WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW, BEFORE AND AFTER YOU ARRIVE

STUDENT PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION2016-17

You will soon be joining us at Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Arts (CSVPA) where you will have a wonderful opportunity to study in the UK in one of the oldest University cities in the world. Cambridge has all the amenities of a University City and its setting on the banks of the River Cam and the magnificent architecture of the University buildings all combine to make Cambridge an unforgettable place in which

to live and study.

CSVPA is a unique College where you will be given the opportunity to develop your learning and social skills. For many of our students it is where they make lifetime friends, gain a wealth of experiences and have a great education. The College is proud of its multicultural community. We value equality of opportunity and diversity for all and will do all we can to foster an environment where everybody respects each other.

For our international students, coming to study in a new country is both exciting and overwhelming. UK students who are living away from home for the first time will also probably feel apprehensive. Most of you will feel homesick at some stage. Don’t worry, you are not alone. There is help and support available to you

in the College and we try to help make this transition as easy as possible.

This Information Pack provides the essential information you will need both before and after your arrival, so please read it carefully and follow the instructions regarding information we need from you. For speed

of contact we prefer to use email, so please would you make sure you complete all forms we send you.

Chris Maughan Head of School

WELCOME

CONTENTS

College Details ........................................................................................

When to Arrive .....................................................................................

Before You Travel .................................................................................

Arrival in the UK – What to Expect .......................................

First Days at College ...........................................................................

The Serious Bits ......................................................................................

The Fun Bits ...............................................................................................

CSVPA Location .....................................................................................

Term Dates ................................................................................................

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COLLEGE DETAILS

ADDRESS:CSVPA

13 – 14 Round Church StreetCambridgeCB5 8AD

TELEPHONE:From the UK: 01223 341 328

From Overseas: +44 1223 341 32808.30 – 17.30 until 18 June08.30 – 17.00 after 18 June

EMERGENCY NUMBER:From the UK: 07860 586 528

From Overseas: +44 7860 586 528

FAX:From the UK: 01223 467 773

From Overseas: +44 1223 467 773

E-MAIL:studentservices@csvpa.com

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STAYING IN COLLEGE ACCOMMODATION?• All students are expected to arrive on the Saturday or Sunday before the start of term. If

you cannot do so, you must let the Admissions Team know in advance before the first day of term. Please do not arrive early.

• You should arrive in Cambridge on the Saturday or Sunday before term begins between 8am and 10pm. You need to go directly to Varsity House (New Street, Cambridge, CB1 2TX) where you will be directed to your accommodation. If you are arriving in Cambridge outside of these hours you will need to phone our 24 hour hotline 07860 586 528 for assistance. You will register and start your Induction on Monday at the College.

• Please let us know if you want us to arrange a taxi to collect you from the airport on arrival. For your first term, the cost of this will be added to your next invoice. To book a taxi, send an email, together with your flight details, to admissions@csvpa.com at least 4 days before you are due to arrive.

• If you have pre-booked a taxi through us to collect you from the airport the driver will know where to take you.

• Even if you do not need a taxi, it is very important that you give us your flight details as soon as they are booked. Please email them to admissions@csvpa.com.

• If you have any concerns when you arrive at your accommodation please call our 24 hour hotline 07860 586 528 for assistance.

NOT STAYING IN COLLEGE ACCOMMODATION?• Come to the main College Reception in Round Church Street by 9am on the Monday your course

begins.

WHEN TO ARRIVE

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VISAS:• Please refer to the UKVI website for visa information

www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/student-visas• If you need a Tier 4 General or Child visa, you will need to obtain this before you travel to the UK

(even if you do not need an advance visa to visit the UK as a tourist, you must get your Tier 4 visa before travelling). In this case, you should have received a CAS statement (Confirmation of Acceptance to Study) from us. If not, please contact us. If you are going to join us on a Student or Child Student visitor visa, you should have a Confirmation of Enrolment which you can use to support your visitor visa application. If you do not need a visa at all, you will also have a Confirmation of Enrolment document.

INSURANCE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY:The College cannot accept responsibility for the loss of, or damage to, your personal belongings.• You are strongly encouraged to arrange your own insurance cover.• Students’ Possessions Insurance can be taken with HSBC but other providers are available. For more

information visit the following web address http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/personal/insurance and click on the “Student Insurance” section.

• Don’t bring highly valuable possessions or equipment to College.• Passports and other important documents can be left with the college for safekeeping.• Security boxes are provided in all rooms in large blocks.

INSURANCE OF FEES:• You may wish to take out insurance for your fees. Unfortunately, the College cannot arrange this for

individuals.

