Student Handbook 2016-2017
Welcome to
2 Contents
3 Finding us
ONCAMPUS Sunderland & the surrounding area 2 Around campus 4 Teaching buildings 6 Enrolment and Induction 8 Attendance 13 Visas 14 Student Support and Advice 15 Clubs & Societies 19 What’s going on in the City? 20 Student Representatives 21 Paying your fees 22 Term dates 27
A list of useful centre staff contacts are listed on the back page.
ON4 CAMPUS Sunderland & the
surrounding area
2 5
3 6 Around campus
Where will I find..? Banks City Council Santander Sunderland City Council 12-13 Waterloo Place, Civic Centre Sunderland, SR1 3HS Burdon Road 0845 765 4321 Sunderland www.santander.co.uk Tyne and Wear SR2 7DN Lloyds Telephone: (0191) 520-5555 54 Fawcett Street, Town Centre, Sunderland, SR1 1SF Library 0845 200 0000 The Murray Library University of www.lloydsbank.com Sunderland - City Campus Sunderland NatWest Tyne and Wear 52 Fawcett Street, SR1 3SD Sunderland, SR1 1RS Telephone: (0191) 515-3691 0845 366 1997 www.natwest.com University of Sunderland St Peter's Library HSBC The Prospect Building 14 Fawcett Street, The Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St. Peter's Sunderland Sunderland, SR1 1SJ SR6 0DD 0845 740 4404 Telephone: (0191) 515-3691 www.hsbc.co.uk Shopping Centre Barclays The Bridges Shopping Centre 53 Fawcett Street, Town Centre, Sunderland Sunderland, SR1 1RS SR1 3DR 0845 755 5555 Telephone: (0191) 510-8581 www.barclays.co.uk Transport Taxi Go North-East (Bus) Station Taxis – (0191) 555-5-555 Telephone: 0845 60 60 260 Unit 11 Riverside Road Southwick Nexus – Metro (Trainline) Sunderland More information at http:// SR5 3JG www.nexus.org.uk/metro
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Post Office Student’s Union Sunderland City Post Office Ground Floor 45-47 Fawcett Street Edinburgh Building Sunderland Chester Road SR1 1RR Sunderland Telephone: 0845 722 3344 SR1 3SD Telephone: (0191) 515-3030 Police Station (local to city centre) Gillbridge Avenue Police Station Supermarket (local to city centre) Gillbridge Avenue Tesco Metro Sunderland 80 The Bridges SR1 3AW Sunderland Telephone: (0191) 454-7555 Tyne and Wear SR1 3LE Telephone: 0345 677 9649
5 8 Teaching Buildings
6 9
7 10 Enrolment and induction
The term starts on 26th September 2016, Your UK address, telephone number and but you can arrive earlier if you want to - e-mail address check the start date of your visa. You must Details of someone to contact in case of also make sure that the University of emergency (next of kin). Sunderland accommodation department is Proof of payment or financial guarantee. aware of when you will be arriving so that your room will be ready for you. Important: ONCAMPUS will only accept original documents. We cannot accept Enrolment at ONCAMPUS photocopies. On your first day you will enrolled and
registered onto your course with us. Once Biometric Residence Permits (BRP) you have registered and enrolled with Non-EEA applicants (expected to study for 6 ONCAMPUS, you will be able to register with months or more) will have to collect a BRP the police as per your Home Office card as soon as they arrive in the UK. You Regulations. Please remember that it is must not wait until your course has started important to enrol as soon as possible. to collect this card. If you have used the
centre’s “ACL code” (listed on your CAS The induction sessions will give you the statement), your BRP card will be available opportunity to meet the ONCAMPUS staff for collection in the centre. It will otherwise and other students on your course. You will be available in the Post Office branch you learn about the University, the Centre and selected during your visa application. The your programme of study, and join collection point will be confirmed on the ONCAMPUS formally. You will also receive Decision Letter given to you when you get information about the University’s Library your passport back following a successful services, student societies, and will visa application. complete the enrolment process which lets you join the University Centre formally. Important: The visa sticker in your passport will only permit you to travel to the UK but When you attend enrolment, please bring the this is not the evidence allowing you to stay following: in the UK for the full duration of your Your passport course. Your Biometric Residence Permit Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP (BRP Card) is the only form of ID which Card) confirms that you are studying on a full- Your ONCAMPUS offer letter and time course. Certificate/Confirmation for Enrolment Our office is open all year (except bank (CAS) holidays) if you need any support upon your Your Original certificates/transcripts (for arrival and before the induction starts . Our example High School Certificate, AS- centre will also be closed over the Christmas level results, UKVI Verified IELTS holidays but staff will be contactable by Certificate, first degree certificates and email and telephone during this time and will other qualifications) as shown on your answer any questions that you may have. CAS statement 8 11
