New Students' Guide 2015 - Everything you need to know - www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents

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New Students' Guide 2015 - Everything you need to know - www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents
New Students’ Guide 2015
    Everything you need to know

  www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents
New Students' Guide 2015 - Everything you need to know - www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents
1

          Welcome
          Coming to university is an exciting and busy time which presents you with lots of
Welcome

          new experiences and opportunities. To ensure that your transition is as simple as
          possible, we have compiled this handy guide to help you get started in January 2015.
          You will find a checklist to help you prepare for your arrival at The University, guides
          on how to become a registered student and choose your courses (where applicable),
          and information on Induction and Welcome Events, University Support Services,
          campus maps and much more.

          While we are confident that you will adapt to university life very quickly, if you find
          that you need a little help along the way please remember to ask for it! The
          University has lots of services available to support you with any academic and non-
          academic issues you may experience. Our Useful Contacts section (pg 19) provides
          details of support services and how you can get in touch with them.

          The New Students’ Website, available at www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents, contains
          lots of information to help you get started in January 2015 and you can feel free to
          email us with any queries, on newstudents@abdn.ac.uk.

          Contents
          Welcome                                         1

          Arriving in Aberdeen                            2

          How to Register                                 3

            Undergraduate                             3-4

            Taught Postgraduate                           5

            Research Postgraduate                         6

          International & European Students’ Events 7

          Welcome Week Events                             8

          Kings College Campus Map                   9 - 10

          Foresterhill Campus Map                       11

          Support for Students                      12 - 16

          Student Life                                  17

          Checklist                                     18

          Useful Contacts                               19
New Students' Guide 2015 - Everything you need to know - www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents
2
 Arriving in Aberdeen www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents/arrival
Meet and Greet Services
If you will be arriving during the Welcome Weekend (10 and 11 January), there will be a meet and greet service

                                                                                                                    Arriving in Aberdeen
at Aberdeen Airport at peak arrival times, weather permitting. You will be met by a Student Ambassador who
will answer any queries you have and direct you towards transport to your place of residence. Please note that
you will be responsible for the cost of your own transport. If you arrive out with these dates, you can complete
an online request to be met by a Student Ambassador. For more information on the meet and greet service,
please visit www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents/arrival.

Arrival By Air
Aberdeen Airport is just 7 miles from the City Centre and is very easy to navigate, with just one terminal
building. A taxi rank is situated outside the front door, and a fare to University accommodation will cost
around £25-30. Alternatively, you can take the Jet Bus (number 727) to Aberdeen Bus Station (travel time
35 mins). A single ticket costs £2.70 and the timetable is available at www.stagecoachbus.com.
Arrival By Train/Bus
Aberdeen Bus and Train Stations are located at the same site in the City Centre, next to Union Square
Shopping Centre. The taxi rank is inside the Train Station and fares to King’s College Campus cost
approximately £15, with trips to Hillhead Halls costing around £25. You can also take a Stagecoach bus
from the Bus Station to your accommodation. Timetables are available at www.stagecoachbus.com and
there is an information desk at the Bus Station. Alternatively, you can walk to nearby Union Street to catch
a First Aberdeen bus to your accommodation. Timetables and route information are available at
www.firstgroup.com.
Arrival By Car
The University’s online route planner can help you plan your journey –
www.abdn.ac.uk/environment/transport/route.

Accommodation
If you are staying in University accommodation, you can collect your keys from the date your contract begins from
the following places (you may wish to consult the map on pages 10 and 11).
 > Crombie Hall, Johnston Hall, Kings Hall and Elphinstone Road: keys should be collected from the reception at
   Crombie Hall, open 24 hours (t: 01224 273444).
 > Hillhead Halls: keys should be collected from the reception at New Carnegie Court, open 24 hours
   (t: 01224 274002).
University accommodation contracts begin on Saturday 10 January 2015. You will not be able to move into
your room before this date. As such, if you are arriving before 10 January, please ensure you have made
alternative accommodation arrangements.
If you have any queries regarding your accommodation or contract, please contact the Student
Accommodation Office, at studentaccomm@abdn.ac.uk. For additional information, you can also
visit the website at www.abdn.ac.uk/accommodation.

Private Accommodation
If you wish to go into private accommodation, it is strongly recommended that you organise this in advance of
your arrival in Aberdeen. The Students’ Association holds contact details for a number of private landlords,
solicitors and estate agents. Please visit www.ausa.org.uk/supportingyou/accommodation for more
information. For helpful advice when considering private accommodation, please visit
www.abdn.ac.uk/documents/Private-Rented-Accommodation-Handbook.pdf.
New Students' Guide 2015 - Everything you need to know - www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents
3
                  How to Register as an Undergraduate Student
                  www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents/registration
How to Register

