International New Students Guide

International

guide to starting with us March 2015

Contents…

2

Welcome

3

What to do before you arrive • Online registration • Term dates • Important checklist

4-7

Paying Your Tuition Fees

8

Registration

9

Your first week – events schedule

10-19

Meet and greet

12-13

Join our club

14-15

Student Support

24-25

Accommodation

20

New facilities at your fingertips

23

Careers and your employability

19

Things to do in Luton

24-25

Things to do in Bedford

26-27

Things to do in Milton Keynes

28-29

How to find us

30

Meet the International Office We are in Room F100, 1st Floor of the Campus Centre Park Square Luton LU1 3JU

Welcome… …to the University of Bedfordshire. We are delighted that you have chosen to study with us and you can be confident that you have made a great choice.

You will soon be joining a diverse community of more than 24,000 students from more than 100 countries around the world. Whatever success means to you, at the University of Bedfordshire our supportive staff, outstanding facilities and friendly campuses will give you everything you need to achieve it.

We recognise that new environments can take a little getting used to.

That is why we have prepared this guide, which includes everything you need to know about your first few weeks with us, including handy checklists, key dates and fun activities to get involved in, both on campus and in the local area.

As a student of the University of Bedfordshire you have joined a progressive institution devoted to supporting you and helping you explore and develop the necessary skills to succeed in your future career. I hope your time at the University is enjoyable. Welcome!

Bill Rammell Vice Chancellor Vice Chancellor

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What to do before you arrive

What to do before you arrive Pre-register online (E-vision) Before you arrive at the University, you should Pre-register online at: www.beds.ac.uk/sits.

Once complete, please print the document and bring with you to your first week – this will speed up your registration on the day.

Before you arrive, you will be allocated a pre-arrival buddy to help you through your first week at the University. Your buddy will be a current student who will give you individual support and be available to meet up in your first week. If you have not been contacted by a buddy by 4 September, please visit: www.beds.ac.uk/ buddies, and contact your choice of buddy via email or via our helpline: +44 (0)1582 743022.

Important checklist Follow these checklists for a guide on what you need to do before you arrive, what you need to bring with you in your first week and what you need to do when you arrive.

Before arriving at University Have you organised and paid for your accommodation? Do you know where to collect keys from?

Have you arranged transport from the airport to campus?

Have you visited: www.beds.ac.uk/registration to find your Registration/Orientation and Induction details?

Have you started to pre-register online via: www.beds.ac.uk/sits?

Are you ready to pay your Tuition fees when you arrive and have you got sufficient funds to live on?

Have you been contacted by a pre-arrival buddy? If not please visit: www.beds.ac.uk/buddies 4

Don’t forget to pack the documents you require for Registration: Your CAS letter, Passport, Visa, Offer Letter and originals of your qualifications.

Arrival in the UK

Arrival in the UK If you are not doing a Pre-sessional course you should aim to arrive in the UK before Monday 9th March 2015 as from day one we have planned exciting social programme and informative events for you.

You should book your flight to one of the London airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted or Luton.

It is best, where possible, to try and arrive between 9am and 5pm, as this will ensure you have an easier journey up to Bedfordshire.

If you are going to arrive outside these hours please contact your University Accommodation or landlord to make sure they are expecting you. University Halls can arrange bedding for you if needed for a small extra cost. If you are staying in a hotel or bed & breakfast temporarily please arrange an early or late check-in if required.

Travelling to your campus from the airport Please make sure you have checked on your offer letter whether your course is based in Luton, Bedford or Milton Keynes campus to plan your onward journey from the airport to your campus accordingly.

Travelling to campus using public transport

Luton campus From London Heathrow Airport: By coach – the National Express coach is the most

convenient way of travelling from Heathrow

to Luton. It departs from the central bus

station between Terminals 1, 2 and 3.

By train – an underground service is available from

Terminals 1-3 (Terminals 4 and 5 have their

own separate underground station). Take a

train on the Piccadilly Line to St Pancras

International. From there take a First Capital

Connect train to Luton From London Gatwick Airport: By train – take the First Capital Connect train directly to Luton

Bedford campus From London Heathrow Airport: By train – an underground service is available from

Terminals 1-3 (Terminals 4 and 5 have their

own separate underground station). Take a

train on the Piccadilly Line to St Pancras

International. From there take a First Capital

Connect train to Bedford.

From London Gatwick Airport: By train – take the First Capital Connect train service

direct to Bedford University Campus Milton Keynes From London Heathrow Airport: By coach – the National Express coach is the most

convenient way of travelling from Heathrow

to Milton Keynes.

5

What to bring

Don’t Forget!

As an international student about to move away to university in the UK the most important things to bring with you are your visa, your passport and your CAS. You can find everything else when you arrive but there are some important things that you can do to make moving to the UK easier. Check out our ‘Top 5’ things to do before you come to UK.

2

Get kitted out The weather in the UK is likely to be considerably colder than your home country so do pack some warm clothes.

Don’t panic though if you have nothing suitable - the University is very close to the town centre which is packed with shops and a market full of clothes at bargain prices so you won’t get cold. But don’t forget to bring your warm weather clothes - the sun shines here too!

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1

Put a roof over your head It’s important that you have at least organised somewhere to stay when you first arrive. University accommodation will give you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live and study with students from many different backgrounds – many of whom will become friends for life.

Check out what is available online before you come and sort out your home away from home before you leave - that way you will know where you are going, your family will know you are safe and it will mean you can focus on enjoying your first weeks as a UK student. www.studentvillagebeds.com Find out more on page 20

What to bring

3

Essentials You’ll make loads of new friends at University but photos of family and friends from home are a great touch! And if you are planning to watch TV here you’ll need a licence - visit www.tvlicensing.co.uk. And finally, make sure you have that 100 per cent essential student item, the alarm clock, that way you can rest assured you won’t miss any of those 9am lectures!

4

Taking care of yourself During your first week you should register with our Health Centre.

