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UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
FRESHERS’ HANDBOOK 2016 UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM SINGAPORE SOCIETY
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD ................................................................................................................... 4
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 5
BEFORE YOU FLY: PREPARATIONS AND PAPERWORK ......................................... 6
A. Visa Application ................................................................................................. 6
B. Exit Permit (for NSmen) .................................................................................... 9
C. Vaccinations ....................................................................................................... 9
GETTING TO THE UK: AIRPORTS AND IMMIGRATION ........................................... 11
A. Hand-carry Checklist ....................................................................................... 11
B. Travel to Nottingham ....................................................................................... 12
I. Welcome Programme .............................................................................. 12
II. Getting to Nottingham Separately......................................................... 13
SETTLING DOWN IN NOTTINGHAM .......................................................................... 16
A. Accommodation ............................................................................................... 16
I. Catered Halls ........................................................................................... 16
II. Self-Catered Halls ................................................................................... 17
III. Some Advice from Seniors to our Muslim Friends............................. 18
B. Bank Services and Financial Matters ............................................................. 18
C. Telecommunications ........................................................................................ 20
D. Time Difference ................................................................................................ 21
E. Groceries and Living Essentials ..................................................................... 22
LIVING IN NOTTINGHAM ............................................................................................ 23
A. Travelling Around ............................................................................................. 23
B. Where to Shop .................................................................................................. 24
C. Where to Eat ..................................................................................................... 27
D. What to do ......................................................................................................... 30
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E. Places of worship ............................................................................................. 30
F. Money-saving Tips ........................................................................................... 31
G. Useful numbers ................................................................................................ 32
H. Safety Advice .................................................................................................... 33
I. Fun Facts ............................................................................................................ 34
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................. 35
APPENDIX 1 ................................................................................................................. 36
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FOREWORD
Dear Freshers,
Congratulations on securing your place in the University of Nottingham ('UoN')! The
Nottingham Singapore Society 2016/17 has provided you with this handbook in the
hopes of aiding your preparation for university life in Nottingham. In this handbook,
you will find information to help you before and after your arrival in Nottingham.
The Nottingham Singapore Society Executive Committee 2016/17 extends its
warmest welcome. For the latest updates on the orientation programme and social
events, you are encouraged to join the Freshers' Facebook group at
ttps://www.facebook.com/groups/933009616816480/. For more information, you can
also check out the UoN Singapore Society blog at http://uonss.weebly.com.
We hope that whatever information we have provided will help you settle in as
comfortably as possible.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the authors of the previous editions
of this Freshers’ Handbook. Every effort has been taken to ensure that the
information in this guide is accurate and up to date.
If you are in need of help or are seeking clarification, the Exco will be glad to help.
Just get in touch with us!
Warmest Wishes,
Nottingham Singapore Society Exco 2016/17
Version History:
This handbook was created by the MSS Exco 2009/10 and has seen contributions from the
MSS Exco (2010 to 2012) and the Singapore Society Exco (2012 to present).
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INTRODUCTION
The Singapore Society's aim is to bring Singaporeans together by providing social events in
Nottingham and Singapore. We also aim to act as your support group- a home away from
home if you ever find yourself in need of one. If you have a question that we can help you
with, please find our contact details below and don't hesitate to get in touch!
Role Name Email Phone (SG) Phone (UK) Course
President Samuel Tan
[email protected] 81837083 +44 7548003791
Economics
Vice President
Erwin Low [email protected] 81393948 +44 7706717931
Finance, Accounting & Management
Treasurer Ow Yan Ru
[email protected] 97212660 +44 7599496954
Economics
General Secretary
Joey Tam [email protected] 96366564 +44 7487694227
Law
Social Secretary
Vanessa Low
[email protected] 81882097 +44 7481510492
Media & Communications
Welfare Officer
Stephanie Lwee
[email protected] 83227558 +44 7400356826
Law
Sports Secretary
Chris Loke [email protected] 81028106 +44 7490570756
Law
Keep an eye out for the following upcoming events:
Date Event
TBD Pre-departure briefing
TBD Singapore Society's Summer Dinner
TBD Warwick Summer Games
TBD Imperial UK Bound
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BEFORE YOU FLY
PREPARATIONS AND PAPERWORK
A. Visa Application
Easily one of the first and most important things you need to settle. Please
make sure you do this well ahead of time as the entire process can take
between two to four weeks, or even longer (depending on how thorough
and careful you are with your application).
Quite a few students have arrived late or missed being admitted
altogether due to late visa applications – so do make sure you get this
done on time.
For full-time students, it is advisable to double-check that your visa covers
the full duration of your study in order to avoid further inconvenience upon
arrival in the UK.
If your passport is going to expire, or will expire before you graduate, it is
advisable to apply for a new passport as soon as possible (by early July)
and amend your passport number on the school portal as it would be
troublesome and expensive to transfer your visa to another passport.
For more information, the University’s International Office also has
information regarding pre-departure preparations and visa applications
(http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/internationaloffice/offer-
holders/preparing/index.aspx), and also offers samples as guidance on
filling up the forms.
In brief, this is the visa application procedure:
1. Complete and submit the VAF9 application form online
Visit https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/ and follow the instructions on
screen. Please remember to print out the completed form and bring it
to the visa application centre on the day of your appointment.
Do note that payment has to be made online immediately after the
submission of your application form, so do be prepared for it.
You will need to have your CAS1 document and bank statements at
hand in order to fill up the form.
1 The University will send your CAS (Confirmation of Studies) document via email. For more information, please
see page 8.
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2. Book an appointment online
After you have completed the online application and have all the
necessary documents ready, the online form will prompt you to
schedule an appointment. It is vital that you do this, as without an
appointment you will be refused entry into the centre.
Do try to book your appointment as soon as possible as these slots fill
up quickly closer to the start of school term.