                  These are the key steps to follow:                4. Sign up for Tutorials / Labs and
                                                                        access your Personal Timetable
                  1. Complete eRegistration                         Once you have chosen your courses and
                  2. Photo Upload                                   allocation of places to relevant courses has
                  3. Choose your courses                            been completed, you will be able to choose
                  4. Sign up for tutorials/labs and get your        your tutorial/lab groups online using
                     personal timetable                             MyCourses. Thereafter, you will be able to
                  5. ID Card; Fees and Visa                         access a personal timetable through
                     Checks for International Students              MyTimetable.
                  6. Get induction and course information
                                                                    5. ID Card; Fees and Visa
                  1. eRegistration www.abdn.ac.uk/ereg                  Checks for International Students
                  eRegistration involves confirming your            For information on collection of your ID card,
                  personal, financial and academic details          please visit www.abdn.ac.uk/
                  which enables you to set up your University       newstudents/registration. If for fees
                  computer and email account. eRegistration         purposes you are a sponsored student, please
                  can be completed at any computer with             provide a copy of sponsorship to
                  internet access. You must complete this step      tuitionfees@abdn.ac.uk prior to arrival. If
                  in order to choose your courses. You must         you are unable to do this, there will be a
                  ensure that you take a note of the computer       venue allocated for such queries, details of
                  username and password you receive during          which will be posted on the above website.
                  eRegistration, as you will need this to access    If you are an international student the
                  your student IT account. For more                 University is legally required to check and
                  information please visit                          take copies of your visa documents before
                  www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents/registration.          you can be allowed to complete registration.
                  As part of eRegistration, you will confirm if     Please ensure you bring your passport and a
                  you are paying your tuition fees yourself or if   photocopy of all of its non-blank pages,
                  you are sponsored (if your family are paying      including the page which was stamped
                  your fees you are considered a self-payer). If    during your entry into the UK. This is to
                  you are a self-payer you will need to pay a       confirm your status to study in the UK.
                  minimum of 50% of your tuition fees. For          Please also bring original documents
                  more information please visit                     showing your (1) educational qualifications
                  www.abdn.ac.uk/registry/ereg/faq.                 and (2) English language certificate (if
                                                                    appropriate). Venue details will be posted at
                  2. Photo Upload                                   www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents/registration.
                  For your student ID card to be ready for your     If you hold a Tier 4 visa, on further occasions
                  arrival, please upload a photo as soon as         throughout the year you will be emailed and
                  possible. This can be done at                     asked to report to a venue with your
                  www.abdn.ac.uk/photoupload.                       documents for a visa check.
                  3. Choose your Courses                            6. Get Course Information
                  After completing eRegistration, please visit      Course informational will be available
                  www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents/registration           through MyAberdeen, the University Virtual
                  for information about how to choose your          Learning Environment, and from School
                  courses.                                          Offices.
New Students' Guide 2015 - Everything you need to know - www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents
4
Choosing Courses
www.abdn.ac.uk/mycurriculum

                                                                                                        Choosing Courses
As a new undergraduate student, you will normally be required to study 8 courses (worth 15
credit points each) during your first year. You will therefore be required to study 4 courses in your
first half session (January to May) and a further 4 in your second half session (September to
December). Dependent on your degree programme, some of these courses will be prescribed
and some may be optional. The courses you are able to choose from will be dependent on your
entry qualifications and the constraints of the timetable.
Step 1: Prescribed Courses
Refer to the University’s Calendar, available at www.abdn.ac.uk/registry/calendar, for details
of the courses you must study as part of your degree programme. The Calendar example below
displays courses a Single Honours student in Year 1 of the MA Management Studies programme
must study.

                           PROGRAMME YEAR 1 – 120 Credit points
               First Half-Session                      Second Half-Session
   Course             Course             Credit       Course             Course             Credit
    Code               Title             Points        Code               Title             Points
  EC 1006       The Economics of           15         AC 1514        Accounting &              15
                Business & Society                                  Entrepreneurship
  MS 1008           Managing               15         MS 1508          The Context             15
                   Organisations                                       of Business
                 Enhanced Study            15                        Enhanced Study            15

                       Other               15                             Other                15

Step 2: Optional Courses
If you are a Single Honours student, you will normally be required to take 15 credits (or one
course) of Enhanced Study Options each half session, for your first two years of study.
Enhanced Study Options are designed to allow you to have choice, wider opportunities and
greater flexibility in your learning. There are three types of Enhanced Study Options, please visit
www.abdn.ac.uk/study/about/enhanced-study-347 for further details.
1. Sixth Century Courses invite you to consider different approaches to knowledge and
   enquiry as you look at issues affecting the world in which we live today.
2. Sustained Study is designed to provide you with continual exposure, throughout your first
   two years, to an area of study that is separate to your core subject. Should you be interested in
   taking Sustained Study, this will cover your entire Enhanced Study requirements for both years
   one and two.
3. Discipline Breadth Courses allow you to extend the scope of your study by taking a single
   course that interests you.
Please note that if you are studying Medicine or Dentistry you will not be required to take any
Enhanced Study Options as the majority of your courses are prescribed. If you are a Joint
honours student, or on a Major-Minor programme, you will not be required to undertake
Enhanced Study Options, as the joint nature of your degree provides the necessary breadth.
Where there is an element of choice, it is your responsibility to consider the options available
so that you can make an informed choice. More information on courses can be found in the
University’s Catalogue of Courses available at www.abdn.ac.uk/registry/courses.
New Students' Guide 2015 - Everything you need to know - www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents
5
                  How to Register as Postgraduate Taught Student
                  www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents/registration
                  The key steps to the registration process for Postgraduate Taught students (PgT) are:
How to Register

                  1. eRegistration www.abdn.ac.uk/ereg
                  eRegistration involves confirming your personal, financial and academic details and enables you to
                  set up your University computer and email account (make sure you keep a note of this when it is
                  given during the eRegistration process). It is strongly recommended that you complete this before
                  arriving in Aberdeen. You must complete this step in order to choose your courses.
                  As part of eRegistration, you will confirm if you are paying your tuition fees yourself or if you are
                  sponsored (if your family are paying your fees you are considered a self-payer). If you are a self-payer
                  you will need to pay a minimum of 50% of your tuition fees. For more information please visit
                  www.abdn.ac.uk/registry/ereg/faq.
                  2. Photo Upload
                  For your student ID card to be ready for your arrival, please upload a photo as soon as possible at
                  www.abdn.ac.uk/photoupload.
                  3. School Induction
                  The School or Discipline in which you will be studying will have sent you details of the induction
                  meeting for new postgraduate students which you are required to attend. At this meeting you will
                  be registered for the individual courses that you will be studying as part of your course. If you have
                  not received this information, you can also find details at
                  www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents/postgraduate.
                  4. Upon Arrival: ID Card; Fees and Visa Checks (for International Students Only)
                  You must complete steps 1-3 before your ID card can be issued. Completion of registration and ID
                  card issue will be held in Room S84, Edward Wright Building on 19-21 January, 9.30am – 12.30pm
                  and 2 – 4.30pm.

