Guide To Student Life 2018

YOUR GUIDE TO STUDENT LIFE

The contents of this guide are correct at the time of going to press. However, because of the sometimes lengthy period of time between printing the guide and offer confirmation, please check our website www.coventry.ac.uk to check any changes to the facilities and services described here.

Where there is a difference between the contents of this guide and our website, the contents of the website take precedence and represent the basis on which we intend to deliver our services to you. If you are not able to access information online, please contact the Recruitment and Admissions Office on 024 7765 2222 or email studentenquiries@coventry.ac.uk for the most up-to-date information concerning University services.

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Contents Hello

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Meet the team

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Arrivals weekend

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Living on campus

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Staying at home

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Induction

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Centre for Global Engagement sessions

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Coventry University Students’ Union (CUSU)

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Choosing your Add+vantage Scheme module

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And if you’re a mature student

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Making the most of your lectures

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Look after yourself – mind and body

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Making your money last

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Come dine with us

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Food and drink

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Music and nightlife

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Arts and culture

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Fargo Village

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Sport

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Shopping

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In the local area

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Dates for your diary

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Contact details

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Hello Hello and welcome to your new life as a Coventry University student.

As well as offering you (yet another) congratulations on your offer, we’d like to commend you on the excellent choice you have made.

We think that Coventry is a great place to be a student, and hope that you are looking forward to joining us soon.

We know that you’ve got a lot to organise before you arrive here, and that everyone has different questions about what to expect in their first few weeks, so we’ve put together your very own Guide to Student Life.

It probably won’t answer everything you need to know, but it’s jam-packed with information on what to do when you get here, what to see and do in the city and who to contact if you’re unsure about anything.

We’ve also enlisted the help of some of our current students to share their experiences of coming to Coventry, making new friends and finding their feet as students here. With their help and advice, Coventry will begin to feel like your second home in no time at all.

Best wishes, Recruitment and Admissions Team

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Meet the team While we’ll do all we can to give you information on what happens on arrivals weekend, things you need to get done in induction week, and contact details for our support services, there’s nothing quite like getting some tips from those who have been freshers here.

Our team of current students will be popping up throughout the guide with some of their best bits of advice on settling in and helping you to make the most of your Coventry University experience.

Introducing Najia, Calum, Lily, Ade and Judy-Jude: ‘Don’t be shy and quiet. Remember, everyone’s in the same boat so be approachable and you’ll soon settle in and make friends’.

Najia Begum, 4th year Business Management student.

‘Enjoy the experience; it goes by really quickly’. Calum Ireland, 3rd year Criminology student, currently on placement.

‘Living at home in Birmingham whilst studying at Coventry is great. It’s so easy to travel in to use the Library or meet your friends for a quick bite to eat’. Lily Piper, 3rd year Dietetics student.

‘I chose Coventry University on my first visit here. That’s how much my first impression of the University impacted me. I liked the proximity of the buildings and the general vibe of the place’.

Ade Adebanjo, 2nd year Aerospace Technology student.

‘Set yourself a target of sitting with someone different every day – it’s a great way to get to know your course mates’. Judy-Jude Chandra-Ramanan, 2nd year Law student.

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Najia Begum

Calum Ireland

Lily Piper

Ade Adebanjo

Judy-Jude Chandra-Ramanan 7

Arrivals weekend All Coventry University undergraduate courses for September 2018 entry begin on Monday 24 September, but if you’re living on campus, you’ll need to arrive a couple of days earlier to give yourself a chance to settle in. Most of our University accommodation contracts begin on Saturday 22 September but check your contract to make sure.

Our accommodation team at FutureLets have given us their top tips to make your first few days in student accommodation as simple and stress-free as possible.

• The team will let you know about parking and arrival at your accommodation by email before arrivals weekend, so keep an eye on your inbox.

• The welcome meeting with your Residence Officer is a great place to ask any burning questions about living in halls and to break the ice with your new neighbours, so make sure you go.

