PRE-ARRIVAL GUIDE - #ASTONFRESHERS #ASTONWELCOMEWEEK
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#AstonFreshers
#AstonWelcomeWeek
LC O M E
WTEO ASTON e
i v a l G u id
Pre-Arr
E
Key Dates*
L CO M
WEASTON
FIRST TERM
(New Students)
21 September to
19 December 2020
(Returning students)
TO RSITY
28 September 2020 to
19 December 2020
VE
SECOND TERM
UNI 10 January to 1 April 2021
THIRD TERM
25 April to 12 June 2021
* Please note that whilst
term dates are correct at the
time of publication they may
be subject to change.
We would like to take this Contents
opportunity to welcome you to Aston Find information here:
1 Key dates https://www2.aston.ac.uk/
University and this guide provides about/termdates
2 What to bring if you are an international student
you with all the information you need
3 What you don’t need to bring with you
to know to make your on-boarding a
4 Accommodation
smooth process.
6 Enrolment and arriving on campus
7 Post-arrival checklist
Things will work a little differently this 8 Life at Aston
September, given the current pandemic, 11 Student support
but our team of friendly staff are still here 12 Healthcare and student wellbeing
to support you every step of the way and 14 Additional information
can’t wait to welcome you to Aston. 15 Aston students’ union
1
BRIN G DON’T
T TO YO U
WH A
U AR E A N WHAT TO BRING
O
IF Y NATIONAL NEED YOU
INT ER WITH
EN T
STUD
Laptop and electrical appliances Your entire wardrobe Kitchen equipment
What to pack The standard electricity supply in the The UK has a temperate climate. While This will take up lots of space in your
UK is 230V and the standard outlet is you can bring lightweight summer luggage and is cheap to buy here – you
a 3 pin plug. If you are bringing your and winter wear, you can easily buy can even buy specialist items like rice
laptop and other electrical items to the windproof jackets in the UK that are cookers.
Passport and visa
UK, make sure to pack some adaptor cheap and offer superior quality.
Don’t forget these, otherwise you won’t plugs too. Electrical appliances are Food
even be able to get in to the UK! Also relatively cheap in the UK, so don’t Since our campus is located in
pack copies of your CAS (Tier 4 visa worry if you don’t have enough room in Birmingham city centre, there is a huge The local markets in Birmingham sell
holders) and your financial evidence your bag. range of clothing shops available to suit many different foods from around the
in case you need to show these at every budget. world, so you’re sure to find some
home comforts.
the border. If you are not an UK or EU Medical/optical prescriptions
passport holder, please bring along Spices and condiments
your visa. If you’re receiving medical care, speak Restricted/prohibited items
to your doctor before you leave home to You really don’t need to worry about
get information to pass onto your new the availability of Indian food and You can bring limited amounts of some
Clothing items like alcohol and cigarettes to the
doctor in the UK. If you wear glasses, spices. The city of Birmingham is
The weather in Birmingham can be bring a copy of your prescription in case proud of its long-established Indian UK. Other items such as fresh food is
unpredictable, even in summer! Bring you need to get new glasses or contact community who have lived here completely prohibited. Please make
some layers of lightweight clothing, as lenses while you are here. for generations. Not only do major sure you do not bring any prohibited
days can start off cool and get warmer, supermarket stores have an Indian items with you.
and make sure to include a waterproof Things from home section but you shall find yourself
jacket. The style is generally casual, immersed into flavours of tea, whole
but bring some smart clothes or your Pack some photos and things that will spices, Indian desserts and even
country’s traditional dress for more brighten up your room and remind you Masala Maggi at stores on Soho Road
formal events. of home. Make sure to bring a camera or in Alum Rock that are not too far
so that you can add photos of all your from campus.
new friends and experiences!
2 3
DATION
OMMO
ACC
Campus accommodation - Toilet roll Private accommodation Aston Student Homes (ASH)
- Toiletries such as shampoo,
What’s included conditioner and shower gel Short term lets are not as easy to find ASH is the official Students’ Union
- Toothbrush and toothpaste as long term lets, and you may need to accommodation support service.
