Presented By

YOUR WELCOME GUIDE

PRESENTED BY Settling In Accommodation 4 Hello and welcome 15 Pritchatts Park 5 Your Student Mentors 16 The Vale Village 6 First things to do! 17 Selly Oak Village 18 Contacting us 19 Collecting your post The City of Birmingham! 7 Facts about the city Laundry 8 Local areas Recycling 9 Transport and travelling 20 Shared living: around the city learning to live together 10 Things to see and do 21 What to do if you are experiencing problems in your flat 11 Local supermarkets and banks

Important Services WELCOME TO Student Life 22 International Student Advisory 12 Guild of Students - Service (ISAS) Your Students Union Birmingham International Managing your money Academy (BIA) 13 Looking after your health 23 Accommodation Services BIRMINGHAM Registering with a dentist Student Support Services at the University Do I have to pay for treatment? The Guild of Students Registering with your local doctor’s surgery 24 Other useful contacts 14 Personal safety A final message from us… HELLO & WELCOME YOUR STUDENT SETTLING IN WE’RE REALLY EXCITED TO WELCOME YOU TO THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND TO OUR LOVELY CITY! Check out our MENTORS Facebook for You should be very proud of yourself for achieving the qualifications upcoming events! required to study here and being brave enough to leave friends and family to live in a different country!

All of the student accommodation team and Student Mentors are here to help you settle in to your accommodation and make sure you have the best first Shared living Issues and Housing year possible at the University of Birmingham. • Flat visits and mediations • Cleaning rota’s Over the next few days, you will receive lots of information about living •  Flat maintenance and studying here. This booklet can act as your guide if you forget anything. •  Support with moving into the private sector

We will be planning a range of events and activities throughout the summer. Your Academic Studies Look out for our weekly e-newsletter and check Canvas for more information Here are your Student Mentors! On hand to •  Finding your lecture rooms and how to get involved. help you settle in and answer any questions • Getting to know the library you might have during your time here. •  Study skills support & revision tips All that is left to say is that we This booklet has lots of information about •  Exam stress hope you have a great time at Birmingham and your accommodation! •  Understanding your timetable the University of Birmingham. This day marks the start of Settling in to University life in Birmingham a life-changing experience •  Getting to know campus and the local area for you – we hope you are as IT’S OK TO ASK FOR A HELPING •  Finding out about upcoming events excited about it as we are! HAND WHEN YOU GET HERE! •  Support meeting others • Homesickness We look forward to The first few weeks at University are

meeting you all! undoubtedly an exciting time, but it’s Financial Queries also inevitable that some challenges will •  Looking for part time work appear along the way. You are absolutely •  Budgeting not alone and we are here to help. •  General concerns about money General Wellbeing STUDENT MENTORS •  Guidance on keeping yourself safe •  Advice if you’re worried about a friend CONTACTING US Student Mentors are trained to provide free or flatmate advice and guidance to students living in To contact your Student Mentors or There is no problem too big or too small, University accommodation. They specialise to book an appointment with them, so whatever you need help with, and in supporting international students just email [email protected] whenever you need it, your Student like you and can help you with a range Mentors can help! Student Mentor Scheme of issues including: @StudentMentors guildofstudents.com/studentmentors CONTACTING US!

4 5

THE CITY OF FIRST THINGS SETTLING IN FACTS ABOUT BIRMINGHAM

Ask your Student Mentors for help TO DO! THE CITY getting to know Birmingham BEAT YOUR JETLAG FACTS ABOUT BIRMINGHAM!

