Student handbook Class of 2013 If you need part or all of this publication in an alternative format, such as in Braille, in larger print or on tape, please contact: Academic Registry Senate House, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TH Tel: (0117) 33 14223 Email: [email protected] Internal telephone system All parts of the University are linked by an internal telephone system, and calls made on the internal system are free. All internal numbers have five digits (the final five digits of the relevant seven-digit external number). For example, the internal number for 9281234 would be 81234. In this handbook telephone numbers are expressed in the form 92 81234, to make clear the distinction between external and internal numbers. Emergencies If you need to call the emergency services (Fire, Police, Ambulance) while on University premises, please alert Security Services, as security staff are likely to have resources nearby and can ensure a coordinated response to an incident. In some circumstances you may be asked to call the emergency services direct on 999. The University’s security control room operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Tel: (0117) 331 1223 or internal 112233 Feedback If you have any comments on this publication or suggestions for topics for inclusion in future editions, please email: [email protected]. Welcome from the Vice-Chancellor Dear Student After all the studying, examinations and hard work, here you are at one of the UK’s most prestigious institutions, described by The Sunday Times as ‘an academic powerhouse’ with ‘a worldwide reputation for excellence’. A warm welcome to you. Places at Bristol are among the most sought after in the UK. The reasons are clear: its globally renowned high academic standards, its leading- edge research and its location in one of the most beautiful and exciting cities in Europe. But then you probably knew that already. What you may not know is that there is extensive support available to you while you are at Bristol. This book gives you the details, plus a lot of additional information that will come in handy. Your time at Bristol will be highly intellectually stimulating, exciting and memorable. This is your chance to challenge and stretch yourself, to meet people from a wide variety of backgrounds, countries and cultures and to build the foundations for your future successes. My colleagues and I are very pleased that you are here with us. We hope that being part of the University of Bristol community is something you will always cherish. Professor Sir Eric Thomas Welcome / Student handbook 01 Student handbook Introduction Purpose of this handbook Students’ views The University is keen to ensure that the student You will receive several other handbooks at the experience is a positive one, and seeks feedback start of your studies, produced by your faculty from students in a variety of ways: and your school, setting out all the essential • feedback forms for individual teaching units information regarding your programme of study • occasional surveys on specific topics and the academic requirements. The purpose of • system of ‘course reps’ in each school this handbook is to provide information about all • staff/student liaison committees the other aspects of University life – the sources • student representation on major University of help and support available to you, the sporting committees. and social opportunities, the catering and leisure facilities and the key regulations applicable to Making your views known can help to bring all students. about improvements, both for you and for future students. Further information about the We hope you will refer to it regularly, throughout student rep scheme and how to become a rep your time at Bristol, so that you can take full is available at ubu.org.uk. advantage of all that the University has to offer. More detailed information on all the topics What to do if something goes wrong covered can be found on the University’s website, Although the University does its best to maintain which is updated as changes occur. You should high standards, problems do sometimes occur. therefore regard the website as the best source If you feel something has gone wrong, please do of up-to-date information on most topics. not suffer in silence – raise your concerns with somebody straight away. The Student Complaints Rights and responsibilities Procedure (see page 62) gives a list of people you can approach initially to try to resolve the Please read the small print! problem informally and also sets out the more Being a student at the University brings with formal procedures available to you. There are it both rights and responsibilities. The formal trained mediators who can assist in certain relationship between you and the University is circumstances. Guidance for those who feel that set out in the Student Agreement which you they have experienced bullying or harassment signed up to at registration (see also page 58). is available at This included an undertaking to abide by all the bristol.ac.uk/ . University’s rules and regulations. The key rules equalityanddiversity/acceptablebehaviour and regulations are set out in Section 7. Data Protection The University keeps paper and electronic Equality and diversity records of all its students. The University is the The University of Bristol is committed to creating data controller of such student personal data and sustaining a positive and mutually supportive and handles this personal data in accordance environment, where all students are equally with the Data Protection Act 1998. It is a valued and respected, and encouraged to thrive condition of acceptance of a place at the academically. The University values the diversity University that students agree that the University of the student body and the huge range of may handle their personal data in accordance experience and perspective that students bring with the Student Rules and Regulations to the institution. The appreciation of diversity accessible at and the equitable treatment of all are among bristol.ac.uk/secretary/ . Please see the University’s core values and underpin the studentrulesregs/dpact.html success of the University as a community bristol.ac.uk/secretary/dataprotection/ for further information about of scholars. For further information see individ/students.html how the University uses student personal data. bristol.ac.uk/equalityanddiversity. 02 Student handbook / Introduction Brief facts about the University Key dates for 2013/14 The University of Bristol’s roots date back to Academic year 1876. Since its formation it has become one of Monday 23 September 2013- the leading institutions among the UK’s Russell Friday 13 June 2014 Group of universities and operates globally, Teaching blocks where it is recognised for its research and On most taught programmes teaching is academic excellence. delivered in two 12-week teaching blocks, There are over 13,000 undergraduate and over each followed by an assessment and marking 5,000 postgraduate students. The University period. Students on taught programmes are has over 5,000 academic and support staff. expected to be in attendance throughout these teaching and assessment periods. Management Teaching Block 1 (TB1) The University is led by the Vice-Chancellor, Monday 30 September 2013- Professor Sir Eric Thomas, who is the academic Friday 20 December 2013 leader and chief executive. He is supported by Assessment period: 13-24 January 2014 a team that includes the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, three Pro-Vice-Chancellors and the Registrar and Teaching Block 2 (TB2) Chief Operating Officer, who is the head of the Monday 27 January 2014- University’s professional services. The Chancellor, Friday 9 May 2014 the Rt Hon the Baroness Hale of Richmond, is Revision week: 12-16 May 2014 the ceremonial head of the University. She chairs Assessment period: 19 May-6 June 2014 meetings of the University Court and attends Vacations some degree congregations to confer degrees. Christmas vacation Monday 23 December 2013- Academic structure Friday 10 January 2014 The University has six faculties covering different broad subject areas, each led by a Easter vacation Dean: Arts, Engineering, Medical and Veterinary Monday 7 April 2014- Sciences, Medicine and Dentistry, Science, Friday 25 April 2014 and Social Sciences and Law. Each faculty Summer vacation comprises a number of schools (see page Monday 16 June 2014- 94), which are responsible for organising and Friday 19 September 2014 delivering teaching and research activity. Some schools are subdivided into departments. Each Degree ceremonies school is managed by an academic Head of Spring: 28-31 January 2014 School. Although students may study in more Summer: 11-18 July 2014 than one school, each student belongs to one For future dates please refer to faculty only, for administrative purposes. Each the University’s Almanac at faculty has a faculty office which handles all the bristol.ac.uk/academicregistry/ administration for that faculty. Some faculties office/almanac/almanac2013-14.html. have separate Graduate Schools. Mission The University’s aim is to address the world’s key challenges through leading-edge research and the education of tomorrow’s leaders. The University provides a high quality learning environment for its students, with curricula that are informed by the latest research and delivered by academic staff who are at the forefront of their discipline. Introduction / Student handbook 03 17 Library services for international Contents