International and EU First-Year 'Survival' Guide Study 2015/16 www.hull.ac.uk/international First Year Survival Guide – International Contents Welcome 2 Shopping 19 Arrival checklist 2 Sport and fitness 20 To do in the first two weeks 4 Useful external websites 21 Studying at the University of Hull 8 Adjusting to living in the UK 22 Essential and useful information 10 Departmental contacts 24 Shopping for food 14 Support if you need it 26 Getting around 16 Maps 28 Social life 18 Emergency numbers 31 www.hull.ac.uk | 1 First Year Survival Guide – International International Student Guide Welcome We are delighted that you have decided to study at the University of Hull. You are joining a friendly and supportive learning community of approximately 17,000 UK students and 2,000 international students from 100 different countries. We will support you throughout your time with us. Your This guide contains essential information that will help first contact will be with the International Office, which you during your first few weeks with us, as you adjust to will help you during the arrival period and signpost you life in Hull. to the relevant student services for help with specific queries. Enjoy your time here and your studies at the University! Arrival checklist Follow this process to organise your first two weeks in Hull. ü 1 Let your family know that you have arrived safely 2 Move into your accommodation 3 Attend the formal Welcome programme 4 Passport and visa check 5 Police registration (if applicable) 6 Open a bank account 7 Register with the University 8 Register with a doctor 9 Go on a campus and city tour 10 Attend Erasmus/Exchange and Study Abroad briefing session (if applicable) 11 Attend pre-sessional English registration (if applicable) 12 Join Go Connect and the International Students Association 13 Make friends at various social events Founded 14 Attend Welcome Week Fairs or Re-Freshers' Fair (January and September only) 15 Start of term 1927 2 | www.hull.ac.uk www.hull.ac.uk | 3 First Year Survival Guide – International First Year Survival Guide – International To do in the first two weeks Welcome programme Banks and cash machines The Welcome programme contains a schedule of There are three cash machines on campus at activities such as induction and registration (which University House (the students’ union building). Two you must do), as well as information about the many are outside the building, and you will find the other social activities that you can take part in. inside on the first floor. Accommodation Branches of Natwest and Barclays can be found close If you have arranged a place in University-managed to campus on Cottingham Road (with HSBC nearby accommodation, we will arrange for you to collect on Beverley Road), as well as in the city centre. your keys and move in. While some banks open on Saturday mornings, most are closed at weekends and all are closed on Bank If you have arrived at the University without any Holidays. Please see the map on page 29. prearranged accommodation or before your accommodation is available, the University has Get Connected limited vacation residences and emergency After you have registered with the University you can accommodation available for students. Enquiries log in to the wireless network with your user ID and and bookings should be made by calling password. Until then you can access the wireless 01482 466042. If you are looking for private network as a guest. accommodation, a good place to start is www.huuhomes.com. Guest WiFi – How to connect 1. Select UOH-Guest from the list of wireless Visa and passport check networks on your laptop or mobile device During the Welcome programme, you will be 2. Open your browser, and you will be redirected required to attend a visa check where your passport to a login page will be scanned. 3. Enter your email address and mobile number 4. Tick the boxes to accept the terms and Open a bank account conditions then press 'Get Online' During your first two weeks, you will have the 5. After a few moments you will see the word opportunity to open a bank account. It is a good idea ‘success’. You are now connected! to visit the different banks and choose one that you 6. Close and re-open your browser to go online. would like to use. If you are arriving in September, you will have the opportunity to meet different bank Please use the details below if you need any help or representatives on campus. advice on using the UOH-Guest network. It is sometimes difficult for students who are Phone: 0300 103 0043 studying for up to six months to open an account; Email: [email protected] however, some banks allow students to open basic Tweet: @KeySurfSupport or savings accounts. To open a bank account, you will need to show the bank • your passport • your letter of offer to study at the University • an introductory letter from the International Office – just tell us your chosen bank and we will provide your letter 4 | www.hull.ac.uk www.hull.ac.uk | 5 First Year Survival Guide – International First Year Survival Guide – International Police registration Registering with the University If you are required to register with the police, this You will be contacted by email with instructions on should be stated on your visa. You will be expected what you must do before you can register with the to register with the local police within seven days of University. your arrival in the UK (between June and October). You will be asked to pre-register, which enables us If you have any questions about immigration or to collect key information from you and allows you to police registration, please visit the Information upload a photo for your student card. Point on the third floor of University House. Alternatively, you can contact the Immigration Team You will need to bring some ID and a copy of at [email protected] or by telephone on 01482 the registration email with you to complete the 462020. registration in person at the time and location specified. Registering with a doctor You should register with a doctor as soon as Dates of registration events* possible. Do not wait until you are ill before you Full time: 28 September to 2 October register. To find a doctor near where you live, This will take place in Staff House – the exact time visit www.nhs.uk and enter your postcode in the for your department will be confirmed in your email. ‘Services near you’ section, selecting the ‘GPs’ button. You can also look for dentists and hospitals If you unable to attend your registration time slot, using this method. late registration events will be taking place. We will let you know where and when these will be Attend Welcome Week Fairs happening. Please be aware that there is a time limit The Welcome Week Fairs are held during the week to register. before the start of term in September – they are a great way to see how the students’ union can help For any queries about visas, please contact you make the most of your student experience. [email protected] or +44 (0)1482 462020. Online enquiries can be made at There are lots of activities that you can get involved www.hull.ac.uk/immigrationquery. in during the day time, with parties and other social gatherings in the evening. The Welcome Week *Please note that the above registration information Events Guide has more information on the clubs and may not be applicable to all departments. societies you can join, as well as the careers service and student welfare. You can collect yours at the International Office or from University House. 6 | www.hull.ac.uk www.hull.ac.uk | 7 First Year Survival Guide – International First Year Survival Guide – International Studying at the University of Hull Approaches to teaching and learning Study skills and support For more information or to register with the Brynmor Jones Library Academic departments at Hull use a variety of The Skills Team offers free resources and guidance awards, visit www.hullawards.hull.ac.uk or email The Brynmor Jones Library is at the heart of the teaching and learning methods – including formal for all students. This includes a programme of [email protected]. campus. Following a £28-million redevelopment, it lectures, seminars, tutorials and group activities – to interactive workshops throughout the year, as well offers more than a million printed items and 40,000 meet programme and module learning outcomes. as one-to-one support via email and Skype, by eBridge digital resources, as well as high-speed WiFi for your telephone or in person. The study skills website eBridge is the University’s Virtual Learning mobile device. You can also access more than 350 Some methods allow more student involvement links to all of the team’s services, provides useful Environment (VLE). Here you will find information on PCs, printers and self-service facilities using RFID than others; you will find detailed guidance in each study advice and allows you to book appointments your modules, including handbooks, presentations, technology. When it’s time for a break, you can enjoy departmental handbook. and register for the workshops you would like to take past exam papers and lecture notes, as well as the popular café and exhibition space. part in: www.hull.ac.uk/skills. social tools including forums and private messaging. iHull timetable Module leaders will constantly update the Computing facilities and services From 21 September you will be able to access Language Learning Centre information on eBridge.