One of the hardest things to cope  • Birmingham is located in the West Midlands with initially will be adjusting to the time of the United Kingdom. It is the second difference in the UK. Firstly, make sure your largest city in the country (in terms of watch is set to local time. We recommend population) after London. you stay awake until it is night time in the UK. It may be very tempting to have a nap, but • Birmingham has a reputation for being at it is important to establish a new sleeping the forefront of technological, economic and pattern straight away. MAKE SURE YOUR scientific development; it has been called MOBILE PHONE WORKS ‘the first manufacturing town in the world’. • People who were born in Birmingham are SET UP YOUR INTERNET You may have to swap your SIM card when called ‘Brummies’. There is also a distinct you arrive in the UK. Alternatively, you may You can connect to the internet in regional accent which you might notice have to buy a new phone all together. your bedroom for free. Most of our while you’re here! accommodation has Wi-Fi - please see  the ASK4 leaflet in your welcome pack  GET IN TOUCH WITH • ‘The Bullring’, located in the city centre, for more details. You can also download the is the busiest shopping centre in the UK Ask4 app, which provides a step by step YOUR FAMILY OR FRIENDS in terms of numbers of visitors per day. guide for setting up your wi-fi on arrival: The easiest, and cheapest, way to do • Culturally, Birmingham is home to a wide https://goo.gl/Fm3H84 this is by downloading Skype and getting in range of music, theatre and art venues. contact with your loved ones via the internet. The Barclay Card Arena (city centre), However, you could also sign up to Rebtel, the O2 academy (Bristol Street), the who offer cheap rates for international calls Hippodrome (Hurst Street) and the from any mobile or landline. Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery Find out more here: www.rebtel.com (Chamberlain square) are just a few!

• The weather in the UK is generally MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME unpredictable, but it is often fairly cold! We recommend purchasing a good pair Take time to adapt to your surroundings and of shoes and a coat to keep you dry in make your room feel comfortable. If you need rainy weather – don’t forget your sun to buy a duvet set you can get one of these cream for those rare sunny days too! from your Reception;

Single Set -£25 • Interesting fact – Birmingham has Double Set - £30 more Canals than Venice!

6 7 THE CITY OF THE CITY OF LOCAL AREAS BIRMINGHAM TRANSPORT AND TRAVELLING BIRMINGHAM AROUND THE CITY

WALKING Pritchatts Park, The Vale Village and Jarratt Hall are all within walking distance of the BUS TRAVEL main Edgbaston campus and even the city Pritchatts Park centre (if you’re feeling adventurous). There is a bus stop at the exit of Pritchatts The University have launched a new Park, opposite the blood transfusion centre. digital campus map to help with navigation From there you can catch buses which travel and wayfinding across our Edgbaston & all around Birmingham. They can take you to Selly Oak campus. To download search ‘UoB the supermarket at Five Ways, the city centre Campus Map’ to your smartphone or tablet. and New Street Station.

The Vale EDGBASTON HARBORNE SELLY OAK CITY CENTRE Your nearest bus stops are on Church Road and Edgbaston Park Road. They provide Pritchatts Park, the Vale Village, Jarratt Hall and University campus are located in Edgbaston. direct links to the city centre and campus, Nearby areas are Selly Oak, where most students live after their first year at University, and with buses running every 15-20 minutes. Harborne, which is mainly populated by young professionals. The city centre is just under 4 Jarratt Hall miles from your accommodation, or 10-15 minutes by taxi, bus or train. For more information There is a bus stop on Bristol Road about transport, please see the next page. immediately outside Aldi supermarket; from TRAIN TRAVEL there you can catch bus number 61, 63 and 98 to the city centre. CHINESE QUARTER We have our own University train station The Chinese Quarter is located in the on campus so travelling by train is easy city’s Southside. It spans Hurst Street, and convenient. University station is only TAXI TRAVEL two stops from Birmingham New Street The Arcadian, Ladywell Walk and Always use a pre-booked and licensed taxi (city centre), and the journey takes around Pershore Street. for safety. It should cost you around £6 to 8 minutes. travel from Pritchatts Park or The Vale to the The Chinese Quarter has a variety Trains to and from the city centre also go city centre and around £7 from Jarratt Hall of supermarkets, restaurants and from Selly Oak, which is only a 5 minute – larger taxis may cost more. social venues. walk from Jarratt Hall.

