international student handbook - City College Brighton and Hove

INTERNATIONAL
STUDENT
HANDBOOK
www.ccb.ac.uk
Contents
Welcome
I’d like to wish you a very warm welcome to City
College Brighton and Hove. Having been graded
‘Outstanding’ in key areas by Ofsted and with our
success rates making us one of the top Colleges in the
country, this is an exciting time for the College and I
can promise you an excellent learning experience.
We’ve got fantastic staff who are committed to helping
you achieve and we’ll make sure that you get whatever
support you need to reach your goals. I hope you’ll
enjoy settling into life at the College and I’m sure it
won’t be long before you feel very much part of our
friendly and vibrant community.
Lynn Thackway, Principal
Contents
Welcome.................................1 Keeping In Touch
With Home.............................14
Personal Details......................4
Personal Safety.....................16
INternational Team................5
Feeling Safe at the
Maps of College Buildings....6
College..................................18
The City of Brighton
Fire Safety..............................18
and Hove.................................8
Equality and Diversity..........18
Where is Brighton and
Hove?.......................................9 Bullying...................................20
Travelling Within The UK.......10 E-Safety..................................22
Culture Shock.......................12 Student Information.............24
Our Mission:
Our Core Values:
City College will work in partnership
to deliver high quality education and
training for today’s and tomorrow’s
workforce.
Achieve
A place where people enjoy
achieving together
Our Vision:
To be an outstanding centre for
education and training.
Feedback and
Complaints............................26
Expectations of
Behaviour..............................28
Misconduct Procedure.......30
Absence Policy.....................32
Making The Most Of
Your Visit.................................34
Helpful Websites...................36
Useful Apps............................37
The International Team’s
Guide To Brighton.................38
Religion..................................46
Opportunity
Creating opportunities to achieve
Believe
We believe we will achieve high
standards
Respect
Celebrate differences respect
individuals
Lynn Thackway, Principal
Support
Learning & supporting students is at
the heart of everything we do
Creativity
We applaud creativity, innovation
and responsiveness
Teamwork
Achieving results
through teamwork
EMERGENCY
CONTACT
In the event of an emergency
please contact our dedicated
helpline: +44 (0) 7771 771160
www.ccb.ac.uk/public/international
Team
Personal Details
Name
Address
Telephone Number
Email
INternational Team
Course
Course Code
Emergency
Contact
Person Code
You will be given your
student ID card when you
enrol. You must wear this
at all times whilst you are
on college premises. You
must show this card if you
are asked to do so by a
member of staff.
HELEN
KELLAR
JO
COHEN
International Manager
Academic
Co-Ordinator
See
for:
See
for:
•Course
advice
•Course
advice
•Complaints
•English
enquiries
•Issues
with
staff
•Issues
with
staff
•Visa
information
•Attendance
GIULIA
SAMONATI
Paul Fawcett
International
Student
Officer
International Project Officer
See
for:
See
for:
•Course
advice
•Course
advice
•Accommodation
•Group schedules
•Welfare
support
•Group classrooms
•Admissions
•Social
activities
•Visa
information
•Social
activities
Do feel free to come
into the International
Office for a chat, if you
are missing home or
just to tell us what a
great time you are
having at City College!
Paul Fawcett, International Project Officer
4
www.ccb.ac.uk/public/international
Map
Maps of College
Buildings
Central Campus
Pelham Tower
Pelham Street
Brighton BN1 4FA
The resident
population of Brighton
and Hove is estimated
to be over 250,000
source: State of the City Report Summary,
Brighton & Hove City Council
Telephone: 01273 667788
Fax: 01273 667703
Email: info@ccb.ac.uk
Brighton
Racecourse
East Campus
Wilson Avenue,
Brighton BN2 5PB
Telephone: 01273 667788
Fax: 01273 667703
Email: info@ccb.ac.uk
Brighton
Marina
6
www.ccb.ac.uk/public/international
Brighton and Hove
The City of
Brighton and Hove
Welcome to the City of Brighton and
Hove, one of Europe’s most vibrant
locations and famous for its elegant
historic architecture, exciting nightlife
and varied arts and cultural scene.
This beautiful seaside city is friendly,
free-spirited and fun and often
described as “Little London by the
sea”, but unlike the UK’s capital, it is
stress-free and easy to walk around.
The arts are part of everyday life
and you will see art and sculpture
on the streets and seafront with
galleries showing work by new and
more established artists. There’s
an enormous choice of cafes,
restaurants and shops to suit all tastes
or you can quickly escape to the
countryside which is easily accessible
by car, bus or train.
