For general undergraduate enquiries, please contact: Welcome to Nottingham The Enquiry Centre A guide for new undergraduates 2012-13 t: +44 (0)115 951 5559 f: +44 (0)115 846 8062 e: [email protected] www.nottingham.ac.uk/newstarters w: www.nottingham.ac.uk/newstarters Welcome to Nottingham Welcome to Nottingham www.nottingham.ac.uk/newstarters www.nottingham.ac.uk/newstarters Hello and welcome Hello and a very happy summer to you! In just over a month, you’ll be starting at Nottingham and joining the generation of 2012. You’ll be doing what over 250,000 current and former Nottingham students have already done – starting a journey that can take you across the world, before, during and after your degree. Slightly scary but also exciting? Don’t worry, that’s how it seemed to most of our graduates too. But first things first: this guide will explain what to do before you come to University, and what A word from our Vice-Chancellor, Professor to expect when you arrive. (These are both good David Greenaway… reasons not to forget it when you pack!) I am delighted you have chosen to join our Please don’t panic if the guide seems a bit long. community and we look forward to welcoming The first section is dedicated to things to do you to the University in person during arrivals before you arrive and the second to your first weekend. During your first week you will learn week. The other two sections explain more about of the vast array of opportunities available as student life and will serve as a useful reference part of your formal programme of study and throughout the year. those created through your social or sporting life. Your time at Nottingham will enable you to Welcome to Nottingham is a great starting point experience many new things, so make sure you but once you arrive, you’ll find there are plenty take full advantage of the opportunities of people to answer anything it doesn’t cover. on offer. Enjoy the time you have left before coming to Nottingham and here’s to you, the generation There will be many changes and challenges of 2012. for you, and this handbook along with our extensive support and welfare network will help you through that period of change. In the meantime, I wish you a successful and enjoyable year ahead. The Portland Building is a popular meeting place. 1 2 Welcome to Nottingham Welcome to Nottingham www.nottingham.ac.uk/newstarters www.nottingham.ac.uk/newstarters Contents Section 1: Section 2: Section 3: Section 4: Before you arrive 5 Now you’re here 15 Life at Nottingham 27 The essentials 59 Things to do before you arrive 7 Your first day 17 Life in halls 29 Term dates and contacts 61 Extra information for international students 11 Things to do in your first week 19 Your Students’ Union 31 Getting around 65 What to pack 12 Your University card 23 Keeping fit 33 Map of Jubilee Campus 68 Checklist 13 Introducing Week One 24 City life 35 Map of University Park Campus 69 Academic essentials 39 Map of Sutton Bonington Campus 71 Libraries and IT facilities 41 University Health Service medical forms 74 Fees and finance 45 Support services 47 Index 78 Career support 52 Study abroad 53 Front cover image: Undergraduates in the newly refurbished Protecting our environment 55 Portland Food Court on University Park Campus. Our alumni 57 Comparing notes in the Portland Atrium, on University Park. 3 4 Welcome to Nottingham Welcome to Nottingham www.nottingham.ac.uk/newstarters www.nottingham.ac.uk/newstarters Section 1: Before you arrive Your exams results are in, your place at Nottingham is safe Section 1: Before you arrive and hopefully you’re enjoying the long summer holiday. Your next step is to get ready to come to University. There are some things you’ll need to sort out before you arrive at Nottingham and these are listed in this section. Relaxing by the lake on University Park. 5 6 Welcome to Nottingham Welcome to Nottingham www.nottingham.ac.uk/newstarters www.nottingham.ac.uk/newstarters Things to do before you arrive 1. Register Completing your registration 3. Confirm your accommodation 5. Check your vaccinations Before you begin your studies you must register For full-time students, the second part of If you haven’t already accepted your offer We strongly recommend that you’re up-to-date Section 1: Before you arrive with the University. You will be asked to confirm registration takes place once you have arrived at in University catered accommodation, visit with your vaccinations. Some illnesses that spread personal and course information and agree to the University and requires you to confirm your the Applicants’ Portal and click on the ‘Next quickly among large groups of people can easily pay your fees and observe University regulations attendance in person (see page 19). In some steps’ tab. If your offer is within self-catered be prevented by vaccinations given routinely to while studying here. Registering is very important. cases, there are alternative arrangements for accommodation, follow the instructions as shown children and young adults. The best thing to do is Without it, you won’t have full access to IT confirming your attendance. Information is also in your offer pack. to check with your family doctor that you are up- systems, your student loans may not be paid on available at www.nottingham.ac.uk/registration to-date with the following vaccinations: time and a late registration fee may be charged. You will also need to make arrangements to pay • two doses of the MMR vaccine The portal your first term of fees and your communal damage • meningitis C vaccine All students must register online. This can be As well as the latest news, the portal provides deposit.* If you have any queries, contact the • school-leaving booster course done up to three weeks before your course starts. access to your University email account and Accommodation Office. • HPV vaccine (females only) New full-time students have to complete their a range of personalised tools and information, t: +44 (0)115 951 3697 registration in person on arrival at Nottingham. including course materials, online library facilities, 6. Get your computer ready financial information and support services. * If you are an international student, you should not pay for your accommodation until you have received your visa. If you have your own computer you will be able To register online to access networked services by connecting to • Visit portal.nottingham.ac.uk You can access the portal using the username and 4. Open a student bank account the Student Network Service (SNS) in your room, • Log in to the Applicants’ Portal with your password you received via email when you first either through a wired network point or wirelessly We recommend you open a student current applicant username (your UCAS personal ID applied to the University. if your device supports this.* number) and password (your date of birth in the w: portal.nottingham.ac.uk account with a UK bank. Most banks will accept applications from students with a UCAS offer format 01Jan99) Before doing this, you will need to: letter, so you can save yourself lots of queuing by • Click on the ‘Next steps’ tab and follow the on- 2. Upload a photo for your opening your account before you leave home. screen instructions to confirm or amend your University card • Check you have your University username and details password (see page 7, under To register online) You must upload a photograph (640mm x 480mm) If you are an international student, you will • Check your computer has a fully licensed • You will be given instructions to activate your via the Applicants’ Portal at least one week before open your account when you arrive in the UK. operating system, such as: University username and password you arrive at Nottingham so that your University International transfers can take a few days so it’s - Windows 7 card is ready to pick up when you arrive. wise to have some money to get by until then. This will give you access to all the University’s - Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack 2 or greater information services such as your University Please make sure you do this! Usually you can only have one student account, - Microsoft XP Home/Pro+ Service Pack 3 email, networked computers and the full Student so research interest rates and the freebies they Without your card, you won’t be able to sign up or greater Portal. All these services use the same University offer before you choose. The Money Saving Expert to clubs and societies, enter several campus - Apple Mac OSX 10.5.8 (Leopard) or 10.6.8 password. For more information, go to website is a good source of impartial advice, buildings, use your card as a bus pass or prove (Snow Leopard) or 10.7.4 (Lion) www.nottingham.ac.uk/registration including best offers for student bank accounts: you’re a student on nights out. For more uses of - GNU/Linux (eg Ubuntu 8.04, Fedora 10.0, www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/ your card, please see page 23. Suse 11.0) Please note: if you are a study abroad student, student-bank-account you will not need to access the portal or upload • Run a Windows update on a Windows operating a photo. system or a software update on a Mac and Good to know… install any important updates There are branches of NatWest bank on University Park and Jubilee Campuses plus a branch of Santander on University Park.