University

What will Freshers week 2020 be like?

Rachel — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 14:32:58 +0000

Reading time

3 minutes

The coronavirus pandemic has had an impact on every part of day to day life and university life this year will of course be affected too. Are you thinking about coming to university in the UK this year and wondering how freshers week will be affected? We’ve got you covered!

What is Freshers week?

Freshers week is an important date in the university calendar. This takes place the week prior to the first week of semester one. A “fresher” is a student who is in their first year of their undergraduate degree. This is the week when traditionally students move into their accommodation and enrol in classes.

During this week the university usually runs an orientation week where information on how the university works is offered and tours of the campus organised. The student union runs different social events such as pub quizzes, comedy nights, gigs and scavenger hunts. Although this is focused on freshers, anyone can get involved and it is a great way for international or exchange students to socialise and make friends.

What will Freshers week be like in 2020?

Many universities are staggering student arrivals to avoid having too many people coming to campus at once. So you might arrive at a different time to your flatmates or others on your course.

Freshers events with lots of people are now unfortunately a thing of the past with most universities having a blended model of in person and online events. For example, Strathclyde University Union in Glasgow have a jam packed welcome month. It has planned many great online events for freshers such as online welcome dinner parties, zoom speed meeting and campus tours through Instagram live!

In terms of the in person events, hopefully the British weather will be at it’s best as these are likely to be outside. It is also likely there will be limited spaces due to social distancing and allocated time slots so if you want to take part, best to reserve your spot early!

Night clubs were traditionally a big part of freshers week but they will not be this year as they are still shut in the UK. There are plenty of other ways you can get to know people through organised university events or you can organise a socially distanced walk or a zoom drinks night yourself!

How can I stay safe during Freshers week?

Freshers week and socialising in general will be in line with government and health guidelines. It is important to practice social distancing, wash your hands regularly and wear a mask in shops, on public transport and where social distancing is difficult. It is worth checking individual institution’s guidance for staying safe on campus.

There is no reason why Freshers week can’t be enjoyed even with the current restrictions. Get out there (and online) and have fun!

If you haven't got your place at university yet for this academic year then head over to UCAS Clearing to find out more! You can also read our blog about applying through clearing as an international student.

Author

Rachel

Communications Coordinator

Blog tags

International Students

Freshers Week

University

What will UK university life be like post lockdown?

Rachel — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 11:56:38 +0000

Reading time

3 minutes

Are you thinking about coming to university in the UK this year but not sure what it will be like? Well we’ve got you covered! It’s a given that this year, university life will be different but there is no reason why it can't be enjoyed like before.

What will freshers be like this year?

Freshers week takes place prior to the first week of the academic semester. This is also known as welcome or orientation week. The exact dates will differ depending on the university but it usually takes place from the start to mid September. Freshers week, which traditionally consisted of big ice breaking events and club nights, has drastically changed. Many universities are now focusing more on online and outdoor events so there is still plenty to embrace during your first week at university. For in person events, there are likely to be limited spaces and allocated time slots so get in early if you want to take part!

Check out our blog post on Freshers week 2020 here and individual institutions’ websites to see what they have on offer and get involved!

What will accommodation be like?

If you live in university accommodation, you will mostly likely be put in a ‘social bubble’ with other students. This will mean that you will live with people who are studying the same course as yourself which helps to minimise close contact beyond this small group. This is a great opportunity to make friends with people who have similar interests to you and to meet people to study with.

Most universities are organising accommodation blocks dedicated to students who need to self isolate upon arrival to the UK. Universities are also organising shuffle services from airports so check with individual institutions to find out if they are able to take you from the airport straight to your front door!

What will learning be like?

It is a given that there will not be any large lectures or tutorials taking place during the first semester. Most universities will be going forward into the first semester with a blended learning programme. This means there will be a mix of online lectures and tutorials with some small group teaching taking place on campus while following the latest health guidelines.

Each university’s learning approach will differ so best to check with individual institutions’ websites to see how they are planning learning.

What will the campus be like?

