If found, please return to the general office at the entrance to the Stanton building.
This handbook belongs to: ...........................................................................
My personal tutor is: ....................................................................................
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Welcome
MSc Environmental Management timetable for welcome week
Summary of Welcome Week
Overview of the University and School
Newton Park campus
Help with effective learning – the Writing and Learning Centre
The academic year, postgraduate framework and contact time
Finding your way around
West campus – Stanton (SN), Corston (CN), Newton (NE), Twinhoe (TE), Wellow (WE)
Site Map
Student support and your well-being
Students’ union
East campus facilities – Main House (MH)
Library (LY) and Information Services (LIS)
Careers service, bank and ATM
Refectory – eating and drinking
Michael Tippett Centre (MT)
Commons (CM), Student Information Desk
Security
Computer facilities, IT support, email
ICT rooms, electronic storage, printing and scanning
WiFi; Minerva VLE; Timetable
Equal opportunities and ways of being heard
What happens next?
Some hints and tips from our students
University address
Appendix A: Invitation to International Welcome
Appendix B: Visa Checks
Appendix C: Instructions in case of fire
Appendix D: Staff contact list
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Congratulations on obtaining your university place here with us and welcome.
Thank you for choosing to come to Bath Spa University.
I am sure that you will very soon feel happy here, but I know that as a new student there will be times when you may feel unsure and you will have lots of questions. Please don't be afraid to ask us – it's the best way to learn! We, in turn, will try our best to answer your questions and to help you learn about the university and your chosen course. We appreciate that everything is new for you.
Please take the time to read through this handbook, it contains information that you will need to help you settle in. As well as containing a plan for introduction week, some practical information about the university and the way it works, we have also tried to summarise some more important information to help you in your first few weeks.
Being at university is a wonderful opportunity – I'm sure that you will enjoy the time you spend studying here at Bath Spa University. I look forward to working with you.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION
There is a lot of other useful information online, such as:
Before you arrive…
What to pack
Managing your money
Online registration
Student IT guide
Welcome to your course
Students’ Union Freshers’ Week 2015
Find all of this and much more by clicking on the link and exploring the Welcome to Bath Spa
University web pages: https://thehub.bathspa.ac.uk/student-induction
1

Monday 28 September
18:00 – 20:00 All PG Commons Atrium WELCOME EVENT
PLEASE NOTE HOME AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ARE INVITED
(Please register at http://dmtrk.com/t/1VUZ-3O5EH-JUWSKP-1RNL54-1/c.aspx ) Further details in Appendix A
Wednesday 30 September
FRESHERS’ COMMERCIAL FAIR – DISCOUNTS AND DEALS AND SOCIALIZE – DROP IN
10:00 – 4:00 All SU
Thursday 1 October
WELCOME. MEET THE COURSE DIRECTOR AND TEACHING TEAM
09:30 – 10:00
REGISTRATION
All Room SN.G10
10:00 – 11:00
SITE TOUR
11:00 – 12:00
All
All
CM.G24
Start from CM.G24
LUNCH
13:00 – 14:00 All SNG08
PROGRAMME OUTLINE
14:00 – 16:00 All SNG08
SOCIAL EVENT FOR SCHOOL OF SOCIETY, ENTERPRISE & ENVIRONMENT POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS
16:00 – 17:00 All CM119/120/121
FRESHERS’ ACTIVITIES FAIR – JOIN CLUBS, SOCIETIES AND SOCIALIZE – AT SOME POINT, TRY TO DROP IN
10:00 – 4:00 All Student Union
You must ensure that your fees are paid and that on-line registration process is completed on the student portal. If you do not have an id card, go to Student Information Desk, in Commons (CM). Non-resident students should complete registration and confirm their identity with photo id at the Student Information Desk.
Friday 2 October
TIER IV (4) VISA STUDENTS – POLICE CHECK
08:30 – 15:00 International PG Commons Atrium
UNIVERSITY/STUDENTS’ UNION SERVICES
10:00 – 12:00 Mini-talks and workshops as follows:
10:00 – 11:00 Careers Service LYG02
13:00 – 16:00
11:00 – 12:00
13:00 – 14:00
14:00 – 15:00
Student Support Services SNG08
Mini-talks and workshops as follows:
Library CM125
Writing and Learning Centre CM133
15:00 – 15:30
15:30 – 16:00
Using the NHS (International PG) Commons Atrium
English Language Unit Welcome (International PG venue to be conf.)
TUTORIALS – IT AND TIMETABLE CHECK and ANY REMAINING QUESTIONS
16:00 – 17:00 All SNG08
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You are invited to attend all activities unless otherwise stated. During ‘free time’ a range of university-based activities, many organised by the Students’ Union are available – do make the most of these opportunities, as they will help to make your time at university a richer and fuller experience.