Please bring details of any vaccinations including any meningitis vaccinations with you and information about current medication and allergies. And in the interests of fun and fitness make sure you bring your sports kit along with you, that way you can make the most of our fantastic sports facilities at both Luton and Bedford.

5

It’s good to talk Make sure you can stay in touch with friends and family at home so do bring your mobile phone with you and make sure that it is set up to work in the UK. We can give you a SIM card with your Welcome Pack and you’ll get some extra credit the first time you top up!

For more information please visit:

www.beds.ac.uk/

registration

7

Paying your tuition fees

International student information

Paying your tuition fees Before you travel to the UK it is vital to ensure that you have enough money to cover living expenses and fees.

You should not expect that a part-time job will cover these costs.

To find out more about how to pay your fees, visit our website: www.beds.ac.uk/internationalfees

You would have already paid a deposit of minimum 50% of your tuition fees and you should pay the remaining fees before or at registration or set up a payment plan.

Tel: +44 (0)1582 743807/51/52 Email:Â finance@beds.ac.uk

It may be useful to know that if you pay the total amount before or at registration, you may be eligible for a substantial fee discount.

8

For more information or advice please contact the University’s Finance Office:

Term dates: International students

Registration

Arrival in Accommodation:

8– 9 March 2015

Your first week:

9 March 2015

Orientation and Induction:

9 March 2015 - 21 March 2015

Teaching starts:

16 March 2015

Easter Break

23 March - 5 April

Christmas Break

21 December - 3 Jan

Term dates and important checklist

International student information

Visit: www.beds.ac.uk/aboutus/dates for the full list of term dates in 2015

There is even more help on hand when you arrive with the Students’ Union’s Freshers’ Angels.

Emblazoned in blue, the angels are current students who are there to help you move into halls, show you around town and introduce you to all that the Students’ Union has to offer.

Before you arrive on campus, be sure to look up your reading lists via: readinglists.beds.ac.uk, as you may want to purchase some of the core text books before you join us.

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Orientation Schedule Orientation Date

9 March 2015

11 March 2015

13 March 2015

Event

Time

Welcome to Bedfordshire

9:00-9:30

Your International Office

9:30-10:00

HTS Compliance

10:00-10:30

Communication Skills

10:30-11:00

Location

Cost

Postgraduate Centre

Registration

12:00-16:00

Level 1 SiD

Games Night

17:00-20:00

PG Centre

Peer Assisted Learning - PAL

14:00-15:00

Movie Night

17:00-20:00

Supporting You

9:00-10:00

G101 Lecture Theatre Luton Campus Centre

Supporting Your Learning

11:00-12:00

JM10 Business School

Student Night

17:00-20:00

PG Centre

PG Centre

20th MARCH LATE REGISTRATION 20 March 2015

21 March 2015

10

Welcome to Bedfordshire

9:00-9:30

Your International Office

9:30-10:00

HTS Compliance

10:00-10:30

Communication Skills

10:30-11:00

Games Night

17:00-20:000

Day Trip To Xscape MK

08:00-17:00

Postgraduate Centre

Meet at Park Square Reception

ÂŁ5 for travel

Belong at Bedfordshire University You will get all the support you need at Bedfordshire from the International Office, Student Information Desk and the staff in your Faculty. Visit beds.ac.uk/internationalsupport to find out more...

“I arrived in the UK and could not believe how cold it was but the welcome at the University was very warm.”

“I like being so close to London so I can enjoy the city life with my friends without the costs of living there.”

Li Xiang BSc Accounting and Finance

“There is a lot of support for international students especially from the International Office” Iris Perami BA(Hons) Public Relations student

Lilian Chinwe Soribe BSc Nursing Studies

“I will always say and I will keep saying it. I love the way Bedfordshire deals with International students.”

Robert Alwell, MSc Public Health

Everything just clicked! My colleagues are amazing, my professors are amazing and the resources are just brilliant. If you come here you are here to stay!”

“There are students here from so many countries Europe, Asia, America - I have made a lot of friends.”

Tejpreet Dhillon, BA (Hons) Marketing (India)

“The advice I would give to anyone applying to the University of Bedfordshire is that they have made the best decision of their lives”

James Ogege, BEng Electronic Engineering

Ashwin Kumar, BSc Computer Science and Software Engineering “The University of Bedfordshire is a big family. It offers a really warm welcoming environment for overseas students.” Qianyi Zhao, BA (Hons) Media Production

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Meet and greet

Meet and greet

1

Name: Title:

Jordan Lewis Beds SU President

2

Name: Cathy Lapwood Title: HTS Manager Cathy heads up the Visa and Immigration Team in the International Office. Her colleagues Krisha, Syeda, Nurun and Susan are here to help students protect their visas and make the most of their time here.

Where is your favourite place to go out? Some of my best nights out have been at university, and it’s such a great vibe in both Luton and Bedford but I don’t have one particular place. There is always just a buzz and a great atmosphere in the air. You’re not just confined to places near the campus either and often it’s nice to go back to your uni friends’ hometowns and have a night out there too!

What are your words of wisdom for new, first year students? Don’t be afraid to spread your wings! Talk to as many people as you can and don’t be shy.

Remember everyone is in the same boat as you. University goes so fast and you should make the most of it so get involved with as much as you can. These days employers are looking for more than a degree so you should make the most of the opportunities on offer, such as Beds SU’s sports clubs, societies and volunteering department.

Remember to work hard and play hard.

No one said it’s going to be easy but at the end it will be so worth it!

The International Office is open from 9:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Thursday and 9:30am to 4pm on Fridays.

We encourage all students to come and talk to us if they need advice or guidance with a visa issue - we are here to help.

So if you need to extend your Tier4 Visa, want to invite friends or family to visit you, or need help because you have lost your passport the Visa team in the International Office is here to help.

Call 01582 743421 or 01582 489129 or email: visaadvice@beds.ac.uk or come and talk to an advisor.

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Our staff and students share their words of wisdom and favourite social hot spots with you.

