annual Literature Festival. They also visit religious and historic sites of interest on research trips*.
*Additional costs may apply; see course page on website.
10 | Facilities
Natural and social sciences
From looking inside the mind with virtual reality and EEG equipment, to examining African snails and venus flytraps, our fully equipped and dedicated labs provide you with the perfect research centre. We also have a dedicated forensic interview suite and mock crime scene for you to test your skills gathering and examining evidence.
Sports
Understand the science behind the sport in our dedicated strength and conditioning suite, biomechanics labs and sports therapy suites. Here, our students train, rehabilitate and study professional athletes, or push each other to become professionals themselves. Complementing these, our brand new sports centre includes an international-standard sports arena, 3G pitches and a cricket pavilion and pitch.
Computing
Our new computing suite lets you get hands-on with the same equipment you’ll find in the technology industries. We are one of a few universities in the UK to have Wii U and PlayStation First development kits, while our innovative research and forensics labs mean you’ll be at the forefront of tackling cyber-crime. We also have dedicated product design workshops complete with industrial power tools, 3D printers, laser cutters and CNC equipment. Facilities | 11
If you apply by 15 January and have made us firm by 1 May we guarantee you a place in halls of residence or university-managed accommodation. You must apply for your accommodation by 4 July. Visit www.glos.ac.uk/accommodation to apply and for more information.
12 | Accommodation
Accommodation Moving away from home is an exciting step to take, but it can also feel a bit scary. 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. Halls of residence
Halls of residence can be a great start to university life. All halls are situated on or near our campuses, as well as being close to the town and city centres and are all served by our university bus service. The university has approximately 1,800 places in halls of residence, including spaces in our brand new accommodation: Pittville Student Village Almost 800 rooms, many en-suite, landscaped grounds, bar, SU shop, gym, faith space and 24/7 on-site security. The village is a 15 minute walk to Cheltenham town centre, with regular bus services running until late on student nights. Blackfriars, Gloucester city centre A mix of townhouses, cluster flats and studio bedrooms, our Blackfriars Residences, developed in partnership with CityHeart, are situated in the centre of Gloucester.
Other types of accommodation University-approved housing You may want to consider a shared house or flat with other students that is off campus and privately owned. All university-approved housing is advertised here: www.glosstudentpad.co.uk University-registered lodgings In lodgings you rent an individual study bedroom and share the communal facilities (kitchen, lounge and bathroom) with the resident landlord/lady and possibly their family. The accommodation team produces a list of study bedrooms available. Visit www.glos.ac.uk/accommodation for more information.
You can get to know your neighbours before you get here too, by joining our Halls of Residence Facebook groups. To find out more visit: www.facebook.com/uniofglos/groups www.glos.ac.uk/accommodation
BLACKFRIARS
Accommodation | 13
We treat our students like adults, like part of the team.� Professor Adam Hart, Biological Sciences Presented several BBC TV and radio documentaries including Planet Ant: Life Inside the Colony, which was nominated for a Royal Television Society award.
14 | Lecturers
We are a top 10 UK university for high-quality staff and lectures (Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2018)
Learn from the best Our lecturers
Our lecturers are award-winning, industry-experienced and there to support and challenge you, throughout your degree. From Sky Sports commentators and sports therapists for David Beckham, to government advisers and BBC presenters – our staff are the best in the business!
Personal tutor
We guarantee you support to ensure you make the most of every opportunity while you are here at university. 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. For more information visit http://futureplan.glos.ac.uk/students
We are proud to have been awarded Silver in the inaugural Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). The TEF assesses excellence in teaching at universities and colleges, and how well they ensure excellent outcomes for their students in terms of graduate-level employment or further study.
Lecturers | 15
Adventure Our international field trips and placements will shape the way you think about the world, your place in it and where you want to take your career. Travel, train and coach
(Sports courses) Our sports students work with international athletes such as Athletic Bilbao and the Tongan national rugby team as well as UK professionals such as Bristol City FC, and our very own Gloucester Rugby.
Be inspired in Spain
(History/English/Creative Writing/Religion, Philosophy and Ethics) Explore Roman, Arabic and Christian sites and be inspired by the ancient heritage of Cรณrdoba, Spain**.
16 | Trips and placements
From the labs to the field
(Animal Biology/Biology/Geography/ Ecology and Environmental Science) Study animal behaviour and ecosystems on safari in South Africa or the Borneo rainforest, explore environmental change in the Swiss Alps and be on the frontline of research studying human geography in Venice**.
