The Postgraduate Programme’s Academic Calendar for 2010/2011 is currently as follows: Induction Programme:
International week: 22 September 2010 – 26 September 2010 (Attendance to the International Orientation is compulsory)
Enrolment/orientation week:28 September 2009 – 2 October 2009 (Attendance is compulsory)
Term 1: 27 September 2010 - 10 December 2010 (inclusive) (This includes enrolment/induction week)
Term 2: 10 January 2011 - 18 March 2011 (inclusive) (Enrolment for exchange students joining Aston in Term 2: Thursday 6 January)
PLEASE NOTE: because of the Easter holidays being very late in 2011, we have had to split our Term 3 in two teaching sessions separated by a three-week break.
Term 3 Part 1: 28 March 2011 – 8 April 2011 (Enrolment for exchange students joining Aston in Term 3: Friday 25 March)
Term 3 Part 2: 2 May 2011 – 24 June 2011 (inclusive)
A special programme of events is offered to students upon their arrival at Aston University. For students arriving in September (double-degree students and students attending Term 1), there are two weeks of activities arranged to help students settle into life at Aston. The first, Aston Welcomes Internationals, has been developed to focus on students from outside the UK. The second week offers a programme of events from both the School and the Students’ Guild.
International Welcome Week: 22 September 2010
Aston Welcome Week: 26 September 2010
For 2010 entry, both weeks are likely to be compulsory for exchange students.
For students arriving in January (Term 2) or April (Term 3), a programme of events to welcome you to Aston is being developed.
A website dedicated to International students who are coming to Aston for the first time is available at: http://www.aston.ac.uk/new-students/internationalprearrival/.
The above site contains very useful pre-arrival information for students coming from outside the United Kingdom and we strongly advise you to visit it. Please note that some information may change and that we recommend that that you check the site regularly for updates throughout the year.
There is also additional useful information on the Aston Students’ Guild’s website:
http://www.astonguild.org.uk/.
Students attending for the whole academic year
Students who attend for the whole academic year are guaranteed on-campus accommodation as long as they apply by the deadline. For EU students this is normally at the end of July. For non-EU students, this is usually around the beginning of August. Further information will be provided on the Residential Services website in due course: http://www1.aston.ac.uk/prospective-students/accommodation/
Once they have received their student numbers students can apply on-line for accommodation on the Residential Services website: http://www.aston.ac.uk/prospective-students/accommodation/
Please note that it is not possible for Residential Services to guarantee a particular block or type of residence, as places are subject to availability.
Students attending for one or two terms only Due to the demand for on-campus accommodation at that time of year (September), it is not at all possible to offer places in university residences to exchange students who only come to Aston for Term 1 or Term 1 and 2. Students joining us then will have to secure private accommodation.
However, it is often possible to offer place in University Residences to students joining us in Term 2 and/or Term 3. Please note that we cannot guarantee it and that you should look for private accommodation as well. Students interested in applying for on-campus accommodation for Term 2 and Term 3 should refer to the application process outlined above for students attending the whole academic year.
Private Accommodation
Advice on privately rented accommodation, including private halls of residence, can be found in the leaflet produced by the Advice & Representation Centre (part of Aston Students’ Guild) at:http://www.astonguild.org.uk/advice/content/18850/information_leaflets_/house_hunting_information/
Please read it very carefully before proceeding to studentpad.
All non campus accommodation, including private halls, is advertised on www.astonstudentpad.co.uk
By using studentpad you can refine your search and obtain masses of information about the available properties. You can also use its message board facility to talk to your fellow students and find a flat mate. Students seeking accommodation in types 2 or 3, and students who will be accompanied by dependants, are welcome to contact the Advice & Representation Centre for advice: http://www.astonguild.org.uk/advice
Visas Students from outside the EU will need to make sure that they have the necessary visa to enable them to study in the UK. Once you have received your offer letter from the University you should check that you have a valid passport for the period of study in the UK. Most non-EU students will also need to apply for entry clearance (often called a "visa") to the UK. For further information you can visit http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/ website, which explains who needs to apply for entry clearance before travelling to the UK. You can also download the application forms as well as find out where your nearest British Embassy or High Commission is. Non-EU Exchange students joining Aston for 6 months or less will have the choice of applying for either a Student Visitor Visa or a Tier 4 General student visa.