Name: Treehouse Luton Campus

The Treehouse is the Community and Faith centre at our Luton Campus. It’s a ‘home away from home’ to make new friends - drop in for tea or coffee and a warm welcome.

We’re big on Support - talk to us and we’ll listen and help confidentially

3

Name:

Dr. John Beaumont-Kerridge Dr Fiaz Hussain Sub-Deans International

Dr John Beaumont Kerridge is Sub-Dean International for the Business School and Dr Fiaz Hussain is Sub-Dean International for CATs Faculty. For students they act as liaison between teachers and administrative staff and should your main point of contact with your Faculty.

Sub–Deans International are available to provide support for both academic and pastoral issues and help make sure that you enjoy the best possible experience at University. Both are active members of the teaching staff, which means they understand the student experience from both sides.

Dr Beaumont Kerridge, known throughout the University as JBK says, “If students need support with study or advice on a how to work on a particular project we encourage them to come and talk about it. We do all we can to help.” JBK can be contacted on T: +44 (0)1582 743207 E: jbk@beds.ac.uk and Fiaz on : +44 (0)1582 743029 E: fiaz. hussain@beds.ac.uk

We celebrate major world faith festivals and work together for peace, plus our students love being creative and organising fun events.

We have Prayer and Quiet Rooms available.

Find Treehouse on the ground floor J001 Business School, Vicarage Street and visit www.beds.ac.uk/treehouse

Name: Safena Kausar Title: Senior Student Information Adviser What is your advice for new students?

There is a lot to take in at the start of term, and you won’t be able to take it all in at once. You should be given a copy of the Student Information Directory at registration – keep it somewhere safe

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Name: Emma Fiddler Title: BA (Hons) Nursing with

Registered Nurse: Adult student What is your must do experience during your first term? Talk to as many people as you can. Build friendships. Get together outside of university and have a catch up about the lectures and life outside study.

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Name: SeedBeds Bedford Campus SeedBeds is our Community and Faith centre on the Bedford Campus. It’s normally open Monday to Friday between 10am and 4:30pm offering a place to relax and chill away from studying. You’ll find SeedBeds in S Block.

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Name: SeedBeds Bedford Campus Community and Faith UCMK The Community and Faith team at UCMK, part of Student Support; offers personal and religious support to all students. We can help you get in touch with others from your faith and cultural community and support you as you settle in and throughout your studies.

and read it a few weeks into term. The Student Information Desk (SiD) is here to help you, so don’t be afraid to come and ask if you need help.

Meet and greet

5

Where is your favourite place to go in Luton or Bedford? The SU coffee bar, on the mezzanine in the Luton Campus Centre is my favourite place, it has really comfy sofas and is a great place to chill out, and the staff are really great.

What are your words of wisdom for new, first years students? Don’t worry about going out and purchasing every single book on the recommended reading list. The library stocks the majority of these and I have found that every now and then you will come across a book that you fully understand and feel you will use in your future career. These are the ones to spend the money on!

As you come out of P Block by the Repographics Room we are on the left immediately opposite the tower. Just drop in.

SeedBeds offers a relaxing and safe place to chat and meet friends and a space for reflection and prayer. We can advise you on finding a faith community, a church, mosque, synagogue, temple or other places of worship.

We run monthly community lunches at UCMK and this is a good opportunity to meet and make friends in an informal environment see http://www.beds.ac.uk/ucmk/ucmk/studentsupport/community-and-faith for more information about us and what we do.

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Join our club

Join our club Whether you want to take up a hobby here, or pursue something entirely new, we offer a wide variety of activities, clubs and societies. Not only is this a great way to meet new people and make new friends, but it’s an opportunity to do something fun at the same time as enhancing your CV. The University of Bedfordshire’s Students’ Union (Beds SU) offers more than 50 cultural, religious, arts and sports-based societies. Here are just a few that you can get involved in: The write stuff There are opportunities to work on the Students’ Union Magazine, LOUD! which is produced for, and written by students. Whether you want to write articles, do design work, or take photographs, there are a number of ways to get involved in this monthly publication.

Get Into Sport The University has a great reputation for sports, and there is a wide range on offer to suit all tastes, including badminton, basketball, cricket, football, golf, hockey, netball, rugby and tennis to name just a few. However, if you are more comfortable watching from the sidelines, then you can cheer on the Bedfordshire Bulls teams that compete in the British Universities Sport Association (BUSA) leagues. www.beds.ac.uk/sportbeds Get Involved If sport is not really your thing then we offer a number of cultural and religious societies including the Bangladeshi society, the Chinese Society, the Islamic society the Vietnamese Society and the Christian Union. If you can’t find one that takes your fancy then you can always set up your own with the help of Beds SU. www.bedssu.co.uk Take centre stage Over at our Bedford campus you can get involved in the Dance and Performing Arts Evening School which offers a series of ballet, jazz and urban dance classes, which are run for a small fee.

“There are so many reasons to join a club or society – it’s an opportunity to meet new people, try new things and develop the skills you already possess. Check out www.bedssu.co.uk to find out all we have to offer.”

John O’Brien, Student Activities Manager

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Join our club If you want to take up an activity that relates more to your course, then fear not. Here at Bedfordshire we also offer some course-specific, extra-curricular activities that may appeal to you.

Media movers Radio LaB is the University’s very own radio station.

Broadcasting from 97.1FM, you can get involved in presenting and producing your own shows. We also have The TV LaB which acts as a platform for you to showcase your work live across our University campuses.

Be a volunteer The Beds SU volunteering service has a wide range of opportunities both in house and within the local community. We can even help you find volunteer work related to your studies.

Upgrading your future If you are on a Computer Science and Technology related course you can get involved in the Academic into Business Computing (ABC) scheme. This provides you with the opportunity to gain experience of working on real projects for clients. Psychology and Social Science students meanwhile, can benefit from internships with the Police and local charities.

