WELCOME AND ORIENTATION HANDBOOK FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS
JANUARY 2024
CONTENTS Click on the section heading to take you to that section 4
Welcome by the Vice Chancellor & President
5
Introduction to the welcome and orientation handbook
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How we communicate
8 Your online gateway - enrolling with the University Why do I need to enrol with the University? Pre-enrolment checklist of things to do How do I enrol with the University? Guidance on paying your fees Guidance on module registration Updating personal details and enrolling in-person What if I am unable to update my details? Obtaining my student ID card and why it is so important Receiving my student ID card Collecting my student ID card from the Hub 13 Your pre-arrival course information Post-enrolment checklist of things to do Accessing your pre-arrival pages Teaching Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) What are the benefits of Teaching Enhanced Active Learning? Education can do more 17
International student advice What to do pre-arrival What to do when you arrive Life in the UK 18 Embracing your University community UEL Wellness Pledge 19 Key activities for you to attend International orientation Pre-arrival online event Kickstarter online event Ongoing induction activities 23 Accommodation advice General advice for students living in different types of accommodation What to bring with you when you move into your new home Keeping your valuables safe 27 Getting to the University How to get to the Docklands campus How to get to the Stratford campus Other travel options Parking on campus Useful travel telephone numbers 30
How to find your way around UEL’s campuses
32 What are the key differences between undergraduate and postgraduate study? Level of expertise Length of time Learning experience Contact with academics Assessment Financial PAGE 2
34 Navigating postgraduate study Typical pressure points Map of opportunity 38 How to study at postgraduate level Academic advice on preparing for postgraduate study Learning and teaching methods 10 tips for study success Student conduct - values and expected behaviours 43 Managing my disability at University 44 Disabled Students Allowances (DSA) 45 Career Zone - your journey starts here Career Zone starts here your career journey What you need to know What career zone offers Next steps! 46 Online learning What hardware will I need? What software will I need? Lectures Top tips for going digital - getting ready for a lecture 48 Cyber security advice Cyber security precautions For your devices For your personal and UEL accounts 50 Success and wellness at UEL Our 10 spheres of wellness 10 things you can do for success 52 Managing my money at University Top tips on balancing income and expenditure Cost of living advice and support Obtaining help with your postgraduate fees Obtaining a maintenance loan EU funding eligibility for courses Financial support opportunities from UEL 54 Health and safety on campus Emergency on campus What to do if you discover a fire What to do if you hear a fire alarm What to do if you have a disability in an emergency Five seconds of safety advice 56
Personal safety advice
63
General safety advice
64 Where to eat during arrival weekend and Welcome Week Food available on the Docklands and Stratford campuses 66
The UEL jargon buster
84
Useful UEL contact details
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Campus maps
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WELCOME BY THE VC&P Welcome to the University of East London! Congratulations on all you have achieved this past year and for your resilience and hard work through the exceptional circumstances of the pandemic. We are looking forward to you joining our community and taking the next steps towards your ambitions. I am delighted that you have chosen to invest in your future with us. The University of East London priorities a safe, welcoming, fulfilling, inclusive environment of success for all and your wellbeing is key to this. We have many resources to support all forms of wellness and a comprehensive extra-curricular programme of events, activities, clubs and societies for you to explore exciting new opportunities, meet new friends and discover new horizons. We are committed to advancing a respectful, equitable and inclusive culture which will ensure you acquire a sense of belonging to your new community at UEL and are empowered to succeed and realise your potential. We want you to hit the ground running when you enrol with us. This ‘Welcome and Orientation Handbook’ is designed to help you settle into your studies and life on campus as soon as possible by providing you with a range of important and interesting information. So please do make sure you read this document and keep it safe. We look forward to seeing you soon. With best wishes, Professor Amanda Broderick BA (Hons) PhD DipM DipMRS PGCTL FRSA MBGS FCIM PFHEA Vice-Chancellor & President
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AN INTRODUCTION TO THE WELCOME AND ORIENTATION GUIDE Making the transition to postgraduate study - life as a postgraduate student You will be joining students in a thriving postgraduate community. You will bring a lot of skills and a different outlook to your course which will enhance the experience for you and your fellow students. If you have done a degree at another university, it is very likely you will find a lot of differences between your old institution where you completed your undergraduate degree and UEL. These may include: – Different teaching methods and study techniques. – A more diverse community of students and staff. – New terminology used to describe your environment and how you study. There is a jargon buster at the end of this booklet to introduce you to some of the terms you will hear when you get to University. There is a range of things you can do to help familiarise yourself with our systems before you start. This will ease the pressure during the first few weeks of term and give you a real advantage in settling in as a student. As part of the enrolment process you will need to set up your UEL student account. This is the key channel for receiving a lot of the information at the start of your university journey. Once it has been set up you will be able to access more information about studying at UEL on Track My Future. Studying and learning at postgraduate level is very different to that of undergraduate so it is completely normal to experience some concerns, worries and anxieties. Rest assured, everyone is likely to feel the same! Do not think you are different or alone. This guide will help you to identify what you need to do, when and how. By following advice in this guide, some of the uncertainty will be eased. If you have any questions about beginning your UEL journey, during your preparation or settling-in period, our friendly staff at The Hub can help. No issue is too big or too small. Whether it is a course-related enquiry, a question about status letters or ID cards, or a more personal issue such as mental health, disability or your finances, talk to people at The Hub first. Our Hub team are experts on support provision. They will either provide you with an immediate answer, refer your query to the appropriate professional service team for resolution, or book you an appointment with a specialist advisor. To get in contact with The Hub, phone: +44 (0) 208 223 4444 or log an enquiry via your MyPortal account. The link for MyPortal is: https://myportal.uel.ac.uk. On campus, there are also face-to-face Hub helpdesks situated on the ground floor of the East Building at Docklands campus, the ground floor of University House at our Stratford campus, and the front reception desk at University Square Stratford (USS). Further contact details for where you can get support and advice are in the Contact section at the back of this handbook.
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HOW WE COMMUNICATE How we communicate to you is critical for you to be prepared and informed about how to do uni at UEL. We want you to know what to expect from us: in the period before you start, your introduction and induction to your course and once you have started your course. The following methods of communications are used in the early stages of application, enrolment and getting started, and throughout your student journey. Via post - We will send the following to your home address (for students with UK addresses when applying): – A welcome pack, including this handbook, to help prepare you with key information on UEL and studying with us. Via personal email – We will send the following to your personal email account (the one you use on your application form): – Your invitation to the enrol and updates to your enrolment – Important communications from your course leader before teaching begins – Student ID portal link – where you upload your picture – Welcome email from our Student Life team Via UEL email – Once you have created your UEL student account you should check it regularly as we will send the following to this email address: – Course information from your school and course leader – Module information – Information and updates on events and activities in your first weeks on campus – Information on collecting your Student ID card Please note: To avoid emails going to your junk or spam folders, and missing critical information, please add study@uel.ac.uk and international@uel.ac.uk to your safe senders list. Via Text message – we will send you SMS messages to your mobile (this is the number you use on your application form) for: – Urgent, time-critical information affecting UEL activities (train strikes, royal death) – Course induction information (day, time and location) for your crucial on campus welcome to your course.
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Via the UEL website – you will find lots of useful information and advice on our website, including: – Welcome packs – Maps and directions – Student and university policies Via Track My Future – this is the internal website for students which you can access once you have set up your UEL student account. From here you can find: – Network account set-up – Timetable Plus, Module information – Course information (Course Handbook, Welcome Week information, Pre-arrival questionnaire) – Academic support – Support services – Student policies – University news Via UEL Social media channels which includes Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and LinkedIn, you will see current news, events and updates from across the university Follow UEL on Twitter @UEL_News, Catch us on Instagram , Join us on Facebook and Interact with us on LinkedIn...
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YOUR ONLINE GATEWAY ENROLLING WITH THE UNIVERSITY Why do I need to enrol with the University? Online enrolment is our registration process. It’s like signing-up for an online service: you confirm your personal information and check it’s accurate; you choose your options; agree to terms and conditions; and pay your tuition fee. Once complete, you are enrolled and can begin to use our services. Online enrolment involves: confirmation of the details you entered on your application form; paying your tuition fees; registering your course modules; and agreeing to the terms and conditions for your course of study. Once complete, you will officially become a student of the University of East London. Pre-Enrolment checklist of things to do There are several practical activities you need to complete before online enrolment. These include sorting out your accommodation and funding. Once these are organised, you don’t have to worry about them. Check that you have: – Accepted your offer to study at the University of East London. – Applied for your Student Loan and/or sorted out the funding for your course. – Arranged your accommodation, if moving away to study. – Understood what equipment is required for your course (eg, laptop, books, specialist equipment, etc). – If you have a Disability, Specific Learning Difference (SpLD) or long-term Medical Condition, have you contacted the Disability and Dyslexia Team (DDT) to register for your reasonable adjustments. – Planned travel arrangements. – Made childcare arrangements, if required. How do I enrol with the University? To complete online enrolment, follow these steps. 1. Complete Acceptance: accept our offer and confirm your place at the University of East London. If you still need to do this, visit our website at https://www.uel.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/accepting. 2. Activate your University IT Account. Once you complete the Acceptance stage, your login credentials will be included within the enrolment invitation email. You will be directed to login and change your password, and complete enrolment
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concurrently. We will send these to your personal email address, and you will be able to use them to log in to our systems. If you are an international student, you may need to undertake additional steps before being issued a username and password. Please refer to your offer letter.
– – – –
Please create a password of your choice, that is private to you and which meets the following criteria: A minimum of 8 characters. A mix of upper and lower case characters (a-z). At least one number (0-9). One special character (such as !”#$%&()*,./:;?@[]^_`{|}~+<=>).
Once you have changed your password, we encourage you to set up further security measures, using Multi Factor Authentication (MFA). There is a guide to help you to do this with step-by-step instructions: uel.ac.uk/about/about-uel/professionalservices/itservices/password Once you have set up your security, another email will be sent to you within 24 hours containing information about how to keep your account secure. 3. Commencing Online Enrolment. Go to UEL Direct uel.ac.uk/direct and Select ‘Complete Online Enrolment UEL Direct’. 4. Once you have logged in to UEL Direct, click on the CLICK HERE TO ENROL button on your homepage to begin online enrolment. To move through each section, click ‘Save and proceed’ or to move back a stage, click ‘Back’. Fields marked with [*] are compulsory. You can click the [?] symbol at any point for more details about a particular field. The following steps may differ slightly, depending on the individual applicant, but the typical stages of online enrolment are as follows: a. Check your course details are correct. i. If the details are correct, click ‘Yes’. You will then be asked to read and agree to our policies. ii. If the details are incorrect, select ‘No’ and enter as much information as possible about the changes required. b. Check your personal details are correct. i. We use the information you provided on your application form in this section. ii. If your surname/family name, forename or legal sex have changed since you completed your application, you will need to change them. This will require you to upload official documentary evidence, such as a passport or driving licence as proof of the change.
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c. Check your contact details are correct. i. Please provide your up-to-date email address and phone number(s). d. Confirm your permanent home address. i. Some students have a home address and a temporary address where they live during term-time. ii. If your home address is in the UK, you can enter your postcode and search for the address. iii. If your home address is outside the UK, the search will not work. You will need to type in all the details manually. e. Confirm your term-time address. i. Use the drop-down menu to make your selection. ii. If your home address and term-time address are the same, select ‘Other’. iii. You will need to confirm your UK term-time address before the University can provide a letter to open a student bank account. f. Confirm you trusted contact person details. i. This person may be contacted by the University in an urgent situation relating to your immediate safety. ii. Enter the details of your nominated person. iii. You can add another trusted person using the ‘Add second trusted contact’ button if you wish. iv. It does not need to be a family member; it could be a friend or neighbour. v. You can change this contact at any time during your studies by logging into uel.ac.uk/direct. g. Other information. i. This information is collected for reporting purposes. ii. The University is required by various regulatory bodies to collect these details. h. If you get stuck, please contact our The Hub on +44 (0)208 223 4444 or use MyPortal: https://myportal.uel.ac.uk. The Hub can support with any question related to your student experience.
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Guidance on paying your fees If you need any guidance with paying your tuition fees, complete step 4 again (above) and select ‘I need help/guidance with my funding or financial support requirements’. Guidance on module registration If you need any help with viewing or selecting your modules, complete step 4 again (above) and select ‘I need to see/select my modules’. What if I am unable to update my details? If you need assistance with following these steps, you can contact The Hub team on +44 (0) 208 223 4444 or log an enquiry via your MyPortal account. The link for MyPortal is: https://myportal.uel.ac.uk. Please note, lines become very busy in the lead-up to the start of the new academic year, so it is likely you will need to wait in a queue to speak to an advisor. Obtaining my Student ID Card and why it is important At UEL we have secure access to our buildings, lecture halls and recreational facilities. Your Student ID Card is unique to you and will be your university ‘passport’, giving you access to campus, library borrowing and printing facilities, as well as recording class attendance on-campus. Your first card is provided free of charge. You can request it once you have accepted your place at UEL, but for it work properly, you will need to complete enrolment. Your ID card is not transferable and should not be duplicated or loaned to anyone else. Please note that the University takes misusing the card and/or being noncompliant of the Terms and Conditions required at UEL very seriously. In event of this occurring, the card can be removed, and disciplinary and/or criminal proceedings can be taken. Receiving my Student ID Card Before starting, you will be sent an email with a link to the UEL Photo and Identity Verification Portal. This service is provided by one of the University’s partners so, just as you did with your University account, you will need to set up an account with the provider and create a password the first time you use it. Before we can issue your Student ID Card, we need to carry out a verification check. For this step, you will need provide a suitable and current photo/identity document. Instructions will be provided in the portal. Once we have received your photo and identity documentation and checked they match your personal details, your card will be printed to be collected on campus. Details on where and how to collect your card will be sent via email when it is ready. There may be a queue when collecting your card. Ensure you have received an email that your card is ready for collection.
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Collecting my Student ID Card from the Hub If you were unable to obtain your Student ID Card via the UEL Photo and Identity Verification Portal, you will need to collect it from The Hub on campus. Please note that you may have to queue for this service as The Hubs can be quite busy especially at the start of the new term. We employ additional staff during this period to help manage the peak hours. The Hub will require supporting paperwork proving your identity in order to issue your card. To get your access card, you will need to provide the Hub with: EITHER – A FULL, valid passport. OR Two of the following: – A (full or provisional) driving licence showing current address. – An international driving licence. – An original birth certificate (in English). – A debit or credit card (one only). – A benefit book or benefit award letter (dated within the last three months). – An Armed Forces Identity card. – A police warrant card. There is no need to bring a photo as your picture will be taken on the day using a digital camera. Please note that your Student ID Card remains the property of UEL. It may be disabled and your access to buildings and other facilities denied if you fail to pay tuition fees/debts to UEL or breach other University regulations.