Registering with the police Once you have registered, you will be given a Certain international students that come to Police Registration Certificate (PRC). You will study in the UK will be required to register need to bring your PRC into the office for us to with the police within 7 days of their arrival make a copy for our records. You should keep in the UK. Please check your visa sticker (or this throughout your time in the UK. The PRC any Home Office letter showing the can also be used as an identity document in requirement to register and accompanying certain circumstances. If you change your your BRP card) to determine whether you address or obtain a new visa, you must update are required to register. your PRC by emailing the Oversees Visitors Registration Office (OVRO). This must be done You will need to: within 7 days of you moving. There is no extra Download and complete the following charge for this. The office team will help you form: with police registration if necessary. http://www.northumbria.police.uk/ advice_and_information/visa/ovro_form.pdf Full-time courses lasting six months or Save the form and add as an email more attachment Under new regulations, you will have paid a Email to OVRO (Oversees Visitors healthcare surcharge (called the Registration Office): ‘immigration health surcharge’) as part of [email protected] your immigration application. You will now Once the police receive your registration be able to use the National Health Service documents an appointment will be (NHS) for the duration of your time in the UK. allocated for you. This will be held at the You can visit https://www.gov.uk/healthcare- OVRO office, the address is shown below: immigration-application/overview for more information. Newcastle City Centre Police Station Forth Banks, NE1 3PA Once you have enrolled with us, you will have Opening Hours: 24 hours the same rights to health care as a UK resident. This means that you can register You will need to take the following with a GP (local doctor), receive hospital documents with you: treatment, treatment for pre-existing conditions and full maternity services. You £34 registration fee in cash (take the exact have to pay for dental (teeth) services. In amount as no change is given) addition, optical (eye) services are not Your passport available on the NHS so you may have to pay Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP Card) for them. Two Passport photographs
Confirmation of Enrolment letter from the Important: You may be eligible for help with Sunderland Centre the cost of prescriptions, dental and optical Scholarship letter (if privately sponsored) services on the basis of low income. For Completed OVRO Registration Proforma further information, please refer to the NHS Tenancy agreement website for details of NHS costs and exemptions: www.nhs.uk 9 12
Courses lasting less than six months GPs in University of Sunderland area Students studying at ONCAMPUS for less Park Lane Practice Dr Mandal & Partners than six months will need to pay for all 1-6 City Green, SR2 3 Eden Terrace, healthcare treatment. For these students we 7BA Durham Road, SR2 strongly recommend taking out health 0191 567 6828 7PF insurance before coming to the UK. GP’s in Clanny House/The Forge area How to Register with a Doctor Hylton Medical group You will need to visit a local doctors surgery Pallion Health Centre, Hylton Road, Pallion, so that you can ‘register’ as a new patient. SR4 7XF Doing this means that when you do become 0191 565 8598 sick, you will be able to book an appointment to see a Doctor who can prescribe you any GP’s in Panns Bank/Scotia Quay area medication to make you feel better if you Dr Nathan St Bede Medical need it. To register you will need to visit the West Lawrence Centre surgery and speak to reception staff. They Street, Hendon, SR1 Lower Dundas Street, will then give you some paperwork that you 1XW SR6 0QQ will need to complete to become a patient. 0191 565 3040 0191 567 5335 You will need to bring this documents to register: Minor Injuries Walk in Centres - Confirmation of Enrolment letter to show you Grindon Lane Primary Care Centre have enrolled at ONCAMPUS Sunderland Grindon Lane, Grindon, - Passport SR3 4EN - Complete new patient forms 0191 525 2300 - Proof of address in the UK (e.g. Contract from University Accommodation) GP’s in Hendon/City Centre area Use the NHS England website for more information; Ashburn Medical Riverview Health Centre, Centre http://www.nhs.uk.servicedirectories/Pages/ 74-75 Toward Road, West Lawrence ServiceSearch.aspx SR2 8JG Street, SR1 1XW 0191 5674397 0191 565 3040 Opening a bank account You will need to open a bank account when Deerness Park Medical Group you arrive in the UK. There are a number of Suffolk Street, SR2 8AD banks in the UK and all will provide special 0191 565 8849 student accounts. To open a bank account in the UK you will need: You can also use the NHS in England • proof of identity (passport) website to help you find a doctor • proof of address (letter or receipt from http://www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/ your landlord/Accommodation Office) Pages/ServiceSearch.aspx • opening deposit • Confirmation of Enrolment Letter (this means you will need to wait until AFTER you have enrolled to open your account.)
