The Advice Service can help students with a number of academic issues.

• Academic Reviews
• Academic Appeals
• Complaints
• Disciplinary Issues
• Disciplinary Appeals
• Plagiarism
• Independent Adjudicator

Academic Reviews

If you are not happy with any academic result, you can request a review of the marks by approaching your programme director or head of school.

Appeals

If you are not happy with the outcome of a disciplinary hearing, a progress committee or you are being suspended or excluded from your course, you have the right of appeal.

The Advice Service can help you prepare an appeal, even if we have not been involved in your case up to that point. In addition, an adviser will probably be able to attend any hearing with you to provide representation and moral support.

You can find the Academic Appeals regulations and more details at:

• Student Net - Formal Procedures
• Look for: 'Academic Appeals', 'Regulation XIX: Academic Appeals' and 'Academic Appeal Form'

Complaints

If you wish to complain about any aspect of the University's service there is a procedure you should follow. The Advice Service can help you prepare a complaint and guide you in how to follow the procedure laid down by the University (Regulation XVIII). There is a complaints form you can download at:

• Student Net - Formal Procedures
• Look for: 'Complaints', 'Complaints Procedure' and 'Complaints Form'.

Disciplinary Issues

If you are facing a disciplinary hearing you can get advice to help you prepare. In addition, an adviser will probably be able to attend the hearing with you to provide representation and moral support. You can find the regulations and more details at:

• Student Net - Formal Procedures
• Look for: 'Conduct and Discipline of Students' and 'Conduct and Discipline of Students Regulation XVII'

Plagiarism

You may be accused of plagiarism if your work is too similar to that of:

• Another student
• A published work - monograph or article, or any other work which has an author
• Another piece of work done by yourself

In effect, plagiarism is a fancy academic word for copying someone else's work. If you are accused of this then you will probably be called before a disciplinary committee. The Advice Service can help you prepare for this hearing. In addition, an adviser will probably be able to attend the hearing with you to provide representation or moral support.

You can find more details at:

• Student Net - Formal Procedures
• Look for: 'Conduct and Discipline of Students', 'Academic Malpractice' and 'Plagiarism.

Appeals against Disciplinary Issues

If you are facing penalties as a result of a disciplinary hearing, we can help you appeal against any decision made against you.

You can find the Disciplinary regulations at:

• Student Net - Formal Procedures
• Look for: 'Conduct and Discipline of Students' and 'Conduct and Discipline of Students Regulation XVII'

The Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education

This body operates an independent student complaints scheme. The service is free to students. The Independent Adjudicator is not a regulator but handles individual complaints against higher education institutions.

You must have exhausted all procedures offered by the University before you apply to the Independent Adjudicator.

The Advice Service can help you prepare an application to the Independent Adjudicator, even if we have not been involved in your case up to that point.

Full details of the service offered together with the Scheme Application Form can be found at:

Office of the Independent Adjudicator

The Advice Service can help with various aspects of housing including house-hunting, checking tenancy agreements, repairs, recovering deposits and security. If you are a Manchester University student looking for accommodation then try the University Accommodation and Manchester Student Homes first.

• University Accommodation
• Private-rented Accommodation
• Tenancy Deposit Scheme
• Manchester Hotels
• Summer Accommodation in London

University Accommodation

If you are hoping to live in a Manchester University hall of residence you can find details here:

• Accommodation Office

Private-rented accommodation

If you want to find private accommodation in Manchester while you are a student the best place to start is:

• Manchester Student Homes

The Advice Service can give you lots of advice on looking for accommodation and can check over your tenancy agreement before you sign it. Book an appointment on 0161 275 2952 or drop-in.

Tenancy Deposit Scheme

If you signed an Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement after 6th April 2007 your landlord should pay the deposit into one of three authorised schemes within 14 days of receiving it. This scheme applies to tenants of private landlords and is designed to protect your deposit. Your landlord should inform you about where your deposit is being protected. The three schemes are as follows:

• Deposit Protection Service
• My Deposits
• Tenancy Deposit Scheme

NUS and Unipol have produced an Enforcement Pack to enable students to understand the scheme and recover their deposits in the event of a dispute.

Manchester Hotels

The Union and Academy are just south of the junction between Oxford Road and Dover Street. None of the hotels listed below carries a recommendation - they are listed for information purposes only.

