University of Cumbria - Help is at Hand

HELP IS AT HAND

Online

by phone

or in person

W W W.C U M B R I A . AC .U K / H E L P I S AT H A N D

SUPPORT SERVICES AT UNIVERSITY | 1

INTRODUCING YOUR UNIVERSITY. YOUR LEARNING, YOUR FUTURE —HELP IS AT HAND When you are a student of the University of Cumbria, you get a great package of support.

We know that you want to get the most out of your course, make the best use of your time and get that career you always dreamed of.

We are here to help you to achieve your objectives, but only you can do it! So we want you to be as independent as possible.

To achieve this, we recommend that you take full advantage of the wide range of opportunities on offer. We also want you to have the best possible university experience.

Guardian University League Tables 2015 graphics

We are the

TOP

Ranking up

10

new university (post-1992) in the North West for educating health professionals.*

or more places*

*Guardian University League Tables 2015

* Guardian University League Tables 2015

70%

of Tower Hamlets schools employ at least one University of Cumbria trained teacher.

F VE for North West universities.* *Guardian University League Tables 2015

This guide shows how to access university support quickly and easily, much of which is online.

The website is your first port of call for all your learning, wellbeing and information needs—visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/support

Law, musical theatre performance and psychology are all rated in the top three of North West universities.* * Guardian University League Tables 2015

THELMA awards graphics (email footer)

WINNER

In short, accessing our services will help you to develop yourself academically, personally and professionally.

Art, design and craft are all rated in the top

OUTSTANDING FINANCE TEAM

Best wishes Margaret Weaver Head of Library and Student Services margaret.weaver@cumbria.ac.uk

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CONTENTS 1. UNIVERSITY LIFE • Student finance • Managing your money • Accommodation • Students’ Union • Your chaplaincy • International students

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2. YOUR WELLBEING 08 • Mental health and psychological wellbeing • Disability and Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) support •D iversity support • Sports activities available

3. YOUR COURSE • Course registration and administration • Personal academic tutor and module tutors • Academic feedback • Your course

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4. YOUR ACADEMIC SKILLS 19 • Academic and study skills • Library services • I nformation skills and subject resources •R eferencing and avoiding plagiarism • IT • Digital skills

5. YOUR FUTURE 25 • Career planning • Part-time work and graduate jobs • Volunteering opportunities

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UNIVERSITY LIFE PART

1

STUDENT FINANCE Do you need help and guidance with: • The payment of fees and charges?

• Applying for Cumbria Bursaries?

• Paying international student fees?

• Tuition fees paid by your employer?

HELP IS AT HAND …

• You can contact the Student Finance England customer helpline on 0300 100 0607.

• Check your online funding application at www.gov.uk/browse/education/student-finance • Visit our finance pages at www.cumbria.ac.uk/finance • Inform student finance at the university of any problem with your funding—call 01524 590826.

• If your employer is paying your fees or you are paying them yourself, speak to someone in student finance at the university—call 01524 590826.

• International students should check information available at www.cumbria.ac.uk/international

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MANAGING YOUR MONEY Do you need help and guidance with: • Tuition fee loan entitlements, funding applications and delays, including maintenance loans?

• Accessing other funding such as grants or bursaries?

• Accessing emergency loans?

• Managing your finances and budgeting?

• The impact on funding if you transfer, intercalate or leave your course?

HELP IS AT HAND …

• Online advice and frequently asked questions covering the most common finance queries can be found at www.cumbria.ac.uk/moneydoctors where you can also find out how to speak in confidence with a Student Money Advisor about complex student finance issues.

• To check your eligibility for a range of financial support and awards offered through the university, please visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/support where you can check criteria, download application forms and seek further information and guidance.

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ACCOMMODATION Do you need help and guidance with: • Dealing with a problem in your hall of residence?

• Wanting to change hall of residence?

• Understanding the terms of your accommodation contract?

• Changing your hall of residence?

• Finding accommodation in private housing?

• Private housing contracts and your rights as a tenant?

