YOUR PROGRAMME FOR OUR OPEN DAYS BEDFORD CAMPUS

I 02

To make sure you get the most out of your day with us, we’ve put together this booklet. Inside, you’ll find details on the University’s open day, including campus information, how to find us and campus maps, so you can find your way around once you arrive. On the day we’ll provide you with a programme of the days activities and a schedule of the sessions that are relevant to your particular subject.

With a wide range of talks and opportunities to meet with academics, support staff and students, we hope you get all your questions answered and get the information that you’re looking for.

Enjoy your day!

WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF BEDFORDSHIREChoosing where and what to study is a life-changing decision – that’s why the more information you have, the better.

One of the top five safest student areas in England and WalesStuRents.com 2015

TOP5

CONTENTSOur campus Bedford 3What you can do on the day 4-5Getting here – Bedford 6-7Bedford campus map 8-9Take yourself on a tour 10-11We’re committed to student satisfaction 12Notes 13FAQs 14-15

03 I

Bedford is located approximately 20 miles from Luton and lies along the picturesque banks of the River Great Ouse. Bedford has a wealth of parks and green open space, as well as leisure and entertainment facilities.

CampusThe Bedford campus is close to Bedford town centre and can be reached by bus in around five minutes. It is also a few minutes’ walk from the Aspects Leisure Centre, which is home to acinema, gym, and restaurants.

Brand-new teaching spaceAt our Bedford campus we’ve recently opened Gateway, our brand new, three-storey building that offers a number of high-quality teaching spaces, as well as informal learning spaces, lecture theatres, a new student services centre and boardroom facilities.

Top-class performanceBedford also plays host to a 280-seat professional theatre. Not only is it a top-class teaching space, but it also has its own performance seasons and regularly holds workshops and conferences, offering all Performing Arts students the opportunity to showcase their work. There is also a suite of industry-standard dance studios here at our Bedford campus, which offers you the chance to develop your skills in a professional setting.

Top of our gameOur Physical Education and Sport Science Centre, which was used to train athletes in the 2012 Olympics, provides you with access to the latest sport and exercise science technology to help assess and develop your sport performance. We have also recently refurbished our sports hall, and upgraded our changing rooms, allowing our Bedford campus to offer facilities that meet national championship standards.

OUR CAMPUSBEDFORDThe county town of Bedford is in one of England’s smallest counties, flanked east and west by tourist hotspots like Oxford and Cambridge, and is just a 40-minute train journey from central London. Bedford is also close to Milton Keynes, a city with the fastest growing ‘after 6pm’ culture outside of London.

New sports hall

280-seat professional theatre

Our new teaching building, Gateway

River Great Ouse, Bedford

I 04

Welcome talksOur welcome talks will provide you with an introduction to the University; from our courses and facilities, to our future plans and visions. It is recommended that attendees and guests try to attend one of the welcome talks. These are run throughout the morning of the open day and are delivered by a member of the Vice Chancellor’s Executive Team.

General talksThese talks will provide you with detailed information on how to make your application through UCAS, important advice on how to write an impressive personal statement and all money matters relating to university.

Campus toursTours are a great way to get a real feel for the University, and experience the environments that you will be studying and socialising in. You will visit the likes of our Campus Centre, our sports hall and social spaces. Tours will run throughout the day, so you can view our campus at your leisure.

WHAT YOU CAN DOON THE DAY

05 I

Accommodation information and toursAccommodation tours will also run throughout the day, and will give you an opportunity to see the halls of residence we have around campus. The tours offer you the chance to see the kind of rooms you can expect to live in whilst studying with us. Our accommodation representatives will also be able to provide you with information such as living costs and how to apply for your place in halls, as well as lots of other useful information.

Academic hubsOur academic hubs provide an opportunity to speak with academic staff from your chosen subject areas. They will be on hand to provide detailed course information and answer questions you may have. Pop along for an informal chat.

