Your AberAnticipation Pre-Arrival Checklist
There are certain things that we recommend you should do before you arrive at Aber so that you’re prepared and ready, and you’re then able to enjoy your first few weeks with us. Some of these tasks we deem are essential, and others are recommended.
Follow this step by step guide to ensure that you’re aware of what you need to do before you arrive…
Apply for accommodation via the University Accommodation Portal (Essential)
We have around 3,500 bedrooms available in our residences that are either owned or managed by the University and if you wish to live with us you can start applying in a few easy steps: : How to Apply : Accommodation , Aberystwyth University
If you are a new Undergraduate Student: You will only be eligible to apply for University accommodation if you have selected Aberystwyth as your Firm choice.
If you are a new Postgraduate Student: You will be eligible to apply for University Accommodation if you have received an offer to study at Aberystwyth University.
If you are a Study Abroad and Exchange Student: You can apply for University accommodation once your application has been successful and you have activated your Aberystwyth University IT account.
If you would prefer to live in private accommodation, we would recommend that you check our Private accommodation webpage for some tips: Private Sector Accommodation : Study With Us , Aberystwyth University
International Student?
Ensure you apply for and confirm your VISA arrangements (Essential for International Students)
If you are a non-UK national you will need some kind of permission to stay and study in the UK. Most international students will need to apply for a Student visa, while some will be eligible for a Visitor visa and some students will already have permission under a different route.
You can find out more information here which looks at all these options: Visas & Immigration : Student Services , Aberystwyth University
Set up your Aberystwyth University IT account (Essential)
Our Information Services Team will send an e-mail to your personal e-mail address supplied to the University with a message titled ‘Your Aberystwyth University IT account’ to activate and set up your university IT account.
Ensure you get disability and learning support if needed (Essential)
We recognise that this can be a worrying and uncertain time for some. If you are facing any health barriers then please do let us know beforehand. If you have a disability, specific learning difficulty, long term medical condition or mental health condition, get in touch as soon as possible to discuss how we can support you. We can offer you appropriate advice and support during your studies and will try and ensure that your welcome and induction period is as comfortable as possible for you.
Please contact our Accessibility Services Team where one of our Student Advisers can then advise you about the support and/or adjustments that may be available to you.
The team are on hand and happy to help before you arrive, and you can get in touch by calling on 01970 621761 / 01970 622087 or by emailing the team at accessibility@aber.ac.uk.
Apply and upload photo for your Aber Card (Essential)
Your Aber Card is your University ID card and gives you access to library services, printing, buildings on campus including accommodation and lots more.
Our Information Services Team will send an e-mail to your new University e-mail address with a message titled ‘Apply for your Aber Card’ to activate and set up your Aber Card.
To ensure that your Aber Card is ready for you when you arrive on campus you will need to apply for it at least a week in advance.
You can apply for your Aber Card by uploading a digital photo at: Manage My Account : Information Services , Aberystwyth University
Finish your University Accommodation Application (Essential)
For everyone wishing to live with us, you can complete your accommodation application once you have received an Unconditional Firm offer of study. There are some essential and recommended steps within this process:
Occupation Contract (Essential)
The Accommodation Occupation Contract is a legal contract between you and the University which lays out your obligations and the University’s obligations. Make sure you read and understand the terms and conditions. As part of this process you arrange payment of your accommodation fees with the University: Accommodation Fees : Accommodation , Aberystwyth University
Induction Programme (Essential)
Before you arrive, you will need to complete the Induction Programme which will provide you with useful information on living in University accommodation.
When? You will be contacted by email when the Induction Programme is available for you to complete.
Residents’ Handbook (Recommended)
Read your Resident's Handbook for extra, useful information and tips: Residents' Handbook : Accommodation , Aberystwyth University
The Residents' Handbook provides all the information needed during your stay in University Accommodation and covers a wide range of topics including:
- Pre-Arrival
- Maintenance
- Cleaning
- General Safety
- Fire Safety
- Travel Information
- Living with others
- Health & Support
Connect with your Flatmates (Recommended)
If you would like to get in contact with your new flatmates, you will have the opportunity to share your social media details so that you can make connections before you arrive.