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YOUR PRE-ARRIVAL COURSE INFORMATION Pre-arrival checklist Your tick list of things to do before you start your course. Once you have started the enrolment process, and whilst you finalise accommodation and travel arrangements, your next step is to attend the Prearrival and Kickstarter events online and view your course pre-arrival pages. Finalise accommodation (if needed) and travel arrangements. btain and set up equipment required for course and Technology Enhanced O Active Learning (see section on TEAL). Attend the Kickstarter and Pre-arrival online events (see Key activities). Engage with the course pre-arrival page and key University information. Key information and advice is provided to help you personalise your unique study journey. The information we provide at this stage is designed to help reduce your worries and concerns. Track My Future is the University’s internal website for students where you can access your course pre-arrival pages. This contains a welcome from your course leader and team, and important information about your in-person course welcome and orientation week, your pre-arrival reading/work and links to other useful information. It is also where you will access resources and information relating to your academic studies and our services, such as the Career Zone. You do not need to have completed enrolment to access these pages but you must have started it and have a UEL email ID and password. Accessing my Pre-arrival Course pages The first steps are similar to the enrolment process: 1. Log in to our online system, Track My Future - uel.ac.uk/trackmyfuture a. Log in using your username (eg, u1234567@uel.ac.uk) and the pass word you created during the enrolment process. b. You will be asked to authenticate your login. 2. Once logged in, select ‘Click on New students - preparing to start, then visit Launchpad. Look for your school and course to click on the link to find your course specific pages. 3. Once on your course-specific pages, you will find a welcome from your course leader and key information to help you make the transition to university.
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This includes: – Your course handbook and instructions for accessing course materials. – An electronic copy of this - Welcome and Orientation Guide. – Key course contact details (eg, course leader email address). – Information about your Welcome Week schedule. – Required pre-arrival work to undertake in preparation for your studies. – Information on success in learning at university. – Support and Wellbeing information. – Introduction to Teaching Enhanced Active Learning. – Introduction to Track My Future. Teaching Enhanced Active Learning - TEAL - A quick guide What is TEAL? Our teaching focuses on the complete person. We offer a personalised approach to education that takes account of your career readiness, soft skills and wellbeing. Powerful learning happens when students are actively involved in doing, making, sharing, collaborating and problem solving - so we use an approach called Technology Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) which combines traditional face-to-face, on campus tuition with cutting-edge technology. Welcome to the New World of Careers First Eduction Your career is our priority. We’ve made a lot of innovations to our curriculum and delivery modes in the past few years. Working closely with industry, we redesigned our entire curriculum to better prepare you for the future world of work – adding a Professional Fitness and Mental Wealth https://www.uel.ac.uk/about/mentalwealth module into every course, and embedding superb careers support into our holistic approach to education. The pandemic also forced us to re-think our approach to teaching delivery to ensure our students were supported and thrived whilst learning remotely. Now we are back on campus, we’ve worked with industry partners like Amazon to ensure the best use of technology is implemented alongside face to face, on-campus delivery. Our approach sees lecturers and professional services using our technology-rich campus and facilities to teach and scaffold learning, for example by using the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), MS Teams and a variety of other tools – including simulations, AR/VR, online quizzes and the provision of virtual learning materials such as e-books.
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What are the benefits of Teaching Enhanced Active Learning? We encourage an educational experience that is active, social, collaborative, engaging and student owned, supported by the use of learning technologies. This enables: – Increased face-to-face learning and teaching - you will spend your timetabled contact hours on campus and have access to a wide range of additional learning and career development opportunities. – Where possible, timetabled contact hours will be scheduled in blocks (for example 2.5 days at the start or end of the week) to give you the most out of your time on campus. – Access to recorded lectures, notes, readings and e-resources through the VLE, so that your engagement in learning takes place beyond timetabled hours. – Access to industry standard technology and specialist spaces that help prepare you for your future career. – Dedicated time, every Wednesday afternoon, for most students to engage in activities and development programmes such as sport and physical activity, volunteering and student-led clubs and societies. – A holistic approach to learning and teaching, providing a range of opportunities to actively develop academically, personally and professionally. – Access to our on-campus and virtual Career Zones: places to receive advice and guidance, meet employers, practice interviews and engage with opportunities for internships and jobs. – Personalised support throughout the learner journey, with access to academic advisers, skills tutors, career coaches and wellbeing advisers. – A dedicated portal – “Track My Future (TMF)” – which provides access to all learning and support services and your own student engagement dashboard.
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Education can do more Our programme of co-curricular experiences is designed to go beyond academic skills. We invest in your professional and personal development through a range of initiatives, including our enrichment programme which includes the following opportunities: – Sport, physical activity and health – Student societies and groups – Industry speakers, events and visits – Cultural and social events – Volunteering – Student enterprise – Internships – Events for students living in on-campus accommodation – Academic enrichment activities, including personalised support opportunities. Gain the edge with our Careers first focus Our Careers first focus means we want to help our students reach their full potential, in and outside of the classroom, and make everything you achieve count towards your future career success. The East London Edge Programme gives you opportunities to complete online learning to help you boost your skills and get career ready. You can complete a range of learning pathways, and gain digital badges, in areas including: – Work-based Learning – Professional Development – Student Life – Volunteering and Community Engagement – Entrepreneurship & Innovation – Students develop core competencies in these areas, keep a record of this valuable learning within the Career Passport, and learn to articulate this to future employers. – If you have any questions about how your course will be taught, or how to get involved in any of the co-curricular experiences or East London Edge Programme, please get in contact with your course leader or school.
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INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADVICE You will be contacted separately regarding your International Orientation Programme. This takes place after you have arrived in the UK. The programme includes events that will give you the chance to see the campus, meet other students and learn about what lies ahead at University of East London. We will show you how to get the most out of your studies and your social life while you are here with us. Visit uel.ac.uk/starting and navigate to the International section. There you will be able to access our International Student Advice Handbook. This will provide you with key advice on what to do pre-arrival, when you arrive and life in the UK. Below is an overview of what is included in the handbook. What to do prearrival – Visa/entry clearance into the UK. – Preparing to travel to the UK. – Booking flights. – What to bring in your main luggage. – What to bring in your hand luggage. What to do when you arrive – Border control. – Entering the UK via eGates. – Collecting your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card. – Documents to bring with you when collecting your BRP card. – Student visa responsibilities. – Right To Study Check. – Getting to your accommodation. Life in the UK – Working in the UK. – Practical advice on UK processes. – Emergency numbers.
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EMBRACING YOUR UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY At UEL, our priority is to provide a safe, welcoming and fulfilling, inclusive environment of success for all. This requires all of us to take an active role in promoting the safety, health and wellbeing of every community member. This helps to protect to focus on wellness in all aspects of our lives, including protecting ourselves and each other against transmittable illnesses, such as Covid-19 and influenza. The University has a comprehensive range of wellbeing initiatives and services in place available for students and staff, to support your mental and physical health, and we encourage everyone to make use of these. University of East London Wellness Pledge As a member of the UEL community, I am committed to supporting the wellness of everyone, including my own. I pledge to take the following actions: 1. I will play a proactive and considerate role in the health, safety and wellbeing of the UEL community by signposting support services, and raising any concerns as appropriate. 2. I will practise good hygiene, including regular handwashing and consider using a face covering in crowded, enclosed spaces and take Covid-19 tests when required. 3. I will consciously take responsibility for health, and discuss any adjustments I may need to make to avoid spreading transmissible illnesses with my course leader, as well as reporting any Covid-19 symptoms. 4. I will regularly and consciously assess my mental wellbeing and access support services when needed, and communicate any challenges with my course leader. 5. I will behave with kindness and respect towards others and encourage other members of the University community to follow this pledge.
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KEY ACTIVITIES FOR YOU TO ATTEND As a new student at UEL, the three introductory events below have been designed to provide you with the key information to help you plan your arrival and quickly settle into university life and your studies. The ‘Kickstarter’ and ‘Pre-arrival events’ are held online to provide maximum opportunity for you to attend. The ‘Course welcome and orientation event’ is in-person on campus. Attendance and engagement with these events is expected. Do take the opportunity to enrol before you attend the sessions. You can find out how to enrol by looking at page 8 of this handbook. If you are unable to enrol prior to attending, you will have the opportunity to do so via these events. International Orientation If you are an international student, you will be invited to attend these events if you have paid your deposit and received your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS number). You will also be invited to attend the International Orientation session taking place on Wednesday 17th January. You will receive a separate invitation for this event.
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Content of key introductory events and how to register
Pre-arrival Event 14th December 2023 Online This event will give you the opportunity to hear directly from your school. You will receive advice on how to prepare for your studies ahead of arriving.
Kickstarter 8th - 12th January 2024 Online
The UEL recruitment team hosts a week-long Kickstarter Programme a few weeks prior to the start of the course. This is an opportunity for you to virtually join us and learn This event will host the about academic study and following: university life at UEL before – Enrolment session. arriving on campus. This – School Specific Sessions. programme covers the following sessions: – Student Experience Sessions. How to set-up their student – Arriving on Campus UEL account. Sessions. – Enrolment session. – Mental Wealth Sessions. – Understanding academic (including the Wellness integrity and approaches Video) to learning at university. – A virtual expo booth. – Accessing key study tools. – Academic referencing and paraphrasing. – Presentation skills. – Structuring and planning academic reports. – Consent and wellbeing plus overview of the importance of attending Course Induction week.
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Course welcome and orientation Week commencing 22nd January 2024 In-person Check your dedicated prearrival course page for the date you need to attend and the academic activities you need to undertake before you start. The type of activities you will undertake include: – Course leader welcome and introduction – Welcome by your department head – Support and study success hosted by the head of department or Dean of School – Introduction to wellness and success
Registering for Kickstarter and Virtual Pre-arrival sessions When registering for these events, you will need to ‘select both’ events in order to register. Pre-arrival event https://uel.ac.uk/about-uel/events/2023/december/pre-arrival-programmejanuary-2024-intake Kickstarter Programme https://uel.ac.uk/about-uel/events/2024/january/kickstarter-programmejanuary-2024-intake Accessing your course pre-arrival pages For information on how to access your pre-arrival course pages go to ‘Accessing your course pre-arrival information’ on page 13 in this Welcome and Orientation Handbook. Your dedicated course page will contain: – Welcome from your Course Leader – Course welcome and orientation details - dates, times and locations. See ‘First Week’ – Course Team contact details – Course Handbook – Welcome and Orientation Handbook – Advice on what equipment to buy – Pre-arrival tasks and reading, set by your Course Leader – Guidance on how to succeed and look after your wellbeing Tick list of what you will have achieved after attending these three events Understood how learning will be delivered at university. Undertaken enrolment and obtained your UEL Student ID Card, which you will need to access buildings and register class attendance. Been introduced to the key support services you can access on campus to support and develop your learning and broader social life. Been introduced to Moodle learning platform (see Course Materials on Pre-Arrival Course Page) and logged on to Track My Future. Undertaken your pre-arrival academic activity (see your dedicated course pre-arrival page). Met your course leader and course team. Acquired your key starting information and your course handbook. Taken part in a fun activity to get to know your fellow students. Received your teaching timetable and understand how to use it. Taken time to walk the campus so you know where key buildings are located. Learnt what equipment is required for your course. Started to get used to travelling to the University. Met your Residential Life Scholar at your halls of residence induction if relevant. Started your academic work and the process of reflecting on what you learn and on how you learn. Started to feel at home at UEL (although this takes time to achieve so do not compare yourself with others). PAGE 21 Enjoyed some Students’ Union social and other activities including the SU Fair.
Ongoing induction activities As part of your ongoing orientation and introduction to your studies at UEL, dedicated activities and support will be provided to help you settle into the next phase of your student journey. You will: – Receive support and advice 4-weeks-in that is based on what you told us when you completed the pre-arrival academic questionnaire that was a pre-arrival activity. – Be asked to complete the 4 question Pulse Module Survey for each of the modules you are undertaking so we know how you are finding accessing information and the pace of teaching. This helps us help you so do complete it and be honest in how you are feeling. – International student activities will be provided for international students to help you navigate any issues you may have settling into a new country. You will receive the list of events when you attend your international orientation event. – Have the opportunity to attend a school based social event. This is a day of festivity where you can learn about and engage in the many ways UEL supports students to achieve your goals and potential. You can also find out about the many ways you can get involved in your UEL and east London communities.
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ACCOMMODATION ADVICE General advice for postgraduate students in living in different types of accommodation. There is a range of student accommodation options, and where you choose to live will impact on your student experience. You can choose to live in university halls, private accommodation or to stay at home. You need to choose what is best for you. Below are some simple steps to get you ready for whatever you choose to do. Living at home Many postgraduate students choose to study locally, and staying at home can be a great option. There are numerous benefits. You can save money on rent and bills and you avoid the stress of moving out to live with new people. However, there are several things you need to consider: you will be more removed from student life; it may be more difficult to make friends away from the social hub of halls or a student house; and you may not have dedicated quiet space at home. To get the most out of university life, try to spend as much time as you can on campus and participate where possible in co/extracurricular activities. Living in university halls Situated on the waterfront at our Docklands Campus, our modern accommodation halls are close to teaching buildings, our sport and fitness facilities and the library. We offer a free inter-campus bus service, which provides a convenient transport link to our Stratford and USS campuses. See the ‘Getting to the University’ section below for more details on transport links and car parks. Supermarkets and local amenities are a 10-minute walk away. Cyprus DLR train station is part of the campus, giving you a gateway to explore the rest of London. Our halls have a 24/7 Security Reception which monitors our 10 buildings, and we have a dedicated Residential Life team with close links to University support services and social programming. Our prices vary with room type, but all rooms offer the privacy of being single en-suite. We also offer additional value by including home contents insurance, utility bills and 5G internet/Wi-Fi within our advertised prices. This removes the stress from managing multiple contracts and payments to different providers. We keep it simple so you can focus on your studies. For those of you who have secured your place and will be moving into university accommodation on Docklands campus, our Residential Life team cannot wait to welcome you. You will receive dedicated Residential Life communications that provide information on: arrival times and key collection; a residential induction programme and welcome activities; Residential Life social events; an introduction to our Residential Life Scholars. If you haven’t secured a place yet and would like more details about room types, pricing and how to apply for halls, visit www.uel.ac.uk/accommodation.
