Your first weekSouthend Campus, 2013-14

www.essex.ac.uk/welcome

Welcome I am delighted that you have chosen to study at the University of Essex and, on behalf of ourUniversity, I extend a very warm welcome to you. I hope that your stay here will be happy andexciting, and that you fulfil your personal and academic aims. This handbook has beendeveloped to enable you to settle into university life, to meet new friends, and to get to knowyour fellow students. I hope it will be a source of information and support as you embark onone of the most important journeys of your life here at Essex.

Professor Jane Wright Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education)

© University of Essex 2013Designed and printed by Print Essex at the University of Essex

Containsrecycledmaterials

Your first week 1

Contents

How to use this programme 2

Getting ready 3

Getting here 6

Getting started 9

Arrival, registration 17and welcome

Useful checklists 22

Please noteWhilst the information in this booklet is believed to be correct at thetime it was compiled (June 2013) the University reserves the right toupdate or modify information where academic or other relevantdevelopments render such action necessary or expedient in thejudgement of the Academic Registrar.

2 Your first week

How to use this programmeThis booklet aims to provide you with useful information you need toknow during your first week here, plus advice to help you settle in soyou can start enjoying your studies and social life. Although it’s aimedat students commencing their studies in September/October 2013, itcontains information that will be useful to students who register at anypoint during the academic year 2013-14.

This booklet will give you information about how to prepare, how to gethere and how to get started.

Knowing what you need to do – and when todo itStarting your studies can be confusing, and it can be hard to know andremember what’s important and what’s for fun. Later in this bookletyou’ll find a checklist to refer to.

Online updatesThe specific welcome programme for your academic department willbe on the Welcome website. You should: Check for updates online at: www.essex.ac.uk/welcome by selecting

‘Southend Campus Students’, ‘Southend Campus Events’ then‘Departmental Welcome Events’

Visit our University of Essex Welcome Facebook page via:www.facebook.com/UoEWelcome

Find out about University of Essex Students’ Union events at:www.essexstudent.com/freshers

Where to go if you have questions when you gethereStudent Administration is located on the second floor of the GatewayBuilding* and is available throughout the year for advice or guidance. Ifyou have any queries on, or before, your arrival that have not beenanswered in this booklet, please feel free to contact us by e-mail onstuadmin@essex.ac.uk

Finding your way aroundThe reverse of this booklet contains an information directory whichincludes a campus map, contact details and other information thatyou may find useful.

Don’t miss our Befriend Southend Team Challenge on Wednesday 2October, which also acts as an orientation exercise. We have alsoprepared a short written guide in the form of a ‘town trail’ to help youfind useful facilities in the local area quickly. This is available on theWelcome website.

Please note carefully that the distance between Southend Campusand Colchester Campus is approximately 45 miles and takesapproximately one and a half hours to travel by car and two hours by train.

*Please note that Student Administration will move to the second floor of The Forum on Monday 18 November 2013

Your first week 3

Getting ready

4 Your first week

Getting ready

Using the University’s student web portal –myEssexTo use the applicant portal for the first time, click on myEssex: thestudent portal followed by ‘myEssex for applicants’ link atwww.essex.ac.uk/students and follow the instructions to register yourexternal email address and create your account.

Once you have successfully created an account and logged in, you willbe taken to a form asking for your personal ID number (UCAS number,PG number or PRID) and date of birth - complete and submit this andyou will be presented with a list of your current applications to theUniversity.

Click on the ‘Further details’ link for the application you’re interested inand you will be taken through to the portal. On subsequent visits youwill see your list of applications (if you have more than one) and canassociate other applications with your existing myEssex account.

If you have any problems trying to access myEssex, please e-mail:admit@essex.ac.uk with your personal ID number and full name.

Accessing your University e-mail accountIf you have used the myEssex student portal, you will be able toactivate your University of Essex computing account online from 2 September 2013. This will enable you to use some services such asyour University e-mail, and online materials relating to your course. Ifyou have activated your computing account you will be able to use thecomputing labs.