Campus life and socialising in general will be in line with government and health guidelines. Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh is helping their students follow these guidelines by calling them the three W’s. The first is wash your hands and it has stated that there will be hand-sanitiser stations around the campus. The second is wear a face covering and Heriot-Watt University have face covering zones which they are prepared to adapt and change depending on government guidelines. The third is to watch your distance, social distancing has become a huge part of the “new normal” and Heriot-Watt University has designed the campus with social distancing in mind consisting of one way systems and relevant signage.

Food and drink services are likely to be different too with booking systems, click and collect options, more emphasis on card payments, extra cleaning and social distanced tables. It is worth checking what the local government guidelines are on socialising as this differs in each part of the UK.

This academic year is definitely going to be different but don’t be put off continuing your studies because of it. Be innovative and make friends in different ways such as through online events and societies. Make the most of your bubble as these fellow students could become your friends for life! Be creative about where you watch your online lectures, if the weather is nice you could try and find a spot on campus with wifi to have a change of scenery.

If you are still to apply to university in the UK for this academic year then head over to UCAS Clearing and you can read our blog about applying through clearing as an international student.

A certified translation of your documents will be needed if you are applying to university or applying for a student visa and your supporting documents are not in English. Dialexy can help you out with fast and easy official document translation for you to be able to meet the university application deadline. Dialexy certified translations will be accepted by UK universities and they meet UK visa translation requirements. Simply click here and upload your documents to receive an instant quote. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch.

Author

Rachel

Communications Coordinator

Blog tags

University

International Students

University Life

Last call for 2020-2021 International Students: The UK Clearing Process Explained

Rachel — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 15:33:25 +0000

Reading time

3 minutes

Despite the current situation, learning doesn’t stop and universities in the UK still have spaces in degree courses starting this academic year. Each year prospective undergraduate students apply by using the UK university clearing process through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) which is currently live. Universities with course vacancies will list these, and prospective students can apply. If you did not get a place on your preferred course or you missed the entry requirements then clearing could be for you!

How do I know if I'm eligible to apply to clearing as an international student?

International students can apply to UK universities through clearing. You will be eligible if you didn’t receive any offers or any you wanted to accept, if you weren’t able to meet the requirements for your offers, if you have declined your firm place or if you have paid the multiple choice application fee. After checking if you are eligible, you will need to obtain your UCAS clearing number.

When is clearing open until?

Clearing is already open and will be until 20th October but it works on a first come first served basis. Many courses start before then so act quickly if you’re wanting to go to university in the UK this academic year.

How do I apply through clearing as an international student?

Once you have your UCAS clearing number then you are ready to start researching courses. Courses with availability will be listed on individual institutions websites as well as on the UCAS clearing search tool. If you find a course you are interested in, you need to contact the institution directly. There is usually a specific phone line which you will need to call and the university may offer you an informal offer over the phone. Once you have an informal offer which you want to accept, you can add a clearing choice on your UCAS account. It is then up to the university to confirm your place, then you are all set!

I’ve accepted my clearing offer, what’s next?

Once you have chosen to accept an offer, you will need to organise, if applicable, a student visa. For this you will need your current passport, evidence you can afford to study and live in the UK, your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from your university and an English language test certificate. You will also need to organise your travel and accommodation.

What if my documents are not in English?

When applying to university and applying for a student visa, if your supporting documents are not in English then you will need to provide a certified translation. Dialexy can help you out with fast and easy official document translation that will be accepted by UK universities and that meet UK visa translation requirements. Simply upload your documents to translate.dialexy.com for an instant quote. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch.

If you still have questions about the clearing process then head over to UCAS clearing to learn more!

Author

Rachel

Communications Coordinator

Blog tags

International Students

Clearing

University

5 Ways to prepare yourself for your study abroad

nuvaquahu — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 13:04:37 +0000

Reading time

6 minutes

When planning your study abroad trip some people say “You’ll figure it out when you get there”, but there a couple of things that you should take care of prior to your departure and if possible, long before. As a study abroad student myself, I have put together a short list of things for you to get prepared for your trip and your time abroad.

