DURHAMUNIVERSITY’ SINGAPORESOCIETY’ Freshers’’Booklet’ 2016B2017’durhamsingsoc.weebly.com/uploads/4/8/1/2/4812746/fresh... · 2019-01-15 · DURHAMUNIVERSITY’ SINGAPORESOCIETY’

DURHAM UNIVERSITY SINGAPORE SOCIETY

Freshers’ Booklet 2016-2017

Table of contents

Exec contact list 2

President’s note 3

What do the students have to say? 4-6

Visa Application 7-8

Finances 9-11

Communication 12

Packing List 13-14

Getting to Durham/Stockton 15-16

What to do in Durham 17

What to do in Stockton (Queen’s Campus) 18-19

Final Notes and Timeline 20

Durham University Singapore Society Freshers’ Booklet 2016-2017

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Exec Contact List President: Lim Hong Hao John Snow College (Queen’s Campus) Year 2, Business and Management

[email protected] (WA): +65 8127 7390

Vice President: Kimerley Koh Van Mildert College Year 2, Law


Secretary: Mavis Hum Josepine Butler College Year 2, Environmental Geosciences


Treasure:Velda Ang Stephenson College (Queen’s Campus) Year 2, Accounting and Finance


Social Secretary: Yuen Zi Gui University College Year 2, Law


Social Secretary: Andre Woon St Cuth’s Society Year 2, Law


Public Relations Officer: Kelly Ku University College Year 2, Philosophy and Psychology


Stockton Representative: Denise Gwee John Snow College Year 2, Accounting and Finance


Sports Officer: Jonathon Eng Collingwood College Year 2, PPE


Durham University Singapore Society Freshers’ Booklet 2016-2017

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President’s Note

Hello friends! Welcome to the Durham University Singapore Society (DUSS) or Singsoc for short. Congratulations on entering one of the UK's top universities and I hope you are just as excited as we are to welcome you into our little family for Singaporeans, by Singaporeans. Most of you will be studying abroad for the first time and are a little afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone into the unknown. Don't be. This journey you are about to embark on will be exciting and one you will never forget. The DUSS will be right here to make you feel at home and provide any form of assistance during your duration of study here in Durham Uni. Your college life will open many doors for you as well as opportunities to meet new friends all over the world. Do try your best to get out there and make the most of this enriching experience. We organize events rather frequently throughout the academic year for you to meet up and stay connected with Singaporeans and the Singaporean culture. The DUSS also hosts friends of different nationalities during our events because the more the merrier right? So don't worry and just be excited for amazing times ahead. I personally assure you, you will be well taken care of. If there are any queries or concerns you might have, please don't hesitate to speak to any one of my awesome and super friendly exec members. That is all from me and I hope to see all of you guys having a great time here in Durham Uni. Cheers and see you soon, Hong Hao John Snow College Year 2, Business and Management

Durham University Singapore Society Freshers’ Booklet 2016-2017 4

What do the students have to say?

We’ve asked a few students to talk about their Durham experience. See what they have to say about college life, their subjects, societies and life in general.

“The Combined Honours programme encourages independent thinking by allowing you to engage in the synthesis of interdisciplinary knowledge. The flexibility of the programme also allows you to study a range of subjects you're interested in, rather than having to restrict yourself to a fixed major. This is especially beneficial in the first year (which is ungraded) so you can explore and get a sense of what you'd like to continue pursuing at a university level. Would highly recommend this to anyone who has a range of diverse interests and would like to take ownership of their learning!”

- Alysia Wee, Year 2, Combined Honours in Social Sciences “Durham is such a wonderful environment for a young mind to develop and explore new opportunities. There is plenty to do, plenty of societies to join and plenty of people to meet. All you have to do is be courageous to take a leap of faith and it will always pay dividends! Years here past by quickly for it is simply too enjoyable, so seize your chance at Durham!”

- Don Siah, Year 3, Business and Management “Hello! I’m Clara and I’m a second year law student from Van Mildert College, a relatively modern college perched right atop the infamous cardiac Durham hill (which I’m sure some of you will get to know well very soon). Besides reading law textbooks, I enjoy playing sports such as netball and softball. With the wide array of interest groups and societies at this inclusive university, you’re bound to be able to fit in somewhere whatever your interests – from sports to debate to cooking and even wine drinking! Otherwise you can just create your own. Durham has so much to offer and I guarantee that your university life in this charming little foreign city will be one of the most fulfilling times of your life – if only you’re willing to make the best out of it.”