All campus accommodation contains: look at areas further from the campus. Check the website www.astonsu.
- A mattress cover, bed linen and
pillows Please seek advice and start your com/housing/astonstudenthomes
- Fridges and freezers search early. for available rooms by clicking on
- A laundry basket or bag
- Ovens and hobs ‘accommodation search’ or
- Coat hangers
- Sinks Alternative off-campus accommodation ‘find a flatmate’.
- Mobile phone charger and laptop
- Kettles or water boilers types:
charger
- Microwaves ASH also offers an accommodation
- Converter plug (if any of your
- Toasters - Private student halls contract checking service through the
appliances have non-European plugs)
- Tables and chairs - Extension cable - Shared house Advice and Representation Centre in
- Cupboards - Umbrella - Flats/Studios the Students’ Union. Once you have
- Waste and recycling bins - Rice cooker (this is easily purchased - Homestay Landlords found accommodation (especially if
- A bed and mattress in the UK) it is through a private landlord), we
- Desk and chair recommend that you contact one of the
- Wardrobe/storage For more information visit: https:// advisers to check the contract before
- Curtains www2.aston.ac.uk/accommodation you sign it – this will help to avoid any
- Desk lighting issues or disputes after you move in.
- Shelving Read about safety measures in place at
Unite Accommodation: Please email:
If you have an ensuite, you will also https://www.unitestudents.com/the- astonstudenthomes@aston.ac.uk
have: common-room/health-and-wellbeing/ to book an appointment with an
an-update-from-us-on-covid-19 adviser.
- A shower and/or bath
- Toilet What not to bring to your Being an international student it’s a
- Sink good idea to arrive in the UK early so
accommodation
- A mirror that you can view properties and make
- Large items or lots of stuff – storage arrangements in person. Remember to
What to bring to your space is limited so don’t bring large book some temporary accommodation
accommodation TVs, your own furniture or lots of for when you first arrive in the UK.
personal belongings
- Crockery and cutlery - Candles, burners and fairy lights –
- Saucepans and a frying pan don’t bring anything that could be a
- Kitchen utensils such as a cheese fire hazard, e.g. oil burners, a chip
grater and a tin opener pan or portable heaters
- Tea towels, oven gloves and a dish - Ashtrays – You cannot smoke in
cloth campus accommodation
4 5
L M EN T LMENT
ENRO V IN G T-ENRO
AR RI S
PO KLIST
AND MPUS rol CHEC
ON CA t o e n
How Install myAston app, Outlook and
Open bank account
There are various bank branches
BlackBoard in the city centre (Barclays, Lloyd,
HSBC, Santander) where you can
Step 1: Enrol online Step 2: On campus enrolment open a student bank account. All
you need is a letter from The Hub
You will need to complete online If necessary, an appointment will be
(Login to map>Student Support
enrolment before arriving at the arranged for you to come onto campus
Services>Request a Confirmation of
University. You will be contacted by so documents can be checked in
Student Service Letter) acknowledging
email with a university username and person in a safe environment. You can download these apps from your you as a student and your BRP
password, and instructions about app store and log in with the university (collected earlier) to open a bank
how to do this. A member of staff If you are studying at a distance, we credentials provided to you. Check account. Don’t forget to link your new
will complete your enrolment and will will contact you to confirm when your your timetable, e-mails, attendance, local mobile number with your bank
contact you if there is a need to see enrolment is complete. library account, book appointments, account.
your documents. latest events from clubs & societies,
If you have decided not to join us on notifications from campus and a lot more. Register with a GP
If there is no need to see you in person, campus in September, then please
The nearest NHS clinic is in the city
your enrolment will be complete. indicate when you will be arriving in
centre itself. It is essential to get
your Pre-Enrolment task in MAP.
What should I do after I arrive in yourself registered. You will need to fill
Birmingham? out some forms available in the Health
What is needed for enrolment?
Centre and a letter of confirmation will
- Passport Collect BRP (Biometric Residence be sent to you from NHS by post.