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Living in private rented accommodation You may choose to live in a privately rented house or apartment close to campus. Many continuing students choose this option, and it is also chosen by some first years, especially if it has not been possible for them to obtain university accommodation. If you choose to live in private rented accommodation, there are several practical things to do. 1. Make sure you’re happy with the inventory You should receive an inventory at the beginning of your tenancy that records the condition of the property and what comes with the flat (such as a washing machine). Make sure it is correct and that nothing is broken. Remember, when you move out, this inventory will be used to judge whether you get your full deposit back. Take photos of everything. This is useful as it provides you with your own record. 2. Check you have a Gas Safety Certificate Make sure that you are provided with a Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) for all the gas appliances in a property by the landlord. And note, it should be renewed every 12 months. Any gas work carried out in your rented home should be done by an engineer on the Gas Safe Register. 3. Sort out your utilities Make sure that you get gas and electricity meter readings on the day you move in. If you are allowed, it may be worth seeing what energy deals are available. A good starting point is www.uswitch.com and we would also recommend reading the advice of Martin Lewis on www.moneysavingexpert.com. 4. Check the property is clean Check that the property is clean and safe when you pick up the keys. If it is not to a satisfactory standard, inform your landlord. 5. Do a safety check and check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms This should be covered in inventory check, but make sure that all locks work and that windows close securely. Raise any concerns with your landlord first. Safety devices should be supplied and installed by the landlord and in good working order. If not, inform the landlord. 6. Sort out your broadband internet access If broadband isn’t part of your rent price, you’ll be responsible for getting it sorted. Make this a priority as there are often waiting periods of several weeks for new broadband line installations. Be aware that many contracts last for 18 months so try looking for 12-month contracts, or monthly rolling deals which are much more flexible. 7. Register to vote This is an important activity and doesn’t take long. You can do this by visiting www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
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8. Tell people your new address To keep in touch with loved ones and friends, tell people your new address. It is also important to ensure the University, bank and mobile provider have a contact address. Make sure your term-time address is accurate on your student record – log in to uel.ac.uk/direct to see your student record. What to take with you when you move into your new home If you are moving into university halls or private accommodation, there are a number of things to think about bringing with you. Some suggested items are listed below. If you are an international student and travelling from overseas, you will find specific advice in the International Student Advice Guide, which is available at uel.ac.uk/starting in the International section. Your bedroom will be your haven so making it nice and comfortable is important. It is also good to invite friends round and get to know those you’re staying with especially during Welcome Week. Before you pack, check what items are not allowed. This includes items such as candles, which are often listed as forbidden in student accommodation due to fire safety. For a list of banned items for university halls, take a look in the accommodation handbook at uel.ac.uk/accommodation – it’s in the Useful Documents section. Check with your accommodation provider what kitchen equipment is available. It may make sense to see what items are present when you arrive and share the cost of any extra items with your flatmates. Make sure that electrical items have been ‘PAT’ tested (this is an electrical safety test), or that you can prove your items are less than two years old, so they are covered under warranty. Keeping your valuables safe If you choose to stay in university halls or in a flat-share with people you don’t know, follow simple security tips to keep your valuables and living space secure. These include: – Avoid leaving your room unlocked or on the latch, even for a short time. – Don’t allow people you don’t know into your room, and don’t leave them unaccompanied. – Never leave windows open when you’re out. – Don’t leave expensive items on view from the outside. – Keep your keys/access cards safe and don’t keep your address with them. – Take out necessary insurance for your possessions especially for hi-tech or expensive equipment. Note, this is included as part of the rental fee for university halls.
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A reference list for things to remember: Bedroom – Duvet, duvet cover, sheets, mattress protector. – Pillows, pillowcase. – A rug and cushions to make your room feel homely. – Decorations to make you feel more at home. – Photos and White-tack (Blu-tack marks walls). – Scissors and Sellotape. – Laptop, phone, chargers, camera. – Books, films, speakers. – Purse, cards, ID, passport, important documents etc. – Clothes (and coat hangers) suitable for winter and summer. – TV. – Drying rack for your clothes. – Stationery and books. – Clothes basket. – Ear plugs. – Medicine. – Desk fan. – Desk light.
Kitchen – Knives and chopping board. – Saucepans and a frying pan. – Baking tray. – Plates and bowls (microwavable ones are a good idea). – Cutlery. – Glasses and mugs. – Corkscrew and bottle opener. – Tin opener. – Vegetable peeler. – Measuring jug. – Grater. – Clingfilm. – Tin foil. – Tea towels. – Recipe book. – Basic essentials such as tea and coffee. Bathroom – Shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, shavers etc. – Toothbrush. – Toothpaste and holder. – Soap. – Toilet cleaner, bleach, toilet brush. – Towels (and hand towels). – Toilet rolls.
– Keep copies of content insurance and warranties safe. – Know who to contact if something goes wrong, such as an electricity fault or broadband problem (for university halls, this is the Residential Life Team). – Keep a list of contact numbers stored separate to your phone so if anything goes wrong, you can keep in touch.
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GETTING TO THE UNIVERSITY How to get to the Docklands campus By public transport, the Docklands campus is served by the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), with trains running every 5-10 minutes from the campus station called Cyprus. Bus routes serving Docklands include: the 101, 173, 262, 300, 366, 376, 474 and N551. By road, the campus is accessible via the A12, A13 roads, and the A406 London Circular. Address of the Docklands campus: University Way London E16 2RD How to get to the Stratford campus The Stratford campus is a short walk from the Stratford and Stratford International rail stations. It’s also served by the Jubilee and Central Underground lines, the DLR and a busy bus station. Bus routes calling at Stratford station include: the 25, 69, 86, 104, 108, 158, 238, 241, 257, 262, 276, 308, 425, and the D8. By road, the campus is accessible via the A12, A13 roads, and the A406 London Circular. Address of the Stratford campus: Water Lane, London E15 4LZ How to get to University Square Stratford (USS) University Square Stratford is in the centre of Stratford - five minutes’ walk from Stratford station. By public transport, it is served by national and London Overground rail services, as well as the Underground Central and Jubilee lines, and the DLR. Bus routes calling at Stratford station include: the 25, 69, 86, 104, 108, 158, 238, 241, 257, 262, 276, 308, 425, and the D8. By road, the campus is accessible via the A12, A13 roads, and the A406 London circular.
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Address of USS building: University Square Stratford 1 Salway Road London E15 1NF Other Travel Options UEL Inter-Campus Bus The University provides a free inter-campus bus service during term-time. The first service leaves the Docklands campus at 8am and drops-off at our main Stratford campus and University Stratford Square (USS). To view the full timetable and details of bus stops, visit our website: https://www.uel.ac.uk/about/about-uel/professional-services/estates-andfacilities/bus-timetable Taxis If you are planning to use a taxi, Uber or ride sharing service to drop you off/pick you up from the campus, you must have your UEL Student ID card for the car to be permitted access to the campus car park. If you do not have a UEL Student ID card, you must inform Security in advance that you’re coming. You can phone security on +44 (0) 208 223 5599 (Docklands) or +44 (0) 208 223 4073 (Stratford, Water Lane). If Security is not informed in advance, then the taxi will need to drop you off/pick you up at the campus entrance roadside, just outside the security barrier. Parking on campus Please note that parking enforcement is always in operation and vehicles not displaying a valid permit are liable to receive a penalty charge notice. Peak Times (8am-5pm). There is no parking available for students during peak hours, except for Blue Badge holders who may apply for a student peak hours parking permit. Application forms are available from Docklands Reception on request, email: receptdl@uel.ac.uk Students who have a significant health condition but do not hold a Blue Badge may also be considered for a peak permit. To apply on these grounds, you must complete a peak permit application form and have it verified by a member of the Disability, Dyslexia and Access Centre. Off-Peak Times (5.01pm – 7.59am) If you wish to apply for an off-peak permit you should complete the relevant application form. Application forms are available from Docklands Reception on request, email: receptdl@uel. ac.uk
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Useful travel telephone numbers National Rail Enquiries Telephone: +44 (0) 3457 48 49 50 nationalrail.co.uk National Rail Enquiries from overseas: international rates apply. Gatwick Airport Enquiries and General information Telephone: +44 (0) 344 892 0322 gatwickairport.com Heathrow Airport Enquiries Telephone: +44 (0)844 335 1801 If you use a textphone please call: 0844 571 7410 heathrowairport.com National Express Coaches Telephone: +44 (0)8717 8181 78 Website: www.nationalexpress.com Transport for London Telephone: +44 (0)843 222 1234 tfl.gov.uk
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HOW TO FIND YOUR WAY AROUND UEL’S CAMPUSES UNDERSTANDING OUR BUILDING CODES How to find your way around UEL’s campuses Understanding our building codes One of the most important tasks to undertake in your first couple weeks at UEL is to orientate yourself. It is no mean feat to find your way around, but you will quickly learn where everything is. If you can’t find a building or room, don’t feel embarrassed or fretful, just stop and ask someone. There will be Student Ambassadors walking around the campus during the first week to help you. Once you get your timetable, it is a good idea to spend some time finding out where your lecture and seminar rooms are located before teaching starts. If you are a UEL graduate and know the campus, please help fellow postgraduate students. It is also a great way of helping. At the back of this handbook, there are maps of the campuses showing the location and name of all the buildings on our campuses. Clear signage and banners around campus will point you in the direction of the buildings. Please note that buildings on each campus may have multiple entrances. When you enter a building, how do you work out the direction in which to go? Look at the room number directions which tend to be by the door openings and by stairs. This will guide you. Overall, room numbers follow on from one another. However, always remember that there are exceptions to the rule. Generally, when you are given a room number, it should contain all the information you need to identify where the room is based. It should tell you the building, the floor, and the number of the room. Below are two examples. Building Name Floor Room Number EB.G.08 East Building Ground 08 DL.3.15 Docklands Library Third floor 15 US.1.01 University Square Stratford First 01 UH.3.13 University House Stratford Third 13 There are some exceptions to this rule, but if ever you are struggling to find your room, our campus community is extremely friendly, and you can always ask someone to help. If you are a student with a mobility or sensory impairment and you need further advice, ask at the main reception at each campus. Don’t forget, if you are confused or lost, just stop someone and ask for directions. Staff and students will be happy to help you.
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WHAT ARE THE KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN UNDERGRADUATE AND POSTGRADUATE STUDIES? There are a few differences between studying at an undergraduate level and what is expected as a postgraduate. The key difference between undergraduate and postgraduate studies is the increased focus and specialisation that a postgraduate course will have on a subject. Level of expertise The experiences that students are expected to bring to a postgraduate course will vary with the subject, but the majority of courses expect everyone to have completed an undergraduate degree. Many students will also have a wealth of work experience to draw on. A postgraduate course will be a much deeper analysis and include detailed study of the subject rather than covering the broader themes that an undergraduate degree would cover. Students should come away from a postgraduate course with a strong understanding of the relevant issues and will probably be considered an expert or specialist in that field. Length of time Rather than the three or four years of an undergraduate degree, a postgraduate course might be as short as a year. (However, if you’re planned to take a PhD then the course duration is a lot longer.) Don’t think that this short time frame means it is an easy quick-fix option compared to an undergraduate degree. Students are expected to be able to read and write at an experienced academic level. Most courses do not allow for the spare time that might have been present during many undergraduate degrees. Many postgraduate courses are very intensive as most students have settled on their future career paths or have taken time away from their work to complete the course. Learning experience As postgraduate courses are pursued at a much deeper and more intensive level of study, the learning experience will be different to that of an undergraduate degree. Students are expected to undertake more individual study - not everyone on the course will be focussing on the same areas. During tutorials students participate and engage more than was expected as undergraduate students. If the postgraduate course is entirely taught, there will still be a great deal of independent learning in addition to the lectures and classes. Contact with academic staff Once students have moved into postgraduate study, relationships with lecturers and other academic staff change too, moving towards a relationship more like colleagues. If students are continuing at the same university, it is understandable that they will know their teachers. Academic staff will be available to help students to explore a subject that they love at a deeper level and this results in a different relationship compared to the experience as an undergraduate.
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Assessment As undergraduates, most students find an essay of 2,000-3,000 words a challenging task and postgraduates are expected to write at length with in-depth analysis of their subject. In addition to this many postgraduate courses require the production of a thesis of 30,000 words. Students are also challenged to produce short and concise works explaining a complex topic in as few words as possible. Compared to an undergraduate degree a postgraduate degree will have a variety of different essay lengths to develop the students’ communication skills further. Financial Many postgraduate courses have higher annual fees than undergraduate courses. However, it can be cheaper to study a subject for one year rather than three or four, although postgraduate students don’t tend to have the spare time to take up part-time work. Many courses have additional areas of funding including places that are fully funded or bursaries or grants for many students. This means funding and finances are not as simple at the postgraduate level as they are for undergraduate students. Source: https://www.postgrad.com/advice/postgraduate-studies/differences-betweenundergraduate-and-postgraduate-studies/
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NAVIGATING YOUR WAY THROUGH YOUR POSTGRADUATE STUDY Your learning journey is unique to you. We all learn in different ways and at different speeds, so do not compare yourself to others in your class. Postgraduate study is different from undergraduate as the section on What are the key differences between undergraduate and postgraduate study in this handbook explains. At UEL, we are here to support you every step of the way. Typical points in your first term and your year of postgraduate study In your first term, you will be getting used to a whole range of new experiences. Some of these are highlighted below and you may experience common pressure points as you progress. This is perfectly normal so do not panic. Make sure you talk to somebody who can direct you to the right support. Also make sure you pick up your hard copy of the Who’s Who Guide from The Hub on your campus which contains a range of helpful support contact details. Keep it accessible. Another source of useful advice is the Wellness Spheres site where you can hear advice from students, get top tips on how to deal with the typical pressure points, and access key information. Pre-arrival – Unsure what to expect. – Knowing what questions to ask. – Obtaining funding. – Consideration of value versus cost. – Finding appropriate/affordable accommodation. Arrival, orientation and induction to study in term 1 – Learning how to study at postgraduate taught level. – Transitions issues: personal, finance, balancing workloads. – First assessment at postgraduate taught level. – Identifying skill ability and gaps. – Expectations not being met. – Realisation of choosing wrong course. – Dealing with illness or family illness bereavement. – Managing technology and social relationships in-person and online. Term 2 – Group assessment frustrations. – Transitions issues: personal, finance, balancing workloads. – Postgraduate study being different to expectations. – Timing of activities disrupted. – Relationships with fellow students and staff challenged by blended learning. – Anxiety about alternative assessments and the impact on marks.
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Final term and preparing to finish your studies – Completing your dissertation/final project. – Worried about results. – Concern about employment. – Will a Postgraduate qualification really make a difference? – Not sure if an in-person graduation will take place. – Issues of moving from a structured, safe place to the unknown. – Loss of direction. – Challenges with the employment market.
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Map of Opportunity The Map of Opportunity is UEL’s gateway to help you in your studies and to provide advice and support to cope with some of the new experiences and typical pressure points mentioned above. It comprises five core segments of your university experience which are: University entrance, Living, Working, Studying and Graduate Success. Wrapping around all the segments is Health, Wellbeing and the Active Campus and running through the centre is being Passionate About My Subject and Career. You will receive support across nine key areas to help you succeed. You will receive more information on this when you start.