• Take photos of your accommodation as soon as you move in and complete your e-inventory online form.

• Bring a UV pen to mark all your valuables with your student ID number so they can be identified if they are ever stolen. Then make a list of all your valuables and their serial numbers and register them on www.immobilise.com.

• Don’t forget to check what your accommodation insurance policy covers, and make sure you buy extra cover for those items not included in the policy.

• Don’t bring cube adaptors for your plugs – they are not allowed in University accommodation, so bring bar adaptors instead.

• Know your accommodation address – there’s nothing worse than having your post lost because the address is wrong.

• Don’t dry your clothes in your room – it makes the air damp and encourages the growth of mould. There are tumble driers in the halls, so use these instead.

• Set up a payment plan for your accommodation fees so you don’t have to worry about missing your payments – the last thing you want is a phone call saying your rent is late.

• And have fun! Everyone’s in the same boat so just enjoy the atmosphere and be yourself.

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Living on campus Before you arrive in University-owned or managed accommodation, you’ll be taken through our online Student Welcome module, guiding you through what to expect in your accommodation.

This will be accessible via the accommodation application portal.

You can sign back into this module at any time after you arrive, so don’t panic about taking it all in the first time you read it.

If you’ve reserved your student accommodation through FutureLets, then you will have been allocated a room in one of our Universityowned/managed halls or houses. We know that for many of you, this will be the first time you have lived away from home, and we understand that this might make you feel excited, nervous, a bit unsure of what to expect, or a mixture of all of those emotions.

So we thought it might help if we asked our team of current students for their top tips on making friends, on learning to live with new people and even on how to do your own laundry:

Lily Sometimes something as simple as inviting someone for lunch is all it takes to start a new friendship.

Judy-Jude I made brownies for everyone, which was the perfect conversation starter!

Calum I spent my first night in halls getting to know my flatmates. Absolutely worth the time and effort as you will be living with them for a whole year.

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Ade As a young person, who is probably living by themselves for the first time, there is a lot to learn. Like doing your own laundry. Sort your clothes into whites and colours (unless you want to turn all your clothes pink). Half a cup of powder in the left hand compartment of the drawer (or a liquitab in the main drum) and fabric conditioner in the middle compartment. Pick your cycle (play it safe and go for 30oC or you might end up shrinking everything!) and you’re good to go.

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Staying at home Those of you who plan to live at home and commute to campus will benefit from local girl Lily’s advice on what it’s like settling into university in a city you already know like the back of your hand:

Lily Having local knowledge is definitely a perk of staying at home. I introduced new friends to my favourite places in the city.

Lots of people told me that I would miss out on university experiences with things like nightlife and bonding over living together in halls. I haven’t found this to be true at all! Most people living in halls are just as nervous as you because they won’t know anyone either.

At Coventry, the Welcome Festival is about much more than drinking and partying. You’ll get chance to sign up to try all sorts of sports and societies, which is such a good way to meet people from different courses, year groups and walks of life. There will also be ice-breaker sessions in tutor groups and group activities to help you all get to know each other.

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Induction Term dates Your course will be split into two semesters in the first year, with a study break in the middle of each one.

Start of semester

Study break

End of semester

Semester 1

24 Sept 2018

17 Dec 2018 – 4 Jan 2019

19 Jan 2019

Semester 2

21 Jan 2019

6 April 2019 – 26 April 2019

11 May 2019

Induction First of all, make sure you visit www.coventry.ac.uk/induction for a step-by-step guide to everything you’ll need to do before you arrive. Bring a copy of your induction timetable with you and check for any last-minute changes just before you arrive.

This should make your first week go as smoothly as possible.

Make sure you pick up your Flying Start course materials during this week – again, check your induction timetable for your designated collection slot. Check www.coventry.ac.uk/flyingstart for more information on the Flying Start scheme.

Every session over induction week is designed for your benefit and it is important that you attend. Sessions marked as mandatory are very important and you must attend.