VFS-Global Visa Application Centre
135 Cecil Street,
#08-01 MYP Plaza,
Singapore 069536
Opening Hours
Mon – Fri: 0800–1400 (for application submission)
Mon – Fri: 1400–1600 (for document collection)
It is best to be punctual (or risk being made to wait outside), and
ensure that all your documents are in order as it is not uncommon
to wait several hours only to have your application refused because of
some small mistake like a missing signature. It’s also probably a good
idea to bring a book along as it can be a long wait and you’re not
allowed to turn your phone on in the centre.
Please ensure that you have the following documents when going for
your appointment:
Printed VAF9 form
Your current passport and any old passports (as declared in your
online form)
a. Please ensure that your existing passport is valid for the
period of your time of study in the UK to minimise any hassles
of transferring your visa between passports.
2 passport-sized photographs where you are not smiling and
eyebrows must not be obscured by fringe on a plain cream/ light
grey background
Visa application appointment letter
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Copy of bank statement(s) or scholarship letter as evidence that
you have sufficient funds
a. If you’re on a scholarship, you will need a letter from your
official sponsor stating the duration and the amount of your
award. Examples of official financial sponsors are Her
Majesty’s Government, your home government, the British
Council, any international organisation, etc.
b. If you are self-funded, you will need to prepare an official bank
statement to prove that you have sufficient funds for your
expenses for the duration of your course.
i. The funds can be in your name, your parent(s)’ name, or in
a joint account where you are named as one of the
appointment holders.
ii. If funds are in your parent(s)’ name, you must submit a
birth certificate and a signed letter from your parents
confirming your relationship and agreeing to fund your
studies. The letter should include your parent(s)’ full
name(s), NRIC number(s), address(es) and contact
number(s).
iii. You must show that the funds have been held for a
minimum period of 28 consecutive days finishing on the
date of the closing balance shown on your bank statement.
This means that the funds should be in your bank
account for 28 days prior to your application. Hence,
do take this time into account when applying for visa.
CAS document
a. After you have accepted the University’s offer and paid your
tuition fee deposits (where applicable), the University will email
a checking document to you.
b. Please ensure that the information listed in the checking
document, such as your name (as printed on your passport),
course and length of study, are accurate. It may take a while
for the University to get back to you especially closer to the
start of the school term, so contact the University to make any
amendments as soon as possible.
c. After you have confirmed the details in checking document, the
University will send the CAS document to you. It will contain a
CAS number, which you will need in order to fill in the online
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visa application form. Remember to print out the CAS
document and bring it along with you for your appointment.
3. Collection of visa
a. Processing times for visa applications have decreased
tremendously. However, do give up to 2 weeks for your visa to
be processed. You will be able to track your Visa application
process with your reference number.
b. When your visa is ready for collection, do bear in mind that
collection times are Monday to Friday, 1400 – 1600hrs.
c. While collecting your Visa, do check to see that:
It is the right document
Your personal details are correct
It correctly states the purpose for which you want to go to
the UK (i.e. to study)
It is valid for the period of your study
B. Exit Permit (for NSmen)
If you’re an NSman, please do remember to apply for your exit permit at
www.ns.sg. Depending on your personal circumstances, you may also
need to clear your annual IPPT or other commitments before you leave –
you will be notified of any such outstanding commitments during the online
application.
C. Vaccinations
A good place to get the relevant vaccinations will be the Tan Tock Seng
Hospital Travellers’ Clinic. You will need to tell the staff that you are about
to enter the UK for further studies and they will recommend the relevant
vaccinations. After vaccination, you will be issued with a little yellow
international vaccination card, which can act as proof of vaccination. Do
request a copy of the vaccinations you took when you were younger (If you
were born in Singapore, you should have taken a couple of compulsory
vaccinations).
If you plan to travel while in the UK, it would be good to have flu, hepatitis
and meningitis vaccinations done.
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You should call the hotline below to make an appointment. You would most
likely be required to bring along your health booklets.
Travellers’ Health and Vaccination Clinic
Level 1, Tan Tock Seng Hospital (Main Entrance)
Tel: 6357 2222
Opening Hours
Mon–Fri: 0800–1230; 1400–1630
Sat: 0800–1130
Sun: Closed
Do note that if you so wish to do so, you will be able to get these
vaccinations for free at the University’s Health Centre upon registration with
the National Health Service (if you do not mind waiting). The University
allocates time during the Welcome Programme to assist international
students with the National Health Service registration.2
To find out more about the UK healthcare system or its vacination
requirements, visit www.nhs.co.uk.
2 Refer to page 12.
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GETTING TO THE UK: AIRPORTS AND
IMMIGRATION
A. Hand-carry Checklist
To ensure a smooth journey through immigration, you should have the
following items with you at the airport. Not all will be needed/checked, but
it’s better to be safe than sorry.
1. Passport with valid visa
2. Original letter of acceptance from the University
3. Accommodation details (including the address)
4. Evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself
5. Offer letter and original/certified true copies of relevant qualifications
(multiple copies if you intend to apply for internships)
6. Enough cash to tide you over while your new bank account is being
set up
7. Vaccination card
8. Welcome Programme and Coach pick-up reservations (if applicable)
9. Some clothes to keep warm (e.g. a light jacket)
10. Copy of any covering insurance schemes
11. Chest x-ray (technically needed but they don’t check this, so if you
don’t bring it, it’s at your own risk)
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B. Travel to Nottingham
Unless you’re a well-seasoned traveller, it would probably be your first time
travelling to Nottingham. Do take note that the queue at the customs for entry
into the UK might be very long (especially for students).3 Hence, you should
take that into account when booking connecting coaches/trains if you are
making your own way to Nottingham.
If you are travelling to Nottingham via London Heathrow Airport and attending
the Welcome Programme, do make use of the University’s free Welcome
Coach. You can also get to Nottingham via Birmingham International Airport,
which is quieter and less stressful, but you would have make transport
arrangements on your own.