Monday
 If you’re available on Monday, please go along to the ‘Welcome’ event in the evening
Wednesday
 Freshers’ commercial fair Student Union
Thursday
 Welcome and registration
 Programme outline and module choices
 Freshers’ activities fair Student Union
 School-wide social event for postgraduate students
Friday
 For international students, bring your passport and visa to the local police service for checking. Further details in Appendix B
 Introduction to University study and support services
Dyslexia screening
Students have the opportunity to take a QuickScan dyslexia screening test and talk to a dyslexia specialist:
Wednesday 30 September: 2:00 – 5:00 pm in Commons CM125
More information online about disability and dyslexia at the student support pages: https://www.bathspa.ac.uk/study-with-us/giving-you-support/disability-and-dyslexia/dyslexia
QuickScan gives you information about your preferred learning style and identifies indications of dyslexia. For further information, follow this link: www.netquickscan.co.uk/QS5/BSPA/QSStart.htm
Or email: studentsupport@bathspa.ac.uk
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Overview of the University and the School
Bath Spa University (BSU) is a medium-sized institution with around 6,000 students. It offers pre-degree study, undergraduate degrees and postgraduate degrees in a wide range of programmes. BSU is linked with over 50 institutions in Europe, South East Asia, the USA and
Africa.
BSU has an excellent record of teaching quality, as assessed by national assessment bodies and has achieved exceptionally high rankings in national newspaper league tables. Its popularity is growing each year, and in the past two years it has achieved an 80% increase in undergraduate applications.
Newton Park has been undergoing its most significant building programme for decades. This is to create first-rate facilities for students, including the major new academic building – Commons
(CM), which has specialist digital and studio resources for students entering the creative and cultural industries. New student accommodation is now open allowing an additional 600 students to live on campus.
BSU is made up of many different parts – some are administrative, such as the admissions office or student services, while others are academic such as the Geography Department. Related subjects are grouped together into administrative units, known as Schools.
School of Society, Enterprise and Environment
Several subjects and awards make up the School of Society, Enterprise and Environment:
Business and Management, Criminology, Biology, Environmental Science, Food with Nutrition,
Geography, Global Development and Sustainability, Human Nutrition, Psychology and Sociology.
Subjects are offered in major/joint/minor combination or through specialized awards, this enables you to study from a wide range of disciplines and subjects across the University, including with those in other Schools.
Each School is managed by a Dean; the Acting Dean of School of Society, Enterprise and
Environment is Dr Mark McGuinness. In the School of Society, Enterprise and Environment there are three separate departments: Science, Social Sciences and Business and Management.
The School has around 60 full-time and part-time academic staff, four administrative staff, six technicians (who are mostly based in laboratories), and a team of research staff and students, some of whom contribute to undergraduate teaching. In 2015-16 it is anticipated that there will be a reorganisation of the university structure that will involve a reduction in the number and merging of schools. This will not affect your studies in any way – it is being designed to strengthen our flexible approach to teaching and to enhance your choices and your learning. We will keep you informed of the administrative changes that are underway.
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Our campus at Newton Park
EcoCampus is a national environmental award scheme for higher education. BSU has achieved
Platinum – the highest award. We want to ensure that our environmental impact is minimised so that the University develops in a sustainable way. Our response to climate change and the need to conserve natural resources through reduction of our carbon footprint means that we aim to reduce our use of energy and water, so please turn off lights and taps when not needed.
Use the recycling bins, which are located within and outside every student residence and nearly every academic building. No-one should have to go far to find a set of bins.
Please respect the environment so that we can maintain and encourage biodiversity and encourage plants and wildlife.
Please consider travelling to BSU by NOT USING A CAR.
There are regular buses and you can travel for less with a multi or season ticket, see bathspa.ac.uk/about-us/how-to-find-us/travel-by-bus and firstgroup.com/ukbus/bristol_bath/tickets/bath/bathspa.php
Cycling, see: bathspa.ac.uk/about-us/how-to-find-us/travel-by-bike . The university has good facilities for cyclists, including secure bicycle parking, showers, NextBike hire bikes – with free rental period and our own Bicycle User Group.
If you live on or close to the Newton Park campus then you will not be permitted to park a car on campus. If you drive to Newton Park consider car sharing and remember that you must have a parking permit and pay for a ticket – see parking information for students https://thehub.bathspa.ac.uk/reference/parking
Please park with care (failure to do so may result in a fine) and ensure you display a valid parking ticket.
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For additional help with learning effectively at university consult the Writing and Learning
Centre, which is based in the Library (LY)? The Writing and Learning Centre offers one-to-one appointments, workshops and resources to help you achieve your potential. You can get advice on:
•
•
•
•
• academic writing, including referencing research and scholarship time management and other independent learning skills oral presentations revision and exam-writing ... and more!
To find out more visit the Writing and Learning Centre pages in Minerva.
For more resources and information about timetabled workshops, visit the on-line Bath Spa
Writing and Learning Centre pages: www.bathspa.ac.uk/library/writing-and-learning-centre
There is also English language support for international students. Please access the English
Language Unit direct via: http://www.bathspa.ac.uk/international-students/english-language-unit
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The academic year consists of three trimesters, with most modules running during one trimester. Assessment weeks often occur at the end of each trimester and feature examinations or other end-of-year assessments. Coursework assignments will be set at various points during the year. Details of assignments and the dates by which they have to be submitted are given in modules. You’re encouraged to read the module handbooks carefully, to note submission dates and manage your study time accordingly. Information about course dates and the schedules for examinations and examination boards can be found at the Student Services area of the BSU website. There will be other important dates that you should note e.g. deadlines for assignments and staff-student committee meetings for your course; these will usually be posted in Minerva.