- Clara, Year 3, Law “I am a second-year Applied Psychology student from Stephenson College. This is slightly irrelevant, but let me explain the difference between Applied Psychology and Psychology courses, seeing that Durham offers both, because I know that is what most people will ask when they meet me. Applied Psychology in essence just refers to the use of psychological theories on real life problems (hence applied) such as Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Sports Psychology, Organizational psychology and etc. The relationship is similar to that of Physics and Mechanical Engineering (people usually understand when I mention this). However, as an undergraduate degree, the two courses do not differ much in terms of syllabus, but differ in approach focus and assessment. The only thing unique about Applied Psychology is that it guarantees the modules offered in 3rd year to be all of the applied branch (but again, we are free to choose modules from Durham and Queen’s Campus in 3rd year so there’s really not much difference). Moving on, I certainly enjoyed my time in Durham University and am proud of my decision to pursue my undergraduate education here. The quality of education is not only impressive but also inspiring because of how passionate the professors are, which is often what we need to keep us going. Not to mention, the education system gives us a lot of time, freedom and creativity to venture beyond our academic requirements, be it researching on a topic that we were always passionate (and be able to get support from the school),


volunteering, or joining cultural/sports societies. Personally, I’ve joined the Durham University Freefall club and I love it – nothing beats jumping off the plane in mid- air when you need some letting loose!”

- Tze Yong, Year 3, Applied Psychology “St. Mary’s is the best college (I am not biased) to me because I had hell lot of fun time for the whole of last year. Regardless of what college you’re in, do not give up on college life as it is a crucial part to your whole university experience! St. Mary’s is a place many known as home. The atmosphere, the building and the people are very welcoming. It is probably one of the only two colleges (the other would be Josephine Butler) that gives you a fantastic view of the cathedral, not minding the fact that the college ground itself is already breathtaking enough. If you haven’t already know, Mary’s has the smallest (or even worst) bar in Durham, but all else made up for it. A chapel is available, a shop that sells lots of snacks and ice cream if you’re lazy to head to town, a fairly traditional and gorgeous dining hall, lots of green spaces to lie on when the sun is out, a gym, and a toastie bar which serves at night. A highly popular subject that gives freshers lots to worry about before university even starts, such as - what are the pre-readings to do? any internship experiences needed? etc. Law may appear rather intimidating to many but it is actually a very interactive and dynamic subject that rewards you at the end of the day. There will be (generally) one lecture per module every week and about two to three tutorials as well as an essay per module for the first two semesters. The third semester will be focused on exam revision. The Law School itself offers a wide range of support from your academic advisor (where you can discuss any issues such as module choices for year 2 & 3) to your respective tutorials/seminars tutors, whom are all extremely friendly and passionate about this subject. As the contact hours are a lot less than that of other courses, it definitely requires self discipline and self motivation to perform well but remember to strike a balance between work and play because college life is not something you would want to miss out on! Keep your passion for law burning throughout the three years as you’ll definitely need it to bring you through hundreds of pages of readings. So let’s get started not for an easy journey but a very rewarding journey!”

- Boya, Year 3, Law “Though the course of three years, you will journey from learning a wide array of modules and topics to increasingly specific modules depending on what you prefer. Heading into strictly human geography modules this year, this is already a big change to my first year where I studied about Earth’s many processes combined with different worldly issues. Don’t worry if you haven’t yet found something you definitely prefer to everything else, there is plenty of time to choose and plenty of topics to get into! With such a chill schedule, you really have to make use of the extra time and keep up to date with your topics. Start readings for essays early and study smart for exams is the way to go. But apart from that, let your interest and natural curiosity take charge, don’t be afraid to learn more than you need. You never know, it might help you in the future, we’re learning about the world and its people after all.


Finally don’t take to heart all the fun people poke at Geography (you will come across it sooner or later, trust me), accept it and smile. Everyone has ‘their’ subject and besides you’re in one of the top schools in the UK for Geography. You’re pretty amazing.”

- Kayin, Year 3, Geography


Visa Application

1. Visit the UK government website for visas and immigration in Singapore and apply for

a visa online. For more details: https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/ 2. To complete the application process, you must book and attend an appointment at the

visa application centre in Singapore. Walk-in applicants will not be entertained at the visa application centre.