After you have completed online enrolment you will be able to pick up your student ID card. Visit the induction pages for more information if you want to pick up your card before arrivals weekend.

When you collect your ID card you’ll be given a Guide to Student Support that takes you through all the support on offer to you as a student at Coventry University.

If you need to speak to any of the support services before you enrol, you can give the Student Engagement Centre a call on 024 7765 6565. It’s worth saving their number to your phone as they’ll be phoning you to check everything’s okay ahead of your arrival here.

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Centre for Global Engagement sessions If you’re interested in travelling abroad, or in learning about other cultures right here in Coventry, head to one of the Centre for Global Engagement (CGE) briefing sessions in induction week. There you can discuss the many ways you can get involved, including: • Studying and working abroad in Europe • Volunteering in over 50 countries worldwide • Accessing grants and other financial support to travel overseas • Choosing from over 30 languages to learn • Participating in multicultural events • Accessing cultural training and become an Intercultural Ambassador • Training to become a leader of the future through the Global Leaders Programme (GLP) • Participating in international research If you’d like to find out more before you arrive, head over to www.coventry.ac.uk/cge.

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Coventry University Students’ Union (CUSU) With over 150 different societies and over 50 sports clubs, not to mention the numerous events, campaigns, and training happening throughout the year, CUSU really does have something for everyone to get involved with.

They work closely with the University to improve the quality of teaching and learning through the Rep System, where nominated Course and Service Reps work together to share the views and feedback from fellow students.

Alongside this, the Student Warden scheme looks to improve student and local community relationships through an awareness of improving life for all in Coventry, and there’s a volunteering service where you can give something back and work for the local community.

CUSU also runs an independent advice centre to help you if you have any problems with housing, debt or academic issues.

On top of this, there are plenty of opportunities to socialise with new people, enhance your employability or just try something new. For instance, budding journalists can get involved in our student media outlets – Source TV, Radio or News.

CUSU is a charity run by students, for students, to help you get the most out of your university experience. Its democratic structure consists of six student-elected Sabbatical Officers and a President, all of whom are current or former Coventry University students. They will be your main point of contact with CUSU and work on the ideas and issues that matter to you. You can find them in office 1.24 in TheHub. Come and see how you can get involved at the CUSU Welcome Festival, week commencing 24 September 2018, or visit www.cusu.org for more details.

Calum My advice to anyone coming to Coventry University is to join a society. This could be something you already do or something totally new. I decided to try something totally new, which is why I now play American Football. One of the best choices I’ve ever made. Great friends and great experiences.

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Choosing your Add+vantage Scheme module What is the Add+vantage Scheme?

• Coventry University has developed the Add+vantage Scheme to help you gain work-related knowledge, skills, qualifications and experience.

• Most full-time undergraduate courses include one mandatory Add+vantage module each academic year. Check online at www.coventry.ac.uk/addvantage to see if your course is excluded.

• You must register, attend and pass your Add+vantage module each year to be awarded your degree.

• Module themes include Global Experience, Work-Related Skills, Global Languages and Professional Accreditation.

What do I do next?

• After you have enrolled, you can explore each of the modules to choose from on the Student Portal Add+vantage Scheme webpage.

• Attend your Add+vantage Scheme presentation during induction week for information about module registration.

More details can be found on the induction webpages.

• Check your Coventry email account during induction week – you’ll be sent more information then, if you’re eligible.

• Register for your Add+vantage module from Thursday 27 September 2018 (1pm) to Monday 1 October 2018 (5pm).

Where do I go for information and advice?

T: 024 7765 2011 E: add-vantage.ss@coventry.ac.uk Visit the Team in the Central Careers Service in TheHub (1st floor).

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Judy-Jude The skills module gave me a realistic idea of what it’s really like to apply for jobs. Creating CVs and cover letters along the way meant it won’t be new to me when I apply for jobs in my final year.

Najia The Add+vantage modules really give you a chance to learn something new, something completely different to the course you’re studying.