Download the Network West Birmingham Ask a student Midlands(NWM) app or visit www. University New Street mentor to help travelwm.co.uk to find your nearest you get to know stop, live updates and information for Selly Oak 5 Ways the local area all West Midlands busses, trains and trams. Or, for longer trips you can visit www.nationalrail.co.uk.

8 9 THE CITY OF THE CITY OF THINGS TO SEE AND DO BIRMINGHAM LOCAL SUPERMARKETS BIRMINGHAM

There is something for everyone in For somewhere a little bit more upmarket, AND BANKS Birmingham and you will get a warm head to the Mailbox (located on Commercial welcome in one of the most culturally Street), where you will find a Harvey Nichols, diverse cities in Britain. as well as other high end shops, restaurants There are numerous cash points located SUPERMARKET OPENING TIMES: and bars. on main campus: Weekends & evenings are a great time to Open every day get out and about with your new flatmates/ • At the Guild of Students, there is a (Express) 7am – 11pm friends, giving you the opportunity to get RESTAURANTS AND BARS Santander cash machine in Mermaid to know your vibrant new city and to form Square and you will also find cash 8am-9pm lifelong friendships. In addition to the Mailbox, most of the bars machines in the University Centre and Monday to Saturday are located on Broad Street in the city centre. a Barclays bank. 11am-5pm Sunday Here are a few ideas of things you can do You will also find restaurants and bars in the • On Edgbaston Park road (just a short with your new friends; there is so much on Arcadian (China Town) and Brindley Place, 7am-11pm walk from the Guild) there is a Lloyds TSB. offer and definitely something for everyone! which sits on the Birmingham canal, just off Monday to Saturday Cadbury World Broad Street. • A number of cash points can be found 11am-5pm Sunday www.cadburyworld.co.uk in Selly Oak and along the Harborne Selly Oak High Street. 8am-10pm The National Sealife Centre Selly Oak is a popular student area. There (The Vale Village) Monday to Friday www.visitsealife.com/birmingham are numerous curry houses, pizza places and 10am-8pm Saturday Chinese takeaways dotted along the Bristol Millennium Point (hosting a 3D cinema) LOCAL SUPERMARKETS AND ON SITE/ 11am-6pm Sunday & the Think Tank (Science) Museum Road. There are lots of pubs and bars such as The Soak and The Goose, all catering CAMPUS FOOD OUTLETS www.millenniumpoint.org.uk Vacation: 9am-4pm for student’s budgets and requirements. At the heart of The Vale Village is The Hub Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery Monday to Friday which boasts fantastic facilities for the entire www.bmag.org.uk Harborne Harborne is an upmarket residential area, Vale. There are a variety of different food located about 3 miles from campus. Being outlets located in The Hub as well as the shop SHOPPING close to the medical school it is popular with Costcutter where you can buy your groceries. If you fancy a bit of retail therapy then the medics and young professionals. It has a If you live in Pritchatts Park then in addition Bull Ring is Birmingham’s biggest shopping bustling high street with everything you might to The Vale Village, you are in close proximity destination, with over 160 shops and 30 need, including a number of popular coffee to Harborne high street, only a 20 minute restaurants. For something a bit more unique shops, bars, pubs and chain restaurants. walk away, which has an array of shops, then you can always visit the rag market, including Iceland and a Sainsbury’s Local. which is right next to the Bullring by St Regardless of where you live and particularly Martin’s Church. If you enjoy shopping then for those living in Jarratt Hall, nearby Selly make sure you pay Grand Central a visit too; Oak hosts various pubs, bars and restaurants. this is located around New Street train station There are also supermarkets such as Tesco and the Bullring and hosts a number Express, Aldi and Sainsbury’s along of high end shops, boutiques the Bristol Road. and restaurants.

