Exchange Student Handbook 2021/22 - Pre-departure and arrival information for incoming Semester 2 exchange students - Loughborough ...
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www.lboro.ac.uk Exchange Student Handbook 2021/22 Pre-departure and arrival information for incoming Semester 2 exchange students
Table of Contents WELCOME TO LOUGHBOROUGH! 3 PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION 1. Calendar for the Academic Year 2020/21 4 2. Entry and Visa Information 4 3. Travel and Medical Insurance 5 4. Accommodation 5 5. English Language 6 ARRIVAL IN THE UK 6. Immigration and Customs 7 7. Travelling to Loughborough 7 8. Documentation on Arrival at Loughborough 8 9. Induction 9 THE UNIVERSITY 10. Studying at Loughborough 9 11. Support Services 10 12. Loughborough Students’ Union 11 13. Sport and Recreational Facilities 12 USEFUL INFORMATION 14. Living in the UK 12 15. Contact Details 13 Exchange Student Handbook 2021/22 – Semester 2 students 2
Welcome to Loughborough! We are delighted that you have chosen Loughborough for your study exchange. We strongly believe in the benefits of international education and hope that your experience at Loughborough is both enjoyable and rewarding. Loughborough is one of the leading universities in the United Kingdom (UK), with an international reputation for excellence in research, teaching, enterprise and sport. In 2017, Loughborough achieved a five star plus rating in the QS Stars scheme, putting it among the best in the world. In 2020, for the fourth year running, it was awarded the title of Best University in the World for Sports-Related Subjects in the QS World University Ranking by Subject and, in the same year, it was named University of the Year at the Whatuni? Student Choice Awards. The University has the largest single-site green campus in the country, covering more than 438 acres and providing a home to academic buildings, student accommodation and outstanding sporting facilities. During your time at Loughborough, we would encourage you to take full advantage of the many opportunities available. The Loughborough Students’ Union (LSU) has more than 80 clubs and societies for different hobbies and interests, nationalities and faith groups. You can also get involved in a wide range of other activities organised by groups, such as Rag (the biggest student fundraising organisation in the country) and Action (the volunteering section of the LSU). The town of Loughborough is located at the heart of England in the county of Leicestershire. Main line road and rail networks link Loughborough directly with the rest of the country and the town itself is served by excellent bus services. London is one- and-a-half hours away by train, Birmingham one hour, and Manchester and Leeds around two hours. There are regular scheduled flights from UK, European and international destinations to East Midlands Airport, which is approximately seven miles away. Studying abroad can be one of the most rewarding elements of a degree programme, and we sincerely hope that you have a fulfilling exchange here at Loughborough. On behalf of the staff and students of the University, we would like to offer you a very warm welcome. The Exchanges Team Exchange Student Handbook 2021/22 – Semester 2 students 3
PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION
Calendar for the Academic Year 2020/21
The academic year runs from the start of session in August to the end of session in the following July.
It is made up of three terms (Autumn, Spring and Summer) or two semesters (from October to
February and February to June). Exchange students normally attend for either Semester One or
Semester Two, but some spend a full year at Loughborough University.
Semester One: 4 October 2021 - 4 February 2022
Semester Two: 7 February 2022 - 22 June 2022
Semester One examinations take place in January/February, and Semester Two examinations take
place in May/June. Examination dates and times are dependent on the School/Department in which
you are registered. See www.lboro.ac.uk/students/handbook/exams/university-exams/ for further
information.
Entry and Visa Information
the UK for less than six months can apply for
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals immigration permission as a Visitor. Visa
nationals should apply for permission before
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals, who have travel, non-visa nationals can apply for visitor
already established a right of residence in the permission on arrival in the UK. Visitor
UK prior to 31 December 2020, may rely on permission cannot be extended in the UK and
this to return to the UK. Similarly, Irish cannot be switched to another kind of visa
citizens continue to hold rights to enter and (including a Student visa). For the purposes of
live in the UK under Common Travel Area obtaining visitor permission for study, the
arrangements. University will provide a letter confirming study
details.