The lively city of Brighton and Hove
is an ideal place for international
students and teachers, with
two universities and many
language schools.
Brighton is less than an hour to
London by train, 30 minutes from
London Gatwick Airport and easy
access to mainland Europe by ferry
from Newhaven.
Brighton and Hove is a great place
to live and study. With its vibrant,
diverse and easy-going atmosphere,
you can have a good time here
without even trying!
Where is
Brighton
and Hove?
Landmarks
The beach is where people go
to relax and meet up with friends,
especially when the sun is shining,
and the newly developed
seafront has plenty of restaurants
and cafes, and even open air
basketball and volleyball courts
and children’s play areas.
Brighton Pier attracts hundreds
of thousands of visitors each
year. It is the second busiest free
tourist attraction in the country
with the biggest funfair on the
South Coast. Visitors love the
traditional English seaside food
and amusements arcades.
The Brighton Pavilion was
remodelled in Indian style
by John Nash (1815-1825) for
George Prince Regent and later
George IV. The Pavilion houses
special events throughout the
year, such as art installations,
Christmas markets and an ice rink
during the winter months.
Edinburgh
Manchester
Scotland’s beautiful
capital city.
8 hours by train
1 hour flight from Gatwick
International airport
and cultural city.
5 hours by train
30 min flight
London
Heathrow Airport
The UK’s premier
International airport.
1hr 55 mins by train
The world’s greatest
capital city is within easy
reach of Brighton.
Offering music, theatre,
arts and history.
50 mins by train
Gatwick Airport
The UK’s second
largest International
airport.
30 mins by train
Brighton
& Hove
8
www.ccb.ac.uk/public/international
Travelling
Travelling
Within The UK
City College Brighton and Hove has
its own travel agency, City Travel,
which is located on the second floor
of Pelham Tower, next to the library.
Trains: You can find out information
about train times and fares by calling
National Rail enquiries on 08457
484950 or by visiting their website:
www.nationalrail.co.uk
Coaches: National Express Coaches
and Mega Bus both operate
coaches from Pool Valley Bus station
in Brighton. Coaches are cheaper
than trains, but the journey is usually
longer. For more information check
out www.nationalexpress.com or
uk.megabus.com
Local Transport: Brighton and Hove
has a good bus transport system with
regular buses.
For further information visit their
website www.buses.co.uk or call
01273 886200.
Brighton has a
frequent 24-hour bus
service, but for most
Brighton is a small
compact city easy to
get across on foot.
source: State of the City Report Summary,
Brighton & Hove City Council
Taxis: Taxis in Brighton and Hove
are coloured white and turquoise.
There is a sign on the roof saying
“TAXI”. These can be found in ranks
throughout the city, or can be hailed
by raising your hand if the Taxi sign is
illuminated. We strongly advise you
not to enter any “minicab” car which
does not fit this description, as it is
not licensed and therefore less safe.
You can also order a taxi by phone
(01273 202020) and requesting that a
taxi pick you up at particular time.
During your stay in the UK
always keep a photocopy
of the page in your passport
showing your personal
details and your visa if you
have one.
If you need to register
with the police, also keep
a copy of your police
registration certificate
somewhere safe.
10
www.ccb.ac.uk/public/international
Culture
Culture Shock
When you arrive in a different culture,
you may experience culture shock.
We understand that you will have
been separated from the important
people in your life and are in a new
environment, speaking a different
language.
Culture shock is not usually sudden,
but comes as the period of
excitement at arriving in a new
country fades. Differences may start
to frustrate you and you may feel
confused and isolated. Symptoms
you may experience are sleep loss,
appetite loss, lack of concentration
and fatigue.
This is a difficult phase for new
students but please remember that
it is usually temporary and other
students may be feeling the same, so
you are not alone!
Please go to www.ukcisa.org.uk
to find out more about
culture shock.
There’s a really good
support system at
City College so you’re
able to focus on your
learning in a safe and
happy environment.
Mustafa // Turkey
Each May the city hosts
the Brighton Festival,
the second largest arts
festival in the UK.
source: State of the City Report Summary,
Brighton & Hove City Council
How can I cope with
culture shock?