Getting the inside scoop Many courses also provide opportunities to attend masterclasses with industry insiders. Previous Media masterclasses have included visits from CBBC presenter Gemma Hunt and Del Brown. Our Human Resources students have been treated to masterclasses with industry experts, including speakers from the Chartered Management Institute, Pictons Solicitors LLP and Plain Talking HR, to name a few.

Have your say Become a course or faculty representative to be the voice for fellow students on your course and help solve and raise course or faculty issues on behalf of your peers. You get access to full student rep training run by the Students’ Union to enhance your role. It’s a great addition to any CV.

In the know We host conferences throughout the year which are open for you to attend. Conferences can include our very own world-leading researchers, as well as top speakers from industry. Social Science students can attend the Making Research Count events, free of charge, whereas Performing Arts students can join the Junior Research Institute and work alongside our academics on research projects.

Industry visits Many of our courses offer outward visits which provide a great day out and the chance to get into industry.

Our Psychology students frequently go to the Crown court to observe cases, and our Computer Science and Technology students get to go to Luton Magistrates’ court and 7Safe – world-renowned experts in computer forensics investigation and training.

To find out more, please visit: www.bedssu.co.uk

“Radio LaB is much more than just a student radio station, broadcasting 24/7 across Luton on 97.1FM on a community radio license and online. No previous radio experience is required!

To register your interest, visit www.radiolab.beds.ac.uk/getinvolved and fill out the online form.”

Terry Lee, Radio LaB Co-ordinator

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Student support

Student Support

Student Support offers practical and confidential advice and support. We have several teams who can help you during your studies.

Student Engagement Can advise you on complex problems including academic, personal and health issues that may impact on your studies. The Engagement Team works closely with all support teams at the University and your academic department to ensure your needs are fully met.

Email: student.engagement@beds.ac.uk Disability Support Support students whose learning may be affected by a disability, a long-term medical condition or a specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia.

We offer support with: • Applying for Disabled Students’ Allowances (UK students only) • Access on campus • Accessing non-medical helper support • Screening for specific learning difficulties • Examination access arrangements Email: disability@beds.ac.uk

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Counselling Service Can help if you are experiencing any problems of a personal or emotional nature that may be interfering with your academic work and your life. Counselling offers you the opportunity to talk in confidence with

someone who is impartial and separate from work, social and family life. Our aim is to help you find and activate your own resources to resolve your difficulties.

A telephone service is offered to students studying at the Buckinghamshire campuses.

Email: counselling@beds.ac.uk (Luton) counsellingbedford@beds.ac.uk (Bedford) Mental Well-being One in four people experience some sort of mental health difficulty in their life, particularly during stressful times. Personal support is offered to students experiencing mental health difficulties.

What support can be offered?

• An initial assessment to determine the most beneficial support for your individual needs • One-to-one support • Liaison with mental health services and GP • Support during absence caused by ill health and facilitation of a planned return to study Email: jill.gale@beds.ac.uk Registering with a Doctor’s Surgery You will need to register with a local doctor when you come to University – do not leave this until you are unwell. There are several near our University campuses and we recommend you do this during your induction week. For information about local surgeries, please contact one of our Student Support Receptions.

Student Money Advice Offers confidential advice and support from experienced advisers. If you have money worries the advisers are able to give you general advice on budgeting and will point you toward alternative sources of funding that may be available.

Email: studentmoney@beds.ac.uk

Mitigation Can’t hand in work on time or sit an exam? Apply for mitigating circumstances if serious and exceptional factors outside your control prevent you from carrying out academic work. Applications for mitigation should be made before or on the day of submission.

Email: mitigation@beds.ac.uk

Student support

Community and Faith Welcomes students of all faiths and beliefs. We offer confidential personal support and advice on faith matters, and also offer a range of social activities and events often based in the Community and Faith centres on campus.

Prayer and Quiet Rooms for major world faiths are provided, along with information about local places of worship.

Email: chaplaincy@beds.ac.uk

Visit the Student Support Reception on the second floor of the Campus Centre in Luton, in H building in Bedford, or you can call one of our Student Support Receptions on 01234 793333 (Bedford) or 01582 489622 (Luton and other sites). Further information can be found at: www.beds.ac.uk/student-support

Student Information Desk (SiD) All of our support services can be accessed through the Student Information Desk (or SiD as we like to call it). SiD desks are located across all our campuses where you can speak to someone face-to-face. SiD can also be accessed online 24/7, so no matter how big or small the problem, or whether you are on or off campus, we are always here to help.

The SiD team has been trained to know about all the services available, and will make sure we put you in touch with the right person. SiD can also pass the enquiry to the relevant specialist and you will be able to track the progress of the enquiry, and be kept up-to-date with progress, enabling you to spend your time on your studies. Visit: www.beds.ac.uk/sid for more information.

Study Hub To get help and advice, you can also visit the StudyHub. From computer skills workshops to specialist help and support in your subject from one of our expert Academic Liaison Librarians there is a plethora of support on hand to support your studies, in addition to the vast digital resources on hand. Visit: http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/help for more details.

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Supporting your Learning

Supporting your Learning

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Study Hub To get help learning to study, you can visit the Study Hub. One of our expert Academic Liaison Librarians, Professional Academic Development Team members or Computer Skills Trainers will be on hand to help you enhance your academic skills. Additionally there are many guides and resources available online.

Visit: http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/studyhub Skills for Success As part of the registration process, you will be expected to attend skills for success workshops. These will give you a head start in studying at a UK University. Workshop opportunities include sessions on: How to study in the UK How to read academic materials and take notes Understanding plagiarism Academic writing Skills What is expected in presentations and group work

PAL is Peer Assisted Learning. The idea behind PAL is that of experienced students, those who have “been there, done it and got the t-shirt� working with new, first year students to help them get their heads around life at the university, and to understand what being a University of Bedfordshire student is really like.

Many students coming to university can find the transition from home/ school/college daunting or difficult and we want to make this as smooth as possible to ensure new students have a good experience.