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals in the UK for
less than six months Academic Technology Approval Scheme
(ATAS)
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals coming to study
in the UK for less than six months can do this In order to take postgraduate study in some
as a Visitor. As a non-visa national you do technology subjects, you may require ATAS
not need prior entry clearance and can clearance. Your offer letter and CAS will
currently enter the UK with your passport or confirm whether ATAS clearance is required.
national ID card. Please note that, from 1 If so, you must apply and include a copy of
October 2021 onwards, national ID cards will your ATAS certificate in your visa application.
generally no longer be accepted, and you For further information see:
should ensure you have a valid passport. www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/atas/.
Visitor permission cannot be extended in the
UK and cannot be switched to another kind of It can sometimes take up to a month or longer
visa (including a Student visa). For the for an initial decision, therefore you should
purposes of obtaining visitor permission for apply in good time before your visa
study, the University will provide a letter application. For additional information see the
confirming study details. Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at
www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-
approval-scheme.
International students (i.e. non-EU, non-
EEA and non-Swiss nationals) in the UK
for less than six months
International students (i.e. non-EU, non-EEA
and non-Swiss nationals) coming to study in
Exchange Student Handbook 2021/22 – Semester 2 students 4
Travel and Medical Insurance
Travel insurance Coronavirus (COVID-19)
You are strongly advised to take out adequate Please ensure that you have read and
travel insurance to cover your journey, understood the latest advice for students on
including cover for personal possessions, turn-around COVID-19 testing on campus and
medical expenses and repatriation. other precautionary measures. See:
https://www.lboro.ac.uk/internal/studying-
working-living/testing/.
National Health Service
The National Health Service (NHS) is the Meningitis ACWY Vaccination
UK’s health service. It is funded by the state
and provides the majority of healthcare to UK As a precautionary measure, all students
residents. If you are an exchange student between 17-25 years of age are advised to
studying in the UK, you will be able to have have the Meningitis ACWY vaccination
access to NHS healthcare in accordance with BEFORE coming to Loughborough.
the guidelines below.
See www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals in the UK for Pages/men-acwy-vaccine.aspx for further
less than six months details.
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals coming to study Disabled students
in the UK for less than six months are not
eligible for free healthcare under the NHS and Loughborough University is committed to the
will have to pay the full cost of medical promotion of equal opportunities and
treatment. However, if you are an EU, EEA or welcomes applications from students with
Swiss national with a European Health disabilities, including long-term health
Insurance Card (EHIC), you will be exempt conditions, mental health difficulties, autistic
from some medical costs, therefore it is spectrum conditions and dyslexia. On the
important that you apply for an EHIC in your incoming application form for exchange
own country and bring it with you. students, you are asked to disclose whether
you have a disability and to give your consent
to your personal details being shared with the
International students (i.e. non-EU, non- Counselling and Disability Service. You are
EEA and non-Swiss nationals in the UK for also encouraged to make direct contact with
less than six months either the Disability Support Team (email
disability@lboro.ac.uk) or the Mental Health
Support Team (email mhst@lboro.ac.uk) if
International students (i.e. non-EU, non-EEA you have any queries or concerns prior to
and non-Swiss nationals) coming to study in your arrival.
the UK for less than six months as a Visitor
cannot receive treatment on the National
For further information about the University’s
Health Service (unless it is an emergency).
Counselling and Disability Service, see
www.lboro.ac.uk/services/cds/disability/.
Accommodation
www.lboro.ac.uk/services/accommodation/pro
Booking accommodation spective-students/erasmusandstudyabroad/.
