Monday 15 December 2014


	Dear Student As we approach the end of term please be aware of our Christmas opening hours and activities taking place before and after the festive break. Our University will be closed from 24 December until 5 January, however our 24/7 libraries remain open and our security staff will also be on campus. Semester 1 examinations start on 12 January 2015. Below, we point you to key information, including when and where exams are taking place, how to find the venues, some of the important rules for conduct in an exam and practical advice to help ensure you are as prepared as you can be. If one of your New Year's resolutions is to start planning your future then Futures Fest, starting on 26 January, is a must-attend week of workshops and sessions designed to maximise your employability. Your Students' Union Refreshers Week is another chance to find out more about joining a society, volunteering and representing students. Read more below about these activities and about house hunting, which doesn't officially start until 24 January. Before all that there's still plenty to celebrate here on campus as students and staff spread some cheer with Christmas parties, choir concerts and more. Read more about our University activities, including those for students staying in Leeds over the break, here. As the end of term looms you may find that your funds are running low; read our Celebrating Christmas on a budget top tips to get you through to your next loan payment here. We hope you enjoy your festive break and wish you well in your exams!

	When are my exams?

	Semester 1 examinations will take place between 12 and 23 January 2015. The full timetable of exams can be found on the Student Hub website and is also available from your course administrator. The timetable is in date and time order and details the room for each examination. Click here for a guide to understanding your timetable. Disabled students please contact your Course Administrator or Disability Advice if you are unsure your exam arrangements are in place for January.


	What to expect during your exams

	An examination is a formal assessment conducted under strict conditions. The list below shows some of the key things you should know but please refer to the full regulations for more information. • Ensure that you turn up early to your exam. • Ensure that you bring your Student ID card. • Once you enter the examination centre you are under examination conditions. • It is your responsibility to provide your own personal stationery. The examiner will provide answer sheets and paper. It is prudent to ensure that you have spare stationery in case of emergencies. (See the Don't forget your stationery section below.) • English dictionaries will be provided at all exam venues for reference only. If you require a foreign language dictionary ensure that you make this known with the module tutor or course administrator. You will not be permitted to bring your own dictionary except in unusual circumstances. • No electronic data equipment is allowed within the examination centre. In some cases calculators may be allowed - please check with your module tutor. • All bags and coats are to be placed at the rear or front of the examination centre. All mobile phones are to be turned off and placed in your bag. If a mobile phone is heard during the examination it may be construed as an attempt to cheat or gain unfair advantage. • The wearing of head covering is not permitted except for religious or medical reasons. • If you are arriving late to your exam you will be allowed into the venue during the first half an hour after the start only. You will not be allowed into the venue at any other time. • If you cannot attend due to illness, ensure that you ask for a doctor’s note and complete a mitigation form (within 5 working days after the exam). For more information contact your course administrator or refer to the extenuating circumstances and mitigation regulations. • If you require assistance during the examination, raise your hand; an invigilator will then assist you with your requirement. • If you are a disabled student and become unwell and leave an exam due to your disability, please ask the invigilator to record the episode, contact your course administrator as soon as possible and contact your Disability Adviser who may be able to provide a supporting statement and recommend reasonable adjustments. • Once you feel that you have finished your exam you may be allowed to leave. However you will not be permitted to leave the exam venue within the first half hour and the last half hour. If your exam is an hour long you will have to stay for the duration of the exam. • At the end of the exam remain silent and seated until an invigilator instructs you otherwise. When exiting the venue you are still under examination conditions and must remain silent. Please keep noise to a minimum outside the venue as there may be other examinations taking place in or around the vicinity.




Revising for exams? Our libraries open 24/7 every day of the year, including Christmas Day, and many services are also available online. Read more about using the Library over the break and how to access our silent study areas once you're back on campus. Borrow a book on exam techniques or have a look at our Pinterest Guide to Study Skills and our Skills for Learning website for access to revision and academic writing tips. View past exam papers on MyBeckett via the Modules tab.