The postgraduate course framework
Teaching and learning is delivered through separate taught courses, called modules. Modules can be either optional or compulsory. All modules are assessed and as well as getting marks for your assessed work you earn a fixed number of credits when you have passed each module.
Modules are allocated 15, 30 or 60 credits depending on their status in your degree and the amount of study time/assessment required. You will take a mix of 30 and 15 credits modules.
When you have passed a module you will ‘earn’ the credits associated with that module; (note that you earn the credits when you pass the module and the pass grades that you achieve in assessments do not affect the credits earned (though they do help with the classification of your degree. So, passing a 30 credit with 52% grade average earns 30 credits in just the same way as passing the module with a grade average of 77% earns the allocated 30 credits). At Master’s level you must earn 180 credits (e.g. 2 x 30 credit, 1 x 60 credit and 4 x 15 credits). Different subjects offer different modules; you can distinguish what subject teaches a module by the twoletter code at the start of the module code (BM = Business and Management, EM =
Environmental Management, PS = Psychology). The first number indicates the level: 7 is
Master’s level. The 15, 30 or 60 indicates the amount of credits allocated to that particular module. So for example:
BM7001-30 would be a Master’s-level, 30 credit module in Business and Management
EM7123-15 is a Master’s-level, 15 credit module in Environmental Management.
ALL STUDENTS MUST CONFIRM THE MODULES THAT THEY ARE TAKING WITH THE COURSE
DIRECTOR BY 16.00 ON THURSDAY 1 ST OCTOBER.
Teaching
Taught contact hours vary at each level and depending on your subject and according to the number of credits earned.
Either a module handbook will provide details of the schedule of teaching and learning, learning outcomes, assessments, assessment criteria and required reading, or this information will be available on-line via the virtual learning environment, which is called Minerva VLE: minerva.bathspa.ac.uk/
7

BSU has two main campuses in Bath: Newton Park and Sion Hill. The larger campus at Newton
Park is the base for the School of Society, Enterprise and Environment. This campus is divided roughly in two: to the east are the Main House (MH), Library (LY), University Theatre (UT),
Refectory, Michael Tippett Centre (MT), Commons (CM), education blocks and some student residences. The west end of the campus is the location for student residences, the students’ union, Student Services in Sophia (SO) and Stable (ST), science and social science buildings. It takes about 10 minutes to walk the quarter mile distance between one end of Newton Park campus and the other.
Building names and room numbers
The buildings at Newton Park are shortened to a two letter code. For example, Stanton is shortened to SN, Corston is CN, Twinhoe is TE, Commons is CM.
The campus maps, show building names and their codes. bathspa.ac.uk/about-us/map-of-newton-park-campus
Room numbers are in two parts the first part indicates the floor while the second part, which is separated by a period, indicates the room number. For example, room 2.08 will be room eight on the second floor while G.10 is room 10 on the ground floor. Building names and numbers are usually combined thus: room eight on the first floor in the Stanton building will be indicated SN
1.08 while room 12 on the ground floor in the Commons building will be indicated CM G.12.
WEST CAMPUS AND FACILITIES
The western end of the campus is where the School of Society, Enterprise and Environment main office is located in the Stanton building – other subject staff offices and teaching rooms are in Corston, Twinhoe and Wellow (WE) buildings, (but note that Business and Management staff are located in Commons). The School administrative office is at the entrance to Stanton
Stanton (SN)
Sociology and Psychology staff are based in the Stanton building.
Corston (CN)
Biology, Geography, Environmental Science, Sociology and Psychology staff are based in the
Corston building.
Newton (NE)
Bath Spa Global (an international academic partnership) is based in Newton. There are some teaching rooms in the Newton building that you may be timetabled in.
Twinhoe (TE)
Biology and Environmental Science staff are based in Twinhoe.
Wellow (WE)
This building houses two laboratories, plus storage and preparation rooms.
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Map Key
Blue squares indicate parking spaces
Red circle indicates the main reception area
Orange circles indicate bus stops
White circles indicate building codes:
AN - Ashton
BH - Beech Halls
CE - Castle
CM - Commons
CN - Corston
CP - Compton
CT - Chestnut Halls
DY - Dairy
EM - Elm Halls
GH - Gate House
GR - Gore House Halls
HA - Harrington Halls
HI - Hiscocks Halls
HY - Holly Halls
LA - Langton Halls
LE - Lime Halls
LY - Library
ME - Maple Halls
MH - Main House (Visitor's Reception)
MT - Michael Tippett Centre
N1/N2 - Nursery Houses 1 and 2
NE - Newton
OK - Oak Halls
PO - Pope Halls
RD - Redwood Halls
RF - The Refectory
SC - Student Support Centre
SE -Security
SL - Stewards Lodge
SN - Stanton
SO - Sophia
ST - Stable
SU - Students' Union
SY - Sydney
TE - Twinhoe
TH - Temple House Halls
TN - Twiverton
TP - Temple Halls
UT - University Theatre
VN - The Vinery
WE - Wellow
WG - Walled Garden
WT - Walnut Halls
Telephones
An internal telephone with internal directory is available to students in the Stanton foyer. To call from outside the university, dial 0122 587 + the relevant extension number).