• Check Union and Academy location
• Check telephone number at Yellow Pages if necessary

Hotel price key
Cheaper prices
Middle price range
More expensive

• Blooms Hotel M1 3HS (Gay Village): 0161 236 7198
• Chancellors Hotel and Conference Centre M14 6NN: 0161 907 7414
• Cornerhouse Hotel (dormitory) M3 7WQ: 0161 833 0272
• Crescent Gate Hotel M14 5RE: 0161 224 0672
• Drop Inn M20 4WA: 0161 286 1919
• Elm Grange M20 4GL: 0161 445 3336
• Elton Bank Hotel M14 5NE: 0161 225 3388
• Imperial Hotel M13: 0161 225 6500
• Ladybarn Lodge M14 6WN: 0161 257 3144
• Lansdowne Hotel M14 6AB: 0161 224 6244
• Luther King House M14 5JP: 0845 602 3685
• Manchester Backpackers Hostel M32 8QJ: 0161 865 9296
• Manchester Conference Centre and Hotel M60 1QD: 0161 200 4100
• Manchester YHA M3 4NB: 0870 770 5950
• Manchester Premier Inn M1 4WB: 0870 238 3315
• Merchants Hotel M1 1HP: 0161 236 2939
• Meridien Palace Hotel M60 7HA: 0161 288 1111
• Millstone Inn Hotel M4 1LQ: 0161 839 0213
• Monroe's Hotel M1 1PE: 0161 236 0564
• New Union M1 6JB: 0161 228 1492
• Rembrandt Hotel M1 3LZ: 0161 236 1311
• Thistle M1 6DP: 0161 228 3400
• Verdene Hotel M14 4PW: 0161 224 1576
• Victoria Park Hotel M14 5RE: 0161 224 1399
• Willow Bank Hotel M14 6AF: 0161 224 0461
• Wilmslow Hotel M14 6AB: 0161 225 3030
• Woolton Hall M14 6WS: 0161 224 7244

Accommodation in London

Below are a few ideas for cheap, temporary accommodation in London - mainly summer.

• Bed and breakfast and self-catering: LSE Christmas and Summer
• Bed and breakfast and self-catering: Sir John Cass Hall and Claredale House Postcode
• Bed and breakfast: Shaftesbury Summer Breaks Several locations
• Self-catering: University of the Arts Summer Accommodation Several locations

Students With Caring Responsibilities

Section 1: Childcare

University Nurseries

There are two nurseries at the University of Manchester. We recommend registering early with them due to a shortage of places and long waiting lists.

- Dryden Street Nursery Dryden Street Manchester M13 9SY Telephone: 0161 272 7121
- Echoes Day Nursery Echo Street, Off Granby Row Manchester M60 1QD Tel: 0161 306 4979

Both nurseries provide care for children from six months to five years and are staffed with trained and experienced personnel in accordance with the local authority's requirements.

 

Childcare - Nurseries, Schools, Before and After School clubs and Child-minders

For information on other nurseries and childcare in the local area / your area, please go toChildcarelink

 

Childcare - Babysitters

For babysitters in the local area please visit Childcare Register

If you need any other help or support finding childcare, please do not hesitate to contact the Women's Officer - womens@umsu.manchester.ac.uk

Section 2: International Students

International Students with children are able to access University owned family accommodation, unfortunately due to high demand this cannot be guaranteed.

International Students with caring responsibilities are able to access the Childcare facilities available to home students, including the University's own nurseries, please see section 1. However International Students are not necessarily entitled to welfare benefits, grants or tax credits, which can help with childcare costs and therefore childcare can be costly. To discuss possible entitlement to financial support please come to the Advice Service, on the first floor of the Students' Union.

 

Section 3: Pregnant Students

Free pregnancy tests are available from the Women's Officer.

 

Maternity/Paternity

Students who wish to request a period of leave from their studies for maternity or paternity reasons should complete an Interruption Request Form. These forms should be available from the student's School. The student can also request these forms from Personal Tutors.

Taking an interruption may affect the student's entitlement to student financial support such as the student loan, maintenance grant etc. For advice about how your financial support could be affected by interrupting your studies please come to the Advice Service, on the ground floor of the Students' Union.

 

Section 4: The Students With Caring Responsibilities Network

The Students with caring responsibilities network is a group set up by the union for students to meet in a safe environment to share help, advice and fight for their rights. If you are interested in coming along, please contact the Women's Officer.