10 11

GUILD OF STUDENTS – STUDENT LIFE LOOKING AFTER YOUR HEALTH STUDENT LIFE

YOUR STUDENTS UNION In the UK there are lots of different services DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR TREATMENT? you can access for healthcare, such as; If you have paid the ‘Immigration Health Pharmacy If you’re a student at the University of Surcharge’ you will be entitled to free Pharmacists provide prescriptions and Birmingham, then you’re automatically NHS (National Health Service) healthcare. advice on minor health concerns, like a member of the Guild of Students. Additional fees do apply for prescriptions, coughs, colds or pains. dental and optical treatment. The Guild of Students is there to help you develop skills outside of study, have fun, GP (Doctor) Diagnosis of sexually transmitted meet new people, represent you to the General Practitioners (Doctors) work infections and family planning services University and make sure you get the best in practices and offer advice on longer are free to everyone. term illnesses or injuries. from Birmingham! It is also free of charge to call an To find out about Guild support services, Dentist ambulance (999) in a medical emergency. opportunities and events visit Dentists can help if you have problems For more information about your healthcare www.guildofstudents.com or see page 23. Ask a student with your mouth, teeth or gums. Mentor for advice entitlement visit www.ukcisa.org.uk and click health and healthcare. on managing your Walk in Centre’s budget A facility to visit without an MANAGING YOUR MONEY appointment if you need urgent medical attention but it is not an REGISTERING WITH YOUR LOCAL It is important that you understand the hidden costs of university emergency, like sprains, infections and budget for these when you arrive to make sure that you don’t run out of money! DOCTORS SURGERY or minor burns. Below are a few expenditures that you should be aware of to help you budget for It is really important to register with a doctor! the first term. 999/Ambulance It is even more important to register with a Call 999 in a medical emergency and doctor if you receive regular care at home, 1 Course expenditures including trips, 6 Weekly food shopping estimated ask for the ambulance service – when so that your care can continue in the UK. books, equipment and printing costs average £50 per week someone is seriously ill or there is a The University Medical Practice is local for estimated average £18 per week risk to life 7  Socialising (alcohol/nights out/eating most students living in halls of residence. 2 Travel (buses/taxis/trains) out) estimated average £50 per week Visit www.theump.co.uk estimated average £25 per week REGISTERING WITH A DENTIST 8 NUS/TOTUM Card – £12 Click on ‘new patients’ 3  Signing up to societies (£3-£5 You should register with your local Dental 9 Deposit for next year’s on average) and sports clubs Practice and try to have your teeth checked Click on ‘how to register’ house – normally equivalent (£120-£150 on average) by a dentist once a year. Not all dentists Download a Student Registration Form of one month’s rent (if you choose accept NHS patients so you should ask 4 Money for general expenditure - £20 to live in the private sector!) before registering. Dental treatment in the Post your completed form to the practice or drop it in directly 5  Laundry (£2.60 Washing Machine, UK is not provided free of charge, but it £1.40 Dryer) is subsidised if you are an NHS patient. For more information on other local Midlands Smile Centre in Selly Oak is the Doctors and how to register with them,

closest to campus, just opposite the Tesco visit www.nhs.uk/service-search *Prices stated above subject to change. For more money saving tips please visit: garage. To find other local Dental Practice’s guildofstudents.com/support/studentmentors/finance/ visit www.nhs.uk/service-search.

12 13 ACCOMMODATION PERSONAL SAFETY STUDENT LIFE

Selly Oak Villages, Pritchatts Park and The Vale Village are all very safe places to live. However, you should always be aware of the potential for crime and take your personal safety very seriously.

