UoG Insiders Guide

Image courtesy of the University of Gloucestershire

“It’s Like living in Hogwarts, except the wands and cloaks are replaced with apple products and starbucks cups” Jess Walker

IT TAKES A VILLAGE It really does take a village to pull it off. But these few people in particular dedicated their time into producing this guideWe’re students at UoG and this guide is to tell you all about the university we love – written and designed by the FARID team.

University of Gloucestershire Students’ Union SU leadership UoG marketing Michelle Barden Billy Wassell Tanya Woods Adelle Adrian Kieran Galpin AJ Crompton The FARID team Milly Muxworthy All the businesses featured RJE Design and Printing In this Guide Profiles on four incredible students Where to eat, shop and party till the sun comes up A digital tour of the UoG campuses A map of both Cheltenham and Gloucester A look into the Students’ Union Your UoG playlist

You might be asking yourself, what the hell is FARID? The word FARID is the English abbreviation of the word Unique in Arabic. FARID is curated purely by young creatives with a new & fresh take on Lifestyle & Culture journalism.

The zine is a compilation of precarious ideas that set out to challenge common thought on contemporary topics.

Showcasing work produced by the young creative minds of our generation – with contributors from all over the UK – FARID will be your vessel on the latest in today’s youth culture.

Image courtesy of the University of Gloucestershire

University of Gloucestershire, The Park, Cheltenham, GL50 2RH. +44 (0)1242 714700.

The Perfect Night

Student Profile Name Tanya Woods

What is a typical night out for you?

On a Monday (GLAM) and Wednesday (BLUE&BLUE), Cheltenham is the best scene for a night out in my opinion.

On a Monday I would have pre-drinks first at my house or a friend’s, then I’d catch the 94 bus to Cheltenham town, where I would then head to either Fever night club - which is free entry - or Moo Moos Club room. On a Wednesday, all sports clubs have their social in Cheltenham in their most popular pubs such as Revolution or Yates. Their socials consist of several games where students of all ages socialise to create a sense of a team. After this social, we head to Moo Moos or Fever, which is a quick walk away. There are hundreds of giveaways every night, which include Nando’s vouchers,

limited edition merchandise and glowsticks, as well as free food like buttered toast, popcorn and Space Raiders.

Monday and Friday are both student nights, meaning that drinks are sold at student prices!

On a Friday, Gloucester is the place to be for GLAM Atik Fridays. It takes a 5 to 10 minute walk into the town centre to the most popular night club in Gloucester. After going through the security, I go straight to the bar to get student-priced drinks!

After the night has ended, the sensible thing to do is eat! There are numerous kebab and chicken shops surrounding Atik where most people would go to munch on some greasy food.

Alternatively, Domino’s is the go to takeaway to end the night & A LOT of water!

" Cheltenham is the best scene for a night out in my opinion"

Age 21

Course

Hotel, Resort and Tourism Management

Member of any societies?

No, but I’m part of the university’s lacrosse team.

Campus Oxstalls, Business School

Career goals To progress in the tourism industry internationally and achieve a managerial status.

Your university essential Polar Gear water bottle

MacBook or notepad?

Notepad

Favourite place to eat in the area?

• • •

Gloucester Quays Gloucester Grill Wetherspoons

Go-to student meal?

Crispy chicken breast wraps with lettuce and burger sauce.

Top tip for saving money as a student?

• •

Why UoG?

The facilities that the university provides for all courses are specified to suit their needs. Having a brandnew Business School built especially for all courses related to business meant that I could go to a specific place to find tutors for advice on assignments. The social aspect allowed for a wide range of people to be able to intermingle and enjoy their experience with new individuals. The Students’ Union and the Helpzone being a student support centre ensured that if I had any problems and needed advice or help, I would have someone to talk to.

• • • • •

Weekly shop instead of impulse buying Pre-drink to save you spending more money when you’re out Budget for the week Use UNiDAYS and Student Beans anywhere you can Bulk buy Use your cash instead of card so you’re not temped to overspend Walk instead of getting the bus to uni

What would you do differently if you were a fresher again?

• • •

Don’t fall into the FOMO trap Prioritise my money on food rather than nights out every week Live in halls for the full uni experience

What is your go-to lecture outfit?

Fitted mom jeans, jumper or casual t-shirt and a waterproof jacket with Vans or black boots.

Favourite memory while at uni?

A Monday night in first year, went to the annual university TASH BASH fundraiser, headed to Moos where the atmosphere was electric, surrounded by a fun bunch of friends, I would say probably one of my favourite nights out over the past 2 years.

In three words sum up your university experience • • •

Challenging Bonding Out-Out

Tanya’s ExpEriEncE The facilities that the university provides for all courses are specified to suit their needs

Photography by Milly Muxworthy

c

O XS T

S

er R t s

ailway

n atio St

G lo u c e

ad ro rt ou

t ow n

PU

w

c es t

os st

d oa r ds al

M

re t en

LS CA L A

east gat e shopping cent re and

Glou

t he docks

cineworld

nike shop

s

cot e brasserie

Quay e th

l

at t ik club

hire Royal ers H t s

pita os

ce

kings walk

Gloucester Created by AJ Crompton This map and the map on page 16 are to show the variety both towns hold for students.