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List of Pharmacies in Sunderland going or newly diagnosed physical and Some medicines in the UK are only available mental health problems. Many other by prescription with a doctor’s note. general health issues can also be dealt with However, there are a alternative medicines by experienced staff who can provide you available to buy without this. Pharmacists the most up-to-date information on any can give you medical advice too. Below is a health issues you may have. You can find the list of local pharmacists where you can get staff at: some medicines without a prescription from your Doctor Health & Wellbeing Service Student Support Boots the Chemists Boots the Chemists Level 1—Edinburgh Building Ltd Ltd The Gateway, Chester Road 45 The Bridges 2-3 Park Lane City Campus Sunderland Sunderland SR1 3SD SR1 3LF SR1 3NX 0191 515 2938 McCarthy's Superdrug Stores [email protected] Pharmacy Plc Saville Place Unit 3 Walworth ONCAMPUS Student Portal Sunderland Way, The Bridges As a new ONCAMPUS Student you will have SR1 1PA Sunderland access to the ONCAMPUS Student Portal (http://www.my.oncampus.global)
Dentists in Sunderland The Student Portal is our student intranet site Dentist clinics are available throughout the and it gives you access to your own personal city of Sunderland. As a student you might page. This is where you can check: be entitled to some discount. Ask your
Doctor about how to apply for student Your personal information is up to date exemption. You can also apply for a NHS and correct card to help you with your dentistry costs. View your timetable I Gray & S Gray Oasis Dental Care Monitor your attendance 180 Chester Road 495 Hilton Road View your exam entries and results Sunderland Sunderland Access Moodle 0191 510 8686 0191 534 1167 Access Turnitin
Silver & Charlton Mr F A Ardabili 50 John Street 10 Derwent Street You will be given your username and password Sunderland Sunderland in induction week 0191 567 2604 0191 567 4844 You must access your personal email daily, as important information and notices will be sent Health and Wellbeing to this address from your tutors and office staff The University has registered nurses who in the Johnson Building. are available on Level 1 of the Gateway Building to offer help and advice on a range of issues such as support for those with on- 11 14
Applying for your University of you to let you know your student card is Sunderland Student Card ready to be collected from the Main Office. To get your University Student ID the If you have not been sent an email from University needs a recent head and the ONCAMPUS Sunderland staff 7 shoulder digital photograph of you. This working days after making your student will be kept on your record and put on your card application please email Campus Card. [email protected] to ask them for an update. Student cards are not It is very important that the photograph printed in the Johnson Building so we will you upload: be unable to give you any updates on your Shows only you and no one else card application. When you collect your Is a clear head and shoulders portrait card from the Main Office you will then be Shows you facing the camera with able to access all of the University of nothing obscuring your face Sunderland’s facilities such as the Library. (A valid passport photograph is ideal) Important: If you upload a photograph Step 1: Logging in on the University of that is not appropriate, you will be Sunderland SelfCare page charged a fee of £10 to have a Students will need to access the University replacement card printed. of Sunderland website: https:// selfcare.sunderland.ac.uk/ to be able to Accessing the University Computers apply for a student card. Log in on this To activate your University of Sunderland system using your University of IT account you can open the link below and Sunderland username and password. This follow the instructions on the screen: username and password will be provided http://library.sunderland.ac.uk/it/stu- to you by ONCAMPUS staff after you have start/ You can also attend a library enrolled and we have confirmed that you induction day where members of staff will have arrived for your course. Details of help assist you. how to apply for the card will be sent to you in the email from ONCAMPUS staff. Murray Library The library has much more than just Step 2: Applying for your Student Card books. It also have electronic databases Follow the instructions in the email from and catalogues covering all subject areas. ONCAMPUS staff on how to apply for your The Libraries provide one-to-one help at student card and uploading your the Enquiry Desk and also offers training photograph. You will need to allow up to 6 in how to get the best from all these working days for your student card electronic sources. application to be received and for your card to be created. This will then be sent in Chester Rd, Sunderland, SR1 3SD the mail to the Johnson Building. Tel: 0191 515 3691 Staff in the Johnson Building will email Email: [email protected] 12 15 Attendance
General attendance requirements
You must attend all classes on your course. Students are expected to attend Monday to Friday from the first day of term until the last day of term, including any examination and re-sit weeks. We expect 100% attendance from all students, unless you have genuine reason for your absence. Please see below the guidelines for lateness to all classes at ONCAMPUS:
If you arrive up to 15 minutes after the start of a class, you will be marked as present. If you arrive between 15—30 minutes after the start of a class, you will be marked as late. If you arrive 30 minutes or later after the start of a class, you will be marked as absent.