To find a member of staff’s telephone number or email address visit: https://applications.bathspa.ac.uk/phonebook/default.asp
Please note that mobile devices must not be used in lectures, seminars or examinations. Make certain that mobile devices are switched off in at these times. In certain lectures and seminars they may be explicitly permitted.
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Eating and drinking
At the west end of the campus the students’ union shop sells food and drink as does the students’ union café bar. There are drinks and snack vending machines on the ground floor of
Newton and Corston.
Toilets
Toilets are on the ground floor corridor in Stanton, Corston and Newton.
NO SMOKING
It is illegal to smoke in any of the university buildings. Smoking is prohibited within 10 metres of any building, (that’s about the length of a double-decker bus). This means that no-one may smoke in any of the covered areas adjacent to university buildings.
You may not smoke on or near the steps at the main entrance to Stanton or at the Corston or Newton entrance.
Student support and your well-being
Student Support provide personal welfare, medical services, money advice and support for people with specific learning differences and/or disabilities. Student support based in Stable and
Sophia. For more information follow the links at: bathspa.ac.uk/study-with-us/giving-you-support
You can drop in to the Student Support Centre, Stable (ST) 1.06 weekdays 10.00 – 4.00, email
(studentsupport@bathspa.ac.uk) or telephone (01225 876543) to make an appointment.
If you have any specific learning differences or special educational needs that may affect your ability to study, please make this known to your tutor or the module convenor as soon as possible so that the appropriate support can be provided.
Esther Edwards and Alison Lee are the disability co-ordinators for the School of Society,
Enterprise and Environment and they will also assist you.
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Students’ Union
All students at Bath Spa are members of the Students’ Union. The Union exists to provide support, encouragement and representation. In addition, the union provides entertainments, clubs, societies and other facilities.
Students’ Union facilities and services
At Newton Park the Students’ Union (SU) has a building at the west end of the campus close to
Stanton. This building has a 700 capacity venue, a shop, a gym, a games lounge and offices/meeting rooms.
The SU office provides a whole range of services and facilities, including bus passes, phone cards, a student welfare advice service, and details on a wide range of clubs and societies. The
Union Office is open during the daytime week days.
The café bar serves coffee and food from 10am – late.
Students’ union shop
The SU shop at Newton Park provides what you would expect from your average newsagents and more, including sandwiches etc. Open during the daytime week days. Discounts are available on a range of newspapers.
Union activities
As well as running a range of facilities and services, the SU also provides a range of activities for you; these range from clubs and societies to voluntary work, from overseas trips to the Get
Skilled student training program, or even getting involved as a volunteer within the SU as part of the ‘Ents’ (events) or newspaper teams.
To keep up-to-date with the latest news and information about the Union read h20 (the student newspaper) and visit the SU website: bathspasu.co.uk
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EAST CAMPUS AND FACILITIES
Main House (MH)
The Main House is a grade I listed building that was constructed between 1762-5 for Joseph
Langton. The famous landscape gardener: Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown designed the grounds in
1761. The house was used as a Red Cross hospital for Australian and New Zealand troops during
World War I. In 1941, the last of Joseph Langton’s descendants died and the estate passed to the Duchy of Cornwall (currently owned by Prince Charles). The Main House includes some of the main administrative offices of the University, including the vice-chancellor’s office, her staff and deputies.
The newer extension (on the right hand side as you face Main House) contains the library, careers and computing service.
Library and information services (LY)
Located next to Main House, the Newton Park campus Library is open seven days a week in term time. The library website is at: bathspa.ac.uk/services/library/
The Library is open until midnight during term-time with full WiFi access, issue/return facilities and vending machines for light refreshments. There is also a bookable group work room, the
Glass Room. The Library Commons is open 24/7 with online access and quiet study facilities.
As well as storing books, journals etc., and providing access to electronic resources, the Main
Library has DVDs and CDs, an enquiry desk, self-service issue and return facilities, photocopiers, open access computer rooms, printers and study spaces.
The designated librarian for the School is Mark de Fleury who liaises with academic staff, answers enquiries on information sources and teaches information skills. To contact the subject librarian ask at the Library reception desk or email: m.defleury@bathspa.ac.uk
Make sure you get to know the library website, which has information on services and facilities, access to electronic journals and other resources, a list of FAQs, an on-line library catalogue
(which you can use to check your library account, reserve books that are out on loan and renew your loans).