3. On the day of your appointment, plan to arrive 10 minutes early at the visa application centre. Bring your appointment letter and application pack, your passport and a second valid form of identification (ie. IC or Drivers’ Licence). When you arrive at the visa application centre you will collect a token. Wait until your token is called to make your application. Please hold on to the receipt given to you at the time of your application submission as you will need this later to collect your documents.

4. Enrol your fingerprints and photograph (known as biometric information collection) at the visa application centre. This includes a digital finger scan and a digital photograph. The finger scan procedure uses an electronic scanner. No ink, liquid or chemical. You should ensure that your fingertips are free from any form of decoration, cuts, abrasions or other markings as these may affect your ability to provide acceptable finger scans. Your digital photograph must be taken with full face and without sunglasses or tinted spectacles, or head covering unless it is worn for religious or medical reasons. Your face should be clearly visible with no hair across the eyes. We cannot process your visa application if you do not submit your biometric information.

5. Choose whether you would prefer to collect your documents in person at the visa application centre or have them delivered to you by post. Go to http:// www.vfsglobal.co.uk/singapore/ for further details.

Visa Application Centre: Opening Hours: Document Collection: 20 Cecil Street #11-02 to 05 Equity Plaza Singapore 049705

Application submission, with prior appointment: Monday - Friday 08:00 - 14:00

Monday to Friday 14:00 - 16:00

Things to note: • Apply under the Tier 4 (General) Students Category. ** For scholars, you can apply under the Tier 4 (Sponsored) Category, but don’t apply for Tier 4 (scholarship) category. Passport Renewal Non-biometric passports are accepted.

• It is highly advisable to renew your passport and ensure it expires after you have completed your degree. Otherwise, you can renew it when it expires, but you'll have to attach the old one to your new one (i.e. carry two passports around) because your visa would still be in the old one.

• If you choose to renew your passport, please note that the passport you are using to apply for the visa should be the same passport as that stated on the CAS. If not, you MUST update your school on your new passport and ask for a re-issue of the CAS.

• You need to pay a immigration health surcharge if you are a non-EEA national and you are granted immigration permission to enter the UK to study for a time-limited period of more than six months. You will pay the charge (currently £150 for each period of 12 months leave granted) when you make your application. The charge is applied to immigration applications made on or after 6 April 2015. Further


information is available on the Home Office pages of the Gov.UK website: https:// www.gov.uk/search?q=Immigration+health+surcharge


Here is a ROUGH checklist which may help you prepare what to bring when collecting your visa.

1. Visa online application form

2. Appendix 8 form

3. Printed copy of email sent by Durham University with your CAS details

4. Printed appointment letter

5. One passport photo • There is a photo booth at the appointment place but it is at $12 for 4 photos, which is very expensive. A recommendation would be to go to Lavender’s Immigration Checkpoint Authority or Kim Tian Color Centre, #01-06 at Hong Lim Complex.

• Ensure that in the photo you are NOT smiling and your eyebrows are NOT obscured by your fringe. Do not paste on the form yourself, they'll do it for you.

• Photograph Requirements: 45 mm by 35 mm, colour on a white background.

• The UK Border Agency photo guide is available at http:// www.ukba.homeof- fice.gov.uk/sitecontent/ applicationforms/visa- photo-guidance.pdf. Applications have been rejected due to unsuitable photographs.

6. Current and previous passport(s)

7. Copy of bank statement (yours or parent's) or scholarship letter (as evidence that you have sufficient funds for your course and living)

• If you are self or family funded, you will need to request a personally signed letter from your bank manager with the bank letterhead, bank account number, your full name (per your passport), date of letter, and available funds written large on it. This is important because if any of the following are left out your letter and your application will be rejected and you will need to reapply all over again. This will cost you time and another £145.

• If you are sponsored by a scholarship body, your HR department will prepare a letter for submission. They should know what to do. The bank letter, financial statement, or passbook printout you use will need to be submitted within 28 days after you acquire or update it. For instance, a bank letter dated 1st of August will need to be submitted by 29th of August. As for passbook proof, please remember to update it before getting a certified- true-copy for submission. Similarly, a passbook updated as of 1st August will need to be submitted by 29th August.

• If the funds are in your legal guardian’s name, you must submit the following: 1) Your legal guardianship documents 2) A signed letter from your guardian agreeing to fund your studies and confirming your relationship

8. Education transcripts A Level/IB/Diploma Result Slips


Finances Cost of living Have your bank draft / money order / bank statement ready as these are usually valid for 3 - 6 months. On average, £300 - £500 a month should allow you to spend and live comfortably in Durham, though everyone has a different definition of ‘comfortable’!