Subject sessions*Subject sessions allow you to get a real taste for the course you are interested in and allow you to see and use the facilities and equipment that you would be using whilst studying at Bedfordshire. These are invaluable sessions and aim to give a true refl ection of the course you are interested in.

Support servicesRepresentatives from our support services will be available during the day to offer advice and information in their area of expertise. Have an informal chat and fi nd out all the information you need regarding the support services available to you. Support service representatives who will be present on the day include:• Careers• Students’ Union• Admissions• Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL)• Disability Support• Money AdvicePlus more…

CateringComplimentary refreshments of tea and coffee will be available for all attendees and guests throughout the day. You can also purchase lunch from our refectory on campus, which can be found in Block D.

ParkingAt our Bedford campus we offer plenty of on-site parking.

*Subject specifi c programmes will be handed out upon arrival to the open day.

I 06

Northampton/Milton KeynesM1 Jn 13/14

Bedford Station

AlexanderSports Hall

GETTING HEREBEDFORDBedford campus: 46 miles north of London on the main A6 route and offers easy access from both the north and the south.■ From the north, leave the M1 at junction 14 and take the A422 ■ From the south, leave the M1 at junction 13 and then follow the A421■ Frequent train links to and from London ■ Close to London Luton Airport■ Direct rail services from Leicester, Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield

Car parking At our Bedford campus we offer plenty of on-site parking.

For further travel information and directions please visit: www.beds.ac.uk/directions

07 I

Luton & M1 Jn 13/14London 46 miles/74km

Bedford Park

Bus Station

HarpurShoppingCentre

River Great Ouse

= Student Accommodation

Bedfordcampus

I 08

BEDFORD CAMPUS Your arrivalOn arrival, please go to our Gateway building to register. Once registered you will receive a colour wristband, which signifies the faculty your course of interest sits in.Health & Social Sciences •Education & Sport • Business School • Creative Arts, Technologies & Science •GatewayRegistration

Academic Hubs:

Health & Social Sciences• Social Sciences

• Psychology

Education & Sport• Education & Teaching• Sport Science & Physical Activity

Business School• Business Management & HRM• Law

Creative Arts, Technologies & Science• Performing Arts & English

Support Services

Campus Tours

Accommodation Tours

D Block – Campus CentreWelcome to Bedfordshire talk

Refectory

Floor level guidance

The room letter relates to the block which you are in, ie D1.01 will be in block D (Campus Centre).

The number which follows the first letter signifies the level of the building the room sits on, ie D1.01 will be Block D, level 1.

Ground floor: 0

Level 1: 1

Level 2: 2

4D Campus Centre and Theatre

4G Gateway

4J Teaching Education Centre

4K Teaching Education Centre

09 I

4L Teaching Education Centre

4P Dance Studios, Sports facilities and Student Support services

4Q Library

4R1 Offices

4R2 Student Accommodation

4R3 The Tower – Student Accommodation

4R4 Student Accommodation

4S1 Classrooms

4S2 SeedBeds (Community & Faith)

4S3 Classrooms and Reprographics

4S4 Classrooms

4T Classrooms

I 10

TAKE YOURSELF ON A TOUROur Open Days are designed so that you can tailor the day to suit you.

As well as subject specific talks, we have campus tours available throughout the day which give you a great overview of the Bedford campus and our many facilities. But if you’d rather go solo, you can use this

section to go on a self-guided tour and navigate your way around campus based on what you would like to see. Take a look at our guide below and right, for the things you just won’t want to miss out on.

47

44

42

4149 43

48

45

46

11 I

41 Learning Resources Centre/library

The Learning Resources Centre (LRC) offers a vast array of facilities which our students use extensively to support their studies. Not only is the LRC open 24/7, but it also offers 110,000 printed books, 30,000 e-journals and 4,000 e-books. The LRC also offers PCs, and spaces for silent or group study.

42 Learning Hub

The Learning Hub is based in P block at our Bedford campus, and features informal creative space and PCs for individual or group working.

