Welcome Guide 2015 for Accelerated International Foundation Year and Degree Programme Students WELCOME GUIDE 2015 2 WELCOME GUIDE 2015 Contents Welcome from the Head of the Accelerated International Year .........................4 Welcome from the President of Keele Students’ Union and President of the Keele Postgraduate Association..........................................6 Welcome ...................................................................................................................8 1. Preparing to leave home .................................................................................... 10 My Visa ............................................................................................................................................ 10 My Visa Application .....................................................................................................................12 My Finances ....................................................................................................................................13 My Accommodation .................................................................................................................... 14 Getting Connected .......................................................................................................................15 My work plans ................................................................................................................................17 Information for my family ..........................................................................................................17 2. Arriving in the UK ............................................................................................... 18 Packing your bag ..........................................................................................................................18 Immigration Information .......................................................................................................... 19 Health and Safety and Insurance .......................................................................................... 20 3. Meet & Greet Airport Collection Service ..........................................................22 Airport Collection Service ........................................................................................................22 Health and Safety when Travelling ........................................................................................22 4. Services at Keele ............................................................................................... 24 5. Welcome Week .................................................................................................. 30 About the Programme .............................................................................................................. 30 My Main Activities....................................................................................................................... 30 6. Check Lists ..........................................................................................................34 Quick Contacts........................................................................................................35 3 WELCOME GUIDE 2015 Welcome to Keele University Coming to University is an exciting and challenging time. It is a time when we meet new people, many of whom will become life-long friends; it is also a time of discovery as we begin the next stage in our education. In this pack you will find information about the University and guidance on arranging visas and travelling to the UK. More detailed information of the AIFY programme and modules will be sent separately. 4 Most of this information can also be found on our website, which contains additional advice for you so it is well worth a visit. Further information will be sent to you regarding the timetable for the Welcome Week. The AIFY is an intensive course and so is taught in small numbers in order to ensure you achieve the support you need. You will have support for English Language, either Foundation English or English for Academic Purposes (depending on your level of English). WELCOME GUIDE 2015 As part of the English language course you will take a British Culture module. You will also study modules in Academic Development and Communication Skills in order to help prepare you for academic study at a UK university. Remaining modules will be chosen to meet your progression requirements to your chosen degree subject (information on these is available online and as a word document). Therefore, by the end of the course it is expected that you will be a well-rounded academic student with a high level of core skills as well as enhanced subject specific knowledge for your chosen degrees. As the course is intensive you will need to be very organised to meet the assignment deadlines and be able to study for your exams. You will have a personal tutor (me!) available to guide you through this process. As well as the Foundation Year Centre there are many support staff available, especially the International Student Support and the Language Learning Unit teams, who are there to offer you help and guidance. Although you will be studying the majority of the course over the summer months, when the campus is quiet as the main student body is away, you will not be the only students present. There are pre-sessional English students on campus, as well as post-graduate students. There will be a number of social and cultural visits arranged over the time of your course in order to help you mix with the other students and experience a little more of the UK. I look forward to meeting you and do hope you will have a positive and rewarding experience as you commence your UK educational experience. Email me anytime for more information or advice. Allison Gardner Head of Accelerated International Foundation Year 5 WELCOME GUIDE 2015 Welcome to Keele! We’re sure that you’re going to have a brilliant time. Keele is a vibrant, friendly, and unique place to learn and socialise There’s never a dull moment with so much to get involved with. Your Students’ Unions – KeeleSU (including the Athletic Union) and the Keele Postgraduate Association (KPA) – are part of what makes Keele unique and special. You are automatically a member of KeeleSU by being a student, and also of the KPA if you are a postgraduate student. We are primarily here to represent you and take action on your behalf. However, we also provide you with the resources and opportunities that will enable you to make the most of your experience and time at Keele. KeeleSU has all you could possibly need, such as support, activities, volunteering, societies and sports clubs – with everything that you would expect, to the more surprising things like quidditch and belly dancing! We’re sure to have something for you, and we are more than happy to assist you in setting up something new. Want somewhere to relax and chat to your friends? Feel free to use our alcohol-free ground floor special space. Want a great night out? We’ve got so many fantastic events lined up you’ll be spoilt for choice. Need advice and