All applications for accommodation in
For Semester 2 exchanges commencing in
University Halls of Residence are submitted
February 2022, applications for
online. Once your application to study has
accommodation can be made from November
been approved, you will receive an email from
2021 onwards. Accommodation offers will be
the Student Accommodation Centre
sent out by email in December 2021/January
explaining how to apply for your
2022.
accommodation. Please refer to the website
for further information:
Exchange Student Handbook 2021/22 – Semester 2 students 5Please note that on-campus For up-to-date information about applying for
accommodation is limited. The Student accommodation see
Accommodation Centre allocates rooms on a www.lboro.ac.uk/services/accommodation/
first-come, first-served basis until the announcements/.
maximum capacity has been reached. This
means that there is no guarantee that you will
be allocated a room in University Halls of Accommodation licence agreement
Residence, however we do promise to help
you secure University allocated Your accommodation licence agreement is
accommodation either on campus or by legally binding. If you are late arriving at your
referral to an off campus approved provider. accommodation or wish to move out early,
you will still be required to pay for your room
The staff in the Student Accommodation for the full period of your licence. Further
Centre will be able to provide you with advice information is in the Licence Terms and
and guidance on securing accommodation in Conditions 2020/21 document available at
either private halls or houses. You can view www.lboro.ac.uk/services/accommodation/
the wide range of private accommodation off- forms/.
campus, but conveniently located in
Loughborough, at Living costs
www.lboro.ac.uk/services/campus-
living/accommodation/offcampus/.
Loughborough is not an expensive town to
live in by UK standards, but students MUST
If you have any enquiries about consider the cost of accommodation, food,
accommodation either on or off-campus, you study materials, local travel and other living
should contact the Student Accommodation expenses. It is estimated that, when students
Centre directly by e-mail sac@lboro.ac.uk or budget for the duration of their studies, they
by telephone +44 (0)1509 274488. should allow approximately £850 - £1,100 per
month, but personal expenditure will vary from
student to student depending on lifestyle.
English Language
www.lboro.ac.uk/international/apply/english-
English language requirements language-requirements/.
It is important that you have a good level of
English so that you are able to understand Pre-sessional English language courses
and participate in your studies without
difficulty. The Academic Language Support Service
offers a range of high-quality support to
If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss national, it is students wishing to study at Loughborough.
advised that your proficiency in English This includes pre-sessional courses for
language should be at least at the level of
CEFR Level B2 (independent user). international students who have not yet
reached the required level of English for their
If you are a non-EU/non-EEA/non-Swiss chosen studies. For further details, see
national requiring a Student visa to study in www.lboro.ac.uk/services/alss/pre-sessional-
the UK, you will need to provide certified courses/.
evidence that your English language
competency meets the University’s
requirements.
For an approved list of English language
qualifications, which are acceptable for
admission purposes, please see
Exchange Student Handbook 2021/22 – Semester 2 students 6ARRIVAL IN THE UK
Immigration and Customs
Immigration Customs
When you arrive at an airport in the UK, you After immigration, you will pass through
will have to go through immigration control customs control and, at UK airports, there are
where a Border Force Officer will check your three exits: a green channel if you are
passport or identity card, scan your travelling from outside the EEA and have
fingerprints and date-stamp your visa. The nothing to declare; a red channel if you are
Border Force Officer may ask your purpose travelling from outside the EEA and have
for coming to the UK and try to determine if goods to declare; and a blue channel if you
you can speak English without the aid of an have arrived from another airport within the
interpreter. It is recommended that you have EEA.
the following documents available in your
hand luggage in case they are needed: There are restrictions on the amount of
tobacco, alcohol and gifts you can bring to the
▪ valid passport or identity card (with UK, therefore it is important that you are
visa or entry certificate if aware of the duty free limit. Never bring in
appropriate); counterfeit goods, illegal drugs, weapons on
▪ proof of a negative Coronavirus obscene material.
(COVID-19) test;
▪ proof that you have completed a If you have to bring any medication, which has
passenger locator form; been prescribed by a doctor for your personal
▪ correspondence confirming use, you are advised to bring documentary
acceptance onto your Loughborough proof from your doctor of the nature of the
University degree programme; medication.
▪ health certificate (if appropriate).
Further information about customs control is
The UK Government has introduced border available at https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-
controls to prevent the spread of Coronavirus control.