The campuses are spread accross two towns whilst still being a part of the University of Gloucestershire family.

To note: these maps are not 100% statistically correct but rather an artistic view of each town.

O xstalls Campus Oxstalls is my home away from home

O

xstalls Campus is located in the heart of Gloucester and just a fifteen-minute walk away from the centre.

Everything you need is within the centre of Gloucester such as clubs, bars, eateries.

Additionally, Gloucester is home to the Kingsholm rugby stadium.

If you’re a sports student, Oxstalls is most definitely the place to be. The campus itself had many developments to supply students with the best up to date facilities. There’s a performance lab, strength and conditioning suite, sports therapy clinics, fitness suite, and our all-weather pitch.

In 2018, Oxstalls Campus welcomed the University of Gloucestershire’s School of Business and Technology.

The new state of the art development encapsulated all Business, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Law and Accounting and Finance courses. Oxstalls is also home to UoG’s brilliant performing arts program. If you are a budding actor, then this is the only place to be.

As the only University of Gloucestershire’s campus that is not located in Cheltenham, Oxstalls does offer returning, or new students on-site accommodation. You can live in halls of residence or

choose housing off campus from a number of highly recommended landlords.

Although Gloucester does offer many clubs and bars, if you wanted to spend a night on the town in Cheltenham, there are many night buses to take. Some buses run very late on specific student nights, and you can be picked up right outside of the club doors.

Oxstalls is the place where students can take advantage of all the university has to offer, whilst thriving in a city setting!

Facilities If you’re in need of a place to study outside of the house, Oxstalls hosts a fully equipped library open 7 days a week during term time. So whether you’re in the middle of your intense dissertation, or enthralled in a group project, use the library facilities to enhance your desired outcome.

If you’re looking to maintain your daily routine in the gym, or aspiring to start the gym, you can join the on-campus gym within the grounds of Oxstalls. With amazing facilities, you can flex around your schedule to suit your needs.

The Growth Hub is working in conjunction with the University of Gloucestershire to provide workshops and consultancy for businesses and students alike. Just step out of your on campus accommodation and attend talks all year round from renowned speakers.

Image courtesy of the University Of Gloucestershire

LET’S GET PHYSICAL

‘Though we are but small, we are mighty’ would be an excellent way to describe sport here at the University of Gloucestershire. Every year we consistently punch above our weight in the BUCS points table for university sport. At the time of writing we currently sit 53rd in the country. Given our size this is a massive achievement and a huge accolade to the work rate and talent of our 33 competitive sports clubs.

Across our 33 clubs there is a huge amount of diversity and different things you can get involved in. We offer everything from Rugby Union to Dance and Netball to Go-Karting.

It doesn’t matter where your passion lies, we can help you to excel, and continue to do it alongside your studies. The majority of our clubs compete every Wednesday afternoon with some clubs competing on Saturday/ Sunday.

UoG is also the place to come if you’re not looking for performance sport- we offer recreational sport and exercise through our ‘Get Up and Go’ scheme.

Several of our clubs have recreational teams who have sessions once or twice a week to allow you to keep fit and create friendships whilst doing something you enjoy. The coaching standards we have here are excellent and if you decide you want to try something completely new, all our

Image courtesy of the Students’ Union clubs are very welcoming and would love to have you on board.

There are always ways to be involved without playing. We offer scholarships for coaches and officials, and our clubs would love to have people gathering experience of doing pitch-side first aid, performance analysis, photography and media work. Everyone pulling together from all different areas is what makes this university so special and give us so much talent to boast about.

Not only is sport at UoG full of incredibly talented people- it’s a welcoming and safe environment.

Our teams are always supporting one another in

their charity endeavours or taking part in awareness campaigns such as Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign in support of the LGBTQ+ community.

On a personal level, I can safely say that my four years at UoG would not have been the same without the sports clubs I was a part of. The beauty of UoG having smaller student numbers than some of the other high end sporting universities- is the family feel. Everyone supports everyone, you meet friends for life and you get one of the very best experiences you could possibly wish for. I cannot recommend sport at UoG highly enough.

George Berry SU Sports Officer

As the most successful British Winter Olympian, Lizzie Yarnold has consecutive gold medals as well as a world cup win on her belt. She studied Geography and Sport & Exercise Science here at UoG.

JOIN LEGENDS

@therealyarnold

Achieving a silver medal in the Rugby 7s and Rugby World Cup, Ruaridh McConnochie is a shining beacon of the success UoG has to offer.

He also touched down in the quarter final win against New Zealand in 2017.