Please read the following advice carefully: Pritchatts Park DON’T call: 0121 414 9022 DO email: pritchattsreception@ • Carry a personal safety alarm. • Walk home alone, especially at night. contacts.bham.ac.uk

• Walk during day light hours • Get in unmarked or private taxis. and travel in groups. • Advertise your valuables. Make sure you Welcome to Pritchatts Park, which is • Book taxis in advance. Taxis should NOT keep laptops and phones hidden when home to a blend of undergraduates and pick you up from the side of the road if you are walking to and from campus. postgraduates from all around the world. you haven’t called for one. • Carry a lot of cash on you or • Keep your flat safe – everyone has an keep it in your bedroom. equal responsibility. You should ensure LOCATION CLEANING • Give people your money or personal details, you lock all of your doors and windows You will be expected to keep your own especially if you have only just met them. Pritchatts Park is located in Edgbaston when leaving for the day and be and is only a 10 minute walk to main campus. bedroom clean and tidy. You will also considerate of who you invite to the flat. • Accept lifts in cars from people you do It is also within walking distance to the suburb be required to undertake your share of not know or attempt to hitch hike - if a car of Harborne, this is where you will find cleaning in the communal areas. Equipment • Be cautious of strangers - although you slows down to ask you if you would like a a wide variety of shops, bars, restaurants, will be provided for this purpose, but you may be eager to make new friends, be lift, step back from the car - you are not cafes and supermarkets. (See Maps on will be expected to provide your own cautious of people you do not know. being rude but keeping yourself safe. page 8). cleaning materials. • Be careful when using electronic devices If you have any questions or concerns or mobile phones in public places. regarding your personal safety, then you can FACILITIES FIRE SAFETY speak to the campus Police Officer. You can There is a Study Zone located in Pritchatts Your safety is our number one priority. It is find them in the Police Room which is located House which can be used by all residents if VERY important that you read and understand in the University centre on campus. you need a quiet space to work. There is also the fire safety notices in your flat. We will be the Snack Shack in Pritchatts House where sending you more information once you you can purchase drinks and snacks. There have settled into your accommodation. is a laundry room in Pritchatts House. Essential fire safety information for your IN A NON-EMERGENCY, DIAL 101 residence, as well as other useful details about your accommodation and the support IN AN EMERGENCY, DIAL 999 to speak to your local police force and available in your village are available in report a crime or concern that doesn’t the Accommodation Pass. This interactive and ask to speak to the Police. require an emergency response. resource is available on the Accommodation Typically this if a crime or Portal – make sure you check it out! something suspicious is occurring now, has just happened or if you are concerned for someone.

14 15 ACCOMMODATION

The Vale Village Jarratt Hall (Selly Oak Village)

call: 0121 415 8520 call: 0121 415 1011 email: [email protected] email: [email protected]

Welcome to The Vale, which is home to a free cash point located in the Vale Hub Welcome to the Selly Oak Village, which FACILITIES blend of undergraduates and postgraduates foyer area (Shackleton). is home to a blend of undergraduates and from all around the world. postgraduates from all around the world. Jarratt Hall has its own social room with a There is a launderette in Shackleton and TV (speak to a member of site staff about The Vale has its own social space called The Tennis Courts. There is also a launderette for Selly Oak Village consists of Jarratt Hall booking this room) and a launderette that Hub. The Hub is located in the heart of The Maple Bank and Elgar Court which is located and Bournbrook. Both of these residences is open 24 hours a day. Vale Village and is situated below Shackleton. opposite Maple Bank Block 1. are situated just south of the main campus, It provides recreational facilities including close to the University and the large student CLEANING bars, restaurants, a convenience store, The CLEANING community of Selly Oak. You will be expected to keep your Vale 24 hour reception and a mobile app You will be expected to keep your own bedroom clean and tidy. You will operated launderette. The Hub is available LOCATION also be required to undertake your share to all students who want a meal, sandwich, own bedroom clean and tidy. You will also be required to undertake your share of Selly Oak Village is located in the Selly Oak of cleaning in the communal areas. Equipment coffee or relaxing drink. Chamberlain, our will be provided for this purpose but you newest accommodation, also has a small cleaning in the communal areas. Equipment area and is only a 10 minute walk to main will be provided for this purpose but you campus. The Selly Oak area offers a wide will be expected to provide your own restaurant which is available for all students. cleaning materials. will be expected to provide your own variety of shops, bars, restaurants, cafes cleaning materials. and supermarkets. (See maps in the ‘Local LOCATION Areas’ section on page 8). It has excellent FIRE SAFETY The Vale is located in Edgbaston and is only FIRE SAFETY links to the city centre. Your safety is our number one priority. It is a 20 minute walk to main campus. It is also Your safety is our number one priority. It is VERY important that you read and understand within walking distance to the city centre and the fire safety notices in your flat. We will be Broad Street, this is where you will find a wide VERY important that you read and understand the fire safety notices in your flat. We will be sending you more information once you have variety of shops, bars, restaurants, cafes and settled into your accommodation. supermarkets. (See Maps on page 8). sending you more information once you have settled into your accommodation. Essential fire safety information for your FACILITIES Essential fire safety information for your residence, as well as other useful details The Duck & Scholar is the main bar at residence, as well as other useful details about your accommodation and the support The Vale. It hosts a number of events and is about your accommodation and the support available in your village are available in equipped with pool tables and a television. available in your village are available in the Accommodation Pass. This interactive There is also The Melt (panini bar), Pizza the Accommodation Pass. This interactive resource is available on the Accommodation Shack, InFusion (dining area) and The Hungry resource is available on the Accommodation Portal – make sure you check it out! Duck (in The Duck & Scholar). There is a Portal – make sure you check it out! 16 17 ACCOMMODATION ACCOMMODATION CONTACTING US COLLECTING