Your details will only be viewed and shared with your flatmates. You don’t have to share your details if you don’t want to, and you can amend or remove them at any time.
Browse your dedicated welcome to Aber webpages (Recommended)
Take some time to have a look around this website – there's lots of useful information for you as a new student. Here are just some essential and recommended pages to go through which we would advise you to look at:
Your Induction Events Planner (Essential)
Start planning your activities for Welcome Week.
Use the new Welcome and Induction Planner to help you navigate the events specific for you during Aber Welcome Week 2024 and the first few weeks at the University.
Your Academic Department (Essential)
Visit your Department’s welcome page to find out about their induction events.
Welcome Checklists and Video FAQs (Recommended)
Check out the essential tasks you will need to complete before you arrive, in your first few days and weeks through a tailored checklist and some bitesized videos from our current students, along with some useful information about joining your new community.
HeloAber pages (Recommended)
Get to know your Undeb Aberystwyth and what they have planned…Ready to enjoy?
Led by students and supported by a team of staff, ‘Undeb Aberystwyth’ (our Students' Union) wants Aber students to love student life and be ready for anything. It works to ensure that Aber students have an epic student journey, are happy, healthy and empowered, with lasting friendships and promising futures!
Check out what sports clubs and societies you can join in advance on the Students' Union website also.
Make sure to check and read your Welcome emails (Essential)
Read any emails received from the University – whether it be from the Information Services Team, ResLife, Admin Team, Academic Department and others.
They will all have important information around your arrival that we need to share with you. They will contain lots of helpful tips and advice for you to prepare for your journey with us but also some essential tasks as outlined in this checklist.
Check your e-mails regularly to stay in the loop and remember to log in to your new Aberystwyth student e-mail account too. Make sure to check your junk folder if you can’t find them.
Organise your finances (Essential)
Check your funding and finance is in place (Essential)
Most new students at Aber will be entitled to loans for tuition fees and living costs. Make sure you know how your fees are being paid, and when you’ll get these student finance payments (if applicable). We recommend if you haven’t already done so, to make your Student Finance application as soon as possible to ensure that you receive your necessary funding on time once your course commences.
If you haven’t applied yet, visit the Student Finance government website to get started.
Paying your fees (Essential)
If the Student Loans Company are paying your tuition fees you can find out how they are paid via the Student Finance Wales or Student Finance England webpages. If you are self-financing your tuition fees or they are being paid by an external organisation (not a friend, relative or the Student Loans Company) visit here: How to Pay : Study With Us , Aberystwyth University
Advice on how to manage your money (Recommended)
If you need any help or advice, contact our Advice and Money Team within Student Services here: Advice and Money : Student Services , Aberystwyth University
The Student Advice, Information and Money Service provides information, advice, support and referral on a wide range of financial issues from helping to follow up on delays with student finance to simple advice on managing your money.
Remember that you can also set up a bank account that your maintenance loan can be paid into before you start. Be sure to check various offers and try and get the best deal that suits you best. If you already have a bank account, check if it can be converted into a student account so that you do not miss out on a good deal and specific offers.
Postgraduate Student?
Any Postgraduate funding for tuition from the Student Loans Company will be paid directly to you as a student and not directly to the University – so to be clear, it is your responsibility to make the payment for tuition to the University.
Postgraduate Research Students in receipt of studentships (including fees and stipend) will have their fees paid in full or part according to their award as confirmed in the award letter. Those students receiving partial fee awards will be subject to the standard terms for the remaining balance of fees. Please make sure that your student record is updated with your bank details, to ensure stipends payments are paid in a timely manner.
Stipends are paid every three months, scheduled for the last Friday of September, December, March and June. The September payment is subject to completing registration and the December payment is usually paid earlier due to the University closure for the Christmas period.
Familiarise yourself with the Student Hub (Recommended)
The Student Hub is your online portal to make it easier for you to access the information and systems you need throughout your studies at Aberystwyth University.