guidance? Just ASK. The KPA provides specialist representation to postgraduates throughout the university. With the KeeleSU team, we sit on many of the university’s 6 support and information designed to assist you with your studies and make your experience at Keele exciting and rewarding. We also have our very own Clubhouse based in Horwood which serves a range of food and drinks and hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Our events give postgraduates the opportunity to discuss their research and develop essential skills. The Clubhouse provides a relaxed place to chill out and meet with friends. In the evenings things get a bit livelier with regular bands and festivals. It’s also well-known locally for being open all year, even outside of term time! Whether you’re a full-time student, part-time student, mature student, international student, or commuting from home (or a combination!), we have the resources and drive to make your time at Keele the best it can be. Your first few days at Keele will be a whirlwind; you’ll be meeting new people and exploring your surroundings. However, there’s no need to worry; we’ve been at Keele for a long time and know the university inside out – so be sure to say hello, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask. Bolu Oyewale, KeeleSU President Jon Granger, KPA President WELCOME GUIDE 2015 7 WELCOME GUIDE 2015 Welcome We are delighted that you have accepted your place here at Keele University and will soon be joining us and so now you need to start preparing for your travel to the UK and your time with us. This guide is for all new international students. We understand that you may have more questions than we can answer in this guide, so we have created an online induction resource for new Keele AIFY students, which you can find at: www.keele.ac.uk/aify/aifynewandcurrentstudents/ Any changes to the programme will be updated on these webpages so do bookmark the web address and check it regularly both as you are preparing to come to Keele and during your first few days here. Additional information can also be found at: www.keele.ac.uk/iss You can see what is happening at Keele using social networks – check out our updates, tweets and comments by liking us at facebook.com/ KeeleUniversityFoundationYear and follow us on Twitter @KeeleAIFY. For a list of all Social Networking accounts at the University, including the Students’ Union and several academic programmes and schools, go to: www.keele.ac.uk/socnet The free Keele University mobile app is designed to help you make the most of your life at Keele. You can top up your KeeleCard, find your way around campus and follow personalised news feeds to keep tabs on what interests you. The Keele app can be downloaded for free from the iTunes App Store, Google Play and Blackberry App World. To view the features and to find out more, go to: www.keele.ac.uk/mobile-app 8 Please read both the guide and webpages carefully as there are a lot of important things that you must do and bring with you along with forms that must be completed so be sure to use the checklists. The guide and webpages for new international students are divided into the following sections: Section 1 – Preparing to leave home Section 2 – Arriving in the UK Section 3 – Meet & Greet Airport Collection Service Section 4 – Services at Keele Section 5 – Welcome Week Section 6 – Checklists WELCOME GUIDE 2015 9 WELCOME GUIDE 2015 1 Preparing to Leave Home My Visa International Students It is essential that you have the correct status to come to the UK. You are required to apply for entry clearance (a visa) to come to the UK as a student and your application will be assessed using the Points Based System. For the courses, you will need to apply as a Tier 4 (General) Student and gain 40 points. 30 points will be awarded for having a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from Keele University. 10 points will be given for proving that you have enough money to meet the cost of studying and living in the UK (known as maintenance funds). Please ensure that you fully understand the visa application process and have all the relevant documents before making your application. If your visa application is refused you will not receive a refund of the fee and you may not be able to get a visa in time to start your course at Keele. If you have any questions about applying for your visa, please contact International Student Support at [email protected] for assistance. Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) You will receive your CAS once you have accepted your place at Keele University and paid your deposit for your course. A CAS is an electronic document providing you with the information you need to apply to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for your Tier 4 Student Visa. The CAS statement will be sent to you following your agreement to a CAS checklist. The CAS number will identify you during your Visa application and link to all the necessary information that UKVI needs from the University to make a decision upon your Visa application. Once you 10 receive your CAS statement you should apply for your Visa no earlier than 3 months prior to the start of your course. Should you have any problems with your CAS then please contact the Visa Compliance Team at: [email protected] If you have any questions about your current status, then please email International Student Support: [email protected] Maintenance funds You will need to provide evidence showing that you have access to the following amount of money: COURSE LENGTH FUNDS REQUIRED 9 months or less (AIFY) £820 living costs for each month of your course PLUS the full tuition fee. You will need an additional £460 per month available to you for each of your dependants if applying for them also. More than 9 months (AIDP) £7,380 living costs for the year PLUS the first year’s tuition fee. You will need an additional £4,140 available to you for the year for each of your dependants. WELCOME GUIDE 2015 Evidence of funds There are very specific rules on which documents will be accepted and what each document must show in the Tier 4 Policy Guidance, paragraphs 181-213. www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/ uploads/attachment_data/file/261401/ Tier4migrantguidance.pdf What documents will I need to provide when I apply for my visa? • A completed application form (see Applying for your visa for further information) • The fee for your application • Passport / Travel Documents • CAS Number • The original documents (listed on your CAS statement) that Keele used to assess your suitability for the course e.g. Certificate of Higher Education, IELTS certificate • Evidence that you have the correct amount of maintenance funds available to you • Your Biometric ID card or your biometric details If your CAS Statement states that you require an ATAS certificate, then you must apply for one as soon as possible, as you cannot submit your visa application without this document. The ATAS certificate (www.gov.uk/academic-technologyapproval-scheme) can take several weeks to arrive, so please make sure you apply for it in plenty of time. ‘Low Risk’ Applicants UKVI has determined that some students can be considered as ‘low risk’ applicants. This means that students who are nationals of the countries listed below will not normally need to provide all the supporting documents required as part of the Tier 4 (General) visa application process. To minimise the risk of visa refusal, we strongly recommend that all students provide the documentation required, regardless of nationality. This is because UKVI still retains the right to request all the documents from you. An application from a ‘Low Risk’ applicant can still be refused if any documentation requested by UKVI is not submitted to them by the date stated in the request. To be considered ‘low risk’, you must be sponsored by a Highly Trusted Sponsor such as Keele University and you must be already in the UK or applying for a Tier 4 visa in your country of nationality. Additionally, you must be a British national (overseas) or a national of one of the countries below (evidenced by your passport): • Argentina • Australia • Barbados • Botswana • Brunei • Canada • Chile • Hong Kong • Japan • Malaysia • New Zealand • Singapore • South Korea • Taiwan (if you hold a passport issued by Taiwan that includes the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in Taiwan) • Trinidad and Tobago • USA For further information on making an application as a ‘Low Risk’ applicant, please contact International Student Support at support. [email protected] 11 WELCOME GUIDE 2015 My Visa Application From your Home Country Details of your nearest Visa Application Centre can be found here: (Visa Application Centres Overseas) www.gov.uk/find-a-visa-application-centre To apply for a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa, you need to complete an online application form: www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa If you are applying from Cuba or North Korea only, you will need to complete a Points Based System VAF 9 Form: www.gov.uk/government/publications/ application-for-uk-visa-under-the-points-basedsystem-form-vaf9 AND Tier 4 (General) Student Appendix 8 Form: www.gov.uk/government/publications/ application-for-uk-visa-under-tier-4-generalform-vaf9-appendix-8 and apply in person. Applying for your visa if you are already here in the UK To apply for a Tier 4 (General) student visa while you are in the UK, you will need to register for a UKVI account and complete the following online application: portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=confirmAndDow nload&com.sun.faces.portlet.CLEAR_ STATE=true&_nfls=false&formId=Tier4&rpl= formList Guidance on the requirements of studying in the UK and information on how to complete the application form can be found here: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/ uploads/attachment_data/file/261401/ Tier4migrantguidance.pdf Please check the UKVI website at: www.gov.uk/visas-immigration to make sure you have the latest version of the application form and guidance as they are frequently updated and amended. If you have any questions at all about applying for your visa, please email International Student Support at: [email protected] 12 Checking your Visa Once you have been granted your visa, you must check it thoroughly to make sure that all the information is correct. More information on this can be found on the Welcome webpages. If you think any of the information on your visa is wrong, please contact International Student Support within 7 days of arrival at [email protected] for advice and assistance. Medical Screening You may be required to get a certificate to show that you do not have infectious tuberculosis (TB). The list of countries where a TB screening certificate must be presented with a visa application has recently expanded. Please check the website listed below. Please note that if you are bringing any dependants with you, they will also be required to produce a certificate. There is a cost for this screening and it is your responsibility to meet this cost. Further information and how to apply can be found on the following website: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/ uploads/attachment_data/file/279479/ Immigration_Rules_-_Appendix_T.pdf Attendance Monitoring As a student of Keele University you are expected to arrive and enrol for the start of your course. If you hold a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa sponsored by Keele University and fail to arrive and enrol on time, withdraw from, defer, suspend your studies or are absent from any part of your course (without prior agreement) the University will have no choice but to withdraw you from your course, resulting in the cancellation of your Visa. We will take a copy of your passport, Biometric Residence Permit or UK immigration status document when you arrive and you must keep us informed of any changes to your information, including your address in the UK, mobile phone number and email. WELCOME GUIDE 2015 My Finances Scholarships and Bursaries There are very few scholarships and bursaries for obtain one. The British Council in your home country has information about any financial support that may be available to you. www.educationuk.org/UK/Applications/ Scholarships-for-UK-study Student Scholarship. The Scholarship award for undergraduate students is £2,000 towards the cost of annual tuition fees for the duration of the course. The Scholarship award for postgraduate students (Masters Degree students only) is £3,000 towards the total tuition fees. Applications must be Keele and before you commence your course. For more information and conditions, plus details of other scholarships available, visit: www.keele.ac.uk/scholarships-international If you do not receive a KISS scholarship, you will automatically qualify for the Foundation Year bursary of £1000 for each remaining year of your degree at Keele University; if you are studying a science then you will also receive a £1000 Faculty of Natural Sciences Bursary for the first year afte your Foundation Year. Payment of Tuition Fees Details of your tuition fees for 2015 were included within your offer letter. All international students will receive an invoice, which will be sent to their Keele e-mail account. If you are responsible for your own fees you can pay either in full or in two instalments. More information on payment methods and payment dates is available on our website at: www.keele.ac.uk/finance/income Please note that all forms of payment must be in British Pounds Sterling – the Euro is not a currency accepted in the UK. Bank Accounts It is essential that you open a UK bank account once you have arrived in the UK and have enrolled at Keele, but it may take a few weeks before you will be able to use this account. Because of this, we recommend you bring around £300 in cash and a further £300 in traveller’s cheques to cover your general living expenses for the first few weeks you are in the UK. Advice on how to open a bank account is available from International Student Support on arrival and several banks will be present on campus during Welcome Week. Please remember that you must have all of your funding in place BEFORE you arrive in the