Careers service
The main enquiry point for the Careers service and Jobshop are in the Library foyer. You’ll be surprised at what you can do, even at this early stage of your academic career to enhance your job prospects! There is a considerable amount of information and support about careers, skills development and applying for jobs at: bathspacareers.com/
Bank and cash machines
A bank with automatic telling machines (ATM) is by the refectory opposite the university theatre. The ATM does not charge for dispensing money. A fee-for-service ATM is located in the
Students’ Union opposite the SU shop.
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Eating and drinking
The refectory dining room is between the University Theatre and Commons, it is usually open from 12.00 am – 2.00 pm during term time serving main meals, including vegetarian/vegan meals. A café on the ground floor of Commons is open 7.30 am – 7.30 pm Monday to Friday.
Also, an independently-run coffee shop is located in the East Wing of Main House.
Michael Tippett (MTC)
Named after one of the most significant post-war English composers – Michael Tippett (1905-
1998). Tippett lived locally in Wiltshire. The building houses a small concert hall, gallery and the music department. MT.G01 is used for some larger lectures.
Commons (CM)
The Commons building was officially opened on 5 June 2014 by Academy Award-winning film producer Lord Puttnam. The building provides state-of-the-art teaching facilities, an outside amphitheatre, new student social spaces and a café.
STUDENT INFORMATION DESK
Staff at the Student Information Desk on the ground floor of Commons will deal with any
administrative university-related questions. If you want to change your timetable, modules, programmes or tutor, change details that the university has for you, such as your address – you can do this at the Student Information Desk. No appointment is necessary – just turn up, call
0122 587 6115 or email mycourse@bathspa.ac.uk
Security
Available 24 hours a day, telephone extension 0122 587 5555.
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COMPUTER FACILITIES
Every student has a BSU computer account with several gigabytes of BSU network storage, and an email account provided by Google, with a calendar and access to 30GB of on-line ‘Google
Drive’ storage.
You will have two separate sets of log-on information to access university computer systems: one for Google apps including Gmail (your BSU email account) and a separate log in to access networked open access computers and other password-protected university on-line sites.
User name and password
To log on to password-protected university services and material on the BSU website (known as the hub), for example to register, or to choose your modules, to view and print your timetable or to receive your results and to access online resources such as Minerva, use your university username and password.
Your user name is the six digit student ID number on your registration documents/ID card.
Passwords should be a minimum of 8 characters made up of both letters and numbers. It should also contain punctuation such as a hyphen, (do not use easy to guess passwords such as abcd.123
)
Email
Your Bath Spa email address is your first name and last name that you have supplied, separated by a full stop, along with the year that you started at BSU then @bathspa.ac.uk, e.g. laura.trott15@bathspa.ac.uk. Use your BSU email account – this is the email address that staff will use to communicate with you. Your University email account is web-based and provided by Google – to log in, search for ‘Gmail’ and type your email address and password.
Further information on your email account, is available on-line at: it-help.bathspa.ac.uk/email/login.html
If you use another email account as your primary account, set up a rule to forward your
University email to that account and you will not miss important messages. To learn how, visit: it-help.bathspa.ac.uk/email/email-forward.html
You can use web mail to search for student or staff email addresses by name in the mail contacts area.
Staff email addresses follow the format: initial.surname@bathspa.ac.uk e.g. j.bloggs@bathspa.ac.uk
Note on sending email messages
When writing an email to university staff, please bear in mind that you are writing to a member of the academic team and therefore should use more formal language than you might use when messaging your friends!
IT problems/support
Help and support pages for using computers and software at BSU are available at: it-help.bathspa.ac.uk
SOACS (student open access computer support) are available in the Library Mon to Fri
15

ICT rooms
There are several ‘open-access’ computer rooms at Newton Park that provide access to wordprocessing (MS-Word), spread sheets (MS-Excel), email and other more specialist software.
These PCs are linked to the University network and to the Internet. Printing, scanning and photocopying are also available.
There are four rooms of networked PCs in the Library at Newton Park LY124, 121, 114 115, these are available during normal library opening hours. In addition, there is a computer help desk and IT support in LY119. There are also networked computers available in the Stanton and
Commons foyers, and on the first floor of Commons. Some computer rooms are occasionally used for teaching or training and notices are posted ahead of these times.
Saving work
You have 30GB of Google Drive electronic storage space where you can create folders and store files and other folders. You can also use Google apps such as Docs, Drawings, Sheets and Slides.
Note that ‘losing’ work, for whatever reason – including any problems with electronic devices, is not accepted by the university as a reason for not submitting work on time.
In addition, you have several gigabytes of University personal networked storage – this is called your S drive and the S drive will appear in your list of network locations where you can save work whenever you are logged in to a networked compute on campus.
Do get into the habit of saving and backing up your work on a regular basis, (we recommend saving every 10 minutes and backing up every week).
Printing
Most of your assessed work will be uploaded electronically, so you should not need to print in large quantities. Printing and scanning can be done via the university network at any one of the
Ricoh multifunction devices around the campus. To print, use a networked computer to select the appropriate Follow-You Queue printer – either mono (i.e. black and white and cheaper) or colour (more expensive). You can use the printer dialogue to set additional preferences such as paper size, single-sided or backed (duplex printing), folding, staple or punched holes. You have eight hours after sending a document from a pc to touch your student id card on the Ricoh reader or you will need to resend the document. Once logged in to a printer, click the document that you wish to print from the printing list on the screen, (if there is more than one) and click the print button.