It is advisable to bring an adequate amount of pounds to tide you over the first few weeks while waiting for your bank account to be set up and for your bank draft to clear. A conservative estimate for the first fortnight would be around £500 since you will need to buy things required to settle into your new room such as kettle, blanket, pillow case, table lamp etc.

Payment of tuition fees (a) By direct debit (preferred mode of payment) Direct debit is the University's preferred payment method in instalments as it is an automatic process thus saving time and expense for everybody. If you pay by direct debit you are given longer to pay as the collection dates are extended to 1st December 2016, 1st February 2017 and 1st June 2017.

Notification letters are sent in advance in the middle of November, January and May. Once the direct debit mandate is set up it can then be actioned each year thereafter.

You need to have a UK bank account in order to set up a direct debit mandate. Overseas students will find that most UK banks offer a simple account that can pay direct debits. Because the first instalment by direct debit is not due until 1st December you have until 15th November to set up the account and register the details with us. Please let us know if you have problems.

Once you have the UK bank account you can set up a direct debit in any of the following ways: • Online direct debit. You will need the student ID number and date of birth to access this secure web page.

• By telephone, ringing +44 (0) 191 334 6936. • Face to face by coming into our office and working through the web screens with us.

• On paper - please request a paper mandate form from [email protected] or calling +44 (0)191 334 6936.

VERY IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTE You may be charged an administration charge in the following circumstances: Failure to pay on time. The due date is 30/14/14 days into the start of the Michaelmas, Epiphany and Easter Terms. This is to allow you sufficient time to organise payment. Please do not leave it to the last minute. The due dates for 2013/14 are 4th November 2016, 30th January 2017 and 12th May 2017. These dates will be printed on the invoice. Fines may be levied after these dates.

In addition, we make a £25 charge for a cheque or direct debit returned by the bank as “insufficient funds”. This is to cover the additional work in processing the extra charge and necessary follow up.


Go to: https://www.dur.ac.uk/treasurer/students/tuition_fees/how_to_pay_tuition_fees/full_ time_overseas_undergraduate/ for more information on payment methods for sponsored and self-financed students.

** PLEASE ENSURE BOTH YOU AND YOUR PARENTS READ THIS PAGE IN ITS ENTIRETY.

(b) By debit / credit card (Switch, Visa or MasterCard) If you need to pay by card then we would prefer that you set up an instalment arrangement. In this way you provide your credit card details to a secure fax number. These are entered into a third party's web site and payment is set up to take place on the due dates. The card details are then destroyed securely. An e- mail reminder will be sent to you automatically before each due date.

This is more efficient for us than processing each payment individually. If you would like to do this please email [email protected] to obtain a copy of the form.

Otherwise payment can be made by debit/credit card at your College or the Finance Department in person or by telephone. If you come in person you should bring your invoice with you to ease identification and provision of a receipt. An additional charge may be made for paying in this way.

(c) By wire transfer or internet banking into the University's bank account Payment can be made by wire transfer or internet banking into the University’s bank account:

Durham University, Barclays Bank, 6/7 Market Place, Durham City. Sort code: 20 – 27 – 41 Account number: 60897507 Europe: IBAN GB46 BARC 2027 4160 8975 07 Worldwide: Swift Code BARC GB22 Reference: Please quote the invoice number or your University Student ID number.

(d) Payment by cheque on a UK bank account or banker's draft Your cheque or banker's draft should be made payable to "Durham University" and you should write your full name and the invoice/transaction number on the back. Payment should be sent to Financial Services, Mountjoy Centre, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3UP.

(e) Special payment method for overseas students: Uni-pay You go to the web link and log on by providing your e–mail address, student ID number (nine digits, e.g. 000123456) and date of birth. You also need to enter your address details - please use your home address and not your student address here in the UK.

You say how much you wish to pay to the University at the time and you will be offered an exchange rate and payment amount in your local home currency.

You then have an option to pay by local bank transfer or online with a credit card. Chinese students may pay by Ali-pay. If you chose to pay by local bank transfer the system will give you the details of a local bank account in your home currency - you must make payment of the amount shown to this account within 7 days. You will only be able to do this from your own account online if you have an online bank account. Otherwise you will have to request


your bank to make the transfer. It is ideal if a family member back home is wanting to make payment from their account. You will receive an e–mail confirmation of the details. The charge for using the bank transfer service is £7. There is an additional 2% charge by Uni-pay if you choose to pay by credit card.