HELP IS AT HAND …

• Contact your campus accommodation office, for details visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/accommodation • For private housing queries, visit our website www.cumbria.ac.uk/accommodation • Arrange an appointment with a student adviser at the Students’ Union or access advice and further information from the SU website at www.ucsu.me

STUDENT S’ UNION ( SU ) Do you need information about: • What the Students’ Union does?

• How you can take part in SU activities and campaigns?

• How to become a volunteer?

• How to join or set up a sports team or society?

HELP IS AT HAND …

• Find out more at www.ucsu.me • The Students’ Union Information and Advocacy Service provides independent academic advocacy and health, welfare and wellbeing advice.

• Come and talk to one of the SU staff or volunteers at your campus.

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YOUR CHAPL AINC Y Whoever you are, whatever you believe, you are welcome at your chaplaincy—a place to explore life in all its fullness: • find encouragement and support • discover prayer and worship • enjoy community life • explore the Christian faith • link to other faith communities.

• engage with the big questions of life, whether you have any faith or none.

HELP IS AT HAND …

• Check out our website for further details www.cumbria.ac.uk/chaplaincy • Or contact chaplaincy@cumbria.ac.uk

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT S Do you need help and guidance with: • Paying your fees?

• Visa/immigration matters?

• Working in the UK? • UK culture, university life or study support available?

• English language support for speaking, reading and academic writing?

HELP IS AT HAND …

• Check out the International Student Guide for comprehensive information at www.cumbria.ac.uk/international • All support services detailed in this guide are available to you.

• Contact the Students’ Union Student Adviser for independent academic and welfare advice at www.ucsu.me

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YOUR WELLBEING PART

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MENTAL HEALTH AND P SYCHOLOGIC AL WELLBEING Do you need help and guidance with: • Managing a pre-existing mental health condition?

• Feeling homesick, anxious or not settling into university life or study?

• Personal problems that are affecting your study?

• Depression and feeling you can’t cope?

• Dealing with concerns you may have over the health and wellbeing of a friend?

HELP IS AT HAND …

• I f you have a pre-existing mental health condition, make sure to register with a local GP as soon as you can when you arrive at university so you can have speedy access to GP appointments and access to prescription medicine.

Contact our Disability Team as you may be eligible for mental health mentoring or other support via the Disabled Student Allowance.

More information is available at www.cumbria.ac.uk/disability •H omesickness is quite common and usually affects students whilst making the transition from home to university life. Try talking to your flatmates, as they may feel similar to you. Go to the Students’ Union and see what social activities they have.

•O ur Psychological Therapists can be accessed via a self-referral form. They will follow-up and discuss your needs and may be able to offer you a limited number of solution focused sessions for you to work through any issue. Visit our website www.cumbria.ac.uk/support • L inks to external support services and information are available via the above weblink so you can start to access information which might mean you can solve the problem for yourself.

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DISABILIT Y AND SPECIFIC LEARNING DIFFICULTIES ( SpLD ) SUPPORT Do you need help and support with: • A disability, specific learning difficulty, medical condition or long term health issue that is affecting or may affect your study?

• Being screened and assessed for a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia?

• Information about adjustments that you may be entitled to on your course, with assessments and whilst on placement?

• Applying for support funding e.g. Disabled Student Allowance, and access to other services you may be entitled to?

• Accessing help with writing assignments?

• Adjustments available to you with formal examinations such as extra time, coursework extensions, a reader or scribe?

“ Support from the team has been really good; it’s made me a lot more confident in myself and more independent.”

Current student

“ Anyone can reach their goals or do whatever they want, if they have the mixture of strong determination and the ability to ask for help.”

Current student

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HELP IS AT HAND …

• If you have a disability and have not yet organised your support please contact us and make an appointment to see a Disability Officer at your campus or site library/ learning centre to identify support you may be entitled to. More information is available at www.cumbria.ac.uk/ disability • If you have a specific learning difficulty, make an appointment with a Learning Development Adviser at your campus or site library/learning centre to identify support you may be entitled to.

• If you are already receiving support, and wish to have this reviewed or have further questions, the person currently assisting you will be able to advise and refer you on to other sources of help as required, for example with assignment work, adjustments to course delivery and assessment, tutor feedback and accessing support while on placement.

• Appointments are available face-to-face at main campuses as well as through a variety of mediums on all campuses (telephone, etc).