(COVID-19) and the import of new variants of
the virus to the UK. You are advised to read
the information on the UK Government’s
website carefully and to check at regular
intervals BEFORE you travel to the UK. See
https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control/before-
you-leave-for-the-uk for further information.
Travelling to Loughborough
Birmingham Airport
Arrival airports www.birminghamairport.co.uk
Most students tend to fly to the UK into one of
London Heathrow Airport
the major London airports, normally
www.heathrowairport.com
Heathrow, as flights available from almost
anywhere in the world. There are, however,
some direct flights to Birmingham London Gatwick Airport
International and East Midlands (Nottingham- www.gatwickairport.com
Leicester-Derby) from some countries. These
airports are closer to Loughborough than the London Luton Airport
London airports. www.london-luton.co.uk
East Midlands Airport Please remember when you are packing a
www.eastmidlandsairport.com suitcase that you will have to carry your bags
around the airport and to your accommodation
building. A key rule is, if you cannot carry it,
Exchange Student Handbook 2021/22 – Semester 2 students 7do not pack it! You will be able to buy most Temporary accommodation in London
things that you will need in Loughborough
when you arrive. If you are due to arrive in London too late for a
coach or train service, it may be less
expensive to spend the night in London and
Travelling from the airport to travel to Loughborough the following day
Loughborough (rather than take a taxi). The airport’s
Information Desk should be able to provide
There are a number of ways to get to guidance on bed and breakfast
Loughborough from each airport, with widely accommodation.
varying times and costs, however it is
recommended that you look at the options for You can also book accommodation (four to six
travelling either by coach or rail. weeks in advance) by contacting the following
organisations:
East Midlands Trains
www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk International Students' House
Eurolines www.ish.org.uk
www.eurolines.eu
London Tourist Board
National Express www.visitlondon.com
www.nationalexpress.com
National Rail
www.nationalrail.co.uk University campus bus service
Trainline There is a regular bus service (Sprint) which
www.thetrainline.co.uk operates between Loughborough railway
station, the town centre and the University
Travelling by taxi from international airports to
campus. The prices of tickets are subject to
Loughborough can be extremely expensive,
change, therefore it is recommended that you
therefore it is not an option that we
check the most up-to-date information at
recommend. If, however, you would prefer to
www.kinchbus.co.uk/services/sprint
travel by taxi, it is possible to pre-book with
several taxi firms who operate out of
Loughborough. For further details see
www.lboro.ac.uk/international/offer-
holders/getting-here/.
Documentation on Arrival at Loughborough
Registering with the University Learning agreements
Approximately six weeks prior to the start of At Loughborough, the timetable is released
your programme of study, you will be sent an near to the start of the semester, so it is
email inviting you to complete online possible that we shall not be able to confirm if
registration. It is important that you complete there is a ‘fit’ for all the modules you chose
this process BEFORE your arrival in order until the first week of your studies. We do,
that the University can produce your student however, allow all students a period of two
ID card and have it ready for you to collect. weeks after the start of the semester in order
Your student ID card will provide access to to finalise their module choices BEFORE the
University buildings, including the library, halls Student Office confirms the final details.
of residence and the LSU. You will also need
it to prove your student status, so it is If you are required to change your module
important that you look after it! Details about choices due to timetable clashes, you will
online registration and collecting your student need to make the appropriate changes on
ID card are at www.lboro.ac.uk/welcome. your learning agreement and seek the
approval of your home University and your
Registration within your respective respective School/Departmental Exchange
School/Department typically takes place as Co-ordinator at Loughborough. You must also
part of the induction event. This is an ensure that the Exchanges Office has been
important part of your programme which will provided with a copy of your revised Learning
provide you with relevant materials including Agreement.
your timetable, programme structure and
regulations. It is also your first opportunity to
meet fellow students.