Additional information on the Tier 4 General Student Visa can also be found on the Aston University website at: http://www1.aston.ac.uk/international-students/support-and-welfare/visa-advice-for-applicants/
Other useful sources of information include:
UKCISA's information leaflet which explains how to apply for a student entry clearance http://www.ukcosa.org.uk/student/immigration.php
EU students should obtain a European Health Insurance card. Non-EU students should ensure that adequate health insurance cover is purchased before coming to the UK.
At Aston University there are a range of services to support students with both academic issues and personal issues. Highlighted below are a range of key support services. Further information can be found in the Quick Guide for New Students which is provided to all students beginning their studies at Aston Business School.
The Aston Student Advice Point (ASAP) located on the Upper Ground Floor of the Main University Building is your first port of call for non-academic advice and support.
0121 204 4711, asap@aston.ac.uk, http://www1.aston.ac.uk/current-students/asap/
The Advice & Representation Centre at Aston Students' Guild provides Aston students with information, advice and representation.
The Advice & Representation Centre can be found on the first floor of the Students' Guild building and is open Monday to Thursday between 10 am and 5 pm and 10 am to 4 pm on Fridays;
0121 204 4848. If you are phoning from outside the UK please phone +44 121 204 4848. arc@aston.ac.uk, http://www.astonguild.org.uk/advice
Library & Information Services (LIS) provides a comprehensive service to support learning and research needs throughout your study here at Aston. The Library provides books, journals, reports and statistics for students to consult and borrow. Many of the journals and other sources of information are also available electronically.
0121 204 4525, library@aston.ac.uk, www.aston.ac.uk/lis
The Learning Development Centre offers a range of support options for all aspects of your academic study and key study skills, from group sessions, one to one sessions and drop in support sessions. The LDC is based on the first floor in the Library.
0121 204 3040, lsc@aston.ac.uk, www.aston.ac.uk/lsc/
Academic writing skills support is available to all students at Aston University. This support includes a Royal Literary Fund Fellow and Writing Mentors who are based in the Learning Development Centre.
Aston University’s Careers Service is available to all students offering careers guidance and support in creating CV’s, completing application forms and preparing for interviews.
All students at Aston University are able to access Health Care.Halcyon Medical is based within Boots in the centre of Birmingham. The practice is available 7 days a week. In addition to the main centre, they also offer a Satellite Clinic, which is based in MB G17. We encourage all students to register with the practice as soon as you arrive at the University. All students who attend Aston University for six months or more will be able to register with the Health Centre. Students who attend for less than six months will not be able to register with the Health Centre, but will be able to attend free of charge for advice and treatment.
0845 072 4632, auhc@hobtpct.nhs.uk, www.halcyonmedical.co.uk
There is also a dental surgery and an optician on campus.
We have excellent Sports and Recreation facilities at Aston University, especially for a University of our (relatively small) size. We have two sports centres on campus including 25m Swimming Pool, all-weather floodlit pitch, two large sports halls for a massive range of indoor sports, squash courts and a brand new Cybex Fitness Centre and Gym. Outdoor sports are catered for at the Aston University Recreation Centre, a 45 acre facility 5 miles from campus. Facilities are open 7 days a week.
At Aston, there are also a wide range of Sports Clubs and Societies which are open to all students. For a full list of clubs, please visit: http://www.astonguild.org.uk/studentactivities
For further information about the facilities at Aston, please visit: www.aston.ac.uk/sport/
Within Aston Business School, there are a number of sources of support all dedicated to helping students you get the most out of your time studying at Aston. As well as all academic staff offering “Office Hours” every week, where you can sign up to talk to them about the academic aspects of you time at Aston University, we also have support staff, based within the Postgraduate Programme Office available for you to talk to Monday to Friday, throughout the year.