New Start Entries
1
Digital enrollment & gateway to the University
6
Preparing for study & TrackMyFuture
2
A Pre-Arrival ‘Extra Hand’
7
Preparing for assessment & getting the best result
3
On campus arrival & My Timetable 8
My Health & Well-being
9
Need a Hand?
4
Settling in, making friends & trying new experiences
5
Day 1 career-readiness
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Passional About My Subject And Career
6-7
5
4
1-3
Health, Well-Being & The Active Campus
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HOW TO STUDY AT POSTGRADUATE LEVEL Your postgraduate study at the University of East London should be exciting, rewarding and challenging. We want you to enjoy your subject, gain experience in different ways of thinking and working and leave with the knowledge and skills that will help you take control of your future. You will be studying new and fascinating ideas in ways that may be very different to those you will be used to, and university study involves an approach that you may never have experienced before. As a postgraduate student, you will: – Find that you have access to a wide range of resources and support. – Be able to make your own decisions and study things that really interest you. – Become increasingly independent in your work, yet adept at working with others. Your patterns of study will be different depending on your course and discipline, but the opportunity to study at the cutting edge of your subject and to commit yourself to achieving your full potential is the same for everyone. Academic advice on how to prepare for postgraduate study One of the most important sources of information is your course handbook which contains information on: – Study support and advice for your course. – Term and examination dates. – Assessments and assessment rules and regulations. – Useful contact numbers for academic and non-academic issues. As a postgraduate, you may be seeking to widen your knowledge or specialise. Try not to forget the knowledge and skills you obtained from previous study or work experience and, where you can, incorporate them into your studies at UEL. Learning and teaching methods For most students, the workload will involve a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials as well as time for independent and group preparatory work. The number of teaching sessions will vary according to your subject, and the year that you are in, but they normally occupy most days of the week. For the remainder of the time, you will be expected to study independently and prepare for assessments, so developing good study habits early will be beneficial.
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Lectures – Many units are built around a series of lectures. – Lectures usually take place in specially designed lecture theatres and offer a regular opportunity for the whole student group to be taught together. – Lectures are given by members of teaching team on a particular subject. – Often a number of different lecturers will contribute to a series covering a broad subject area. – Lectures provide a number of different opportunities for you to learn. Key information is disseminated for further study. A framework of ideas can be established for exploration through further reading and research within the format of the lecture. Small break-out discussion groups help define, explain and apply complex information. – The lecture notes that will be posted on the web are essential, but they only represent a starting point. The lecture notes will not contain all the information that you will cover in the lecture, so it is essential you attend and that you do any preparatory work. You will need to build on what you learn through your own reading and independent study. Seminars Lectures are often supported by seminars, in which a group of students and their tutor talk through ideas, question assumptions and discuss aspects of a topic in depth. Sometimes a student presentation or problem exercise provides the starting point for discussion. Again, it is essential you attend and that you do any preparatory work. Other key skills you will develop will include writing and working collaboratively. Tutorials In a tutorial you can ask questions, check your understanding, solve problems and discuss work assignments individually with a tutor or in a small group. This encourages you to be self-reliant, analyse problems, think imaginatively, develop new ideas and argue your case. Workshops Workshops are an important opportunity for you to develop practical competencies essential for your development and future employment. Group work You may be involved in group work, in which you collaborate with other students on a presentation or project. This encourages you to take different roles and responsibilities, to share expertise, and tackle tasks that you would not be able to undertake alone. The ability to work effectively in groups is much sought after by employers.
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Independent study Independent reading and activities, guided by lecturers, will enable you to prepare for – and follow up on – topics in greater depth. This is especially important when you are undertaking an assignment or preparing for an exam. Much of your learning will depend on: – How you use the learning resources available to you. – The extent to which you participate in discussions and practical or group work. – How you tackle course assignments and assessments. Learning support We understand that starting anything new can seem overwhelming, so we put a lot of effort into ensuring that your first semesters go well and leave you feeling positive and confident. Some of the things we do to support you will be organised alongside your studies. You will have a thorough orientation programme to get you going. Your module tutor is your first point of contact for module specific learning. Your academic advisor can help you review how you are progressing across modules. Learning resources It is important to use a range of resources, such as books and journals, rather than just articles that you have found on the internet. The University Library and Archive Service has many free resources, so do use them. Assessment At the University, a range of assessments is designed to give you the best opportunities to demonstrate your learning and achievements. A variety of assessment methods measure different aspects of your progress. For example: – A project evaluates your capacity to apply knowledge and understanding. – An exam tests your grasp of the breadth of a subject. – A dissertation examines your ability to conduct research and sustain an original argument. – An essay encourages you to read widely to answer a specific question. Other methods of assessment can also include: – Oral tests. – Poster presentations. – Practical competence tests. – Portfolios of material compiled during a course.
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Top 10 study tips for postgraduate students 1. Attend introductory talks your department, the University and Students’ Union deliver. It may feel like a lot of information all at once, but it will prove useful later. 2. Get to know the postgraduate work space you will have access to. 3. Keep on top of your learning from the start, reading over notes after each day’s lectures. If available, read a little of the next day’s work. Plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time to copy edit, add images and undertake any last-minute formatting to your work. 4. When you get stuck, talk about your work with other people. It can reveal the gaps in your thinking, and you can get advice from a perspective you have never considered before. 5. Take advantage of seminars, workshops and tutorials offered by your department as well as the University. Some will come in handy, and you will also get to meet new people. 6. Do not try to do it all yourself. There are so many services on and off campus that can help you, from academic, social, careers to counselling. 7. Try to avoid old study habits. With a new course and fellow students, it would be wise to view it as a new experience rather than a continuation of undergraduate study. 8. Get involved in the postgraduate activities in your department, such as research seminars and conferences. It is never too late to try something else and get involved in the different aspects of student life. 9. Network and gain an insight. You will be making industry connections throughout your course and you can add to your professional network by talking to alumni and networking online using our Careers Network and sites such as LinkedIn. 10. Do not panic and be prepared for setbacks. Try to stay positive and enjoy your studies. If you are worried about anything to do with your course, do not panic. Talk to your course or module leader or academic advisor. Being at university is a transformational experience. As well as working hard, try to enjoy yourself.
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Student Conduct - values and expected behaviours UEL has a dedicated Student Conduct Team, who work with students and staff to uphold the integrity of the student conduct process for allegations of academic and non-academic misconduct. This helps promote and foster safer, positive, and more inclusive community and living and learning environment across our three campuses, thus positively impacting on overall student experience. In addition to overseeing conduct processes, the Student Conduct Team work to engage and educate students through signposting resources and raising awareness of ethical decision-making and accountability. Further information on the Student Conduct Team and related policies can be found on our dedicated webpages: Conduct & University Expectations (sharepoint.com) In addition to Academic Integrity, core principles to help uphold integrity within the University include: – Treating other people with respect and making sure you have consent for any actions you perform towards them which they may otherwise deem inappropriate. – Respecting other people’s physical and personal space, physical and intellectual property and private information. – Ensuring that you refrain from using inappropriate or discriminatory language in all online engagement (both internal and external to the University). The University may take disciplinary action in response to allegations reported to us. – Not engaging in behaviour that could impair the engagement, learning or participation of others. – Respecting the values of the University by appreciating and respecting differencing and including people of all backgrounds. Report and Support The University is committed to promoting and providing a safe and respectful environment for every member of its community, through challenging harassment and abuse. This ethos is underpinned by our Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the Student Code of Conduct. UEL’s Report+Support site has been created to provide information and resources around various forms of harassment and abuse. A reporting function is also available for both anonymous reports and advisor requests. Further information on each type of report can be found on our dedicated Report+Support webpage: Report + Support - University of East London (uel.ac.uk)
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MANAGING MY DISABILITY AT UNIVERSITY The Disability and Dyslexia team is a small and diverse team of advisors who are passionate about enabling students to overcome barriers to their learning. We understand no two individuals are the same and incorporate this into the way we support our students by providing individual solutions and impartial advice. We support students throughout their journey at UEL and will remain a point of contact for the duration of your course. Who do we support? We support those students whose conditions have a substantial, long-term impact on their learning. This includes students with: – – – – – –
Mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety Specific Learning Differences (SpLD’s) such as Dyslexia and Dyspraxia Autism Spectrum Conditions Sensory conditions such as vision and hearing impairments Long-term illnesses Physical disabilities
Supporting you during your studies To access support during your studies at UEL, you need to attend an appointment with the Disability & Dyslexia Team. This appointment is to discuss your individual support requirements. We encourage students to contact us as soon as possible to avoid a delay in accessing support. To book an appointment, please contact our Student Hub on 0208 223 4444. You can also, email your availability to ddac@uel.ac.uk. We offer appointments face to face, by phone and video call (Microsoft teams). If you need any support for the appointment such as a BSL interpreter, please let us know when booking. Support available We offer support in a range of areas, for example: – Exams and assessment i.e., extra time for exams and course work certificates – Library support i.e., extended library loans and alternative formats – In class and teaching support i.e., access to support workers and materials in advance. All support is tailored to your individual need and diagnosis. In discussion with you, we would create a Teaching and Learning Support Requirements (TLSR) form. With your permission, this form is then sent to your school so they can put the recommended support in place.
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DISABLED STUDENTS ALLOWANCES (DSA) What does DSA provide? DSA will cover the cost for support relating to your studies such as: – Assistive technology (specialist equipment, software, and training). – Non-medical helpers such as specialist note-takers, bsl interpreters, specialist study skills tutors and mentors. – Travel allowance. DSA does not cover: – Non-study related disability costs (e.G., Personal care). – Tuition fees and living costs. – Costs any student might have, such as books or food. Unlike PIP and other Government benefits and allowances DSA does not provide funding via direct payments (money into your bank account). DSA provides access to support and all payments are made directly to the company providing the support. Who can apply? Applications for DSA funding can be made by those who have applied for or are studying a Higher Education course (including foundation degrees). This funding is for UK students or those who have been residing in the UK for a minimum of 5 years. International and EU students are not eligible for DSA please see our Support for International students page for information on the support you can access from UEL. Medical evidence To apply for DSA students, need to have a formal diagnosis and provide evidence of this. Students need to provide a letter from a doctor, such as a GP or consultant confirming the diagnosis and symptoms (how it affects you). For a Specific Learning Difference (i.e., Dyslexia / Dyspraxia) you need a full diagnostic report. The report must be from a qualified Specialist Teacher or Educational Psychologist.
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PLA TF
CAREER ZONE
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Career Zone Starts Here Your Career Journey As a career-1st university, we put your career journey front and centre. Whatever stage you are in your planning, the Career Zone offers what you need by providing you with support from the moment you arrive until you find employment and beyond. Join the thousands of students who have accessed the Career Zone services to launch their careers. What You Need to Know You can access our award-winning services in three ways: – Career Zone Platform - an online portal that is available to you 24 hours a day 7 days a week. You can easily build and improve your CV with AI tools, create your Career Development Plan, sign-up for workshops and events, and find jobs! – Career Zone Spaces - dedicated career support spaces at all of our campuses. You can drop in to meet with an advisor or explore job opportunities with our on-site recruitment partner Randstad. – Career Zone Team - our team of friendly dedicated professionals can guide you to receive career advice, 1-to-1 career coaching, paid internships, placements, mentoring, volunteering, starting your own business, and much more! What Career Zone Offers Career Zone is your one-stop portal for preparing you for career success. During your time at UEL, you will go through your Career Development Plan. The plan provides step-by-step career planning guidance allowing you to set goals, while your Career Dashboard (located on Track My Future) helps you to stay on track. Next Steps! – Go to the Career Zone, https://careerzone.uel.ac.uk, to access all the above and more. – Follow Our Social Media accounts for up-to-date information on workshops and support available to you @uelcareerzone (Instagram) UEL Career Zone (LinkedIn) – Get in touch, you can email us at careerzone@uel.ac.uk.
“
The career coach went the extra mile by helping me gain confidence in myself to not lose hope and keep polishing my CV and cover letter.”
- UEL Graduate
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ONLINE LEARNING - HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE Learning online is very different to learning in-person using a course textbook and making handwritten notes. You can access more information provided in this section by going to: uelac.sharepoint.com/sites/celt/SitePages/studying-online-all-students.aspx What hardware will I need? – A good, stable internet connection. Advice for a strong internet connection at home can be found here: Advice for strong internet connection at home (sharepoint.com) – A quiet space at home with a desk, if possible. – A web enabled device (laptop or desktop). – We recommend a laptop with Core i5 8th gen or above, or Ryzen 5; 8GB of RAM; currently supported 64-bit Windows 10 OS; SSD storage of 128GB min. For a full online experience, a webcam with integrated microphone or separate microphone is recommended but are optional, as you can still communicate through other methods such as Chat (Teams) / Forums. – Your lecturers may hold a meeting where you may be asked to contribute through a microphone. – A webcam if you want/need to hold a discussion face-to-face online. – Mobile devices such as a tablet or smartphone could be used. However, they are not recommended and should be considered as a last resort. What software will I need? As a UEL student and once you have enrolled, you will receive the most up-to-date Office365 for free. You can download desktop versions of the Office365 applications. You will be able to download Microsoft Teams desktop client although you can also access it via Edge or Chrome browser. Please sign in using your UEL username and password. The desktop version offers users more functionality. Please note, all departments operate differently. Your lecturer will confirm with you their favoured delivery method.
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Lectures Lecture presentations will be made available at the discretion of the lecturer. Lecturers will use their chosen delivery method: – Microsoft Teams synchronously (during a Teams meeting) or asynchronously recorded in Teams. – Recorded using PowerPoint, then circulated via Teams / Moodle / email. – Video files will remain online. Videos will be available to download, where possible – If you are an International Student on a Student Visa, you must attend classes in-person. Top Tips for Going Digital - getting ready for the lecture – Make sure your equipment is working. – Ensure you have a quiet environment free from any distractions. – If using a webcam, ensure you have no personal information on show in the background that you don’t want to be seen. – Open application windows on your computer, so you can take notes and follow the action. – Place your mobile phone on silent. You may be using it as a study aid but remember incoming calls will override a Teams meeting. – Complete any pre-lecture activities in good time to get the most out of the experience. – Ensure you know how to access the lecture if synchronous (live) so you start on time. Your lecturer will circulate the link. – Participate, and enjoy the experience. Your lecture may set a task mid-lecture or ask for questions at the end when delivering a live synchronous lecture. Please be aware, questions may be directed via chat posts on Teams or there might be a time to verbally ask questions. – Netiquette – ‘network and etiquette’ - is defined as a set of rules for acceptable online behaviour. Respect others, listen and speak as directed by your lecturer. – If you have time, upload an image of yourself to your Office 365 account, so your fellow students and lecturers can identify you.