UK. The Money, Advice and Guidance Team: www.keele.ac.uk/studentfunding here at Keele entitled to and how to apply. Bringing money in to the country It is very unsafe to travel with large amounts of cash, so we recommend that you pay your tuition fees online in advance. You MUST NOT bring your tuition fees in cash to the UK. 13 WELCOME GUIDE 2014 My Accommodation University accommodation is only available for full-time students. If you are eligible, you will have been sent information about how to apply to live in our Halls of Residence. Information about who can apply for accommodation and the order in which we allocate accommodation can be found on our webpages at www.keele.ac.uk/studyatkeele/accommodation/ newinternationalstudents/acceleratedinternational foundationyearaify/ Undergraduate & Postgraduate students – you should have received an email with a link to the online accommodation application form. Once you complete this you should receive an email confirmation of your room choices. Your you receive this you will have 5 days in which to INSTALMENT AMOUNT DUE DATE Advance Payment – Deposit and part of first instalment £150 + £300 = £450 The date specified on your offer of accommodation First instalment Total of 40% of your room fee minus £300 To be confirmed Second instalment 40% of your room fee To be confirmed Third instalment 20% of your room fee To be confirmed need to make your advance payment by the Making your advance payment You can make this payment of £450: We will also send an invoice to your Keele email address detailing the amount and due dates of each payment. Before arriving on campus you must complete the online induction. At the end • Online with a debit or credit card using your eVision login and clicking on the “Finance Details” menu option. boarding pass which will allow you to collect your keys when you arrive. Accommodation Fees If you will be living in university accommodation you will need to pay your accommodation fees in three instalments. You will also need to make an advance payment of £450 to secure your room before you arrive. This £450 payment is split between a £150 room deposit, which is refundable (less any damages or outstanding debts) when you vacate your room and £300 payable towards the first instalment of your accommodation fees. 14 • by cheque, please make your cheque payable to address below, quoting your student number on the reverse. • by Bank Transfer – the University bank details are as follows, please remember to quote your student number as a reference. University Bankers: National Westminster Bank 75 High Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 1PP UK Account Name: Sort Code: Account No: IBAN No: BIC: Keele University 54-10-27 05600456 GB68 NWBK 5410 2705 6004 56 NWBKGB2L WELCOME GUIDE 2014 Getting Connected Check the e-mail address that you gave us during the application process; you should by now have received an email providing details of your IT account information. Make a note of your user name and password and then go to students.keele.ac.uk and log on. If you have not received your IT account information, or do not have an email address then please contact [email protected] who will arrange for this information to be sent to you. You will receive an email with instructions on how to complete your Pre-Arrival Online Induction. This will require you to complete tasks aimed at introducing you to key areas and systems at Keele University. Click on the Induction Portal link either in this email or from: www.keele.ac.uk/welcome. Working through these tasks will help you familiarise yourself with the range of IT services available to you. Home is your own home page. You can add and remove any of the panels (or portal modules) and re-arrange them as you wish. Everything from the important essay due dates to local cinema listings. (Click the “Add Module” button to see the full list) Learning is for your Courses (KLE) and contains sub tabs to the Library and Student Support and Development Services. Co-curriculum tab has buttons for the main activities as well as spaces for clubs and societies. Keele is much more than your academic studies and looks to support your activities outside your normal academic studies. contains the essential information you need to be a student on a daily basis. There are sub tabs for Timetable, Email and Docs (powered by Google for Keele), Internal Telephone Directory and Access for eVision. Our eVision system is for student records, it’s where you will pre-enrol, pay your fees, choose Elective subjects and check your final grades as the year progresses. Pebblepad All Keele students have a PebblePad account. This allows you to create an online portfolio of your experiences and achievements mapping your personal and professional development which you can share with others. During your online pre-arrival induction you will be shown how to use Pebblepad and will be given further instructions once you start your course. For more information on Pebblepad, please visit: www.pebblepad.co.uk/user.current.asp Keele Email Once you have received your Keele IT Account username and password, you will be able to access your Keele email. To access your email, log on at Mail and Docs. Keele University use Google to provide the email service, which also gives you access to other Google services such as Documents, Calendar, Sites and Chat. For more information about Google Mail at Keele go to: www.keele.ac.uk/it and click on the Email link on the left. Getting to know the Library You are going to spend a lot of time in the Library so it is really important that you learn how to get the most out of it. You will find the Library webpages and KLE resources invaluable. They have lots of useful information such as which books are located where and the floor plans of the building, so you can get a head start and feel that you know the place when you first walk through the doors. During the first few weeks, there will be any questions, point you in the right direction and explain how things work.To find out more go to: www.keele.ac.uk/library Eduroam Once you arrive at Keele you will need to access our WiFi. Look out for ‘eduroam’ in your network list and connect using your Keele email address and password. For more help and advice go to www.keele.ac.uk/IT or just tweet using the #keeleIT14 15 WELCOME GUIDE 2015 Getting Connected Pre-enrolment process The first thing that all new students need to do is complete the pre-enrolment process. Log onto the University’s eVision system to complete the pre-enrolment process. Please do this as soon as you can. To complete the pre-enrolment process go to: students.keele.ac.uk and log on with your user name and password. Click on the green tab ‘The the screen and then click on the ‘E-vision’ tab located on the left side of the screen. From there all you have to do is follow the on-screen instructions which will guide you through the process. 