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Mature students If you’re worried about being out of study for a while, then just remember the University has offered you a place here, so they like what they have seen so far.

The University has two very useful Library-based help services – that are there to support all students – with free maths and literacy advice and guidance.

The Centre for Academic Writing can help you structure your arguments and develop an academic writing style for essays, reports and dissertations.

Sigma maths and stats support offers access to tutors on a drop-in basis for help with any mathematical or statistical problems you may be having.

And students who are also parents might be interested in Coventry University’s Nursery on Alma Street, which is open to children of students, staff and the general public. The Nursery, which received a rating of ‘good’ in its latest Ofsted Report, caters for those aged between three months and four years old.

Call them on 024 7688 7305 for more information.

Ade I started university a few years older than some of my peers and I felt so out of place. It eventually dawned on me that I came here to learn, not to compare myself with others. Focus on your own goal at university, and you'll realise that there’s no reason to be nervous. We all have the same fears and worries as students. We all have sleepless nights, coursework and exams, and over time, that brings us closer in a weird sense of togetherness.

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Making the most of your lectures We know that many of you will have attended lectures and seminars before and will have already developed your own study techniques, but we hope that a few of our own hints and tips will help you to make the most of your studies here.

Prepare – take a look at the topics you will be studying here before you arrive. Reading around the subject in advance will aid your understanding in lectures and seminars.

Be organised – make use of a diary, folders and post-it notes.

Make sure you know where you are supposed to be and at what time. Timekeeping is key to successful studying.

Get involved – don’t be afraid to ask your lecturers questions and enter into debate with them and your fellow students. The more you ask, the more you learn.

Keep in touch – make regular appointments with your lecturers during their surgery hours to ask for feedback on the work you submit. Knowing you’re on track will help you to build confidence.

Look after yourself – don’t turn up at lectures hungry and thirsty or you won’t be able to concentrate.

Lily Students are encouraged to find the learning style that suits them best and pretty much every learning style is catered for. The DMLL in the Library is a great place to study as you can move the tables and chairs around and use the huge whiteboards to write down your thoughts as you work.

Najia Take a pen and a notepad and turn up on time! Trust me, no one wants to be the only one walking in late.

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Look after yourself – mind and body You don’t need us to tell you that it’s important to look after yourself at university. If you are moving away from home, we’d recommend that you register with a local GP before the start of term, rather than waiting until you feel unwell. We’ve got a medical centre in TheHub, and you can register with them at www.covunigp.co.uk.

It’s important to look after your mental well-being too.

That means realising that it’s okay to feel homesick, and even a bit lonely when you first arrive here, and it’s okay to feel stressed when you have deadlines and exams approaching.

There are lots of people who can help if you are struggling, whatever the problem is. Give the Health and Wellbeing team a call on 024 7765 8029 and they’ll be ready to listen.

You can also access information on our support services by downloading the Coventry University Health and Wellbeing app from your app store.

Najia It’s normal to feel a bit lonely at first but joining the University gym and societies encouraged me to make new friends.

Exercising regularly helps me to feel less stressed and is also a good way to make new friends.

Judy-Jude Make sure you register with the GP in TheHub. They’re so approachable and convenient as well because they’re right here on campus.

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Making your money last One of the most challenging things about university life is having the responsibility for budgeting and managing your own money.

You’ll probably have looked at the range of student bank accounts on offer and applied for your student loan, but it might help to have some extra help and advice on how to make your money stretch that little bit further.

Calum Put money aside for the important stuff like rent and bills. What is left after that you can spend on yourself. Saving is always worthwhile though.

Ade I'll keep this short. Don’t spend all of your student loan on every club night there is. You'd be surprised how quickly it all disappears, and then there's almost nothing left for food or basic necessities. It's not fun being a broke student.