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CYBER SECURITY ADVICE Cyber Security precautions With reliance on IT, there is an increased risk of cyber-attacks against organisations and individuals. The following advice is sound for good practice at any time, but more important currently. For your devices: – Keep your device patched. Promptly update the Operating System when notified that an update is available. Update applications you have on your device, ideally automate this process. – It is good practice to run Anti-Virus or Anti-Malware software on your device. Free products are better than none. These can include extensions to protect you when browsing. – Enable a PIN, Password or Biometric login on your device. For your UEL account: – For student accounts the password must: – Be at least 8 characters – Include at least 3 of these 4 character types -Upper and lower alpha, numeric and special characters (symbols and punctuation) – Not include a single dictionary word or ‘common’ passwords – Not include all or part of your username or obvious link to you, such as a pet or relatives’ name – Be unique to your UEL account and not used by you for any personal accounts – Be changed promptly after the user or UEL knows or suspects an account has been compromised – Not be disclosed to anyone, including IT staff – Not be written down so that they may be available to others – An account will be locked out after 6 unsuccessful attempts for a day, it can be reset using the Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) service but enrolment in SSPR is required prior to this, click here to be taken to the SSPR – Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) is in place for all student accounts when off site or when not physically connected to the UEL network. This was introduced specifically to protect your account from compromise. It is good practice to set up more than one method to use for MFA, Authenticator and email are good alternatives to text messages or calls. For advice on setting up MFA, go to https://uelac.sharepoint.com/sites/ITServices/ SitePages/Data_and_Information_Security/Information-Security-Home.aspx.
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For your personal accounts: Most services will now enforce minimum password complexity rules now, like those applied by UEL. Always try to use strong passwords. – Do not use the same password for accounts, as any breach of your account details on one external service could result in access using your credentials on another service. Do not use the same password you use for your UEL account for personal accounts. – Keep your password to yourself, don’t share it. If you need to share a device, create individual accounts on it. – If a service ‘offers’ MFA, set it up. Use ‘Report Phish’ if in an email to your UEL account. When working with emails: Please ensure that you remain alert to cyber threats especially in emails. Attackers will often use compromised accounts to make use of contact lists for sending emails, knowing that your guard will be down if you recognise the sender. Links and attachments in emails are often used to expose recipients to dangerous malware and while UEL has controls in place to detect these this will not be the case with your personal emails. – Hover mouse over sender details and any links so that they are expanded to reveal more detail. If the sender address or underlying link do not match those displayed, be wary. Note: Any email to your UEL account will have Mimecast inserted in the link, which is our email Filter. – With your UEL email account, if you have any doubt about an email or any link contained, please either use the ‘Report Phishing’ feature on the top right of the Outlook toolbar, or email infosec@uel.ac.uk. For more information, see Welcome to UEL’s Information Security pages! (sharepoint. com) Training available Before you start your studies, we recommend that you complete our IT Induction for Students, available on Moodle. This is a comprehensive course to help you navigate the IT software and applications available to you while you’re studying at UEL and become familiar with help and resources to support you in using your IT tools. Course: IT Induction for Students (uel.ac.uk) The Metropolitan Police Service have set up a series of free online webinars to raise awareness and to provide useful, practical information to keep you safe from cyber criminality: The webinars address the following topics: – Cyber Behaviours – what anyone can do to protect themselves from online threats Book onto these webinars at: www.met.police.uk/CyberWebinars
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SUCCESS AND WELLNESS AT UEL Our 10 spheres of wellness At UEL, we are aware that overall wellbeing is built upon different types of wellness. So we have developed a practical wellness map to help you in your unique student learner journey. This short guide: provides an overview and explanation of the 10 spheres of wellness; highlights some of the support and advice that is available; and provides top tips to help empower you to maximise your wellness and succeed at UEL and beyond. Type of wellness
What is it?
Community
Community wellbeing is feeling part of, and contributing to, a healthy environment where individuals respect themselves and interact respectfully with people in and outside of UEL, thus enabling everyone to flourish and fulfil their potential.
Cultural
Cultural wellness is about respecting and appreciating people with different backgrounds, lifestyles, genders, ethnicities, abilities and ages, understanding the UEL environment and community, and building positive cultural relationships.
Digital
Digital wellness is about understanding the impact of technology and digital services on one’s mental, physical, and emotional health; understanding how to stay safe and well using it; and finding a healthy balance.
Emotional
Emotional wellness is about being aware of, and accepting of, the wide range of feelings one experiences; the ability to cope with stress in a healthy way; managing feelings effectively; the capability of adjusting to change; and the ability to enjoy life.
Environmental
Environmental wellness is about having respect for, and awareness of, our surroundings; caring for our environment; being aware of risks in various settings; and recognising the need to keep a healthy personal environment.
Financial
Financial wellness is about learning how to manage money and establishing a personal budget; setting realistic goals and living within your means; not getting into credit card debt; and thinking long term and saving for the future.
Physical
Physical wellness is about being active, eating well and having balanced nutrition; feeling safe and secure; and getting adequate sleep.
Residential
Residential wellness is about keeping one’s living space clean and tidy, safe and secure. It includes achieving a healthy study/life balance; creating effective study space; and creating a living environment free from anti-social behaviour.
Social
Social wellness is about establishing meaningful and healthy relationships; communicating effectively with others; and creating, and being a part of, a support system; and creating networks with classmates, academic, and future employers.
Study and Career
Study and career wellness are all about setting challenging and healthy academic and career goals; seeking resources to help you make decisions and succeed; continuously striving to learn and improve your skills; being open-minded to new life experiences and career paths; and creating a positive and healthy study and life balance
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10 things you can do for success While we work hard to create and highlight the best possible learning and development opportunities, we encourage you to maximise your engagement with the University, your chosen course of study, the professional services available to support you, extra-curricular activities and broader campus life. We expect all our students to: 1. Attend as much face-to-face teaching as possible, aiming for 80% on-campus attendance. 2. Participate actively in class and group discussions, keeping up to date with tasks between classes and ensuring you communicate proactively with your tutor if problems arise. 3. Plan your own time effectively, aiming to submit coursework to published guidelines. 4. Aspire for high achievement by carefully considering feedback about your work and using this to improve its quality. 5. Proactively engage in all scheduled meetings with your academic advisor and use this as an opportunity to receive advice about learning and professional development. 6. Make good use of wider learning opportunities and specialist support from our professional services, seeking guidance from your academic advisor and school staff to ensure you are receiving the right opportunities. 7. Actively seek help, support and guidance about academic, career related or personal issues. 8. Plan ahead for your career throughout your time at UEL, interact with the Career Zone every term and keep your Career Passport up to date as you develop new skills and experiences. 9. Seek out opportunities to develop new skills and join in as much of campus life as possible. 10. Take responsibility for your own actions and personal conduct and play an active role in keeping all members of our community safe in a respectful and fulfilling environment.
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MANAGING MY MONEY AT UNIVERSITY Budgeting is a vital part of getting to grips with your finances and, while living on a limited student income, it can be the key to avoiding financial difficulties. Knowing exactly how much money you have to spend is the only way to avoid overspending. Being able to account for exactly where your money goes will help if you come to apply for an overdraft or a bursary. When drawing up a budget, remember to list all your income - and be realistic. Remember, too, that you must plan for the long summer vacation. If you are worried about your finances, the University’s Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) is here to help with any money-related issues you may have. The SMART team offers daily drop-in and appointment sessions at both Docklands and Stratford campuses. Appointments can be booked via the Hub. Telephone: 020 8223 4444 MyPortal: https://myportal.uel.ac.uk You can find out more about what’s available from SMART on Track My Future. Visit the Support & Resources area from the homepage, then click on ‘Money & Bursaries’ in the Support and Advice section. Top tips on balancing income and expenditure Do: –
–
– –
–
– –
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Don’t: Thoroughly check any tenancy agreement before signing it. Are any bills included? Will you be liable for full rent at times when you won’t be there, such as holidays? Feed yourself properly and cheaply. You can economise on food by using local markets, looking out for special offers in supermarkets or buying economy brands, and learning how to cook. Take advantage of any student discounts. Budget – keep a record of what and where you spend. Have a list of priority spending (the difference between things you need to buy and things you want to buy). Reply to all letters from your bank or creditors and keep copies of all correspondence. Sign up for online banking so you can keep track of your spending more easily. Make sure that you pay your bills on time. Acknowledge that if things go wrong, it can affect you emotionally and distract you from your studies. Seek advice immediately. The longer you leave it, the harder it becomes to sort out. Allow some money for a social life.
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– –
– – –
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Overspend at the beginning of the first term. Rush out and buy all the course text books and equipment on your list. Wait until your course gets going and assess which ones are essential. Remember, you can use the library and KeyText instead of buying them. Buy non-essentials when struggling to pay for the essentials. Ignore signs that spending is getting out of control. Be afraid to talk to someone and seek advice if you are having problems financially. Speak to friends, family or the SMART team at UEL. Exceed your bank overdraft limit without authorisation. Unauthorised overdraft rates are very high when compared with what is offered if you stick within agreed limits.
Cost of Living Advice and Support The University of East London is committed to supporting our students and has made more than £1 million of additional funds available, in addition to free products and breakfasts. We have highlighted the most relevant support that you may be able to access and practical suggestions to ensure you make the most of your money during this time. You can find more details at Cost of Living Advice and Support page. Help with your postgraduate tuition fees A Postgraduate Master’s Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate Master’s course. Funding for postgraduate loans is different if you are a student resident in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Visit the following websites for information relating to your country regarding fees and maintenance loans. Student Finance England gov.uk/funding-for-postgraduate-study Student Awards Agency for Scotland saas.gov.uk/ Student Finance Wales studentfinancewales.co.uk/ Student Finance Northern Ireland studentfinanceni.co.uk/ You will find information on what you are entitled to apply for, when you are paid, and what to do if you change course or university. EU funding eligibility for courses Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, the UK government has confirmed that EU, EEA and Swiss nationals starting courses in the 2021/22 academic year onwards, who are not registered as ‘settled’ or ‘pre-settled’ in the UK, will no longer be eligible for home/UK fee status or financial support from Student Finance England. This means that these students will pay the same fees as international students. Financial support opportunities from UEL The University offers a Postgraduate Hardship Bursary for students who have home/UK fee status. There is an eligibility criteria. Applications for these bursaries are available online. For details on the Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) and bursary funds available, visit https://uelac.sharepoint.com/sites/studentsupport/SitePages/ SMART. aspx. There are a number of external organisations and research councils which offer financial help to postgraduate students. Find out more by visiting this link: uel.ac.uk/postgraduate/fees-and-funding/uk-eu-postgraduate/postgraduate-externalfunding Please note, the University of East London is not responsible for the content of these external sites and is not associated in any way with the funding schemes and their application processes.
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HEALTH AND SAFETY ON CAMPUS You have a responsibility to yourself and others to look after your health and safety. This means acting in a responsible way and reporting anything you think could cause injury or harm. This section provides advice on what to do in an emergency. Emergency on campus For any emergency, incident or accident call the Emergency Hotline on +44 (0) 20 8223 7771 for all campuses. The Emergency Hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, all year round. If you call 999, please also call Security as well as they are trained first aiders General security enquiries (Including reporting thefts, lost property etc.) Campus
Telephone No.
Docklands
+44 (0)208 223 5599
secudl@uel.ac.uk
Stratford
+44 (0)208 223 4073
secuwh@uel.ac.uk
USS
+44 (0)208 223 7888
secuuss@uel.ac.uk
Fire alarms We have fire safety notices which offer information on what to do in the event of a fire or other emergency in every building on both campuses. What to do if you discover a fire: – Operate the nearest emergency call point if the fire alarm has not already activated. This will alert Security who will investigate the alarm activation and alert the London Fire Brigade if required. – Leave the building by the nearest exit and proceed to your nearest Fire Assembly Point, which will be signposted. Follow the instructions of any fire marshals in the area. – Do not stop to collect personal belongings. – Do not use the lifts.
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What to do if you hear the alarm: – Leave the building by the nearest exit. – Do not stop to collect any personal belongings. – Go to the local building Fire Assembly Point so that staff know you are safely out of the building. – Keep away from exits and allow response staff and emergency services to do their work. – Keep clear of buildings windows and doors to avoid possible flying glass and debris. – Stay at the Fire Assembly Point – if you need to be moved it saves valuable time and you will also get the all-clear quicker. – Maintain social distancing wherever possible. You must never go back into the building until the fire brigade, or a member of security, or the emergency team say it is safe to do so. If you accidentally set off a fire alarm, call the Emergency Hotline immediately on +44 (0)20 8223 7771. What to do if you have a disability Fire evacuation procedures for disabled people, including personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEP) will be developed with you by your School PEEP co-ordinator. If you have not already declared a disability which may prevent you from evacuation unaided, please do so. You will need to book an appointment with a disability advisor. During this appointment an Institutional Support Package will be designed and implemented. Appointments are booked via the Student Hub on +44 (0)20 8223 4444 or email ddac@uel.ac.uk with your availability. You will be advised what information you need to provide in advance. 5 seconds of safety advice These are important things to consider: 1. Is what I am doing safe? 2. What could go wrong? 3. Who could be injured? 4. What Improvements could be made to make the task safer? 5. Consider the overall consequences if you carry on and ignore any problems identified. If in doubt, stop.
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PERSONAL SAFETY ADVICE Be aware and keep your possessions safe: – Do not leave your property unattended on campus and be vigilant to distraction-type theft. – thieves frequently operate at tube stations, cash machines, in car parks, around bus stations and in overcrowded areas, especially during busy times. – be cautious with your money, mobile phone and keys - store them in a safe place like your bag or pocket to reduce the risk of theft. – carry some cash in case you need to make a call from a public phone. You can reduce the risk of decive theft by following these simple tips: – Don’t leave your phone on tables in pubs or restaurants. – When you leave a train or tube station, look at who is around you before you take out your phone. – Don’t walk and text at the same time, as you will be less aware of what is happening around you. – Keep calls in public places as brief as possible; the longer you talk, the more likely you are to be spotted by a potential thief. – Use the barriers available to you - take a call with your back to a wall and hold your phone close to your body when texting or browsing. – Try not to carry your laptop in a separate case, carry it in your rucksack instead where it can blend into your books. – High value items such as laptops, ipads and phones when left unattended do go missing.