16 The pre-enrolment process will allow you to: Provide a photograph of yourself so that we can • produce your Keele Card (your identification card whilst you are at the University) ready for when you arrive at Keele Supply us with details of a person who we could • get in touch with in case of an emergency Check and confirm other information we hold • about you, which will save you time when you arrive at Keele If you do not complete the pre-enrolment process before you arrive at Keele then your Keele Card will not be ready when you arrive. Although we can make a card on your arrival, there will be a delay. WELCOME GUIDE 2015 My work plans International Students Unless your visa states any other restrictions or prohibitions, then you can work: • Part-time during the University semesters up to a MAXIMUM of 20 hours per week. • Full-time during University vacations or as part course. Information for my family In an emergency your family can contact you at Keele as follows: 1. The contact number for incoming calls to rooms in Halls is +44 (0)1782 73 plus the four digit extension of the room. 2. From Monday to Friday between 9am-5pm (GMT/+1) the Critical Incident Support Team can be contacted on +44 (0)1782 733335 3. If you live in Halls, after 5pm weekdays or at the weekend a Residence Support Assistant will be on duty and can be contacted first on the relevant Hall number (details are available on your Room Information Card). When you arrive at Keele, please give this number to your family and friends back home. 4. After 5pm weekdays and at the weekend, Security can be contacted on +44 (0)1782 733004 and they can pass a message to you immediately. we have a record of your address and contact telephone numbers. You will be asked to confirm these during the pre-enrolment process. During the first day, we shall have computers available to use in the Contact Cafe and also in the Library, should you wish to send a quick email or social website message to your family or friends to confirm your safe arrival. 17 WELCOME GUIDE 2015 2 Arriving in the UK Packing your bag If you are coming to the UK for the first time, we know it is tempting to bring everything you own. If you are going to be living in University accommodation, you can check what you need to bring and also what you don’t need to bring by visiting the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section of the Accommodation webpages at: www.keele.ac.uk/studyatkeele/ accommodation/faqs Remember that a Supermarket Shuttle service is offered during Welcome Week. It is best to use this service and to leave large or bulky items at home and buy what you need once you are in the UK. Clothing The British climate is unpredictable and very changeable, which means that cold, windy and wet weather can occur at any time of the year. Therefore, you will need warm and waterproof clothing for your stay in the UK. If possible you should bring some warm clothing with you, but it may be cheaper and save on luggage space to buy suitable clothes when you get here. It is advisable to dress in several thin layers such as a t-shirt, shirt and jumper/sweater/pullover so that you can adjust to the different temperatures inside and outside. If you do have space for your National Dress, please do bring it as you will have several opportunities to wear this during your time at Keele. 18 Electrical appliances The standard electricity supply in the UK is 220 / 240 volts, 50 cycles AC and the standard outlet is a 13-amp square 3-pin plug. Each room on University campus is equipped with one 13-amp socket. If you are going to be living in university accommodation, you must ensure any electrical appliances you bring comply with UK and EU Electrical Safety standards. Luggage Remember to clearly label any luggage you bring with you. You should put your university address on the labels of your luggage. CERTAIN AIRLINES OFFER DIFFERENT LUGGAGE ALLOWANCES, SO PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU FLY. Please do not send any luggage in advance of your arrival as we have no supervised storage space. If any packages valued over £500 are being sent, you should ask the freight service to hold these and arrange to have them delivered after you arrive at Keele. More information on what to bring can be found on the Welcome Pages for New Students. WELCOME GUIDE 2015 Immigration Information in the UK Passport Control Once you arrive in the UK and enter the airport building, you will go through ‘Passport Control’. You will have two options; you should choose the route for ‘Other Nationalities’. Delayed or lost luggage If your luggage is lost, the important thing is not to panic! Follow the steps below and inform the Help Desk in the Chancellor’s Building Exhibition Suite when you arrive on campus: If you have valid entry clearance, and you are refused entry to the UK, you are entitled to remain here until your appeal has been heard. You should • Wait at the baggage claim until all luggage from the flight has come through. Check around the area too as it could have already been unloaded if your flight was delayed. • Go to luggage enquiries / the help desk / the assistance. has not arrived. They will then ask you for: If you are a non EU/EEA or Swiss National and are refused entry to the UK and you have no entry clearance, you may have to leave the UK immediately or be given temporary admission to the UK for a short period. Customs There will be three exits to choose from – the RED exit, the GREEN exit and the BLUE exit. RED EXIT – Use this exit if you are carrying any prohibited or restricted goods, or have more than the allowance of duty free goods. The HM Revenue & Customs website has information about what you can and cannot bring to the UK: www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/banned-restricted.htm If you are unsure about which exit to take, or any of your luggage contents, you should choose the red exit. GREEN EXIT – Use this exit if you have no prohibited or restricted goods, and are within your allowance of duty free goods. BLUE EXIT – If your journey started in a country within the European Union, and you are not carrying any prohibited or restricted goods, then you should use the Blue exit. DO NOT AGREE TO CARRY ANYONE ELSE’S LUGGAGE THROUGH CUSTOMS. A CUSTOMS OFFICER MAY ASK TO SEARCH YOUR BELONGINGS AT ANY OF THESE EXITS. o Your flight ticket with flight details and attached luggage receipt o A description of your missing luggage o Your address in the UK (if you don’t yet know, then give the following address; International Student Support, Walter Moberly Building, • will explain the procedure of getting your luggage back and also give you a reference number and a telephone number or website address to contact for any news. • luggage is at the moment, or they may ask you to wait for this information. • DO NOT leave the airport before completing this procedure, as otherwise you will not receive your luggage and you will not be able to apply for compensation. Police Registration If you are required to register with the Police (check on your entry clearance) you should usually do this within 7 days of arriving in the UK. This registration is a legal requirement and if you fail to register, you will not be complying with the conditions of your visa. We have made special arrangements with the so that you do not need to register within 7 