                  If you arrive after these dates, please visit the Infohub to complete registration. Please ensure that
                  you bring your Certificate of Acceptance with you and any confirmation you may have of payments
                  towards your tuition fees. If for fees purposes you are a sponsored student, please provide a copy of
                  sponsorship to tuitionfees@abdn.ac.uk prior to arrival.

                  If you are an international student the University is legally required to check and take copies of your
                  visa documents before you can be allowed to complete registration. Visa checks will be carried out
                  at the same time as the above completion of registration and ID card issue. Please ensure you bring
                  your passport and a photocopy of all of its non-blank pages, including the page which was
                  stamped during your entry into the UK. This is to confirm your status to study in the UK. Please also
                  bring original documents showing your (1) educational qualifications and (2) English language
                  certificate (if appropriate). If you hold a Tier 4 visa, on further occasions throughout the year you will
                  be emailed and asked to report to a venue with your documents for a visa check.
                  .
New Students' Guide 2015 - Everything you need to know - www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents
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How to Register as a Postgraduate Research Student
www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents/registration
If you are a Postgraduate Research student (PgR), you must arrive by the start date stated in

                                                                                                                   How to Register
your offer letter. The key steps to the registration process are:
1. eRegistration www.abdn.ac.uk/ereg
eRegistration involves confirming your personal, financial and academic details and enables you to
set up your University computer and email account (make sure you keep a note of this when it is
given during the eRegistration process). It is strongly recommended that you complete this before
arriving in Aberdeen.
As part of eRegistration, you will confirm if you are paying your tuition fees yourself or if you are
sponsored (if your family are paying your fees you are considered a self-payer). If you are a self-payer
you will need to pay a minimum of 50% of your tuition fees. For more information please visit
www.abdn.ac.uk/registry/ereg/faq.
2. Photo Upload
For your student ID card to be ready for your arrival, please upload a photo as soon as possible at
www.abdn.ac.uk/photoupload.
3. Upon Arrival: Completion of Registration; Collection of ID Card; Visa checks (for
International Students only)
After arriving in Aberdeen, you will be required to visit a venue to complete your registration. It is important
that you do this, otherwise you will not be fully registered. Completion of registration and ID card issue will
be held in Room S84, Edward Wright Building on 19-21 January, 9.30am – 12.30pm and 2 – 4.30pm.

If you arrive after these dates, please visit the Infohub to complete registration. Please ensure that you bring
your Certificate of Acceptance with you and any confirmation you may have of payments towards your
tuition fees. If for fees purposes you are a sponsored student, please provide a copy of sponsorship to
tuitionfees@abdn.ac.uk prior to arrival.

If you are an international student the University is legally required to check and take copies of your visa
documents before you can be allowed to complete registration. Visa checks will be carried out at the same
time as the above completion of registration and ID card issue. Please ensure you bring your passport and a
photocopy of all of its non-blank pages, including the page which was stamped during your entry
into the UK. This is to confirm your status to study in the UK. Please also bring original documents showing
your (1) educational qualifications and (2) English language certificate (if appropriate). If you hold a Tier 4
visa, on further occasions throughout the year you will be emailed and asked to report to a venue with your
documents for a visa check.

4. Meeting with Your Supervisor
Where possible, you should try to make contact with your supervisor in advance of your arrival in
Aberdeen, to ensure that you meet shortly after arriving at the University.
Details of your School/College induction event should be sent to you before your arrival in Aberdeen
by your School. You should try to attend this event as it will provide you with an opportunity to meet
staff and students in your area of study. If you do not receive details of your School induction event,
please contact your School directly.
New Students' Guide 2015 - Everything you need to know - www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents
7
                                              International and European Students
                                              www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents/international
                                              Coming to study in a different country can be a challenging time, particularly if you are studying in a
International and European Students’ Events

                                              second language and getting used to a new culture. Support is available from the International
                                              Student Advisers, who can provide information on many aspects of international student life at
                                              Aberdeen and in the UK, with specialist advice on UK visa and immigration matters. A selection of
                                              events are featured below for new international students to help you settle in.

                                              Information Sessions                                    HOST UK for International Students
                                              Welcome and Information Session                         The University subscribes to the HOST Scheme.
                                              for International Students                              HOST is an organisation that links international
                                              The International Student Advisers will provide         students with approved hosts around the UK
                                              you with practical advice and information on            who offer an invitation to their home for a day, a
                                              living in Scotland.                                     weekend or at Christmas. Further information
                                                                                                      can be found at: www.hostuk.org.
                                              Erasmus and International Study Abroad
                                              and Exchange Orientation                                International Centre
                                              A joint welcome and orientation event                   Please come along and visit our new
                                              specifically for Erasmus and International Study        International Centre on the ground floor of the
                                              Abroad and Exchange students (North America,            Hub.
                                              Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan) will be held
                                              on Monday 12 January. Details of the event will         The Students’ Association and
                                              be sent to you prior to your arrival and can be         International Students
                                              found at
                                              www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents/international.               The Students’ Association has lots of ways for
                                                                                                      international students to make Scotland their
                                              Social Events                                           new home. There will be various trips around
                                                                                                      Scotland and Aberdeen during the semester. A
                                              A number of fun, social events will be held
                                                                                                      great way to meet new people is through the
                                              during Welcome Week with you in mind.
                                                                                                      wide range of societies we have, including
                                              Previous social events have included tours of
                                                                                                      International Society specifically set up for
                                              the city and trips to local places of interest.
                                                                                                      international students! Information about all of
                                              A full programme of the events planned for you,         this is available via www.ausa.org.uk.
                                              including the dates and times for all events
                                              featured on this page, is available at
                                              www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents/international.
New Students' Guide 2015 - Everything you need to know - www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents
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Welcome Week Events
www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents
Here are just some of the events taking place during Induction and Welcome Week which are all

                                                                                                  Freshers’ Week Events
designed to help you get to know your subject, staff, meet new people and become involved in
university life. A full programme of events, including dates and times will be updated daily at
www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents or www.ausa.org.uk.