Our Professional Academic Development (PAD) team can help you if you are experiencing difficulty with your studies or if you want to develop your skills further.

From referencing to IT skills, PAD team is there to support you every step of you way.

Here at the University of Bedfordshire we take your career very seriously. We have high graduate employability, with 92% of our graduates going into employment or further study (DLHE 2012) and we are passionate about encouraging you to reach your professional potential.

We provide you with a whole range of opportunities to gain work experience and develop your employability skills. Make sure you take full advantage of everything we offer whilst you’re studying with us, as this will help you to distinguish yourself from other graduates when it comes to applying for a job.

Careers and Employability

Careers and Employability

Mario Louis, BA (Hons) Television Production graduate Now Freelance TV Researcher, Maverick TV

Lyzgeo Yoshi, BSc (Hons) Software Engineering graduate. Now Capacity & Performing Planning Analyst, Vocalink

Jodie Lockwood, BA (Hons) Television Production graduate Now Production Co-ordinator, ITV

Careers and Employment Service Once you have registered, drop in to see us on campus so that we can start to help you achieve your career goals straight away. We provide you with: • Dedicated employability advisers for each course and department • Access to a wealth of careers information and resources online • Help with securing internships and part-time jobs • Events and careers fairs where you can meet employers face-to-face • The chance to enter competitions and win awards, such as ‘Bedfordshire Edge’, and our Employability Award enabling you to stand out from other students

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Accommodation

Accommodation Short Term Options: If you have arrived arrive in Luton without any long term accommodation booked or ready for you, then there are some short term options you could use to give yourself time to find something more suitable.

The cheapest short term accommodation is usually a B&B - Bed & Breakfast room in Luton town. They will provide you with somewhere to sleep and breakast but are not suitable to stay in long term. There are two B&Bs close to the Luton Campus: Bed and Breakfast in Luton The Hardware Café Single room: From £25 per night 80A Castle Street, Luton, Beds, LU1 3AJ Tel: +44 7940 573 988 Email: hello@synnott.co.uk Hill House Bed & Breakfast Single room: From £40 per night 93 London Road, Luton, Beds, LU1 3RG Tel: +44 (0)1582 722725 Hotels in Luton.

Luton Hotel Residences: 92 Chapel Street Luton LU1 5DD 01582 726009 www.lutonhotelresidence.com Easy Hotel 40A Guildford Street Luton LU1 2PA 01582 482119 www.easyhotel.com Stockwood Hotel 41/43 Stockwood Crescent Luton LU1 3SS 01582 721000 www.stockwoodhotel.com Hotels in Bedford (10mins from Campus) Travel Lodge Goldington Road 403 Goldington Road Bedford MK41 0DS 0871 559 1804 www.travelodge.co.uk

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Go to www.beds.ac.uk/accommodation to find out University Halls of Residence like Fitzroy Court (opposite)

E-mail:hillhouse@istirling.com

Private Rented Accommodation If you wish to stay in private rented accommodation, these are some of the useful websites that can help. www.spareroom.co.uk and www.gumtree.com.At the beginning of the academic year in September and October there are usually many other students looking for accommodation at the same time, and many room options are available.

Accommodation

Accommodation You can also go to one of the Accommodation agents in Luton. These agents have been recommended by previous students at the University.

TL Properties: TL HOUSE, 21 Guildford Street, Luton Bedfordshire LU1 2NQ Tel: +44 1582 705013

www.tlproperties.co.uk E: tomloy@tlproperties.co.uk

Raymond Fox 28 Wellington Street, Luton LU1 2QH Tel: +44 1582 450 100 www.raymondfox.co.uk E:info@raymondfox.co.uk

The University Accommodation company (Campus Living) has just started a list of approved accommodation providers in Luton and Bedford towns which is now available at www. studentpadbeds.co.uk There are currently twelve properties live on the site all from Bedford at the moment but they are hoping to get more landlords from other areas soon!

Staying with a Host Family - this can be a great way to improve your English and get to know local culture. Host family rooms usually cost between £70 and £100 per week in Luton including all bills except telephone calls. You would usually have one private bedroom in the family house, and then share all the other facilities of the house such as bathroom, washing, cooking and garden. Please come to the International Office to get a list of all the host family rooms in Luton and Bedford.

Accommodation Advice: Come to the International Office to speak to an International Student Advisor or contact the Student Union Advice Centre on: 01582 743264 or 743276 or 743275. Alternatively you can email SU: Louise.Tadiar@beds. ac.uk.

Accommodation Insurance: Living in the UK is relatively safe, but we advise all students to get Contents Insurance for their belongings. So if any of your belongings are lost or damaged you will be covered for the loss.

Popular insurance companies dealing with students are: §§ Endsleigh Insurance: www.endsleigh.co.uk §§ Cover-4 Students: www.cover4students.com

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Accommodation

Accommodation

Fitzroy Court, Luton

Ideally you should arrange your accommodation before you arrive at the University. If you haven’t yet secured your place in our accommodation you can find all the details on our website: www.studentvillagebeds.com

Luton campus We have more than 1,800 rooms available for students studying at our Luton campus. Our new ultra-modern en-suite accommodation Fitzroy Court and Wenlock Court offer fully furnished en-suite flats. Each flat has a spacious kitchen/lounge area, in addition to fantastic communal areas including a gym at no extra charge.

The Student Village also provides accommodation at Lea Halls and Guildford Halls with standard shared bathroom and kitchen facilities, social space/lounge and access to 24 hour assistance. There’s also dedicated postgraduate and students over 25 accommodation for a more quiet residential life at the heart of the town centre.

Bedford campus Students at the Bedford campus can opt to live at the Student Village or at Liberty Park, all of which are located on campus. The Student Village offers 168 rooms with different rooming options; from en-suites rooms to budget-saving study rooms with shared bathroom and kitchens. Whereas, Liberty Park offers 430 en-suite study bedrooms grouped into flats, with fantastic communal areas and an on-site gym.