You can access your University email account at:https://email.essex.ac.uk/

You can change your password, or reactivate your account at:https://www.essex.ac.uk/password/

Pre-registrationYou will need to pre-register. You should be able to do this via thestudent web portal from 2 September 2013. Please complete thefollowing pre-registration requirements: Check and update your personal details Complete Equal Opportunities questions Check and update your home and contact address Add emergency contact details Confirm your course details Upload a photograph to be used on your Student ID card Sign-up to the University’s Regulations Pay your tuition fees (if you are self funded)

Details will be available via myEssex and also on the RegistrationOffice’s homepage atwww2.essex.ac.uk/academic/offices/reg/index.htm

Money mattersBy the time you’re reading this information we hope that you havefunding for your course in place. Information on all aspects of studentfunding can be found on our University website at:www.essex.ac.uk/studentfinance. Most undergraduates will receivetheir funding termly – if you would like some money managementand budgeting tips please click on the ‘Funding and money’ tab onour Student Support website at www2.essex.ac.uk/stdsup

Your first week 5

If you are beginning an undergraduate course and have previouslystudied at higher education level, your entitlement to financial supportmay be affected. Advice on your funding can be sought from StudentSupport. Postgraduate students are not eligible for the same fundingsupport as undergraduates and need to source their own funding.Further information can be found on our student finance web pages atwww.essex.ac.uk/studentfinance.

Paying tuition/accommodation fees – details of when, where and howto pay your fees, along with information about other charges, can befound on our University website atwww.essex.ac.uk/finance/for_students.

Banking in the UKIf you are an EU or International student you may wish to open a UKbank account. Details of how to go about this are provided atwww2.essex.ac.uk/stdsup/intstuds/bank.shtm

Council taxMost full-time students, both undergraduate and postgraduate, areexempt from the payment of council tax and this is automaticallyapplied if you are living in University Square. If you will be living inyour own home or privately rented accommodation, you will require acouncil tax certificate to prove eligibility for a discount or exemption.Once you’re registered you can request this from the studentdocuments portal at: https:/www.essex.ac.uk/studentdocs. Anyenquiries about the council tax on your property should be directed toyour local council tax office.

Disabled studentsWant to meet your Student Support Adviser? Tell us about yourdisability? Find out more about what we do and what support may beavailable?

Once you have registered, please come along to one of our drop-insessions in room GB.2.53 on the second floor of the GatewayBuilding, where we can speak in confidence and plan how best tosupport you in your studies.

Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 10.45am – 12.15pmTuesdays and Fridays 1.45pm – 3.15pm

AccommodationYou are advised to have your accommodation arrangements in placebefore travelling. For further information visitwww.essex.ac.uk/accommodation

What else can I do to get ready?One of the best ways to prepare for your first week at our University isto read all the information you are sent, sign up to our social mediasites, and regularly check the Welcome web pages to ensure that youkeep up to date with developments and give yourself the best startpossible. There is a lot of information to get through but it’s worthtaking the time to have a look before you arrive.

6 Your first week

Getting here

Your first week 7

When should I arrive? This will depend on your course. Normally students arrive the daybefore their welcome programme begins. For new first year studentsyou should already be on campus and ready to start your welcome onthe following dates:

BSc Nursing – Monday 16 September 2013FdSc (Oral Heath/Adult Care) – Monday 23 September 2013Essex Business School – Monday 30 September 2013East 15 – Wednesday 2 October 2013FdA Therapeutic Communication and Therapeutic Organisations(Adult/Child) – Friday 4 October 2013

If you think you may need to arrive later you should check whether youwould miss any compulsory events.

Key collection arrangements may be different if you arrive later andyou will have to request late registration if you miss the mainregistration period. E-mail ssos@essex.ac.uk in the first instance.

If you are a student aged under18 at the start of your course, you mustattend all your welcome events. You must also arrange to meet yourdepartmental under 18s contact – please check your University e-mailaccount for details of this meeting. If you have any doubts about whichevents and talks you should attend please e-mail ssos@essex.ac.uk orvisit one of our Student Support Advisers on the second floor of theGateway Building.