@ ruaridhmcc

Having graduated just last year, Shona O’ Dwyer plays netball super league for both the Celtic Dragons and Welsh International.

A club statement from the Celtic Dragons said Shona was ready to ‘Take the league by storm’.

@shonaodwyer Image courtesy of the University of Gloucestershire

billy wassell

Student Profile Name Billy Wassell

Age 21

Course

Ecology and Environmental Science

Member of any societies?

LGBT+, Drinks Tasting, Green Team

Campus?

FCH

Career goals To save the planet! Working as a conservationist on a nature reserve.

Your university essential

A countdown app because I always lose track of the deadlines that I have.

MacBook or notepad?

Notepad

About Billy What is a typical night out for you?

Our flat seems to be the place to pre-drink even though it’s the smallest. From there, the Frog and Fiddle is a major favourite of mine! And if it’s not too late, I go to Spoons (Bank House) before heading to Moos.

Top tip for saving money as a student?

Using the OLIO app! People give away unwanted food and household items for free instead of throwing them away, so it’s great for the environment as well as your pocket.

Favourite place to eat in the area?

Ginger and Garlic on the high street is incredible.

Go-to student meal?

Deep pan Chicago pizza and a fat load of chips.

What would you do differently if you were a fresher again?

"Definitely join more societies

Definitely join more societies.

It’s crazy the number of pals you can make by joining just one society so joining more would’ve meant meeting even more people.

Billy’s ExpEriEncE Why UoG? The location is perfect for my course. The Cotswolds, the Forest of Dean and the River Severn are all on my doorstep and have so many opportunities for my potential career.

What thing could you not live without while at uni?

My comfy pillow from home because my uni bed is so uncomfortable – I can’t sleep without it!

What is your go-to lecture outfit?

Trackies and an oversized hoodie. Lectures are too long to not be comfy and warm.

Favourite memory while at uni?

Meeting my uni best pal at the first LGBT+ society social.

In three words how would you sum up your university experience?

Exhausting, rewarding and worthwhile.

Photography by Milly Muxworthy

The Cotswolds,the Forest of Dean and the River Severn are all on my doorstep

Francis Close Hall Campus

Facilities From training the next generation of teachers and carers, to campaigning for the future of our society and environment, the students of Francis Close Hall have a lot to be proud of.

With us from the very beginning of UoG’s existence, Francis Close Hall has seen our legacy grow from strength to strength throughout nearly 170 years in education.

Home to humanities, natural & social sciences, education & public services, and art & design.

F

rancis Close Hall (FCH) is the most historic of all the campuses whilst being a part of the university from when it was first institutionalised nearly 170 years ago. The campus is situated just 5 minutes away from the busy town centre of Cheltenham where students can find all of their favourite high street shops and eateries.

I love being able to studyof in such aOfhomely Image courtesy the University Gloucestershire place like FCH

FCH is often described as the university’s own Hogwarts as its architecture is still as beautiful as it was when it was first built. Although the historic structure has always remained the same, inside FCH has had modifications to keep up with the demand of its students.

For example, study spaces and facilities have been recently developed. And, the fully equipped laboratory space for our biosciences students has been refurbished too.

The library is open 7 days a week during term time and offers a wide range of facilities to students who wish to work on or off campus. In these study spaces, students have the ability to work in their groups if needed, and also find a quiet area for individual work.

Just like other campuses, FCH has it’s own SU bar where they host events. If you’re living offcampus and perhaps closer to the town centre, FCH is the best place to socialise with your friends. Or if you need to get out of their house to study, FCH has an incredible amount of study spaces for every student to take advantage of.

Image courtesy of Unsplash

GET THE DRINKS IN As student towns, both Gloucester and Cheltenham have a wide variety of nightlife options to satiate your need for cheap drinks and cheesy tunes. Buses are plentiful so getting from one motive to the next is easy

CLUBS

Bar Hotspot

There are of course hundreds of bars across Cheltenham and Gloucester, though we have picked two that you will no doubt visit during your time at uni.

Moo Moos

MooMoo Clubrooms is the ATIK of Cheltenham, and host to one of the biggest student nights in the county.

Throughout your duration at UoG, you’ll become accustomed to the three floors at Moos. The bottom floor is your place to get that twerk on, to various hip hop and grime artists. The middle floor, with its neon lit disco floor, pays homage to some of the best sing along (cheesy) tunes of all time. Right at the top is where you can find a scaled down ‘Boomtown-esque’ style of night life.

@Blue&Blue

Open throughout the week, the two-tiered bar offers champagne luxury on a lemonade budget. They have great competitive prices, dart boards, pool tables and not to mention 10 shots of vodka for just £12! A highlight of Lounge is ‘beat the barman’ where you get the opportunity to double your drinks order should you win a coin toss. Whether you’re looking for some cheap, yet stylish cocktails, or somewhere to kick off your night out- Lounge 72 is the place to be.