I. Welcome Programme
The University holds a Welcome Programme for all international
students a week before Freshers’ week. The Welcome Programme
consists of introductory talks and social events, and you’ll also get help
with completing some formalities like collecting your University Card,
opening a bank account and registering with the National Health Service.
The Welcome Programme is also a fantastic time to get to know other
students – both Singaporeans and those from other countries!
In addition to orientation activities, the Welcome Programme also
provides a Welcome Coach pickup from London Heathrow Airport. The
Coach goes direct from the Airport to the University and typically runs
from 7am to 7pm on a specified date. If you’re interested in the coach
pickup service, please remember to register at the link below.
The Welcome Programme 2016 will run from Thursday, 22 September to
Friday, 23 September. For more information, please visit
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/internationalstudents/applicants/offerholder
s/preparation-arrival/welcome-programme.aspx
You would have to register separately for the coach service at
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/internationalstudents/applicants/offerholder
s/preparation-arrival/welcome/coach-pick-up-service.aspx, and make the
necessary payments for baggage or accompanying adults after
completing the application. Please note that separate application
3 There is a special section for first time students at the right side of the immigration checkpoint.
Though not encouraged, accompanying entourage is sometimes allowed to clear immigration via that
section as well. If you’re in a hurry, it may be worth trying this out. Waiting time at the customs can be
as long as 2 hours during peak seasons.
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forms must be completed for both Welcome Programme and the free
Welcome Coach pickup.
Please remember to print the registration confirmation for the Welcome
Programme and Welcome Coach and have them in your hand carry as
they operate on a strict “no confirmation letter, no coach” policy.
Those who are staying in university or university-managed
accommodation (i.e. Broadgate Park, St Peters' Court, and Raleigh
Park) will be able to move directly into their term-time accommodation at
the end of the Welcome Programme.
Students staying in private, rented accommodation should move into
their accommodation as soon as possible. If you are in this situation, you
will still be able to participate in the Welcome Programme. Should your
tenancy contract not start until after the Welcome Programme,
accommodation on campus can be arranged.
II. Getting to Nottingham Separately
London Heathrow → Nottingham
From Heathrow, you can get to Nottingham via:
1. DIRECT COACH
Take a coach from the Central Coach Station (walking
distance from Terminals 1 and 3) to Nottingham Broadmarsh
station.
Visit www.nationalexpress.com to book your tickets online.
Prices range from £10 and above, depending on how early
you book.
Coach rides are about 3.5 hours long.
The advantage of taking a coach is that it goes direct to
Nottingham without having to transfer at London. It’s also a
lot quieter and less hectic than taking a train.
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2. TRAIN VIA TUBE
Take the Tube from the Airport to central London (St. Pancras
International Train Station).
There are designated stations at Terminal 4 and Terminal 5
of Heathrow Airport. However, if you are arriving at
Terminals 1, 2 or 3, make your way to the station within
walking distance from Terminal 1 and 3.
Take the tube from Heathrow Terminals 1, 2 and 3 to
King’s Cross St. Pancras via the Piccadilly Line (Dark
Blue line). The Tube ride is about 45 minutes.
Tube map:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/standard-tube-
map.pdf
The Tube is usually pretty crowded, so it can be a pain
lugging your (no doubt massive) luggage around. But it’s
definitely cheaper than taking the Heathrow Express.
From St. Pancras, you can take a train to the Nottingham
Railway Station.
Visit www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk or
www.nationalrail.co.uk to book your train tickets online.
Prices range from £15–30, depending on how early you
book.
The train ride is about 2–2.5 hours long, depending on the
train route.
Getting a 16–25 Railcard will get you ⅓ off ticket price
when travelling by train. Railcards can be obtained at train
stations.4 You will need the softcopy of a passport-sized
photograph.
3. TRAIN VIA HEATHROW EXPRESS
Take the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station.
Visit www.heathrowexpress.com to book your tickets.
4 Note, however, that it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to obtain a Railcard before arriving in the UK as it
has to be sent to a UK address. So if you’re booking your ticket in advance, you’ll have to pay the full
price.
15
The Heathrow Express takes about 15 minutes to get to
Paddington Station.
From Paddington, you can take a 2–2.5 hour train straight
to Nottingham Railway Station (see above)
Birmingham International → Nottingham
1. DIRECT COACH
Take a coach from Birmingham International Airport to
Nottingham Broadmarsh Station.
Visit http://www.nationalexpress.com to book your tickets.
2. TRAIN
Take a train from Birmingham International Airport to
Birmingham New Street Station, then switch at the latter to take
a train to Nottingham Railway Station.
Visit www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk or
www.nationalrail.co.uk to book your tickets. You just have
to book a ticket from “Birmingham International” to
“Nottingham”; the transfer ticket will be included.
Travelling by train from Birmingham to Nottingham is
usually cheaper and slightly faster than travelling from
London to Nottingham.
From Nottingham Broadmarsh Bus Station, you can take the
Indigo i4 bus to the University (the stop is University North/West
entrance or along Derby Road, depending on which hall you’re going
to). Probably the better idea, however, would just be to take a cab
direct to your accommodation. Cabs are readily available outside
Nottingham Railway Station and can be called5 to pick you up outside
the Bus Station (no booking fees!).
If at any time you find yourself completely lost, feel free to call one of
us and we’ll do our best to help you.
5 Refer to the contact numbers of taxi operators under Section 11, Useful Numbers.
16
SETTLING DOWN IN NOTTINGHAM
A. Accommodation
It is highly recommended that you check which campus your faculty, lectures
and tutorials are located on before choosing your accommodation.
The University of Nottingham has 5 campuses: University Park, Jubilee,
Sutton Bonington, Queens’ Medical Centre and King’s Meadow Campus.
