The International Office
International Student Orientation Programme 2009
- Freshers' Week
- Important information for all new students
- International Office sessions & events
- University Induction homepage...>>
‘Freshers' Week’
Freshers’ Week is a whole week dedicated to new students
designed to help you settle in to your new surroundings, meet new
people and get organised for the start of term. Freshers’ Week
is a tradition at most UK Universities and may not be something that
you are familiar with.
The International Student Advice Team works closely with the Students’ Union
to ensure all your needs are met during your first week at the University
of Bath. We will meet you at the airport and bring you to the
University on coaches. On campus our Student Helpers and representatives
from the Students’ Union Freshers’ Week Team will be
around to help you find your way.
Before you arrive please look at the Freshers’ Week Website.
There are a number of activities and events that we have organised in order to:
- Help you to meet new people and make friends from a diverse variety of backgrounds
- Provide you with helpful information to make your stay a happy and fulfilling one
- Enable you to relax in your new home and enjoy everything that the university, the city of Bath and the UK has to offer
You will see from the website that there are lots of different events going on everyday, including an organised walk by the canal, museum visits, Discover trips to places of interest, live music and parties. There is something for everyone and it provides a great way to meet UK students and find out more about the University and student life.
Please note: The University also requires you to attend some induction sessions that will give you information about the University, your department, your course, your residence and much more. These sessions are compulsory so make sure you know when they are and where. See the University Induction homepage and the Freshers’ Week Website for more information.
All the information you need for Freshers’ Week is available
at:
www.bathstudent.com/freshers2009
including
a printable timetable.
In order to attend and enjoy all of the activities on the programme you will need to purchase a Freshers’ Week 2009 WRISTBAND...
Undergraduate Students
The wristband costs £42 and is your ticket to every single
event; it gets you priority entry, which means no queuing in the
rain and saves you over £40! There are a limited number of
wristbands so go online to the
Students’ Union website and get yours now!
Postgraduate Students
You may wish to buy the £42 wristband – it isn’t
exclusively for undergraduates. We understand however that you may
have different needs. We have therefore designed a programme
of events that we hope you will enjoy. You’ll be able to meet other
postgraduate (taught and research) students and find out more
about the Postgraduate Association (PGA) and lots more information
that’s specifically relevant to you. The wristband costs £22
and is available from the PGA
website.
The benefits of a Freshers’ Week 2009 WRISTBAND:
- It is an entry ticket to every event!
- It gives you priority access!
- Most events are free with a wristband!
Other special offers for new students: souvenir t-shirts and ‘Essentials packs’ (with discounts, a bus pass, a notepad)….See the bathstudent website for details.
Important information for all new students
When you arrive on campus come to the Student Meeting and Information Point, located in the Plug in the Students’ Union building. Here you can:
- meet our Student Helpers, crewmembers and captains,
- ask any questions you might have
- meet other students who have just arrived
- sit and chat
- find out about Freshers’ week
- collect free tickets for the Saturday Welcome Evening and Undergraduate Party
There is a second information point on the main Parade.
Campus Tours
Please make sure that you go on a tour – to help you find your
way around campus. They run on Saturday 26 between 13:00 – 17:00
on the hour (from the Information point on the Parade) and on Sunday
and Monday all day (according to demand).
If you need any advice about how to organise your week or any other information ask one of our team of friendly Student Helpers - they will be wearing bright yellow t-shirts! They are looking forward to meeting you all either at Heathrow Airport or on campus and helping you settle in. Here are some of our helpers:
There will also be 30 Captains (in green t-shirts) and over 300 crew members (in blue t-shirts) and lots of other volunteers. They are there to help you when you arrive.
REMEMBER - If you have a question – ASK!
International Office sessions & events
As International Students there will be a number of things you may need to do that may not affect UK students:
1) REGISTRATION: PRIORITY - You will not be able to access your student account or get a library card until this is complete. Registration is in two parts -
ii. Document verification (for students with a Tier 4 student visa only). You will require your passport, id card (if you have one), photocopies of your passport and any original documents listed in your offer letter. Further details...
2) You may need advice on:
- how to plan your week
- opening a bank account
- finding out where to shop
- getting a national insurance number.
We suggest you attend these sessions on either Saturday, Sunday or Monday afternoons.
Survival Guide to Freshers’ Week |
8W 1.1 |
Saturday 26 |
13:00–14:00 |
How to Open a bank account |
8W 1.1 |
Saturday 26 |
14:00–14:30 |
Work during your studies |
8W 1.1 |
Saturday 26 |
14:30-15:00 |
Money and budgeting |
8W 1.1 |
Saturday 26 |
15:00-16:00 |
Making the most of your time in the UK |
8W 1.1 |
Saturday 26 |
16:00-17:00 |
3) Some of you may need to register with the police. We have organised a session for you on campus on Wednesday 7 October, 6W1.2 between 11:00-13:30. There is also a session from 13:30 - 15:00 for students who have already registered with the police in the UK, but need to update their Bath address or their visa expiry date.
4) We also think it is important that you meet other international students and share your experiences. The International Office has organised these free social events for you - it is highly recommended you attend.
Saturday 26
- International Student Welcome evening – come and have some hot soup and meet some other students who have just arrived! You will need to collect a ticket from the Student Meeting Point. The event is very informal – please just wear jeans or clothes you are comfortable in. 19:00-21:00 in Level 1.
Sunday 27
- Global café – a chance to speak your own language or to try out a new one – an informal social event. 18:00-20:00 in the Claverton Rooms.
Monday 28
- Ceilidh – pronounced Kaylee. This is a type of traditional irish folk dance. Nobody really knows how to dance this but there are clear instructions! You dance in a big group too so it is easy to meet other people. It is really relaxed and great fun!
Tuesday 29
- International Student Undergraduate and Exchanges Party – this is for NEW students only. There will be an address by the Pro Vice Chancellor + food and dancing. You may wish to wear informal evening clothes or your national dress. Please collect a ticket from the Student Meeting Point. You will need to show your offer letter. 07:00-23:00 in the Claverton Rooms.
Wednesday 30
- Amity Welcome Party - If you have asked for an Amity mentor this will be your first chance to meet. Games and snacks on offer. 18:00-20:00 in the Claverton Rooms.
Thursday 1
- Formal postgraduate taught welcome. An address by the Pro Vice Chancellor and a chance to meet others…No ticket required. 18:00-19:00 in the Claverton Rooms.
Friday 2
- Formal Postgraduate Research Welcome. No ticket required. 15:30-18:30 in the Claverton Rooms.
- Postgraduate Party – for all NEW postgraduate taught and research students. No ticket required but bring your offer letter or library card with you to show on the door! 19:30 in the Pavillion in the town centre.
With so much to choose from, many students say they find it difficult to decide what to do…We recommend:
- Attending the Student Meeting Point for more information
- Attending the ‘How to survive Freshers Week’ Information session on Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 1pm
- Studying the programme on the Students’ Union Website for more details and to help you decide what you want to do
- Talking to the Student Helpers or Freshers’ Week Captains and Crew when you get here to find out what is on offer
- Talking to your other people in your residence about what they are doing during the week