Travel Information Our Southend Campus is based in the South-East of Essex,approximately 45 miles from our Colchester Campus. Southend issituated within easy reach of London by road and rail. Detailedinformation about how to travel to the University of Essex, for thosecoming from both within the UK and from overseas, can be found onour website at: www.essex.ac.uk/about/getting_here.You may also find the following websites useful:

Door-to-door journey planner: www.transportdirect.info Government sites for Essex: www.thisistotalessex.co.uk and The Rates Calculator - this helps you convert UK prices to other

currencies: www.x-rates.com/calculator.html

London Heathrow, London Gatwick and London Stansted are the maininternational airports that you may be flying into, all of which haveexcellent transport links. Please note, it is possible to fly into LondonSouthend Airport from some European destinations .

On the main Essex Business School arrival day of Sunday 29September 2013, the University offers a transfer service directly fromHeathrow Airport to Southend Campus. You will need to book and payfor your seat in advance via:www.essex.ac.uk/ish/travelling/southend_campus.aspx

If you wish to make your own travel arrangements from the airport thenthe door-to-door journey planner at www.transportdirect.info can assistyou to determine which bus/rail option is best for your scheduledarrival. The postcode for University Square is SS1 1BF whenidentifying options.

Getting here

8 Your first week8 Your first week

More about the local areaThe town of Southend-on-Sea and the surrounding area has a greatdeal to offer and you can find out more about the facilities andattractions from the following websites:Visit Southend: www.visitsouthend.co.ukSouthend-on-Sea Borough Council: www.southend.gov.uk/visitors

Your safetyOur Southend Campus is generally a safe environment but, just thesame as when you are at home, it’s important to follow some commonsense tips to help you stay safe as you settle into student life. We workclosely with local agencies, including the police and Southend BoroughCouncil, to help ensure our campus remains as safe as possible forboth students and staff.

Safety tips: Avoid walking or cycling alone in isolated areas or along isolated and

unlit or poorly lit footpaths; try to arrange to walk with others andkeep to well-lit streets

Always lock your accommodation when you leave and don’t letstrangers into your building

Use bank machines in daylight hours if possible – don’t use them ifanyone suspicious is hanging around

If you are carrying a bag, keep the opening in your sight or againstyour body. Don’t keep keys in your bag, and don’t carry large sums ofmoney around with you – carry only what you need

Be vigilant

Your healthIf you live in the surrounding area, you may wish to register with a localdoctor. We advise international/EU students to register as soon aspossible after arrival in case you need medical treatment.

There are many providers in the local area the nearest of which is:

The PracticeFirst Floor Health SuiteUniversity of Essex (Southend Campus)Luker RoadSouthend-on-SeaSS1 1LWT 01702-762762

Alternatives can be found via:www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/checksymptoms/findyournearest

UK students should only register locally if they require it to be theirpermanent general practitioner (G.P). Otherwise, temporary registrationis normally available for periods from 15 days to 3 months.

Getting here

Your first week 9

Getting started

10 Your first week

Getting started

Academic welcome programmeEach department has its own welcome programme which you shouldfollow carefully. The programmes identify events which are compulsoryand those which are optional. As well as providing useful informationabout the University’s facilities and how to use them, these events willgive you the opportunity to meet staff and network with fellow studentsbefore you begin your course, as well as introduce you to life at ourUniversity and help you settle into your studies.

To check this information, please visit: www.essex.ac.uk/welcome andfollow the links for Southend Campus. This will contain any updates oralterations to events so you should check back from time to time. Anyquestions should be referred to e-mail stuadmin@essex.ac.uk

Information for students aged under 18 at thestart of their courseIf you are under 18, you must arrive on time and attend all yourwelcome events in Welcome Week. There will be opportunities for youto ask any questions you have, and to meet relevant staff in yourdepartment. You will be given important information about your time atEssex. You should also arrange to meet your departmental under 18’scontact — please check your Essex e-mail for details of this meeting. Ifyou are unsure about which events to go to please e-mail:ssos@essex.ac.uk.

RegistrationRegistration for new students will take place on the third floor of theGateway Building. You should register at the appropriate time so makesure you check the Arrival, Registration and Welcome pages later inthis booklet. Full details of Registration and Welcome can be found onthe Welcome website at www.essex.ac.uk/welcome and following thelinks for Southend Campus.