While there are hopper buses6 running between the different campuses, it
may be beneficial to take the location into consideration when choosing your
accommodation, as these buses tend to be extremely crowded during the
morning and getting on them may be a problem.
For instance, law students may find it more convenient to stay on the main
University Park (“UP”) Campus where the Law and Social Sciences building is
located, while business students may choose to stay on Jubilee Campus
instead where most of their lessons are held. For those studying courses like
Nutrition or Veterinary Sciences, all of your classes will usually be held at the
Sutton Bonington Campus. Please refer to the Appendixes for the campus
maps.7
I. Catered Halls
In catered halls, there are a range of room types available such as en-
suite, private shared bathroom, single study, etc. The room sizes and
condition of your room may vary from hall to hall. Technically, cooking
is not allowed in halls, but there is a pantry located in each block
where you can make simple meals such as toasties or microwaved
meals.
In terms of food, breakfast and dinner are served in halls on the
weekdays.8 You will receive stored credit of £5.20 which can be used
to purchase lunch on campus – please note that the amount has to be
spent and cannot be carried over to the next day. On the weekends, 2
meals are served in hall – brunch and dinner. Meals are served at the
following times:
6 Updated Hopper Bus timetables can be found at
https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/about/visitorinformation/busservices.aspx
7From page 36 onwards.
8 Note that self-catered halls are only available on UP/Jubilee Campus only. At the Sutton Bonington
campus, halls are partially catered (and hence, cooking utensils are allowed).
17
Monday to Friday
Breakfast: 0745–0930 (tea & toast until 1000)
Dinner: 1730–1900
Saturday to Sunday
Brunch: 1130–1300
Dinner: 1700–1800
Living in catered halls provide much convenience, as these halls are
usually located relatively near to school buildings (which means more
time to sleep!) and moreover, saves you from the hassle of preparing
meals or cleaning your own room or toilet. However, you may find the
food available to be rather unappetising after a while (as they usually
repeat their menus) and the meal times rather inflexible.
Also, it is worth noting that in catered halls, your room has to be
cleared during the Winter and Easter holidays. Alternatively, you can
choose to pay £5/day to store your items in the room or £15/day to
stay in your room over the breaks. However, no food will be provided!
As mentioned earlier, cooking is not allowed in halls; nevertheless,
you may choose to bring in cooking appliances (such as a rice
cooker), but do take care not to get caught!9
It is worth noting that certain halls have eateries open for lunch while
others do not. Living in a hall with such eateries can be convenient
when you have no school on a weekday (lucky you!) and you are too
lazy to travel to faraway eateries in other halls or University buildings.
Such halls include Hugh Stewart, Willoughby, Cavendish, Derby,
Rutland, etc.
II. Self-Catered Halls
Self-catered halls are usually outside the perimeters of the campuses,
although they are still located relatively nearby. In the case of St
Peters’ Court, there is a hopper bus to the main UP campus. Unlike
catered halls, you will be in charge of your own meals and the
cleanliness of your room, as only communal areas are cleaned
regularly.
9As well as electrical appliances with voltage higher than 1200W. Just try to keep them out of
sight when your room is being cleaned and you should be fine!
18
Please also visit
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/accommodation/accommodationoptions/
accommodationoptions.aspx for more information.
III. Some Advice from Seniors to our Muslim Friends:
Every Muslim student in the University of Nottingham is entitled to
Halal food for every meal in university Halls. Although the vegetarian
option is Halal, Muslim students have the right to be served meat or
fish on a daily basis.
1. On the first day of university, immediately inform the Head
Chef of your dining hall that you require Halal food. For the
purpose of clarity, inform him that the definition of a food that
is Halal is:
i. A food that does not contain pork;
ii. A food that does not contain alcohol;
iii. If meat is involved, the meat must be supplied from a
supplier with a Halal certificate;
All factors from (i) to (iii) must be present for the food to be Halal.
iv. There is no restriction on vegetables and seafood.
2. Before each meal, take the effort to ask the server again if the
food is Halal. Always ask first. Sometimes, the servers may
unintentionally forget.
3. If a Muslim is ever served non-Halal food, immediately inform
the dining hall’s Head Chef and Jonathan Hamblett (Catering
Operations Director) at
This is a serious issue which the university takes very seriously.
B. Bank Services and Financial Matters
During the Welcome Programme, you will be guided to set up your student
bank account, and you will have a choice of banking organisations.
There are two main banks on University Park campus – NatWest and
Santander, and you may choose to bank with them for the sake of
convenience. Take note that the NatWest branch on campus is open 9 am to
5 pm, Mondays to Fridays. The Santander branch, on the other hand, is
19
open 10 am to 6 pm, Mondays to Fridays (with the exception of Wednesdays,
where it closes at 5 pm).
For more information on rates and the setting up of accounts, visit:
www.natwest.com and
www.santander.co.uk
ATMs on campus (and almost everywhere else in the UK) are co-shared, so
you can you can withdraw cash from any ATM regardless of the bank it
belongs to (just remember to check that it offers Free Cash Withdrawals).10
There are a few banks off-campus which you might prefer (HSBC, Lloyds TSB
or Barclays, etc.). For students living on Jubilee Campus, you should consider
setting up a bank account with Lloyds TSB, as there is a branch nearby
(about 5-10mins walk from Jubilee Campus).
If your parents already have a HSBC Premier Account, you may want to
consider setting up a HSBC account for ease of transferring money from the
Singapore account to the UK account.
For more information, visit:
www.lloydstsb.com
www.hsbc.co.uk
Please note that it will take at least 2 weeks (if everything goes well) to set up
your UK bank account, so remember to bring enough cash to tide you over
the first 2 to 3 weeks.
If you intend to withdraw cash from ATMs in the UK using the ATM/Debit
cards issued by Singapore Banks (e.g. DBS/POSB, UOB and OCBC), do
remember to activate your cards for overseas cash withdrawal before you
leave for the UK. For more information on how to enable your cards or the
relevant charges, do check with your respective local banks.