@Lounge72 @ATIKglos

ATIK

ATIK is Gloucester’s biggest nightclub, and with locations all around the country, they know exactly how to host a messy (but safe) night out.

Each night is something different, and with numerous celebrity appearances, you can rest assured you will get your Love Island fix while at UoG.

Lounge 72

Butlers The self-proclaimed ‘iconic late night venue’ operating out of the Eastgate Quarter in Gloucester is another place you can get the drinks in for a variety of occasions. Having purchased the building next door, Butlers recently opened #Bar103. The one and only Gemma Collins was there for the grand opening, so if it’s good enough for the GC then you can count us mortals there to. Butlers operates on a grey area between bar and club, since its dancefloor is usually packed with miniskirts and Hera jeans.

@butlersvenuebar

c e n T r e

T he

b

ery Qu w a re

er rT

llage

Pitvi ll

Vi

tudent S e

T o w n

T he boT anisT

Cheltenham

cineworld Premier inn

PARK CA

Promenade

PiT T Ville

ll

henrieT T a sT reeT

ood Su rw

e rg Chelt

s

H ar d

pu

Tesco

y lwa

m

w

ick Ca

am Spa R nh

ai

e

ry

Und e

nc

nandos

is Close Ha

Fra

ParK

M

PUS

Michelle

Student Profile

About Michelle

Name

Michelle Barden

Age

What is a typical night out for you?

51

Course

I’m a mature student with a furry family of rescue dogs at home so it tends to be more #EarlyStartEarlyFinish…

We will go for a bottomless Prosecco Brunch or early supper and a few cocktails, then bring the party home (which the dogs love) and have drinks, supper and Cards Against Humanity whilst shouting playlist requests at Alexa… Sure the neighbours love me!

Psychology BSC (Hons)

Member of any societies?

Member of the Volunteering Society, Founding Member of the Mature Students Society and Body Positivity Society, Funding Officer for the Rowing Team and a Senior Student Ambassador

Campus FCH

Career goals

Top tip for saving money as a student?

Started out thinking that I would go back to my old sector (Financial Services, Cultural Change and Project Management) but uni has been a rollercoaster of experiences and has opened up so many avenues. Have (for now) settled on applying for a MSc Health Psychology place with a view to training L2 afterwards for HCPC Health Psychologist.

As lovely as it is to have a fresh coffee / pastry in the refectory every day, it adds up over a month to quite a sum… Much better value is the cooked breakfast which then keeps me going until the evening and I bring my own coffee in.

What would you do differently if you were a fresher again?

Your university essential My travel coffee cup

MacBook or notepad?

MacBook

Open up and let uni support staff help Images courtesy of the University Of Gloucestershire

Worry less, panic less and ask for help more. I found it strange being the “grown up”, who wasn’t there to give the answers... Once I had found my feet and started talking

to people and asking for help it was like a weight lifted off my shoulders. Pretty much everyone is in the same boat whether they are a Mature Student or not. The place is new, the tech is new, you’ve never written the way you need to… open up and let the uni support staff help. Also, don’t panic about group work - it happens, it can be a nightmare but it’s a learning curve for everyone!

Favourite place to eat in the area?

Cheltenham has some amazing places to eat - you’re pretty much spoilt for choice! I love the small independents and I’m a vegetarian but that’s not an issue around here. I love Kibou (Japanese), the Coconut Tree (Sri Lankan and handily right opposite the campus for me) and Paparrito’s (Mexican) is awesome for a burrito that keeps you going all day.

Go-to student meal?

Has to be a veggie stir-fry. I was terrible in my first year, disorganised and didn’t eat properly (like a real fresher).

There’s a great fruit and veg stall in walking distance of campus and I now go there and stock up once a week – no excuse now, real food, easy to make it tasty and interesting and not a hassle to cook.

Why UoG? I wanted to do a degree that is BPS (British Psychological Society) accredited and at a uni which I could travel to easily from Cheltenham as that’s where the FF (furry family) and I are based, so it was Worcester, UWE or UoG.

I have to be honest, UoG was the first one I looked at and contacted. One of the tutors spent an hour on the phone with me, finding out about me and what I wanted to do, talking through my choices, the modules and teaching style etc. but with no pressure. I then came for a walk around the campus, (not a tour, I wasn’t that brave), and I could just see myself here. It’s not huge and overwhelming, everyone I saw smiled and said “Hi”- it was just so friendly and welcoming. The buildings are beautiful at FCH and the tutorpupil ratio is great. The tutors actually know the students, spend time with them and

have even been known to buy the tea and cake.

What thing could you not live without while at uni? iCloud… seriously. Everyone has heard that horror story of the lost assignment / dissertation the day before submission. That’s a level of stress that no-one needs.

What is your go-to lecture outfit?

Jeans, linen shirt, Converse / boots, cardigan and a scarf.

If you could do one other course what would it be and why?

History without a doubt.