days, providing you attend our registration sessions organised within the first month of your time in the UK. 19 WELCOME GUIDE 2015 Health and Safety and Insurance Health If you are coming on to a course that lasts for less then six months you must ensure, prior to arrival, that you have adequate medical/health insurance to cover your medical expenses in the UK. If you are coming on to a course that lasts for more than six months you can have free treatment under the National Health Service. However, you will have to pay for any medicines prescribed to you by your doctor. You should consider private medical insurance if you wish to cover the cost of returning home or the cost of a member of your family coming to the UK to look after you if you become seriously ill. Travel & Personal Insurance It is essential that you obtain travel insurance to cover you for your journey from your home country to Keele University. This should cover delays and medical emergencies, as well as the cost of replacing any belongings that may be lost while you are travelling. You should obtain travel insurance before departure. Please note: If you are living on campus, your belongings will automatically be covered by Endsleigh Insurance when you move in and the cost for this is included in your accommodation fees. 20 WELCOME GUIDE 2015 21 WELCOME GUIDE 2015 3 Meet & Greet Airport Collection Service Airport Collection Service Health and Safety when Travelling International Student Support operates a Meet and Greet Airport Collection service for all new students who are arriving in the UK for the first time. Stoke-on-Trent is a friendly city, but, as with most other cities you should be aware of your surroundings when travelling and take precautions to ensure your safety. This service is available from Manchester International Airport ONLY www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf On the day, our friendly University Represenatives will be wearing black and gold polo shirts and will have Meet & Greet service banners. Look out for them at the designated areas within the airport and they will welcome you to the UK and then ensure you are safely transported to Keele campus. How to Book: To use this service you must complete an online Meet & Greet Airport Collection Request Form. This form can be requested directly at: [email protected] Once your form has been checked we will email you to confirm your registration for the airport collection. The online request form will be available until 20 March 2015. How to get to Keele University: You can get an idea of the location of Keele University from ‘How to find us’: www.keele.ac.uk/aboutus/howtofindus More detailed information on how to get to Keele . from the main UK points of entry can be found in the Welcome Pages for New Students. Airports do all they can to make sure their passengers are safe. However, it is still your responsibility to look after yourself and your belongings. Do not bring drugs (apart from those prescribed by a doctor and accompanied by a doctor’s note) into the weapon such as knives, CS gas, guns or stun guns in the UK. If you try to bring any of these into the UK nearest British Consulate or High Commission will be able to tell you about restricted goods and duty free allowances or you can refer to HM Revenue and Customs website: www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/index.htm?_ nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageTravel_Home Look after your possessions and never leave your suitcase or bags unattended in a public place, including shops and cafes, as they may be removed for security reasons. Make sure all of your cases and bags are clearly labelled so that they can be identified and forwarded to you if they become lost. If you need to leave your luggage anywhere, make be found in airports and train stations. The attendant will give you a receipt to present when collecting your luggage later. If you are travelling by train or underground (tube), make sure your luggage is where you can see it. Try to sit in a carriage with other people and not alone. Take care of your passport, tickets and money and make sure they are in a safe place such as an inside pocket, money belt or zipped bag. We advise against 22 WELCOME GUIDE 2015 carrying large amounts of cash. A small amount of cash in lower amounts (£5, £10 & £20 notes) together with a credit card or travellers’ cheques is preferred. If you are taking a taxi from the airport, make sure it these are on the side or back of the taxi. Always sit in the back of a taxi if you are on your own. Do not accept lifts from any unknown person inside or outside the terminal. It is preferred that you use the Keele University Meet & Greet Airport Collection service so that you can be met at the airport and transferred easily to your accommodation. If relatives or friends are meeting you upon your arrival in the UK, make sure that all arrangements are confirmed before you start to travel and ask for a contact number in case you are delayed or cannot find them. 23 WELCOME GUIDE 2015 4 Services at Keele Students’ Union You automatically become a member of KeeleSU when you become a student at Keele University. We are here to advise, support, represent, develop, inspire and entertain our students, we are here for you! For many students, the SU will be a huge part of their social life. Here, opportunities exist to volunteer; it’s where free advice and guidance can be sought and where societies and student groups are managed. Many of these opportunities are not only great fun, but will really complement your studies and help to develop life and future employment skills. Try to take some time this weekend to get to know Your Union and/or Keele Postgraduate Association. Public Transport The local public bus services are very frequent, departing every 10 minutes to Newcastle, Stoke (station), Hanley and Longton operated by First Bus and Wardles with another hourly service to Madeley and Crewe operated by D & G buses. Both providers an annual pass to Keele students at a cost of £315. These are available from the Students’ Union Reception and give unlimited use of all First Bus more information see the company websites: journey www.dgbus.co.uk www.wardletransport.co.uk Cars on Campus You must hold a valid driver’s licence, insurance and vehicle test certificate, where applicable, and produce them for checking when making an application to bring a vehicle onto campus. This is to ensure that our campus remains a safe place to walk or drive and ensure that if the worst happens you can be compensated. 