•Keep in touch with home
•Have some familiar things
around you
•Cook some familiar food
•Talk to the International Team,
who will listen sympathetically
•Understanding that culture
shock is normal and that it is just
a process of adapting to a new
environment helps
•Take part in activities around
Brighton and Hove
•Make friends with other
international students and students
from your own country who
are likely to experience culture
shock. Try to make friends with UK
students so that you can learn
about each other’s cultures. We
run social activities so that you can
make friends with other students
•You may wish to go to a place
of worship
12
www.ccb.ac.uk/public/international
KeEping in Touch
Keeping In Touch
With PEOPLE AT Home
Post Offices
Email
Telephone
Post offices are generally open from
09.00 - 17.30 from Monday to Friday,
09.00 -12.30 on Saturday and closed
on Sunday. There are 2 types of mail
for UK: first class, which should take 1
day to arrive and is more expensive
and second class, which should take
2 or 3 days to arrive. The Royal Mail
has various options for sending items
overseas, so ask at your post office
about the best way to send. There is
a post office at 94/101 London Road.
When you have enrolled, you will be
given a username and password.
You will then have free access to
the internet at college, so you will be
able to email freely using computers
in the library.
Public telephones can be found in
most public places. There is a public
telephone on the ground floor of
the college. Most public phones
will accept coins, although it is
much cheaper to phone overseas
using an international telephone
card, sold at most newsagents and
post offices. The rates are normally
displayed on posters. Different cards
are cheaper for different countries, so
check before you buy what the rate
is to your country. If you need help
making a call, dial 100 for
the operator.
I made friends with other
international students and also
UK students who introduced me
to their culture. I really like Brighton
in general because of the variety
of culture, restaurants, pubs, clubs
and the fact that it felt like a safe
environment to live in.
Giles // Cameroon
To make international
calls, dial 00 followed
by the country code
and then the number
(usually omitting the first
0 of your number).
Mobile Phones
Mobile phones are very common in
the UK. If you have a mobile phone
an international sim card can be
one of the best ways to cut your
roaming costs and international
calling expenses. To do this, you need
to check that your phone is:
•Tri or Quad Band Mobile Phone
(most phones today are)
•Unlocked (not tied to a
specific network)
There are several shops nearby
the College that can help you
with this, such as:
Mobile Phone Centre
77 London Road,
Brighton, BN1 4JF
01273 606242
If you meet these basic guidelines,
you can keep your current mobile
phone and simply change the SIM
card in the back. It will instantly give
you a local number, lower cost calls
and you will totally avoid all roaming
charges that are traditional when
you use your phone abroad.
Carphone Warehouse Ltd
Churchill Square,
Brighton, BN1 2TD
0870 168 2200
Phones 4 U
62 North Street,
Brighton, BN1 1SQ
01273 773415.
14
www.ccb.ac.uk/public/international
Safety
Personal Safety
Brighton is a relatively safe city, but
as in the case with all cities, some
people may experience problems.
If you go out at night, you should try
not to be alone and always take
precautions:
•Try to find routes that are well-lit
and busy
•Walk on the pavements and when
crossing the street, remember that
vehicles travel on the left hand side
of the road
•Avoid putting yourself at risk by
taking shortcuts through parks or
alleyways
•Don’t carry large amounts of cash
•Always carry enough change
and/or amobile phone to make a
call or take a taxi if you need one
•If you feel that you are being
followed, move to a public area,
such as a restaurant or bar, and
telephone for help
•Don’t accept drinks from strangers
or leave your drink unattended
•Be aware of others around you at
cash point machines and try not to
use them in badly lit areas. Try to go
to the cash point with a friend
Laws in the UK
•Have your keys ready before
you reach the door of your car
or home
•Carry your bag close to you, but if
someone grabs your bag, let it go.
Your safety is more important
•When travelling by bus, sit
downstairs where the driver and
other passengers can see you
•In an emergency, dial 999
•The police in this country are
generally approachable and
friendly. They will be happy to
help you
Each year around 35,000
international students come to
Brighton to study English, some
stay for a few weeks, some for
more than a year.
source: State of the City Report Summary,
Brighton & Hove City Council
•You must not carry drugs with
you unless they have been
prescribed by a doctor. You must
not use any illegal drugs including
cannabis, ecstasy, LSD
or amphetamines
•It is illegal to carry any sort of
weapon including knives
•You must be over 18 to buy
tobacco oralcohol. You may be
asked for ID if you want to buy
these products
If you have any
problems in College or
outside of College, the
staff are always there to
listen and help.