Investigate and analyse
(Criminology/Psychology/Sociology) Investigate policing, prisons, crimes against humanity and forensic psychology in destinations such as Canada, Northern Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina**.
96% of Study Abroad students reported an increase in self-confidence (SmartStudy 2017)
Competitive coding
(all computing courses) Follow in the footsteps of our computing students and compete against teams across Europe at Embedded World, Nuremberg.
Study Abroad Why not spend a semester, or even a whole year, studying abroad at one of our partner institutions? We have approved partners all over the world, including Canada, Italy, France, Germany, New Zealand and even the USA! You can view the full list of Study Abroad opportunities for each course at www.futureplan.glos.ac.uk
International business (business degrees*) An opportunity for a unforgettable free trip is available to students on our business degrees*. Amazing placements, real experiences, and cultural diversity, all support you to graduate ahead of the competition.
*Terms and conditions apply. See www.glos.ac.uk/businessoffer **Additional costs may apply; and destinations are subject to change; see course page on our website www.glos.ac.uk
Trips and placements | 17
95% of our graduates are in employment or further study within six months of graduating (DHLE 2017/18)
Every year our students complete over 3,000 work placements or internships
The knowledge I got on my work placement at the O2 was the main reason I got my job as a Marketing Specialist for Vodafone.� Ollie Carrier, Marketing graduate
18 | Your Future Plan
Become the graduate you want to be 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. Your Future Plan Your Future Plan at the University of Gloucestershire is all about YOU, your future career possibilities, and helping you to make the most of employability opportunities throughout your time at university. From the day you arrive, the Your Future Plan team is here to provide all students with personalised careers and employability support and professional development opportunities, to help you build the skills, capabilities and confidence to equip you
for a successful future in your chosen field. It’s not just about turning up for lectures – by choosing the right field trips, work placements, sports clubs and volunteering roles, you will gain the experiences you need to progress. Find out more: www.glos.ac.uk/ yourfutureplan www.facebook.com/ futureplanuog www.twitter.com/ futureplanuog
Your Future Plan | 19
Stay supported Our outstanding support staff will find the best way to meet your living and learning needs. We offer a range of advice and support services including: Finance
We have a dedicated Money Advice team who are here to help you understand your options, whatever your situation. We can offer confidential advice on how to support yourself and successfully budget. We also offer financial support packages through our scholarships, bursaries and loans. Please visit www.glos.ac.uk/money for further information, or contact our Money Advice team on 01242 714535 or at moneyadvice@glos.ac.uk The tuition fees for 2019/20 entry will be £9,250* and you can apply for student finance online at www.gov.uk/studentfinance. Remember, you only start to pay back your tuition fee loan when you’ve finished university and earn more than £21,000 per year.
Disability
Our Student Services team offer confidential, one-to-one support prior to and throughout your time at university. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact one of our Disability Advisers on 01242 714541 or email disability@glos.ac.uk
Helpzones
All our campuses have a Helpzone to answer any questions and solve any problems, no matter how large or small. We provide an accessible drop-in service for you to ask about anything including finance, accommodation and coursework. Visit www.glos.ac.uk/support, call 01242 714444 or email helpzones@glos.ac.uk for more information.
*Fees may increase in subsequent years.
20 | Support
The University of Gloucestershire is ranked top 20 for student support (Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2018) Support | 21
Merit Scholarship The University of Gloucestershire Merit Scholarship is awarded to recognise academic excellence. If you’re an outstanding undergraduate candidate, you could be eligible. The award is £1,200 to support you with the costs of your studies. You choose how you allocate the annual contribution of £400 – this includes: • halls of residence rent discount • course materials and trips or excursions that are part of your course • book vouchers. Terms and conditions apply see www.glos.ac.uk/meritscholarships
Disclaimer: The information provided is accurate at time of printing. The university will take all reasonable steps to provide financial support as described. However, it does not guarantee the provision of such services. Please check appropriate websites for the most up-to-date information on finances and funding.
22 | Bursaries and scholarships
Bursaries and scholarships | 23
What next? Book your Applicant Day Get a feel for your course and visit the place you’ll call home. Book now at
www.glos.ac.uk/applicantdays or by calling us on
03330 141414 or email
enquiries@glos.ac.uk
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