       Where You From? – Find out just how diverse the
                  University population is!

   Traditional Scottish Burns Supper

            Sports and Societies Fayre – Meet the clubs and
            societies and get involved!

                                   Societies Give-it-a-go sessions
         Local Area Tours
                      Campus Tours
                                              Library Tours
Cookery Demonstrations
                                                                Film Festival
New Students' Guide 2015 - Everything you need to know - www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents
9

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                                                                                                CAMPUS
King’s College Campus Map

                                                                                                                                     ENUE
                                                                                                  MAP

                                                                                                                              ONE AV
                            SCHOOL OFFICES & DISCIPLINES                                                                                               1

                                                                                                                                         R
                            Business School                        15      German                                      20

                                                                                                                                  TILLYD
                            Accountancy & Finance                  15      Hispanic Studies                            20
                            Economics                              15      Language Centre                             23                                    Acco
                                                                                                                                                              ccom
                            Management Studies                     15      Celtic & Anglo Saxon Studies                20
                            Real Estate                            15      English                                     20                                        Stu
                            Graduate Business School               28      Film                                        20                                          S
                                                                           French                                      20                                       Duty
                                                                                                                                                                 uty
                            School of Biological Sciences            1     Gaelic                                      20
                            Agriculture                              2     German                                      20    Foresterhill
                            Forestry                                 2     Hispanic                                    20
                            Plant and Soil Science                   2
                                                                                                                              Campus
                                                                           Linguistics                                 20                               Student Rec
                            Zoology                                  1     Literature in a World Context (LWC)         20                              & Admission
                                                                                                                                                               sion
                                                                           S
                                                                           Sustained Studies in Arabic,
                            School of Divinity,                    331     Mandarin, Swedish
                            History & Philosophy
                            Divinity & Religious Studies            29     School of Law                        20 Block C
                            History                                 33
                            History of Art                          31     School of Medical Sciences                   1
                            Philosophy                              21     College Teaching Facility                    1
                            Scandinavian Studies                    31
                                                                           School of Medicine & Dentistry
                            School of Education                    17      All orientation events to be
                            Education                              17      held at Foresterhill – map on page 11
                            Music                                  17
                                                                           School of Natural &                         10
                            School of Engineering                    7     Computing Sciences                                                               9
                                                                           Chemistry                                   10
                            School of Geosciences                  10      Computing Science                           10
                            Archaeology                             6      Mathematics                                  7

                                                                                                                                                OA D
                            Geography                               6      Physics                                     10
                            Geology & Petroleum Geology            10

                                                                                                                                          OR D R
                                                                           School of Psychology                        18
                            School of Language              20 Block A
                            & Literature                                   School of Social Science                    15

                                                                                                                                      BEDF
                            Celtic                                  20     Anthropology                                15
                            English & Film Studies                         Sociology                                   15
                            French                                  20     Politics & International Relations          15
                                                                                                                                                            P

                            BUILDINGS
                             1    Zoology Building                         22     New King’s
                             2    Cruickshank Building                     23     Regent Building
                             3    23 St Machar Drive                       24     University Office
                             4    King’s Museum (Old Aberdeen Townhouse)   25     Elphinstone Hall
                             5    The Hub                                  26     Linklater Rooms                                              41
                             6    St Mary’s                                27     King’s College Chapel
                             7    Fraser Noble Building                    28     King’s College Centre
                             8    Elphinstone Road Halls                   29     King’s College
                             9    The Sir Duncan Rice Library              30     King’s Pavilion
                            10    Meston Building                          31     50-52 College Bounds
                            11    Chaplaincy Centre                        32     Butchart Centre (Students’ Association)
                            12    Confucius Institute                      33     Crombie Annexe
                            13    Security Office/Mailroom                 34     Crombie Halls
                            14    C
                                  Counselling Service                      35     Rocking Horse Nursery
                            15    Edward Wright Building                   36     King’s Hall
                            16    Edward Wright Annexe                     37     Powis Gate/Muslim Prayer Room
                            17    M
                                  MacRobert Building                       38     Johnston Hall
                            18    William Guild Building                   39     Humanity Annexe
                            19    Arts Lecture Theatre                     40     Humanity Manse
                            20    Taylor Building                          41     Bedford Road Workshops
                            21    Old Brewery                               P     Regulated Parking
10
                       Hillhead Halls

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                                                                                                                                                                               Beach

                                      MESTON WALK                                                              26
                                                                      COLLEGE BOUNDS

                                                                                                  27
                                33
                                                                                                                                                                                 R EET

                                                                                                                    28
                                                               35
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                                                                                                                                                                          KING ST

                         34
                                                                                       31                                 30                       UNIVERSITY
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         36

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                                                                                                                P                       Students’ Association
                                                                                                                          32

                                                                       40
                                                                                                                                                                                         e/ASV