Always a passion of mine and something I still use to procrastinate on a regular basis Looking openly at how the past has shaped the present is the only way we can realistically expect to change our future to a more inclusive and accepting one. If only it was that easy.

Dream job?

One that makes a difference to others, I find a tremendous amount of satisfaction in helping other people and the more of it I do, the more I want to do. Fingers crossed I will be accepted on the Health Psychology MSc here in September and that will be the first step to becoming a Health Psych, something I didn’t know existed until I came to uni – talk about life changer!

I’d actually still do this even if I didn’t need to work.

Michelle’s experience

Favourite memory while at uni?

Tough call, there have been so many wonderful ones! In my first year I joined the Primary Project – this is where the uni goes into local primary schools and teaches something off syllabus for a few weeks and brings the children into uni to see what it’s like, and at the end they have their own graduation ceremony (with mini-caps and gowns – awesome). I signed up and then realised it was at my old primary school – one which was never going to set the world on fire academically and which is in an area with real challenges. I stood there on the first day and told them why I was excited to be with them – because it was my old school… being able to really show these kids that yes, you can live / go to school here and succeed was a really powerful moment. I cried at their graduation! Another would be when I rowed for the Uni at the British Rowing Indoor Championships… Olympic Velodrome in front of 3000 people and I didn’t die – quite an achievement and something I never dreamed I would be able to do.

I find a tremendous amount of satisfaction in helping other people

Images courtesy of the University of Gloucestershire

H

ardwick Campus is one of the most vibrant as it is the Centre for Art and Photography. On this campus, students can explore their creative side with industry standard equipment.

The dedicated studio spaces including a dark room, a processing room, a Mac suite, the dedicated fine art studios and the sculpture yard.

their portfolios in peace and understanding.

After investing ÂŁ38 million, the University of Gloucestershire opened the Pittville Student Village. The village offers students approximately 600 new rooms and is only a 15-minute walk to Hardwick and Francis Close.

Hardwick Campus does not have its own SU bar, but it is just a 5-minute stroll to FCH. However, it does have a cafe area and its own residential housing. The creativity of its students is top priority, and the Hardwick Campus is the place where students can build

My creativity has flourished since being here

Hardwick

Campus

Facilities Hardwick is an exciting hub of creativity with its own photography and fine art studios as well as being home to Hardwick Gallery.

The on-campus Hardwick Gallery also offers a diverse programme of public exhibitions, talks and discussions supported by practising artists, photographers and creative directors.

Every year, the campus hosts a degree show where students can display their work in the gallery space made for artists, experts and the wider public.

#1 in sustainability The University of Gloucestershire is renowned for its attitudes and actions around the idea of sustainability. This year we were awarded the #1 most sustainable university in the country, thanks to the People and Planet league. Not to mention, we have been in its top 10 since 2007!

Both students and staff recognise the importance of sustainability for institutions and households to uphold.

Join others who are passionate about the enviroment- GREEN TEAM UOG “We care very deeply about our environment and making it our mission to do something about climate change! We appreciate we can’t change the world, but we can have an impact on our local world, and so we are in cahoots with the university to promote sustainable living - both within the campuses as well as our lives.”

Images courtesy of the University Of Gloucestershire

Images courtesy of The Brewery Quarter

“The Brewery Quarter in cheltenham has everything you could need” Paris Jacobs

Cook your own meals whenever possible

About Adelle What is a typical night out for you?

At a bar with good (preferably live) music, a couple of cocktails and a small group of good friends.

Student Profile Name Adelle Adrian

adrian

Age 21

Course

Top tip for saving money as a student?

Cook your own meals whenever possible!

What would you do differently if you were a fresher again?

Go for the T-shirt tour and the bar crawls - I missed out on those.

Graphic Design

Favourite place to eat in the area?

Performing Arts Society FARID the Zine

I don’t eat out much, but when I do, my mind usually shifts to Wolfie’s.

Member of any societies?

Campus

Park

Career goals To go up to a senior designer role with a portfolio of a range of work for small to large brands and some pro-bono, and carry on freelancing from there

Your university essential Print credit (honestly)

MacBook or notepad?

Both!

Go-to student meal?

Chicken fajitas: fast, cheap and keeps for a few meals!

Adelle’s experience What is your go-to lecture outfit?

If you could do one other course what would it be and why?

Why UoG? My college in Malaysia has an agreement with UoG offering a third-year entry if I was interested in studying a degree, and I wanted that small-town environment.

Images courtesy of Adelle Adrian

The Malaysian rep for UoG is also an absolute darling and my course leader, Jess Reid was extremely warm and welcoming.

The graphic design course offers multiple opportunities for networking, competitions, trips and the like, so it was a very practical course that involved a lot more sitting behind a laptop.

What thing could you not live without while at uni?

Tesco’s custard doughnuts and Premier’s triple chocolate cookies.