There is a charge for copying and printing, while scanning from the Ricoh devices is free – so you may prefer to scan a document and have it sent to you as an email attachment rather than photocopying it. Use your student card to activate and pay for printing, scanning (free of charge, but you still need to use your student card) and copying. To top up your account use the money loader machine in the ICT room upstairs in the library or online at the BSU hub: thehub.bathspa.ac.uk/myaccount/printing
If a printer needs paper contact SOACS (Student Open Access Computer Support) situated within the open access rooms in the Library.
16

WiFi – eduroam
BSU has a free WiFi network for students called eduroam. Connect to eduroam using any WiFi enabled device, use your student number and add ‘@bathspa.ac.uk’
(e.g. 123456@bathspa.ac.uk) then use your Bath Spa network password. At some stage, your device will be security scanned by ‘Network Sentry’ software, which may also require you to download updates or install antivirus software to secure your device.
Once you’ve logged in at Bath Spa University, the eduroam WiFi network is available to you at thousands of other HE institutions around the world.
Minerva VLE
Minerva VLE is a virtual learning environment (VLE). Minerva VLE contains dedicated information related to your modules to enhance your learning. Minerva VLE also supports discussion groups and the electronic submission of assignments through the Turnitin system.
Minerva VLE is available at: https://auth.bathspa.ac.uk/oala/login/bathspa
You can also download Minerva iOS and Android apps for mobile devices.
When you use Minerva VLE you will be presented with a list of the modules that you have registered for – if they are not there, contact the help desk. One of the modules which will appear on your list is an Induction module. It contains videos that will provide you with a brief introduction to how Minerva works and will also show you how to submit assignments electronically.
Your timetable
After 2pm on Friday 2 October your timetable will be ready to view online. You can access it here: https://timetables.bathspa.ac.uk/
Click on ‘Student timetables’ and gain access by using your Bath Spa user name and password
(see details above). The Timetables application will be very busy on that Friday afternoon so if you have any problems try again a bit later and/or drop in to the IT and Timetable sessions scheduled for each subject.
Your timetable should also be available via the Welcome page of Minerva.
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All staff work to create a supportive and positive atmosphere in which learning and discussion can take place cooperatively. You are asked to respect the views of others, to make no remarks of a racist, sexist, homophobic or personal nature that offend, threaten, harass or insult another person on the course or a member of staff.
If you are subjected to any form of harassment, you should discuss this with either a member of staff, or Student Support, who will assist in preventing further difficulties. There are identified members of the University staff who are responsible for addressing issues of harassment; again you can access these people through departmental staff or Student Service.
If anyone wishes to make a complaint about any breach of our equal opportunities commitment, please contact the Dean or their assistant.
Ways of being heard
All modules are evaluated by students. Your views are important to us and help to plan more effective teaching and learning. Every subject has a student committee that meets regularly.
Student Representatives
The student’s union provides additional support and training for student representatives. Please consider becoming a representative – it is not onerous.
Student ambassadors
If you have appreciated help from student ambassadors at open days or during induction week, perhaps you’d like to become an ambassador yourself; it can be very rewarding, and you get paid too.
If you’re interested in becoming an ambassador, look out for information on this during
Introduction week and the first few weeks of the term.
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Next week teaching starts. The undergraduate students will have arrived, so the campus will be very busy! Formal teaching sessions – lectures, seminars and practical sessions – begin.
For every module that you choose there will be information about the learning outcomes, the assessments, assessment criteria, required and further optional readings, lectures and seminars.
This will either be provided to you in a module handbook or through Minerva VLE. For most modules there will also be additional information that you should check regularly on Minerva
VLE.
Being at university is an immense privilege and you owe it to yourself to work hard and to do your best. The rewards are incalculable and will last for the rest of your life.
What’s expected of you?
The Bath Spa University Student Agreement sets out what you should expect from the University and what the University expects from you. Details are at: http://www.bathspa.ac.uk/university-life/students-union/student-agreement
University is very different from learning at school or college. The sorts of skills that you are expected to develop and demonstrate are not the same and you will probably find that the teaching and learning are not at all alike. You’re more likely to be rewarded for demonstrating intelligent thinking rather than your ability to remember facts and figures. You should try to show that you recognise that in a complex and complicated world problems are unlikely to have simple explanations or solutions.
You are expected to take advantage of the opportunities and facilities that are available to you at university. Staff will not always direct what you do and when, but they will advise and encourage you. You should take responsibility for your own learning and for developing your own academic skills. Staff will help you – but you are expected to use the time outside of lectures and classes to read widely on the subjects that you are studying and to develop your ideas. Staff are expected to pursue their own academic research, to write, develop their teaching and complete administration, so they are unlikely to be available whenever you want them to be. If there is some pressing issue that is hampering your learning or if you are ill do contact your tutor and lecturer. You should prepare for your lectures and classes in advance by reading about what’s to be covered and afterwards you should regularly review and reflect on what you have learned – this is the best way to become more intellectually confident and more informed. In class you should participate, rather than remain passive – you will learn more if you are engaged. If you miss any taught sessions, it’s your responsibility to catch up – perhaps by asking another student on the course to assist you.