Bursaries may be up for grabs, depending on your course of study. Refer to
any correspondence the University sends you.
For those who are staying in private accommodation, you may want to
consider creating a bank account with Lloyds. They give you a bit of interest
on your money if you set up 2 direct debits with them. I.e. utilities bill, rent, etc.
10
Do note that this may not apply for NatWest accounts. (i.e. you won’t be able to withdraw cash from
ATMs from other banks such as HSBC/Lloyds).
20
C. Telecommunications
There are a number of telecommunication companies in the UK, including:
O2 (www.o2.co.uk)
Vodafone (www.vodafone.co.uk)
Orange (www.orange.co.uk)
3 (www.three.co.uk)
T-Mobile (www.t-mobile.co.uk)
Giffgaff (online only) (http://giffgaff.com)
All the above-mentioned mobile network operators provide pay-as-you-go SIM
card plans (prepaid plans). Pay a visit to any of their stores (not Giffgaff,
because they do not have a physical store), and they will introduce a range of
prepaid plans for you to choose from. You can also check out their websites
prior to going to the UK to get a good idea of the plans on offer. If you
purchase the prepaid plan from their stores, you often will only have to pay for
the plan itself, i.e. the SIM card will be free. Once you’re done with the
necessary set up procedures, which you can ask the store assistants to help
you with, you can make calls, send emails and texts instantly11.
If you need to call Singapore frequently, it is advisable to obtain an
international calling card/SIM card.12
You may want to consider activating auto-roaming for your Singapore
number prior to your flight. This will allow you to contact your parents
immediately upon arrival in the UK, or in the case of an emergency.
Skype offers a subscription of unlimited calls to mobile/land lines in Singapore
at £3.99 a month. This can be useful for those who wish to contact their family
more frequently.
11
Please do note that for all the networks, the Blackberry plans are similar but an additional £5 will be
charged for the use of Blackberry applications such as emailing and BBM. 12
Lebara, which offers one of the lowest international calling rates, often gives out free SIM cards with
a set amount of money in the card when you first arrive at the University during International Freshers’
Week so you may wish to keep a lookout for those! The University may also include a free SIM Card
in the Welcome Pack for Freshers as well.
21
D. Time Difference
Nottingham is 7 hours (British Summer Time, BST, UTC+01:00) behind
Singapore during summer and autumn (due to daylight savings), and 8
hours (Greenwich Mean Time, GMT, UTC±00:00) behind during winter and
spring.
It is important to take note of the exact day and at what time daylight savings
take effect to avoid unwanted travelling or late assignment submission
complications.
E. Groceries and Living Essentials
There are certain things that are more convenient/cheaper to get in
Singapore, and some things that you might be better off buying in the UK.
This section provides a short and non-exhaustive list of things in each of
these categories.
Things to Buy in Singapore
Contact lenses/spectacles
Getting your eyesight tested and sorting out prescriptions in UK is a bit
of a hassle. It’s cheaper and far more convenient to buy your spectacles
and a year’s supply of lenses in Singapore.
Rice cooker
There is a limited range of dedicated rice cookers in the UK, and they
are usually quite expensive, so if you want to cook rice, you might want
to bring or ship it from Singapore.
Stationery
If you’re the kind of person who’s the most comfortable using certain
kinds of pens then it’s best to stock up in Singapore and bring them
over.
Medication
You may choose to bring some medication over as the NHS system is
very much based on self-medication (in the case of minor or non-
serious ailments). It may be difficult for you to get an appointtment to
see the doctor even if you have a fever, so keep a stash of medication
at hand.
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Things to Buy in the UK
Winter clothing
The UK can get pretty cold in winter, but it isn’t that cold. Winter clothing
is usually cheaper in the UK (and with more fashionable varieties
available!). A regular jacket and a scarf should be enough to get you
through your first couple of months in Nottingham. If you’re strapped for
luggage space, consider buying your winterwear in the UK.
Do note that while it may be cold outside, there is usually adequate
heating indoors, and as such, long johns and thick wooly sweaters may
cause stuffiness.
Textbooks
There are book fairs and seniors waiting to sell their books at cheap
prices, so don’t bother buying and lugging textbooks in from Singapore.
Food
You might want to bring some of your favourite food from home, but
note that there are Asian supermarkets in Nottingham that do sell
familiar food and sundries (Indomie, Primataste, Yeo’s, etc).
Bedding
Most university accommodations do not provide bedding (i.e. duvet,
pillows, pillow cases, bed sheets). Unless you have a lot of luggage
space, you should buy your bedding in the UK. A duvet can be as
cheap as £7–£8 from Argos.
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LIVING IN NOTTINGHAM
A. Travelling Around
Nottingham is not exactly the most bustling city around. Travel within
Nottingham is limited to buses and trams, although you can actually get by
with walking to most places.
If you are not walking, the main mode of transport would be the bus.
Nottingham City Transport and TrentBarton are the 2 major bus operators in
the city.
The Nottingham City Transport runs the majority of the buses you would see
in Nottingham, at least within the city centre and the perimeters nearby.13 You
will probably be taking these buses very often – buses 13, 34, 35, 36 run from
the main UP campus to the City Centre. For these buses, you can only pay in
cash so do remember to bring spare change along (as change is not
provided). Fares are £1 on certain buses only, such as 28, 34, 35 or 36.14
TrentBarton runs buses that usually travel for longer distances, such as to
Derby and Ilkeston (the Nottinghamshire area). If you plan to take these
buses regularly, getting a MANGO card may be good as it gives you
discounted fares (£0.80 from University to City Centre instead of £1.00)15
Trams can also be used, but it’s a costlier option.