                                                   39
1 Liberty Safe Work Research Centre
                                                                                                                 2 Foresterhill Health Centre
                                                                                                                 3 Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital
                             FORESTERHILL CAMPUS MAP                                                             4 Lilian Sutton Building
                                                                                                                 5 John Mallard Scottish PET Centre
                                                                                                                 6 Royal Aberdeen Maternity Hospital/
                                                             EST
                                                      ROAD W                                                       Dugald Baird Centre
                                               ROVE
                                        ASHG                                                                     7 Dental School
                                                                                                   9
                                                                                                                 8 Life Science Innovation
                                                                                 P                               9 Bio Medical Physics
                                                                                                                10 Polwarth Building
                                                                   15
                                                                            11          12
                                                                                                                11 Institute of Medical Science
                                                                                                                12 Health Sciences Building
                                                                                                                13 Suttie Centre for Teaching and
                                                                                      10                           Learning in Healthcare
                                                                                                                14 Muslim Prayer Room
                                                                                                       P        15 Site of New Rowett Building
            1                                                      13
                                                                                                                 P Regulated Parking
                                                                                                                CORNHILL ROAD
                            AD
                            RO
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                                 RH

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                                                                                                                                                        DR IV E
                                                                        3

                                                                                                                                                         WE ST BU RN
                                                      2
                                                                                     WESTBURN ROAD
11
     Foresterhill Map
12
Support for Students
The University has a range of services available to help students during their studies. This section
provides a brief explanation of the work of just some of the University’s services. Further details
on how to get in contact with each section can be found in Useful Contacts on Pg 19.

                                                                                                       Support for Students
Infohub                                               These meetings will focus on topics such as
The Infohub is your first point of call for all       employability, the Graduate Attribute
student services, information and enquiries.          scheme, and provide an opportunity for you
                                                      to discuss, for example, the feedback you
You can contact them anytime via email -              have received in your studies. Your Personal
infohub@abdn.ac.uk - or drop in Monday                Tutor will be a facilitator; providing a point
to Thursday 9am - 5pm or Friday 10am -                of contact should you wish to speak to
5pm. The Infohub is staffed by a team of              someone, signposting personal support
friendly and experienced individuals who              services and academic skills support across
will make every effort to answer your                 the University, as necessary.
queries. As well as providing information on
most student related issues, the Infohub staff        Details of your Personal Tutor and
can check your registration status, prepare           arrangements for your first meeting with
student letters, including bank and council           them will be provided to you over the
tax letters, provide directions, issue ID cards,      summer. Please email personaltutor@
and set up payment plans for tuition and              abdn.ac.uk with any queries.
accommodation as well as taking payment.
                                                      Details of your Personal Tutor and
You can also get information on IT support,           arrangements for your first meeting with
accommodation, personal tutoring and peer             them will be provided to you before you
mentoring as well as access to Registry               arrive. If you don’t receive details or have
Officers, Student Support and the Careers             any concerns, please email
Department.                                           personaltutor@abdn.ac.uk. Once you are
                                                      on campus, you can visit the Infohub or
All of these services are located in The Hub          email personaltutor@abdn.ac.uk with any
so why not visit the Infohub on the ground            queries.
floor of The Hub during your first week.
Check out the Infohub website at
www.abdn.ac.uk/infohub.

Personal Tutors
Undergraduate students will be assigned a
Personal Tutor when they register, (students
in Medicine and Dentistry will have a
Regent). Your Personal Tutor will provide you
with support and signpost you to the correct
service for issues they can’t help with. Your
Personal Tutor will probably be an academic
member of staff from the School to which
your degree intention is linked. Your
Personal Tutor will provide pastoral support
and will also meet with you during your
studies to encourage you to reflect on your
progress.

Your Personal Tutor will welcome you to the
University community and you will meet
with them at key points in the year, either
one-to-one or as part of a group, to discuss
your experiences as a student.
13
                        Student Support Services
                                                                           provide specialist advice on UK visa and
                       Student Support Services consists of the            immigration matters. British immigration
                       Student Advice & Support Office, the                legislation is complex and our immigration
                       Counselling Service and the Community
Support for Students

                                                                           advice and services are regulated by the
                       Liaison Officer and team of Student Resident        Office of the Immigration Services
                       Assistants (SRAs) in Halls. Their aim is to         Commissioner. Email:
                       make sure that you have access to any               student.international@abdn.ac.uk.
                       support you may need during your studies -
                       academic, personal, medical, financial – from     > Student Support Advisers offer
                       people who are easy to contact and who can          confidential, independent and non-
                       give you friendly and expert guidance.              judgemental advice on matters ranging
                                                                           from personal problems and academic
                       The Student Advice & Support Office,                issues to University procedures and
                       which is located on the ground floor of the         financial matters such as student funding.
                       Hub, provides advice and information on             Email: student.support@abdn.ac.uk.
                       three broad areas - disabilities, international
                       student matters and general advice and            The University Counselling Service is a
                       support.                                          free, confidential and professional service for
                                                                         students and staff who have personal, social,
                       > Disability Advisers offer support and           emotional or educational concerns.
                         guidance and are a first point of contact       Email: counselling@abdn.ac.uk.
                         for disabled students. You are welcome to
                         contact the Disability Advisers via email or    The Community Liaison Officer and
                         telephone, in advance of your arrival at the    SRAs are responsible for the creation of a
                         University, to discuss any possible needs       positive community in University managed
                         you may have. You may also choose to            Halls of Residence. During term-time, SRAs
                         visit the University, to meet academic and      are on duty throughout the night and at
                         support staff and to view the facilities and    weekends at the Halls, to assist you with
                         support structures which are available.         any queries, issues or concerns that you
                         Email: student.disability@abdn.ac.uk.           might have.
                       > International Student Advisers can              For more information on Student Support
                         provide information on many aspects of          Services please visit
                         international student life at Aberdeen and      www.abdn.ac.uk/student-support.
                         in the UK, and are professionally trained to
14
Photograph by Ian Cowe, Estates
                                                                                    .Library, Special Collections
                                                                                     and Museums
                                                                                    The University has 4 libraries: The Sir

