Frequently Asked Questions

Going to university is a big step for anyone. You’ll meet lots of new people and, as well as getting used to study, you may be managing money and looking after yourself for the first time. In this section we cover some of the questions most frequently asked by new students. If you have any questions we have not covered, please contact us at: studentexperience@staffs.ac.uk

Getting a part-time job during term time

As well as helping prepare you for the world of work, we can help you find part-time work to help you get by during your studies.

The Careers Centre (part of the Student Office) at Staffordshire University offers a wide range of innovative FREE services to students, including a JobShop, which advertises part-time and holiday work to students.  When you've found a job you'd like to apply for the Careers Centre can help you to write a CV, fill in application forms and prepare for interviews.

You can find out about it all on the Careers Centre website.  To view jobs, you will need to register on to the jobs database.  Alternatively you can give us a call using the numbers below, email us at careers@staffs.ac.uk or pop into one of our Careers Centres and chat to our friendly staff.

Stoke Careers is on the Ground Floor of the Cadman Building (Thompson Library), opposite B:10
t:01782 294991
Stafford Careers is in the Beacon Building, opposite Dolce Vita
t:01785 353233
Both offices are open 9 - 5pm, Monday - Friday

Jobs with the Students’ Union
Every year the Students’ Union recruits and trains over 200 students for part-time jobs in the Union venues. For more details, call 01782 294629 or visit: Students' Union

Student Ambassadors
Another way to earn extra cash is by becoming a Student Ambassador and helping out at future student recruitment events.

For more details call 01782 292763 or email l.coulthard@staffs.ac.uk  

Part-time work for international students
If you are an international student, there may be restrictions on any work you can do.  To find out more, contact the International Student Centre

Can you provide childcare?

For students with children from birth to 5 years old, we offer quality affordable childcare and education delivered by a highly qualified and experienced team.

• Opening times: 8.00am  - 6.00pm, Monday to Friday all year round

• Two nurseries in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford, both awarded Ofsted standard "Outstanding"

• All staff qualified to at least level 3 NVQ in childcare

• Children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum

• Plenty of time is offered for settling in visits

• Highly competitive prices, plus student and university staff discounts

• We welcome students, members of staff and the local community

• Meals included in nursery costs

To find out more about the University Nursery, please contact:

Email: nursery@staffs.ac.uk  
Visit the nursery website
or call: Stoke Campus 01782 294981, Stafford Campus 01785 353371

Stoke Nursery, 4/5 Winton Square, Station Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2AD
Stafford Nursery, The Bungalow, Beaconside, Stafford, ST18 0AD

We are committed to promoting the good mental health and well-being of all students.  If you have a mental health issue, please take advantage of the facilities provided by the Doctor you are registered with, and/or the Student Enabling Centre, where Specialist Student Advisors and Counsellors are available to support you according to your own needs.

For further information, please contact:

Stoke
Student Health Centre, Federation House 
t:01782 747174/212305
Student Enabling Centre, Cadman Courtyard (opposite Dolche Vita)
t:01782 294977

Stafford
Beaconside Health Centre, Stafford Court
t:01785 353570
Student Enabling Centre, D001 Ground Floor, Beacon Building
t:01785 353615

Counselling
Starting University is a new, exciting experience.  For some students, however, it can prove difficult and upsetting.  If you find it hard to settle in, don't bottle it up.  The Student Office provides a Counselling Service through the Student Enabling Centre where you can talk to a counsellor in a supportive, confidential setting.  Find out more at the Counselling Centre web page

Stafford 
D001 Ground Floor, Beacon Building
Beaconside
t: 01785 353302
e: counsellingreception@staffs.ac.uk

Stoke
4/5 Winton Square
Station Road
t: 01782 294977
e: counsellingreception@staffs.ac.uk

What about support for disabled students?

Staffordshire University welcomes students of all abilities. As part of the Student Office we have Student Enabling Centre teams at Stoke and Stafford campuses, where specialist staff can provide support and advice.

To arrange disability-related additional support during the Welcome Semester and/or for the duration of your course, please contact us without delay.

Disability support at enrolment
Let us know promptly about your disability and we will aim to arrange support for your enrolment, registration and induction. For daily living support needs, please contact your local Social Services Department immediately.

Disability – Data Protection
Rest assured, when you tell us about your disability/medical condition, the University Guidelines on Data Protection will be followed and all information will remain confidential. Where beneficial to you, we may need to share some of your information with others (e.g. Faculty Disability Officers, Award Leaders/Tutors/Specialist Tutors or Educational Psychologist). This will only be done with your consent.

For a full list of our services for disabled students, and to discuss whether you may be entitled to Disabled Students' Allowances, please contact:

Student Enabling Centre
Cadman Courtyard 
College Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2DE
t: 01782 294977

How multicultural is Staffordshire University?

We actively celebrate diversity and wish to ensure a student and staff population which is a rich blend of ages, social and ethnic backgrounds, abilities, and nationalities.

