0 CONTENTS 1 Introduction 1.1 About SingSoc 4 1.2 Warwick Singapore Office 4 1.3 Executive Committee 2023/24 5 2 Pre-Departure 2.1 Pre-Departure Activities 7 2.2 University Websites 8 2.3 Important Deadlines 9 2.4 Visa Application 10-11 2.5 Applying for Accommodation 12-14 2.6 Exit Permit 14 2.7 Registering with MFA 14 2.8 Medical Check-up and Vaccinations 14 2.9 Insurance 15 2.10 Complete Enrolment 15 2.11 Phone Lines 15-16 2.12 Finances 16 2.13 Packing 17-18 2.14 Booking Flights 19 2.15 Important Documents to Hand Carry 19 3 On Arrival in the UK 3.1 Getting through Immigration 21 3.2 Getting to Campus 21-22 3.3 Covid Travel Requirements 22 3.4 Getting around Campus 22 3.5 Things to Do 23 3.6 Welcome Week 23 3.7 Bank Accounts 23-24 3.8 National Health Service 25 1 CONTENTS 4 Life at Warwick – Academic Details 4.1 Tuition & Accommodation Fees 27 4.2 Term & Vacation Dates 2022/23 28 4.3 Lesson Times 28 4.4 Exams and Assessments 28 5 Life at Warwick – Travelling Around 5.1 Rail 30 5.2 Buses 30 5.3 Driving 31 5.4 Area around Warwick University 32-34 6 Life at Warwick – Campus Life 6.1 Culture 36 6.2 Weather & Time 36 6.3 Shops on Campus 37 6.4 Students’ Union Building 38 6.5 Sports & Societies 38-39 6.6 IT Services 39 6.7 Safety 39 6.8 Groceries 39 6.9 Launderette 40 6.10 Post 40 6.11 Religion 40 6.12 Useful Apps 41 6.13 Jobs 41 2 Introduction 3 1.1 ABOUT SINGSOC The Warwick Singapore Society (Warwick SingSoc) is an official organisation and a subsidiary of the University of Warwick Students’ Union. With an annual membership of about 200 students, Warwick SingSoc aims to elevate the experience of studying abroad by providing a home away from Home for our Singaporean members. In addition, Warwick SingSoc also acts as a platform to share various aspects of our unique Singaporean culture and lifestyle with students of other nationalities in the University. Ultimately, we strive to foster an inclusive and supportive community for our members, as well as to provide opportunities to help them excel in their endeavours. We also aim to share our unique Singaporean culture with the rest of the Warwick student population. Our events calendar is packed throughout the year, with sporting events such as the annual Warwick Summer Games, festive gatherings like Christmas and Chinese New Year dinners, an annual theatre production and a ski trip. Do visit us via the different platforms below to find out more about what we can offer you. Telegram: Warwick Singapore Offer Holders Group 2023 Instagram: Warwick Singapore Instagram 1.2 WARWICK SINGAPORE OFFICE The Singapore Office is headed by Senior Liaison Officer for Southeast Asia, Mr Imran Hashim. Imran provides advice and guidance on applying to and studying at the University of Warwick. The Office also assists with visa-related issues. Office/Mobile: +65 9383 7594 (Whatsapp is best!) Email: SEAsia@warwick.ac.uk 4 1.3 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2023/24 ⭐ Feel free to contact us about queries that you may have throughout the pre-departure process! Contacts with a are the preferred contact number for that particular Exco Member! Name Position Course Lucas Huan President Politics, Philosophy & Economics Sabrina Tan VicePresident Management Chris Cheung Secretary Management Aaron Ang Treasurer Economics Wayne Ang Community Director Neuroscience Ren Jie Event Director Ethan Wong Amir Rafi Corporate Comms Director Corporate Comms Director SG/ UK Contact (+65/+44) Telegram Handle 9871 7221 7547 938 145 @lucas_huan ⭐️ 9757 6976⭐ 7917 951 570 9619 2542 ⭐ 7917 952 006 96914918 ⭐ 7761 338 999 ⭐ @sabrinatanzx @justcallmechris - 7917 951 958 @wayneangg Economics 85954975 - @rondododo Computer Science 9641 7089 - @ethandibo events. warwicksingsoc @gmail.com corpcomms. warwicksingsoc @gmail.com corpcomms. warwicksingsoc @gmail.com @amir_rafi ⭐️ @seenwrong corpcomms. warwicksingsoc @gmail.com @nightwing0037 culture. warwicksingsoc @gmail.com @rachellimlx marketing. warwicksingsoc @gmail.com ⭐️ @bwaaj ⭐️ sports. warwicksingsoc @gmail.com @gfooster tours.warwicksin gsoc@gmail.com 7783 324 155 8777 0309 7761 308 973 Sean Wong Corporate Comms Director Economics Adam Cultural Director Sociology - Rachel Lim Marketing Director Politics, Philosophy & Economics 8362 2111 7859 181 777 Bharath Waaj Sport Secretary Economics 8202 2920 7760 753 434 Gabriel Foo Tour Secretary Management ⭐️ 5 president. warwicksingsoc @gmail.com vicepresident. warwicksingsoc @gmail.com secretary. warwicksingsoc @gmail.com treasurer. warwicksingsoc @gmail.com community. warwicksingsoc @gmail.com ⭐️ Accounting & Finance 9833 9972 - Email Pre-Departure! 6 2.1 PRE-DEPARTURE ACTIVITIES Freshers’ Orientation 2023 Date: 18-19 Aug 2023 Venue: East Coast Park Warwick Summer Games (WSG) Date: TBC Venue: TBC Orientation is a great opportunity for you to get to know and interact with your fellow batchmates and seniors through fun and games! It will be a 2D1N event where you can look forward to station games, a barbecue night and a chalet stay! Warwick Summer Games is an annual full-day sporting event organised by Warwick SingSoc. Each year, we invite the SingSocs of various UK universities to send teams to participate in a day of friendly competition in our many sporting events, such as Basketball, Frisbee, Badminton, Football, Captain’s Ball. We will continue to arrange for smaller meet-up sessions past Orientation itself to allow you to have a chance to meet your fellow seniors and batchmates, and to collect some essential items we think will be useful before you take off. Do follow us on our social media and freshers’ pages for the latest updates! WSG seeks to provide an avenue for Singaporeans studying across the UK to interact with one another and expand their social network. This is another fantastic opportunity for you to bond with fellow Warwick students across all levels. 7 2.2 UNIVERSITY WEBSITES https://warwick.ac.uk/students/welcome A step-by-step guide by the University on what you have to do pre-arrival, on arrival and post-arrival. https://warwick.ac.uk/study/international/ admissions/offerholders/arriving/ Information by Warwick International Office for Offer Holders. It contains information ranging from how to accept your offer, to how to prepare for Warwick (e.g. opening a bank account, insurance), etc. http://www.warwick.ac.uk/evision The University’s platform for student records. You may use it for: - Viewing modules - Editing personal data - Paying tuition/accommodation fees Login using your ITS account, which will be available once you complete Stage 1 of Enrolment. https://warwick.ac.uk/services/academicof fice/finance Student Finance page that contains information on tuition fees, when and how to pay, etc. http://www.warwicksu.com Warwick Student Union Website, which has all the information on sports and societies at Warwick, campus stores, events at the SU, etc. https://warwicksingsoc.wixsite.com/weare warwicksg Warwick Singapore Society website, which has details and guides to help you prepare for your arrival and contact information for course ambassadors and the SingSoc ExCo. Warwick Singapore Offer Holders Group Warwick Offer Holders 2022 – join this Telegram group for more updates about the application process, details for upcoming events, and other useful information! 8 2.3 IMPORTANT DEADLINES Item Visa Application Deadline At least 1 month before you fly off and not earlier than 3 months before the start of term Remarks Visa Application is done with the UK Visas and Immigration. You need to complete your visa application successfully prior to coming to the UK so it is vital that you get this done! Your passport will be retained while the visa is processed so make sure you do not make any travel plans for the two weeks after you submit your application. Relevant Section Section 2.4 If there are any issues with the Visa Application (it may take more than 2 weeks), do contact Mr. Imran Hashim for assistance. It is highly important that you apply for accommodation before this date. Any applications past this date will not be guaranteed on-campus accommodation. If this happens you might have to live off-campus instead and miss out on the campus experience. Accommodation Application 22 August 2023 We recommend that you talk to seniors/OGLs before selecting your accommodations! Also check out the accommodation brochure for 2022/23. We have also produced a video for our Youtube Channel showing the highlights of each accommodation. Section 2.5 The link to the Youtube Playlist is here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnGLn_nioT 8kxmTGgY7SirQY2ovQ2H8p9 Exit Permit (for NSmen only) Before leaving Singapore Enrolment Process Opens approximately 2-3 weeks before the start date of your course It is compulsory for all NSmen to apply for an Exit Permit before departing for their studies. It can be done within 15 minutes via NS Portal. Remember to complete this in time so that you may login to the various University platforms before leaving. This will prevent delays in obtaining your University Card when you arrive at Warwick. Note: You will need to have obtained your visa to complete this process. 