                                                                                                                                    Support for Students
                                                                                    Duncan Rice Library - our multi-million
                                                                                    pound Library (arts, humanities, sciences
                                                                                    and social sciences) which also houses our
                                                                                    Special Collections Centre; Taylor Library
                                                                                    (law and official publications); Medical
                                                                                    Library (medicine and medical sciences);
                                                                                    Reid Library (health & nutrition). We also
                                                                                    have 2 museums on campus – King’s
                                                                                    Museum and The Zoology Museum.
                                                                                    Key services and resources include:

                                                                                    > Over a million books, more than 450,000
                                                                                      e-books and over 21,000 e-journals – so
                                                                                      you have access to resources on and off
                                                                                      campus at a time to suit you.
                                  Computing (IT) Services
                                  IT Services provides computing facilities for     > Open daily, we have hundreds of study
                                  University staff and students. As well as           places in silent, quiet and group study
                                  numerous computing classrooms, we                   areas. Why don’t you try out the CoLabs in
                                  manage the largest wireless network of any          The Sir Duncan Rice Library?
                                  UK Higher Education institution. Key
                                                                                    > Primo – an information discovery tool that
                                  services for students include:
                                                                                      searches across our catalogues,
                                  > wireless campus: free wireless access in          collections, electronic databases and past
                                    all buildings, including University run           exam papers.
                                    Halls of Residence, providing high speed
                                    access to the internet.                         > Free optional lunchtime workshops in
                                                                                      addition to in-course teaching. Find out
                                  > service desk: your first point of contact for     how to use Primo, electronic databases,
                                    IT support at the University; find us in the      referencing and citing, and even how to
                                    Edward Wright Building, the Sir Duncan            Google better! Book online at
                                    Rice Library, and the Hub (Old Aberdeen),         www.abdn.ac.uk/coursebooking
                                    or the Polwarth Building (Foresterhill).
                                                                                    > Desktop PCs available for research and
                                  > email: a university email account,                study, access to e-resources and email.
                                    including 50GB mail storage, online
                                    address book and calendaring.                   > Wireless network for laptop owners
                                                                                      working in our libraries.
                                  > pcs: over 1600 high spec computers in
                                    classrooms, study areas and lecture             > Print Shop (located in The Sir Duncan Rice
                                    theatres across campus                            Library) offering binding, printing,
                                                                                      scanning and photocopying facilities.
                                  During Freshers’ Week, we will be providing
                                  wireless assistance from the Service Desks        > An excellent support network of staff and
                                  in the Edward Wright Building, Infohub, Sir         resources including subject help,
                                  Duncan Rice Library and Polwarth Building           instructional talks, printed and electronic
                                  (Foresterhill). Visit                               information guides, vodcast demos on
                                  www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents                          using databases, QR barcodes, Facebook
                                  for further details.                                group, Twitter and instant messaging!
                                  For details of all IT services see                For more information see the LSC&M
                                  www.abdn.ac.uk/it/student.                        website at www.abdn.ac.uk/library.
15
                       Careers Service                                   University of Aberdeen Graduate
                       The Careers Service offers a wide range of        Attributes
                       services and support to students at all           The University of Aberdeen’s Graduate
                       stages of their degree programme. This            Attributes are a wide-ranging set of qualities
Support for Students

                       includes:                                         which you will develop during your time as a
                                                                         student, in preparation for future employment,
                       > help with individual career planning            further study and citizenship. There are four
                       > advice on creating successful CVs and           main areas of the Graduate Attributes:
                         application forms                               > academic excellence
                       > paid work placement opportunities               > critical thinking and effective
                       > advice on preparing for interviews,               communication
                         psychometric tests and assessment centres       > learning and personal development
                       > employer presentations and recruitment          > active citizenship
                         events
                                                                         You will have many opportunities to develop
                       > the co-curricular STAR Award & BP               and achieve these attributes. These will
                         Student Tutoring Scheme                         include learning experiences on taught
                       > a comprehensive website with extensive          courses and co-curricular activities such as
                         career planning resources                       work placements, study abroad and
                                                                         volunteering. The ACHIEVE website offers
                       > credit-bearing careers education courses        resources that will enable you to assess and
                       > a career mentoring programme                    reflect upon your present skills and
                                                                         development needs. You will also find
                       > enterprise & entrepreneurship events            resources to help you to improve your skills
                                                                         and links to a range of university services.
                       The Careers Service is easy to find on the
                       2nd Floor of the Hub, please call in or use the   To find out more about Graduate Attributes
                       online virtual adviser services available at      and the ACHIEVE website, visit
                       www.abdn.ac.uk/careers.                           www.abdn.ac.uk/graduateattributes.
16
Student Learning Service (SLS)                   Our S4S Mentors are all fully trained, and are
The SLS can help you to develop your             current undergraduate students who will be
academic skills throughout your time at          studying in the same School as you and, if
University. SLS offers workshops, which run      possible, on the same degree programme.