Important: You will still be permitted to attended the class, but your absent mark will stand.
If you encounter problems of any nature which prevent you from attending classes you must inform your tutor as soon as possible and email: [email protected] to report this absence.
Additional attendance requirements
Students are expected to be at the Centre during each term, arriving no later than the first day of teaching and not leaving before the last day. The attendance requirement includes the examinations, resits and results periods at the end of each term. You can have 2 consecutive days of absence from classes. If you are absent for longer you must visit a doctor and provide proof you have been to see them. If you become ill and are unable to inform the Attendance Officer or your tutor you should arrange for someone to communicate with the these staff on your behalf. If you have 10 consecutive days of unauthorised absence you will be reported to the UKVI (UK Home Office)
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16 Visa
Your responsibilities as a Tier-4 Student You must inform ONCAMPUS immediately of any changes in Enrol at the right time at your personal circumstances (eg. ONCAMPUS, and return at the marriage/civil partnership/ start of each term. ONCAMPUS is cohabitation/birth of a child in the obliged to report to the UK Visas & UK; change in dependant Immigration (UKVI) any students circumstances; divorce; who have a Tier 4 visa and who fail dissolution of civil partnership). to enrol by the stated enrolment deadline. Penalties Inform ONCAMPUS of any letters Penalties for failing to comply with those or e-mails or other messages regulations may be severe and long lasting. received from the UKVI. If you arrive with evidence of a valid They may include your removal from the pending visa application, you must UK and/or your exclusion from the UK for inform ONCAMPUS of any correspondence received from the a number of years. UKVI so that we can advise and support you. If you do not regularly attend your course, ONCAMPUS may be obliged to report you to the UKVI. ONCAMPUS is obliged to tell the UKVI if a student withdraws from a course, defers or suspends their studies, or if a student fails to attend their course regularly. You must keep ONCAMPUS informed of your contact details at all times; it is your responsibility to inform ONCAMPUS if your contact details change. You will need to come into the ONCAMPUS office and complete a pink change of details form. You must not work.
14 17 StudentFinance Support & Advice
Personal Tutors Academic and Welfare advice and support Every ONCAMPUS student is given a Entertainments and social Personal Tutor who is a member of the activities academic staff. Commercial outlets Sports and activities. Your Personal Tutor works as a contact
between you and the rest of ONCAMPUS if you
have any problems which the staff need to CONNECT friend group know of. CONNECT is a social group that meets on
a regular basis, run by the Students’ Changing Personal Tutor Union It is open to all students and is a If your tutor leaves, another member great way to meet new people and make of will be chosen as your friends and it’s FREE to join! Go to: http:// supervisor. www.sunderlandsu.co.uk/clubs/connect If you feel that the relationship is not to join now. developing and that you don’t feel able to talk with your personal tutor openly, Student Advice you should speak to the Centre Head The University of Sunderland is and request a change of personal committed to ensuring equality and a tutor explaining your reasons why supportive learning environment for all ONCAMPUS will not hold this students and staff. The University request against you. If, for any provides various services, such as: reason, you feel unable to approach • Skills for Learning the Centre Head on this you • Disability and Dyslexia should ask for help from another • Student Advice member of staff in the centre. • Jobshop and Careers Advice Service.