9 Section 2.6 Section 2.10 2.4 VISA APPLICATION Most of you will be applying for a Tier 4 (General) Visa for studies in the UK. Do try to get your visa application done early (up to 3 months in advance) in case of any complications. The general procedure is: Address: VFS Global Services Singapore Pte. Ltd. 135 Cecil Street, #08-01 Philippine Airlines Building, Singapore 069536 1. Prepare your required supporting documents and information – receive your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the University, and ensure your passport is valid for the whole duration of your studies (to avoid future hassle). More details. Application submission (by appointment only): Monday to Friday: 08:00 – 16:00 Document collection: Monday to Friday 08:00 – 16:00 For more information and a step-by-step guide, please see https://visa.vfsglobal.com/sgp/en/gbr/apply-visa 2. For most of you, you will apply for a Visa outside the UK. You will have to complete an online form which you can access from this page (Start now button). Direct link to online form. For the appointment, please bring along: - Printout of appointment confirmation email - Valid passport/travel document (with at least 1 page blank on both sides) - Printout of completed visa application form - O Level and A Level Certificate or IB Diploma or any equivalent qualification (both original and photocopy); or undergraduate cert if you’re starting a postgrad course - Evidence of sufficient funds, both original and photocopy. This evidence does take time to produce but is only checked in some cases. 3. You will need to complete payment of the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge at https://www.immigration-health-surcharge.servi ce.gov.uk/payment/start. When payment is cleared, you will be given an IHS number for your application form. (note: this IHS number is not the same as an NHS number needed for medical treatment in the UK) Non-payment will result in a rejected application. 4. Pay the application fee online via Visa or MasterCard. 5. Book an appointment at the visa application centre operated by VFS Global Singapore. Your appointment must be within 30 days of submission of the online application form. 6. Check whether you have any supporting documents that need to be uploaded before the appointment as there is a Document Scanning Fee (SGD$29) if you choose to scan your documents on the day itself. 7. Attend the appointment at the Visa application centre in person, where your biometric data will be collected. A picture of you will be taken for your BRP. 10 Evidence of Sufficient Funds If you are on a scholarship: Your sponsor should provide you with a scholarship letter stating that they will pay for your full academic fees and living expenses. If you are self-funded: Prepare a bank statement stating that you have enough money to fund your education for at least the first year. This includes your academic fees for the first year and all other living expenses. The bank statement needs to show a 28-day period ending no more than a month before the visa application date. You may or may not be asked to show this document, depending on whether you are from a country deemed "high risk" by the UKBA (generally UKBA does not ask Singaporeans to produce this document) If the money is held in your parent/guardian’s account: You will have to provide their bank statement, a document showing the relationship (birth cert, adoption cert or court document) as well as a letter from your parent/guardian confirming the relationship and permission to use the funds. i) ii) iii) iv) v) Your passport will be taken from you (as the visa will be pasted inside) and you should be able to collect it back within 1-2 weeks (however this varies and there have been cases where the process does take longer). You cannot travel overseas in this duration! There is an option to keep your passport during the visa application process, but it will cost an additional SGD$144. You can pay SGD$4 for SMS notification service to let you know what specific stage of the visa application process you are in once your passport is submitted. There is also a courier service to send your passport to your home for a fee of SGD$23. There are other premium services available on the VFS Website. VFS will typically notify you that your passport is ready for collection via email, and you will need to head down to the VFS address to collect your passport. Do check that your details on the visa are correct. (There will also be a white sticker on the cover page of your passport. This can safely be thrown away.) NOTE: Singapore is considered one of the ‘low risk’ countries, and as a ‘low risk’ applicant, you will not normally need to provide all the supporting documents. However, they reserve the right to request all documents from you, so we advise you to bring everything mentioned for your appointment to prevent any delays. *If any of your supporting documents are not in English, you must additionally provide a translated copy done by a translation company. For information on visa application: UK Border Agency (Immigration Authority) https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa VFS Global Singapore (Visa Application Agent) https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/sg/en#latest-updates_o=Article%20Date,Descending University of Warwick immigration guide https://warwick.ac.uk/study/international/immigration/ 11 2.5 APPLYING FOR ACCOMMODATION Go to https://warwick.ac.uk/services/accommodation/students/prospective/apply/23 to apply for accommodation. The deadline for submitting your application this year is 22 August 2023. Undergraduate 35-week let (need to move out during Easter Vacation) Name Bathroom Cost Remarks Arthur Vick En-suite £221 per week 1st Year Undergraduates Jack Martin En-suite £198 per week 1st Year Undergraduates Rootes (International House) Shared £119 per week, 1st Year Undergraduates Undergraduate 40-week let (includes all of term time, Winter Break and Spring Break) Name Bathroom Cost Remarks Bluebell En-suite £233 per week 1st Year Undergraduates Claycroft Shared £162 per week 1st Year Undergraduates Cryfield Standard Shared £117 per week 1st Year Undergraduates Cryfield Townhouses En-suite £207 per week 1st Year Undergraduates Heronbank En-suite £180 per week 1st Year Undergraduates Lakeside En-suite £185 per week 1st Year Undergraduates Rootes Shared £119 per week 1st Year Undergraduates Sherbourne En-suite £193 per week 1st Year Undergraduates Tocil Shared £122 per week 1st Year Undergraduates Returning Undergraduates Westwood Shared £127 per week 1st Year Undergraduates Whitefields Shared £91 per week 1st Year Undergraduates Undergraduate 44-week let (includes all the above and first 4 weeks of summer break) Name Bathroom Cost Remarks Tocil Shared £122 per week 1st Year Undergraduates 12 Postgraduate accommodation (50-week let unless stated otherwise) Name Bathroom Cost Remarks Benefactors En-suite £244/£268 per week New Postgraduates Claycroft Shared £162 per week New Postgraduates Cryfield Apartments En-suite £215 per week New Postgraduates Cryfield Studios En-suite £260 per week 40-week let New Postgraduates Cryfield Townhouses En-suite £210 per week New Postgraduates Heronbank En-suite £180 per week New Postgraduates Lakeside En-suite £185 per week New Postgraduates Sherbourne En-suite £193 per week New Postgraduates Tocil Shared £122 per week 44-week let New Postgraduates Westwood Shared £127 per week New Postgraduates Westwood En Suite Shared £192 per week New Postgraduates Whitefields Shared £91 per week 40-week let New Postgraduates Note that postgraduates are usually housed together when staying in on-campus accommodations. More options are available, in particular for Cryfield Studios and Westwood En Suite. Refer to the link for more information: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/accommodation/students/pgresidences-2023 Accommodation reviews Warwick SingSoc has created accommodation videos outlining the pros and cons of each accommodation. It is recommended that you watch these videos and talk to current students before making your choice. This video can be found on the SingSoc website under ‘Our Guides’ at: https://warwicksingsoc.wixsite.com/wearewarwicksg/accomodation-video. This video was last updated in the 2022 Spring Term and you can find it at: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnGLn_nioT8kxmTGgY7SirQY2ovQ2H8p9 Off-campus accommodation Most, if not all, first years usually get on-campus accommodation if you meet deadlines and all requirements for allocation. If you are somehow unable to get a room on campus, or choose to live off-campus, Warwick Accommodation also has off-campus housing for first years in Coventry. Contact Warwick Accommodation at accommodation@warwick.ac.uk and they will help sort out your 13 housing issues. General Accommodation Advice - The accommodation application form will require you to write a short description of yourself and your preferences. Please be explicit about your preferences (e.g. Preferring a quiet flat, single-gender accommodation) as this will help the accommodations office best allocate you - While choosing a shared room will save you money, do note that you have no say over your roommates, and this may lead to clashes, especially if you have contrasting schedules. This is up to your personal preferences, many current students are divided over whether this is a problem for them. - Students under 18 on 21 Sep 2023 will only be able to select en-suite accommodation in their options, and will be allocated to an en-suite hall. More information can be found here: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/accommodation/studentaccommodation/apply/specificrequire mentsnew/other - Consider the distance of your accommodation to your respective academic buildings – i.e. Cryfield for its proximity to Life Sciences, Sherboune/Lakeside for WBS, Tocil for Humanities. This is especially the case for Westwood tenants who may need to go to Gibbet Hill Campus (this is around 25 minutes away!) - Consider the distance of your accommodation to facilities and amenities - i.e. Cannon Park Shopping Centre, Central Campus, Warwick Sports and Wellness Centre. 