Exchange Student Handbook 2021/22 – Semester 2 students 8Attendance certificates Registering with the Police
Some partner institutions require evidence Some students have to register with the local
from the host University (i.e. Loughborough) Police Force within 7 days of their arrival in
that their students have arrived and are in the UK, or if their circumstances have
attendance. There is no need to bring any changed at all, e.g. change of address,
such documentation to the Exchanges Office, change of course, new visa, etc. The visa
as it will be quicker and more convenient for sticker in your passport or UKVI decision letter
you to get the documentation signed by your should confirm if you need to register. At busy
respective School/Departmental Exchange times of the year, the University arranges for
Co-ordinator (see www.lboro.ac.uk/study/ the Police to come onto campus and register
overseas-exchange/incoming/applying/ students here, however, if this does not
exchange-coordinators/). coincide with your arrival at Loughborough,
you will need to visit the office in Leicester.
See www.lboro.ac.uk/services/isas/visa-
advice/policeregistration/ for further
information.
Induction
University induction and welcome event School/Department induction
All new exchange students arriving for a In addition to the above, Schools/Departments
Semester Two study exchange will be invited normally run separate induction programmes,
to attend an induction and welcome event, and it is important that you attend in order to
which will be held soon after your arrival in the learn more about studying your chosen
week commencing 8 February 2021. Please discipline at Loughborough.
note, however, the event will be held virtually
if COVID-19 restrictions prohibit large
gatherings at the time.
THE UNIVERSITY
Studying at Loughborough
you should re-register via your host
Examinations and assessments School/Department as a fee-paying temporary
student. You will, however, be required to pay
Whatever your programme of study, it will a re-assessment fee, as a second attempt
involve some form of assessment. For most registration period does not form part of the
programmes, assessment is conducted ERASMUS+ study exchange programme.
through a mixture of exams, coursework and
assessed tutorials/ tests. Being prepared for
See www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/student/
assessment is vital to success. Effective
reassessment/Fees/ for further information
learning and revision are important, but it is
about re-assessment fees.
equally as important to be aware of what is
expected of you during assessment. It is
recommended, therefore, that you read the European Credit Transfer System
section on examinations and assessments in
the Student Handbook (see below). The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)
provides 60 credits per full year of study or 30
If you complete your course at Loughborough credits per semester. Credits are only
but fail to gain the necessary credits/grades awarded when the programme, ie all required
required by your home institution, you might examinations and/or assessments has been
be required to re-sit any modules (or any completed. At the end of the study period, you
components of modules). If this is the case, will receive from your School/Department an
Exchange Student Handbook 2021/22 – Semester 2 students 9official transcript listing all modules taken and www.lboro.ac.uk/services/library/students/lear
credits/grades achieved. ningsupport/adviceandplanningsheets/.
Independent study Student Handbook
You will be expected to do some independent The Student Handbook is a guide to the
study, which is an integral part of UK fundamentals of studying at Loughborough
academic culture. Independent study is University. It is not intended to be a
intended to help you to develop your critical comprehensive guide to everything you need
analysis and problem-solving skills and your to know, but, rather, to summarise important
research skills. It also allows you to information, eg the rules that you will need to
investigate a topic in more detail and develop follow whilst registered as a student. These
your own ideas. include academic conduct in respect of
exams, assessment and administrative
processes and also your behaviour and
Learning environments conduct whether on campus or off campus.
See www.lboro.ac.uk/students/handbook/.
The University Library (see below) offers
students a range of learning environments,
group study rooms and bookable booths, but Teaching methods
it can be busy during the 24/7 opening period.
There are, therefore, a number of alternative These vary depending on the subject you
spaces on the campus, which can be used for study, but most will include teaching methods
informal study. For further details see such as lectures, seminars and tutorials.
https://www.lboro.ac.uk/services/learning- Some courses may also have practical
environments/learning/. classes and workshops, and some may have
training in a working environment.
Learning support Please note that, as a result of the
Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the
The University Library (see below) offers a University was required to change from face-
range of ‘Get the Know-How’ courses and to-face teaching to online learning. It is,
online resources which are designed to help therefore, important that you check the
students enhance their academic and website for the most up-to-date information at
information literacy skills, eg essay writing, https://www.lboro.ac.uk/internal/coronavirus/la
report writing, reading efficiently, taking test-updates/.
effective notes, presentation skills, working in
groups, etc. For further details see
https://www.lboro.ac.uk/services/library/stude University Library
nts/learningsupport/.