Student Union Staff in The Gateway will be able to direct As an ONCAMPUS student you are you to the services you require. You can automatically a member of the Students’ find them at: Union. The Union exists to make your experience at University exciting and fun Working in Sunderland whilst also giving you the opportunity to As a full-time student at ONCAMPUS with make your opinions about the University a valid student visa you are not permitted heard. to work during your studies.
The Union provides a network of student Gifts for Staff support, including: Please note that centre staff cannot Student Representation accept gifts from students. 15 18 Finance
Disability Culture shock is entirely normal, usually For the purpose of this statement, unavoidable and not a sign that you have disability is defined as: “A physical or made a mistake or that you won’t manage. mental impairment with substantial and In fact there are very positive aspects of long term adverse effect on normal day to culture shock. The experience can be a day activities.” significant learning experience, making you The centre ethos is to provide a high- more aware of aspects of your own culture quality educational experience, designed to ensure that students excel both as well as the new culture you have entered. academically and personally. We aim to It will give you valuable skills that will serve ensure that all students are treated as you in many ways now and in the future , and individuals and that needs are met which will be part of the benefit of an accordingly. international education. If you would like to
Please inform us immediately of any talk to someone then contact your personal disabilities that may affect your studies at tutor, office staff or any student support ONCAMPUS. services at Sunderland
Culture Shock Leaving home and travelling to study in a new country can be a stressful experience. Even though it may be something you have planned and prepared for, the extent of the change and the effects it has on you may take you by surprise. If you find that you are surprised by the effects of the change, it might be helpful to realise that your experience is quite normal. This applies whatever country you come from, and wherever you are going to study, even though some cultures are more similar than others because of geographic, historic, demographic and other factors
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Making international calls Keeping in touch with your family and friends at home is important. You should make sure that you have a way of communicating with them regularly. Your op- tions include using the internet, international dialling cards and mobile phones. The option that works best for you will depend on your individual circumstances and you should look at which method is the most cost effective and practical.
Internet Software such as Skype allows you to call landlines, mobile phones and other Skype users over the internet. Calls between Skype users are free of charge. Call rates from a Skype user to a landline and mobile phone vary, depending on coun- try.
International calling cards You can buy cards from a number of places including grocery stores and the Post Office. Again, rates differ based on which country you are calling and whether you are dialling a landline or mobile phone. The Post Office phone card features monthly offers (e.g. free calls on Saturdays to particular countries). See their web- site for further information.
Mobile phones A number of mobile phone operators cater for the needs of international students. These companies, including Nomi and Lebara, offer very cheap calling rates to a number of countries overseas.
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18 21 Clubs & Societies
You can join many clubs and societies at the Students Union at the University of Sunderland Including:
Business School Society Afro-Caribbean Society Bethel Campus Fellowship Christian Union Coco-Society DJ Society Formula Student Motorsport Team Games Society Hong Kong and Malaysian Society Islamic Society Law Society LGBT Modern Foreign Languages Society Mount Kilimanjaro Society Nigerian Society Paintball Society Poledancing Society Romanian Society Unicef
University of Sunderland groups Big Band CineClub (also known as Film Club) Connect History Lab MAPLE Middle East and North Africa Group New Creative
19 22 What’s going on in the City?
We encourage our students to get involved in local events and run many on campus and off campus activities and trips. You can help choose and organise these as part of the student social committee. Talk to us about your interests when you arrive.
Things to see and do Visit local places of interest: National Glass Centre Sunderland Empire Theatre Sunderland International Air show (July 2017) Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens
City sport facilities: Marine Activities Centre: Sailing, canoeing, kayaking, power boating and climbing at Roker beach, Sunderland.
Sunderland Stadium of Light: This is Sunderland’s Premiership football teams stadium where they play matches throughout the football season. Visit www.safc.com for details on upcoming football matches and other events.
Sunderland Wall: one of the UK's highest competition-grade indoor climbing walls.
Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis and Wellness Centre: 13 indoor and outdoor tennis courts and 25m swimming pool.