                                                                                                  Support for Students
during term-time, and individual study           You will be contacted by your S4S Mentor
advice sessions, which are available all year.   during Welcome Week, but for more
Individual academic skills advice is also        information visit the S4S website at
available for students with dyslexia and         www.abdn.ac.uk/s4s or contact
other learning differences. Places for           s4s@abdn.ac.uk.
workshops and study advice sessions can be
booked online.                                   Students’ Association
                                                 Aberdeen University Students’ Association
Workshop topics will include: studying in
                                                 (AUSA) represents student interests. The
the UK, note-taking, critical thinking,
                                                 seven Sabbatical Officers are your elected
academic writing, presentation skills and
                                                 student representatives to the University
time management. In addition, online
                                                 and wider community. Here at AUSA we
learning resources are available in
                                                 want all students to feel part of the student
ACHIEVE (for undergraduates) and
                                                 community in Aberdeen and shape their
ACHIEVE+ (for taught postgraduates) on
                                                 time at university whether through sports,
MyAberdeen. Full details of workshop
                                                 volunteering or by representing your
schedules and all SLS services can be found
                                                 classmates.
at www.abdn.ac.uk/sls.
                                                 > AUSA Student Advice Centre can help you
Students 4 Students                                manage your money; has a comprehensive
                                                   resource of private accommodation and
Students 4 Students (S4S) is here to help you      advice on living on your own for the first
settle into University life with advice and        time; services to help you find part time
support from your fellow students who have         work; and represent you in academic
been there and got the t-shirt.                    appeals.
Transition to life at university is a very       > AUSA Volunteering, to help you find
exciting one, but it can also be challenging       volunteering opportunities to enhance
and demanding at times. Whatever                   your skills and meet new people.
background you arrive from, we want you to
make the most of your first year at the          > Book Ends, a second hand bookshop
University of Aberdeen.                            where you can buy and sell textbooks,
                                                   fiction, DVDs and more - and also help
As a new student you will be assigned a S4S        raise money for charity.
Mentor, who is there to:
                                                 > Niteline, a comprehensive overnight
> Answer your questions about student life         support service which is a confidential
  or direct you to the most appropriate            listening and information service run by
  source of advice                                 trained volunteers.
> Help you get to know the campus and            Visit www.ausa.org.uk to find out more
  University of Aberdeen processes and           about everything you can get involved in at
  procedures                                     AUSA.
> Encourage you to make the most of
  opportunities to meet fellow students,         Gaelic at the University of Aberdeen
  become involved in campus life and             Are you a Gaelic-speaker or interested in
  develop your own support networks              learning more about the language and
> Maintain contact with you during the first     culture? There are many exciting Gaelic
  year of your studies                           initiatives underway to enhance the student
                                                 experience at the University, including a
                                                 number of Gaelic activities and events. To
                                                 learn more, visit www.abdn.ac.uk/gaelicplan.
17
               Student Life
               Clubs and Societies                                 International students who have a visa need
               With over 150 clubs and societies, the              to make sure that they fully understand the
Student Life

               University of Aberdeen has a vibrant                work conditions attached to that visa.
               community spirit. Whether you are looking to
                                                                   Faith
               learn to salsa or paintball or just appreciate a
               fine Whisky we will have the Society just for       The University Chaplaincy team is available
               you.You are encouraged to attend the Sports         to the whole University community, for people
               and Societies Fayres, which take place during       of all faiths and none. There are also a number
               Freshers’ Week. Joining a club or society is a      of honorary denominational chaplains
               great way to meet new people and have new           available for students wishing to contact
               experiences. To view all of the clubs and           someone specifically of their own tradition or
               societies available, visit                          faith. The Chaplaincy Centre also has rooms
               www.ausa.org.uk/getinvolved/societies.              available for students to use for meetings,
                                                                   prayer and meditation. For more information
               Sport & Physical Activity at the                    about the work of the Chaplaincy please visit
               University                                          www.abdn.ac.uk/chaplaincy or call 01224
                                                                   272137.
               Here at the University of Aberdeen there are
               many different ways you can stay active and
                                                                   Healthcare
               get involved in sport. You will find a host of
               dedicated staff and full-time volunteers            Students who are studying on full-time
               creating opportunities for you to stay on top       courses of any duration in Scotland (and their
               of your game. The University of Aberdeen            dependants) are eligible for medical
               boasts one of the largest Sports Unions in any      treatment under the National Health Service
               Scottish University, and with approximately         (NHS) from their first day of arrival in
               60 different sports clubs you will find a club to   Scotland. You should register with a local
               suit you. See the Sports Unions Website for         NHS doctor as soon as possible. The doctor’s
               full details: www.ausa.org.uk/getinvvoled/          surgery you register with will depend on
               sport. We also have state-of-the-art facilities     where you live in Aberdeen. An advice sheet
               where students can enjoy a vast range of            on which doctor's surgery you should register
               sporting amenities including; the NEW               with will be available from the Student
               Aquatics Centre with 50m Swimming Pool              Advice and Support Office, the Infohub and
               and Aberdeen Sports Village (ASV) which             the New Students' Helpdesks in Welcome
               houses a full-size indoor football pitch, indoor    Week. The nearest GPs to the University Old
               athletics area, large fitness suite and much        Aberdeen / King's College Campus are Old
               more. So even if you are not a member of a          Aberdeen Medical Practice and Old Machar
               sports club you will find plenty options to         Medical Practice. For more information please
               keep you active. For more information please        visit www.abdn.ac.uk/infohub/faqs
               visit www.aberdeensportsvillage.com.                If you are already registered with a doctor
               As well as the Sports Union the University’s        based in Aberdeen, then there is no need to
               Sport and Exercise Team is on hand to help,         register with another GP.
               whether you are looking for information on          For information about registering with a local
               Sports Bursaries or free student activities         NHS dentist, please contact the Dental
               promoting health & wellbeing see our                Advice Line (0845 45 65 99).
               website for details: www.abdn.ac.uk/sport
               andexercise/.                                       Social Networking
                                                                   Connect with us:
               Part-time Work for Students                         Want to find out the latest news from campus
               Many students take on part-time work to help        or what’s going on in Aberdeen? Have a
               fund their studies. AUSA’s Student Advice           question or got something to share?
               Centre provides information and advice on           Whatever it is, find us on
               part-time work, temporary opportunities and         Facebook - universityofaberdeen
               full-time vacation jobs to all students. For        Twitter - @aberdeenuni
               more information please visit                       YouTube - /uniofaberdeen
               www.ausa.org.uk/supportingyou/jobs                  Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/aberdeenuni
18
Use this Checklist as a guide to what you should do before
and after your arrival in Aberdeen.