2.6 EXIT PERMIT A required exit permit can be applied on NS Portal. For pre-enlisted or disrupted servicemen, please check with CMPB or MINDEF for the full details or contact the 24 hour NS Call Centre at 1800 367 6767. Link to the application page: https://www.ns.sg/nsp/portal/site/mindef/manage-overseas-trips/info 2.7 REGISTERING WITH MFA Registering with MFA will allow the Ministry and its embassies/consulates to contact you and render assistance in case of any emergencies overseas. This is a free service that is entirely optional. Register at: https://eregister.mfa.gov.sg/eregisterportal/common/preLoginEregisterView.action 2.8 VACCINATIONS The University recommends all students to take the 2 doses of the MMR Vaccine which should be part of the normal schedule of vaccinations offered in Singapore. It is also recommended to take 2 Doses of the COVID-19 Vaccine and a Booster Jab. Beyond the normal schedule of vaccinations administered, the University also strongly recommends all students to get the Men ACWY Vaccine. Find out more about Men ACWY: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/men-acwy-vaccine/ Possible places for vaccinations: - Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s Travellers’ Health and Vaccination Clinic SATA (A University Enrolment Check-up is offered, but is not required) Polyclinics Other private clinics (e.g. Raffles Medical Group) Travel around most of the EU (but not all countries!) and to the UK no longer requires proof of demonstration of the COVID-19 Vaccine, however it is still strongly recommended to be up-to-date on your COVID-19 Vaccinations. 14 2.9 INSURANCE You may choose to get insurance from a Singaporean company before you leave or get insurance from a UK company when you first get there. (We will provide it at a later date). If you apply directly via the AIG website, you will not be able to claim the 10% discount. Possible options: - AIG: https://www.aig.sg/personal/more-insuranc e/student-assist - NTUC Income: https://www.income.com.sg/insurance/insur ance-for-students-children/overseas-studyprotection-plan - MSIG: https://www.msig.com.sg/personal-insuranc e/global-study Do note that standard room insurance policies do not cover the loss of important documents, such as your passport, travellers’ cheques, or academic certificates. Note: Singsoc will be partnering with AIG for a 10% discount on AIG Student Assist. To claim this discount, you must submit your application form directly to treasurer.warwicksingsoc@gmail.com 2.10 COMPLETE ENROLMENT 1. Upload photo for student card 2. Complete course registration (an email will be sent to you when the portal is open) 3. Register your IT Services account (This will be used for all logins – Student Union account, Wifi access on campus, etc) 4. Access your online enrolment dashboard 5. Set up fees payment on the Warwick e:Vision portal 6. Register for the campus-based NHS Health Centre on the e:Vision portal 7. Complete the Warwick Values Moodle prior to starting your course Detailed instructions can be found here: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/academicoffice/ourservices/enrolment/ 2.11 PHONE LINES All mobile phone lines have free incoming calls when you are in the UK. You can easily transfer your number from one mobile phone network operator to another by requesting for the PAC code. Both options we have recommended are cheap, flexible (no contract, cancel the plan whenever you want) and provide roaming services across the EU for ease when travelling! GiffGaff (Connected to O2 Network) You may choose to purchase airtime credits and pay per use or purchase one of their monthly ‘goodybags’ which provide a certain amount of data per month. Your UK number will be shown in the GiffGaff App so you can inform your friends and family of your new number. Additionally there are student ‘goodybags’ that can be purchased for extra data. These require a valid University Email linked to your GiffGaff account. 15 GiffGaff Website and Rates: http://www.giffgaff.com/. GiffGaff Student Golden Goodybag: https://www.giffgaff.com/help/articles/student-golden-goodybag VOXI (Connected to Vodafone Network) Voxi is another good option as it provides ‘Endless social media’ usage, allowing you to use Whatsapp, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook (and other apps) without eating your data in the UK. The first month of VOXI is free. VOXI Student Plans: https://www.voxi.co.uk/acquisition/students Your current phone line You may choose to either deactivate your phone number temporarily for a monthly fee or suspend your phone line. Check with your provider for options. 2.12 FINANCES Bank Draft This should be under your name and is usually valid for 6 months. The amount stated should cover at least Term 1’s academic fees, accommodation fees and living expenses. This amount can then be banked into your newly set up account once activated. Cash Bring along an adequate amount of cash to tide you over your first few weeks in the UK while you are waiting for your bank account to be set up and activated and your money to be banked in. An approximate amount of cash to carry in hand would be £500. Telegraphic Transfer (TT) Subsequently, should you wish to transfer money from Singapore to your UK account, you can get someone in Singapore to TT funds over, and they will require your bank account details (Name, SWIFT code, IBAN). Wise Consider money transfer providers like Wise, which make bank transfers more affordable than traditional banks by using lower transfer fees and converting money at the true mid-market exchange rate. Many seniors use this to convert SGD into pounds, and it saves us lots of money in the long-term! You will need a UK bank account to transfer your money into before being able to sign up for this. Sign up for Transferwise by heading to https://wise.com/ and register an account with them! Digital Banks (Monzo and Revolut) Monzo and Revolut are popular digital banks in the UK. A great benefit is that you’ll be able to withdraw money with your card at any ATM worldwide with no additional fee, and at the best international exchange rate. You will also be able to receive and send money through the apps. Many seniors are able to live with just Digital Banks without having to set up accounts with “normal banks”. Sign up for Monzo: https://monzo.com/download/ Sign up for Revolut: https://www.revolut.com/ Monzo & Revolut comparison: https://ecommerce-platforms.com/payments/revolut-vs-monzo Note: Do ensure you do not sign-up to either of these Digital Banks with a Singaporean Phone Number and Address. There are specific limitations on the amount of money that can be held in an Singaporean Digibank Account that will make it extremely inconvenient (borderline unusable) for daily use. 16 2.13 PACKING You can generally find everything you need in the UK, so please do not feel the urge to bring everything! Remember that the more things you bring, the more troublesome it is for you to travel to campus, and the more pain you will feel when moving out of your room at the end of the academic year. You will also realise that you can buy many things (textbooks, electrical equipment, etc.) off other Singaporeans currently studying there, which helps you to save money and save the environment! Apparel & Footwear You don’t have to bring your entire wardrobe as the UK is a shopping haven, especially for online shoppers. Online shops like Amazon and ASOS give free delivery in the UK and offer free returns as well. Do bring one or two sets of formal clothing for interviews, presentations, or formal events. Warm clothing can be bought easily and cheaply in the UK and you’ll find that the variety in the UK is much better. You may want to buy HeatTech from Uniqlo, as it is cheaper in Singapore! Bags A good backpack is useful for travelling around the UK and Europe, especially since most budget airlines (Ryanair, EasyJet) only allow small bags to be brought onboard for free. Toiletries Lip balm and skin moisturiser are essential especially during the winter months. Most toiletries you need can be purchased in the UK, unless you require specific brands that cannot be found in the UK (Darlie, Shokubutsu etc.) Contact lenses/contact lens solution/spare spectacles are much cheaper in Singapore and Malaysia so you may want to bring a year’s supply along. It’s relatively troublesome and costly to get new supplies from opticians in the UK, but contact lenses can be purchased online without prescription. Medication Medication is easily available at pharmacies and supermarkets, but many students bring their own for convenience. Just ask your GP to prescribe you the basic medication that you will need for studying overseas. This will allow you to avoid making appointments at NHS and having to wait long hours (or even days) just to see a doctor! Stationery Most stationery can be easily bought in the UK, with bulkier items like writing pads and files found in Wilko or Tesco. However, correction tape and pen refills are uncommon in the UK. Also, you may want to get some quality pens and stationery from Singapore. It is difficult to find good stationery in the UK and it is difficult to find specific types of pens if you have a preference. Consider stocking up on your favourite brands (Uni-ball Signo, Muji), and bringing a very healthy supply over. Textbooks Textbooks can be bought at our University bookshop. A cheaper alternative would be to go to http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/ or http://www.amazon.com/ to see if your textbook is available there. An even cheaper alternative would be to inherit your senior’s textbooks at a small price or for