Organise your time (learn to use your Google calendar) – attend when you’re supposed to, arrive on time, complete set work in good time and do it in a thoughtful and intelligent way that addresses the questions asked or problems set. If you are ill or unavoidably absent from the
University you must inform your tutor and the module co-ordinator. If your absence means that you miss a deadline you must provide verifiable evidence of the cause e.g. a doctor’s note.
It is important to check when deadlines for assessed work are at the start of the year and plan your time so that nothing is late, (you will lose marks if it is) and that it has not been rushed.
Staff are not likely to be sympathetic if your explanation for late submission or request for an extension to the deadline for an assessed piece of work is because you have several pieces of
19

work due in around the same time. In addition, issues like transport problems, paid work commitments, computer/printer difficulties etc. are not accepted as valid excuses.
Becoming more informed also means keeping up to date with developments in the world and in the disciplines that you are studying. Learn to become more familiar with relevant academic journals, (these are regular publications containing articles, book reviews and discussions – usually contributed by academics – relevant to the debates in their, and your, subject areas).
Journals are stocked in the library. You should also regularly read a quality newspaper: The
Guardian, Financial Times, The Independent, The Daily Telegraph and The Observer. Do not waste your time with cheap journalism, tabloids or magazines. Occasionally listening to or watching a good quality news or documentary can help keep you more informed: Channel 4
News, Newsnight on television; Today, PM, Six O’clock News, The World Tonight on Radio 4 are best for this.
Some hints and tips from our students
The following hints and tips have been provided by current students when asked, with the benefit of hindsight, to list ‘Three things I wish I’d known’ before the start of Fresher’s
(welcome) week and before their studies began.
Finance and domestic
 Have a student bank account sorted before you come.
 Be aware of extra costs – bus pass, deposits, internet.
 It’s much easier and cheaper to pair up with someone for food cooking and shopping.
 No matter how hard you try, your kitchen will always be a mess!
 If you’re working, do not take too many hours as time is precious and the work can build up.
Social life and settling in
 Find out more about the area you will be living in because this makes it easier to settle in when you arrive.
 Intend to join a society.
 Enjoy the experience that is Fresher’s Week. It is the easiest time to meet new people.
 Loads of people lived at home – it’s not as bad as it seemed!
 Socialise early, everything is an opportunity.
 Everyone is going through the same thing.
 Get out and just meet and talk to everyone possible – but be sensible. Do all the work and reading in plenty of time.
Study related issues
 Buy at least one key text book – comes in very useful throughout your degree.
 Make use of the resource room books and journals as opposed to just the main library.
 You must have a USB memory stick.
 Start essays early, books on the topics will not be available in the week of the deadline.
Start early on your research and remember to proof read it.
 Always check the module handbook to prepare for practical sessions.
 It’s important to read around the topic – helps understanding and makes it easier at exam time.
 Talk to the lecturer if you are having any problems or don’t understand the topic before the exams etc.
 Student support has helped immensely with funding and learning aids.
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General
 There is help when you need it. It’s available, just ask.
 The university gives students a lot of info, students are very well informed.
 This is a friendly university!
Food and nutrition
If you are concerned about cooking for yourself for the first time, the Food Standards Agency’s
“Fresher Food: A student survival guide to food” at the following link is a valuable resource: http://www.food.gov.uk/northernireland/nutritionni/niyoungpeople/fresherfood/
Included in the guide are:
 healthy recipes
 how to get the most out of your diet
 cooking and storage advice
 budgeting tips
 hygiene information
Bath Spa University
Newton Park Campus
Newton St Loe
BATH, BA2 9BN
Main switchboard: 0122 587 5875
Main fax: 0122 587 5866 www.bathspa.ac.uk
Disclaimer
We have tried to make the information in this handbook accessible and as up-to-date as we can.
However, the University does reserve the right to change details of any requirements, programmes, modules etc. any such changes will normally be communicated to you either via the Internet or on the notice boards.
If you find that there are mistakes or omissions, please let us know: contact Liz Bagshaw in the
School office (e.bagshaw@bathspa.ac.uk).
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–
Dear Post-graduate students,
The international Relations Team, together with academics from the
Graduate school, would like you to join them on:
Monday 28th September between 6pm-
8pm for a 'Cheese and Wine welcome evening'. This will take place in the
Commons Atrium of BSU Newton Park campus .
The evening will be an official welcome from John Strachan (Vice-Provost
Research and Enterprise) and Jeremy
White (Director of International Relations) to all post-graduate international students.
This will be an opportunity to meet fellow students on your programme and enjoy some networking time to help you settle into life at Bath Spa.
We would be delighted if you could join us.
With warm wishes,
International Relations Team
Please secure your attendance at this event by either putting your name on the google doc attached in the 'Respond here' button or by emailing international@bathspa.ac.uk
and quote 'booking for post grad event'.