Oh, definitely illustration. I love drawing, sketching and painting in general; the illustration space is the most beautiful, artistic room on any campus; the number of print techniques available is incredible and the technician for said printing techniques is super nice and helpful.

Dream job?

Graphic designer and illustrator for MinaLima. They’re the creative duo who creates and designs all the props for the Wizarding World movies (both Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts), from the exercise books at Hogwarts right up to the circus posters and the like.

Jeans, black boots, and a leather jacket.

Favourite memory while at uni?

Definitely Wednesday nights at World Café at FCH. Lots of friends: free hot chocolate; either stressful rounds of Jenga, UNO or foosball, followed by supper and drinks at Spoons.

In three words how would you sum up your university experience?

Eye-opening, independent, unforgettable.

The illustration space is the most beautiful, artistic room on any campus

Facilities If it’s the night before your assignment due in, don’t worry as Park Campus offers a 24/7 open library. Since it’s re-development, you can find yourself a quiet study room or a booth to bash out the work for your group project.

Park Campus is surrounded by beautiful grounds and wildlife. Students and lecturers alike, take time out of their day to walk the grounds. The scenery really comes in handy when you’re doing some videography for your lesson, or your Insta story.

With connections to the likes of the BBC, HSBC, Microsoft, Spotify and Sony, it’s no wonder that this stunning campus attracts students from all over the globe.

P

ark Campus is home to computing, technology, media, design, fashion and advertising.

Park Campus encapsulates the student life you’re looking for. With on-campus student accommodation, you’ll be just minutes away from your 9am lecture. Also, the refectory will have all of your essentials from breakfast to dinner and all the coffee students need!

Just a 15-minute walk to the town centre of Cheltenham, Park Campus boasts the best of teaching facilities and media industry equipment.

The teaching staff are experts in their fields, and lectures involve using state of the art equipment.

On site you can find your Students’ Union leaders, SU bar and the SU shop to buy the best of university merchandise.

Keep yourself informed of regular events taking place at

the SU bar and enjoy a drink just minutes away from your accommodation.

Halls of residence include all your bills while you get the full student experience! Halls of residence are available for all students, whether you’re postgraduate, international, new or returning, and the university offers help wherever needed.

Park campus is definitely a place of heart and soul. Whilst offering students the resources for all types of lessons, lecturers will constantly be on hand to give advice and guide students to do the best of their ability. Everything you need to get through your first year of university is on Park campus.

Students are urged to take advantage of everything Park has to offer!

park campus Everything I need is on Park Campus

Images courtesy of The University of Gloucestershire

“Park Campus is Modern and sleek, the way I like it!” Toby Right

YOUR

STUDENTS’ UNION “We are run by a group of permanent staff as well as part-time officers (current students) and paid full-time officers (students who have been elected and who take a year out to work for us). As we are a charity we also have a Board of Trustees, which is a combination of students, the full-time officers and external experts who check our finances and that we are doing what we are supposed to.

The SU has two main aims – to represent students and to provide services that make life easier and more fulfilling & enjoyable for every single student at UoG. We represent students by sitting on university committees as well as local resident and council meetings. Our main aim is to make sure students get quality teaching and learning, so we run the course rep system as well as campus life and student life meetings with the university to provide student feedback.

Democracy is at our core and we actively campaign on issues that are relevant to students.” The Student Union

EDUCATION

WELFARE

“The university’s academic regulations can be confusing at the best of times, let alone if you’re being told you’ve breached them. As your SU Education Officer, I will work to ensure all students have access to clear and understandable guidelines, as well as the knowledge of what to do if a breach has occurred.”

“I work with 2nd and 3rdyear students to introduce the course buddy system, where they become reliable and positive students for the lower years who may be worried or scared about some of the aspects when coming to university. This isn’t just for freshers but would be for each year no matter what level you are in.”

SPORTS “The success of the sports teams in ‘Teamglos’ is undeniable. There is so much more we can do to highlight this and celebrate it. We can do this internally but also by broadcasting our success and making UoG a go-to university for elite sport. I will work with the media school to start up a ‘GlosTV’. This will broadcast our success to a wider audience furthering the strength of Teamglos.”

“As President, Imaani leads the Elected Officer team and the Students’ Union as a whole and acts as the key link to the University’s ViceChancellor, Pro Vice-Chancellors, Council, as well as the NUS and other key stakeholders.”

THE 2020/2021 SU LEADERSHIP

PRESIDENT

“I’ll work with the Welfare Officer on a ‘Who’s Looking After Our Men?’ campaign, to raise awareness and provide support for those struggling with their mental health, general health and those that are victims of sexual assault.

I run campus meetings once a month for students to come along and share any problems they are having, in order for students to get their opinions across in a more accessible way.

I’m liaising with Stagecoach Travel to try to get a termly bus pass, in order to reduce costs and cater to students whose timetables differ termly.

I’m negotiating with Baxterstorey for cheaper prices and consistency of food selection amongst all campuses, ensuring that students pay for what they want.