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Safety in halls of residence: For students living on campus: – Never let anyone enter the building after you (tailgate) through the main front door. They should use their own access id card to swipe-in to the building. – Always lock your bedroom door when you are not in your room and don’t wedge any doors in halls open. – Close your windows whenever you are not in your room. – Keep your keys and id with you at all times and don’t give your bedroom keys to anyone else. – If you see anything suspicious, call security on +44 (0) 208 223 5599 (5599 from your bedroom phone) or leave an anonymous message on the silent witness number (+44 (0) 20 8223 5799). How to keep safe at a cash machine (ATM): – Be aware of who is around you when using the cash machine – make sure nobody is standing too close to you. – If you can, use a cash machine during the day; if you need to use one at night, find one in a brightly lit area or inside a bank. – Only carry enough cash for what you need. – Separate your cash - keep some in your wallet or purse and some in your pocket to reduce the risk of a thief pick-pocketing you – Do not show or give your bank pin to anyone; try to remember your pin and do not write it down
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Safety when using transport Trains: – Find out the times of the trains, so you do not have to wait too long and you know when the last train is running – train schedules can be found at www.nationalrail.co.uk or www.tfl.gov.uk. – If you are waiting on a platform, wait near the ticket office or in a brightly lit area – If you can, sit in a busy carriage – it is safer where there are more people – If someone bothers you, get up and move away. Buses: – Find out the times of the bus you want so you do not have to wait too long you can get live information about bus arrival times at www.Countdown.Tfl.Gov.Uk. – If you can, sit near the driver. – Tell the driver if someone is bothering you Taxis: – If making your journey by taxi, book your journey through a licensed operator or use a hackney carriage. – If pre-booking using uber (or equivalent), check the driver and vehicle match the information in your app when the taxi arrives unless the vehicle is a licensed hackney carriage, never get into a taxi that just stops in the street. – If you can, it is safer to sit in the seat behind the driver. – Be prepared for the end of your journey before you enter the vehicle make sure you have your house keys and money to pay for the ride. – Ask the taxi driver to park outside until you get into your house in case you cannot get in and need to travel to somewhere else.
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Cars Maintenance: – Make sure that your car is kept in good running order – do not put yourself at risk by running out of oil, petrol, water or air in the tyres. – Take the time to learn the basics of car maintenance and have your car serviced by a reputable garage. – Consider joining a breakdown organisation as added security (e.G. Aa, rac), and carry details of your breakdown cover with you in the car. Driving: – Plan your journey carefully – know what route you are taking and let other people know where you are going and when you hope to arrive. – Use a map or sat nav, so you don’t have to stop and ask for directions. – Store a small amount of cash in the car in case you need to buy food or use a pay phone in an emergency. – Do not pick-up passengers you do not know (e.G. Hitchhikers). – Never leave your keys in the ignition whilst you are out of the car for any reason. – If you feel threatened by another driver, make a note of the type of car and its registration number when safe to do so. – If you break down on a motorway, it is safer to wait for assistance outside your vehicle, standing on the verge or behind the crash barrier; take your keys with you and lock all doors except the one nearest to you. – If you think another vehicle is following you, keep driving until you come to a busy location such as a garage or motorway services; if you are really worried, drive straight to the nearest police station. Parking your car: – avoid using poorly lit car parks; whenever possible, park as close as you can to the attendant if there is one. – reverse into the space and hide all valuables. – shut all windows and lock all doors; note the location of where you have parked your car. – when returning to your car, have your keys ready so that you can get in quickly. – before entering, scan the back seat to check no-one has climbed in. – once you are in the car, lock the doors immediately.
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Alcohol and Drugs Besides damaging your health, heavy consumption of alcohol over a short period of time can seriously impair your judgement so you are more likely to take risks you may not have taken while sober. – Try to drink responsibly, drink water between alcoholic drinks and take some fresh air if you feel unwell. – When drinking, look out for each other. If you see you friend or fellow classmate has drunk too much, offer them some assistance or let a member of staff or security know. – Report threats or violence to the bar staff or security.
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Drink spiking Drink spiking is when a mind-altering substance is put into your drink without your knowledge. Drink spiking is illegal even if an attack or assault has not been carried out. Often the assailant’s purpose is to commit sexual offences or theft against the victim. There are a number of drugs known as ‘date rape’ drugs which can result in total loss of memory and loss of control over your body. Rohypnol has gained notoriety as ‘the date rape drug’. It takes effect very quickly and reaches its peak eight hours later when it can cause unconsciousness. Rohypnol comes in the form of a tasteless and odourless pill which is easily ground down into a powder, and all traces of the drug disappears after 24 hours. Tips to prevent this from happening: – Do not leave your drink unattended at any time. – Never accept a drink from anyone you do not know or trust. – Do not share or exchange drinks, or drink leftover drinks. – Drink from a bottle rather than a glass when possible. – When you are walking around in a club or bar keep your hand over the opening of your drink. Sexual Violence Things that might stop you from being able to give consent: – – – –
Being drunk or under the influence of drugs. Being unconscious or asleep. Being underage – legal age of consent is 16. Health or mental health problems or disabilities that limit your choices at the time.
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If you are a victim of crime off campus: In an emergency you should phone 999. You should use this service if a crime or incident is happening, or if anyone is in immediate danger. If you are deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment, a text phone is available on 18000. Dial 101 for incidents not requiring an immediate police response. If you are deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment, a text phone is available on 18001 101. In non-emergency situations you can also report a crime or incident at any Police station. Crime can reported online, as long as an urgent response is not required: Report | Metropolitan Police If you are a victim of crime on campus: – Crime or incident is happening or if anyone is in immediate danger. If you are deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment, a text phone is available on 18000. – Please advise security as soon as possible that you have called the emergency services. We will be able to assist. Call uel’s emergency number extension 7771 from a campus landline or +44 (0) 20 8223 7771. For incidents not requiring an immediate Police response: – Report the crime to campus Security, at the earliest opportunity. – Security will dial the appropriate police telephone number for you and hand you the telephone so you can report the crime directly to the police (only victims of crime can report crimes to the police). In cases of stolen items, Security will ask you to complete a Loss Report Form. This will assist with reuniting stolen property to the rightful owner.
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GENERAL SAFETY ADVICE Living in London and studying at UEL can be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences you ever have! It’s an exciting place and we want you to have good experiences whilst you’re here. According to the Economist’s Safe Cities Index, London is amongst the safest cities in the world. It’s an incredible location, packed with culture, things to do and opportunities to explore! This short guide provides practical advice on how to enjoy the city whilst staying safe. The information below will you to be aware of the potential risks around you. Remind yourself of this advice when you go out, and use your common sense to avoid becoming a victim of crime. How to keep safe when you are out: – Plan where you are going and how you will get there. – If you can, tell someone where you are going and when you will be back. – If you have one, take a personal attack alarm with you; keep it where you can find it easily and make sure you know how to use it. – Keep to well-lit streets where possible. – If you can, go out with friends or someone you know. – Keep your bag with you at all times. – Wear your handbag across your body or under your coat. – Do not get into a car with someone you don’t know. – If you take an uber or similar, check the car and driver match your app.
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WHERE TO EAT DURING ARRIVAL WEEKEND AND WELCOME WEEK Food available on campus The University has a wide variety of catering outlets across Docklands and Stratford campuses, offering menus to suit all tastes, from hot and cold snacks to substantial meals. On your first day, you will be provided with a free lunch at our Welcome Food Festival. A range of dietary options will be available, and we will do everything to meet your needs. However, if you have very specific dietary requirements and you are worried about not being able to obtain a meal, please feel free to bring your own a lunch just in case. All outlets have varying hours of operation. Docklands Campus Costa Coffee Costa Coffee is a fully franchised store located in the West Building on the Docklands campus. Fully trained baristas deliver hand-crafted speciality coffees made to your dietary needs or preference. The counter service offers hot drinks, iced coolers, sweet snacks and sandwiches. The Edge The Edge Restaurant is a food court emporium, offering home comfort meals, meal deals, rotating guest street foods, a salad bar, jacket potatoes, freshly made soup and a live theatre station with chefs cooking food to order. It is open for breakfast from 8am. Munch Café The Munch Café is located the SportsDock building on the Docklands campus and serves 53 Degrees Fairtrade coffee as well as iced drinks, sandwiches, sweet and savoury treats and grab-and-go snacks with nutritional and healthy takeaway options available. It is open from 8am. The Pump House caters as a space for students and has a vegan / flexitarian menu. Open 11.00-16.00 Monday to Friday. Starbucks Starbucks is located in the East building along the Atrium on the Docklands campus. It provides speciality coffees, Frappuccinos, iced teas, freshly baked pastries, sandwiches, paninis and delicious cakes for a morning, mid-morning or afternoon treat. It opens at 8am and meal deals are available.
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Premier Retail Shop The shop is located in the East Building opposite the Hub. It is a one-stop campus shop for all snacking and household needs. Rollover hot dogs are available at lunch time and, in the morning, there are also freshly baked savoury pastries and sandwiches. Ready meals and refrigerated snacks are also provided. Underground Bar The Underground Bar is based on the Docklands campus and plays host to regular comedy, karaoke, open mic, sports and party nights attracting DJs and bands from across the musical spectrum. It is a student meeting point for socialising and meeting new friends. It is located on the Docklands campus between main reception and Cyprus DLR Station and is open Monday to Friday and some weekends. The bar offers competitively priced drinks from draught beers to cocktails and all inbetween. Stratford Campus The Buzz Café The Buzz Café is located inside the Arthur Edwards building and serves Starbucks coffee. You can get your favourite speciality coffee, Frappuccinos, iced coffees and sweet and savoury pastries, confectionery, sandwiches, paninis as well as a range of grab-and-go foods. Subway Subway is on the Stratford campus located in the Arthur Edwards building in the food hall along with the Green Restaurant and Buzz Café. It offers all the High Street options of a Subway – six-inch to Footlongs, crisp fresh salads and meal deals with great offers available with a Subcard or Subway app. Green Restaurant The Green Restaurant is based on the Stratford campus in the Arthur Edwards Building and offers home comfort food, meal deals, soft drinks and grab-and-go food. USS The Bean Machine Café The Bean Machine Café is a Starbucks outlet located at University Square Stratford in the reception area. It provides speciality coffee, Frappuccinos and sweet and savoury snack along with confectionery and soft drinks. Upay is a global payments, loyalty and promotions platform, used in all the retail and hospitality outlets at UEL operated by UEATWELL (excluding the retail shop and Costa Coffee). The app can be used for both redemption and collections of points for use against future
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THE UEL JARGON BUSTER As a student at UEL, you will hear a lot of names, abbreviations and acronyms used verbally and in writing in the first few weeks. This can feel like another language to learn. This Jargon Buster provides you with a list of definitions for abbreviations, acronyms and nicknames which should help you settle in. You will get another one when you arrive that focuses on Study Jargon. Academic advisor is a member of academic staff to whom students can go for advice. You will meet them as part of your course orientation programme and at several points in the first year. They will help you review your academic requirements and can refer you on for non-academic support requirements. Academic services librarian is a named librarian available to help you find information for your assignments. They can also help with citing and referencing. You will meet the academic services librarian for your school during the first few weeks of term. Academic Student Group is a type of Students’ Union group which is linked to an academic subject. Academic student groups organise lots of social activities and events, and also subject-related talks, presentations and trips. A full list of academic Student Groups is available on the Students’ Union website: uelunion.org. ACE is the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering and based in the East Building on the Docklands campus. It is made up of two departments: the Department of Architecture and Visual Arts and the Department of Engineering and Computing. ACI is the School of Arts and Creative Industries and located across the Docklands and USS campuses. The school is made up of three departments: the Department of Fashion, Department of Media, and the Department of Music, Writing and Performance. Ailsa House is a student residential block, one of the West Halls on the Docklands campus. Alumni is the term given to a person who has attended or has graduated from a university or college. AMR stands for Annual Monitoring and Review. The Annual Monitoring and Review process happens every year for full- and part-time students and provides you and the School with an opportunity to assess your progress over the last 12 months. Application to Register is the formal process that all PGR students must go through in order to proceed with their research. The application to register is submitted through PhD Manager and is reviewed and approved by the School’s RDSC – Research Degrees Sub-Committee, and the URDSC – University’s Research Degrees Sub-Committee. Aqua East is our gym and medical facility for UEL’s student athletes who are part of the East London Sport High Performance Programme.
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Aramark (UK) is the University of East London catering provider, offering catering options across all campuses, with outlets offering hot meals, snacks and recognised High Street brands. Atrium is the long corridor down the middle of the ground floor of our East Building at the Docklands campus. Bean Machine is a Starbucks ‘Proud To Serve’ outlet located at University Square Stratford in the reception area. It sells speciality coffee, Frappuccinos, and sweet and savoury snacks, along with confectionery and soft drinks. Being Well, Living Well is a Moodle course which takes a positive, preventative approach to equip students with the practical tools and knowledge needed to develop strategies to improve their mental, physical, emotional and financial wellbeing. Search for Being Well, Living Well on Moodle. Blackbullion is a financial education tool specifically for university students and is free for UEL students to use. Sign up at blackbullion.com/register using your UEL email address. BUCS is British Universities & Colleges Sport, the national governing body for higher education sport in the UK. It runs all the local and national student sports leagues and competitions, which East London Sport clubs compete in on a weekly or yearly basis. Building abbreviations are used on your teaching timetable and campus maps. They include: AE Arthur Edwards Stratford AVA Architecture & Visual Arts Building Docklands DL Docklands Library Docklands CC Conference and Computer Centre Stratford CE Clinical Education Building Stratford CW C-Wing of University House Stratford EB East Building Docklands ED School of Education and Communities Stratford ITC IT clusters - Library Docklands KD Knowledge Dock Docklands LT Lecture Theatres Stratford MLT Main Lecture Theatre Docklands NB North Building Docklands SD Sports Dock Docklands SL Stratford Library Stratford UH University House Stratford US University Square Stratford (USS) USS WB West Building Docklands
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Bus stops at Docklands campus are on Cyprus Place and near the Cyprus DLR station. Both are opposite the North Building on the Docklands campus. Additional bus stops can be located on Sir Steve Redgrave Bridge at the east end of the campus. At the Stratford campus, there are bus stops on Water Lane and Romford Road. For University Square Stratford, there are stops on Great Eastern Road and Stratford Broadway. Bus routes for the Stratford campus call at Stratford station. They include: the 25, 69, 86, 104, 108, 158, 238, 241, 257, 262, 276, 308, 425, and the D8. By road, the campus is accessible via the A12, A13 roads, and the A406 London Circular. Bus routes for the Docklands campus call at Cyprus bus station. Bus routes serving Docklands include: the 101, 173, 262, 300, 366, 376, 474 and N551. By road, the campus is accessible via the A12, A13 roads, and the A406 London Circular. Buzz Café is based on the Stratford Campus located inside the Arthur Edwards building and is a ‘Proud To Serve’ Starbucks coffee outlet. Get your favourite speciality coffee, Frappuccinos, iced coffees and sweet and savoury pastries, confectionery, sandwiches, paninis as well as a range of grab-and-go foods. Campus is the term given to buildings and grounds at which a university or college is based. UEL has two main campuses. The word campus is generally used to refer to buildings grouped together in one area. University Square Stratford, UEL’s third site, is a single, stand-alone building but is occasionally referred to as a campus for the sake of convenience. Career coach is someone who provides professional, high quality, impartial and confidential information, advice and guidance to support all your employability needs and help you progress your career goals. Career Passport is a digital toolkit that evidences the acquisition of key skills and knowledge, over and beyond what a graduate is generally expected to possess. It is a portfolio you can keep adding to as your experience build. Career Zone Platform is an online careers management platform, built specifically for UEL students, to help support your career goals. You have access to a jobs board with internships and flexible part-time jobs, mentoring programmes with industry leaders, employer events and volunteering opportunities with our community partners. You can also access learning pathways to take you stepby-step through a number of career topics. You can use the system to book appointments to see a careers coach or advisors from our Volunteering, Enterprise and Placements teams. Career Zone Spaces are available on all three UEL sites for students to visit to discuss their career goals.