free. The library and Learning Grid (located in the University House) also contain all your required textbooks you can borrow – you can renew a book indefinitely if it is not placed on hold! Most courses do provide all necessary readings online and access to online resources will be provided when courses start. Electronics 17 Bulky electronic items like printers can be bought from the UK, although ink cartridges for UK printers are quite expensive. Power strips/multi-plug can also be bought in the UK, though they usually do not have individual switches for each socket. If you are particular about the light colour of your lamp, you might want to get white light bulbs from Singapore, as they are difficult to find in the UK. Most stores only sell yellow light bulbs. Household Items You may want to buy a rice cooker from Singapore, as they are usually cheaper and of better quality. Chopsticks may also be hard to find, so it would be good to bring a few pairs. Note that you will have to be over 21 to buy sharp items like knives and scissors, so you may want to bring these from Singapore. Essential bedding items (pillows, duvets, and bedsheets) are easily located at Cannon Park Shopping Centre and many head there in the first few days to buy these items. Bolsters are a rarity in the UK so if you have a very strong preference for one you could pack it in. Many other household items can be easily found at the Cannon Park Shopping Centre. An alternative is to use UniKitOut. It is a bit more expensive, but ensures that bedding and all arrives in your on campus room. Laundry nets are not readily available in the UK so if you are particular about your clothes being long lasting and in a good shape, pick up some laundry nets before you fly over! Food When in the UK, the thing you will miss most about Singapore will be the food. You could consider bringing Kaya, Bak Kwa, PrimaTaste mixes, herbs for soup, mooncake, instant cereal etc. The Asian shops in the UK sell some common Singapore food items but at a slightly higher price. Do not bring over boxes of instant noodles as you can easily find them there! Also, basic sauces such as soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, etc can be found in Tesco and Seoul Plaza (the Korean mart at Cannon Park) so there is no need to bring them! General Items It is good to bring along some extra passport sized photos as it is relatively expensive to take them in the UK. 18 2.14 BOOKING YOUR FLIGHT General Tips 1. Buy a ONE-WAY ticket to the UK this time and buy a RETURN from the UK. Return flights are somehow much cheaper from the UK than from Singapore. 2. Check if there are student privileges or discounts from certain carriers. 3. Hand carry is generally not weighed so try your best to bring as much as possible on board. Keep everything very compact to maximise space. Singapore Airlines provides student privileges with savings on certain fares, additional checked baggage and booking changes if you provide proof that you are studying overseas. https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/sg/plan-travel/promotions/student-privileges/ 2.15 IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS TO HAND CARRY Please note that you should have the original (and a photocopy where applicable) of the following in your hand carry: □ Passport (With Visa stuck in Passport) □ Letter of Acceptance from the University □ Details of CAS Number □ Financial Statements/Sponsorship Letter □ Address of your University accommodation □ Medical documents □ Vaccination Information □ Mobile numbers of people whom you can contact in case of emergency These items come in handy if immigration officials request them. Do also be prepared to answer questions at the immigration checkpoint, as that is the way that the officers check on your status. They usually ask simple questions about your university, course of study, and travelling to campus. Don’t worry and just answer their questions confidently. 19 On Arrival In The UK 20 3.1 GETTING THROUGH IMMIGRATION All Singapore passport holders for people aged 18 and over with a biometric/’chipped’ passport will be able to use the automated ePassport gates at certain airports in the UK. 3.2 GETTING TO CAMPUS Airport Transfer Service (only available during Arrivals) In the past, the University arranged airport transfer services from London Heathrow and Birmingham International Airport to the main university campus. It has been the norm for the University to provide these services and information about them will be released in due time. https://warwick.ac.uk/students/welcome/arriving/international/ Note also that Heathrow Airport has 5 Terminals. Your flight may not arrive at Terminal 3 where the pick-up service is. However, fret not as you can travel between the terminals easily by a free Airport Train. From London Heathrow Airport 1. Take a National Express coach from Heathrow Airport to Coventry (Pool Meadow Bus Station) (approx. £15-£25, 2 hours, book online). Then, a. Take a taxi, Uber or Bolt (approx. £10-£12, 15 minutes, tell the driver to drop you off at the university’s Rootes Grocery Store or Warwick Arts Centre); or, b. Take local bus 11 or 12X (£2.20 single way - no change given, approx. 25 minutes, alight at University of Warwick) c. These services can be paid for via Contactless Payments (GPay & ApplePay) 2. Take a taxi from London Heathrow to the University of Warwick (approx. £200, 1h30min, tell the driver to drop you off at the university’s Rootes Grocery Store or Warwick Arts Centre) – this option is highly expensive, and we advise you against it, unless you are sharing the taxi. From Central London 1. Take the train from London Euston rail station to Coventry rail station (approx. £7.50 if booked early, 1-2 hours, book through the Trainline app). Then, a. Take a taxi (approx. £10-£12, 15 minutes, tell the driver to drop you off at the university’s central campus or, b. Take local bus 11 or 12X (£2.20 single way - no change given, approx. 20 minutes, alight at University of Warwick) 2. Take a coach (Megabus, NationalExpress) from London (Victoria Coach Station) to Coventry (Pool Meadow Bus Station) (£5-6 one way, approx. 2h20min) and then take a local bus (11 or 12X) to reach Warwick University Interchange 3. Take a taxi from Central London to the University of Warwick (approx. £200-£300, 2 hours, tell the driver to drop you off at the university’s central campus) – this option is highly expensive and we advise you against it, unless you can find people to share the taxi with you. From Birmingham Airport 1. Take the train from Birmingham International rail station to Coventry rail station (approx. £2 one way, 10 min). Then, a. Take a taxi (approx. £10-£12, 15 minutes, tell the driver to drop you off at the university’s central campus); or, 21 b. Take local bus 11 or 12X (£2.20 single way - no change given, approx. 20 minutes, alight at University of Warwick) 2. Take the train from Birmingham International rail station to Canley rail station (approx. £2 one way, 10 min). Then, A. Take a taxi (approx. £6, 5-10 minutes, tell the driver to drop you off at the university’s central campus); B. Walk about 2km (approx 25mins) to central campus. 3. Take a taxi from the airport to the University of Warwick (approx. £30, 30 minutes, tell the driver to drop you off at the university’s central campus). Useful websites Directions to University: https://warwick.ac.uk/about/visiting/directions/ National Express Coach: http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx Megabus Coach: http://uk.megabus.com/Default.aspx Rail: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk Local Bus: https://warwick.ac.uk/about/visiting/directions/localbuses/ 3.3 COVID TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS As of 18 Mar 2022, you do not need to complete any forms nor do any COVID-19 tests nor quarantine when you arrive in England. This applies no matter the country you transited from. It is still advisable for you to bring some face coverings with you, as private companies may mandate that you wear them while you do business with them, however this is generally not the case. (Airlines, Shops etc.) Coronavirus advice for Warwick can be found here: https://warwick.ac.uk/coronavirus. 3.4 GETTING AROUND CAMPUS Campus Map The campus map can be found on the My Warwick application. If location services are activated, the app will be able to give you a recommended route from point A to B. Getting to classes If you stay within central campus, most lectures and classes will be at most a 15-minute walk away. However, you may also consider renting a bike through UniCycles, which has over 100 bikes situated around campus. This can be done through signing up for the subscription (£25/year) or paying £1 per ride (for the first 30 minutes). More details can be found at https://warwick.ac.uk/services/estates/transport/cycling/uni-cycles/ Shuttle Bus The university provides a shuttle bus service around school. However, do note that spaces are limited on the bus, and the bus will leave once it is full! The full list of prices for tickets and locations is below: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/estates/transport/buses/shuttlebus/ 22 3.5 THINGS TO DO Here are some of the important things you should do during Arrivals Weekend: 1. Collect your accommodation keys and move into your assigned hall of residence. 