43 Student Information Desk (SiD) / Careers

The Student Information Desk, or SiD as we like to call it, is the gateway to student services in one convenient location. SiD desks are located in our new Gateway building at our Bedford campus. SiD is also available online as a 24/7 support tool, which enables you to view and update enquiries, log new enquiries and search a database of over 500 Frequently Asked Questions via the internet.

Located close by is our Careers team, which is made up of qualified and experienced careers, information and guidance experts, as well as industry experts who offer a drop-in service and bookable guidance appointments to help you shape your career options. The team also helps students secure internships and placements, as well as part-time or volunteer work. Be sure to ask them about the EmployAble’ initiative, and find out more about the many extra-curricular activities you could get involved in as a student to build up your skills and experience, ready for when you graduate.

44 Students’ Union

P Block is home to Beds SU. You can check out The Pub in the Hub, which offers reasonably priced drink and runs a variety of events, including quizzes, open-mic nights and the latest society events. The SU also offers support if you have any questions or concerns about your studies or general welfare during your time as a student, and you can seek free, confidential advice from the Beds SU’s Advice Centre.

45 SeedBeds

Our Community and Faith team based in SeedBeds at Bedford welcomes students of all

faiths and beliefs. The team offers confidential personal support and a range of social activities and events. The team can give you information and link you with local faith communities and places of worship. Prayer and Quiet Rooms are also available at our Luton and Putteridge Bury campuses.

46 Student Village: Campus Living

Take a look around our student accommodation. Meet the team and find out more about what campus living is really like. The accommodation team assists you in many ways: from greeting you and making you feel welcome, to planning social events and activities throughout the year. Speak to the team today, and find out about the V Plus membership, which provides some great free activities and discounts to enjoy around town.

47 Liberty Park

Liberty Park offers 400 single, and 113 double, en-suite study bedrooms grouped in flats with fantastic communal areas, including a gym and on-site laundry facilities. This accommodation is our newest student accommodation based over at Bedford, and includes free internet access – go check it out!

48 Gateway

The Gateway, a brand new, three-storey building situated at our Bedford campus, opened its doors to students early in 2015. It boasts a number of high-quality teaching spaces, as well as informal learning spaces, lecture theatres and a new student services centre – everything you could need, all under one roof.

49 Shuttle bus stop

The University runs a shuttle bus service, connecting the Bedford campus with the town centre, and everything in between. The service runs between Monday – Friday during term time, and is a great way to get out and about around Bedford town. And, best of all, it’s free!

Any questions? Feel free to join our main campus tours, which are held throughout the day. Or if you have any questions, please do ask any member of staff or our student ambassadors who are all on hand to help.

I 12

Our students continue to have a positive and satisfying experience at the University of Bedfordshire and we remain one of the top 10 universities in the country for improving the student experience. We also continue to be one of the leading universities in the country for improving the career prospects and career choices of our students.

WE’RE COMMITTED TO STUDENT SATISFACTIONAt Bedfordshire we have made enhancing the student experience our top priority over the last three years, which was reflected in the 2015 National Student Survey (NSS) results.

“These results will show to students considering the University of Bedfordshire that we are wholly-committed to ensuring our students have the best possible student and learning experience. This is reflected in our high quality teaching, our outstanding facilities and the great student support we provide.

“We offer our students a truly life-changing, life-enhancing experience that will inspire them to become employable and entrepreneurial global citizens.”

Bill RammellVice ChancellorUniversity of Bedfordshire

13 I

NOTES

I 14

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

Where should I park?

Can I attend more than one subject talk?

Do I need to come for the whole day?

Can I view the student accommodation at an open day?

Can I go on a campus tour?

At our Bedford campus we do offer some on-site parking. However, there are many public car parks close to the University campus, which operate by pay and display. See pages 8-9 for a map and for locations of the town centre car parks.

Yes. Many of our visitors will be interested in studying more than one subject with us, and it is up to you as to which sessions and talks you attend. You can customise your day, and select the talks that you are most interested in. If it is not possible to attend talks for all of the subjects that you are interested in, you can pop along to the academic hubs to speak to our academics directly to find out more about your subject and particular course of interest.