UCMK, Milton Keynes campus Accommodation for the UCMK campus, Milton Keynes are being reserved at our committed accommodation partners in Bedford. Transport provisions have been arranged for all students with academic classes at our UCMK campus. There are also a number of private-rented accommodation options available to students who choose to study at our UCMK campus in Milton Keynes. For more information email: bedsadmin@clvuk.com

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Liberty Park, Bedford

Artist's impression of the new library, ready 2015

Alexon building

New facilities at your fingertips

New facilities at your fingertips

We provide you with the best possible environment in which to succeed. Take a look below to get a snap shot of some of the latest additions and developments on campus which you can make use of during your time with us.

Postgraduate Centre

Luton developments Brand-new Library

Professional Postgraduate Centre

At our Luton campus, work is underway on a brand-new, seven-storey library that will offer state-of-the-art IT equipment, in addition to increased space for study either individually or as a group, by 2015.

Our Postgraduate students can benefit from access to our new Postgraduate and Continuing and Professional Development (CPD) Centre which opened in spring 2013. Built specifically for Postgraduate students, this bespoke facility includes two Harvard-style lecture theatres, teaching spaces and individual study spaces, as well as a Postgraduate lounge and games room.

Exhibiting the best Located just off-campus, we’ve opened brand-new facilities for our School of Art and Design. The Alexon building provides students with dedicated studio and exhibition space, and replicates the kind of creative space you’d expect to see in industry.

Bedford developments

Artist’s impression of the new teaching building

Brand-new teaching space At our Bedford campus work is underway on a brand-new three-storey building that will offer a number of high-quality teaching spaces, as well as informal learning spaces, lecture theatres and a new student services centre by 2015.

Top of our game Our Physical Education and Sport Science Centre, which was used to train athletes in the 2012 Olympics, provides you with access to the latest sport and exercise science technology to help assess and develop your sport performance. Work has also been underway to refurbish our sports hall, and upgrade our changing rooms, allowing our Bedford campus to offer facilities that meet national championship standards.

23 New sports hall

Things to do in Luton

Things to do in Luton Interest and cultural 1 University of Bedfordshire

Luton campus University Square, LU1 3JU This maybe your base for three or more years. The Students Union and Beds SU bar is located in the Campus Centre.

2 The Mall Arndale LU1 2LJ

Home to Luton Market with Halal meat,

fresh fruit and veg, Caribbean, Philipino

and African food stalls and more than

120 high street shops including TK MAXX,

Primark and Topshop, right on your doorstep.

3 The Galaxy

Bridge Street, LU1 2NB This complex offers 11 cinema screens,

16 bowling lanes, American pool tables, air hockey and a number of restaurants.

4 The hat Factory

Bute Street, LU1 2EY Playing host to everything from jazz to comedy nights, this is Luton’s premier entertainment venue.

5 Train Station

Station Road, LU1 2LT You can be in central London within 30 minutes, as well as a host of other exciting places you can visit.

6 London Luton Airport

Airport Way, LU2 9LY This airport is only three miles from our Luton campus, so you can benefit from cheap flights to many destinations.

7 Luton Hoo

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Golf Hotel and Spa Just two miles from Campus Luton Hoo is a beautiful stately home now run as a 5* hotel. For a taste of real English culture try afternoon tea at the hotel. If your parents come to stay its a great place to take them for an affordable dinner at the Brasserie.

10 Luton Halal Meat Store

Useful shops

8 Welcome Supermarket

52 Park Street Luton LU1 3ET This small sells a great range of everyday essentials for Chinese and Asian cooking.

The larger Worldwide Cash & Carry in

Union Street has an wider range of Asian groceries.

9 Iceland

52 Park Street Luton LU1 3ET This is a great place to get your daily essentials from teabags, milk and bread to washing up liquid and loo rolls.

Very student friendly prices, close to c ampus.

189 Dunstable Road, Bury Park LU1 1BT One of many local Halal butchers with a wide range of products on offer.

11 Abi Polish Food Store

172 Dunstable Road Bury Park LU1 1BT This is a very convenient food shop selling a range of Polish delicacies.

12 Johal Food Store

76 Dumfries Street Bury Park LU1 5BU Sri-Lankan Tamil groceries and a wide range of other products.

13 Ujan Bhati

104a Dunstable Road Bury Park LU1 1EW Bengali and Indian grocery and convenience store.

14 Liquid & Envy

Gordon Street, LU1 2QP You won’t want to miss out on Monday’s Fuzzy Logic student nights.

Look out for the weekly Fancy Dress Themes and upcoming PA’s.

15 sub2

Park Street, LU1 3JX sub2 is your student venue. Home to the official student Wednesday night, For BUCS Sake, the venue also hosts live music events and a variety of student led activities.

Sport 18 Venue 360

21 Pade

22 Desert Rose Cafe

Gipsy Lane, LU1 3JH Venue 360 is the official home for all University Sports, Leisure and Fitness in Luton, so if you are a University of Bedfordshire student then look no further. It also includes six outdoor and two indoor tennis courts. And, with a University ID card you can also get great discounts!

19 Inspire: Luton Sports Village

Bury Park, LU1 3EY

This complex has a coffee shop, internet

cafe, restuarant and shisha bar - Arabellas Lounge.

17 sub2

20 Luton Town Football Club

16 Nadeem Plaza

Park Street, LU1 3JX sub2 is your student venue. Home to the official student Wednesday night, For BUCS Sake, the venue also hosts live music events and a variety of student led activities.

Restaurants

Hitchin Road, LU2 8DD This state-of-the-art, multi-sport facility has a 50m, 8 lane swimming pool and a 10m, world class diving facility. In addition Inspire houses a 100 station gym that is pay as you go as well as running a wide range of fitness classes.

Kenilworth Road Stadium, LU4 8AW Cheer on the local football team, The Hatters, at the 10,000-seat stadium, which is only a few minutes walk from the town centre.

To find out more, please visit:

www.beds.ac.uk/

39 Wellington Street, LU1 2QH Popular and good quality African bar and restaurant which also does takeaways.

Take advantage of the student deals.