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Cash points (also known as ATMs) are available outside the North Building at Docklands campus and inside the Conference and Computer Centre at the Stratford campus. At University Square Stratford, the closest cash points are inside the Stratford Shopping Centre, just a short walk from the building. CCC is the abbreviation for the Conference and Computer Centre based at the Stratford campus. This building accommodates open-access computers, a 400seat lecture theatre, seminar rooms and an entrance foyer. CELCAT is the timetabling software used by the University. Citing and Referencing is how you acknowledge the articles, books and other resources that you have used to gather information and evidence when doing your assignments. Accurate referencing and citing are essential academic practices which help you to avoid plagiarism (see Plagiarism below). Citations appear in your essay and show what source you are referring to. References are at the end of your work and give the full details of the source so the person reading it can find it. There are many styles of citing and referencing. Your module handbooks will give guidance on what style you should use, and your lecturer will be able to help if you are in any doubt. Your academic services librarian can help you with citing and referencing. Clare House is a student residential block, one of the West Halls, on the Docklands campus. Collaborative study spaces are areas in the libraries where you can talk and work together in groups. Community Group is a type of Students’ Union Group which brings together students who want to meet other students like themselves or facing similar challenges. They organise social activities and events but also have a role in representing the members of the group. A full list of Community Groups is available on the Students’ Union’s website. Consent to share is where we will require your written consent to share information with relevant staff in the University and/or external support providers in order to facilitate reasonable adjustments for your course of study. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the name that describes activities which help you develop experience and key skills for your career. You will be encouraged to undertake CPD activities as part of your studies as they will enhance your learning and employability. Convocation is the name given to a key event to mark the beginning of the academic year. It’s an exciting occasion in which the University welcomes its new cohort and showcases its wide array of services and opportunities.
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Course refers to an undergraduate or postgraduate degree which is made up of modules (see Modules below). An undergraduate part-time degree or postgraduate degree can vary in duration. At UEL, they are called courses, but they are also known at other universities as programmes. Course coach is a member of academic staff to whom students can go for advice. You will meet them as part of your course orientation programme and at several points in the first year. They will help you review your academic requirements and can refer you on for non-academic support requirements. Course leader (CL) is the person who looks after the management of your course. They are supported by a course team. Course representative is an elected student representative. Every course at every level elects a student from that course to represent their course mates for one year. Every student in the course can run to be the course representative and can also vote in the election. Course representatives are one of the most important aspects of the Students’ Union’s role and they play a key role in shaping the development of our University. Elections are usually held within three weeks of the start of term. Costa Coffee is a fully franchised store located in the West Building on the Docklands campus. Trained baristas deliver hand crafted speciality coffees made to your dietary needs or preference. A counter service offers hot drinks, iced coolers, sweet snacks and sandwiches. Credit is earned through learning and assessment. There is a specified amount of credit attached to each module you study (see Module below). As modules are completed, your credit will build up. Once enough credit is built up through successful completion of coursework, exams and other assessments, students are deemed to have earned their degree and are ready to graduate. Credit will be acquired at a specified level. Credit Level represents the difficulty of your module. Normally, foundation year modules are rated Level 3, first-year modules are rated as Level 4, second year modules as Level 5 and your final year modules as Level 6. Postgraduate modules are rated as Level M or 7. Occasionally, you may take modules where the level does not equate with your year of study. For example, in some degrees, you may take some Level 5 work in your first year, which is Level 4. Credit Control is a finance team based in the East Building on the Docklands campus. The team can provide you with support and advice for paying your fees and tuition. Cyprus DLR Station is connected to the campus entrance, behind North Building at Docklands campus. It is part of the Transport for London network. DDT stands for Disability and Dyslexia Team.
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Dean is an academic leadership role, responsible for the overall management of your School (see School below) and the welfare of its staff and students. Diagnostic assessment explores an individual’s learning profile in more depth to establish strengths and challenges in the learning or work environment. It is used to identify and diagnose special learning difficulties (SpLD) such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia and ADHD. Digital First Aid (DFA) is the library’s service to help you with a range of IT and digital skills. Digital first aiders are also students at UEL and can help with a range of IT-related queries, including connecting to Wi-Fi and using Microsoft Teams and other software packages. Enquiries relating to passwords should be directed to IT Services. Dissertation is a long-form essay (see Essay below), usually written in the final part of a degree course. The dissertation is distinct from a standard essay as it will include some new research (eg, a survey) undertaken by the author to prove their answer to a question. Disabled Students’ Allowance is government money that students with a disability, learning difficulty or a long-term health condition can receive if eligible. Contact the Disability and Dyslexia Team for more information at ddac@uel.ac.uk The Dome is part of University House. It was originally built as a public museum as a result of a generous donation from a Victorian era journalist, philanthropist and MP John Passmore Edwards. TEAL stands for Teaching Enhanced Active Learning and is our teaching approach which combines traditional face-to-face, on campus tuition with cutting-edge technology. East London Edge Awards are rewards for those who take on significant extracurricular activity. East London Edge Pathways are extra-curricular opportunities we promote through the Career Zone. East London Sport is a UEL student support service that provides UEL students with a wide range of programmes to help students get active, compete in sports competitions, support elite student athletes and gain work-based learning experiences in a sport and leisure environment. East London Sport also runs the SportsDock at the Docklands campus. Edge Restaurant is a food court emporium, offering home comfort meals, meal deals, rotating guest street food concepts, a salad bar, jacket potatoes, freshly made soup and a live theatre station with chefs cooking food to order. It opens for breakfast from 8am.
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Educom is the abbreviation for the School of Education and Communities which is based on the Stratford campus in the ED Building. It is made up of six departments: the Department of Social Sciences and Social Work, Department of Initial Teacher Education and Training, Department of Psychological Studies, Department of Sociology, Department of Global Studies and the Department of Early Childhood and Education. Enrolment is an activity a student must undertake to officially join their course. See the enrolment section at the beginning of this handbook for more details. Essays are a style of writing. Often consisting of around 2,000-3000 words (but sometimes longer), they are written in response to a question and set out the author’s response in a logical format: an introduction to set the direction, a middle section containing the responses to the question and supporting evidence, then a conclusion which sums everything up. EU Student are students whose normal home is outside the UK, within one of the 27 member countries of the European Union, and who are registered on a full-time degree programme of more than one year. Extenuating circumstances are when something occurs that is unforeseeable, unpreventable, and likely to have a serious impact upon your academic performance. Felix House is a student residential block, one of the West Halls on the Docklands campus. First Degree This is normally a bachelor’s degree, eg, BA, BSc, BEng, LLB (see Honours Degree). Foundation Certificate is the course completed at Level 3. Fresher is a term sometimes used to describe a new undergraduate student. GIN stands for Get Into Nursing, which is a short course designed to widen access to our nursing course. Graduate is a person who has completed and passed their degree and had it officially conferred by a graduation ceremony. In the period between passing your assessments and the graduation ceremony, you are officially termed a graduand. Green Restaurant is based on the Stratford campus in the Arthur Edwards Building and offers home comfort food, meal deals, soft drinks and grab-and-go food. Group study rooms are rooms in the libraries that you can book to study together in groups.
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Halls of Residence are University-owned accommodation in which students often live while studying. At UEL, our accommodation sits on the waterfront of our Docklands campus. HE stands for higher education. Higher education courses normally occur at university. Higher Degree is a postgraduate degree such as Master’s degree or Doctorate. Masters’ (MA / MSc) degrees are awarded to graduates who have undertaken an additional course of study after an honours first degree. Master’s degrees may be taken following a period of work experience, and some courses take the form of company training programmes. MPhil degrees are a Master’s degree which a student is awarded after a period of research or a taught course. High Performance Sport Programme supports all UEL students who receive sport scholarships or are part of East London Sport’s selected high-performance sport teams. Honours Degree is a first course of higher education study undertaken at university, normally lasting three or four years if undertaken full-time. HSB is the abbreviation for the School of Health, Sport and Bioscience and is based on the Stratford campus in University House in the Dome. It is made up of four departments: the Department of Applied and Public Health Professions, Department of Bioscience, Department of Nursing and Department of Sport. The Hub is UEL’s Information Access Point for student information, advisory services and documents. IAG stands for Information, Advice and Guidance and is important for any students who may be thinking about their postgraduate or exit plan. The department is located in USS. Knowledge Dock Café is based in the Knowledge Dock Building on the Docklands campus. It serves Triple Fairtrade coffee and has a hot deli counter. ILSC stands for Introduction to Law Short Course. This is a short course designed to widen access to our law courses. International Student is the term used to describe students whose permanent home is usually outside the UK and European Union. This term is sometimes used to include those from the European Union. ISA is the International Student Advice Team. The team provides free and confidential advice, information and support on UK immigration-related matters. Jamillah House is a student residential block, one of the West Halls on the Docklands campus. Kwame House is a student residential block, one of the West Halls on the Docklands campus.
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LALS refers to the Library, Archives and Learning Services at UEL. There are two libraries, one at Docklands in the Docklands Library building and one at Stratford in the Stratford Library building. LEA is the Local Education Authority, to which UK undergraduates apply for assessment (in full or part) of their contribution towards tuition fees, which are then processed via the Student Loan Company (SLC). Your application to your LEA should be made before arrival, although in some cases the outcome may not be known until after term begins. Lecture is a formal learning event, led by an academic or subject specialist to a group of students. You are expected to prepare for and attend lectures. In this setting, students normally listen and make notes, although some sessions involve interaction between the lecturer and students. Lecture Theatre 2 to 6 are rooms based on the Stratford campus near the Arthur Edwards Building. Leisure Hub is the online booking and membership system for SportsDock that can be accessed via the SportsDock website. Level 3 is the term used to describe a student in their foundation year of undergraduate study. In other universities, it is sometimes referred to as Year 0. Level 4 is the term used to describe a student in their first full-time year of undergraduate study. In other universities, it is sometimes referred to as Year 1. Level 5 is the term used to describe a student in their second full-time year of undergraduate study. In other universities, it is sometimes referred to as Year 2. Level 6 is the term used to describe a student in their final full-time year of undergraduate study. A student whose has taken a year out to undertake a placement will return to Level 6. In other universities, it is sometimes referred to as Year 3. Longbridge House is a student residential block on the east of the Docklands campus M365/O365 refers to Microsoft 365/Office365 which is online cloud-based software, through which students can access their email (Outlook) as well as other Office apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, OneDrive, etc. Main Lecture Theatre (MLT) is based on the Docklands campus. It holds 400 students. Marley House is a student residential block on the east of the Docklands campus.
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Mature student is a student over 21 years of age at the beginning of their undergraduate studies, or over 25 years of age at the beginning of their postgraduate studies. Over half of mature students in the UK are aged between 21 and 24. Mentoring programmes have been designed to help students and graduates develop their professional and personal skills. You can be mentored by a professional, a fellow student or become a mentor yourself for new students. MFA stands for Multi Factor Authentication. We’re all used to having a username and password to login to our accounts. MFA is where you add extra layers of security to stop people hacking into your accounts. For example, you might set up the system to send you a code number by text message to your phone after you have entered your standard password. By doing this, it means if someone discovers what your password is, they still can’t get into your account. At UEL, we use Microsoft Authenticator to protect our users’ online accounts from malicious access. This allows you to add additional information, for example, something you know, such as a user name and password; something you have, such as a mobile phone or landline, personal email account, bank card or digital token (often called a ‘dongle’); or something you are, such as your fingerprint on your phone’s or laptop’s reader. M level is another term used to describe a student studying at Master’s level. This could apply to an undergraduate student who is undertaking an integrated degree (3/4 year Bachelor’s degree plus one year masters) or a Postgraduate Master’s student. Modules explore a specific area within subject. A number of modules make up a course which then leads to a degree. Courses all have code and a title. Each module has a set number of credits which will vary from course to course. Modules are also referred to as Units in other universities. Module leader is an academic who organises a module. This is your first point of contact if you are having difficulties or there is a problem with the running of a module. Module team is made up technical, support and academic staff who help run a module. Moodle is the online virtual learning platform used at University of East London (also known as a VLE). Most taught courses have a Moodle course which either students are automatically enrolled onto or they can self-enrol. Moodle courses contain course materials, such as audio and video files, lecture slides, links to recordings of lectures and reading lists. You can submit your work electronically to Moodle and tutors can provide feedback and provisional marks to you via Moodle. It’s accessible on Track My Future or directly on moodle.uel.ac.uk/.
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Moves App is UEL’s new app which rewards students with points for every step they take. It is a physical activity social network to help to motivate UEL students and staff community to stay active during their busy schedules. Points can be cashed in to claim rewards such as Nando’s vouchers and East London Sport hoodies. Move East London refers to UEL’s programme enabling all students to take part in sport and physical activity across the Docklands and Stratford campuses. All our drop-in sessions are free to attend and vary from circus skills, yoga and boxing to basketball, volleyball and football. They are organised by East London Sport and run by our sports reps and sports scholars, so they are a great opportunity to learn a new sport, hang out with friends, or take a break from studies. Multi-Faith Facilities at Docklands and Stratford are for prayer and reflection. Munch Café is located the Sports Dock Building on the Docklands campus and serves 53 Degrees Fairtrade coffee. Iced drinks, sandwiches sweet and savoury treats, grab-and-go food, nutritional and healthy takeaway options are available. Open from 8am. My Dashboard (Engagement Dashboard, the Dashboard) is a tool created for you to support your successful progression in studies. It allows you to monitor weekly activity on Moodle and on Teams and check your attendance in the on-campus classes (if scheduled). In addition, it gives you an overall engagement score based on a series of weightings with recommendations for action. You can access it via Track My Future My Study page. My Study is a section within Track My Future. It is your go-to place for studyrelated resources and tools (such as Moodle, your timetable, My Dashboard etc). My Voice is a section within Track My Future. It is a space for sharing feedback, participating in surveys and learning about student representation. The Pump House The Pump House caters as a space for students and has a vegan / flexitarian menu. Open 11.00-16.00 Monday to Friday. Open in the evenings when events are on from 18.00-23.00. Parking on the Stratford campus is not available for students during peak hours (8am-5pm, Monday-Friday), although Blue Badge holders can apply for a peak hours parking permit. All students can apply for an off-peak parking permit, allowing them to use the campus car parks at Docklands and Stratford outside these times. PEP refers to Pre-Entry Programmes which are based in University Square Stratford. PEEP is a personal emergency evacuation plan. If you have a disability which means you would need specialised support in case of emergency, please contact the Disability and Dyslexia Team via the Hub and arrange for a PEEP to be created.