2. Collect your University Identity Card: - Your University Card is required for examinations and general identification - It is also used for entering the library, sports facilities, and buildings 3. Register with the National Health Service (NHS) 4. Collect your Student Status Letter (required when opening bank account) - You will need this BEFORE applying for a bank account. Request for it online at https://warwick.ac.uk/services/academicoffice/studentrecords/srforms/statusletter/ - Ensure that 1) the letter is addressed to the address of the specific bank you are looking to access 2) all details on the letter are accurate, especially the address of the University – make sure that it is in the format of: (Room number) (Name of Residence), Gibbet Hill Road, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7ES. People have been turned away at the bank after queuing for hours due to an incorrect address. If an incorrect letter is given to you, simply proceed to Senate House and request for a new one to be printed. 5. Open a bank account (This may take some time, alternatively using Digi-banks is also viable) 6. Apply for various discount cards - Railcard: https://www.thetrainline.com/trains/great-britain/railcards - Coachcard: https://www.nationalexpress.com/en/offers/coachcards/young-person - Tesco Clubcard (This is free!): https://secure.tesco.com/clubcard/ 7. Check out Cannon Park Shopping Centre. This is where most of your groceries will be bought, with Tesco, Wilco, Iceland and Seoul Plaza all located here. It’s not hard to find but it’s helpful to find the fastest way there from your hall. 3.6 WELCOME WEEK Welcome Week refers to the first week of term (25 Sep - 1 Oct), which aims to give new students a chance to make new friends, explore the exciting options from the clubs and societies, and ease into uni life. The events for this year’s Welcome Week are currently being planned. More information on Welcome Week will be updated here: https://warwick.ac.uk/students/welcome/. Each department will be also holding certain induction activities to introduce you to the academic side of life. SingSoc will also be holding some events to help you ease into life at Warwick. Look out for more information on these events during Welcome Week! 3.7 BANK ACCOUNTS Popular bank accounts amongst Singaporeans here are Barclays, NatWest, Lloyds, Santander, and HSBC. Barclays and Santander have branches on campus. You will need your Student Status Letter, Passport and Bank Draft to set up your bank account. You will 23 receive your debit card and cheque book within the next 2-3 weeks. Do note that banks in the UK are not as efficient as those in Singapore, so patience is the key here! Bank staff will be on campus during Arrivals Weekend and Welcome Week for you to open an account. Be prepared to queue early, and for hours, to open your bank account, as there are many students from Warwick looking to do the same. Do consider booking appointments at banks off-campus (in Coventry, Leamington Spa or Kenilworth), as these may have shorter waiting times. Barclays Santander Natwest Barclays offers students a Visa debit card with interest free overdraft of up to £1000. Most students use their Student Additions Account. The nearest bank branch is in Coventry or Kenilworth. More information is available at: https://www.barclays.co.uk/current-accounts/student-account/ Santander requires a monthly fee of £1 for the Essentials Current Account and offers students a Visa debit card. It offers cashback of up to 15% with specific retailers. More information can be found at: https://www.santander.co.uk/personal/current-accounts NatWest does not require a monthly fee and offers students a Visa debit card. International students may open a Natwest Select Account. The nearest branch is located in Coventry. More information can be found at: https://www.natwest.com/current-accounts/select_account.html HSBC provides options for setting up a bank account from Singapore, but only under certain conditions. For existing HSBC members, you will need to bring along your passport, NRIC and student visa to set up your HSBC UK account. There is a one-time administrative fee to do so. However, if you are a HSBC Premier customer, it will be free on the condition that you maintain S$200,000 in your account. HSBC For non-HSBC Premier customers, there will be a monthly fee for an initial fixed term of 12 months and is renewable monthly afterwards. You can apply online and you will receive a letter via snail mail approximately 2 weeks later telling you how to activate your account upon reaching the UK. Alternatively, setting up an account in the UK is free of charge with no monthly fee for Basic Bank Account. The nearest HSBC branch is located in Coventry and Kenilworth. You will need to call in to the branch and request for an appointment, or you could try walking in but it is likely that all slots will be full. More information can be found at: https://www.hsbc.com.sg/international/open-an-account/ Alternatives Aside from traditional banks, you could also opt to open an account with a digital bank. The advantage of this is that you will not have to queue up or make physical appointments at bank branches. Some options are Monzo or Revolut. 24 3.8 NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE Registering with NHS Submit your completed NHS registration form on the e:Vision portal and you will be allocated to either the BLUE or PINK Practice. The different Practices determine which team of doctors will serve you during your visits. This will confirm your details on file and show which Practice you belong to. Visiting NHS You will have to make an appointment to see a doctor in the Health Centre on campus by phone or in person and have your NHS registration details ready when you need to do so. Also note that medications prescribed by the doctors do not come free, and that you will have to visit a private pharmacy to purchase the medicines (there is a pharmacy in the Student Union building). There are several NHS-run hospitals in the area with Accident & Emergency (A&E) services, and these are open 24/7. The closest is University Hospital, Coventry. There is a public bus service shuttling between the hospital and campus. In case of an accident or sports injury, these A&E units are the right place to go to. 25 Life at Warwick Academic Details 26 4.1 TUITION AND ACCOMMODATION FEES Tuition Fees Course The following methods of payment are available for paying fees to the University: 1. Flywire - Direct Bank transfer, UK and international credit/debit card payments, Alipay and Union Pay Fee Undergraduate Band 1: £23,390 Band 2: £29,830 Medicine Year 1: £27,290 Year 2 – 4: £47,580 Postgraduate Taught Full Time: £19.945 - £38,000 Part Time: £9.970 - £15,725 Postgraduate Research Band 1: £21,760 (Full Time) £13,056 (Part Time) Band 2: £27,800 (Full Time) £16,680 (Full Time) 2. Direct Debit - Setting this up will automatically deduct fees from a bank account every payment cycle. You just need to ensure the necessary funds are present in your bank account. 3. UK Credit/Debit Cards Payments by locally issued Credit or Debit cards can be made using the Automated Telephone Payment Line: 0330 0883627 (+44 330 088 3627 outside the UK). Remember to quote your University ID, date of birth and how much you are paying. The band classification of the courses can be obtained at https://warwick.ac.uk/services/finance/student finance/fees/. Students have the choice to either pay all their tuition fees for the whole academic year at the start of their course or pay in instalments. 4. If you’re a scholarship holder, fill in the ‘Sponsored Students’ form online at https://warwick.ac.uk/services/finance/stu dentfinance/makingpayments/sponsored/. Ensure you have your financial status letter from your scholarship provider in case the Finance Office requires confirmation. Accommodation Fees Accommodation fees can be paid in full at the start of the year, or at the start of every term. Payment Methods The University charges late payment fees on all overdue payments. All University fees must be paid in Pounds Sterling. Detailed payment instructions for each method can be found here: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/academicoffice /finance/makingpayments/methodsofpayment /#credit 27 4.2 TERM AND VACATION DATES 2023-2024 your course. It can range from 8-9 hours for courses like literature, to 14-15 hours for business courses and 17-19 hours for courses like science/engineering. When your day starts and ends also depends on your personal timetable; but in general, lessons end early on Wednesdays as it is the day for extra-curricular activities like sports and societies. Autumn Term: 2 October 2023 – 9 December 2023 (10 weeks) Christmas Break: 10 December 2023 – 7 January 2024 (4 weeks) Spring Term: 8 January 2024 – 16 March 2024 (10 weeks) Easter Break: 17 March 2024 – 23 April 2024 (5 weeks) Summer Term: 22 April 2024 – 29 June 2024 (10 weeks) 4.4 EXAMS & ASSESSMENTS Most major exams at the University fall in the Summer Term (the 3rd and last academic term). However, some half modules that run only for one term (Autumn/Spring term) may have their assessment at the end of that term. *Note: If you like, you may leave as soon as your exams are over during the Summer term. Check the University website for your personal exam dates closer to the time. Modes of assessment for each module also vary, with some being completely essay or exam based, and some a mixture of both. As such, you may have essays to do or assessments to study for during the Christmas break. 4.3 LESSON TIMES The earliest lesson at the University is 9am. Lessons are normally 1 hour long, though some lectures can run for 2 hours, depending on modules. Lab sessions for engineering modules are normally 2 hours long. The number of contact hours (lectures, seminars, lab sessions, etc) you have per week varies depending on For more details on your course, approach any of our Course Ambassadors listed on our website! 