What to bring to registrationa) Photographic identification. Please note if you are a Non-EEA

international student you MUST bring your passport and your visawhich allows you to study at the University of Essex. If you haveapplied for a new Tier 4 visa you need to provide a copy of yourpassport and previous visa, as well as proof of postage of your visaapplication. If you do not provide the appropriate paperwork the

Your first week 11

University will not be able to register you. You will not be able tostart your studies until you are fully registered. If you have anyquestions please e-mail: visalet@essex.ac.uk.

b) Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) statement, if youare a Non-EEA international student, please bring a printed copywith you.

c) Your original Disclosure certificate issued by the Disclosure andBarring Service, if you are a student of the Department of Healthand Human Sciences.

d) Your offer letter.e) Original award qualification certificates, but only if you have been

asked to provide these by the Admissions Office. f) Documentation relating to the payment of your tuition fees. If you

are a self-funded student please bring the first instalment of yourtuition fees, unless you have paid this in advance.

Please refer to the Registration Office website for further informationabout Registration arrangements at:www2.essex.ac.uk/academic/offices/reg.

Note: East 15 Acting School students are required to pay a refundable£300 deposit to secure their place. This deposit will be refundedduring the autumn term.

Late registrationYou must register at the times indicated. If you cannot arrive in the UKon time you will need the permission of the Dean of the Faculty towhich your department/school/centre belongs in order to register latein the week commencing Monday 7 October 2013. Please contact

Student Administration in the first instance, e-mailstuadmin@essex.ac.uk

Registration cardShortly after Registration, you will receive your University registrationcard. This card is printed with your personal details and the photographyou have uploaded. The card is used: To identify you as a student of our University, and must be produced

when ordering student documentation or using student services; To gain entrance to University buildings and facilities; In the Library, if you wish to borrow items; During examinations, to verify your identity; To prove your eligibility to enter Students’ Union venues.

What’s on the card?

12 Your first week

Getting started

In addition to your name, photo and level of study, the card shows: PRID – this is your personal identifier. In the example above it is

TESTB11004. This identifies your financial and student accounts atour University. If you stay at Essex and take a second course, you willkeep this identifier. Your PRID is also shown as a barcode, for use byhand held scanning devices.

Registration number – this is associated with your personalacademic record for your course. In the example shown it is0886051. If you stay at Essex and take a second course, you will begiven a new registration number.

Expiry Date – this is the expected end date of your course. If youextend your course, you will need a new card.

Login – this is your username for your University computer account,in this example jtestb. Add @essex.ac.uk to create your e-mailaddress.

If you are under 18 years old when you start your studies, yourregistration card will state this clearly. Once you are 18, you will beable to exchange your registration card for a new one at no cost.

Loss of Registration cardIf you lose your card, please report this immediately to StudentAdministration on telephone: 01702 328231. The lost card will thenbe deactivated for security purposes. Please look after your cardcarefully as there is a fee charged for replacement if either card is lostor damaged - currently £10.

Timetable detailsEssex Business School and Health and Human Sciences students canview their personalised teaching timetable on the web here:www.essex.ac.uk/timetables. You will be prompted to enter yourUniversity of Essex login in the format: username@essex.ac.uk. Amobile device optimised timetable can be accessed on an internetphone using a browser at: bit.ly/pockettimetable. You should regularlycheck your online timetable as teaching events are subject to change.A full guide to online student timetables is available at:www2.essex.ac.uk/academic/offices/tt/.

East 15 Acting School studio-based classes are timetabled separatelyfrom lectures and seminars. Students should refer to departmentalinformation on Floor 5 of the Gateway Building for times and locations.

Daily timetables are displayed on digital signage screens throughoutthe University, which show the room where lectures are taking place.It’s a good idea to quickly check this before each session as roomchanges do occur from time to time. We also use e-mail to informstudents of room changes, so please check your University e-mailaccount frequently.

Module directoryYou can browse our Module Directory at: www.essex.ac.uk/modules.Each entry includes a description of the module content, the learningoutcomes, the teaching, learning and assessment methods, and areading list. The directory also links to the course materials repository,an online portal which provides access to teaching materials andbackground resources, including past exam papers.