Let students vote for what type of end-ofyear event they want, and give students full involvement in the planning.”

Drinks tasting

At our society, we want to teach you about what you’re drinking. Every Monday or Tuesday we will meet and Amelia will lead a tasting on beer three times a month and on spirits or wines once a month. She has worked in the beers, wines and spirits industry for three years and knows her stuff! The £10 membership pays for your first spirit or wine tasting or first two beer tastings, after that it is £5 per beer tasting and £10 per wine or spirit tasting.

Don’t discount us if you don’t think you like beer - Amelia is a beer convert herself! You may just find a taste to your liking as we explore the rich diversity of beer in these sessions. There really is a niche for everyone in the world of beer!

Societies Here at The University of Gloucestershire there is something for everyone. From Bollywood dance to Fencing, Drama to Animation, you can get your kicks no matter how niche your hobby.

Societies are overseen by the Students’ Union but are in themselves, student led. The direction of the society is up to its committee, which you could also be elected for should you choose to run. Not only is it a great way to meet people, but it also looks cracking on a CV. But, if you cannot find something to float your boat, then start a society yourself. Get creative, for who knows, you might be on the cusp of something great!

For a full list of societies, visit www.yourstudentsunion.com/societies/join/

Film making

From writing the scripts to directing, sound, cinematography, acting, editing, make-up/ special effects and fashion there are many ways anyone can join this society. You can come along to every meet up or choose to just help during the film planning/ shooting or editing. We will get together to plan a film and the process of creating it, then we will meet up to create it.

Our end goal is to create a place where people can meet up and be creative, make new friends and produce something great together. Come along to the society for free, if you decide you want to be apart of the films creation your £1 joining fee will help us cover any small fees needed for part of the film’s creation.

LGBTQ+

Here at the LGBT+ Society, we welcome anyone to join us, regardless of how you identify. We pride ourselves on being an open and accepting society, and we have worked hard over the past years to ensure that this is a safe space for the community, and we have made it our mission to continue doing so!

This society is here for many reasons. Whether it’s about sharing experiences, having a safe space on your doorstep or exploring your individuality, there’s a place for everyone.

Information courtesy of the Students’ Union Images courtesy of Unsplash

You hungry?

Studying is hungry work, but don’t worry we have got you covered. Cheltenham is home to not only some huge franchises, but also some killer smaller establishments that get my mouth watering just thinking about them. Here are our favourites!

The Comfy pew As one of the highest rated eateries on Trip Advisor, this Gloucester Café offers some brilliantly executed British classics. Its old English style building is a gentle nod to the historic nature of the town and makes an impression amongst the streets of newly built establishments. Ian, the owner since 2017, makes a point of stating that vegan dishes are not an afterthought here and are treated with the same love and care as the rest of the menu. Whether you are looking for a light snack, three course meal or a glass of wine, The Comfy Pew is destined to be your new top choice.

The Barge Now, picture this, you’ve been shopping intensely all day at Gloucester Quays and need something to up your energy for the second instalment of the bank account breaking day. The Barge is located at the heart of the historic area, right next to the docks, which will no doubt become a familiar location throughout your time in the area. It is reminiscent of outstanding home cooking, which is going to quell those home sick feelings we all feel as a fresher. Not to mention, its fish and chips have been declared as one of the best in the area.

Kibou Sushi Google KIBOU sushi and you’ll see the wide variety of awards they have won since opening. Serving traditional Japanese cuisine, they cater to both the sushi expert and those of us just looking to try something new.

Their sushi selection caters to most dietary requirements but also offers some relatively unique takes on a dish as old as the country itself. If you need affirming on their success, then look on the reviews portion of their website. The chefs are considered to be some of the most skilled when it comes to the culinary arts and are able to produce dishes at an incredible rate, ensuring you aren’t sat waiting for too long. But, if you do find yourself needing something a little sooner, be sure to try out their variety of Sakes and Japanese wines.

Nando’s in The Brewery Quarter Image provided by The Brewery Quarter

societies to host socials, so most Wednesday nights you can see a crowd of giggling students dressed in golf attire.

THE MILLER

Tucked away in the upper ends of the high street, this street food collective is a new addition to Cheltenham.

The venue used to be owned by the Bierkellar, a muchloved bar for both students and those just looking for a cheap stein of their favourite cocktail. But, The Miller has proven its place as one of the best eateries in Cheltenham.

Here is why.

The food itself is nothing short of spectacular. They have a huge array of vegetarian/ vegan meals, with more than the usual veggie burger most restaurants offer. Its street food selection is reasonably priced and often comes with the option of a beer Its interior is odd yet brilliant, or cocktail. Chicken Wing a vivid combination of neon Wednesday is the stuff of signs and outdoor furniture. dreams- every wing is 25p, Retro gaming machines are which means you could get hooked up to most booths, so 60,000 chicken wings if you as you dine it’s encouraged spent the entirety of your to get a little nostalgic over student loan here. that PlayStation 1 game you were just addicted to in your youth. If you are looking for something a little more current, don’t fear, because they also have Nintendo Switches and Guitar Hero for you to relish playing. But, what would a night out be without a little pool to pass the time? The Miller has a dedicated space especially for pool, and an outdoor smoking area that’s due to be gorgeous in the summer.