The Library covers 9,161 square metres over
There is also a range of study advice and four floors with 1,375 study places, including
planning sheets which are aimed at improving 200 workstations. It has over 500,000 books,
specific study skills and helping students to 90,000 bound serials and access to
keep on top of things, e. g. critical thinking, approximately 30,000 e- journals. The Library
citing and referencing Harvard style, provides students with a range of services
developing mathematical skills, revision and and resources which aid them with their
exam skills, task sheets, weekly planners, etc. studies. For further information, see
For further details see www.lboro.ac.uk/services/library/students/.
Support Services
information about the Centre’s facilities and
Centre for Faith and Spirituality event see www.lboro.ac.uk/services/cfs/.
The University’s Centre for Faith and
Spirituality provides a place where students Medical Centre
and staff are welcome to reflect, explore and
express faith and spirituality. It is a place to The Medical Centre is a regular GP surgery
pray, to meditate and to meet others. It also which is located centrally on campus,
offers help with spiritual, ethical and moral providing NHS services to registered patients
concerns. Chaplains of various faiths are (both students and staff). It offers a variety of
available to anyone irrespective of their clinics and services, including several online
religious or spiritual beliefs. For further functions, however you can only register as a
Exchange Student Handbook 2021/22 – Semester 2 students 10patient if you are studying in the UK for a full matters such as visas and living in the UK.
academic year. If you are studying at The Student Advice and Support Service is
Loughborough for one semester only and you located in the Bridgeman Building at the
become unwell, it is recommended that, in the centre of the campus and is open from 09:00 -
first instance, you seek the advice of the 17:00 hours, Monday to Friday. Email any
University’s pharmacist, who has premises queries to advice@lboro.ac.uk or telephone
located outside the Students’ Union. If the +44 (0)1509 222058.
pharmacist assesses your symptoms as
urgent and/or requiring immediate treatment,
you will be able to book an emergency Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity
appointment at the Medical Centre.
Alternatively, you could visit the NHS Urgent Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity (SWAI)
Care Centre in Loughborough Hospital which provides a range of support, advice and
is situated on Epinal Way (very close to the guidance to students in order to help them
University campus). Please be advised, build on their strengths and achieve their
however, that there is often a substantial potential. Services include disability support,
waiting time. mental health support, counselling (see
below), wellbeing and inclusivity. SWAI is
located in the Bridgeman Building at the
Nightline centre of the campus and is open from 09:00 -
17:00 hours, Monday to Friday. Email any
A confidential and anonymous listening queries to studentwellbeing@lboro.ac.uk or
service providing support for students, by telephone +44 (0)1509 228338.
students, via phone and email. Open term-
time between 20:00 and 08:00 hours on
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. University Counselling Service
Telephone +44 (0)1509 227650 or email
listening@loughborough.nightline.ac.uk. This service is available and free to the whole
University community. The counsellors are all
professionally trained and experienced in
Student Advice and Support Service dealing with issues such as anxiety,
depression, bereavement, family concerns,
The Student Advice and Support Service study-related problems and adjusting to a new
provides students with guidance on a range of way of life. It is quite normal for someone who
issues relating to finance (e.g. loans, grants, moves from a familiar culture to one which is
welfare benefits and debts) and housing (e.g. unfamiliar to experience ‘culture shock’. You
contracts, deposits and the rights of tenants). can contact the Counselling Service on email
There is also a dedicated website which ucs@lboro.ac.uk or telephone +44 (0)1509
provides advice to international students on 222148.