28 Life at Warwick Travelling Around 29 5.1 RAIL Rail tickets can be purchased directly from the National Rail or Virgin Trains website, or by downloading the Trainline app. Coventry Rail Station Coventry Rail Station, approximately 6km from campus, is the nearest main-line train station. It is easily reached from London (Euston), Birmingham and Leicester, all of which run regular and frequent services direct to Coventry. You will need to take a public bus (either 11 or 12X) to and from the station and main campus, Canley Rail Station Canley has a small local rail station that is approximately 2km away from the University - an approximately 25-minute walk from main campus. London Midland offers a regular rail service that passes through Canley Rail Station going to London, Milton Keynes, Coventry, Birmingham New Street, Birmingham International, Rugby etc. 16 – 25 Railcard (Highly Encouraged) This Rail Card costs £30 (1 year) or £70 (3 years) and provides a 33% discount on train tickets that you purchase. It is highly encouraged that you get the cheaper 3-year deal, as it will be extremely useful for those who plan to travel a lot around the UK or those who plan to make frequent trips to London/Birmingham. Check out http://www.16-25railcard.co.uk/ to apply. Do also link your Railcard with your Oyster card if you are travelling in London as it will give you a hefty discount off public transport. This may be done at the information counter at any Tube Station. 5.2 BUSES Local buses to the University The standard fare for a single journey is around £2 – depending on if you take a National Express or Stagecoach bus. You can also get University Single Bus tickets for £1, but only for NX buses. Do download the bus apps as you are able to buy Group Tickets (Worth it if you’re travelling in groups of 5 maximum) and All-Day Tickets. (Worth it if you’re taking multiple buses in a single day) Check this page for all bus services to Warwick University and their respective timetables: https://warwick.ac.uk/about/visiting/directions/localbuses/ Note: Bus passes/return tickets for one bus company cannot be used on buses operated by another company. A ticket bought on a Stagecoach bus CANNOT be used on a National Express bus! Inter-city buses If you want a cheaper option for travelling to other cities such as London, you may consider Megabus, which has a stop at Cannon Park Shopping Centre, or National Express, which has a stop at Pool Meadow Bus Interchange in Coventry. Megabus: http://uk.megabus.com/Default.aspx National Express: http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx 30 5.3 DRIVING Driving in the UK as a student If you are holding a Singapore driving licence, you may drive in the UK for a year without converting to a UK licence. If you don’t have a licence you must study in the UK for at least 6 months before taking a driving test or applying for a full licence. To obtain a UK driving licence, you need to apply for a provisional licence and pass a driving test. Applying for the exchange of your foreign driving licence If you want to change your driving licence to a UK driving licence, you must complete the application form D1, along with your BRP, passport photo, Singapore (or other foreign) driving licence and £43 cheque. The D1 form is available from any Post Office branches and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) form ordering service online at: https://www.gov.uk/dvlaforms The entire process takes about 10 weeks. Your foreign licence will not be returned to you. Hence, a good way would be to report that you’ve lost your Singapore Driving licence and use the old card for submission to convert to the UK driving licence. Learning how to drive in the UK Step 1: Applying for a Provisional Driving License (PDL) Complete the D1 application form and submit it with your passport, passport photo and £50: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Motoringtransactions/BeforeyouapplyA/DG10032690. It takes about 2 weeks to receive your PDL. Step 2: Book your theory test Book your test at: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/Doitonlinemotoring/DG_197297 Step 3: Taking lessons In general, driving instructors recommend min. 30hrs of practical lessons before the practical test. You can also ask about recommended tutors from seniors who have learnt driving in the UK. There is a driving school in Coventry called ‘The Driving Force’ (around £20/hour): http://www.thedriving-force.co.uk/. Step 4: Booking your practical test Once you pass your theory test, book your practical test online at: (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/Doitonlinemotoring/DG_197299) Step 5: Test date Things to bring to your practical test: - Theory test pass certificate - Both parts of your PDL (photocard and paper counterpart) - If you have an old-style paper licence, you must take your signed driving licence and you must also bring a valid passport. If you pass your test the examiner will give you a pass certificate and ask if you want your full licence sent to you automatically. Once you have passed, you can start driving right away without waiting for your full licence to arrive. Other useful information After you pass your driving test, you need a year on your licence before you can rent a car to drive in the UK. Only some car companies such as Europcar and Fifth Gear rent to under-23s. To convert your UK licence to a Singapore licence, you have to take the Basic Theory Test, and convert to a Singapore licence with the pass slip. 31 5.4 AREA AROUND WARWICK UNIVERSITY 1. COVENTRY Appearance-wise, the city of Coventry is admittedly far from attractive – most buildings are plain concrete structures – since the city centre was heavily bombed during WW2, destroying much of the heritage sites. However, there are some places that are worth visiting, plus shops and eateries to patronise. Warwick students can travel to Coventry by public bus from campus. Getting there From campus: Bus 11/12X (National Express), U12 (Stagecoach) from Warwick Bus interchange From other parts of the UK: Megabus/National Express Coach to Pool Meadow Bus station OR train to Coventry Rail station Places to visit 2. Cathedral Quarter: in the heart of the city centre, comprising of the ruins of an older cathedral brought down during air raids in WW2 3. Coventry Transport Museum: houses the largest collection of British road transport in the world. Admission is free 4. Herbert Art Gallery and Museum: houses a large array of permanent displays of visual art and historical pieces. Gallery displays are created in partnership with other national museums Shopping 1. Broadgate and Lower Precinct Shopping Centre: brands like Primark, Topshop and New Look can be found. 2. Asian Marts: see CV Mart, Tohki Halal Meat (in Coventry Retail Market), Oriental Supermarket Eateries Asian 1. Jinseon Korean BBQ Restaurant – across Pool Meadow Bus Station 2. Noodle Bar – 9 Bull Yard 3. China Red (Chinese hotpot) – 58 Hertford Road 4. Red Panda (Mala) – 17 Market Way Western 1. Botanist (Classic British/European menu) – Broadgate 2. Zizzi (Italian) – Broadgate 3. Creams (Icecream and Waffles) – 1 Swanswell St 4. Jam Jar (Icecream, Sundaes and Waffles) – 163 Corporation St Bubble Tea 1. ALS Gongcha - Near West Orchards Shopping Centre 2. T4 Coventry - 60 Broadgate Road Nightlife: Check out Kasbah and JJ’s! 2. ROYAL LEAMINGTON SPA With a diverse selection of eateries, shops and nightlife, a significant number of 2nd/3rd year Warwick students can be found residing here. Running through the middle of the town is the Parade, a main street lined with popular brands and the Royal Priors Shopping Centre. Getting there From campus: Bus 11/12X (National Express), U1/U2 (Stagecoach) from Warwick Bus interchange From other parts of the UK: Bus 11 from Pool Meadow, Train to Leamington Spa Rail Station 32 Places to visit 1. Royal Pump Rooms: Spa bath that opened in 1814, is now converted to a museum, art gallery and library 2. Jephson Garden: 180-year-old park running along the River Leam. The newly constructed Glasshouse boasts multiple species that belong to the tropics Shopping 1. Royal Priors Shopping Centre: brands like Marks & Spencer, Sports Direct, Superdry and Topman/Topshop can be found 2. Asian Marts: KW Oriental Supermarket There are many other shops along the Parade, use your weekends to check the place out! Eateries Asian 1. Been (Affordable Chinese cuisine) – 29 Chandos St 2. Nana’s Restaurant (Japanese) – 31 Regent St 3. Millennium Balti (Indian) – 41 Bath St 4. Thai Elephant (Thai) – 20 Regent St 5. Sabai Sabai (Thai) – 41-43 Regent St Western 1. Gourmet Burger Kitchen (British/American cuisine) – Regent Court 2. Zizzi Leamington Spa (Italian) – Parade 3. La Coppola Ristorante & Oyster Bar – Parade 4. Coffee Architects – 39 Warwick St 5. Temperance – 33 Bath St 6. The Steamhouse – 68 Warwick St 7. Bluebasil Coffee Shop and Brownies – 64 Bath St Nightlife: Check out Smack and Neon! 3. BIRMINGHAM The 2nd largest city in the UK after London, a trip to Birmingham will fulfil all of your shopping and foodie needs! It’s easy and cheap to get here from school, so consider making a daytrip down. Getting there From Pool Meadow Bus Station: Bus 211, OR train to Birmingham New Street Places to visit 1. Cadbury World: allows visitors to try various forms of Cadbury chocolate while touring the factory, learn more about the history of Cadbury and how their chocolate is made. The tour costs £10.50 Shopping 1. Bullring: home to over 160 of the most imaginative shops and stores to explore, like Selfridges and FCUK 2. The UK’s largest Primark Eateries Asian 1. Chung Ying Gardens (Dimsum, Chinese set menus) – 16-18 Wrottesley St 33 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Malaysian Delight – 8 Ladywell Walk Sabai Sabai – 7 Waterloo Street Gaijin Sushi – 78 Bristol St Zindiya (Indian cuisine) – 21 Woodbridge Road Yakinori Selly Oak (Halal Japanese Food) – 520 Bristol Road Western 1. Original Patty Men – 9 Shaws Passage Digibeth 2. Purecraft Bar & Kitchen – 30 Waterloo St 3. Bodega (Latin American Street Food) – 12 Bennetts Hill Nightlife: PRYZM – A party bus to PRYZM runs on certain days to and from the University to Birmingham. These events are organised by students and tickets are sold privately. 