- Visa documents Permit)
- Original qualification documents Depending on whether you have selected Get your NIN (National Insurance
the university or your accommodation as Number)
Further information for enrolment can be your collection centre, the first thing that You will need this if you want to work in
found here: https://www2.aston.ac.uk/ you need to do is collect your BRP. Always the UK. Since it takes time to process
welcome-week/enrolment keep it safe as this is your evidence of your National Insurance Number
immigration permission in the UK. application, it is recommended to book
an appointment as early as possible. If
Click here for the latest arrival and Get a local SIM card you are planning to work part-time,
welcome week information SIM operators such as Lebara and your employer might ask for your NIN.
GiffGaff offer local calling, SMS, Find information here: https://www.gov.
Further information on enrolment
international calling, and mobile data uk/apply-national-insurance-number
can be found at: www2.aston.
bundles packages at a low price. You can
ac.uk/welcome-week/enrolment
top them up from any convenience store
or online.
6 7
ASTON
LIFE AT
Our campus is located in the centre of As well as numerous bars and Key locations on campus Student Support Services, Main
Birmingham, the UK’s second largest restaurants, Chinatown also features Building
city, ranked the second best English several grocery stores, so you can buy
city for quality of living outside of authentic Asian products. The Hub is a central location which
London (Mercer 2019 Quality of Living Aston Business School brings together all of Aston University’s
Rankings). Birmingham’s diverse population key student support services. We offer
Aston Business School is part of an
means you will easily find halal food. a friendly and welcoming environment
elite group of global business schools
Birmingham has a wide range of Many major supermarkets across the where students can get the help and
which holds the gold standard of
cultural, social and sporting attractions. city stock halal produce and many advice they need. The Hub Reception
‘triple-crown’ accreditation, and is
We are home to Bullring, one of the restaurants and takeaways will also Team will either be able to answer
ranked in the world’s top 100 business
largest shopping malls in Europe, easily cater for you. your query, or refer you to specialist
schools (QS World Subject Rankings,
as well as numerous museums, art staff who will be able to help. If you’re
2020). You’ll find group study spaces
galleries and sporting venues, including Food costs studying online, it’s easy to access
and lecture theatres in this building.
football, cricket, athletics and tennis. support from The Hub: https://www2.
The main supermarkets (grocery stores) aston.ac.uk/current-students/hub
in the UK include Asda, Sainsbury’s, Library
Nearby Coventry also plays host to
rugby and netball teams. We have the Tesco, Morrisons, Lidl and Aldi. Most You’ll find common study spaces on At the Hub you can access Student
oldest working cinema in the UK, over offer online shopping which can be the ground floor, quiet spaces on the and International Advice Teams to get
50 festivals each year and a whole delivered to your accommodation. first and second floor, and of course – help on immigration and legal issues,
range of bars and restaurants with an extensive collection of books and student and work visas, student
cuisines from all over the world. journals. You can also rent laptops, get finance, managing your money, social
print outs, and get expert support from security benefits and student hardship
We are also renowned for our street our Information Specialists. Our library funds.
food scene, with Digbeth Dining Club services are also available online:
every Friday and Saturday evening, the https://www2.aston.ac.uk/library You can also access our Counselling
Balti Triangle and Chinatown. and Wellbeing Services and our
Aston Library SmartSearch is an online Disability and Enabling Teams, who
tool where you could find resources provide friendly, approachable and
such as books, databases and journals understanding mental health and
online. It is also powered by ‘Ask the disability support.
Library’ live chat function where you
can chat with a staff member should Students’ Union Building:
you have any difficulties.
This is a cool new building with a
cosy ambience for you to relax with
your friends, grab a coffee, get Aston
goodies, or study if the quiet of library
appeal to you!
8 9
T
Sir Doug Ellis Woodcock Sports
N
and temples, all of which offer regular
DE
Centre religious worship. Our chaplains will be
STU ORT
able to help you find your nearest place
Our on campus Sir Doug Ellis of worship.