Things to do in Luton

Clubs and Bars

Park Street, LU1 2NB

Luton’s first Shisha cafe opened in 2004

and serves a delicious range of arab delicacies.

23 Papa J’s

Wellington Street, LU1 5AF Indian Tapas restaurant serving a great range of delicous south indian dishes menu and very popular with students.

24 La Dolce Vita

Park Street, LU1 3ET

Enjoy Italian food in the setting of a 17th century former coach house or in

the courtyard garden with fine Italian

wines, traditional pastas and

homemade pizzas.

25 The Coffee House

Park Street, Luton LU1 3EP Grab a coffee, milkshake, pastry or panini and while away an afternoon.

Right opposite the University, this hot spot is great to relax in.

studentlife

25

Things to do in Bedford

Things to do in Bedford Interest and cultural 1 University of Bedfordshire

Bedford campus Polhill Avenue, MK41 9EA Check out our professional 280-seat theatre, state-of-the-art PE and Sport Science Centre and en-suite halls of residence, all located on campus.

2 Harpur Shopping Centre

Home Lane, MK40 1TJ Shop ‘til you drop at Primark, Debenhams, Topshop, JJB Sports, New Look, Argos, Boots and many more outstanding retail outlets.

3 Aspects Leisure Centre

Newnham Avenue, MK41 9LN

This entertainment complex houses

Bedford’s Cineworld cinema, a bingo

hall, Fitness First gym, plus fast food

restaurants including Pizza Hut and McDonald’s.

4 Bedford River Fesitval

River Great Ouse The River Great Ouse plays host to the Bedford River Festival every other July, and features a fair, fireworks, music and hot air balloons.

5 Priory Country Park

MK41, 9SK With 68 acres of stunning countryside and woodland, plus a beautiful lake, Priory Country Park is the perfect place to escape for a picnic.

6 St Paul’s and Harpur Square

MK40 1TN Bedford has hosted thriving markets for more than 800 years and they trade on Wednesdays and Saturdays in St Paul’s and Harpur Square.

7 Train Station

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Ashburnham Road, MK40 1DR Travel to London’s St Pancras International in just 40 minutes, or you can treat yourself to a day out and explore Brighton, Nottingham and Leicester using Bedford’s rail links.

Bars 8 Yates

53-55 High Street, MK40 1RZ DJs, drinks and dishes that won’t break the bank, this bar, club and restaurant has got your entertainment covered. Check out the vodka jellies.

9 The Banker’s Draft

115 High Street, MK40 1NU With all the great offers you’d expect in a Wetherspoon pub, this is a great place to start your night out.

10 The Rose

45 High Street, MK40 1RY Open until 2am, this bar and club is home to Bedford’s finest up-and-coming DJs and MCs.

11 Chameleon Bar

14-15 Saint Paul’s Square, MK40 1SL A great bar for drinks deals and party anthems throughout the weekend, it’s a very popular place to start your night out. There’s also a decent menu and even a free meal on certain evenings when you buy a drink!

12 Barley Mow

Loyes Street, MK40 1EZ An intimate venue, open till late, this friendly gay pub won the People’s Choice award at the 2014 Best Bar None awards.

13 The Hub

Bedford campus, Polhill Avenue, MK41 9EA Your Students’ Union bar. Famous for its cocktails, karaoke and live music nights. Now with Sky Sports!

Sport

Restaurants

14 Elements Nightclub

19 Bedford Blues Rugby Club

23 Dragon Restaurant

15 The Pad

20 Alexander Sports Centre

24 Indiya Restaurant

29 Mill Street, MK40 3EU As an official Beds SU bar/club, you’re likely to bump into a whole load of

fellow Bedfordshire students here.

2 Lurke Street, MK40 3HY Run by and for music lovers, The Pad hosts the best ‘n’ busiest Indie nights on Saturdays and welcomes various special guests on Fridays, so don’t miss out!

16 Esquires

60a Bromham Road, MK42 2QG Bedford’s premier live music venue has played host to a number of the UK’s biggest bands, including Coldplay (twice!), Franz Ferdinand, Muse, Bloc Party, and many more.

17 Vibe

St. Peters Street, MK40 2PN With two rooms, three floors and a huge sound system this official Beds SU club guarantees a raucous night out.

18 Bedford Corn Exchange

St Paul’s Square, MK40 1SL From Kylie tribute nights to performances from its resident Philharmonia Orchestra, this music, theatre and comedy venue has it all.

Goldington Road, MK40 3NF Cheer the mighty Bedford Blues at their 7,000-seat stadium, and look out for special student discounts.

Sidney Road, MK40 2BQ This sport centre has outdoor playing fields, a climbing wall, indoor badminton courts and a gym. Special membership rates are available for University of Bedfordshire students.

21 Bedford International Athletics Stadium

Barkers Lane, MK41 9SB Be a winner with the eight-lane athletics track, an American football pitch, two rugby pitches and a weights room. Full-time students can get concessions too!

22 Priory Marina

Barkers Lane, MK41 9DJ Just two miles from Bedford, this beautiful country park marina offers canoeing lessons, boat hire, sailing, plus cycle hire, as nature reserve and riverside walks.

River Street, MK40 1PX Make sure you’re hungry before heading here as it has an all-you-caneat Chinese and Thai buffet.

Things to do in Bedford

Clubs

1-2 The Broadway, MK40 2TE Spice up your life and satisfy your

craving for curry at Indiya with a terrific

tikka or a brilliant biryani.

25 Asia Lounge

66 High Street, MK40 1NT A fantastic pan-Asian restaurant and cocktail bar, with a huge menu of amazing dishes. For something lighter on the pocket, try their lunch deal.

26 Riverside Grill

19 Castle Lane, MK40 3NT Gaze out at the river as you enjoy great grilled food in the contemporary and stylish Riverside Grill. The burgers are not to be missed!