Of course, you may choose to travel farther and in this case, we’d encourage
you to take the long distance buses or even trains to explore the
Nottinghamshire area or beyond. Do check out
http://www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk and plan your journey ahead of time to
get cheaper tickets!
13
Note that there are buses run by a separate company that runs parallel to these routes, such as
Y28 and Y36. 14
Technically, you will need to show your student card, so do remember to bring it along (although
most drivers do not check it). 15
Refer to page 32 to find out how to get MANGO cards for free. Also, you have to show your student
card on TrentBarton buses in order to get the student fare.
24
B. Where to Shop
I. Student Union Shops
There are SU shops on UP Campus, Jubilee Campus and the Medical
School (“QMC”).
The items are generally more expensive in SU shops as compared to
Tescos, Sainsbury or Ryman (for stationery). However, it is very
convenient for students living on campus as you won’t have to make
your way to Beeston or the City Centre, especially when you have loads
of work to do.
Much like convenience stores, you can get most items such as
stationery, snacks, sandwiches, lab coats, University Hoodies, etc. from
the SU shops.
II. Beeston Town Centre (West Entrance of University Park Campus)
Beeston Town Centre is a 15–20 minutes’ walk from the West Entrance
of UP Campus.
Students living around the Beeston/Dunkirk area or in the Halls on UP
Campus often frequent this quaint town centre to do their daily grocery
shopping, banking, and most importantly, EAT!
Groceries
You can get ALMOST everything from Sainsbury and Tesco.16
You will find that the Tesco in Beeston is massive compared to
others you find elsewhere (comparable to the Giant Hypermart in
SG). Similar to Giant Hypermart, it sells electrical appliances,
common household necessities, cheap clothes, books etc.
Head to Fresh Asia for Asian groceries. You can find everything
from instant noodles to your favourite chilli sauce in that small
treasure trove. Need I say more? Explore it when you have the
time. You’ll grow to love the place as much as we do.
Of course, there are a number of other stores selling fresh fruits,
meat, bread, etc. in Beeston. We’ll leave them for you to explore.
16
Tesco Extra in Beeston is open 24 hours on weekdays and operates 0000-2359 (Sat) and 1100-1700 (Sun).
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Others
Electrical Appliances and other household items: Argos,
Tesco, and B&M.17
Stationeries: Ryman, WHSmith (they sell books as well),
Tesco, and Poundland.
Other Essentials: Boots
Banking: Santander, NatWest, HSBC, and Lloyds TSB
Money Changer
Unless you are desperately in need of foreign currency and
you do not have time to go to the money changers, we would
not recommend changing foreign currency (especially for
Pounds to Euros for travelling purposes) with banks. Instead,
visit the money changers who, more often than not, will give
you way better exchange rates. Do note that the following
are recommendations based on previous experiences (they
often give very good rates for exchange from Pounds to
Euros) – check out the rates before changing your money to
ensure that you’re getting one of the best rates possible.
The Money Shop (near HSBC bank), 9 High Road
(http://www.moneyshop.tv/beeston/)
III. Lenton (Jubilee Campus)
Lenton is the area surrounding Jubilee Campus. Most of the living
essentials and groceries can be purchased from stores within a 10–15
minutes walking radius from the campus.
Groceries
Sainsbury Local (along Derby Road near Savoy Cinema)
Lidl (at Opal 1)
Tesco Express (along Ilkeston Road)
Asian Grocer (opposite Tesco Express along Ilkeston Road)
The Co-operative Food (along Ilkeston Road)
17
It is pretty hidden. To locate it, turn left from Argos at Beeston and continue straight for about 100m.
26
Banking
Lloyds TSB (Derby Road, just outside Jubilee Campus)
Barclays (Derby Road, next to Savoy Cinema)
Cinema: Savoy Cinema (Derby Road)
IV. Nottingham City Centre
You can find most of the common and “big” brands in Nottingham, such
as Miss Selfridge, Marks and Spencers, New Look, and TopShop,
alongside more vintage shops selling more exclusive clothing. We know
you’d rather explore the hidden treasures of Nottingham by yourselves,
but we’ll just highlight the ones we love:
Budget Shopping: Primark
Clothes, Pillows, Duvets and many other fashion apparels at
rather reasonable prices. Quality…varies.
Sports related products: Sports Direct
Mobile network service providers: O2, Vodafone, 3, Orange, and
T-Mobile
Banking: Lloyds TSB, NatWest, HSBC, Santander, and Barclays,
amongst others
Money Changer
American Express & Kanoo Financial Services: 2 Victoria
Street, Nottingham, NG1 2EX (next to French Connection)
C. Where to Eat
Already feeling tired of the (rather limited) range of food available in school?
Fret not, for the University is next to Beeston, a quaint little town filled with
eateries. There are also a few good haunts in places in Dunkirk or Lenton, or
perhaps you would like to have something to eat after a long day of shopping
at the City Centre.18
18
As a side note, we do not recommend eating Asian food here until you’ve forgotten the glory that is
Singaporean food.
27
The following recommendations are from senior batches, not exhaustive and
may be pleasing (or not!) to your palate. We strongly encourage you to
wander off and explore on your own in your free time!
I. Beeston (near West Entrance of UP Campus)
Shenghua
A Chinese restaurant with pretty much all you can ask for:
Individual steamboat buffet, karaoke and ala carte Chinese
food. SingSoc members get an additional 5% discount here,
so don’t forget to flash your SingSoc cards!
Sanchan Thai Restaurant (a distinctively purple building that you
will definitely not miss while walking to Beeston from the
University’s West entrance)
Formerly known as Sukho Thai, this place is extremely
popular with your Singaporean seniors and offers good Thai
food at affordable prices! Check out their special £5 lunch
deals!
Sukho Thai (easily missed, it's a nondescript pale-pink building
just off the road running through the centre of Beeston; turn left
when you see Shenghua)
Authentic and comforting Thai food. Run by friendly Thai
staff. Very homely.