Setting up bank account before coming to Durham If you would like to set up a bank account in Singapore, you have the following options: HSBC Premier Account, HSBC Passport Account.

1. HSBC Premier Account: It is recommended that you set this up but you need a

minimum of SGD 200 to be maintained in the account. If you fail to maintain it at this sum, the penalty is quite high. With this, you can set up a premier account anywhere else in the world for free and transfer of funds between accounts is free. The exchange rates are similar to those obtained via money exchange counters.

2. HSBC Passport Account can be set up before you leave for Durham as it does not require a permanent UK address. However, it requires a monthly payment of £8/month for a six month contract. Visit http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/current- accounts/uk-bank- account/ to find out more about the bank account.

Another option would be to set up a bank account in Durham and then do a telegraphic transfer of funds. This option is very common and rather favourable as local UK banks such as Barclays and Lloyds are able to set up bank accounts really quickly for you once you are there with all your information. From personal experience, it saves you a lot more time as compared to setting up an HSBC bank account here in Singapore before your departure.

For scholarship holders, if your scholarship board has given you a bank draft (in pounds) you may set up a bank account then deposit it into the bank. However, do note that you can only set up your bank account after registration on the first week of school.


Communication

UK Phone Line Most students use Giffgaff as it allows for free messaging and calls to other users, as well as limited/unlimited data (depending on the package you sign up for). It costs around £7.50 – 12 per month for subscription.

TIP 1: Apply for Giffgaff SIM when you arrive You may set up a Giffgaff account on https://giffgaff.com and purchase your package! Your UK number will be listed on the website so that you can inform your parents about your new number beforehand.

TIP 2: Change your network settings Also, do note you have to change your network settings in order to use the data plan. Visit http://community.giffgaff.com/t5/giffgaff-Top-Tips/The-giffgaff-Internet- Settings-Guide- Setup/td-p/2066679 to check the settings appropriate for your phone.

Alternative options: A wide variety of service providers are available, the main ones being Vodafone, Orange, O2, T-Mobile, 3 and Virgin. Each has its own perks and it’s a good idea to do research first before committing to a contract. A good deal is O2’s ‘Unlimited’ plan, you may enjoy unlimited calls and texts to O2 user. You can check out O2 Providers at http:// www.o2.co.uk/

Pay-as-you-go deals are also available from most dealers, and you can top up your balance via ATMs, vouchers from supermarkets and phone outlets. These can be especially useful at the beginning of your stay, as like setting up a bank account, proof of address is needed to sign a contract.

Calling back to Singapore: For calling back to Singapore, the cheapest method (apart from Skype and Google Talk) is through a pre-paid phone card. There are a huge variety of these, each offering different rates to different countries, so make sure you ask the vendor specifically. The G8 Calling Card has the advantage of not having a 90-day expiry period and the ability to be topped up via the Internet. For more information, visit www.g8.com.

Current Phone Line You can choose to either: • Deactivate your phone number temporarily for a monthly fee – this means you can reactivate your SG number and continue using it back in Singapore.

• Suspend your phone line. • ** For Whatsapp, you have the option to choose which number to retain – be it the new UK number or your existing SG number so it’s up to you to decide.


Packing List

Hand-luggage 1. Passport 2. A valid visa in your passport 3. Letter of acceptance from Durham University 4. CAS letter 5. Financial statement. This can be either a statement from your bank or sponsor. A bank

draft of sufficient money (meaning quite a large one) might suffice. 6. Address of your College. 7. Your 'O' and 'A' Level certificates. These must be originals. 8. Light sweater in the plane (maybe even a change of clothes) 9. This booklet

Luggage Clothing 1. A light jacket for Autumn/Spring 2. Windbreaker – very important, Durham’s winds are VERY strong!! 3. Winter clothes: sweaters, thermal wear, scarves, gloves, long-sleeve shirts, nylon

leggings (for the ladies), winter coat (or you can get a cheaper one there) 4. Summer clothes: T-shirts, blouses, shorts (don’t count on summer being very warm

though, summer might come quite late as well) 5. Formal clothes: evening gown, lounge suit, blazer

Footwear 1. Sport shoes (though you can buy from Sports Direct at a very cheap price) 2. Casual shoes 3. Formal shoes 4. Flip flops 5. Socks 6. Boots (would be good for winter - make sure it’s waterproof, however winter clothes

can also be found in great variety and maybe even for cheaper in the UK) School essentials 1. Schoolbag 2. Stationery (general contents of a pencil case needed, though stationary is readily

available in town but also a lot more expensive) 3. Letter pads, envelopes (optional) 4. A Level Notes (optional) 5. Mathematical set (if required) – Buy the calculator there. Check with your course to see if they provide one. 6. Textbooks (order from Amazon when in Durham - free shipping!)