Woodcock Sport Centre offers a range
SUPP
of different sport and leisure activities Our top recommendations for
including:
places to visit in Birmingham:
- Gym - Bullring Shopping Centre and Grand
- Swimming pool Central
- Sauna and steam rooms - Jewellery Quarter Learning
- Fitness and yoga classes - Birmingham Town Hall & Victoria
- Badminton courts Square Development Centre
- Squash courts - Birmingham Museum Art and Gallery
- Sport halls - Digbeth The centre brings together services Union. You can also volunteer to be
- Football pitches - Broad Street Canals including advice on writing for a Student Rep from the start of the
- Custard Factory assignments and research, a maths academic year. Find more information
Student gym memberships are - Gosta Green support centre, programming support here: https://www.astonsu.com/voice/
available as well as various pay and - Chinese Quarter and general study skills guidance, representation/
play activity options. Sport Aston also - St Philip’s Cathedral, Birmingham covering exam and revision techniques,
offer a range of health and wellbeing Cathedral presentations, working in groups and English language tuition
services and is the venue for the - Aston Villa Football Club much more.
As an international student at Aston
University Sports Clubs training and - Birmingham Royal Ballet
you will be entitled to free English
matches. Get Ahead Programme
language tuition in individual or small
Best Indian Restaurants: As a new Aston student you’ll group tutorials. In these sessions you
Find out about our new safety
• Asha’s be able to take part in our Get will:
measures: https://www2.aston.ac.uk/
• Popular Balti Tandoori Ahead programme. Our engaging
sport/news
• Tamatanga learning platform has tools and - improve your accuracy and fluency
• Villa Spice information to help introduce you to life when using spoken and written
Martin Luther King Multi Faith at Aston and start your study journey English
• Alleppey Boat
Centre with us. Find out more: https://www2. - get support with specialised
The Chaplaincy offers pastoral and aston.ac.uk/welcome-week vocabulary used within your field of
spiritual guidance, prayer, support and academic study
friendship to those of all faiths or of Peer mentoring - get support with written assignments,
none. The team consists of members including dissertations/project
We offer mentoring from our current reports
of different faiths and backgrounds, students, from pre-arrival right through
including Christian, Buddhist, Pagan, - get support with other academic
your degree programme. Find further skills such as listening to lectures or
Hindu, Muslim, Jewish and Sikh chaplains. information here: taking part in seminars
https://www.astonsu.com/
Whether you belong to a faith activities/volunteering/
community or not, you are welcome to internationalbuddyscheme/
talk confidentially with a chaplain about Advice and Representation
any problems or concerns you may have.
Student Representatives Centre (ARC)
The Students’ Union’s representation
You will also find a wealth of religious The Student Reps are empowered centre offers free, confidential advice
provisions throughout the Birmingham to represent your academic interests and representation, independent of the
region including churches, mosques to the University and the Students’ university.
10 11
H CA RE
HEA LT NT
S TU DE
D
AN BEING
WELL
COVID Secure A hospital’s accident and emergency SafeZone
(A & E) department is for emergencies
1. We have carried out a COVID-19 risk only. If you are not sure if you need SafeZone is a safety and security app
assessment to ensure our buildings are to go to hospital you can ring the designed to optimise safety around
ready for your arrival. National Health Service (NHS) free non- campus for both students and staff.
emergency number on 111 first or visit
2. We have cleaning, handwashing and a local pharmacy for advice. Aston University has launched this free
hygiene procedures in line with guidance app for both students and staff to
enhance personal safety, security
Campus Safety
3. Where people cannot be two metres and wellbeing around campus. The
apart, we have done everything Our fully-trained and friendly security Safezone app ensures you are able
practical to manage transmission risk. staff help ensure our campus is safe to easily connect with members of
Information is regularly updated on: and secure for you 24 hours a day, 365 the Campus Safety Team if you need
https://www2.aston.ac.uk/current- days a year. In an emergency, Campus assistance or medical support for
students/health-wellbeing/coronavirus Safety can be contacted on yourself or others whilst on campus.
0121 204 4803 or 0121 359 2922.