Your Student Mentors will be visiting you Village support and Customer YOUR POST regularly and will be your main source Service Managers of support throughout your time here. Post will be delivered to your RECYCLING We will do our best to ensure you have accommodation. If you are unavailable a great experience in our accommodation To contact your Student Mentors, including to accept your parcels, you will have to During your time at University you will and we are here to support you all booking a meeting with them then please contact your courier to arrange to pick it be responsible for cleaning your flat and throughout your stay. Your village reception up yourself from another location, or to taking out your rubbish. It is important email: [email protected] is your first point of contact if you have arrange an alternative delivery date. that you correctly separate rubbish from or call: 0121 415 8967 any issues or concerns and they can assist recycling. Please put recycled items into you with a wide range of matters. Such as, Don’t forget to follow the Student There is also a service called Doddle, the GREEN rubbish bins provided by maintenance issues, flatmate issues or just Mentors on Instagram and ‘like’ their where you can arrange to collect your post/ your accommodation. general information. For further support, parcels from the University Centre. Handy Facebook page too! These materials are currently recycled you can also contact your Customer when you’re in classes all day. Take a look in the UK: Service Managers: at www.doddle.com for more information. • Rigid Plastics/Bottles @StudentMentors ANDY LEE Any plastic bottles or containers found in your kitchen. Located at Jarratt Hall studentmentorscheme Email: [email protected] LAUNDRY • Paper and Cardboard Cereal/snack cardboard boxes. Launderettes are available in each village. LILY BADGER • Metals To use the launderettes you will need to Located at Pritchatts Park download the ‘Circuit Laundry’ mobile app Tin, aluminium, and steel cans. Email: [email protected] (available on iOS and Android). • Glass ASHLEY CLARKE All of the villages have their own washing Food containers or jars. and drying facilities. They run 24 hours 7 • Polystyrene Foam Cups or Containers Located at Elgar court, days a week and are provided by Circuit Maple Bank and Shackleton. laundry. This is a chargeable service costing It is important for the environment that we Email: [email protected] approximately £2.80 per wash and £1.60 per continue to recycle these products. In 2010 tumble dry. Please note, you must bring your we became a zero waste to landfill university. VANESSA NEAL own detergent. We take great pride in reducing, reusing and Located at Aitkin and Chamberlain You can operate the machines using Circuit's recycling wherever possible. Email: [email protected] mobile app for iOS and Android - you'll just need either a credit/debit card or a paypal FIONA INNES account in order to top up your balance. Located at Mason Hall You can also use the ‘UoB Accommodation Email: [email protected] App’ to check if a machine is available or if your laundry has finished. Go to the App BRENDAN CREABY store or Google Play and search ‘UoB’ Tennis Courts Accommodation’ to download.” Email: [email protected]