Loughborough Students’ Union
Loughborough Students’ Union (LSU) was Once you become a student on any
awarded the Best Students’ Union at the 2016 programme at Loughborough, you
What Uni Student Choice Awards. It is an automatically become a member of the
organisation which is run to ensure that Students’ Union, which offers a diverse
students have the best experience possible programme of entertainment and activities as
whilst studying at Loughborough, and it is well as providing you with practical and peer
unique amongst British universities in that its support. For example, Student Voice (email
premises are owned by the students voiceadvisor@lsu.co.uk) is a confidential and
themselves. It is managed on a day-to-day non-judgmental service which can help you
basis by the LSU Executive, with scrutiny from with a range of issues, including academic
the Union Council. You can find further details misconduct, appealing results and impaired
about the Students’ Union at www.lsu.co.uk. performance claims.
The Students’ Union Building is located on the
north-eastern corner of the campus and International Students’ Network
consists of two floors. You will find a selection
of shops, food outlets and other services, The Students’ Union has a strong belief in
such as a dental practice, pharmacy, optician, supporting ERASMUS+ and international
hairdressing, beauty salon, cash points and students and, as such, has its own dedicated
banking facilities. At night, the Students’ International Development Officer, who chairs
Union provides a range of entertainment the International Committee. Together, they
which includes club nights, live events, will encourage you to get involved in, and
quizzes, bingo, sports and fitness. engage with, a variety of activities and social
events which are organised during the course
Exchange Student Handbook 2021/22 – Semester 2 students 11of the academic year. You can find further As part of this scheme, there is an ‘Ask a
information about International Committee at Student Service’ (www.lsu.co.uk/askastudent)
www.lsu.co.uk/onyourside/international/ which allows current, prospective and pre-
committee/. arrival students to ask a peer mentor a
question about anything related to
Loughborough, e.g. societies, international
Peer mentoring scheme integration or where to buy a warm coat!
The Students’ Union manages a peer As the Students’ Union is a separate
mentoring scheme for all incoming exchange organisation to the University, we require your
students. The scheme operates on an opt-out permission to pass on your contact details so
basis, and those of you who opt-in (i.e. that you can participate in the peer mentoring
mentees) will be allocated mentors who will scheme. Please ensure, therefore, that you
be there to provide advice and guidance with complete the relevant section of the Incoming
a view to helping you adjust to studying and Exchange Student Application Form.
living in the UK.
Sport and Recreational Facilities
Loughborough University is internationally football stadium, artificial and grass pitches,
renowned for excellence in sport and has the tennis courts, a beach park, a ball park and a
best sporting facilities in the UK which are games park.
used by elite athletes, students, staff and the
general public alike. There is more information about the sport and
recreational facilities, including membership,
Indoor facilities include a 50m swimming pool, booking details and prices at
an athletics centre, a cricket performance http://www.loughboroughsport.com/.
centre, netball and badminton courts, a
gymnastics centre, a martial arts studio and
several multi-purpose sports halls. Outdoor
facilities include an athletics stadium, a
USEFUL INFORMATION
Living in the UK
across the University campus, but there is
Bank accounts only one bank (Santander), which is located
near the Students’ Union.
It can take up to 5 working days to open a
bank account, therefore it is advisable to bring
some cash so that you can meet any Cash
immediate expenses during your first couple
of weeks. To open a bank account, you will The pound sterling is the official currency of
need to provide documents showing proof of the UK. Notes are in denominations of £50,
identification, your UK and home addresses £20, £10 and £5, and coins are available in
and your student status. You can obtain a £2, £1, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p and 1p. Please
letter confirming your student status by note however, that many retail outlets have
contacting Student Enquiries via email stopped cash transactions since the COVID-
studentenquiries@lboro.ac.uk or telephone 19 pandemic, therefore you will need a debit
+44 (0)1509 222491. or credit card.