EXAMINATION RESULTS: • Please fax (+44 1223 467 773), post or email copies (not originals) of your exam results to Student

Services if we have not already seen them - studentservices@csvpa.com

BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

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INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Please make sure that you have the following with you when you travel:• Passport with visa, if required• If we have sent you a Consent to Travel letter, your parents must complete this and you must

bring this with you.• Tier 4 visa students must bring their CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) statement• ORIGINALS (not copies) of documents listed on the CAS statement which were used to support

your visa application• If you bring any medication into the UK, also carry a letter (translated into English) from your

doctor explaining what the medicine is and what it is for• A warm sweater or jacket for your arrival• Keep all of the above in your hand luggage. • Do not bring meat/dairy products, it is illegal to import these to the UK.

ALL STUDENTS• Cash for arrival and first two weeks. We suggest around £100. If you are self catering you will

need more, around £250• Bank draft or cheque for fees or proof of fee payment, e.g. bank transfer documentation• Funding for text book purchases. This will be easier if you have a float account set up, otherwise

you will need around £200. • Do not carry large amounts of cash on you or in your personal belongings.• Photographs and reminders of family and home.• Towels. • Essential toiletries.• Four passport size photographs.• Do not bring bed linen because it is provided in your accommodation.

MEDICAL• All students will be registered with our local NHS Doctor while studying with us.• Students with Dental/Orthodontist work done in their country of origin MUST bring their

medical records, translated in English, as most Orthodontists do not see a patient without notes.• Spare pair of spectacles or contact lenses if you have them and a copy of your prescription.• Medicines prescribed by a doctor and also a copy of prescriptions, preferably with generic

names. Please do not attempt to bring high volumes of medicine to England. Enough for your first four weeks will be sufficient and these items must be disclosed to the health centre staff upon your arrival.

• A medical report of any diagnosis and current treatment, to help the Health Centre give continuous care.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU

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EQUIPMENT PROVIDED

ALL ART & DESIGN EXTENDED DIPLOMA AND ART & DESIGN FOUNDATION STUDENTS WILL BE ISSUED WITH AN ART BOX CONTAINING THE FOLLOWING EQUIPMENT:

• Full Pencil box selection of: HB 2B, 4B, 2H, 4H,etc• Putty Rubber • Pencil sharpener • Box of watercolour paints • 3 water colour brushes • 3 sable brushes • 1 metal ruler 30cm• 1 glue stick • 1 roll of masking tape • Box of 24 coloured pencils • 1 craft knife • 1 pair of scissors

WHAT TO BRING:All Art & Design Foundation are required to have: The Story of Art by E H Gombrich, (Publisher Phaidon) ISBN

All Extended Diploma students should have:Digital SLR Camera with lenses (18-55mm and 70-300mm) & TripodThe Story of Art by E H Gombrich, (Publisher Phaidon) ISBN

Please note: The first sketchbook will supplied for each subject; thereafter you will need to supply your own.

STUDENTS ON OTHER COURSES:Details will be given at the start of your programme.

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IMMIGRATION CONTROL On arrival, you will be checked through Immigration Control.

If you have any problems, contact the College on +44 1223 341 328 (College Hours) or +44 7860 586 528.

If you are aged 16 or under you may not be allowed to leave immigration until the person meeting you has been located. If you have booked a transfer make sure you have the information with you. If you are aged under 18, you must have with you a copy of your Parental Consent form which you used as part of your visa application.

BAGGAGE RECLAIMGo to Baggage Reclaim to collect your luggage. Check the monitors for the carousel number.

CUSTOMSStudents from European countries should use the Blue Channel.Students from all other countries should use the Green Channel.If you have anything to declare use the Red Channel.

If you are uncertain about whether to use the Red Channel, please go to: http://www.visitbritain.co.uk/about-britain/practical-information.

If you are bringing a bank draft or cheque for fees of over £8,800 then you must go through the Red Channel and declare it. For this reason, it is easier to pay fees by bank transfer before you come.

ARRIVALSIf you are being met by a taxi, look for your name on the boards held by the drivers as you come into the Arrivals area.

If you cannot see it, go to Airport Information and ask them to put a call out for your driver. If they cannot help, ring the college +44 1223 341 382, or if early or late at that time call the emergency number which is +44 7860 586 528.

If you have booked a transfer through the college, do not leave the airport without it, you will be charged for it.

ARRIVAL IN THE UK WHAT TO EXPECT

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THE FIRST DAY• A schedule for the first week will given to you on your first day.• If you have any problems with your accommodation:

- Speak to your residential manager- Go to one of the Accommodation ‘Surgeries’ at the College – details will be given to you

• If staying in supervised accommodation (this applies too all students under 18), Residential Managers will show you the way to the College on the first morning and you will also be given a map with directions. If staying in unsupervised accommodation, details of how to get to the College for Monday morning at 09.00 will be in your room.