Sunderland Sports Complex and Ski Centre: 165m outdoor dry ski and snowboard slope, floodlit outdoor 400m athletics track, two full-size astro-turf sports pitches, angling lake, skate park.
Sunderland Aquatic Centre: The only Olympic-standard swimming pool between Leeds and Edinburgh. Features a 10-lane 50m pool and a diving pool with 5m, 3m and 1m platforms.
The North Shore The North Shore is the venue of the University of Sunderland Students' Union. It hosts student productions, club nights and live bands - and has featured Girls Aloud, Arctic Monkeys, JLS, Maximo Park, Coolio and Ne-Yo. Based at the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's, The North Shore is a multi-purpose student hub featuring a theatre, a Bar & Grill, the Green Centre (featuring a swapshop, book exchange and organic roof garden) and bookable meeting and rehearsal spaces.
For more information on upcoming events in the city visit : http://www.seeitdoitsunderland.co.uk/ 20 23 Student Representatives
If you are interested in becoming a student representative, you can register your interest with the staff in the Main Office. These students will then represent the views of you all at the Staff-Student Liaison Committees. These meetings happen once a term and are designed to improve the management and enhancement of your programme of study.
Staff and students consult each other on all aspects of their learning experience and future developments. Students will communicate with their peers on their courses and attend meetings to discuss this feedback in Centre and then with the other student representatives nationally once a term.
It is a chance to really make a difference to your classmates and is a great experience for you as an international student studying at ONCAMPUS Sunderland.
21 24 Paying Your Fees
Fee payment information Fees are due at the beginning of each term, please do not be late with payment as eventually this may lead to you being suspended from classes and even removed from ONCAMPUS Sunderland.
Sponsors If your employer or government sponsors your study, we will require a letter from them confirming the following details: your name and course the amount of fees they will be paying (for example, 100%) the contact name, company name, telephone number and address where we should send the invoice.
Important: student sponsor invoices will be payable in full within 30 days of receipt of invoice. If your sponsor does not make payment, you will be personally liable to pay the full amount of tuition fees.
Refunds Acceptance of an ONCAMPUS offer on payment of the minimum stated deposit constitutes a binding contract between the student and ONCAMPUS. Tuition fees are non-refundable except in the case of a visa refusal. Should a student be refused a visa, evidence of refusal and a written application to withdraw must be made available to ONCAMPUS before any refund can be initiated.
ONCAMPUS will check with the appropriate British Embassy/High Commission that the refusal is genuine and will charge an administration fee of £100 if a refund is given. Tuition fees are non-refundable after the course has begun. Any notice to withdraw or cancel must be made in writing. If the cancellation is received before the start of term we will charge the forthcoming term's tuition fees. If the cancellation is made after the start of term then we will charge both the current term's and the
following term's tuition fees.
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Fee payment information We want to make paying your fees as easy as possible. You have paid your deposit and secured your place. See below for details of your payment plan for the remainder of your programme. Tuition fees for each term of study at the Centre are due before the course begins. All fees are payable in GBP (pounds sterling).
3-term Programme* Tuition fees Deposit Registration fee You will pay Term 1 £3,300 + £2,300 + £200 £5,600
Term 2 £3,300 £3,300 Term 3 £3,300 - £2,300 £1,000
Total £9,900
2-term Programme*
Tuition fees Deposit Registration fee You will pay
Term 1 £3,300 + £2,300 + £200 £5,600
Term 2 £3,300 - £2,300 £1,000 Total £6,600
1-term Programme*
Tuition fees Registration fee You will pay
Term 1 £3,300 + £200 £3,500
Total £3,500
*This is a guide only. Your full payment plan is available on request. Please contact the Main Office for further details.
Please note: non-payment of fees can result in you being suspended or withdrawn from the programme.
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Fees can be paid via the following methods:
International bank transfer ONCAMPUS has partnered with flywire as a fast and easy way to make international payments. This is the best way to send funds from overseas. By using flywire you can be sure that your funds arrive on time and that ONCAMPUS will always receive the correct amount.
Payment by this method also means you do not have to pay any bank charges, which can be expensive; with flywire the rates are clear so you can always be sure about the total cost of the transaction.