With bookable workspaces, The Miller is an obvious choice for any student looking to mixup the cycle of work. They have multiple packages available, each with their own choice of refreshments and always unlimited coffee! Trust us, when we say you will need it. As a sports bar, they also show the games everyone will be cramming in to watch. It has become a popular destination for

“Nothing better than a walk Lauren Walker up cleeve hill�

PLAY-

-LIST

dua lipa - physical

justin bieber yummy

wheatusteenage dirtbag

lana del rey - cinnamon girl

pickle - on the drums

haim summer girl

mabel one shot

j hus dark vader

tlc no scrubs

rihanna pour it up

charli xcx boys

jo. bros.what a man gotta do

post malone - circles

booty 3000 - dizzy fae

joesef loverboy

kim petras - icy

aurora the river

Happy two year birthday FARID! Here are the songs to kick off those celebrations. Drink responsibly and always take a selfie with the flash on. Here is to another two years of amazing content.

marina superstar

doja cat boss bitch

megan thee stallion, normani diamonds

GIRLS (AND BOYS) JUST WANNA HAVE FUN The Brewery Quarter

A hub of lifestyle, The Brewery Quarter is a relatively new addition to the lifeblood of Cheltenham. Amongst its walls you can find a plethora of a restaurants to fit almost any taste palette. Chinese buffet Real China, Prezzo, Nando’s and Frankie and Benny’s are just a few of the dozen eateries along its bricked path.

There are also multiple places to pass the time on a boring Saturday afternoon. There’s a Cineworld, crazy golf and even a bowling alley with enough arcade machines to empty your savings accounts in a few hours.

Pittville Park

The summer months are a dream in Cheltenham. With its picturesque hills and stunning gardens, there’s no shortage of Insta-worthy shots. Pittville Park is one such area that’s guaranteed to form the basis of any follow-worthy Instagram. Rent a boat to sail on the lake, or fire up the speaker and kick back in the sunshine. I can’t tell you the amount of times my friends and I have emptied a jug of Pimm’s in the summer heat.

The Wilson

If artistic inspiration is what you’re after, then The Wilson gallery is a mostly free gallery for all your artistic needs.

With exhibitions flocking

from across the world, The Wilson is what you make of it. Historical, cultural and just plain gorgeous exhibits are regular occurrences here. So, whether you’re looking for some inspiration, or just a few hours to kill, The Wilson is always just around the corner.

The Lido

Now, bear in mind this is strictly a summer activity, unless swimming in the rain is your type of daytime activity.

With heated pools, The Lido is a bustling and vibrant place to spend the endless days of summer. People of all ages attend the pools and it has become somewhat of a Gloucestershire tradition to attend during the sunnier months of the year. Grab your speedos and dive in head firstoh and don’t forget a good book for afterwards.

The Everyman

You may be miles from Broadway but for all you theatre buffs out there, The Everyman Theatre hosts some of the biggest shows in the country. From comedy to musical behemoths, there’s a show for everyone when you need a break from the endless hours of referencing.

Later this year musical hit SIX is showing, so get your tickets now before the audience becomes packed with

screaming fans from across the country.

The Racecourse

If you want a little luxury, then the Racecourse is an obvious choice. March is the biggest month of the year, but that’s not say they don’t offer some services all year around. Grab your tweed and a gorgeous hat because darling you’re going to the races.

Gloucestershire Cathedral

This historic landmark is renowned across the globe for its stunning architecture and beautiful stained glass windows. Many a blockbuster has been filmed there, so don’t be surprised if the cathedral feels a little magical. Harry Potter and Doctor Who are just two of the iconic shows that chose to use the building for its grandeur.

Image courtesy of The Brewery Quarter

Karting and laser tag

Get a two in one with karting and laser tag all in one building. What do you do when you are spoiled for choice? Make a day of it of course. Start with a nice lunch before you kart around the tracks against your friends.

Then, suit up and shoot them with lasers until your friendship is at risk. With great competitive pricing, and a better party bundle, this one will sure to be a regular occurrence while at UoG.

Image courtesy of Unsplash

Paintballing

If you’re looking for a slightly more ‘painful’ experience, then why not try paintballing.

Paintball Raiders offers a range of paint-fuelled activities to get the blood pumping and your adrenaline spiking. The high-quality equipment gives you the perfect in-action feel, not to mention the killer camo that’s sure to be the fashion statement of the year. To top it all off, Paintball Raiders offers two kinds of grenade for some extra POW! Image courtesy of Unsplash

Follow us for more at FARIDTHEZINE