To find out more, please visit:

www.beds.ac.uk/

studentlife

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Things to do in Milton Keynes (MK)

Things to do in Milton Keynes (MK) Interest and cultural 1 UCMK

University Campus Milton Keynes

Avebury Boulevard, MK9 3HS

Check out our new campus in Milton Keynes.

2 thecentre:MK and Midsummer Place

Silbury Blvd, MK9 3EP and 67 Midsummer Place, MK9 3GB Combined these two shopping centres make one of the largest covered shopping areas in Europe, boasting more than 400 shops.

3 Xscape Milton Keynes Xscape complex, MK9 3XS

This massive complex includes a 16-screen cinema, restaurants, bars and a wide range of sporting facilities (see Sport section).

4 Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival

Willen Lake, V10 Brickhill Street, MK15 0DS Every year, up to 60 crews battle it out watched by several thousand spectators.

5 Milton Keynes Theatre

500 Marlborough Gate, MK9 3NZ In the heart of MK’s Theatre District, this is the most successful theatre outside of London’s West End.

6 The National Bowl

Watling Street (V4), MK5 8AA This huge, open air venue has a capacity of 65,000 and hosts some of the UK’s largest mega-concerts.

7 Bletchley Park Sherwood Drive, MK3 6EB 28

Britain’s best kept secret during World War II, Bletchley Park saw the code breaking process lead to the world’s first electronic computer, Colossus.

8 Milton Keynes Central Train Station

302 Eldergate, MK9 1LA Milton Keynes Central provides train links across the UK and direct routes to London Euston, Manchester Piccadilly and Birmingham New Street.

Bars 9 Lloyds No 1 Bar 7 Savoy Crescent, MK9 3PU

This pub offers great value, is open seven days a week and until 3am at the weekends.

10 Moon Under Water Xscape complex, MK9 3XS

This pub provides a good selection of local ales.

11 Revolution

Xscape complex, MK9 3XS This popular chain has over 90 different types of vodka and is open until 2am.

12 Snobar

Xscape complex, MK9 3XS The perfect après ski venue, overlooking the slopes.

13 Cookies & Cream

3 Savoy Crescent, MK9 3PU Open three nights a week this is a

stylish nightclub with regular special

guest DJs.

14 Groove

Sport 16 Xscape Milton Keynes

602 Marlborough Gate, MK9 3XS Home to Europe’s largest indoor snozone for skiing and snowboarding.

It also includes indoor skydiving, rock climbing, bowling, a casino and gym.

499 Lower Twelfth Street, MK9 3PY

This retro bar and club is open every

weekend, has three main rooms and

provides a mix of music to suit all tastes.

17 stadium:mk

15 Wonderworld MK

Along Silbury Boulevard and Avebury Boulevard

Take a walk or put on your skates to

explore MK’s green oasis in the heart

of the city.

Xscape complex, MK9 3XS Offering a range of cocktails, shots and pitchers this venue has three main rooms the Secret Garden, Yesterday and Tomorrow.

MK1 1ST This 22,000 capacity stadium is home to the city’s League 1 football team.

18 Campbell Park

19 Willen Lake

V10 Brickhill Street, MK15 0DS Open seven days a week, water sports include windsurfing, power boating, paddle sports and sailing.

Restaurants 22 hub:mk

MK9 2HP Offering a selection of sophisticated dining options including: Brasserie Blanc, Browns Bar & Brasserie, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Loch Fyne, Strada and Zizzi.

23 thecentre:mk

24 Silbury Blvd, MK9 3EP Here’s a taster of the huge range of restaurants offered in thecentre:mk Café Rouge, Carluccio’s, Giraffe, Jamie’s Italian, Nandos, Pizza Express, Wagamama and YoSushi.

Things to do in Milton Keynes (MK)

Clubs

24 Theatre District

MK9 3PU There’s a great mix of restaurants to suit all tastes; including TGI Friday, Bella Italia, and Zizzi, as well as Elements offering global buffet-style dining.

20 Silverstone

Towcester, NN12 8TN The iconic motor race course is just 15 minutes drive from Milton Keynes.

21 National Badminton Centre

To find out more, please visit:

www.beds.ac.uk/

Bradwell Road, MK8 9LA Open to the public and the training centre for England’s world-class squad.

studentlife

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How to find us

How to find us Our campuses are easy to get to by road, rail or air. So, wherever you are coming from, just follow these simple directions:

Luton

Luton campus Situated 30 miles north of London, the University’s Luton campus boasts superb road, rail and air links.

• Luton is just off the M1 at junction 10 northbound, and junction 11 southbound •

Luton railway station is a five-minute walk from the Luton campus and is served by First Capital Connect trains from London St Pancras International and Bedford

• London Luton Airport is three miles away and has easy access by taxi or airport bus

Bedford Bedford campus Bedford lies 46 miles north of London on the main A6 route and offers easy access from both the north and south.

• From the north, leave the M1 at junction 14 and take the A422 • From the south, leave the M1 at junction 13 and then follow the A421 • Bedford railway station is served by First Capital Connect trains from London St Pancras International

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How to find us

Milton Keynes University Campus Milton Keynes Our new Milton Keynes campus is situated 54 miles from London and is served by great road and rail links.

• Located on the M1 at junction 13, northbound and junction 14, southbound • Rail connections maintained by Virgin and London Midland • Coach services to many cities can be accessed via the train station, town centre or Coachway

For more information please visit:

www.beds.ac.uk/

directions

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www.beds.ac.uk Orientation helpline: +44 (0)1582 743022 Luton campus University Square Luton Bedfordshire United Kingdom LU1 3JU Bedford campus Polhill Avenue Bedford Bedfordshire United Kingdom MK41 9EA Buckinghamshire campus Oxford House Oxford Road Aylesbury Buckinghamshire United Kingdom HP21 8SZ University Campus Milton Keynes 502 Avebury Boulevard Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire United Kingdom MK9 3HS Putteridge Bury campus Hitchin Road Luton Bedfordshire United Kingdom LU2 8LE

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