                                                                                              Use this Checklist
Before Arrival:                                  Visit www.ukcisa.org.uk for general
  Arrange accommodation. If you are              information on studying in the UK
  entering University accommodation, you         Make a copy of your passport (blank pages
  must:                                          not required) to submit at registration
     Ensure you complete your online           After Arrival
     induction at www.abdn.ac.uk/
     movein                                      Pay tuition fees via eRegistration (if you
                                                 have not already done so)
     Review the Accommodation A-Z
     section at www.abdn.ac.uk/                  Choose your courses (if not already done
     accommodation                               so)
  Take out travel/ personal insurance (if        Collect your Student ID card
  necessary)                                     Attend your School’s induction and
  Arrange travel                                 welcome events
  Complete eRegistration (Pg 3, 5 or 6)          Attend the first meeting with your
                                                 Personal Tutor
  Choose your courses (online if applicable)
  (Pg 4)                                         Familiarise yourself with the University
                                                 campus
  Upload a passport-size photograph for
  your student ID card                           Choose your tutorial/lab groups online (if
  www.abdn.ac.uk/photoupload                     not already done so)
  Continue to check your Aberdeen email          Access your Personal Timetable
  account for e-zines and other important        Register with a medical and dental
  information.                                   practice
  Check out the Students’ Association’s          Come and meet your student
  programme of events for Welcome Week           representative from the Students’
  at www.ausa.org.uk                             Association – www.ausa.org.uk
Ensure that you bring                            Configure your laptop/smartphone to the
                                                 University’s wireless network using the
  Confirmation of who will be paying your        guides available at
  tuition fees, if you are not paying them       www.abdn.ac.uk/it/student/wireless
  yourself
  Certificate of Acceptance from the           If you are an international student
  University of Aberdeen                         Make a copy of the passport page that
  Passport photo for ID card (if not already     was stamped by an immigration officer
  uploaded or sent in advance)                   when you arrived at your port of entry in
  Relevant medical records and details of        the UK
  any existing medical conditions                Register with the police (if applicable)
  Accommodation contract and/or details          Open a bank account and ask that
  of where you will be staying                   monthly statements be posted to you
If you are an international student              Attend the International Students’
ensure that you                                  Welcome / exchange welcome sessions
                                                 (where applicable) (Pg 7)
  Check visa requirements as applicable to
  you and make necessary arrangements
  Bring a valid passport or travel
  document, with visa if applicable            And finally, have fun!

www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents/checklists
19
                  Useful Contacts
Useful Contacts

                  Accommodation Office                   Aberdeen University
                  Tel: +44 (0)1224 273502                Students’ Association (AUSA)
                  Email: studentaccomm@abdn.ac.uk        Tel: +44 (0)1224 272965
                  Web: www.abdn.ac.uk/accommodation      Email: ausa@abdn.ac.uk
                                                         Web: www.ausa.org.uk
                  Student Advice and Support Office
                  General Advice                         AUSA Student Advice Centre
                  Tel: +44 (0)1224 273935                Tel: +44 (0)1224 272828
                  Email: student.support@abdn.ac.uk      Email: ausaadvice@abdn.ac.uk
                  Web: www.abdn.ac.uk/student-support    Web: www.ausa.org.uk/supportingyou

                  Disability Advisers                    Student Recruitment and
                  Tel: +44 (0)1224 273935                Admissions Service
                  Email: student.disability@abdn.ac.uk   Tel: +44 (0)1224 272090
                  Web: www.abdn.ac.uk/disabilities       Email: sras@abdn.ac.uk
                                                         Web: www.abdn.ac.uk/sras
                  International Student Advisers and
                  Immigration/Visas                      Erasmus
                  Tel: +44 (0)1224 273935                Tel: +44 (0)1224 273664
                  Email: student.international@          Email: erasmus@abdn.ac.uk
                  abdn.ac.uk                             Web: www.abdn.ac.uk/erasmus
                  Web: www.abdn.ac.uk/students/
                  international                          International Exchange Programmes
                                                         Tel: +44 (0)1224 272026
                  Counselling Service
                                                         Email: studyabroad@abdn.ac.uk
                  Tel: +44 (0)1224 272139                Web: www.abdn.ac.uk/international/
                  Email: counselling@abdn.ac.uk          exchanges
                  Web: www.abdn.ac.uk/counselling
                                                         IT Services
                  Student Learning Service
                                                         Tel: +44 (0)1224 273636
                  Tel: +44 (0)1224 273030                Email: servicedesk@abdn.ac.uk
                  Email: sls@abdn.ac.uk                  Web: www.abdn.ac.uk/it/student
                  Web: www.abdn.ac.uk/sls
                                                         Personal Tutor
                  English Language Centre
                                                         Tel: +44 (0)1224 273040
                  Tel: +44 (0)1224 272538                Email: personaltutor@abdn.ac.uk
                  Email: langcen@abdn.ac.uk              Web: www.abdn.ac.uk/infohub
                  Web: www.abdn.ac.uk/languagecentre
                                                         Infohub
                  Careers Service
                                                         Tel: +44 (0)1224 273040
                  Tel: +44 (0)1224 273601                Email: infohub@abdn.ac.uk
                  Email: careers@abdn.ac.uk              Web: www.abdn.ac.uk/infohub
                  Web: www.abdn.ac.uk/careers
                                                         Graduate School Websites
                  Library, Special Collections and
                                                         College of Arts and Social Science
                  Museums
                                                         www.abdn.ac.uk/cass/graduate
                  Tel: +44(0) 1224 273330
                  Email: library@abdn.ac.uk              College of Life Sciences and Medicine
                  Web: www.abdn.ac.uk/library            www.abdn.ac.uk/clsm/graduateschool
                                                         College of Physical Sciences
                                                         www.abdn.ac.uk/cops/graduate
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