The Union will pay up to £5 per hour towards childcare to enable you to attend any union events, or union society events.

 

Section 5: Funding

Students with caring responsibilities are entitled to several kinds of funding and benefits.

The Childcare Grant - This grant is available for students who have dependent children and a low household income. If you have children under 15, the grant pays up to 85% of your actual childcare costs throughout the whole year. For more information go to: Student Finance

Parents' Learning Allowance - for help with course-related costs for students with dependent children. For more information go to: Student Finance

Child Tax Credit - to help with the costs of raising children. For more information go to: Tax Credits

Access to Learning Fund - This is based on your circumstances and comes from the Universities funds. To help with any extra financial support to stay on your course. For more information go to: Student Finance or Access To Learning Fund

Housing Benefit - for lone parents, disabled people who qualify for Disability Premium or Severe Disability Premium, disabled people who receive Disabled Students Allowance, People aged over 60. For more information go to: Housing Benefit

Income Support - for lone parents, disabled people who qualify for Disability Premium or Severe Disability Premium, disabled people who receive Disabled Students Allowance. For more information go to: Income Support

Section 6: Academic Help

For help or representation on Academic Issues related to your caring responsibilities, please contact the Academic Affairs officer: academic@umsu.manchester.ac.uk or the Women's Officer: womens@umsu.manchester.ac.uk

 

Section 7: Support

The Daycare Trust is an organisation providing free information and advice for parents on childcare. Their hotline provides free information and advice for parents on 020 7840 3350, Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm. Daycare Trust

Gingerbread is a support organisation for lone parents. There is a free advice line 0800 018 5026, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Gingerbread

Parentline plus is a confidential national telephone helpline for anyone in a parenting role, including step-parents, grandparents, lone parents, adoptive parents and families going through change. Parentline Plus provides emotional support and information on other sources of specialist help where requested. 0808 800 2222, 24 hours a day. Parentlineplus

If you have any other questions or need help, support, advice please contact the Women's Officer: womens@umsu.manchester.ac.uk

Links to local and national companies providing shipping and storage services.

Cycle shops, cycle repair and guides to cycling in Greater Manchester.

Basic information about all aspects of Council Tax as it relates to students. The information is organised in the following way:

Disability Access - Biko Building

Passenger Lift

The passenger lift, which goes to all floors, can be found on the right-hand side of the building (north side) - turn left just after General Office.

Disabled Toilets

Disabled toilets, which operate on the national RADAR key scheme, can be found on every floor. If you do not have your own RADAR key, one is available from Union Reception.

Union Documents

Any Union document can be made available in large print or electronic format on request - please contact the Welfare Officer.

Main Hall

The Main Hall is fitted with an induction loop for General Meetings, visiting speakers and other meetings.

Front Entrance

The front entrance is accessible via a ramp on the left-hand side.

Union Shop

A lowered counter is installed.

Club Academy

Facilities in the basement are accessible via the passenger lift and ramps within the venue.

Union staff will be happy to offer you any assistance you may require.

If you have any enquiries, suggestions or comments relating to disability access within the Union building, please contact the General Secretary.

Enquiries relating to the representation of disabled students and the Union's Disability Campaign should be directed to the Welfare Officer.

If you are a student affected by domestic abuse, you are not alone.

Domestic abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual or financial, and also includes forced marriage.

Don't suffer alone. If you need to speak to someone confidentially you can come to speak to one of our trained advisors, on the ground floor of the students' union.  Ask at reception if you're having difficulty finding them.  You can also call the welfare officer on 07787 422 573, or the women's officer on 07787 422 509.  It doesn't mean immediately making a decision; it just means someone else knowing, believing, and taking you seriously and you being able to talk about your situation in a safe environment.

 

How do I know I'm in an abusive relationship?

• Do you ever feel intimidated?
• Do you ever perform sexual acts you'd rather not?
• Have you ever been spat at or hit?
• Have you ever been restricted from leaving your flat?
• Have you ever had your money taken away from you?
• Is anyone forcing you into a marriage you aren't okay with?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then you are in an abusive relationship.

Though it can seem difficult, there are ways out.

 

Helplines

Manchester Domestic Abuse helpline: 0161 636 7525
Manchester Police Domestic Violence Unit: 0161 856 5788
National forced marriage unit: 0207 008 0151

It's really important that at least one other person, who you can trust knows about your situation, so that if you're in trouble, someone will know about it.