Electrical Appliances 1. Laptop 2. USB thumb drives 3. Ipod/MP3 player 4. Camera 5. Memory Card reader 6. Extension wires


7. Multi-plugs and electrical adaptors (word of advice: get ones for use in Continental Europe as well – useful for trips)

8. Batteries 9. Alarm clock 10. Hair-dryer 11. Chargers for all your electrical appliances

Toiletries 1. Toothbrush/toothpaste 2. Shower foam/shampoo/conditioner (instead, travel sized shower things may come in

useful as you might not go into town immediately) 3. Nail clipper 4. Sanitary napkins (you won’t find similar brands in UK, so if this is an issue, please

bring your own supply) 5. Ear digger

House-keeping 1. Bed-linen 2. Pillows (can buy in Durham so don’t bother – unless it’s your baby pillow we are talking

about) 3. Bolsters (CANNOT BE FOUND THERE PLEASE BRING!!) 4. Laundry bag (buy from Daiso or IKEA)

Cooking utensils / Foodstuff (optional) 1. Rice cooker (quite useful really, but supposedly not allowed so try to hide it) 2. Chopsticks 3. Bowls/plates/mugs (can be found in Durham) 4. Hot water flask 5. Home made condiments (please bring if there are things you know you will miss – but

fear not Newcastle Chinatown has EVERYTHING you will possibly need, just at a higher price)

6. MILO!! (this will tide you through the rough winter) Medicine 1. Personal medication 2. Vitamins 3. Medical creams 4. Cold medication (VERY IMPORTANT: a lot of people get freshers’ flu)


Getting to Durham and Stockton

From Singapore, one can fly to any of the London airports, Newcastle International Airport or Manchester Airport. Do check out the various airlines for the routes that are available, especially if you have a preference.

*Queen’s Campus students please take note: your nearest train station is THORNABY.

London Airports (LON) – first take the tube to London’s King’s Cross station, and then board a train bound for Durham. Tube time: approx 1 hr. Train journey time: approx 3 hrs.

Manchester Airport (MAN) – a relatively quieter and more efficient airport than London Heathrow. Best thing about this airport is that there is a direct train from the airport to both Durham and Thornaby. Train journey time: approx. 3 hrs.

Newcastle International Airport (NCL) – Once at the airport, take a metro to the Newcastle train station. From Newcastle train station, take a train bound for Durham or Thornaby. Train journey time: approx 20 mins to Durham, 1.5 hrs to Thornaby. This is the closest international airport to Durham. British Airways, Emirates, KLM and Air France operate flights to this airport, among others.

Durham train station to your college – Hopefully, you won’t be arriving at some forsaken hour when there are no cabs in sight. Cabs are a rarity especially on the weekend nights, stretching into the wee hours, so here are a few helpful numbers if you find yourself stranded with no cabs queuing for your patronage: Paddy’s......0191 3842853 / 01913865316 Park............0191 3731578 Bill’s......... 0191 3841329 Mac’s..........0191 3867450 (0191- is the area code for Durham;; +44 is the country code for the UK).

Queen’s Campus students – just call Royal Cars! ......... 01642 666666 Do you need to tip the drivers? As a student, it is not necessary to tip the drivers

Airport / train station welcome service Do note that if you are arriving at Newcastle Airport / Durham Train Station / Thornaby Train Station on the 30th of September or 1st and 2nd of October, the International Office offers a free coach service from these locations to your college. Please check https:// www.dur.ac.uk/international/newstudents/airport_trainstation_welcomeservice/ for more details, and to register for this service. If you are planning to arrive at your college before the 30th of September, please check with your college regarding early check in.