• Find out how to access screening for specific learning difficulties at www.cumbria.ac.uk/spld • The Students’ Union Information and Advocacy Service can provide independent support and advice with a range of disability and equality of access concerns.

• Access further details at www.cumbria.ac.uk/support

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DIVERSIT Y SUPPORT Diversity and equality support is wide ranging and covers a number of areas such as: race, religion or belief (or non-belief), gender (part-time access and childcare/carer responsibilities), age, pregnancy and maternity (Student Maternity Policy), transgender (born as one sex but living as another), sexual orientation (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual), homophobia, coming out, isolation issues, marriage / civil partnership, disability (in terms of discrimination issues) etc.

For disability and SpLD support please refer to page 10.

Do you need help and support with: • A potential discrimination issue relating to diversity?

• Issues to do with settling in to a diverse community outside university?

• Information and signposting to religious or community networks or groups?

HELP IS AT HAND …

• If you wish to speak with the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager about any of these issues please contact EqualityDiversity@cumbria.ac.uk to set up an appointment.

• Review support available at www.cumbria.ac.uk/equality • Contact the Christian Chaplains or Islamic Chaplains for religious support at www.cumbria.ac.uk/chaplaincy • Contact SPECTRUM (the LGBT group) for network, friendship and support via SPECTRUM@cumbria.ac.uk • If you are interested in setting up another support group related to diversity, contact the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager.

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SPORT S AC TIVITIES AVAIL ABLE TO STUDENT S Sport adds great value to the experience of being at university. Our sports facilities host many of the practical elements of the sports-related degree programmes together with the recreational activities and competitive fixtures for students and staff.

In addition we also provide great opportunities for all ages of the local community to use the facilities and engage in many sporting programmes. For further details visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/sport The University of Cumbria’s Students’ Union supports a wide range of student groups, sports teams and activities including: • • • • • • • • • •

football netball climbing rugby union cricket dance cheerleading karate swimming trampolining.

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YOUR COURSE PART

3

COURSE REGISTR ATION AND ADMINISTR ATION Do you have a query about or need to know where to go for: • Course information and registration?

• Access to academic and course related forms?

• Change of personal details?

• Confirming your student status—bank letters, references, stamping student railcard applications?

• A ssignment submission and collection and assessment queries?

• Sickness reporting and leave of absence applications?

HELP IS AT HAND …

• The ICON Student Record is available via our website, www.cumbria.ac.uk/support, 24/7 where you can: i) update your personal details such as address, telephone number, etc. ii) view your current course details, including the modules you have taken and the results.

• Access your local campus Course Information Point (CIP) about any other course or assessment query or if information on the ICON Student Record is incorrect.

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PERSONAL AC ADEMIC TUTOR AND MODULE TUTORS Do you need help and guidance with: • Finding out how you are progressing on your course?

• Other course options or selecting optional modules?

• Coursework?

• Organising and preparing for your placement?

• Personal issues that are affecting your study?

HELP IS AT HAND …

• Your personal tutor can give you valuable guidance with all course or study queries and can refer you on to other professionals in the university who can help.

• Issues that are directly linked to a particular module such as an assessment are best dealt with the module tutor; however, your personal tutor or the programme leader will also be able to help.

• Placements are organised differently from one programme to another so talk to your personal tutor or programme leader about arrangements for your course.

• If personal issues affect your ability to study, you must talk to your personal tutor and/or module tutors as early as possible so they are made aware of your circumstances and can help you.

• The Students’ Union Information and Advocacy Service is an independent service which can support you to discuss a variety of issues with your personal tutor. A student adviser can also provide independent advocacy with any learning related issues or procedures.

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AC ADEMIC FEEDBACK Do you need help and guidance with: • Making sense of the assessment feedback you have received?

• Clarifying the link between tutor comments and the assignment grade?

• Managing the expectations of different tutors and/or subjects or modules?

HELP IS AT HAND …

• It is always worth reviewing the assessment criteria and learning objectives of an assignment as these will form the basis for tutor feedback and awarded grade.

• Talk to your personal tutor or module tutor if you need clarification of what you need to do to address issues identified in the feedback.

