Welcome

Imperial College Union

• Not-for-profit charity.• Every student a member• Over 16,000 members from over 155 countries!

• Led by Sabbatical Officers- a team of students who take a year out of their studies.

YasDeputy President

(Clubs & Societies)

NatDeputy President

(Education)

DavidPresident

MarissaDeputy President

(Welfare)

KieronDeputy President

(Finance & Services)

Your Sabbaticals

• Elected by you in March/April.• Highest Students’ Union Election turnout in

England and Wales.• Blogs: imperialcollegeunion.org/blogs

• Sabb Hot Desk- JCR every Friday

What does Imperial College Union do?

Amplifying the Student Voice

• We are working hard to ensure your voice is heard at all levels of College.

• Almost 500 Academic Reps working with the Union and your department to make your education the best it can be.

• Chance to elect your Academic Rep is coming up in the next few weeks.

Your Reps & Council Elections

• Vote for your Academic Reps and members of council.

• You can stand for a position.

Nominations close 13 October.

Vote online 18 – 22 October

• Last year 3,030 students voted in this election. Can you beat last year’s total?

imperialcollegeunion.org/elections

International Officer

• An important Position!- 64% of new students this year not from the UK

• Member of the Union Council • Represent the views of International

students • More information online.

Liberation Officers

• For every type of student we have at Imperial there are specific challenges, wants and needs.

• Liberations Officers are here to represent the views of the minority group they have been elected by.

Liberation Officers

• Black & Minority Ethnic• Interfaith• International Students• LGBT Students• Students with Disabilities

We also have Liberation Officers:• Run campaigns – Campaigns Officer• Consider the Union’s and College’s ethical and

environmental impact – Ethics & The Environment Officer

Social Space

• Take part in activities, meet new people and spend time with friends.

• Our main bar and café.• Food and drink every day of the week.• Quiz nights on Tuesday.• Open late on Wednesdays and

Fridays.• Best burger on campus!

• Imperial’s biggest nightclub.• In the Union Building.• Home to the best student nights out.• Also home to Club, Society & Project

events such as Imperial Idol and Jazz Big Band.

• Our traditional bar established 1952.• Great real ales.• Home of the Union’s famous tankard

collection.• You can book a table for you and your

friends.

Also in the Union Building

• Four bookable, brand-new meeting rooms• Two activity spaces for rehearsals, dancing etc.• Union Gymnasium• Concert Hall and Cinema• Union Dining Hall• Media Centre home to our TV Station, Radio

Station, Science Fiction Library and more.• PLUS – The new Reynolds – Bar and Café at

the Charing Cross Hospital campus.

Shop & Newsagent• Union Shop &

Newsagent.• Found on the Sherfield

Walkway.• Branded Imperial

clothing.• Stationery.• Snacks and drinks.• New Newsagent

coming soon!

Clubs, Societies & Projects

• Over 310 to choose from!• The biggest range for any Students’

Union in the UK.

• Many international clubs, celebrating the best of cultures from around the world.

Easy to find and join online

• A-to-Z on our website lists them all.

• Filter by type and letter to help you find them easily.

• See them all at Freshers’ Fair on Tuesday.

Imperial Plus

• New volunteer accreditation scheme.• Recognises the work you do as student

volunteer in– Running a Club, Society or Project– Volunteering in the local community– Becoming an Academic Representative– And more.

• Highlights your skills to potential employers!

• A record-breaking £148,000 raised last year

Upcoming Events

• Undergraduate Mingles – the official welcome to Imperial party.

• Freshers’ Ball on Friday. Tickets online.

• Postgraduate Mingle on

second Saturday.

• Biggest event of Welcome Week.• Over 350 stalls across campus.• ALL the Clubs, Societies & Projects.• Lots of freebies!

• Tuesday 1 October 11:00 – 16:00.• After-party 17:00 in metric

imperialcollegeunion.org

imperialcollegeunion.org

• Everything you need to know about Imperial College Union.

• Event listings.• Find and join our Clubs, Societies &

Projects quickly and easily.• Helpful information and advice for

International students.

• I’ll now pass you on to Nigel- The Student Advisor

That’s all from me!

The Advice Centre

• Academic issues. • Accommodation.• Money Advice. • Employment rights. • Consumer Rights.• International Student Issues. • Legal advice.

Council Tax

• What is it?• Local Taxation• Administered by Local Councils• Rate of tax based on type and valuation of

property

Do I have to pay?

Properties that will be billed• If you live in a property with non students• 25% discount for property• Dependents of International Students• No recourse to public funds

To become exempt

• Get exemption letter from College registry

• Must be stamped• To prove you fullfill full time student status

and studying 21 hours a week and one academic year

• Any Questions?

TV Licensing

Do I need a licence?• If you are using any type of television

receiving equipment• Computers and laptops- as being shown• Mobile phones,digibox to record or watch

T.V Programmes

TV Licensing

How do I get one?•Costs £145.50 for a colour T.V., Paid yearly and are available online at www.tvlicensing.co.uk•Or you can get a form from local post office

TV Licensing

• You can apply for a part refund of 3 months if not here all year

• Different ways to pay Direct debit monthly installments, pay online

TV Licensing

What happens if I don’t get one?•Detection vans•Database of addresses with no T.V. License•Handheld detection devices•Enforcement officers•The enforcement officers can knock on your door and interview you•You are not obliged to let them in•Court Appearance and £1000 fine

Funding for International Students

• Not entitled to Government funding• Sponsorship• Support from home country

What funding is available?

• Scholarships• British Council www.britishcouncil.gov.uk• Trusts and charities online• One student secured £1000 donation last

year!

Who can help?

• The Advice Centre• Your Department• College Hardship Fund• Medical Hardship Fund

Finally…

• Seek advice• The Advice Centre Tel: 020 7594 8067• email: advice@imperial.ac.uk• imperialcollegeunion.org/advice