INDUCTION PROGRAMMEThis will help you with the practical side of living and studying in Cambridge. During these early days you will:

• Be shown around the College facilities and meet College staff.• Get to know your way around Cambridge• Meet your fellow students• Get your College Smart Card, which provides:

- Proof of Identity- Entrance to College Facilities- Proof of Entitlement to Meals (for full-board students)

• Please not that if you lose this card you will be charged £10 for a replacement• Be given information on IT, receive your student e-mail and log on details to use on the College Network.• Be helped to open a bank account (if you do not already have one)• Be registered with the local doctor if applicable• Be helped with police registration if applicable• Be given health and safety talks• Discuss the rules and regulations at College• All be given an English placement test, unless you can show an IELTS certificate with a score of 7.5 or above.

THE INDUCTION PROGRAMME IS VERY IMPORTANT AND YOU WILL NOT GO TO LESSONS UNTIL YOU HAVE ATTENDED.

FIRST DAYS AT COLLEGE

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HOMESICKNESSTo start with everything is new, exciting and different, but as time goes by you may start to wish things were the way they were back home. This is quite normal.

Don’t despair as this stage will pass – and much more quickly if you talk to someone about how you are feeling. Talk to your Personal Tutor or the Welfare Team and keep in touch with home by telephone or email. Our Welfare team is always available to provide support and advice, or to direct you to independent and specialist help or counselling.

Remember to bring photographs or ornaments that are familiar to you. Make friends with other students and take part in College sports and activities.

COUNSELLING AND PERSONAL SUPPORTIf you have a personal problem, worries or concerns about any kind (such as relationships, health, depression, anxiety, etc.) and you would like to talk to someone other than your Personal Tutor, members of the Welfare team are keen to support you. They are:• The Head of Welfare and Boarding, and Designated Safeguarding Lead – Diane Riley: 07831 446571 or

through Reception• Designated Person for Safeguarding - Tom Marty: contact through Reception.• Our Registered College Nurse / Health staff: Contact the Health Centre on +44 (0)1223 341 343 ALCOHOL AND TOBACCOIt is against the law to purchase alcohol or tobacco in the UK if you are under the age of 18.

STUDENT SERVICESThe Student Services team are one of your central points of contact within the college. They will help you with any questions you have and act as your first point of contact for all non-academic issues or concerns. They will also be the main point of contact for your parents or agents. Please go and speak to them if you have any questions and they will be very happy to help you or find the right person who can.

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THE SERIOUS BITSCOLLEGE RULES The College encourages students to be responsible and to learn to manage their own time. This is almost certainly a different learning environment from your previous school but we will help you to adapt. You will receive a student handbook that sets out all College rules and guidance for your stay with us in your first week.

The College tries to keep an informal atmosphere but this is not at the expense of good manners and behaviour. You are expected to treat your fellow students and all staff with respect. We have three very strict rules:

ATTENDANCEAttendance must be over 95%. If it falls below this, then sanctions are applied.

You must be here for the start of each term and not leave before the end. Make sure your travel arrangements comply with this.

SMOKING Smoking is not allowed inside the College, on the campus or in your accommodation. Students may only smoke outside of the campus.

Smoking is banned in all enclosed public spaces in the UK. This includes places such as restaurants, airports, railway stations, cafes and museums.

DRUGSIllegal drugs are not allowed under any circumstances. Legal drugs that are sold or misused will be dealt with as illegal drugs. The Head of the College may, at his discretion, exercise a zero tolerance policy and expel anyone caught in possession of, or having taken illegal drugs, or may suspend the students, allowing them to return only under strict conditions. These may include:• A minimum of 95% attendance• Frequent drug testing (on average monthly) with costs to be covered by the fee payer. Any positive

reading will result in immediate expulsion.• Participating in drug counselling and education programmes as deemed appropriate by the College.

Costs may be incurred for this.

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FINANCIAL MATTERS You will need to have the money for:

Living costs outside of the College – e.g, clothes, music, eating out• You will be helped to open a bank accountor• If you have a ‘float account’ at College we can give you an agreed amount of pocket money from this.

There is an annual administration fee of £25 for this pocket money services. To set up a float account, complete section 12 on the registration form.

Expenses inside CollegeDuring the year you will need to pay for trips, books, taxis, College photographs, etc. On joining a basic art pack and first sketch book will be provided, thereafter you are expected to buy your own sketch book and extra equipment as needed e.g. specialist brushes.

If you do not want to pay for these expenses from your personal funds you must set up a float account. If you do not have a float account you must pay for all these expenses in advance from your own funds

You will probably spend around £1,000 a year inside college. It will make your life much easier of you set up a float account, as money for trips and other expenses will come out of this.

CATERINGFull-board studentsAll meals are included in the accommodation fees and are taken in the College canteen. The College is unable to refund any element of the fees if meals are not taken.

Self-catering studentsIf you are entitled to, and have taken, the self-catering option, you may use the snack bar to purchase beverages and food during the day.