24 Registration of vehicles and purchase of parking permits Students living on campus are not automatically eligible to obtain a parking permit. If you have a car and wish to bring it onto campus regularly, you need to apply and pay for a parking permit. This is completed via an online system and can normally be done during the weeks prior to the start of term. Student parking is zoned with a maximum number of permits issued for each zone. Charges vary with cheaper parking available for car parks on the perimeter of the campus. More details can be found on the University website in the Transport and Parking Management Policy. The website to make an application is: www.cpppermitsystem.co.uk and enter Keele University in the first time applicants reference code. Alternatively, if you visit only occasionally, you may use the pay and display parking facilities on the Horwood ‘E1’, Students’ Union ‘E2’ or Sports Centre ‘D’ (2 hours max) car parks only. Any car not displaying a permit or a parking ticket or parked on campus roads or unauthorized areas may lead to the issue of a civil parking notice. If you are an undergraduate medical student or attending placements, please see the information contained in the induction pack provided by the School. Please note that for students living in campus accommodation, car permits will not be permitted. If you are registered with a disability and possess and display a ‘Blue Badge’, you may use Any disable space and do not need to display a permit. Students with disabilities or exceptional medical circumstances should contact Disability and Dyslexia Support for guidance and assistance (see page 80 for contact details). For more information about Car Parking Permits go to: www.keele.ac.uk/studyatkeele/accommodation/ studentlifeoncampus/carparking WELCOME GUIDE 2015 25 WELCOME GUIDE 2015 Cycles on Campus opportunities to get out and about on your bike. Throughout the Halls of Residence there are a number of bicycle storage facilities for use by students. You can register your bicycle and obtain keys for individual storage units from the Student showing your KeeleCard and on payment of a refundable £10 deposit. You will be reimbursed for the deposit upon return of the receipt and the key. Cycles are left at your own risk, so make sure yours is insured (it is not covered by your campus room insurance). There are covered storage areas for cycles at Hawthorns, Holly Cross/Oaks, Lindsay, Horwood, and at Barnes. Most academic buildings on campus have covered cycle racks and there is a flourishing Keele Cycle Group for support, advice and arrange occasional social cycle rides. Most local cycle shops Safety Bus KeeleSU Safety Bus is a free service operated by Keele Students’ Union and supported by Keele University. The Safety Bus ensures Keele students return home safely to accommodation both on and morning. The Union has seven Safety Buses, the Safety Bus runs from the KeeleSU car park every night of the week in semester time, from 9pm. Disabled access to the Safety Bus is provided; please call in to KeeleSU Security at the main entrance to KeeleSU for assistance or information. For more information on the Safety Bus service see: www.keelesu.com/safetybus 26 Child Care on Campus We are really proud of our brand new, state-of-theart, purpose-built nursery. Situated on the campus, it Community Users. Places cannot be guaranteed so early booking is essential. Fees do apply, however undergraduate students may be entitled to help with their Fees. For further information contact the To apply for a place please contact the Nursery Manager on: T: 01782 733394 E: [email protected] www.keele.ac.uk/nursery WELCOME GUIDE 2015 The International Student Support Centre The International Student Support Centre, based in the Walter Moberly Building is your first stop. If you need information about the range of additinal support and activities available to students at Keele. Whether it’s Academic Advice, Electives information, Financial Support, Support in Accommodation, International Student Support, Personal Issues, i.e. Homesickness etc, we can help. The team are experienced in dealing with a wide range of issues and will work with you to resolve any issues or concerns that you have at any point during your time at Keele. We have student groups including Care Leavers, Mature students and LGBT students, so come along and have a chat with us. We also have information about the Keele Mentors scheme and the range of Welcome Week events organised at Keele. With a broad range of support available, there will always be an answer to your question – whatever it might be. For more information about the services provided by our team please come to our reception in the Walter Moberly Building. Come and talk to us: Email us direct at: [email protected] Visit our website at: www.keele.ac.uk/iss You can follow us on Twitter: @keelestudentsupport Visit us: The Student Support Centre, Ground Floor, Walter Moberly Building We are open 9am-4.45pm Monday-Friday. Telephone us on: 01782 734481 by phone, email or by coming to the Centre. We also operate a drop-in service which runs Monday to Friday. You can book an appointment or come along to our daily drop-in service. We’ll do what we can to answer your query straight away, or we’ll work with you to resolve an issue over the longer term or we might refer you to an alternative but appropriate service such as Disability and Dyslexia Support, Careers and Employability or to our Counselling and Emotional Wellbeing Service. 27 WELCOME GUIDE 2015 Support in Accommodation (Residence Support) During out-of-hours periods there is a team of Residence Support Assistants (RSAs) who can be called on at any time if you need to talk to someone or discuss any issues or concerns. This team is made up of student volunteers who live in the Halls that you reside in and have experience of living in University accommodation and are aware of the problems or concerns that you may face. You will have regular contact with your Residence Support Assistants, who can be identified when on duty by their blue T-Shirt/ Hoody. Accommodation Services If you live on campus, domestic issues including heating and repairs will be dealt with by the Accommodation Services Manager for your Hall of Residence. Information on how we manage repairs is available at: www.keele.ac.uk/accommodation/ a-z/requestarepairpestcontrol Residence Support is one of two (together with the Campus Security) teams that operate 24/7 and throughout the year. Familiarise yourself with the contact details for your specific Hall (contact details are in lots of literature and on your accommodation noticeboards) so that you can get in touch if you need to speak to someone. Make sure you keep a record of this, and when the repairs are carried out. Your landlord should respond within a reasonable time. If you are Should you need to contact a member of the Residence Support team at any time, please do so on the following numbers: Barnes: 33782 Hawthorns: 33783 Horwood: 33784 Lindsay: 33785 Holly Cross/Oaks: 33786 28 To report a fault with your campus accommodation, please go to the Accommodation tab on the KLE. If you live in Liberty Court, you should follow the instructions provided when you arrive. carried out, contact the Student Accommodation E: [email protected] WELCOME GUIDE 2015 Counselling and Emotional Wellbeing Counselling and Emotional Wellbeing Service is a multi-disciplinary team; we have counsellors, a mental health advisor and specialist practitioners who come onto campus. We can provide one-toone counselling, advice on emotional health or facilitate assessments and referrals into local NHS services. year aimed at helping you develop personal skills and get the best of your time here at Keele. You can find out more about these from our webpages or via regular emails to all students. We are based at 41 or 42 The Covert, a house near the road to the sports centre. To make an appointment, you need to register via our webpages and fill out our online form. www.keele.ac.uk/studentcounselling ASK (Advice & Support at Keele) Located on the ground floor of KeeleSU, ASK delivers independent advice on a whole range of issues, including academic, health, family, wellbeing, accommodation, finance, Legal, international and employment. The advice and non-judgemental and impartial. If you are unsure whether to ASK us what you need information and advice about, ask us anyway; if we aren’t the right people to Help, we probably know who is. Open: Mon-Fri 10.00am to 12.30pm and 1.00pm to 4.00pm. Get in touch… T: 01782 734800 E: [email protected] www.keelesu.com/ask LiveChat: www.keelesu.com/ask Or drop in and see us; we are on the ground floor of KeeleSU. 