Lily Working as a student ambassador for the University really helps out with budgeting and with making new friends that I might not have otherwise met. There are plenty of opportunities to work throughout the year, always to fit around my studies. And it means I don’t need to keep going back to the bank of mum and dad ;)

Najia It’s worth buying an NUS extra card and downloading UNiDAYS, Student Beans and other student discount apps – they really can save you lots of money.

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Come dine with us So you’ve moved away from home and now there’s no-one to cook your Sunday roast. The easy answer is to have a wander into town and grab a takeaway, splash out on a sit-down meal or crack open that tin of beans from your kitchen stash. Or, you could save yourself money on that cheeky Nando’s, and have a go at this BBC Good Food piri-piri chicken with spicy rice recipe (www.bbcgoodfood.com). It’s cheap and easy to put together and might just make you the most popular flatmate in your halls if you cook enough to share.

Ingredients 4 skin-on chicken thighs and 4 chicken drumsticks 6 tbsp piri-piri marinade 1 tbsp sunflower oil 2 peppers, any colour, finely chopped ½ bunch spring onions 4 tbsp tomato purée 1 tbsp sweet smoked paprika 250g cooked rice Approx. £1.40 per serving (serves 4) Method Heat oven to 200˚C/180˚C fan/gas 6. Slash each piece of chicken 3 times, so the marinade can really flavour the meat. Pour over the sauce and leave in the fridge to marinate, if you have time.

If not, mix well and arrange, skin-side up, in a roasting tin. Cook for 30 mins, then increase heat to 220˚C/200˚C fan/gas 7 and cook for about 15 mins more until the skin is crispy and golden.

When the chicken is almost ready, heat the oil in a frying pan.

Cook the peppers and white parts of the spring onions for 5 mins.

Tip in the purée and paprika, stir, then add the rice, breaking up with a wooden spoon so all the grains are coated well. Use a high heat and scrape any that sticks off the bottom so you get some soft and some crispy parts. Heat until piping hot. Scatter the green parts of the spring onion on top and serve with the chicken.

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Vegan alternative And for a healthy vegan alternative, why not have a go at this BBC Good Food-inspired beet, chickpea and guacamole burger? (www.bbcgoodfood.com) Ingredients 400g can chickpeas, drained 300g pack cooked beetroot in water 2 large, round rye buns 2 large handfuls mixed spinach, watercress and rocket salad 3 tbsp guacamole 1 slice lemon (optional) olive oil Approx. £2.20 per serving (serves 2) Method Drain and halve the beetroot. Take one half, with ž of the chickpeas, 1tbsp guacamole, 1 tbsp olive oil and a generous sprinkling of seasoning and blend together in a food processor to give a thick, smooth hummus. Then fry the remaining chickpeas in a small amount of olive oil and leave to one side to cool.

Slice the buns and assemble with the hummus, the remaining beetroot sliced, guacamole, salad leaves and the fried chickpeas.

Add a squeeze of lemon for an extra zesty twist to your burger and then kick back and enjoy!

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Getting to know your city We know that you’re here to study and gain that all-important degree, but we’re guessing you’re also planning to enjoy the city and all it has to offer along the way. Take a look at the next few pages for our top tips on where to eat, drink and be entertained in and around Coventry.

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Food and drink One of the best things about starting university has to be the chance to try out all the cafés and restaurants on offer, and with the wide range available across the city, you’re not going to be short of food when you arrive.

If you want to venture into the city centre for lunch, then don’t miss out on a trip to Noodle Bar in the Bull Yard to try their authentic Chinese food and extra-large portions. Or check out Wagamama and Cosy Club for an early evening meal in Broadgate. Make sure you visit Pizza Express, Las Iguanas and Zizzi, all just a short walk from campus, to take advantage of their Sunday – Thursday student discounts.

Fans of Italian food won’t be disappointed by PGR in Priory Place where you can watch chefs prepare your pizza in authentic wood-fired ovens. Or try My Dhabba on Spon Street for reasonably-priced, Indian street food in a ‘bring your own alcohol’ setting.