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Performance studios are based at University Square Stratford. PhD Manager is the online system used by all PGR Students to support their journey through their Doctoral degree. The PhD Manager system allows PGR students to record supervisory meetings and submit various applications, including application to register, transfer from MPhil to PhD and Annual Monitoring and Review. PGTA stands for postgraduate teaching assistant. You may find some attached to your classes. They have a wealth of knowledge and experience so do use them if you have one. PGR stands for postgraduate research. PGT stands for postgraduate taught and includes postgraduate master’s study. Placement is where a student can gain experience in the workplace as part of their course. Plagiarism is the term used to describe using or copying another person’s work without using proper citations and references (see Citing and referencing above). Proper acknowledgement of ideas, research evidence or historical findings are key to academic integrity. Integrity and ethics are deemed so important at universitylevel that plagiarism is considered a form of cheating and is subject to disciplinary procedures at UEL. PFMW is the Professional Fitness & Mental Wealth programme all students undertake. The components go beyond subject knowledge and this is the part of your course that will nurture skills for life. Premier Retail Shop is located in the East Building ground floor opposite the Hub. It is a one-stop campus shop for all snacking and household needs. Rollover hot dogs are available at lunch time and there are freshly baked savoury pastries and sandwiches in the morning. Ready meals and refrigerated snacks are also provided. Quiet study space are spaces in the libraries reserved for individual quiet study. Brief whispered conversations are permitted, but not group work. RDSBL is the abbreviation for the Royal Docks School of Business and Law which is based at University Stratford Square. It is made up of two departments and one institute. They are the Department of Business Management, Entrepreneurship and Finance, Department of Law, Policing and Justice and the Institute of Hospitality and Tourism. RDL stands for research degrees leader. All Schools have a research degrees leader to oversee the MPhil/PhD students in each School.
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RDSC is for the Research Degrees Sub-Committee that reviews all applications submitted by PGR Students and discuss PGR student development within each respective School. Redbridge House is a student residential block on the east of the Docklands campus. Reasonable adjustment is a change that removes or reduces the effect of a disability and allows disabled people to access the same opportunities and services as non-disabled people. Adjustments vary according to individual circumstances and what is reasonable for an organisation may be impossible for another. Red Room is social learning space in University House on the Stratford campus. Report and Support is a reporting tool to capture incidents of sexual assault, harassment, bullying and hate crime. Sandwich is a course of study which includes a year of practical work undertaken in an organisation outside the University, but which has relevance to the student’s programme of study. The sandwich year is usually the penultimate year of a degree programme. (Also see Placement). Scaffolded information and support refers to support and advice you need at specific points in your study journey. The aim of this approach is to not overload you with information all at once. School of Psychology is based at the Stratford campus in the Arthur Edwards Building. It is made up of two departments: the Department of Professional Psychology and the Department of Psychological Science. School representatives are elected School-level representative who work with School leaders to improve the curriculum, student experience and careers opportunities. They are part of the student leadership committee in the Students’ Union and work closely with the student officers and course representatives. Self-issue are machines you can use to borrow library books. You will need your ID card to use these. Self-returns are the machines you can use to return library books. These books will be removed from your account when you use the machine. Shepherds House is a student residential block on the east of the Docklands campus. Silent study space are spaces in the libraries reserved for studying in silence. SITS is the student records management system used to store, administer and manage all aspects of student information from initial enquiry and application through to completion of your studies.
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SLC refers to the Student Loan Company, which deals with the payment of tuition fees to the University on behalf of eligible UK students and the provision of student loans to UK students. This does not apply to European Union or International students. Security Team is based on each campus. They can all be reached by dialling internally from a phone extension 7771, or from outside +44 (0)20 8223 7771. SMART is UEL’s Student Money Advice and Rights Team. The team provide advice and guidance on government and UEL funding, including scholarships and bursaries. SportsDock is the name for our sports facility based on the Docklands campus run by East London Sport. It has two large arenas, large gym with separate strength and conditioning suite, an outdoor five-a-side football pitch and several conference rooms. It hosts University sports clubs, local, national, and international events and sports fixtures all year round. SRI refers to the Sustainability Research Institute. It is based in the Knowledge Dock building on the Docklands campus. SSPR stands for Self-Service Password Reset. It is the portal for users to reset or change their UEL password without the assistance of the IT Team. Users are asked to register for this on first log on. Standard term dates for the academic year 2022/23 at UEL are listed below and are often called semesters at other universities.
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Undergraduate Term 1 - Monday 25 September 2023 to Friday 19 January 2024 (New students: week starting Monday 25 September 2023) Break: 18 December 2023 – Friday 5 January 2024 Exams: Monday 8 January 2024 – Friday 19 January Term 2 - Monday 29 January 2024 - Friday 24 May 2024 Break: Monday 25 March 2024 – Friday 5 April 2024 Exams: Monday 13 May 2024 – Friday 24 May 2024 For courses with a non-standard academic year, please look at the university intranet for your term dates. Postgraduate Term 1 - Monday 25 September 2023 to Friday 19 January 2024 (New students: week starting Monday 25 September 2023) Break: Monday 18 December 2023 – Friday 5 January 2024 Exams: Monday 8 January 2024 – Friday 19 January 2024 Term 2 - Monday 29 January 2024 - Friday 24 May 2024 Break: Monday 25 March 2024 – Friday 5 April 2024 Exams: Monday 13 May 2024 – Friday 24 May 2024 Term 3 - Monday 3 June 2024 – Friday 13 September 2024 Exams: Monday 2 September 2024 – Friday 6 September 2024 Submission of dissertation: Monday 9 September - Friday 13 September 2024 Starbucks is located in the East Building along the Atrium on the Docklands campus. It provides speciality coffees, Frappuccinos, iced teas, freshly baked pastries, sandwiches, paninis and delicious cakes for a morning, mid-morning or afternoon treat. It normally opens at 8am and meal deals are available. Student Enterprise Team offers an array of events, competitions, boot camps and other training activities for UEL students and graduates to develop business ideas. Details are available in Career Zone. Student accommodation is sometimes used to describe the University-owned and operated campus accommodation which houses close to 1,200 students. It is serviced by two on-campus launderettes and other campus amenities.
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Student Engagement and Retention Team (SERT) is responsible for managing the data you can see in My Dashboard on Track My Future. The team use it to monitor your engagement and will contact you if you are not attending or using the learning resources provided to you. Student Wellbeing Service (SWS) provides wellbeing advice, emotional support, counselling mental health support and workshops. Sessions can be booked via the hub or email wellbeing@uel.ac.uk Stratford campus is a short walk from the Stratford and Stratford International railway stations. It is also served by the Jubilee and Central Underground lines, the DLR, and a busy bus station. Student Groups describes all the Students’ Union’s groups such as societies, communities, clubs and campaigns. Student Groups organise all sorts of social activities and events. If a group doesn’t exist for your hobby or campaign, you can start your own. The Students’ Union will provide support, funding and space for you to organise your group. A full list of student groups is available on the Students’ Union website. Student officers are the three elected leaders of the Students’ Union, each with a specific remit: activities and opportunities officer, education officer, wellbeing and community officer. They work closely with all the sub-groups of the Students’ Union such as Student Groups, Community Groups, course representatives and campaign organisations. They also represent all students in boards and committees in the University. Student officers are elected every spring and work for the Students’ Union full-time for one year. Students’ Union (SU) is an organisation made up of all students in the University. Every student automatically becomes a member when they enrol on their course. The Students’ Union provides representation, advice, activities and events for all students, and supports Student Groups with funding and space to organise their activities. It also provides training for all its groups and course representatives. The members of the student leadership committee - three student officers and six school representatives - represent students at University and school boards and committees. Student village is a name sometimes used to describe the Docklands campus accommodation. Subway is on the Stratford campus located in the Arthur Edwards building in the food hall along with the Green Restaurant and Buzz Café. It offers all the High Street options of a Subway – six-inch to Footlongs, crisp fresh salads, and meal deals with offers available with a Subcard or Subway app. Supervisory meetings are meetings all Postgraduate Research (PGR) students hold with their supervisors as part of their PGR journey. These meetings will be formally recorded within the PhD Manager system.
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TEAL stands for Teaching Enhanced Active Learning and is our teaching approach which combines traditional face-to-face, on campus tuition with cutting-edge technology. Teams refers to Microsoft Teams, a unified communications platform that combines chat, video meetings, file storage (including collaboration on files) and app integration. It allows you to join classes and events online, record your class attendance, participate in discussions, communicate with your tutors and classmates, collaborate on files, and share content. Templars House is a student residential block on the east of the Docklands campus. TMF/Track My Future is your personalised one-stop-shop to all University’s learning tools, services and resources that will help you to succeed in your studies, career journey and beyond. Track My Future consists of thematic sections (for example My Study, My Voice). Here, you will also find My Dashboard, the tool that will help you to monitor your studies. You can access Track My Future on UEL intranet (https://uelac.sharepoint.com/sites/trackmyfuture), or on your Teams menu. Togetherall (togetherall.com/en-gb/) is a 24/7 clinically moderated emotional support community with creative tools to allow you to express yourself, find peer support and take part in educational programmes to learn new skills to help with your wellbeing. Sign up using your UEL email account. TOTUM is the only student discount, proof of age ID and campus life card recommended by the National Union of Students. The basic card is available for free. For every premium card bought by a UEL student, the Students’ Union receives a small donation. Turnitin is an originality checking and plagiarism prevention service that checks your writing for citation mistakes or inappropriate copying. When you submit your paper, Turnitin compares it to text in its massive database of student work, websites, books, articles etc. UEATWELL is the onsite brand identity for all catering services at UEL. You will come across this terminology on all menu identifiers, catering social media campaigns and catering signage. Underground Bar is based on the Docklands campus and plays host to regular comedy, karaoke, open mic, sports and party nights attracting DJs and bands from across the musical spectrum. It is a student meeting point for socialising and meeting new friends. It is located on the Docklands campus between main reception and Cyprus DLR Station and is open Monday to Friday and some weekends. UPay is a global payment, loyalty, and promotions platform, used in all the retail and hospitality outlets at UEL operated by UEATWELL (excluding the retail shop and Costa Coffee). The app can be used for both redemption and collections of points for use against future transactions using preloaded funds onto your UPay account.
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UPay – Order Ahead is a means to purchase items from selected UEATWELL outlets. Either use your preloaded funds or your credit / debit card. Collection time can be chosen at time of purchase, save time and beat the queues. VPN stands for virtual private network (VPN). It gives you online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network from a public internet connection. Volunteering is an activity where someone gives up some of your free time. New skills can be gained and the experience can build your confidence and boost your career. Westfield Stratford City is Europe’s largest indoor shopping mall next to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It is just one of Stratford’s attractions, alongside many other shops, cafés, bars, and restaurants. There are two multiscreen cinemas, a theatre, an arts centre, Olympic sports facilities and stadium and much more. Weston Learning Centre is a study facility on the ground floor of University Square Stratford (USS) with PCs, study room and printing facilities as well as a book returns bin. URDSC is the acronym for the University’s Research Degrees Sub-Committee which reviews applications submitted PGR Students and provides an overview of the School Research Degrees Sub-Committees. UEL is the acronym give to the University of East London. UG stands for undergraduate which is a person who is studying for a first degree. UO stands for Unconditional Offer. A student will receive this once they have met our entry requirements. USS is the abbreviation for University Square Stratford. It serves 3,400 students and is the base for our courses in law and criminology, dance and performing arts, and the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Viva is the term used for the final oral defence of a Doctoral thesis.
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USEFUL CONTACT DETAILS University switchboard Telephone: +44 (02)08 223 3000 Cashiers Office (income team) Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8223 2974 / 2030 Email: incometeam@uel.ac.uk Credit Control Team Telephone: +44 (0)208 223 7333 Email: creditcontrol@uel.ac.uk Credit Control provide advice and support in relation to your tuition fees payment plans and payment of any other outstanding debts to the University. International Student Advice (Immigration advice) Visit https://uelac.sharepoint.com/sites/GovernanceandLegal/SitePages/ Student-Immigration-and-Compliance.aspx Email: Internationaladvice@uel.ac.uk Telephone: +44 (0)20 8223 4444 General Library Enquiries Email: library@uel.ac.uk Docklands Campus Library Tel: +44(0) 20 8223 3434 Stratford Campus Library Telephone: +44 (0)20 8223 4646 Residential Life Team Telephone: +44 (0)208 223 4445 Email: ResidentialLife@uel.ac.uk Website: uel.ac.uk/accommodation Residential Life Team is based on the Ground Floor Office, Longbridge House, University of East London, 4-6 University Way, London E16 2RD, UK Security Campus Team Telephone: Internal extension 7771 External outside +44 (0)20 8223 7771 SportsDock Telephone: +44 (0)20 8223 6888 E-mail: sportsdock@uel.ac.uk SportsDock has great facilities and provides a friendly and supportive environment for you to get active.
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The Hub Telephone: +44 (0)208 223 4444 MyPortal: https://myportal.uel.ac.uk Student Hubs can support with any question related to your student experience. Either the Hub staff will provide you with the answer you need straight away, or they will refer you on to the team you need to liaise with. Students’ Union Telephone: 0208 223 7025 Email: students.union@uel.ac.uk Website: uelunion.org By joining the University of East London, you automatically become a member of the Students’ Union. It exists to represent all UEL students. The SU provides support, representation, facilities, services, entertainment, and activities for all its members. UKCISA (The UK Council for International Student Affairs) Telephone: +44 (0)20 7788 9214 Email: ukcisa.org.uk
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CAMPUS MAP DOCKLANDS
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CAMPUS MAP STRATFORD
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CAMPUS MAP UNIVERSITY SQUARE STRATFORD (USS) CAMPUS R
R
Map accurate as of June 2021
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NOTES
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