Students wishing to make any change to their accommodation must give 12 weeks notice to do so. In the absence of the relevant notice, full accommodation fees will be charged this includes any change from catered to self catered accommodation status.

MEDICAL INFORMATIONAll students have access to our health centre where they can be seen during College hours. Please en-sure you have informed College of any medical condition or illness and any medicines you may be taking, prior to your arrival in the UK. The Health centre staff will help you register with the GP/Doctor during induction.

EU students receive free healthcare in the UK, but should apply for a European Health Card EHIC, prior to travelling as this gives those that are eligible free Health care. Students with EU nationality but who normally reside outside the EU will usually have to pay for health care in the UK and should take out private medical insurance.

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If you are a Tier 4 student studying for over 6 months you will have been required to pay the NHS Health Surcharge with your visa application. This means NHS healthcare will be free whilst you are studying in the UK. Students studying less than 6 months (or students on an 11 month Short Term Study visa) will have to pay for any healthcare they get through the NHS at the point they use it. We therefore strongly recommend that students coming for less than 6 months obtain private medical insurance.

Do I need medical insurance?If you are not entitled to free healthcare, you should ensure you have adequate medical insurance to cover medical costs and the possible additional costs resulting from that illness such as a flight home.

Even if you are entitled to free NHS treatment, you may consider taking out private medical insurance. Sometimes it can take several days to get an appointment with an NHS GP and there are long waiting lists for non-emergency NHS services. Private medical insurance could give you much quicker access to the treatment you need.

MedicationIf you bring any medication into the UK, also carry a letter (translated into English) from your doctor explaining what the medicine is and what it is for. This letter must be shown to the Nurse and health staff, when you arrive in Cambridge, you may then be referred to relevant further specialist care. Also a scanned copy should be emailed, before you travel, to the below email address.

Similarly, if you are undergoing any long-term medical treatment, you should also bring a letter from your doctor, counsellor, or hospital specialist. This letter can be shown to a relevant UK specialist if further medication is needed.

Some medicines that may be legally prescribed in your Home country may not be licensed for use in England. Therefore please contact our Health team for clarification, prior to travelling. Or if you have any (confidential) health information you would like to disclose email: medicalstaff@csvpa.com

ACCOMMODATIONStudents wishing to stay in College accommodation during vacations and half terms need to provide one terms notice to do so. Please note all college accommodation is closed at Christmas Holidays.

Charges apply, for full details please visit: http://www.csvpa.com/fees/accommodation-fees

The College and all college accommodation will close completely during Christmas 2016 vacation.

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THE FUN BITSSPORTS

You will be able to take part in sports such as football, basketball, martial arts and dancing. You will learn more of what is available during induction.

STUDY TRIPS• Over the year there will be several UK-based trips, both for study and for learning more about the UK.• A single trip can cost from £15 to £150 and the cost will be deducted from your float account, or you

must pay before booking.• We will ask for your parents’ authorisation for any trips outside of Cambridge, so please make sure

that the contact form attached is filled in correctly.• There will also be outings in and around Cambridge. We ask that your parent/guardian fill in the

attached form which will give permission for you to go on these without having to get their authorisation each time.

LEISURE ACTIVITIES• We arrange many leisure activities throughout the year, such as bowling, theatre and cinema visits, and

organise College social events such as fancy dress parties, a welcome ball and games evenings. These will be advertised.

• A Student Council meets regularly and gives voice to students’ needs and points of view. It provides an important contribution to the planning of events.

CAMBRIDGEIf you wish to learn more about Cambridge before you arrive, go to the following website:

www.visitcambridge.org

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CSVPA Location

Varsity House

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FOUNDATION AND EXTENDED DIPLOMA

TERM DATES 2016 – 2017

PLEASE NOTE – IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT STUDENTS ADHERE TO THESE TERM DATES AND DO NOT ARRIVE LATE OR LEAVE EARLY

Winter Term*Monday 5th September 2016 to Friday 16th December 2016

Half Term: Saturday 22nd October 2016 to Sunday 30th October 2017

Christmas Vacation:Saturday 17th December 2016 to Tuesday 3rd January 2017

Spring TermWednesday 4th January 2017 to Wednesday 5th April 2017

Half Term: Saturday 11th February 2017 to Sunday 19th February 2017

Easter Vacation: Thursday 6th April 2017to Wednesday 19th April 2017

Summer Term*Thursday 20th April 2017 to Wednesday 28th June 2017

*Participation in the Induction Week and End of Year Exhibition is mandatory for all students. Studentsmust not leave before Wednesday 28th June 2017

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TO ENQUIRE CONTACT

Central AdmissionsCambridge Education GroupKett HouseStation RoadCambridgeCB1 2JH

Tel: +44 (0) 1223 345 698 | Fax: +44 (0) 1223 346181 | Email: admissions@csvpa.com

WWW.CSVPA.COM