Medical emergencies Students with disabilities and
For all other queries, our Campus specific learning difficulties
On campus: If you need an ambulance Safety can be contacted on
or other emergency service, please +44 (0)121 204 4803 or 4803 (on an We welcome students with disabilities
call Security on 2222 – do not call the internal phone) or at or long-term medical conditions.
ambulance service direct, as Security security@aston.ac.uk.
need to allow access to these services All teaching is carried out on our
and need to know the exact location of You can also visit them in the Main single campus, where Aston Student
the emergency. This will help to improve Building, to the right of the main Village is located. We have access to
response times of the emergency services. university reception. a number of specially adapted rooms
on campus and accommodation may
Off campus: If you need immediate be guaranteed for the duration of your To help you plan and prepare for
medical assistance (for example because course if your individual circumstances university life, the Enabling Team can
of an accident), telephone 999. This is warrant this. Rooms are available with provide advice and support on a
a free phone number. Your call will be ground floor/lift access, larger floor confidential basis.
put through to an operator who will ask space, ensuite bathrooms, vibrating
which emergency service you require alert/doorbell systems, shower seats, www2.aston.ac.uk/current-students/
(ambulance, coastguard, fire or police). grab rails etc. hub/ the-enabling-team
12 13
TIONAL ST ON
DI
AD MATION A NTS’
T U DE
INFOR S
N IO N
TV licence Proof of age U
If you plan on watching television while
you are in the UK, you will need to
You may find when buying age-
restricted products such as alcohol or Welcome Week is for
purchase a TV licence. This will allow tobacco, going to a bar, club or to the all new students, so make sure you
you to watch or record live TV, download cinema, that you are asked to provide attend some of the online social
or watch programmes on BBC iPlayer. proof of your age. Your passport, EU activities during this week. This is your
Even if you do not watch programmes on national identity (ID) card or your opportunity to make new friends and
a television but use another device (e.g. Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) can also to join clubs and societies such as:
a laptop or tablet), you will still need to all be used as proof of this.
purchase a TV licence. This also applies - Bhangra Club
- Computer Science Society
to any online TV service you use, such Safety
as Now TV, Apple TV, YouTube and - Doctor Who Society
Amazon Instant Video. The UK and Birmingham are generally - Hindu Society
safe places to live. There are however, - Marvel and DC Society
A standard one-year colour TV licence a few precautions you should take as - Sikh Society
currently costs £150.50 to £154.50 you would in most major cities. Do not - TEDx Aston University
and can be purchased from www. display any valuables, keep purses - Women in Business Society
tvlicensing.co.uk and wallets securely hidden from view
and avoid walking down dimly or unlit Find the full list here: https://www.
streets at night. If you can, walk in a astonsu.com/union/student-activities/
Mobile phone
group at night time. clubs-and-societies/
There is a whole range of mobile
phone providers in the UK offering If you do need the police or other
both pay-as-you-go and pay monthly emergency services, call 999 from any
packages, with or without a handset. phone (including mobiles). The 999
Some will also offer special deals to number is for emergencies only. If you
students. The Which? consumer guide need to speak to the police in a non-
can help you to decide which package emergency situation, you can dial 101
will be best for you: www.which.co.uk/ and you will be asked which police force
reviews/mobile-phones. Once you have you would like to be connected to (for
decided on a package, comparison Birmingham, ask for the West Midlands
websites such as MoneySuperMarket Police).
(moneysupermarket.com/mobile-
phones) and Carphone Warehouse
(carphonewarehouse.com) can help you
to find the best deal for you or you can
look directly on the network providers’
websites.
14 15
“Welcome to all
international students
joining Aston University
this September! Aston’s
campus is a global village
at the heart of one of I am Balraj Singh Purewal,
your Vice President of
the youngest and most Student Activities, and I
diverse cities in Europe.
cannot wait for you to join
Aston University and see
Our diversity is our what a great transition will
happen for you.
greatest strength!”
The support that is
Harry Sheppard available at Aston is
President of Aston phenomenal, and you’ll
Students’ Union feel comfortable at
Aston due to the diverse
community we have here.”
Balraj Singh Purewal
Vice President
Student Activities
16 17YO U
SEE !
@astonuniversity
SOON
/astonuniversity
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