Most banks are normally open daily between
09:30 – 17:30 hours, Monday to Friday Climate
inclusive, although some may open later on
one day each week and/or on Saturday The UK climate is temperate with warm, damp
mornings. You will find several cashpoints Summers and cool, wet Winters, however it is
Exchange Student Handbook 2021/22 – Semester 2 students 12also unpredictable and the temperature can . Mobile phones
vary considerably within one day. In Summer,
temperatures vary between 19-23 degrees There are many specialist mobile phone
centigrade, with daylight of around 16 hours shops in Loughborough where you are able to
per day. The warmest months are usually July purchase a ‘pay as you go’ or contract phone.
and August. In Winter, temperatures vary Depending on the length of your stay, a ‘pay
between 0-10 degrees centigrade, with the as you go’ phone may be a better purchase,
daylight hours shortening to around 8 hours but please note that the price of international
per day. The shortest day of the year is 21 calls will vary significantly depending on your
December. January and February tend to be network provider. If you plan to bring your
the coldest months. mobile phone with you, check PRIOR to
leaving your home country that you will be
able to use it in the UK. Your network provider
Clothing might also be able to provide you with the
best options regarding the cost of making and
Styles of dress vary in the UK, but you can receiving international calls.
wear informal clothes on the campus during
the day. For formal occasions, you might be
expected to dress more formally – usually Personal safety
dresses for women and suits for men. You
might wish to bring your national dress, as Although Loughborough is a relatively safe
there are international events which will town, you should still take all the necessary
provide you with an opportunity to wear it. steps to ensure your own personal safety. The
Taking into consideration the UK’s climate, it University’s Security Office has produced an
is recommended that you bring appropriate online presentation on personal safety which
clothing, such as waterproof coats, sweaters includes a section specifically for international
and socks. Some items might be cheaper to students. It can be found on the website at
buy when you arrive in the UK, but it depends www.lboro.ac.uk/services/security/
on where you are travelling from and the presentation/.
exchange rate at the time.
Shopping
Electrical equipment
Loughborough is an attractive and safe
The standard electricity supply in the UK is market town with a street market on
220/240 volts, 50 cycles AC, and the standard Thursdays and Saturdays. It has several large
socket is designed to take a 13-amp square supermarkets, such as Aldi, Lidl, Morrisons,
three-pin plug. If you are bringing your own Sainsbury’s and Tesco, a number of
electrical equipment, which requires a two-pin international supermarkets and a variety of
socket or plug, you will need to buy an smaller food shops. Items for sale are marked
international voltage or plug adaptor. with a price, and you will be expected to pay
that – it is not possible to bargain over prices
in UK shops.
Laws
As Loughborough is at the heart of England in
There are a number of laws in the UK which
the East Midlands, it is well serviced by road,
might be different from your home country, for
rail and air if you feel like shopping elsewhere.
example, with regard to the use of alcohol and
There are three large cities in close proximity
tobacco. It is, therefore, recommended that
(Leicester, Nottingham and Derby), and there
you take a look at the section entitled ‘Crime,
are regular trains operating between
Justice and the Law’ on the UK Government’s
Loughborough and London, with the journey
website: https://www.gov.uk/browse/justice.
taking approximately 90 minutes.
Contact Details
Emergencies Exchange Co-ordinators
If an emergency needing the police, fire or Each School/Department has an Exchange
ambulance should arise outside the Co-ordinator, who has academic expertise in
University, you should dial 999 on the nearest your chosen subject and will be able to offer
phone. If you are on University premises, you you advice on what you can study and which
should dial 888. The University’s Security modules you can take. You are advised to
Officers are on duty 24 hours per day. contact your respective Exchange Co-
ordinator directly if you have any queries
regarding your application form and learning
Exchange Student Handbook 2021/22 – Semester 2 students 13agreement. Contact details are at activities across the University, working
www.lboro.ac.uk/study/overseas- closely with the Exchange Co-ordinators. You
exchange/exchange-coordinators/. will find the team in the Programme Quality
and Teaching Partnerships Office in the
Academic Registry, which is located in the
Exchanges Team Rutland Building (near to the Students’ Union
Building). However, it is recommended that
The Exchanges Team is responsible for before visiting, you make an appointment by
managing and co-ordinating exchange emailing Exchanges@lboro.ac.uk.
Exchange Student Handbook 2021/22 – Semester 2 students 14You can also read