Nosh (hidden away in an alley opposite Santander Bank)
Don’t be misled by its scarce decorations – this place offers
very decent Chinese food. In our humble opinion, they have
the best steamboat/hotpot buffet in Beeston!
Bean Café (tucked away in a nice corner next to Sainsbury)
One of the best cafes around. Serves excellent coffee and
has a pretty good ambience. Try their lemon drizzle cake!
Mason & Mason (opposite Fresh Asia)
Great for afternoon teas and a good place to hang out.
The Last Post (opposite Lloyds TSB Bank)
28
Beeston’s very own J D Wetherspoons’ pub. It’s a pretty
decent English pub with a good atmosphere and the usual
English pub fare. Do look out for their daily deals like fish
and chips for £6.
Korea House (new!)
Korean BBQ available! Korea House also does takeaways
(but not delivery).
II. Dunkirk (outside South Entrance of UP Campus)
Amazing Thai
Amazing Thai food. Need we say more? Also available for
delivery from www.just-eat.co.uk!
III. Lenton (around Jubilee Campus)
White Horse Café (opposite Opal 1, 313 Ilkeston Road, NG7
3FY)
The White Horse Cafe specialises in curries, pizza and
kebabs. Overall, economical yet hearty food.
Wok&Go Noodle Bar (part of Opal 1, St Peter’s St, NG7 3EH)
The name says it all – Chinese food!
The Graduate Bar and Kitchen (between Lidl and Wok & Go,
Part of Opal 1, St Peter’s St, NG7 3EH)
Rose and Crown (opposite Lloyds TSB, 500 Derby Road, NG7
2GW)
Nice English Pub with decently priced steaks for students.
Best Food Takeaway (along Wollaton Road just outside Jubilee
Campus, 28 Wollaton Rd, Nottingham, NG8 1FD)
One of the best places to get your fix of Chinese food.
IV. City Centre
China China (Unit B4 Chapel Bar, NG1 6JQ)
Good Chinese Food!
29
Petit Paris (2 Kings Walk, NG1 2AE)
Authentic French Restaurant. Good French cuisine at a
reasonable price.
Mans’ Gourmet
Hong Kong dim sum! Yum!!
Yates
Decent pub food at affordable prices. Check out their 2-for-1
offers for main courses and desserts only available on
certain days!
Bonzai
One of the few stores selling Japanese cuisine in the area.
Do try their famous dragon roll!
ChaTime
Not GongCha or Koi, but close enough. Get an exclusive
discount of 10% when you present your SingSoc
membership card!
ZAAP
Think Thai stir-fry with a plenty of wok-hei. It's a great place
to go as a group. Decorated to look like a Thai street market,
the atmosphere is best when bustling and lively (typically on
a Friday or weekend night).
Aubrey's Traditional Creperie
Aubrey's does a good selection of savoury and sweet
crepes. The salted caramel crepe is what she's famous for, if
you've got a sweet tooth. If you're keen on something
savory, try the Frazzled Chorizo!
Miss Korea
Quality Korean food!
30
D. What To Do
Indeed, as compared to London, or even Singapore, Nottingham definitely
feels more unhurried and relaxed. However, that doesn’t mean that there is
nothing to do here!
For a start, the sports culture in the University of Nottingham is well-
established. Even if you are not looking to compete at the University level,
there are various intra-mural sports available and the university holds social
sessions for most of its sports clubs. Do contact Chris our very own sports
secretary if you are interested in a sport and he will gladly offer suggestions or
link you up with fellow like-minded Singaporeans!
If you are looking to explore, why not have a tour around the different
University Campuses. They are great places to explore, especially if you are
usually cooped up in one campus for all your lessons! The UP campus, with
rolling green fields and Lakeside, feels like a huge park in itself, while the
award-winning Jubilee Campus sees modern architecture alongside lush
greenery. If you suddenly feel like seeing the countryside, why not catch the
hopper to the Sutton Bonington Campus, a 30 minute bus journey from the
other 2 main campuses.
One of the most iconic places to visit would be Wollaton Park, just a 5 minute
walk away from the catered halls. (Opposite Sherwood Hall along Derby
Road). Besides being able to visit the famed Wayne Manor (Batman’s house)
and its interiors, one can spend a lazy afternoon enjoying the tranquil
atmosphere and the great weather and watching deer grazing on the grass.
The city centre is also one of the main places to go to get your shopping done.
Boasting two shopping centres and most major brands, as well as hidden
shops in the smaller alleys, one can whittle away an entire day here. Besides
shopping, one can go down for a game of paintball or ice skating, or even visit
the museums and attend a concert. Do also keep a lookout for the booths set
up in the mornings at the Old Market Square, as well as the Christmas
Markets during the Christmas season.
Having two Universities, Nottingham is very much a student city and thus, it
would be a waste not to experience the night scene here and try out the
different student nights! (cheap drinks alert!) Even if clubbing may not be your
cup of tea (or drink), it may be an interesting experience to see how the crazily
the Brits party their nights away.
If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, why not take a bus or train down to
the other areas of Nottinghamshire, or even neighbouring cities such as
Derby? We’ll leave the research to you, but there is bound to be something to
explore within the Midlands and beyond!