Elham // Iran
In an
emergency,
dial 999
16
www.ccb.ac.uk/public/international
Feeling Safe in the College
Feeling Safe
in the College
Fire Safety
On discovering a fire:
•Sound the nearest fire alarm and
leave the building immediately
•Go to the appropriate assembly
area in the car park. On the way
inform the Duty Caretaker of the
location of the fire
On hearing the fire alarm:
•Look at the Fire Evacuation
Symbols in your classroom:
•Follow emergency exit signs to the
appropriate assembly area in the
car park. Please stand under the
sign with the same symbol as the
one in your classroom
Equality and
Diversity
We believe that the College and our
courses should be open, accessible
and welcoming to people from
all backgrounds, and we will work
to create an environment where
everyone feels safe, respected and
listened to.
Any discrimination
towards individuals or
groups of people is
unacceptable and will
be directly challenged.
We have an Equality and
Diversity Policy to ensure that no
existing or potential student receives
less favourable treatment than
any other on the grounds of race,
sexuality, colour, nationality, ethnic
or national origin, disability, gender,
age, marital status, religion or
socioeconomic circumstances.
•Do not stop to collect
personal belongings
•Do not use the lifts
•Do not re-enter the building
until authorised
The tutors were
very enthusiastic
and there was
plenty of support.
Leticia // Brazil
18
www.ccb.ac.uk/public/international
Feeling Safe in the College
Bullying
What is bullying? What do I do
Bullying is the act of being aggressive if I am a victim
and behaving in inappropriate ways,
or witness
hurting other people physically or
of bullying?
emotionally.
Bullying can take place in different
ways. Here are some examples:
•Physical bullying: pushing, kicking,
hitting, punching
•Verbal bullying: name-calling,
laughing at someone, making
nasty comments, mocking,
spreading lies about someone
•Emotional bullying: being unfriendly,
excluding someone from social
groups, making someone feel
unhappy, forcing someone to do
something they don’t want to do,
embarrassing someone in public
•Cyberbullying: bullying that takes
place online, through texts or
social media, for example sending
threatening messages, circulating
inappropriate photos, telling lies
about someone
Bullying may happen to an
individual because of their race,
religion, gender, sexual orientation,
age or any personal characteristic
of the person.
You are entitled to be in the college
and learn free from harassment,
threats and intimidation. If you think
you (or someone you know) are
being bullied, take action!
•Talk to the International Student
Officer or a member of the
International team
•Text 07624 802762 starting your
message with CCBHSTOPIT
•Use the STOPIT button on the
Moodle homepage
We will take seriously any incidents
you tell us about. We will listen and
take action. We will also support
you in dealing with the person
responsible for bullying.
What happens to
anyone accused
of bullying?
If a student reports a bullying incident
a member of staff will conduct an
investigation. This will involve talking to
all people concerned, including staff
and other witnesses.
The action we take will depend on
the seriousness of the incident, the
reactions of the people involved and
the wishes of the victim. In serious
cases students may be excluded
from College.
Any action will be taken following our
Disciplinary procedure for managing
students’ behaviour.
Any action involving staff members
will be handled in accordance
with the City College disciplinary
procedure.
It’s a good college to
come to because you’ve
got all the resources that
you need and if you ever
need any support, it’s
available to you.
Jamila // Bangladesh
If you wish to read more about
this topic, ask a member of the
International team for a copy of City
College student policy on bullying
and harassment.
Any form of
bullying is
absolutely
unacceptable
and will not
be tolerated
20
www.ccb.ac.uk/public/international
Feeling Safe in the College
E-Safety
Our computers, online resources
and networks are a great source of
information that we want you to use
to help with your studies. We expect
all our students to use these resources
responsibly and safely.
•Do not leave your computer
unlocked when you leave a room,
or let others use it when you are
logged in
We make every effort to ensure you
stay safe when using our technology,
but we ask that you:
•Think very carefully about who can
see any content you post online
before you do so. Would you be
happy for strangers, parents or
possible future employers to see it?
•Report any online abuse,
bullying, racism or harassment
you experience or are aware of.
Use the STOP IT button, or tell the
International Student Officer
•Never tell anyone your password
(including IT staff)
•Do not put personal information on
public sites, forums or blogs
•Do not give your home or mobile
phone number to people you do
not know
•Do not become ‘friends’ with
people on social networking sites
that you do not know
•Do not open email attachments if
you do not trust the sender
•Do not take or copy content
(including images) from the
internet unless the site says you can
do so
•Remember that people online
may not be who they say they are.