18 19 ACCOMMODATION ACCOMMODATION SHARED LIVING: WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE LEARNING TO Ask a Student Mentor for tips EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS Ask a Student Mentor to set up LIVE TOGETHER a flat mediation IN YOUR FLAT for you As a tenant living in University accommodation • LIFESTYLE DIFFERENCES you now have responsibilities that may not Some like to party into the night, others have mattered before. Such as, cleaning, prefer relaxing at home and an early night. MEDIATION who puts out the bin bags and recycling for Discuss this when you move in and think collection, and what is or isn’t acceptable in about ways that you can socialise together Mediation is a safe place for everyone to express their concerns regards to noise. so that everyone feels included. and address any issues they have before they escalate. For all the excitement of living together, there A Student Mentor or accommodation staff can set up a flat mediation for you. will inevitably be a few problems along the • CLEANING way. Use these tips to prevent some of these It’s important to discuss cleaning and Typically, you and your flatmates will meet as a group to discuss the issues that problems occurring. cleaning standards with your flatmates. are concerning you. A Student Mentor or a member of accommodation staff You are responsible for the cleanliness in will be there to help the discussion move forward and look at ways of resolving your flat. Make sure you take a fair share in the issues. • ONCE YOU HAVE MOVED IN TRY cleaning the communal areas and looking Don’t worry! Mediation meetings are designed to help to ease the problems after your own rooms. AND HAVE A FLAT MEETING in your flat, not create them! Therefore please don’t hesitate to get help. WITH YOUR NEW FLAT MATES Get together in the communal area to • HAVING FRIENDS OVER TO STAY discuss how you think this area should/ Is this acceptable within the group? PLEASE REMEMBER shouldn’t be used and what is or isn’t How long is too long? If you are experiencing any issues whilst living in your accommodation and acceptable behaviour. • KITCHEN AND EQUIPMENT you feel you would like someone to talk to, we strongly encourage you to • TALK ABOUT SECURITY Make sure that the kitchen space and speak to a Student Mentor, a member of accommodation staff at your site Everyone has an equal responsibility to storage, both in the cupboards and the (visit your site reception for help) or contact your dedicated Customer Service keep the flat safe, ensuring you lock all fridge/freezer is allocated fairly and that Manager, who will endeavor to provide you with all the support you need of your doors when leaving for the day food is labelled to avoid confusion. during your stay. or if you head out in the evening. • BASIC ITEMS For contact details, please see the back page of this booklet. • STUDY HABITS AND TIMES Think about whether or not you will be Be considerate of each other’s space sharing any basic items such as milk, tea, and need for privacy at certain times. coffee, toilet roll etc. If so, then who is responsible for replacing • SLEEPING HABITS them, will you be taking it in Do some of your housemates like to get turns to replenish the stock? eight hours of sleep and wake up at 6am? Are there others who stay up late and sleep until lunchtime? Preferences vary, be considerate of others if they are trying to rest or need some quiet time.