For a vegan alternative, head to The Pod Café on Far Gosford Street and try their ethically sourced, home-grown food. Or cross over the road to find Habibi and enjoy their Middle Eastern halal cuisine served in an exotic Bedouin tent.

To satisfy those sweet tooth cravings, try Creams Café, five minutes’ walk from campus on Swanswell Street, and choose from an array of crêpes, ice creams and milkshakes. Or take a short trip to Sprinkles on Hales Street where you can work your way through their mouth-watering selection of waffles, sundaes and sorbets.

Najia You’ll find all the popular mainstream restaurants in the city centre, but I’d recommend being a bit more adventurous and exploring some more unusual haunts. SHIN Japanese Bar and Kitchen and Jinseon Korean BBQ restaurant are definitely worth a try.

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Music and nightlife If you’re into your music, then you’re not going to be disappointed with the range of options for a night out in Coventry.

In Earlsdon, you’ll find Millsy’s, a fancy bar with fancy food and well known for its DJs, local acts and a weekly open mic night. Just a few streets away is the Nursery Tavern, an awardwinning pub and small music venue that hosts folk and acoustic acts.

Back in the city centre is The Tin Music and Arts in the Canal Basin, where you’ll find music of all types, film nights and other arty events, and at The Big Comfy Bookshop in Fargo Village you can drop in to regular folk and acoustic sessions, poetry nights and games evenings.

If you’re after big name bands in a cool, urban vibe setting then head for The Empire on Far Gosford Street, or to the more commercial Kasbah, just outside the city centre. Recent acts to have graced the stages there are Kano, The Cribs and Frank Turner. Or for something a little more sedate, choose Drapers on Earl Street for open mic nights, themed quizzes and live DJs. And for those who can’t get enough of their traditional student night events, try Daddy Cools on Spon Street and JJ’s on Fridays and Saturdays at the Skydome.

Judy-Jude Try The Phoenix for studentfriendly prices and a chance to use your student ID card for extra discounts.

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Arts and culture Get your culture fix by visiting Coventry’s selection of theatres and museums. Or kick back and catch a film at one of the city’s cinemas.

Theatre Try Warwick Arts Centre, which is a short bus ride away at University of Warwick on the outskirts of Coventry and attracts over 300,000 visitors per year. Check out their live comedy schedule – Jason Manford, Sarah Millican and Ross Noble are all due to appear in your first few weeks in Coventry. Or take in a show at the city-centre Belgrade Theatre, which offers an eclectic programme of produced, visiting and community shows together with discounts for students.

In nearby Earlsdon, you’ll find The Albany Theatre, an Art Deco theatre that hosts local and national comedy acts, live music and an annual pantomime. Or venture down to the bottom of City Arcade and find the Shop Front Theatre, a former fish and chip shop restaurant now offering a small performance space where sets and lighting are minimal, leaving storylines to speak for themselves.

Cinema As well as the University’s own cinema on campus, there’s an Odeon in the Skydome and a Showcase Cinema in Walsgrave, which is a short walk from the 8 and 8A bus routes. All three offer discounted tickets for students.

Ade This city is rich in history. Take your time to explore it. From the Cathedral ruins, to the museums, and historical Spon Street to the Canal Basin. There are nooks and crannies and little nuggets of information to stumble upon everywhere you go.

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Museums As the birthplace of the British motor industry, Coventry is home to the recently redeveloped Transport Museum. This free-toenter museum features the fastest car in the world, a 4D Land Speed Record Simulator and also showcases Coventry’s rich manufacturing history.

Explore Coventry’s most famous contribution to music at the 2 Tone Village on Walsgrave Road, just outside the city centre.

Created to celebrate our 2 Tone heritage, this area includes a café, the Simmer Down Caribbean restaurant, vintage and memorabilia stores and The Coventry Music Museum.

Back on campus you’ll find The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum on Bayley Lane near University Square. The galleries include art, history and natural history exhibitions and there are lots of events to get involved in.