31
E. Places of Worship
Muslims
D139 (Muslim Prayer Room) and E136 in Portland building,
University Park Campus (ask senior for password)
Prayer Room, B02 and B 05, Amenities Block, Jubilee Campus
(ask senior for password)
Masjid AbiBakr As-Siddiq (Muslim Welfare House), 215 Derby
Road, Lenton (near Savoy cinema)
Masjid Bilal, 3-5, Lenton Boulevard, Lenton
Islamic Centre, 3 Curzon Street, St Ann’s Well Road, Nottingham
City Centre
32
Buddhists
Nottingham Buddhist Centre, 9, St Mary’s Place, Nottingham,
NG1 1PH`
Akshobya Buddhist Centre
Hindus
Hindu Temple and Community Centre in Carlton Road
Sri Thurkkai Amman Temple in Beeston
Sikhs
The Sikh Temple, 26, Nottingham Road, NG7 7AE
Christians
Cornerstone Church in Dunkirk
Beeston Free Church in Beeston
Christian Centre in the City Centre
Solid Rock at Portland Building Chapel – Fridays
Catholics
Catholic Mass at Portland Building Chapel – Sundays
St Barnabas Cathedral Church
F. Money-Saving Tips
Railcards
A railcard allows you to save up to 33% on train fares across the
UK (note that this does not apply to Eurostar). This might amount
to a substantial sum of money if you intend to travel within the UK
often. You have the choice of purchasing a 1-year (£30) or 3-year
railcard (£70).
With your railcard, you will also be entitled to cheaper fares on the
tube when you visit London. Do remember to go to any counters
at tube stations to link your railcard with your Oyster card (the
equivalent of our EZ-link card in London) upon arrival.
33
For more info, check out: http://www.16-25railcard.co.uk/ or
http://www.railcard.co.uk/.
Freshers’ Fair
Do take some time to attend the Freshers’ Fair. They often give
out free writing pads, post-its, pens, cups, lanyards and offer
special deals on items such as MANGO cards that may be pretty
useful in time to come! All we can say is, at times like this, wear
kiasu like a badge of honour.
MANGO Cards are basically the equivalent of EZ-link cards for
public buses run by Trent Barton (e.g. Indigo, i4, Rainbow etc).
They help you save quite a bit of money on Trent Barton buses.
For example, you might have to pay £1.00 for a single trip if you
pay in cash. However, with the Mango card, you pay only £0.80
via the value stored in your card. You can top them up online.
However, do remember to carry enough spare change on you
(and your student card!) when you take public transport in
Nottingham. Nottingham City Transport, which runs some bus
services like 13, 36 and 28, which also operates between the
University Campus and the City Centre, do not dispense change
to commuters.
Seasonal Sales
The UK has many seasonal sales, as many of you might already
be aware of. Do learn to take advantage of these sales as they
might help you save a substantial amount of money. The major
sales to watch out for are the Christmas, Boxing Day, Easter and
Summer sales. Just be patient and learn to use your money
wisely.
Of course, please also do remember that your Student Card offers
you discounts on certain brands, so do just keep a lookout, and
when in doubt, just ask if there are student discounts for your
purchases! After all, as students, all discounts are welcome to our
tight purses!
Plan and purchase EARLY
You may be itching to visit every single city in Europe while you’re
there. Unless you have loads of money to spare, you would have
to draft your travel plans as early as possible. Learn to plan early
34
so that you can confirm your travel plans and purchase your
tickets early. More often than not, air tickets, train tickets and the
like tend to be cheaper when you purchase them earlier.
Try out Airbnb for affordable accommodation around the UK.
It may be cheaper and more flexible if you book a one-way flight
from Singapore to the UK, and then buy all subsequent flights as
return trips (especially if you choose to travel before flying back to
Singapore)
Ask your seniors for their views on when to book your flight tickets
back to Singapore to get the most cost-effective flight.
G. Useful Numbers
Singapore High Commission in London
9 Wilson Crescent, Belgravia, London SW1X 8SP
Contact no: +44 (0) 207 235 8315
Nottingham City Police
In an Emergency (if someone’s life is in danger or a crime is in
progress), dial 999.
Otherwise, dial 101.
UoN Security Office
0115 9513599 (ext 13599 internally) for Security Reception
0115 9513013 (ext 13013 internally) for 24 Hour Security Control
0115 9518888 (ext 18888 internally) for Emergencies ONLY
Taxi Operators
DG Cars: 0115 9 500 500 or 0115 9 607 607;
http://www.dgcars.co.uk/taxi
Trent Cars: 0115 9 505 050; http://www.trentcars.com/
Lenton Cars: 0115 9 781 781; http://www.lentoncars.co.uk/
35
Nottingham Cars: 0115 9 700 700;
http://nottinghamcars.com/
H. Safety Advice
We would just like to offer some humble advice with regards to living in
Nottingham, as well as for travelling within Europe. Contrary to popular belief
and forum rumours, Nottingham is a pretty safe city as long as you exercise
common safety awareness. For example, when going out at night, do try to go
out in a group to avoid being easy prey for those with ill intentions. When
dining out, never leave your valuables exposed or unattended on the dining
table. When travelling within Europe, do make a conscious attempt to place
your wallet and valuables in the front pockets of your jeans/trousers or body
pouches. Never leave them out in the open or your bags unzipped to avoid
being an easy victim of petty theft. Last but not least, take care of your friends
or travel companions as you would take care of your friends in Singapore, and
your trips and stay in Nottingham (and around Europe) will be very much
more enjoyable.
I. Fun Facts
The United Kingdom is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and
Northern Ireland.
The currency used is Pound Sterling. The notes and coins in Scotland is
different from the rest of the UK.
The country code is +44 (Replace 0 with +44), e.g. when calling a UK
number from within the UK, 07 --- --- ---. When calling a UK number
from Singapore, +44 7 --- --- ---.
UK uses the same 3-pin plug as Singapore, so there’s no need for an
adapter. However, this is not the case for the rest of Europe.
36
CONCLUSION
We hope the information in this handbook has been helpful. We would like to thank
the contributors to this handbook for sharing their best “lobang” and giving their
honest recommendations. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to
contact us. Our contact information can be found at the front of this handbook. We’re
excited that you’ve chosen to live and study in Nottingham for the next few years,
and we look forward to meeting you!
University of Nottingham Singapore Society Exco 2016/17
37
Appendix
University Park Campus Map
38
Jubilee Campus Map
39