• You can access online guides and tutorials at skills@cumbria on Blackboard and on our website at www.cumbria.ac.uk/skills • Or, you can get in touch with one of our professional advisers. We offer guidance by email, phone or in person. Visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/skills to find out more.

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YOUR COURSE The Your Course section of our website contains information relating to all the academic elements of your course from pre-registration at the very start of your course through to course completion. This section includes everything from course timetable and changing a module, to exam and assignment information.

HELP IS AT HAND …

• Visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/studenthandbook for information about assessment and exams. At Course Information Points and ICON Student Record you can update your contact information and view your current course details, find out term dates and everything you need to know about your course.

• Check information contained in your Programme Handbook which will be available on your course Blackboard site.

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YOUR ACADEMIC SKILLS AC ADEMIC AND STUDY SKILL S Do you need help and guidance with: • Academic writing at higher education level?

• Planning and structuring assignments?

• Critical writing skills?

• Tackling your dissertation?

• Effective presentation strategies?

• General study skills?

HELP IS AT HAND …

Your personal tutor or module tutors can offer valuable guidance.

In addition you can: • Access online guides and tutorials at skills@cumbria on Blackboard and on our website at www.cumbria.ac.uk/skills • Get in touch with one of our professional advisers.

We offer guidance by email, phone or in person.

Visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/skills to find out more.

“ Academic skills advisers’ help was invaluable in improving my assignment grades.”

Current student

PART

4

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LIBR ARY SERVICES Do you need help and guidance with: • Library services available to you?

• Accessing e-books and e-journals?

• Finding out how many books you can borrow and for how long?

• Postal loans while on placement?

• Media loans?

• Replacing your Cumbria Card?

• Accessing resources at other libraries?

HELP IS AT HAND …

Visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/library for information about: • university libraries and services • up-to-date opening hours and information at your campus • details of book loans and e-resources available.

VIRTUAL ENQUIRY SERVICE • Use our Virtual Enquiry Service at: www.cumbria.ac.uk/learningresources SCONUL ACCESS SCHEME • Access other academic libraries through the Sconul Access scheme. More information is available at: www.sconul.ac.uk/sconul-access

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INFORMATION SKILLS AND SUBJECT RESOURCES Do you need help and guidance with: • Finding relevant texts in your subject?

• Accessing and using e-books and e-journals?

• Evaluating the authority and validity of the information you find?

• Compiling a literature review?

• Accessing resources at other libraries?

HELP IS AT HAND …

Your personal tutor or module tutors can offer valuable guidance.

In addition you can: • Access information about subject resources at www.cumbria.ac.uk/subjectresources • Search all university electronic resources and library catalogue by using QUEST, the university’s discovery service at www.cumbria.ac.uk/quest • Get in touch with one of our professional advisers.

We offer guidance by email, phone or in person.

Visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/skills to find out more.

• Access other academic libraries through the Sconul Access scheme. More information is available at www.sconul.ac.uk/sconul-access

“ The subject adviser was friendly and professional and helped me discover a range of e-books and e-journals I had not considered before.”

A current student

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REFERENCING AND AVOIDING PL AGIARISM Do you need help and guidance with: • Referencing?

• Making effective use of in-text referencing in your writing?

• Using Turnitin?

• Understanding how to avoid plagiarism?

• Using Refworks to manage your assignment citations?

HELP IS AT HAND …

Your personal tutor or module tutors can offer valuable guidance.

In addition you can: • Access online guides and tutorials at skills@cumbria on Blackboard and on our website at www.cumbria.ac.uk/skills • Access specific information about referencing in your subject at www.cumbria.ac.uk/subjectresources • Get in touch with one of our professional advisers.

We offer guidance by email, phone or in person.

Visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/skills to find out more.

• If you have any concerns arising from a plagiarism claim, you can contact a student adviser in the Students’ Union Independent Advice Service.

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IT SERVICES Do you need help and guidance with: • Network or Blackboard logon, password resetting, printing, email?

HELP IS AT HAND …

• Call 01228 888888 or email itservicedesk@cumbria.ac.uk for all technical help and advice.

Open Monday to Friday 8.30-5.00pm, open until 6.00pm Monday-Thursday during term time.