Your first week 13

Languages for AllDid you know that all University of Essex students can study alanguage alongside their degree course at no additional cost?

Languages for All will be offering French and Spanish eveningclasses at the Southend campus from 2013-14. You will be able tosign up for these classes in September 2013 via myEssex.

You can learn a language in order to: Give yourself a competitive edge in graduate employment Expand your options for study abroad Gain confidence to work and travel internationally Increase your global and cultural awareness

Don’t forget to sign up in September!www.essex.ac.uk/study/languagesforall/

myEssexEach student has a personalised web portal, which presents links toresources and services relevant to you and the modules you arestudying. You can personalise the layout and content of myEssex inmany ways. If you accessed myEssex for applicants, all your settingswill carry forward once you are a registered student. We use myEssexto deliver alerts to certain student groups with important reminders ofwhat’s on, so please refer to myEssex throughout your studies.

Your own e-portfolioThe e-portfolio, myLife, is key area of myEssex and is your ownpersonal online space. You are encouraged to use this to record andreflect on your many experiences and achievements, not only academicbut also relating to your personal development and career planningduring your time at Essex. You can share parts of your e-portfolio withtutors, friends and future employers to gain valuable feedback and toshowcase your skills and achievements.The myEssex website can be accessed at:https://www.essex.ac.uk/myessex/

14 Your first week

Getting started

English language assessment and in-sessionalclassesWho must sit the English language assessment? Essex Business School students whose first language is not Englishare encouraged to take this assessment. It is not a pass/failexamination, and is not used to determine entrance to Universitydepartments/schools/centres. The purpose is to identify whichstudents may benefit from taking free English language supportclasses.

What if I have an advanced English language qualification? Almost all students whose first language is not English will have aninternationally recognised English language qualification, but these arehard to equate one with another. We ask students to sit another simpletest to provide statistical data on likely in-sessional support needs. Onlystudents who have taken the English language test will be eligible forthese free classes.

When does the test take place? Part I of the test will take place on Wednesday, 2 October at 9.30am.Part II (an online test) will be taken on Friday 4 October. Further detailswill be provided to you at Registration.

How do I get my test results and more information on Englishlanguage classes?Your scores will be e-mailed to you during the first week of the autumnterm, together with information on how to register for free Englishlanguage support classes if this support is considered necessary.

Registration with the PoliceStudents from the countries listed below, who are studying at ourUniversity for more than six months, will usually be required to registerwith the police. Your entry clearance should state ‘Police registrationwithin seven days of arrival’. Afghanistan Algeria ArgentinaArmenia Azerbaijan BahrainBelarus Bolivia BrazilChina* Columbia CubaEgypt Georgia IranIraq Israel JordanKazakhstan Kyrgyzstan KuwaitLebanon Libya MoldovaMorocco North Korea OmanPalestine Peru QatarRussia Saudi Arabia SudanSyria Tajikistan TunisiaTurkey Turkmenistan United Arab EmiratesUkraine Uzbekistan Yemen

*Some citizens of Hong Kong have new passports and are required toregister with the police; if you are unsure if this applies to you, pleasecheck with the police when you arrive.

Your first week 15

It is important to note that you must register with the police withinseven days of your arrival in the UK. To do this you will need to gatherthe following information in advance: Your passport and your Identity Card for Foreign Nationals (ICFN) or

Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) if you have been issued with one; The correct registration fee of £34 in cash; Two passport-sized photographs of yourself; Written proof of you student status from the University (available

from Student Administration – 48 hours notice is required) Proof of UK address (via an accommodation allocation letter,

tenancy agreements, bank statement or utility bill) Your original offer letter.

If you have a spouse and/or children with you in the UK you will alsoneed to take: Their passports and ID card (ICFN or BRP), if they have one; The registration fee, £34 per person over the age of 16; and Two passport-sized photographs of each person over the age of 16. There is no registration fee for children under 16 years old.

Spouses are only required to register if they have the registrationrequirement stated on their visa/leave to remain.