Our aim is to ensure that anyone who studies, or works at, or interacts with, the University will experience a culture of openness in which everyone is valued equally and can participate with confidence.

Fact and Figures: Did you know that....?

We have students from 128 countries studying on campus ranging from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.
Our top 3 countries of origin are; 1) England with 19181 students, 2) India with 589 students and 3) France with 300 students.

Our ethnic origins are also widespread with representation from:
Asian or Asian British Bangladeshi
Asian or Asian British Indian
Asian or Asian British Pakistani
Black or Black British African
Black or Black British Caribbean
Chinese
Mixed White and Asian
Mixed White and Black African
Mixed White and Black Caribbean
Other Asian Backgrounds
Other Black Backgrounds
Other Ethnic Backgrounds
Other Mixed Backgrounds
White

Our top 3 ethnic origins with the highest number of students being represented are; 1) White with 16994 students, 2) Asian or Asian British Indian with 1050 students and 3) Chinese with 356 students.

Our age range of students is wide with our youngest student being 17 and our eldest 76

Our diverse student body is also reflected through the 1664 of our on campus students declaring having a disability.

For more information, such as:

• Equality and Diversity at Staffordshire University
• What do we mean by Equality and Diversity?
• Further information on the equality legislation

Visit: Equality and Diversity

How do I register with a GP?

It is a condition of the National Health Service that you register with a doctor close to your term-time address if planning to live there for more than three months.

There are doctors who provide full GP services at the Stoke and Stafford campuses.

To choose a different surgery, call the local Primary Care Trust on 01785-220004 or visit the NHS website  

To register with a GP, please bring:

• Your new term-time address and postcode.
• Name, address and postcode of your previous Doctor.
• Details of your past immunisations.
• Repeat prescription details

Contact our Student Health Service

Contraception and sexual health
Contraception and advice regarding all sexual health matters are available to all students registered with the Student Health Service.

Where can I eat on campus?

Our catering team provides a whole range of restaurants and cafés where you can enjoy great-value, good quality food… and catch-up with classmates and friends.  The Students’ Union also offers a varied, value-for-money meal choice at each of its venues.

Where to eat when you arrive - Normal catering services 
All of our catering operations will be open for normal Monday to Friday service from 8.00am.

For further details please see our catering webpages

No time to Cook? - Try our ADVANCE Scheme Meal Package
Concerning yourself about your next meal on campus should be the last of your worries; to help plan your food budget and maintain a healthy diet, we have put together a fantastic pre paid scheme that will enable you to purchase your meals in ADVANCE with tremendous discounts on "off the shelf" pricing.

The ADVANCE Scheme runs from the start of September term and allows you to purchase a termly meal card for use across the campus in any "food for thought" catering outlets at Stafford and Stoke.

For more information see our ADVANCE scheme flyer (DOC, file size: 72KB)

How can I provide feedback?

At Staffordshire University we value your views and recognise the importance of listening to your student voice. We are committed to obtaining feedback from our students and welcome your comments, concerns and compliments, so please help us by telling us what you think.

We listen to your views in a number of ways, including questionnaires and representation on Faculty/School committees.

Visit our Student Voice web page for more information about what feedback opportunities we provide, what difference they make and how you can get involved.

How can I get financial help?

Understanding the financial side of coming to University can be complicated. To help make things clear you may want to visit one or all of the following:

University Fees and Funding pages
Students' Union Money Doctor 
Student Finance England

Money Doctor
Do you have a question about money? Are you sure you’re getting all you’re entitled to financially? Do you know how you could make savings? Come and see a Money Doctor at our Students’ Union Advice Centre, they could make your finances more attractive.
t: 01782 294469 
e: moneydoctors@staffs.ac.uk

Applying for a bursary
We recognise that some students will find it more difficult financially than others to come to university. That's why we offer a simple, straightforward system of cash bursaries worth up to £1,000 per year for 2011/12, dependant upon income. See what you might be entitled to by visiting the money matters or money doctors web pages.

Access to Learning Funds (askALF)
ALF is money given to the University by the Government and is available to home students who are in financial hardship. You can apply each Academic Year once you have applied for the maximum amount of Student Loan that Student Finance England says you are entitled to and you have received your first Student Loan instalment. As this is a discretionary fund, you are not guaranteed a financial award. But if you do receive assistance, it doesn't usually have to be repaid. (However, ALF can ask for the money to be returned if your attendance is poor or if you leave the course). For more details visit the Finance web page.

ALF is a discretionary fund, which means you are not guaranteed an award, but if you are successful you do not usually have to repay the award. Application forms are available from the Students' Union Advice Centre and the University Information Centre at Stoke and Stafford as well as nominated staff in partner Colleges.

Student Calculator
A new student calculator has been launched, developed by UNIAID and UKCISA. This is a new on-line lifestyle calculator to help students plan and manage their money for studies at University.
This is free for students and University’s across the UK.