Don't forget your stationery Your examiner will provide answer sheets and paper but it is your responsibility to provide your own personal stationery. To ensure you can pick up any stationery essentials you've forgotten, including pens, pencils, rulers, clear pencil cases and calculators, our Portland Building, City Campus and Campus Central, Headingley Campus shops will be extending their opening hours over the exam period to 07:30-18:00, Monday to Friday.




Your wellbeing To make sure you keep fit and healthy over the Winter exam period, read our advice on keeping the sniffles away. Our Student Wellbeing Centre also offers support throughout the year to students experiencing stress related to coursework and exams, as well as personal issues which may be affecting academic performance. Your Students' Union is also on hand to offer independent and confidential advice and representation. Visit the Students' Union website to find out more and check out their exam stress-busting tips.


	Getting to your exam venue

	Exams take place on and off-campus and are often not in your normal course buildings so it is important for you to plan your route to the venue in advance. It is your responsibility to ensure that you get to the venue in good time for the start of your exam.The Campus Maps can be found here. Once you know where your exams are taking place you can use the Metro Journey Planner to help you plan your journey. If you are intending to park at or around Headingley Campus please be aware that there are parking restrictions in place outside of the campus, including new restrictions on Montgomery Avenue and Central Park. If you are intending to park at the pay and display car park, there are a limited number of places and the cost is 50p per hour between 07:00 and 15:30. Parking in and around Headingley Carnegie Stadium and Pavilion is extremely restricted.

Futures Fest - 26-30 January

Focus on your future and gain a real advantage in these highly competitive times with Futures Fest. Make the most of this opportunity to gain the skills which will help you to stand out from the crowd and become an attractive candidate to potential employers. Make sure you attend your faculty events, which have been specially arranged within your area of study, and add to your IT and CV building skills, while learning what employers look for when recruiting graduates, through our University-wide workshops. See the full programme and book your place on MyHub. Join the conversation #beckettfutures.

	House Hunting

	With the Christmas break and exams coming up the last thing you need to worry about is where you’re going to live next year. Don’t panic, the official start date for student house hunting in Leeds is 24 January 2015. On that day over 13,000 bed spaces available for the next academic year are displayed on the Unipol website. That’s a lot of houses and flats! We highly recommend Unipol Accredited properties which are required to meet higher standards and good levels of service. Our Students Union Advice Service can also help with practical information on tenancy agreements and are there for housing advice.




Refreshers Your Students' Union is offering the chance to relive all the fun of Freshers 2014 with a host of re-fresher events between 26 and 30 January. Our Refreshers Week is all about welcoming our new students and reminding our returning students about the opportunities and events our Students' Union organise to ensure you have the best time whilst studying at Leeds Beckett. Take the opportunity to find out more about your Students' Union and the huge range of socieities and activities you can get involved with for fun, to make friends or to give you that extra something that future employers may be looking for.




Keep Warm & Cosy Your Leeds Beckett hoodie is perfect for keeping you warm over the short winter days. If you haven't already collected yours then hurry as they are only available to collect until 19 December. You can collect yours by bringing your Leeds Beckett campus card to either of our shops: • Campus Shop, Portland, City Campus (open Monday to Friday, 08:00-18:30) • Merchandise & Postal Services Shop, Campus Central, Headingley Campus (open Monday to Friday, 09:00-15:30)




Money Advice Our Student Money & Advice Centre provides confidential support and advice to those experiencing difficulties with their finances or who require support in managing their money. The Telephone Advice Line is available on 0113 812 5593 to support you with advice on finances, debt, benefits and more. Lines are open Tuesday 10:00-13:00 and Wednesday 13:30-15.30. We will also be looking to add more hours, and this detail will be on our website. Money Support drop-in sessions will continue in the Rose Bowl, Monday-Friday, 13:30-14:30.

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