You will be able to complete Police Registration on campus onThursday 10th October – details will be provided at Registration.Otherwise, the nearest police station where you can register is inVictoria Avenue. Telephone: 101 and ask for Southend Police station’scustomer service desk. Once connected you should ask to make anappointment with the Foreign Nationals Registrar.

Other eventsThere are a range of exciting events and activities available which don’trelate directly to your academic department, school or centre. Theseare all listed in your departmental welcome programme (go towww.essex.ac.uk/welcome , and follow links for Southend Campus.Some events are open to all new students, whilst others target specificgroups such as international students, and are marked ‘optional’. Youmust prioritise compulsory events over the optional events to ensurethat you don’t miss the most important things.

Don’t miss our Befriend Southend Team Challenge on the afternoonof Wednesday 2nd October. The challenge will take you around thecampus and across the town via a series of fun activities.Fab prizes up for grabs!

16 Your first week

Getting started

The Students’ UnionThe Students’ Union is a representative body led by a team of electedSabbatical Officers, including a Vice President Southend & Loughton,with the support of a permanent staff team who work towardsenhancing the student experience by offering various services. TheStudents' Union main Admin Office will be based on the Second Floor ofThe Forum with additional space at the Students' Union building inElmer Approach.

This year you will have the unique opportunity to develop the servicesand opportunities you’d like by working with the team in Southend. Partof that development will include having a say in how ‘The Union’ (thespace next door to the Gateway Building) is used.

There is also the Students’ Union Advice Centre (SUAC) which offerspractical help and impartial advice on most welfare issues including Tier4 visa extensions, housing (both Private Sector and Universityaccommodation), academic issues (e.g. extenuating circumstances,appeals etc), representation at Academic Offence and Disciplinarymeetings. Whatever is on your mind the SUAC will help, or direct you tosomeone who can. The service is confidential, independent andimpartial, as well as being free to all students.

Find out more at www.essexstudent.com/southend

Your first week 17

Arrival, registrationand welcome

18 Your first week

Freshers’ arrival registration and welcome

The information overleaf provides initial information about when toarrive and dates for registration and welcome. Each degree coursehas its own full welcome programme which you should access fromthe Welcome website www.essex.ac.uk/welcome, select SouthendCampus and your department.

For more information, you may also wish to visit:

1. The Welcome Facebook page for up to date information viaour main page at www.facebook.com/UoEWelcome

2. The Students’ Union webpages and have a look at what theyare offering at: www.essexstudent.com/southend.

Your first week 19

Sunday 15 SeptemberArrival: BSc Nursing students

Monday 16 September10am onwards BSc Nursing students

Welcome begins in GB.2.41Second FloorThe Gateway Building

(Registration takes place in the afternoon)

Sunday 22 SeptemberArrival on Campus: FdSc Oral Health Sciences students

Monday 23 September10am onwards FdSc Oral Health Sciences students

FdSc Adult Care studentsWelcome followed by Registration begins inGB.3.52Third FloorThe Gateway Building

Sunday 29 SeptemberArrival: Essex Business School students

E15 students (Welcome begins on Wednesday)

Monday 30 SeptemberPostgraduate (MSc) Registration for Essex Business School studentsPlease attend as follows:9.15am Surnames A-F10am Surnames G-N10.50am Surnames O-Z

Please go to: Third FloorThe Gateway Buildingand follow signs for registration.

Undergraduate (BSc) Essex Business School students10am onwards welcome begins in Room GB.2.43, second floor, TheGateway Building. (Registraton takes place in the afternoon)

PhD Essex Business School students11.40am Registration

Please go to: Third FloorThe Gateway Buildingand follow signs for registration.