4. KENILWORTH Kenilworth is a small traditional English town, with quaint teahouses and scenic parks. The town is known for the ruins of Kenilworth Castle, a stronghold founded in the 1120s and currently regarded as one of the best castle ruins in the UK. Getting there From campus: Bus 11 from Warwick Bus interchange From other parts of the UK: Bus 11 from Pool Meadow, Kenilworth Railway Station Places to visit 1. Kenilworth Castle: the castle is the site of multiple historically significant events, such as the abdication of King Edward II and the six-month long Siege of Kenilworth, believed to be the longest siege in English history. Admission to the castle costs £8.20. 5. STRATFORD-UPON-AVON The town of Stratford-upon-Avon is a must-go to learn about a key part of English culture, whether you are a Shakespeare enthusiast or not. The town has become synonymous with all things Shakespearean, becoming a tourist hotspot. Getting there From Pool Meadow Bus Station: Bus 337/460, OR train to Stratford-upon-Avon Train station Places to visit 1. Shakespeare’s Birthplace: Entrance costs £12.50 (students) or you can buy the Five House Ticket for £19 to visit the other Shakespeare-related houses such as Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, plus the tickets last for a year so you can pass it on. 2. Royal Shakespeare Theatre: Ticket prices range from £14 to £60, though if you’re lucky you can snap up some of the fifty £5 tickets available for 16–25-year-olds for each show. Check out the RSC Key scheme for all 16-25 years old like £5 tickets and discounts in RSC shops! 34 Life at Warwick Campus Life 35 6.1 CULTURE 6.2 WEATHER & TIME The University is very modern since it was only built in the 1960s. Warwick University has a high percentage of international students, giving the campus lots of diversity. It is peaceful during the daytime as it is isolated from the city and generally surrounded by greenery. West Midlands Seasonal Chart Average Average Total Seasons Temp Temp Rainfall (Max °C) (Min °C) (mm) Mar - May 12 3 155 (Spring) Jun - Aug 21 10 178 (Summer) Sept - Nov 14 6 173 (Fall) Dec - Feb 7 0 172 (Winter) Certain areas can get livelier at night. The Copper Rooms at the Student’s Union (SU) holds POP (weekly student club night) every Wednesday and can be heard around the SU from 10.30pm until 2am. Students also tend to drink at the piazza when the weather gets warmer, and there are lots of parties on campus to join/avoid. Drinking and partying culture is omnipresent in the UK, and common for uni meetings to end at the pub! Time UK is on GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), and Singapore is GMT +8. However, UK will be on Daylight savings when you arrive, which means London will be on GMT +1 (BST, British Summer Time). DST goes by the following rule: “Spring forward, fall back”. Clocks in the UK are adjusted forward on the last Sunday in March (Spring) and are adjusted back on the last Sunday in October (Fall). For many students, it is their first time living away from home and having to take care of themselves. Some people may not share the same standards of cleanliness or behaviour as you do, so be prepared to accommodate differences. The kitchens may get very dirty as some students may not have the habit of washing up immediately after they cook. Most times, the pans and plates are just left on the table tops. You will have to compromise but also be assertive if it gets out of hand. Be mentally prepared for the Sun to set around 4.30pm in the winter and at around 8.30pm in the summer! People are generally friendly and polite, though you may still be treated slightly differently as an international student. There are some rare cases of racial harassment (as with elsewhere in Europe), so be aware and stay safe. Remember that if you need help, you can always call any Exco Member, although it may be better just to call the police if you feel unsafe. 36 6.3 SHOPS ON CAMPUS cakes, pastries and other sweet treats. Eateries Smaller cafes There are also cafes in various departments and important landmarks in the university, such as the Library, University House and Westwood, which sell sandwiches, salads, snacks and drinks throughout the day. Benugo Located at the Warwick Arts Centre, it is a stunning bar and kitchen with a breakfast and all-day menu. They serve pizzas, sides and starters. Bar Fusion Located on the first floor of Rootes Building, it has a great environment for relaxing and socialising with friends. The big screen is good for watching football. The Bar offers themed nights like Quiz Night. Certain eateries such as the Library Café also sell hot food during lunchtime. Takeaway There are many different cuisines available for takeaway such as Abang Fuad, Redfern Kitchen, Domino’s and others. Do ask around the Singaporean community for the best deals and our recommendations! Bread Oven Located on the first floor of the Students’ Union, Bread Oven sells cheap baguettes (like Subway!) and there are weekly special sandwiches available. Others Rootes Grocery Store RGS is a mini supermarket located just outside the Student Union. Usual prices are steeper than that in Tesco but look out for good discounts! Dirty Duck Dirty Duck is a pub located on the first floor of the Students’ Union. It serves drinks and everything from burgers, fish and chips and lasagne to warm chocolate fudge cake and a Sunday Carvery. Post Office Located in the Rootes Grocery Store. The post office also offers money changing services. Terrace Bar A favourite hangout when night falls, this place is bustling with students drinking their hearts out, playing pool and foosball. Copper Rooms The newly renovated club in the Student Union, the Copper Rooms hosts popular events such as SkoolDayz and POP throughout the term. Pret A Manger Located on the ground floor of Rootes Building, Pret serves freshly prepared sandwiches, salads, soups and wraps along with organic coffee. Be prepared for a long queue especially during lunchtime! Varsity This English Pub is a longer walk away from Central Campus and is located nearer to Westwood. It provides an exciting variety of pub food on the pricier side but it is higher-quality. This is another good place to catch live football matches. Curiositea This cute cafe with old-school decor located beside the Piazza serves hot and cold drinks, 37 6.4 STUDENTS’ UNION BUILDING The Warwick Students’ Union building is situated at the centre of the campus, by the piazza. It is divided into two buildings; the Students’ Union Headquarters (SUHQ for short), where most of the administration offices and meeting rooms are located, and the Students’ Union building (SU) which is a recreational place for students to hang out. The SUHQ has a reception where students can approach for any assistance related to student life, from housing problems to lost property, and various meeting rooms and offices. The Warwick Volunteers Office is also located in the SUHQ. Within the main SU building you can find a pharmacy, many campus eateries and pubs, making it a popular social meeting place. 6.5 SPORTS AND SOCIETIES Sports Facilities The University offers a wide range of sports facilities on campus accessible via your student card. Casual fitness options start from £41 for a month (gym, swimming and classes) at the newly upgraded sport centre (situated near Lakeside/Sherbourne). There are also more student membership options for the different available plans to include usage of different facilities. More details can be found at https://warwick.ac.uk/services/sport/join Sports Clubs To join any sports clubs, you first need to join Warwick Sport by purchasing the On/Off-Campus Sport Club Pass (£69.50/£31 respectively). If you pay for the On-Campus fees, you do not need to pay for Off-Campus fees. On top of that, you need to pay the SU Sports Federation Fee (£32) to be able to join any sports club. Lastly, you have to pay a membership fee for each individual sports club you join, usually £6. All fees paid are only valid for the current academic year. For many of the sports clubs, you do not need experience to join and there are many friendly and keen people who wish to introduce you to their sports. If you have an aptitude for the sport and progress quickly, you can advance to the University teams and compete with other universities or clubs in the area. Each sports club also tries to nurture team spirit through frequent training sessions and social events. Find out more at: https://www.warwicksu.com/societies-sports/sports-clubs/ Societies Federation The Societies Federation plays host to a vast range of Societies, including the Singapore Society! The Societies Federation fee is £23 per year, which you will need to purchase in order to join any society. There are discounts if you purchase 2 or 3 year bundles of Societies Federation Fees at once. On top of this fee, you may have to pay for each society’s individual membership which is typically a few pounds. In addition to meeting new friends and taking part in the activities of a Society, being a member of a Society often rewards you with huge discounts for their events. Find out more at: https://www.warwicksu.com/societies-sports/societies/ Societies’ Fair There will be a Societies’ Fair during Welcome Week to exhibit the various Sports and Societies at Warwick. Each sports club and society will have a booth with information about them. Some will allow you to sign up to be on their mailing lists or to be a part of their trial events. Warwick Singapore Society 38 Join us to be part of your home away from home. We organise potlucks, Christmas and CNY dinners, Production, paintball, and many other activities that allow you to interact with fellow Singaporeans and those interested to find out more about Singaporean culture! 