5. Booking flights at the right time.

Booking your flights is an important part of your journey and can easily turn into something stressful if you don’t book on time. For a lot of flights (mostly short-distance) around 7 weeks in advance is the best time to book cheap flights. However, if you are planning to travel long distances, for example UK to Malaga, then booking around 13 weeks in advance can often be considered. So, you always have to take the distance of your travel into account when booking your tickets. Flight ticket prices are known for changing quite frequently, but most of the time booking a little earlier can save you quite a bit of money.

4. Preparing your official documents, especially certified translations.

As a part of many study abroad applications, students will have to get your official documents sorted, which often means that you will have to send in your certified translations of your university documents as part of your application.

You have to be careful if your university says that they will also provide different languages for your documents, as some universities are working on providing translations of your courses, modules and classes in different languages, however, it can easily happen that your transcripts or certificates will not be fully translated, which you then have to get translated. So, be aware of this!

For universities that do not offer the service of providing you with your official documents in a different language, keep in mind that you will most likely have to take care of your certified translations yourself, but that’s why Dialexy is here to help you with your certified translations.

In addition, it is always good to update your CV and get it translated, in case you want to work during your stay abroad. Generally this translation does not have to be certified.

3. Getting in touch with your university abroad and asking them questions.

Contacting your university abroad is a very benefiting aspect that will help you a lot when you arrive at your new university. Mostly you can find the contact details of your teachers, tutors or advisors on the university website under your course description. When getting in touch with university advisors or teachers it is always helpful to make a list of questions that you want to ask, that way you can be sure that all of your questions have been answered.

To give you a guideline of questions that you could ask, I have prepared a short list of questions for you:

1. Do I have to provide certified translations of my university documents? (particularly into the language of the destination country)

2. Do I have to apply for a CAS number to get a study visa? (only applicable to students from outside of the EU going to the UK)

3. How much are the tuition fees?

4. Do I have to apply for accommodation?

5. When is the induction?

2. Explore the area where you are going to live.

When moving to a new country or new city, one of the first things to do is to get to know your new environment. There are various ways of having a closer look at what your new home has to offer. The easiest way to have a look around is with GoogleMaps. GoogleMaps will give you an overview of things to do in your new city or village. Not only can you see what is around, but more importantly how far shops, GP’s, restaurants, clubs and more are away from your new home. If you have already had a look at what’s around, you might want to find out what people have recommended and reviewed in the past, in which case, TripAdvisor is your go-to for traveller reviews, ranging from cheap places to eat to award-winning beaches. The site will also help you out if you need some inspiration on things to do in and around your city which can spice up your stay abroad and make it more exciting.

If you are more of an independent explorer, you can always get a hold of maps of your city or village and go to explore places on your own instead of doing what you have read from other people.

1. Be open to meeting new people. They will make your life (abroad) a lot easier and more exciting.

So, this is probably my top personal advice for everybody who is going abroad. Experiencing things together is just a lot more exciting and fun!

I know there are many “to-be” study abroad students who do not really plan on meeting a lot of new people, unless they have to. But I want to emphasise that if you really want to have a great time during your stay abroad, meeting new people and making new friends, even though it may seem difficult at first, is the best way of getting the most out of your experience. I have met many people throughout my study abroad program who said they did not want to meet any new people, but in the end it turned out that they were spending more time with new people than with people they already knew.

So, don’t be shy, just try talking to some new people :)

PS: When making new friends abroad you will most likely have a place to stay at a friend’s place when you are traveling in the future. That’s definitely a big plus!

Author

nuvaquahu

Nuvaquahu - ex Communication Coordinator

Blog tags

Travel Tips

Study abroad

Student life

University

Things Students Forget Throughout Their Studies

nuvaquahu — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 12:37:55 +0000

Reading time

3 minutes

Whether you are coming to university as a fresher or have been at uni for a longer time, there are a few things that students often do not know or forget while at university. Some things are course-related like my personal uni hack, others are family-related, but just make sure that you that you are not the one who forgets these things. Follow these tips and you will be on the safe side!