That person could be the Women's Officer, the Welfare Officer, or a close friend who you trust would know how to deal with the situation.

If you are supporting a friend in an abusive relationship, make sure you keep in regular contact with them as isolation often occurs.

For more information check here:

Women's Domestic Abuse Helpline

Men can also be affected by domestic abuse, and are also welcome to come and see myself or the Welfare Officer. You will be welcomed and treated confidentially.
You may also want to call MALE, a helpline for male victims of domestic abuse: 0845 064 6800

Respect: 0845 122 8609 is a helpline for perpetrators of domestic abuse.

 

The Peer Support Centre

The Peer Support Centre, located in the Barnes Wallis building on the North Campus, is all about students helping students. Here you will find the offices of some of the key Union welfare-related groups.

Nightline

You may already know about Nightline from such things as stickers on the back of toilet doors...publicity volunteers in pink and purple t-shirts...or the odd free pen/bottle-opener/condom with our logo on it...Well now, apart from being able to access our telephone listening and information service (the number's on the back of your library card) and email our Nightmail address, you can visit us in the Peer Support Centre.

Contact:

Web: Nightline
Email: nightmail@umsu.manchester.ac.uk

LGBT Office and Library

This is a place for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning and curious students to come to meet friends, and to get advice ranging from sexual health advice to where to go out. If you don't want to go to a bar on Canal Street, the LGBT Office offers a new alternative!

Come and meet the friendly staff who can help you with any question you might have. There are loads of leaflets on lots of topics including local support groups, sporting clubs, HIV, religion and getting work with LGBT-friendly employers.

The LGBT Library is also based in the office. There are over a hundred books and DVDs that anyone can borrow. There's a lot of choice: from gay travel guides to biographies and poetry to sex guides and DVDs as diverse as TransAmerica, the Laramie Project, The L Word, and Philadelphia.

There are also loads of reference materials, from reports and guides on LGBTQ health, law and campaigns, to the most recent copy of most magazines, including DIVA, OutNorthWest, attitude and Boyz! You never need to buy them again - come and have a cuppa and read ours for free!

Contact:

Web: LGBT and follow the links to 'Welfare' and 'Library'
Email: welfare@lgbt.manchester.ac.uk
0845 310 5574

Pregnancy - Your Options

Information is far from scant when it comes to pregnancy, in fact the sheer amount of it can be overwhelming, and sometimes misleading. Below is a no-nonsense guide to all of your pregnancy options.

Pregnancy Tests

First thing's first though, are you pregnant? You can come for a free pregnancy test at either the women's office or that of the welfare officer - we have reliable tests (the same one you'd get at the doctor!)

Impartial Advice

We can help you through the decision-making process and we recognise it's a difficult thing to do, whatever your ideas or background. That's why we're committed to be non-judgemental, impartial, and keep everything 100% confidential.

University Policy

Having a baby - as a student this can sometimes seem a daunting prospect but real choice should include this too. The University has an interruptions policy, which means you can interrupt your studies at any time when permission has been given by your course supervisor. There is also a university nursery, though waiting lists are long so it's important to get on it as soon as you find out you might need it. The women's office can also be used as a breast-feeding space. Either way, if you have decided to continue a pregnancy to full term, it's useful to tell someone from the University as early as possible so that arrangements can be made for your progression.

Abortion

For some women, having a baby just isn't an option. In which case, it's important to know the facts around abortion (as myths abound).

There is no known link between abortion and future infertility: FACT

There is no proven link between abortion and long term mental health problems, the most oft-reported feeling after an abortion is relief: FACT.

Abortion in England, Scotland and Wales is completely legal, and free on the NHS. A good place to go in Manchester is the Brook Centre, whose number is 0161 237 3001. They would be able to organise things for you, as well as getting doctors permission. Otherwise you could make an appointment with your GP, who can refer you for an abortion. Although abortion is low-risk, the risks do increase as time goes on, so if you decide to have an abortion it's important to do it as early as possible. There's lots of support out there if you are considering this option. There's no need to tell the University if you have an abortion, and your parents don't have to be informed either.

Adoption

Some women decide that although they don't want to become a parent, they don't want an abortion either. Giving a child up for adoption means taking a pregnancy to full term, and then giving the baby to an adoption agency. The British Association for Adoption and Fostering North West can tell you whom to contact in the local area. Advice and information line: 0113 289 1144.