Over 40 currencies are available and they offer competitive foreign exchange rates. If you need help, they are always contactable. Please be aware that the process may still involve making a transfer through your bank. Visit oncampus.peertransfer.com to get started!
Credit card (including Visa/Mastercard) or debit card We do not accept American Express. A 2% fee is charged for payment by credit card. The following information is required: card number expiry date three-digit security code (from the signature strip on the back of the card). To make a payment using this method, please call our Finance team on +44 (0)1223 447795.
Direct transfer of funds Please see your pre-arrival information packs for bank account details. An additional GBP12 must be transferred with the fees to cover bank charges.
Important: A payment reference must be provided so that the College can identify funds on safe arrival into our account. This must be either the student reference number as stated on your offer document, or your CEG student number. These references mean that we can then allocate the funds against your invoice accordingly. Failure to include a reference may mean we have to contact you again to establish proof of payment.
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Any students withdrawing from an ONCAMPUS programme of study will be reported to the UK Visas and Immigration and the British Embassy/High Commission in their home country as a curtailment of their programme. ONCAMPUS reserves the right to withdraw a previously available programme of study at its own discretion. Where a student is unable to enrol in a similar course at ONCAMPUS and the enrolment is cancelled then all fees will be refunded.
Financial issues Student Support operates in close liaison with the Students’ Union Students’ Advice Bureau in assisting and advising students who are in financial difficulties. Students are responsible for managing their own budgets and for some this presents a problem. If you encounter any problems please contact the ONCAMPUS Sunderland main office as soon as possible.
Council tax Students registered full-time at ONCAMPUS are generally entitled to claim a discount or exemption from Council Tax. If you are living in non-University accommodation, at some point during the year you are likely to receive a demand for payment of Council Tax from the Local Authority. To prove that you are a student, you should contact the ONCAMPUS Sunderland main office who will supply you with a ‘Student Confirmation of Enrolment’ letter, which you can then send to the Local Authority. The Local Authority will then decide if you are entitled to a discount or full exemption from Council Tax,
Important: The confirmation letter will show your current term-time address so please make sure you keep your contact information up to date at all times. Please also remember to request a new confirmation letter if you move to a new address.
To qualify for a student discount/exemption: You have to be registered as a full-time student. You should be able to prove it (by means of the letter explained above). It is important that you keep this letter for the duration of one academic year of study. Replacements for lost or incorrect letters due to change address during term time are available from your personal tutor free of charge. Your course must be full time. Your course must last for a minimum of 24 weeks during the academic year. You have to live with other people who are also exempted from payment (usually other students).
25 28 Finance
If a house or property is occupied entirely by full-time registered students then the entire household is exempted from Council Tax. This includes the halls of residence and University-owned student houses, which are occupied entirely by students.
It also applies to private accommodation which is occupied entirely by students. Houses with one or more non-student residents will have to pay Council Tax (at least 75%).
Please remember that payment of Council Tax is a matter between individuals and the Local Authority. Except in certain circumstances (for example by issuing a Council Tax Exemption Letter) ONCAMPUS has no responsibility in these matters.
26 29 Term Dates Academic Year 2016/17
Term 1 Monday 26 September 2016 Friday 16 December 2016 Term 2 Monday 09 January 2017 Friday 17 March 2017 Term 3 Monday 27 March 2017 Friday 16 June 2017 Term 4 Monday 12 June 2017 Friday 18 August 2017
27 30 Notes
28 31 Notes
29 32 Contact Details
ONCAMPUS Sunderland Main Office
The general office is where your course is managed. This is where you will get information/ documentation and help with other general enquiries.
Location ONCAMPUS Sunderland University of Sunderland Johnson Building City Campus Chester Road Sunderland SR1 3SD
Rob Whitton – Centre Head Academic Issues/Health and Safety Tel: +44 (0)191 515 3914 Email: [email protected]
Gemma Campbell – Student Recruitment & Support Officer Visa/Finance/Accommodation/Bank Letters/Council tax /Police registration Tel: +44 (0)191 515 3916 Email: [email protected]
Julie Lewis – Curriculum Information Officer Timetable/Module changes/Attendance/Reporting absences Tel: +44 (0)191 515 3917 Email: [email protected]
If you need to contact centre staff in an emergency outside of office hours please call: +44 (0)7964 058186