20 21 IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT SERVICES SERVICES IMPORTANT SERVICES SERVICES

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS • Applying for Entry Clearance as a ACCOMMODATION SERVICES THE GUILD OF STUDENTS General Visitor for friends/relatives to ADVISORY SERVICE (ISAS) visit or attend graduation ceremonies or Student life at the University of Birmingham The Guild is a popular place to go any time The International Students Advisory Service visit you during your studies. ISAS provide is so much more than your bedroom. Not of the week. There is a Spar convenience (ISAS) provides support for all international a range of different services and will help only are you far away from home, but for store, a Subway and a Costa as well as students at the University of Birmingham. you with everything from Visas to working most of you, student accommodation will other services such as STA Travel and Their advisers offer free advice and guidance in the UK and social activities. be your first time living independently. The Santander Bank. university strive to offer you a welcoming before and during your studies. The Guild also provides a number of environment so that your new room instantly services for students, including: Coming to study in another country is a huge BIRMINGHAM feels like home. decision and you may find that being part • Guild Advice offers free, impartial and INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY (BIA) For queries about your accommodation of another culture is very exciting, whilst at confidential advice, they specialise please contact Living. They can support you the same time missing the things that feel The Birmingham International Academy in five main areas; academic, finance, in finding your new home. familiar to you. (BIA) runs the Pre-sessional Programmes immigration, housing and employment. for international students. These are The Student Mentors, alongside other intensive, motivating and challenging • The Community Wardens aim to make support services at the University will help Living Accommodation Services Academic English courses. They focus on the the local area safer, cleaner and greener you adjust to your new life. However, ISAS Ground Floor, University Centre language, concepts and study skills necessary for all residents in Selly Oak. are the experts on international matters. (R23 on Campus Map) for academic success in your degree courses. University Of Birmingham • Jobs, Skills & Volunteering offer job skills ISAS CAN HELP YOU WITH During term time, the BIA provides in Call: 0121 414 8000 workshops and help you to find part-time sessional English language support to Contact: [email protected] work and volunteering opportunities. • Applying for Entry Clearance as a undergraduate and postgraduate students • Student Voice represents students and Student Visitor, Tier 4 Student or studying on their main programmes at the helps them to voice issues that affect them. Student Dependant. university, such as guidance on essay writing, STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES • The Student Groups department provides time management and exam techniques. • Applying for and submitting applications AT THE UNIVERSITY support to student groups and societies as for extension of Leave to Remain as a If you are currently receiving specialist well as the Hall Reps Scheme. Student or Student Dependant. CONTACT ISAS support at home, or if once you arrive you For more information about the Guild as.bham.ac.uk/studentlife/international • Applying to switch your visa from your feel that you would like some support, then please go to guildofstudents.com (0121) 414 8464 previous sponsor to the University of rest assured that the University provides a www.studenthelp.bham.ac.uk Birmingham sponsorship. wide range of support for its students.

• Immigration implications of taking a leave CONTACT BIA Student Support has a professional team of Counsellors, Wellbeing, Disability and Mental of absence from your studies or changing birmingham.ac.uk/international/bia Health Advisors that can offer support and course or mode of study. (0121) 414 6209 advice in specialist areas. [email protected] • Changing your immigration status. Call: 0121 414 5130 • Working during your studies and schemes Visit: Aston Webb Building, for work after study. Edgbaston Campus Online: intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/student support.aspx (info. & opening times) The Birmingham International Academy (BIA) provides English language support and is located in the Priorsfield building on Edgbaston Park Road. 22 23 OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS

Student Mentor Scheme BIA Tel: 0121 415 8967 Tel: 0121 414 6209 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Online: www.guildofstudents.com/ studentmentors UK Council for International Student Affairs Tel: 020 7788 9214 Pritchatts Park reception Online: www.ukcisa.org.uk Tel: 0121 414 9022 Email: pritchattsreception@contacts. NHS Direct – medical non-emergencies bham.ac.uk and healthcare advice Tel: 111 The Vale reception Online: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk Tel: 0121 415 8520 Email: [email protected] Ask4 (Internet provider) Tel: 0114 303 3232 Selly Oak Village reception Email: [email protected] Tel: 0121 415 1011 Email: sellyoakreception@contacts. Finance (resident fees) bham.ac.uk Tel: 0121 414 6074 Email: [email protected] Security (non-emergency) Tel: 0121 414 3000

Police/Ambulance/Fire If you have an emergency then please call 999 for immediate assistance

A final message from us… We hope this guide has helped you to start getting to know your new home! There will be a lot to learn and familiarise yourself with when you arrive at university but if at any point you feel overwhelmed or have any questions about your time here, just ask a Student Mentor. There is no problem too big, no problem too small. We are here to help.

Have a great summer!

Love from, The Student Mentors x