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Fargo Village Fargo Village provides a Shoreditch-style hub of art, music and food in Coventry’s cultural quarter. Just down the road from campus, you can find artists and artisans showcasing their creativity and talent. As you walk through the Village you’ll find shipping containers that have been transformed into artists’ workspaces, galleries and shops.

The Indoor Market is where you can find an eclectic mix of independent shops. Fargo’s more unusual offerings include Buddha Boutique, offering holistic hippy goods and doubling up as a pop-up yoga studio; Sgt Bilko’s Vintage Emporium, who specialise in vintage and modern television and film memorabilia; and Auntie Olive’s Attic, where you’ll find 50s, 60s and 70s fashion, furniture and homeware.

Twisted Barrel Ale run loads of events – from brewery tours to pilot beer weekends – and they’re all held inside the brewery, meaning you can enjoy a pint in the building it was created in.

Head to family-owned Backhaus & Co for food to put a smile on your face. Sample their locally-sourced coffee and speciality breads, or enjoy a drink at one of their regular film nights or Supper Club evenings.

Or pop into Saus ‘n’ Roll to sample a variety of handmade sausage rolls, pasties and pies, with all produce made fresh on the premises. Just next door is the equally calorific Choc ‘n’ Roll, offering a range of macarons and pastries, a selection of homemade hot chocolates and award-winning coffee, and workshops on chocolate and macarons.

And once you’ve tried and tested all of the cool shops, beer and eateries at Fargo, try your luck at Escape Live, Coventry’s premier themed escape game where you have 60 minutes to make your way out of a locked room by solving puzzles, cracking codes and working together.

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Ade Eat at a restaurant you’ve never been to before (hint hint: try Esmie’s at Fargo Village for some great Caribbean recipes, with vegan options too).

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Sport Keeping fit and looking after yourself helps to keep your mind alert and well-motivated for study. Here on campus we’ve got a Sport and Recreation Centre with a number of sports halls, studios and a fitness suite, all available for you to use. But if watching sport is more up your street, then take a look at what’s on offer in the local area.

Our newly-promoted local football team, Coventry City, plays at the Ricoh Arena along with Wasps, our Premiership rugby team.

Or you can watch Coventry RFC, our Greene King IPA Championship side which plays at the Butts Park Arena, a few minutes’ walk from the city centre.

If you prefer the rink to the pitch, head to the Skydome Arena to support local Elite League ice hockey team, Coventry Blaze. Or you could venture down to Hearsall Common to watch the Coventry Cycle Speedway.

Coventry and North Warwickshire Hockey Club fields four men’s and two ladies’ sides.

Training and matches take place at the Coventry University Sports Ground at Westwood Heath with new players and volunteers always welcome.

Or if you prefer to take your sport at a gentler pace, then Warwickshire County Cricket Club’s home ground in Edgbaston, South Birmingham could be the place for you.

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Shopping If you like to spend the odd afternoon indulging in a spot of retail therapy, then you’re in the right place for student shopping with Coventry’s impressive range of stores.

The main shopping area is just a few minutes’ walk away from campus and is home to high street regulars such as New Look, Debenhams, River Island and Waterstones, while other favourites including Primark, Topshop and JD Sports can be found even closer to campus in the Broadgate and Upper Precinct areas of the city.

Coventry also boasts one of the very few city-centre IKEA stores, while serious discount-hunters should head to Resorts World – just 10 minutes away by train and home to some big-name outlet stores, as well as restaurants and a cinema.

If you like to make a full day of your shopping trips, then head to the Bull Ring shopping centre in Birmingham, where you will find over 160 shops and a wide range of restaurants, bars and cafés.

Najia I use Sainsbury’s in the city centre for all my kitchen and store cupboard essentials and the Bull Ring in Birmingham for an Aladdin’s cave of shopping goodies.

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In the local area Had your fill of the well-known coffee chains? Then take a short trip to Earlsdon to find a range of independent shops and a pavement café culture. There’s also an annual Earlsdon Festival which takes place around the May Day bank holiday with live music, workshops, pub games and stalls to enjoy.