6.6 IT SERVICES room doors when you are not in to prevent theft. Coventry (20min bus away from the campus) is also not a very safe place to be alone at night, and most shops tend to close by 6. Not all roads have good lightning at night, so stick to the main city areas when it gets late! The IT Services on campus provide computing and network services to all students and staff on campus. You can contact the IT Services helpdesk at 024 76573737 (0900-1700, Mon-Fri), or access their online helpdesk at https://warwick.service-now.com/sp. Emergency Numbers: Note that the University takes a very strong stand against peer-to-peer file sharing (i.e. Torrents), as it is against the UK’s piracy and copyright laws. Any infringements will lead to a hefty fine. Community Safety Team (24hrs) In Your Room All accommodations have Wifi access via the Eduroam Network. You may also choose to connect your devices via an RJ-45 network cable. Police/Fire/Medical Services Emergency Number Police Non-Emergency Number NHS Direct (24hrs, Health Advice) NHS 111 (24 hrs, Emergency) Student Computer Services The Student Computer Centre is a facility that is open 24/7 to all students, with computer, software, and printer services. You are able to loan a student laptop and get your laptop setup for the university’s printing service at the IT helpdesk located here. 024 7652 2083 (non-emergency) 024 7562 2222 (emergency) 999 101 0845 4647 111 6.8 GROCERIES Estimated weekly expenses on groceries will be £30-£40. Produce is generally cheaper here than in Singapore and do look out for good deals from the different shops. 6.7 SAFETY The university is generally a safe place, and the Community Safety Team operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There are alarms and CCTVs in major university sites. Security Vans will often patrol the campus, and the security guardhouse is located near the University House in case of any emergency. The Community Safety Team can be contacted at their non-emergency number 024 7652 2083; in the event of an emergency requiring the ambulance, police or fire brigade, call 024 7652 2222. For groceries, Tesco and Iceland at Cannon Park Shopping Centre (just off Claycroft) are the best options. The former is good for fresh food and groceries in general, the latter for frozen food. Aldi is another option (just across the road from Tesco) for cheap groceries. Take full advantage of the various discount/loyalty cards offered by the different retailers! For Asian food, Seoul Plaza in Cannon Park contains a wide variety, as well as other shops in Coventry city centre. For Halal groceries, do check out Tokhi Halal Meat at Coventry Market. Personal safety is still important. If you are out late, it is advisable to have a friend walk back with you, especially if you are a girl. Avoid the darker and quieter areas of campus and stick to well-lit routes. Note that the University is an open campus, hence make sure you lock your 39 6.9 LAUNDERETTE Sending Post The Post Office is located inside Rootes Grocery Store – you can obtain stamps or mail your post there. Rootes Grocery Store also sells bubble wrap and specialised envelopes for mailing parcels. There is a post box outside Rootes Grocery Store and in Westwood for you to drop mail off for post as well. The washing machines and dryers on campus are cashless and operated using Nets/Visa. Each washing cycle costs £3, lasting ~30mins, while each drying cycle costs £1.60 and lasts ~50mins. Some accommodations have launderettes below their blocks, while others have shared laundrettes in other buildings. Do ask your Residential Life Tutors for the location of the different laundrettes! 6.11 RELIGION When using the dryers, be sure to remove the lint from the wire mesh before starting the dryer; if not, your clothes won’t be dried properly. There is much support for different religions at the university, from religious societies to places of worship. There are religious societies such as the Christian Union, Buddhist Society, Catholic Society and the Islamic Society that aim to support students’ religious life while in university. 6.10 POST Receiving Post Letters and small postal items will be delivered to the Residential Hubs, with mailboxes for each flat that can be accessed with your key fob. The university also has a Multi-Faith Chaplaincy and a Muslim Chaplaincy on campus, behind the Warwick Arts Centre. There are also places of worship such as churches and mosques near the university. The full of places of worship list with other information can be found on the links below: You will have to head to the Student Post Room to collect larger parcels and registered items, where each Post Room is located depends on your residence. If such mail is sent to you, you will receive a notification on the My Warwick App asking you to collect the item from the Student Post Room. When picking up your parcel, you will need to bring your University ID with you for verification. Opening hours are Monday to Thursday, 10:30 to 18:00, Friday, 10:00 - 17:00, Saturday 12:15 to 15:15, and it is closed on Sunday. Opening hours are different during Vacation times, so do check the Opening Times on the website. Warwick Islamic Society’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WarwickISoc/ Warwick Christian Union’s website: http://warwickcu.org/freshers/churches/. It is important that you inform all senders of your FULL postal address including the postcode, to avoid mix-ups. An example of a full postal address is as follows: Line 1: <University ID>, <Room number>, <Residence and block number> Line 2: University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry Postal: CV4 7ES For more information: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/estates/post/ 40 6.12 USEFUL APPS e-Tickets! Remember to check-in for flights online beforehand, or face a £55 penalty at the airport. 1. My Warwick Contains everything you need as a Warwick Student – your timetable, student email, campus map, bus timings, library account etc! 12. Shopmium Get exclusive offers on everyday brands found in the supermarket. It gives you up to 100% cashback on featured items. Use promo code 87ee72 for a free gift! (It may be a tub of Ben & Jerry’s) 2. NX Bus mTicket Buying an eTicket for National Express buses here gives you a 10p discount! The app also has Group and Single Daysaver tickets (up to 5 people, £7), which is useful when going out as a group 6.13 JOBS 3. Trainline This allows you to find the best prices/timings when booking your train ticket! Remember to register your 16-25 Railcard for the 33% discount! Most international students coming to the UK will be allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time. Unitemps (Website affiliated with Warwick) is a good way to secure a part time job for some supplementary income. Opportunities for paid work placements include clerical work, data entry, events and hospitality, research as well as translation. Signing up with Unitemps is hassle free and easily done online. 4. Unidays Get great discounts for online shopping, eating out, and travelling. You will have to register with a valid Warwick Student ID to be eligible for the discounts. The Students’ Union also employs student staff in its food outlets, as security staff and part of promotional activities. Jobs will be advertised on the SU website and a diverse range of options are available from short term to longer commitments. Other miscellaneous jobs include working for the Student Union to distribute fliers or posters for events or parties. 5. Too Good To Go Get discounted food from shops around you and help to reduce food waste! Nearest shops are usually in Leamington, but this works great in London. 6. Just Eat / UberEats Food delivery apps that deliver to the university. Check their Facebook page for discounts! Additionally, full-time work is available during off-term time for those with the Tier 4 Student Visa. (Most Singaporean students studying in UK. 7. Uber / Bolt No Grab in the UK, and Black Cabs are horribly expensive. 8. ViaVan An alternative ride-sharing service, but this is only available in London for now. 9. Olio An app that promotes zero waste! Get great free items from people around campus and help to save the earth in the process. 10. Splitwise Useful when travelling with friends, especially to track expenses and split the bill. 11. Ryanair Useful for checking-in for flights and saving your 41 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Warwick Singapore Society would like to thank our following main sponsors: High Commission of the Republic of Singapore in London Singapore Global Network University of Warwick Students’ Union University of Warwick International Office © Warwick Singapore Society 2022/23 For more information or to highlight any errors in this publication please email community.warwicksingsoc@gmail.com