Issue 5 - Hilary Term 2013
Welcome to the latest issue of Student News, containing a roundup of information on news and events from the University. Check out the Student Gateway or follow us on Twitter for up-to-the minute information.Latest News
- Trinity Term 2013 Mock Exams and Exam Orientation
- New online 'print and send' procedure for Tier 4 student visa applications in the UK
- Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) applications
- Chinese Government Scholarships – closes Tuesday 19 March
- Graduate Photography Competition ends Friday 15 March
- Looking for accommodation in Oxford?
Latest News
Trinity Term 2013 Mock Exams and Exam Orientation
The Exam Schools will be holding three mock exam sessions in Week 3 of Trinity Term as follows:
- Tuesday 7 May: 14:30-17:30 – Mock Exam 1
- Thursday 9 May: 14:30-17:30 – Mock Exam 2
- Friday 10 May: 09:30-12:30 – Mock Exam 3
Each session will be a fully invigilated 3-hour exam, designed to mirror true exams as much as possible and will be followed by a Question and Answer Session.
They will also be hosting the following 60-minute exam orientation sessions in a separate room to the Mock Exam sessions for students who do not wish to stay for the full 3 hours:
- Tuesday 7 May: 14:30-15:30 – Orientation Session
- Thursday 9 May: 14:30-15:30 – Orientation Session 2
Each session will give you the opportunity to experience what happens on your arrival for an exam and to hear the rules and regulations regarding your exam, such as what you can/can not take into an exam room and exam conduct. You will have an opportunity to ask questions to both invigilators and exam staff.
Please ensure you sign-up to the Mock Exam session(s) or the Orientation you wish to attend via the Mock Exam WebLearn site. If you have not signed up to previous mock exam sessions you must join this Site to be able to Sign-up, by clicking the 'Site Info' link, then click the [Join this site] button and click the 'Home' link to return to the home screen. You will need to Sign-up from within your own account, so that you can receive updates nearer the time. If you sign up for a session and are no longer able to attend, please cancel your booking so that we can arrange the room space effectively.
The sessions aim to be as real as possible to allow you to experience the atmosphere and the emotions of sitting an exam, with the hope that it will better prepare you for the real thing. Please read the Information Sheet available on the WebLearn site before you attend the session. You will be sent confirmation of your sign-up nearer the time confirming the session/s you have signed up for.
New online 'print and send' procedure for Tier 4 student visa applications in the UK
The UK Border Agency has introduced a new application option for Tier 4 student visas. You can now complete the form and pay online. The print-out of the completed form and your supporting documents then need to be posted to UKBA or you can book and attend an in-person appointment. People using the new system have so far reported faster processing times. You can set up an account and access the form on the UKBA website.
The University Visa and Immigration Advisers offer an application checking service called the Batch Scheme for UK Tier 4 applications including this new ‘print and send’ procedure. If you are applying by ‘print and send’ through the Batch Scheme, arrange your checking appointment before you finalise the form by either confirming the declaration or paying, as it becomes locked after that stage. To make an appointment to use the Batch Scheme or if you want any help with your application, email student.immigration@admin.ox.ac.uk.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) applications
If you need to make an ATAS application as part of a Tier 4 visa application, please see the UK Council for International Student Affairs website for news about closure of the current system and a delay in the operation of the new system.Chinese Government Scholarships – closes Tuesday 19 March
The Chinese Government is offering 3 full Scholarships to non-Chinese citizens who are currently at Oxford to study a variety of disciplines, primarily at postgraduate level, at a wide choice of Chinese universities commencing in the academic year 2013/14. The scholarships offer up to 7 years of funding, including up to 2 years of Chinese language tuition (if needed). The deadline for receipt of all application materials is Tuesday 19 March 2013 in the Study Abroad Office, Examination Schools. For further information visit the Fees and Funding website.Graduate Photography Competition ends Friday 15 March
The 2013 Graduate Photography Competition, ‘Behind the Scenes’, will close on Friday, 15 March. Submitted photos will appear, fully credited, in both print and online publications publicising Oxford’s graduate courses.
This year there has been a weekly £20 Amazon prize for the best college photos submitted throughout the competition. Winners include Mimi Zou, DPhil in Law (St John’s College), Jessica MacArthur, MSc Water Science, Policy and Management (Harris Manchester College), Selma Mezetovic, Magister Juris (Lady Margaret Hall) and Ariel Alexovich, MBA (The Queen’s College).
Photos can be entered on the University webpage and favourite college photos are displayed on the Graduate Admissions and Funding Pinterest profile.