The War Memorial Park in Earlsdon is Coventry’s largest city park.

It hosts the city’s Saturday morning 5k Park Run, the Godiva Festival every summer and lots of other events. Many students head down to this park on sunny afternoons.

The Skydome has a cinema, ice rink, restaurants and bars so there’s always something to do. It’s next to historic Spon Street, where you’ll find even more places to eat and go out.

If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, then consider checking out the leafy, castle towns of Kenilworth (15 mins by car) and Warwick (25 mins).

For a full-on tourist fix, head to Stratford-upon-Avon (35 mins) and catch a show at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, while away your afternoon on a riverboat or take a tour round Shakespeare’s Birthplace.

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Dates for your diary Bonfire Night: November 2018, Kenilworth Castle You’ll find all the usual bonfire and fireworks displays at football and rugby clubs in and around the city, but if you want to make a real night of it, head over to Kenilworth Castle for one of the biggest displays in the Midlands. Tickets are around £8 if bought in advance or watch for free from outside the castle grounds.

Birmingham Comic Con: November 2018, The NEC This Comic Con is large enough to host something for everyone, from cosplayers who want to show their creations on stage to casual fans who want to see what all the fuss is about.

Coventry Degree Show: May 2019, Coventry University campus This one’s a biggie for our Faculty of Arts and Humanities students. It gives them a chance to showcase their creativity and skill to other students, industry experts and the public through exhibitions, film, dance and live performances.

Summer Ball: May 2019, Coventry Cathedral Another thing to look forward to is the Summer Ball – where else do you get to listen to live music in Cathedral ruins?

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Coventry Motofest: June 2019, city centre This motoring festival celebrates Coventry’s heritage of transport innovation and development with a unique blend of motorsport demonstrations, static displays and live music.

Coventry Pride: June 2019, University Square, and across the city Now in its fifth year, this free festival has been going from strength to strength, and in 2018 was sponsored by Coventry University, amongst others. With three stages of music, stand-up comedy shows, food, drink and a family fun fair, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Godiva Festival: Summer 2019, War Memorial Park Now running for over 20 years, Godiva is the largest and most well-known music festival in the city. Up to 150,000 people regularly visit this free event that usually includes three stages, a funfair, craft village and local community groups.

In 2018, some of the big names included Ronan Keating, Gabrielle, Professor Green and Jake Bugg.

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Contact details If you have any questions or problems, contact an Information Point. They’re a one-stop service who deal with all enquiries from beginning to end. When you’re on campus there is an Information Point in all faculty buildings, TheHub and Lanchester Library, and you can contact them by telephone or email from anywhere.

T: 024 7765 6565 E: infopoint.ss@coventry.ac.uk Other useful numbers: Main University number T: 024 7765 7688 Accommodation (FutureLets) T: 024 7715 8158 Funding T: 024 7765 2040 Fees T: 024 7765 2277 Medical Centre T: 024 7659 2012 Health and Wellbeing T: 024 7765 8029 Academic Registry T: 024 7765 2200 Protection Service T: 024 7765 7363 Faculty of Arts and Humanities T: 024 7765 8248 Faculty of Business and Law T: 024 7765 8410 Faculty of Engineering, Environment and Computing T: 024 7765 8888 Faculty of Health and Life Sciences T: 024 7765 5800

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coventry university students’ union is the charity dedicated to helping you at university for full details of the welcome festival, including:

welcome wristbands

entry to all welcome events plus meals

tickets to all events clubs & societies welcome fairs & more! visit cusu.org/coventry

www.cusu.org

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Check out Lynda.com today by visiting www.lynda.com, sign in through the portal and use your CU details to log in.

Any questions please email dmll@coventry.ac.uk or call 024 7765 9495.

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AVAILABLE TO STAFF AND STUDENTS Gain free access to hundreds of online tutorials

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