Purchasing train tickets Train schedules and online purchases of tickets can be found at nationalrail.co.uk. Do note that these schedules are subject to changes, owing to inclement weather, (un)scheduled maintenance works and more foreseeable circumstances such as a British human error. Hence, one should refrain from booking tickets too early;; yet too late a booking may result in exorbitant prices. Train fares don’t come cheap (as with most things in the UK, barring alcohol) although a ‘16-25 RAILCARD’ would entitle you to a 1/3 discount on all your fares. This railcard can be issued on the spot at all train stations and all you need to


furnish is a passport, and a passport- sized photograph. You should also have your college address on hand with you as you will need to fill up an application form. This railcard will come at a price of £26 per year. At first glance it may seem expensive but the price will definitely offset itself if you travel around in the UK. Alternatively, you can opt for the 3-year railcard, which is great value at £70, thus saving you £20 on the cost of renewing a 1-year railcard for three consecutive years. Do note that the 3-year railcard can only be purchased online at 16-25railcard.co.uk.

Our advice to you is to check out the train schedules at least 2 weeks to a month before you leave and decide whether you want to purchase your tickets upon arrival, or order them in advance. Fares typically range from £25 – £50 (it could go as cheap as £9.90 for London – Durham if you book really early) depending on where you are travelling from, how early/late you purchase your tickets and whether you are using a ‘16-25 RAILCARD’. Our advice is to invest in one because chances are that you will be travelling on trains quite often, especially to Newcastle and the Metrocentre, the latter being one of the largest shopping centres in Europe.

*Travelling by coach instead of the train This is a cheaper option (by approx. £5 only) and the journey time is approx. 6 hrs from the coach stations at Manchester and London. The upside is that you get to enjoy the scenery at a leisurely pace and stopover (for a toilet break) at various cities/towns/counties as opposed to taking a train. Do note that there is unlikely to be a ‘lunch buffet trolley’ as with trains though. For more information on coach travel, check out nationalexpress.co.uk.

Similarly, rail cards and coach cards can be set up when you are settled in if you do not need them just yet. So don’t worry about rushing to sign up for your cards!

List of Important Numbers • Durham Police Constabulary (emergency) 999

(general enquiries) 0845 60 60 365 • NHS Direct (National Health Service) a 24-hr helpline for nurse advice and health information 0845 4647


What to do in Durham

There’s plenty to do in Durham! ENTERTAINMENT: The local cinema in town promises a cosy treat with the latest movies, and sometimes theatre plays put up by local or visiting acts. The student performance scene is also very vibrant, with an assortment of musicals, dramas, comedies, dance recitals and so on available at varying points of the year.

SHOP: If you fancy going shopping, head to town early to shop! There are a range of shops and boutiques (though limited - online shopping will fast become a regular occurrence) to fulfil your therapeutic needs. But beware, most shops in Durham close at around 5pm.

CULTURE: For those of you with seeking a more culturally-enriching recreational activity, the University itself is home to two museums, both of which are free for students on presentation of the relevant ID.

CUISINES: It is impossible to be hungry for too long in Durham, given the extensive range of cuisines and eateries available as well as the student-friendly prices and happy hours in most restaurants. Enjoy traditional English pub food in a variety of different pubs, each with its own unique décor and ambience.

TRAVEL: Should you be craving for some Chinese delicacies, Newcastle’s Chinatown is but a fifteen-minute train ride from Durham. Besides Chinatown, Newcastle is one of the busiest cities in UK and there are many shops and eateries, as well as a wider variety of movies in cinemas. Its shopping stretch is also fantastic, with many local and international shops, mirroring that of London’s Oxford Street.

FOOTBALL: There is always an opportunity to watch the home football team, Newcastle United, play a match with other teams at the St. James’ Park stadium.

NIGHT OUT: For those looking for a night out, clubs range from the dingy but famously loved Klute (ranked as the worst club in Europe, it was voted second, but was promoted by default after the worst club burnt down) to the weekly parties, live music and karaoke nights held at the Durham Student Union (DSU). Other clubs include Loveshack and Studio, which are only a tad bit different, on most nights, in a good way. The music is notoriously bad as Durham students are famed for loving the cheese.

Finally, a full college bar crawl should not be missed! Drinks are notoriously cheap at college bars, £1.70 for a pint of beer. A typical night out usually starts off at your own college bar before setting off to the other bars and ending at the clubs.


Introduction to Stockton (Queen’s Campus)

Colleges John Snow College Founded in 2001, John Snow College is a modern, purpose-built college with loads of fantastic new facilities. The college is a ten-minute walk away from the main Queen’s Campus and a one-minute walk to the nearest grocery shop (Sainsbury Local, just across the road). Stockton-On-Tees town centre is a five minutes walk away. Students in John Snow College are entitled to college dining twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Ebsworth Building.