• View our FAQs at www.cumbria.ac.uk/itfaq • If you have forgotten your password you can change it yourself by going to www.cumbria.ac.uk/password • Visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/itservices DIGITAL SKILL S Do you need help and guidance with: • Making the most of Microsoft Office applications for your study?

• Producing an e-portfolio using Pebblepad?

• Submitting assignments within Turnitin?

• Producing and resizing media files?

HELP IS AT HAND …

• Access digital skills online guides and tutorials at skills@cumbria on Blackboard and on our website at www.cumbria.ac.uk/skills

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YOUR FUTURE CAREER PLANNING Do you need help and guidance with: • Exploring your career options? • Making yourself more employable?

• Working out your next step?

• Finding out about further study?

• Finding and applying for jobs?

HELP IS AT HAND …

• The Careers and Employability Team is here to help you become more employable by supporting you to explore your options, find work or volunteering and get accredited through the Career Ahead Award.

• Access useful information, advice and find out about upcoming event at www.cumbria.ac.uk/careers • Take a look at the Careers Blackboard site for a range of careers information, guides and tutorials.

• Join Career Ahead – our Employability Award, to help you develop your employability skills. Find out more at www.cumbria.ac.uk/ careerahead or email careerahead@cumbria.ac.uk • Get in touch with one of our professional advisers. We offer guidance by email, phone or in person. Just email us on careers@cumbria.ac.uk • Keep in touch with career news, events and opportunities at: Blog - http://uoccareers.wordpress.com Facebook - www.facebook.com/uoccareers Twitter - www.twitter.com/uoccareers

” What I valued most about my experience is the personal interaction with a qualified professional with experience in giving advice.”

A current student

PART

5

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PART-TIME WORK AND GR ADUATE JOBS Do you need help and guidance with: • Finding part-time/vacation work?

• Finding a placement or internship?

• Work opportunities within the university?

• Finding graduate job vacancies?

HELP IS AT HAND …

Visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/careers to: • Access our guides to finding work.

• Check out the University of Cumbria jobshop

www.cumbria.prospects.ac.uk • Receive daily email alerts for relevant jobs.

• Get in touch with one of our professional advisers.

We offer guidance by email, phone or in person.

Visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/careers to find out more.

“I didn’t really know what to expect or what I wanted to get out of the session. Talking to you about what I am currently doing and what my plans are for the future has made me feel more positive about my career.”

A current student

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VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES Do you need help and guidance with: • Finding volunteering opportunities in the local community or at university?

• Writing a good application or CV? • Preparing for an interview?

HELP IS AT HAND …

• Check out volunteering opportunities and societies through the Students’ Union at www.ucsu.me • Find out opportunities available to you through Volunteering England at www.do-it.org.uk • Find out how Career Ahead can help you make the most of all your volunteering experience—visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/careers for more information.

• Take a look at the ‘Jobs and Careers’ Blackboard site for a range of careers information, guides and tutorials.

• Get in touch with one of our professional advisers.

We offer guidance by email, phone or in person.

Visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/careers to find out more.

• Check out volunteering opportunities with the university’s mentoring schemes at www.cumbria.ac.uk/ helpisathand

“ A very big thank for your very helpful advice.

I will attend my interview later with much more confidence and the tips you gave about how to structure my answers was the best advice I have ever had about careers. I will never forget it.

I wish I had used the careers service sooner.”

A current student

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C AREER AHEAD – THE UNIVERSIT Y OF CUMBRIA’S EMPLOYABILIT Y AWARD Career Ahead can help you recognise and develop your talents, providing you with the employability skills you need to get the job you want when you graduate.

It’s open to all students and can be taken at any time in your studies.

Find out more at www.cumbria.ac.uk/careerahead on Blackboard (Jobs and Careers) or email careerahead@cumbria.ac.uk to register.

YOUR NOTES

This document may be viewed in electronic format on our website and can be made available in alternative formats (for example Braille). Please call the enquiry line on 0845 606 11 44

Information correct at time of printing August 2015. Visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/support for the most up to date version.

Copyright Š University of Cumbria 2015 (UOC 530)