5. Know the course regulations and requirements, especially for your assignments.

Getting on top of your course regulations and requirements does often take a bit of time, but I can tell you - it is worth it! Especially when knowing the regulations for your assignments, such as what is included in the word count or if assignments have to be submitted in electronic form or in hard copy, or both, will save you a lot of time and stress.

4. Make use of supporting university tutors, help desks and other facilities.

Universities abroad often have various student support programmes and facilities that can come in handy when other people around us can't be of more help. Many universities have special teams and classes to help you during your studies abroad, with support including reading over essays or helping you improve your writing or speaking skills. You will get more out of it than you think, even when you think you do not need any more help with your language skills. You will get more out of it than you think. Even if you think you do not need any more help with your language skills.

3. Stay in touch with your family.

Being abroad means being away, but you do not have to be away completely. Talk to your family and friends every now and then. Let them know what you are experiencing or are planning to do in the upcoming months. You will make them very happy!

2. Download as many interesting journals, articles and eBooks that you can find in your university online database.

When you are uni you have access to so many interesting articles, journals and eBooks that you won’t be able to access after you leave your university. Take the chance and use the opportunity to collect some fascinating literature!

1. The Absolute Uni Hack: Save your assignments and working documents on a cloud or a drive that is accessible from anywhere AND send them to yourself by email.

This is the absolute uni hack when you need someone to save your life last-minute!
As a student you often have this notion of not needing any advice or useful suggestion from anyone, but at the same time you know that if something bad can happen to you, it will. If it’s your USB-stick strangely not being recognised or you just forgetting your USB-stick at home, because you were busy writing the whole essay the night before. You can’t think of everything, of course. It’s just how these things happen based on past experiences.

To make sure this does not happen, always send your final assignments and assignment progressions to yourself and save them on an online cloud or drive such as iCloud or GoogleDrive, so that they are easily available at all times regardless of where you are. So, in case you do forget your USB-stick at home or something else happens, this will literally save your life. It saved my life a number of times!

Author

nuvaquahu

Nuvaquahu - ex Communication Coordinator

Blog tags

University

Studying

Study Tips

5 reasons to study abroad

nuvaquahu — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 16:05:25 +0000

Reading time

2 minutes

5. You have never felt so free in your life!

Sometimes it feels like being away from home is the only way to feel free. To get away from all your problems at home and away from all the negative energy that is surrounding you. You finally got to the point where you have the feeling that you are actually living your life!

4. You get to see more places than just your university

Trains, MegaBus or National Express will be your best friends when travelling from A to B as they are cheap and run quite frequently. If you like to travel by train, you should definitely get a RailCard. So, in case you think you have run out of things to do, just book a bus or train for the next weekend and go explore a new location. You will be surprised how much you can get to see for little money.

3. Studying abroad is not just studying at a different university

You do know you are at a university, but things are still not completely the same than at your home university. This can be a good thing, in terms of more university support or more opportunities to show your potential in class, sports and other activities. It will often be that time is the only thing that will help you get used to this new environment. So, just be patient, you will get there.

2. You take care of things yourself.

With freedom also comes a lot responsibility. You learn to take care of things yourself and stand up for yourself. Being independent is not very easy at first, but will teach you how to tackle life in the future. Be confident! You can do it!

1. You will often ask yourself if you want to stay abroad or go back home.

Lastly, the question “Should I stay here or should I go back home?” will be in your head for quite a while as it will have a big impact on your life. Some people already know that they want to stay after they have arrived, others will look forward to flying back home and going back to their life in their home country. How will you decide?

PS: I myself have stayed abroad and I am glad I made this decision. Of course, every now and then I think about how things would have been if I would have gone back to my home country, but for me staying abroad just felt right as it is more exciting and more interesting to discover new things about life yourself.

Author

nuvaquahu

Nuvaquahu - ex Communication Coordinator

Blog tags