Stephenson’s College Founded in 2001, Stephenson’s College s ideally situated at the heart of Queen's Campus. We are approximately 90 seconds walk from the teaching buildings, main library and Waterside restaurant and bar;; a five- minute walk to the nearest grocery shop;; a fifteen- minute walk into Stockton town centre. Students in Stephenson’s College are entitled to college dining twice a week, on Mondays and Wednesdays in the Ebsworth Building.

Accommodation Students in both colleges can choose to stay either in college or in Mezzino, which are private apartments managed by the university. This accommodation boasts a riverside location with stunning views across the River Tees, and is located approximately fifteen minutes away from Queen’s Campus.

Getting Around Bicycle Rental Bikes are available for both staff and students to hire. To hire a bike per term the cost is just £10 (£30 for the year) plus a £30 deposit. All bikes are supplied with helmet, lights and a lock. A kit to help keep you on the road, if you have a puncture or need some oil, emergency lights, a tool kit and a track pump, is also available should you need it.

Taxi Services Taxi services in Stockton are a phone call away. Unlike Singapore, it is not recommended to hail a cab off the road. All you have to do is to call for a cab, specify your location and you’ve got your ride! Prices start from £3 and may go up to £15 depending on your destination.

Here are some numbers which you may find useful: Royal Cars: +44 1642 666666 Teeside Cabs: +44 1642 875875

Bus (X12) toDurham The X12 Bus service that links Queen’s Campus to the Main Campus takes approximately one hour. For more information on bus timings, help yourself to the timetable available at the reception of Ebsworth Building. The bus stop is approximately a 4-minute walk from Queen’s Campus. Remember to present your Durham University student card in order to get the free service!


Rail Thornaby train station is the nearest to Queen’s Campus and is approximately 10 minutes away from Stephenson’s College and 5 minutes from Mezzino and John Snow College. Tickets can be bought online or at the train station.

Recreational Activities Casinos Grosvenor Casinos: Located just across Mezzino and approximately fifteen minutes away from Queen’s Campus, it is the perfect day and night leisure destination with a fantastic restaurant, amazing bar, sports & entertainment lounge, conference room and much more. The casino is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Mecca Casinos: Located just beside Grosvenor Casinos, Mecca Casinos prides itself with professional and friendly service, with a bar and diner serving good value food.

Gyms For the health conscious, here are some of the gyms that frequent by students in Queen’s Campus: • Durham University Gym • Standard fee of £140 for one academic year.

• Exercise 4 Less • Situated approximately 15 minutes away from Queen’s Campus, membership fees start from £9.99 per month.

Night Clubs Mostly frequented by Queen’s Campus Student’s on Tuesdays and Thursdays, KU Bar is located on Stockton High Street.

For the more adventurous, head over to a nearby town Middlesbrough where parties are held on a larger scale. Usual clubs include Empire and Crown.


Final notes and timeline of important dates

Job prospects Durham is an extremely well established institution of learning in the UK and is duly accorded its status as one of the foremost universities that employers would recruit from. Despite its distance from London, it is noteworthy that the big London firms frequently attend careers fairs at the Durham campus.

In Singapore, Durham is steadily growing in repute and having a degree from Durham certainly puts you in a good stead employment wise. For law students (there is a huge student law community), the large firms are definitely more than willing to hire Durham graduates.

Nonetheless, one must keep in mind that all the reputation in the world cannot compensate for getting poor honours at university. Hence, regardless of which university you graduate from, good grades and an all-rounded CV are the most important prerequisites in getting a good job.

Date Event

17th July 2016 Pre Departure Briefing(British Council)

26th July 2016 Pre-Departure Briefing (Durham University)

13th August 2016 Law Fair

20th-21st August 2016 Freshers’ Orientation

27th August 2016 Warwick Summer Games

3rd September 2016 UK Bound Stay tuned to our Facebook page and http://durhamsingsoc.weebly.com/ website! See you soon!

Documents

DURHAMUNIVERSITY’ SINGAPORESOCIETY’ Freshers’’Booklet’ 2016B2017’durhamsingsoc.weebly.com/uploads/4/8/1/2/4812746/fresh... · 2019-01-15 · DURHAMUNIVERSITY’ SINGAPORESOCIETY’