Anglia Ruskin University

We recognise that sending your son/daughter off to university can be both an exciting and challenging thing to do. As parents or guardians, you will have invested many years of your lives supporting him/her through school and preparing them for higher education. That moment has now arrived, you have to hand them over to someone else, and it is natural that you will have questions on what help and support will be available when they are here.

Although most of our students are over 18 and as such, are treated as adults, we recognise and value the importance of the continued support you will offer to them during their time at Anglia Ruskin. All of the evidence and data suggests that advice and support from parents, guardians and friends can play a crucial role in reassuring students during their studies, particularly in their first year.

We have therefore grouped together some frequently asked questions, and useful areas of our website, where we hope you will find all the information you may require to help you help your 'children' make the most of their time at University. If we have missed anything, do please let us know by emailing:
tellus@anglia.ac.uk or phoning 0845 196 5111

Top

Our University Accommodation Service has already collated a wide selection of Frequently Asked Questions regarding student accommodation and associated issues. You will find these, and the answers to them, on the Accommodation page.

Top

How much will the fees be for my son/daughter?

This will depend on what type of student your son/daughter is (e.g. Full Time/Part Time/UK/EU/International etc) and what course they are studying. You can find out how much the fees will be by visiting our Fees page.

Can my son/daughter pay in instalments?

Yes. Please visit the Welcome website and click on the box on the left hand side marked 'Fee Information Payment Arrangements'.

What happens if my son/daughter is unable to pay their fees?

They should contact the university finance office as soon as they know they are going to struggle to pay the fees to see if alternative arrangements can be made. Also, they should contact the Student Money Advice Service to make sure they are receiving all funds available to them.

Is there any financial support available to my son/daughter?

Yes. Anglia Ruskin has various scholarships and bursaries available to students. To find out more about these, visit the registration home page.

You can also find details of the Access to Learning Fund and Welfare Fund on the Student Money Advice Service page.

How does my son/daughter apply for a tuition fee loan?

This will depend where you live and what sort of course your son/daughter will be studying. You can find more details by visiting the Finance website, and selecting the correct category of student.

I am worried that my son/daughter is struggling financially. Is there anyone who can help them with budgeting?

We have student money advisers located within Student Services who would be happy to help them budget. Our Student Money Advice Service web page has online guides on money management and budgeting and we run 'Cheap as Chips' sessions to help show that they can eat well and cheaply!

Top

How does my son/daughter register?

Most students can register for their course on-line before they arrive. Full instructions on how to register can be found on the Welcome website - look for the box containing 'Student Registration Documents' as this contains any links you will need.

My son/daughter has had difficulty registering online - can anyone help?

Yes, encourage him/her to visit the iCentre or contact the Student IT Helpdesk in the University Library. They can also look for information on the online Helpdesk webpages.

Top

Does my son/daughter have to send anything in advance?

In order to have their Student ID Card ready when they arrive they should send or upload a photograph to
StudentID-Chelmsford@anglia.ac.uk or StudentID-Cambridge@anglia.ac.uk or
StudentID-Fulbourn@anglia.ac.uk

What documents does my son/daughter need to bring with them?

They should bring along some photographic ID so that we know who they are and can give them their Student ID card. International students will have to bring their passport and student visa with them. If they haven't already uploaded a photograph to the iCentre, they should also bring a passport sized photograph with them.

Can you tell me when my son/daughter has to start their course?

Although teaching for most courses starts on Monday 24th September, there are some courses which start at different times. Students should visit the Welcome website and look for the Induction Programme for their course (e.g. BA Social Work). This will give the start date and details of when and where they will need to attend for induction. If they can't find the information there, they should email welcome2012@anglia.ac.uk and someone will respond to their query.

How will my son/daughter know where to go when they arrive?

This will be listed on their Induction Programme as described above and they should also receive an email from our Admissions team.

Does my son/daughter really need to arrive for Welcome Week and Induction?

Although most teaching doesn't start till the week after, we think it is important that they arrive and take part in Welcome activities. There is a substantial body of evidence which shows that students who make friends and get to know the staff early on in their course are happier, do better on their course and are less likely to feel that the course is not for them. This will give them time to meet other students on their course in a less formal way before teaching starts and means they won't have to turn up for the first lecture not knowing anyone.

What sort of activities will be organised for my son/daughter in Welcome Week?

There are lots of different things organised. Not all of the activities will appeal to everyone, but we hope there is something for everyone - you can view a full list on the Welcome website. Students will be given a leaflet when they arrive to encourage them to take part.

My son/daughter missed Welcome Week. Where can they find the information that was given out to the other students?

The priority should be to get registered for the course and to access their teaching timetable. That way they can start attending lessons as soon as possible. They should also visit the iCentre who can give them their Student ID card and Welcome Pack. Their Faculty Office should also be able to arrange for them to receive any course specific information that was given out during Welcome Week. However, it really is best not miss it!

Top

I think my son/daughter may not be attending class. Can I find out if they are?

Unfortunately, we are unable to give parents this kind of information due to the Data Protection Act. However, there is usually a reason why students start missing lessons - have they chosen the wrong course? are they struggling with the work? are they having to work outside of university and this is preventing them from attending? Please recommend that they visit Student Services where they can receive help with study skills, advice on changing course or financial advice. More information can be found on the Student Services web pages.

How do I contact my son/daughter if there is an emergency at home?