29 WELCOME GUIDE 2015 5 Welcome Week About the Programme My main activities Please arrive on Monday 30th March 2015 as this is when the programme starts. It is a great opportunity for you to meet new people, get to know your new city and find your way around the University. You can find information on the main activities below but for details of all the events and actiivities on offer, please don’t forget to check the New Students webpages for the latest changes and most up-to-date information. Accommodation Key Collection Students who are living in University accommodation can collect their keys from Student Accommodation Services. Special arrangements will be in place should you arrive on campus after 8pm or at the weekend. If you think you will not be able to arrive by 30th March, you must inform: [email protected] and [email protected] about your intentions. Enrolment Enrolment is compulsory for all new students. It will take place during your first few days and should take no more than 45 minutes. The first five days are specifically designed for International and Students to settle in to life at Keele University. Along with lots of fun events and activities, you will also complete all the necessary University procedures to make your enrolment as smooth as possible. The Welcome Week will provide you with opportunities to meet all the other new students and attend meetings and sessions with your School(s) or Programme Teams. 30 Don’t forget to bring a printed copy of your Halls of Residence ‘Boarding Pass’ – we will need it before we issue you with your key. The enrolment team will guide you through this process and you will need to show us your passport and visa or Biometric Residence Permit, which we will photocopy and keep for our records. WELCOME GUIDE 2015 English Language Testing All international students who do not speak English as their first language are required to attend an International Student Language Assessment Session. The sessions will take place in your first week. If you think you may be exempt from this language assessment, or if you will need to miss this session for any reason, please contact the English Language Unit (ELU) at [email protected] as soon as possible. International Student Support (ISS) guidance to all international students. They provide pre-arrival visa and immigration advice, organise the Meet & Greet Airport Collection Service and also the Welcome Week Programme. The team can also be contacted by email at support. [email protected] or by telephone on +44 (0)1782 734481. For further information on all services provided by ISS, please visit: www.keele.ac.uk/iss 31 WELCOME GUIDE 2015 32 WELCOME GUIDE 2015 Welcome Week first weeks at Keele or for as long as you need their advice and support. 33 WELCOME GUIDE 2015 6 Checklists Things to do before you come to Keele Passport Apply for ATAS Certificate (if stated on your CAS Statement) Travel documents (flight tickets) Check you have the correct level of finances Book your flight to either Manchester International Airport or London Heathrow Airport to arrive before Monday 30th March 2015 Book your Meet & Greet Airport Collection by 20th March 2015 (Manchester International Airport only) Arrange travel insurance Arrange accommodation Upload a photograph Log onto e-Vision and give emergency contact details Arrange medical insurance and vaccinations Choose your electives and optional modules (This does NOT apply to you if you are studying a Postgraduate course or Medicine, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Osteopathy, Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work or a Foundation Year) Complete your online accommodation induction and PRINT AND BRING YOUR HALLS OF RESIDENCE ‘BOARDING PASS’ Arrange a small amount of British Sterling/ Travellers’ Cheques/Bank Card 34 Hand Luggage Checklist Apply for your Entry Clearance/Visa Extension Evidence of your finances British sterling currency/Travellers’ Cheques/ Bank Card Keele University CAS Statement and/ Qualification documents as listed on your CAS Statement Meet & Greet Airport Collection confirmation email Halls of Residence printed ‘Boarding Pass’ if living on campus Medication and letter from your doctor (if required) Health Certificates (if required) Some passport-sized photographs WELCOME GUIDE 2015 Quick Contacts Accelerated International Foundation Year Office T: +44(0)1782 733989 E: [email protected] www.keele.ac.uk/aify Allison Gardner Head of Accelerated International Foundation Year T: +44(0)1782 733989 E: [email protected] Dianne Foulkes AIFY Course Administrator T: +44(0)1782 733989 E: [email protected] ...................................................................................................... International Student Support Walter Moberly Building Room WM0.17 T: +44(0)1782 733801 M: +44(0)7810 500510 E: [email protected] www.keele.ac.uk/iss ...................................................................................................... For queries and assistance with CAS The Visa Compliance Team International Recruitment & Development, Walter Moberly Building T: +44(0)1782 734002 E: [email protected] ...................................................................................................... Student Accommodation Service Darwin Building T: +44(0)1782 734152 E: [email protected] www.keele.ac.uk/studyatkeele/accommodation/ internationalstudents ...................................................................................................... For Tuition and Accommodation Fees Payments Tawney Building T: +44(0)1782 733152, 734324, 734323, 733469 E: [email protected] www.keele.ac.uk/finance Keele General Enquiries (Switchboard) T: +44(0)1782 732000 ...................................................................................................... For queries about your academic course (before you arrive) International Admissions International Recruitment & Development, Walter Moberly Building T: +44 (0)1782 733501 F: +44(0)1782 734238 E: [email protected] www.keele.ac.uk/international 35 T +44 (0) 1782 733507 www.keele.ac.uk/foundationcourses
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