We recommend that you come for as much of the day as you can to get the best experience of the University of Bedfordshire. We have a range of talks and tours available to suit your needs, which are held throughout the day.

Yes. You are able to see our show flats throughout the day to give you an idea of what the accommodation is like at Bedfordshire.

Yes. Guided walking tours around campus take place throughout the day and last approximately 45 minutes – 1 hour. Taking a campus tour provides a great opportunity to get a feel for the campus, see our facilities, and speak to one of our current students as they lead you round.

Q

Q

Q

Q

Q

A

A

A

A

A

Can I bring family members and friends along to the open day?

Yes. When you pre-register online to attend the open day, we ask you how many people you will be bringing with you, and any special requirements that you and your guest may have for the day. If the number of people who are attending the event with you changes, simply contact our Recruitment team to notify them: opendays@beds.ac.uk

Q

A

15 I

online for our list of campus tours. This offers a more informal tour around campus and our facilities, often led by one of our own students. If you have particular questions that you would like answering, then don’t forget you can ask via our online Live Chat: www.beds.ac.uk

Do you have disabled access?

All our venues have disabled access. If you need any help on the day please do ask a member of staff or one of our student ambassadors who will be pleased to assist. If you would like to contact us before the open day to discuss your requirements or for further advice, please email: opendays@beds.ac.uk

Q

A

What happens if I haven’t pre-registered for the open day?

Don’t worry. We usually ask event attendees to register to attend prior to the open day to save you time on the day when you arrive. If you haven’t pre-registered to attend the open day, just pop along to our registration desk and complete a registration form. Once this is complete you can get your programme for the day and begin looking around the University.

Q

A

What happens if I can’t attend an open day?

If you can’t make it to our open day, don’t worry. We run a number of events throughout the year so there are plenty of opportunities to visit us on campus. Visit: www.beds.ac.uk/opendays to take a look at the next available dates. If you can’t wait until the next event to take a look around, then have a look

Q

A

Where can I stay overnight?

There is a wide selection of hotels in the town centre, some of which are a short drive or walk from the Bedford campus.

Q

A

It’s less than a week before the open day and I haven’t received any information from you by post, what shall I do?

Quite a lot of our communications about open days are sent via email, so please do check your email account for any communications from the University of Bedfordshire. If you haven’t received an email, or anything via the post please do not worry. Key information about the campus and talk times will be in our online brochure for you to look at, as well as maps and directions to reach us on campus. You can ask our advisers for information via our Live Chat: www.beds.ac.uk or you can contact our Recruitment team for information regarding our open days by emailing: opendays@beds.ac.uk

Q

A

To find out more, contact the Recruitment team:T: +44 (0)1582 489052E: opendays@beds.ac.uk or W: www.beds.ac.uk/opendaysChat to us live, Monday – Friday between 8.30am – 5pm via: www.beds.ac.uk

Bedford campusPolhill Avenue Bedford Bedfordshire United KingdomMK41 9EA

Log in to your very own personalised web portal: Belong at Beds, which tells you everything you need to know about your subject area.

Visit: belong.beds.ac.uk

OPEN DAY PROGRAMME BEDFORD CAMPUS

Welcome talks: 11.00 and 11.30 UCAS: 1.30 and 2.30 Finance talks: 11.30 and 2.00 Routes into teaching talk: 11.30*Seminar and lecture theatre rooms locations will be available on the day

Gateway

*

*

*

*

*

* *

Activities 10.30 11.00 11.30 12.00 12.30 1.00 1.30 2.00 2.30 3.00

Registration

WelcometoBedsTalks

Routesintoteachingsession

SubjectSession Timetables for the subject sessions will be available on the day

StudentFinanceTalk

UCAS

AcademicHubs Gateway

SupportServices Gateway

AccommodationTours Gateway

CampusTours Gateway

Refreshments Gateway/CampusCentre