You can contact our Student Services department on 0845 196 6700 (Chelmsford) or 0845 196 6701 (Cambridge) and a member of staff will try to get a message to your son or daughter. However, whilst we are happy to take details from you that would enable us to contact your son/daughter, we are unable to give you any information about them (even to confirm they are a student here!) due to the Data Protection Act.

My son/daughter is an International Student with a Student Visa - does it matter if they don't attend all their lectures?

Absolutely yes! It is a requirement that our university monitors attendance of students and informs the UK Border Agency (UKBA) when students who hold Tier 4 Student Visas do not attend classes. It is therefore very important that students let staff know if they are going to be absent and the reasons why.

Top

Does my son/daughter need to register with a local doctor and is there one on Campus?

Yes and Yes. There are medical centres at the Cambridge and Chelmsford Campuses. Students should be encouraged to register with a doctor as soon as possible (and especially before they are ill). However, they are free to register with any doctor, not just with the medical centres on site.

Does the university offer support for my son/daughter with a disability?

Yes. They should contact the university's assessment centre to arrange an appointment to discuss and/or assess what support they might require. Visit www.anglia.ac.uk/aac or email dsa@anglia.ac.uk

Does the university provide dyslexia support?

Yes, they should contact the Assessment Centre (as in previous question) and the Study Support team in Student Services to discuss requirements. You can find contact details at www.anglia.ac.uk/support or email studysupport@anglia.ac.uk

Will my son/daughter be able to find work that will fit in with their studies?

Our university has an Employment Bureau to help students find flexible work opportunities while they are students and graduate jobs when they leave. Students should register with the Employment Bureau as soon as possible so that they can take advantage of any opportunities that become available. Visit the Employment Bureau website for details on how they can help your son/daughter improve their employment prospects during their course and on graduation. It is important that they do not take on too much work and that they balance the need to earn money with the need to devote enough time to their studies.

Is careers advice available to my son/daughter during their course?

Yes, it's never too early to visit the Employability and Careers Service! Our advisers can help students in a variety of ways (For example in writing their CV), and by advising on opportunities that are available to them which will help their future employment prospects. As we are all beginning to see, it can take more than just the degree to get a good job these days! Visit the Employability website.

My son/daughter seems to be struggling with their work - can anyone help them?

Absolutely, there is no need for them to struggle on their own! They should try and discuss any problems they are having with their work, with their lecturer, personal tutor or Director of Studies. Or, if they prefer, they can talk to their Faculty Student Adviser or any member of Student Services staff who will either help them directly or find the right help for them. Visit the Student Services pages.

My son/daughter is having problems with other students. Who can my son/daughter discuss this with?

There are many people who can help with this, and a lot will depend on the kind of problems they are having. In the first instance, I would suggest they ring our 'Tell Us' helpline on 0845 196 5111 or email some details to tellus@anglia.ac.uk and someone will contact them to discuss the issues and help them to resolve them.

What if my son/daughter has a complaint?

Most complaints can be resolved informally at an early stage by using the Tell Us phone or email details as listed in the previous question. However, if this is unsuccessful, your son or daughter has a choice of two more formal complaints procedures to use - the academic appeals procedure and the student complaints procedure, depending on the nature of the complaint. Again, advice can be sought by emailing tellus@anglia.ac.uk or by phoning 0845 196 5111.

Where should my son/daughter go if they have a query and they are not sure who to ask?

If in doubt, they should always visit one of the iCentres. This should be the first point of contact for any general queries or if they don't know where to go for a particular query. The iCentre staff may already know the answer and if not will find it out for them.

Are there any childcare facilities available on campus?

The Cambridge campus has a nursery for babies from 3 months to school age children. However, there may be a waiting list for places, as it is very popular.

Top

Are there places to buy food and drink on the University Campuses?

Follow the link to the Restaurants page for full details of cafes, restaurants and opening times for each.

What sports facilities are there at the University?

There are many sporting opportunities available to our students. They can take part in team sports and individual exercise classes. Cambridge and Chelmsford campuses each have a fully equipped gym. More details can be found by visiting the sports pages.

What facilities are available for students who wish to practice their religion whilst at University?

Our university chaplaincy team are there to support all students regardless of their religion and even if they are not religious at all. They also have quiet rooms and prayer rooms available for students to use. Please visit the Chaplaincy website for further details.

What is the Students' Union?

The Students' Union is independent from the University and is there to represent student views and support students in a variety of different ways. They provide an advice service for students as well as facilities and support for Clubs and Societies. For more details visit www.angliastudent.com

Top

• Keep in touch - update them with your news by phone, text and email. Make them feel like they're not missing out by being away.
• Reassure them they can contact you at any time.
• Offer to visit during the first semester.
• Don't be offended if they contact you less frequently when they've settled in. They're going to be very busy with study and their new social life.
• Help them remember they're not alone, almost every other new student is in exactly the same situation
• Encourage them to meet new people by getting involved in the Welcome events, attending the Orientation Programme if they come from overseas, joining clubs, sports' teams and societies .
• If you can, help them financially to fund books, equipment and socialising during the first couple of weeks.
• Send them off with all the start-up essentials like kitchen utensils, a bedside lamp and bedding, etc.
• Give them some basic, nutritious recipes to help with their new cooking responsibilities.

More advice and guidance on preparation for University can be found on the UCAS website.