20 Your first week

Freshers’ arrival registration and welcome

Tuesday 1 October 10am onwards Non Medical Prescribing course

Welcome and RegistrationPlease go to: GB.3.50, Third Floor, The Gateway Building

2pm – 3pm Late Registration* (Essex Business Schoolstudents only)

Wednesday 2 October 9am E15 welcome begins

Please go to:The Front EntranceClifftown StudiosNelson StreetSouthend-on-SeaSS1 1EF

(Registration takes place on Thursday 3 October)

9.30am English Language Assessment (Paper 1)Details will be available at Registration

From 2pm Befriend Southend Team ChallengeStarting point: The Union

Thursday 3 October 9am Registration*

BA Acting & Community Theatre (Year 1)

9.35am – 10.55am Registration*BA World Performance (Year 1)Please attend as follows:

Surnames A-L, arrive 9.35amSurnames M-Z, arrive 10.15am

10.55am – 12noon Registration* BA Physical Theatre (Year 1)BA Acting & Stage Combat (Year 1)Please attend as follows:Surnames A-L, arrive 10.55am (both courses)Surnames M-Z, arrive 11.25am (both courses)

2pm – 3pm Late Registration*(General session for late students)

*Please go to the third floor of the Gateway Building and follow the signs forregistration.

Your first week 21

Friday 4 October 10am onwards FdA Therapeutic Communication and

Therapeutic Organisations (Adult/Child)Welcome and Introduction begins followed byRegistration.GB.3.50Third FloorThe Gateway Building

English Language Assessment (Paper 2 on-line).This will take place in the morning of Friday 4 October and details willbe provided after Paper 1 has been sat on Wednesday 2 October.

Not sure what to do?If you have any questions about your arrival/registration/welcomeplease e-mail: stuadmin@essex.ac.uk or contact StudentAdministration on Telephone: 01702 328231/8331/8226.

Need more information about welcome andregistration?Each degree course has its own welcome programme which youshould download from the Welcome website at:www.essex.ac.uk/welcome, select and follow links for SouthendCampus.

Student handbookThe Student handbook for Southend Campus is available at:www.essex.ac.uk/student_handbook/southend.aspx

22 Your first week

Before you arriveSign up to use myEssex for applicants via:www.essex.ac.uk/students Activate your University of Essex computer and e-mail account (youcan do this once you have signed into myEssex) Complete pre-registration online (open from September): checkand update your personal information; emergency contact; coursedetails; upload a photograph; sign up to our University’sRegulations; pay your tuition fees (if you are a self-funded student) Check the welcome and registration programme for yourdepartment. This is available at: www.essex.ac.uk/welcome (followSouthend Campus links)

What to bring with you to RegistrationPhotographic identification (eg passport, driving licence) International students (those from non-European Economic Area countries): bring your passport, visa/Biometric Residence Permit and a printout of your CAS statement Documentation relating to the payment of your tuition fees (eg confirmation from Student Finance England or your sponsor) Self-funded students: the first instalment of your tuition fees, if you have not paid in advance Original qualifications (if these have not already been supplied to our Admissions Office)

Students of the Department of Health and Human Sciences, your original Disclosure certificate issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

During Welcome WeekAccess and follow your department’s welcome programme,available at www.essex.ac.uk/welcome (follow Southend Campuslinks)Attend registration at the time and place identified in yourdepartment’s welcome programmeLogin and access myEssex at: www.essex.ac.uk/students andcheck your University of Essex e-mail messages Look up your timetable at www.essex.ac.uk/timetable, or for East15 students make sure you know where to look for it in yourdepartment.Visit the Students’ Union at The Forum. You can also catch up withStudents’ Union activities on-line at:www.essexstudent.com/southendDon’t forget to sign up for your NUS Extra card which entitles you to discounts in a range of shopsFind the Student Common Room (second floor), IT labs (secondand third floors) and the Open Study Area (third floor) in theGateway BuildingFind the Learning Hub, Employability and Careers Centre@Southend, and the Touchdown Points in The Forum (second floor)

Useful checklists

Your first week 23

International studentsRegister with the police, if required to do so (details will be availableat registration) Attend the English language assessment, if required to do so, thiscould entitle you to free English language support classesthroughout the year

During your first monthCheck how you will be assessed/examined on your course Check when you are required to submit your first piece ofcoursework Visit the library at The Forum and understand how to use onlinelibrary catalogues and databases Find out what plagiarism is and how to avoid it Find out about skills development, eg skills programmes, personaldevelopment planning Know where to access information about the regulations of ourUniversity Be aware of the range of support services available to students andbe ready to ask for help if you need it Visit the Employability and Careers Centre @ Southend at TheForum to find out how we can help you start your career orcontinue with further study.