Moneysavingexpert.com
Visit the Money Saving Expert web pages for 20 key facts that everyone should know about HE funding. It provides a summary of financial implications for students.

What is the Undergraduate Modular Framework (UMF) and Postgraduate Modular Framework (PMF)?
This is the system through which you will work in order to meet the requirements for the award for which you have registered. The Framework is modular which means in order to complete your chosen award, you must successfully achieve a given number of credits for each level of your study.

Undergraduate Modular Framework (PDF, file size: 359.44KB)
Postgraduate Modular Framework (PDF, file size: 264.75KB)

What are the differences between Core, Specific and General Options?
The credits for the modules specified in your award structure (Core and Specific Option modules) are called Specific Credits. You may also be required to take some other modules in order to make up the credit requirements for your award. These will be either General Option modules or Specific Option modules. The credits for General Option modules are called General Credits.

What you need to know

Just like everyone else, students must be covered by a TV Licence to watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV.  This applies whether you live in halls of residence or a private shared house.

What you might not know is that television licensing law still applies to you no matter what you use to watch television programmes as they're being shown on TV. Whether it's a traditional TV, games console, laptop or mobile phone or any other device that receives television programmes, you need to be covered by a TV Licence.  It's the law.

If you are found to be using TV receiving equipment without a valid TV Licence you risk prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000, plus court costs.  

To find out more about whether you require a licence and the costs involved visit the TV Licensing website 

Got the sniffles and can't attend registration or check into your University accommodation?

Don't worry just let us know please - email studentexperience@staffs.ac.uk and remember to tell your landlord if you're going into private accommodation.

If you have flu-like symptoms and are concerned that you may have swine flu please stay tucked up at home until you are fully well again. As soon as you are able to join us, a warm welcome will be waiting for you.

• Read up on swine flu symptoms

• Check your symptoms with the NHS Direct swine flu symptom checker

• If you are then still concerned, stay at home and call your GP

• If swine flu is confirmed, ask a healthy friend or relative to pick up your antiviral medication from the collection point advised by your GP 

• DO NOT attend the University if swine flu is confirmed

• DO inform the University of your absence and reasons for absence (either your tutor, Faculty Office or Faculty Student Guidance Advisor)

Note: If you belong to a high-risk group it is particularly important you start taking antivirals as soon as possible. High-risk groups include people with long-term conditions, those over 65, children under five and pregnant women.

Good hygiene
Preventing the spread of germs is the single most effective way to slow the spread of diseases such as swine flu. You should always:

• Ensure everyone washes their hands regularly with soap and water

• Clean surfaces regularly to get rid of germs

• Use tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze

• Place used tissues in a bin as soon as possible

Dial 0845 4647 or visit NHS Direct for health advice and information here you will find latest up to date information along with a symptom checker.

NHS Swine Flu Leaflet (PDF, file size: 1.39MB)
NHS Swine Flu Leaflet - Easy read (PDF, file size: 906.9KB)

Independent from the University, the Students’ Union is a members’ organisation that is run by students for students.

We are constantly striving to ensure the best possible experience for all students at Staffs and free membership of the Students’ Union is automatic when you enrol unless you choose to opt out. If you need advice, want to take part in student activities, try something different, or just access social space on campus, then the Union is the place for you.

The Students’ Union is run by a team of  elected Student Officers who are there to represent your views and want to hear from you - the more you talk to the Union, the better it will be able to respond to student needs and aspirations.

The Union represents students at all levels, with Officers sitting on key Committees and Boards throughout the University - as well as having a national voice on student issues. They also train and support a network of Student Academic Representatives who represent groups of students studying on the same course.

Other areas include:

Students' Union Reception
Students' Union Advice Centre
Student Activities Department
Get Active
Social Space for students
GK Media
Campaigning
Shops

For details of how the Union operates and information on how to get involved check out the Students' Union Web pages. 

John Smith and Sons, is a well established company who specialises in campus bookselling and have won academic bookseller of the year 2011. The shop is located within the Thomson Library on the Stoke Campus.

They sell key academic texts based on university reading lists, study guides, statutes and second hand books. They also sell a wide range of stationary items, tobacco and food and drink.

Store specific offers ensure that the prices are kept low and good savings can be made throughout the store. Bundle offers and customised texts are used to help students wherever possible.

Current Bundle Offers:

• Biology (DOC, file size: 151.5KB)

• Creative Writing 1 (DOC, file size: 74KB)

• Creative Writing 2 (DOC, file size: 66.5KB)

• Forensic Science (DOC, file size: 271KB)

• Playwriting (PDF, file size: 114.25KB)

• Philosophy 1 (PDF, file size: 106.01KB)

• Philosophy 2 (PDF, file size: 93.97KB)

Opening hours Monday- Friday 9am to 5pm

Tel: 01782 416911
Email: sk@johnsmith.co.uk
Web page: John Smith and Sons
Twitter: Jsmithandson
Facebook: Staffordshire University Bookshop