Women's Office

If you are struggling to make a decision about your pregnancy, or need some help in pursuing the choice you've made, then you can come into the women's office any time. Equally, if you are the partner of someone making these choices, you can come in too. Remember, it's your choice!

Prospective students

These pages provide basic information which may be of interest to prospective students.

• Open Days
• Guided Visits and Accommodation Tours
• Manchester University Undergraduate Prospectus
• Manchester University Postgraduate Prospectus
• UCAS

Safety Tips

Advice on staying safe and secure in Manchester.

You can join in on Manchester City Council's safety campaign by heading to these sites:

• Student Safety
• Facebook
• Making Manchester Safer

 

Walking at night

If you do walk the streets alone at night, stay alert at all times and keep to well-lit areas. Of course, it would be wiser not to walk around by yourself late at night.

 

Cash Points

Be careful at cash points. Try not to carry large amounts of cash around at any time. Don't bother taking your cash card out if you don't need to and write down your card cancellation number.

 

Safety Attack Alarms

Available from the Advice Service in the Steve Biko Building.

 

Taxis

Use black cabs as they are endorsed by Manchester City Council and have better insurance. They are the only cabs that can legally be hailed on the street - all others have to respond to a telephone call.

 

University Police Liaison Officer

Based on the first floor of the Dover Street Building, telephone 0161 275 7042. Drop-in sessions: Thursdays 4pm - 6pm term-time only. The non-emergency number for Greater Manchester Police is 0161 875 5050.

 

You may be frightened, ashamed, or worried, but you're certainly not alone.

What is sexual assault?

Sexual assault can be anything from bum pinching and name calling to rape and coercion. The perpetrator often knows the victim; it could be a partner, colleague or friend, or it could be a stranger. Either way, it's never the victim's fault.

 

Where can I get help if I've been sexually assaulted?

Advisors

You can find our trained advisor, Rebekah, on the first floor of the Union.  Ask at reception if you don't know where to find them.  They are available to listen, and provide you with advice on where to go next. 

Welfare Officer, and Women's Officer

There are many places and people you can turn to for help. For a start, you're welcome to talk to Hannah, the welfare officer, or Sylvia, the women's officer, confidentially, either about what happened, how you feel, or what you want to do now (or if you just need somewhere quiet and safe to be on campus). Thye can put you in touch with relevant people if you need further help, or wish to take further action.

 

St Mary's Centre

St Mary's provides for anyone in the Greater Manchester area who has been raped or sexually assaulted, recently or in the past. They offer emotional support such as counselling and support through criminal proceedings, testing for STIs, and medical examinations. The centre provides support for children, and both men and women. They will not contact the police without your consent.
St Mary's Centre
You can call them on 0161 276 6515

 

The Police

If you report a crime to the police you will automatically be offered the services of St Mary's Centre

 

Manchester Survivors

Help and support:

Manchester Survivors

 

How do I support someone who's been sexually assaulted?

The most important thing is to believe them, and not blame them. Our society often puts blame on people for assaults happening to them based on their personality, their dress, their behaviour and intoxication. No one is ever to blame but the perpetrator, so make sure your friend knows that. If someone doesn't want to go to the police that's their choice, but being checked for STIs is really important, and seeking counselling may be helpful.

 

Student Travel and Discount Cards

Students can get reduced fares and other discounts by applying for the various cards listed below. You must be under 26 or a full-time student.

To apply you may need the following (but check out on-line applications below):

• Some proof of age such as a passport, driving licence or birth certificate
• Letter from the University to prove full-time student status
• An NUS Card which is available from the Students' Union - see below
• Passport photograph (available cheaply from photograph booths)
• If 26 and over you may be required to have application forms stamped by the University

NUS Extra Card

Manchester University students can get an NUS Extra Card for £11 from the Students' Union Foyer, Oxford Road.

Student Railcards

You can buy Student Railcards from Young Person's Railcard. You can also get Student Railcards from rail station booking offices.

Manchester Buses

Unirider card valid for all Stagecoach and Magic Bus buses. Available from Box Office, Academy 1, Oxford Road.

Student Coachcards

You can buy 16 to 26 Coachcards from National Express.

NUS Cards

The NUS Extra card offers a wide range of discounts including some travel discounts. Buy it directly from NUS.

ISIC Cards

The International Student Identity Card offers a wide range of discounts including some travel discounts. Get one from ISICcard.com.