As you move through your journey to becoming a student at Aberystwyth, the Student Hub gives you easy access to key services at the right time, such as:
- Welcome and Induction
- Department Specific Information
- Library & IT
- Campus Life and much more
Online Student Induction (Recommended)
The Online Student Induction will give an understanding of what to expect at the University and provide you with guidance to support you to make the most of your time studying with us.
You can work through the University Induction material in your own time. Explore the sections, and make notes of what you believe will be of help to you. Access the online student induction here.
International Student?
Consider any English language support that you may need (Recommended for International Students)
Through the International English Centre, the University is able to comprehensively support the English language needs of all our international students. Some of the ways we can help you improve your English Language abilities are listed here, with courses running from September or January.
Check that Vaccinations/Immunisations are up to date (Essential)
We strongly advise to ensure both your Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) and Meningitis ACWY vaccinations are up to date before you begin University. If you haven’t received these yet, or unsure as to whether you have, we suggest discussing this with your doctor.
You can find more information here.
International Student?
If you’re an International student – Discuss this with your doctor in your home country what vaccinations are recommended for living in the UK. If you are a student from a country with high incidence of TB we also recommend that you are vaccinated against TB.
Complete pre-registration (Essential)
This is an important step in your enrolment process and you need to do this before you arrive on campus if you can.
Students who are starting a new course at Aberystwyth University take part in the pre-registration process in order to register their module choices for the forthcoming academic year.
Follow e-mails sent to you by our Student Admin Team around Pre-Registration.
Postgraduate Student?
Please note that this stage applies to Postgraduate Taught Students but is not relevant for Postgraduate Research Students.
Start Packing! (Essential)
Often deciding what to pack for university can be one of the most difficult parts of preparing for university. This is particularly challenging if you have limited luggage space.
Remember, you'll be able to buy things you've forgotten or not essential either locally or online.
Just make sure to pack your important documents. From your passport to potentially prescription copies, don’t forget to have your important documents with you.
If you are living in our university accommodation, to see what is included in your room or flat, go here: Pre-Arrival : Accommodation , Aberystwyth University and find out what we recommend bringing with you.
International Student?
Before you travel if you are an international student, make a paper copy and photograph of your passport, your student visa and/or your student Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) and keep them separate to your travel documents. If your hostel or hotel has a safe, it is a good idea to leave your passport and BRP and spare money there.
If you lose your passport or BRP or these are stolen you will not be able to re-enter the UK and will have to apply for new permission to enter the UK. This can take several weeks.
Report the loss to the local police station and make sure that they provide you with a police report certificate or reference number, you will need this when you apply to replace your documents.
Contact the International Student Adviser with details of your loss/theft by emailing immigrationadvice@aber.ac.uk. The International Student Adviser will provide you with information on how to request a registration status letter which you will need to apply for a replacement visa.
Plan your Journey to Aber (Recommended)
Plane, train, or car? Whether you’re coming from a different country, or from down the road, make sure you plan your journey to campus well in advance.
Finding us is easy, no matter what mode of transport you decide to use. Our Maps and Travel pages have detailed information on getting to Aberystwyth.
Whilst many people will drive to Aber, you may wish to catch the train. During our Welcome Weekend in September we will have our brilliant A-Team (current students) on hand at Aberystwyth train station to welcome you and support you in getting up to Campus.
International Student?
To help you with your journey to campus, we are offering a free airport pickup service for new, international students joining us in September. We will be running a free coach transfer from Birmingham Airport to Aberystwyth University on:
- Thursday 19th, Friday 20th & Saturday 21st September 2024.
We will pick you up from the airport and take you all the way to our campus. You can find the Airport Pick Up Booking Form for September 2024 here.
If you have booked University accommodation, we will give you your accommodation key on the coach.
If our scheduled coaches do not meet your arrival time, you will find information on how to travel to campus from major airports on our planning your travel to University webpage.
Exchange Student?
You can see a bespoke AberAnticipation Pre-Arrival checklist created for all Exchange Students here: Exchange at Aber : Study With Us , Aberystwyth University