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–
23

–
Health and safety is crucial to your time at university being a pleasurable and safe experience. In addition to general health and safety matters that you need to be aware of, many of the activities in the School of Society, Enterprise and Environment involve you in additional health and safety procedures that relate to activities such as laboratory/workshop sessions/field trips etc. You will be briefed on these during induction week and in specific sessions.
FIRE STRIKES FAST, AND MANY CASUALTIES ARE CAUSED BY PANIC
On discovering a fire, your priority is to raise the alarm and get out of the building immediately.
Leave the building in a swift, orderly fashion by the nearest fire exit – look for the fire exit signs
– and make your way to the assembly point.
Commons assembly point: by amphitheatre at rear
Corston assembly points: in front of Italian Garden (Corston East) or Castle (Corston West)
Stanton assembly point: in front of Italian Garden
Twinhoe and Wellow assembly point: Italian Garden
DO NOT hesitate or stop to collect personal belongings
DO NOT use a lift
DO NOT re-enter the building until instructed that it is safe to do so by the person in charge of the assembly point
IMPORTANT – THE FIRE ALARM IS A CONTINUOUS RINGING BELL
(Fire alarms are tested weekly, the bells ring on and off)
1.
Never ignore the fire alarm
2.
Make sure that you are familiar with the nearest means of escape and can find your way even in the dark
3.
In case of fire, close all doors and windows
4.
Switch off the electricity supply, if it is safe to do so
5.
Do not prop or wedge open a fire door
6.
Many fire casualties are caused by people being overcome by smoke. Try to avoid this if possible. If not, crawl underneath it on your hands and knees
7.
If a person is on fire, they should lie on the ground and be wrapped in a blanket or similar convenient object, to smother the flames
8.
Fire extinguishers are provided primarily as an aid to escape if you are cut off by fire.
Do not take unnecessary risks by tackling a fire unless it is small and you have a planned escape route
9.
Report to the Health, Safety and Fire Manager – Extension 5762 – any violation of the
University safety rulings
Do not interfere unnecessarily with any fire alarm or appliance
Never expose yourself to risk – remember that you cannot be replaced but equipment and buildings can!
FIRE PREVENTION IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY – PLEASE TAKE IT SERIOUSLY
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Prof Rob Mears
Prof Georgina Andrews
Ms Cathy Leng
Dr Mark McGuinness
Dr Rebecca Schaaf
Dr David Watson
Dr Laura Caulfield
Dr Mike McBeth
Dean of School
Head of Department of Business & Management
International Project Manager
Associate Dean
Head of Department of Social Sciences
Head of Department of Science
Head of Research and Consultancy
Head of Quality Assurance
Tel No Room No
5665 MH 110
SN 107
6113
6336
SN G09
CN G03
CN G04
5755
6190
6213
TE 108
SN 104
SN 108
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT STAFF
Dr Nigel Chaffey
Dr Esther Edwards
Dr Jim Jeffers
Dr Richard Johnson
Mr Richard Marshall
Ms Susanna Romans-Roca
Dr Rebecca Schaaf
Dr David Simm
Dr Andy Skellern
Mr Graham Smith
Prof Sian Sullivan
Dr Lisa Thomas
Dr Ian Todd
Dr David Watson
Course Leader: Environmental Science
Geography
Geography
Geography
Food and Nutrition (Food Enterprise)
School Learning Technologist
Head of Department of Social Sciences; Subject Leader: Geography
Geography
Geography
Biology, Course Director: MSc Environmental Management
Professor of Environment and Culture
Biology
Subject Leader: Biology
Head of Department of Science; Course Director MSc Environmental
Management
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE STAFF
Mrs Jan Hanley-Platt
Mrs Liz Bagshaw
Mr Derek Beard
Mrs Jenny Beard
Mrs Sian Blunos
Mrs Laura Dodge
Ms Dayna Gabell-Jopson
Mrs Jackie Manning
Mrs Isobel Osborne
Ms Christina Richardson
Mr Darrel Watts
Updated September 2015
Professional Services and Operations Manager
Admin Manager
Technical Demonstrator, Lead Analytical Chemist and Lead
Technician
Technician, (Demonstrator), Lead Microbiology
Technical Support Assistant, (Food Nutrition and Psychology)
Technician, (Demonstrator) Lead in Biology
Technical Support Assistant, Biology
Administrative Assistant
Administrative Assistant
Technician, Biology
Technical Demonstrator, Lead in Ecology and Data Analysis
5601
5585
5415
5314
6602
6105
5670
5569
6175
5670
5670
5451
5807
6269
6519
5747
6398
6113
6114
5868
6198
5884
5622
5435
5755
TE 101
CN 105
CN 110
CN 113
CN 104
CN G15
CN G03
CN G02
CN 105
TE G02
CN 102
TE G02
TE 102
TE 108
MH 101
SN G18
WE G01
WE G03
SNG18
TE G03
TE 105
SN G18
SN G18
TE 105
TE G01
Head of
Department of
Business &
Management
SN
107
25