Online ‘friends’ are really strangers,
no matter how many times you
have chatted with them, unless
you know and trust them in the
‘offline world’
•Have a secure password (use
numbers, letters and symbols)
The course
helped make me
more confident.
Minako // Japan
22
www.ccb.ac.uk/public/international
Information
Student Information
Studying at City
College
Learning
Resource Centre
The study methods here at City
College may be different from
those you are used to in your home
country. Many courses are assessed
by written assignment and you may
also need to do oral presentations.
You may need to work in small
groups to produce a piece of work.
A very useful source of information
about the study methods in the UK
can be found at www.ukcisa.org.uk
and we would recommend that
you read this so that you know what
to expect.
The Learning Resource Centre (LRC)
contains materials and information
relevant to all courses taught at
the College. There are over 35,000
books, over 300 current periodicals,
over 2,000 DVDs and videos and a
collection of music CDs. There are
46 computers which have internet
access, Microsoft applications,
electronic resources, e-books and
access to Moodle, the College’s
Virtual Learning Environment. There
are colour and black and white
printers, as well as two high quality
photocopiers. To use the computers
and photocopiers you will need a
username and password which will
be issued to you when you enrol.
Your course tutor should provide
you with an induction on how to
use the computer services at the
College. LRC users have access to
video, DVD and audio playback.
There is also access to a wealth of
streamed media via the College’s
intranet. Accommodation also
includes Group Study Rooms and a
Silent Study Area, as well as informal
seating near to the fiction and the
current magazines. All students
studying part-time and full-time
courses are entitled to join the
LRC and receive the full range
of services.
It may take a while to get
accustomed to the English accent,
especially if you have learned
American English previously. You
can listen to voices at the following
website: www.bbc.co.uk
The relationship between students
and their tutors may be less formal
than in your home country, but most
international students appreciate the
help and support they are able to
receive from their tutors.
You will be given your Library card
when you enrol on your course. Your
Library account will be active from
the following morning and you’ll be
able to start borrowing materials and
using the facilities immediately.
Data Protection
The College keeps records about
students to make it possible for tutors
and other staff to monitor progress.
All data is kept and used according
to the relevant Data Protection
legislation.
If you have concerns about how
your personal data is used and
stored, or wish to exercise your
rights under the Data Protection
Act, please write to the Clerk of the
Corporation, City College Brighton
and Hove, Pelham Street, Brighton.
Such wonderful facilities
and in such a brilliant city!
Marta // Spain
Learning
Resource
Centre
Opening Times
Term-time opening hours:
8.45 - 6.00pm
Monday
8.45am - 8.00pm
Tuesday to Thursday
8.45am - 5.00pm
Friday
Vacation hours:
Please check notice
boards for details.
24
www.ccb.ac.uk/public/international
Feedback
Feedback and
Complaints
City College welcomes all feedback
from students about their time at the
college. If you are unhappy with any
of the services we provide, please
let us know as soon as possible. This
way we can use your comments to
improve future students’ experience.
If you wish to make a complaint,
please write to the International
Manager (hk2@ccb.ac.uk). She will
respond to your complaint quickly
and arrange a meeting to discuss
your feedback.
If you are unhappy with the
decision and wish to make a formal
complaint you can do so by writing
to:
Leadership Office,
City College Brighton and Hove,
Pelham Street, Brighton,
East Sussex BN1 4FA
Complaints will also be accepted
by email. The email address is
quality@ccb.ac.uk
The Quality Team will ensure that a
complaint is logged and sent to the
She will ensure that your complaint
most appropriate member of staff
is handled effectively, fairly and with
for investigation. This will normally
sensitivity towards all people involved.
be a member of the College
Management Team. Please note
that the Quality Team will not be
involved in the investigation. They will
only be able to answer questions
about which stage a complaint has
reached or which member of staff is
responsible for the investigation.
You should expect to receive a
written response within 15 working
days of the College receiving your
formal complaint. If for any reason
the College is unable to meet this
timescale, then we will inform you
of this in writing and advise you of a
revised response time.
My teachers are perfect,
they are very organised and
prepare all lessons. They have
got good ideas and are very
creative to make activities. I’m
very motivated and very glad
with my teachers.
Noemi // Spain
26
www.ccb.ac.uk/public/international
Behaviour
Expectations Of
Behaviour
We have high expectations of
how our students will behave in
college. These expectations are
for all students and apply not just
in the classrooms but in all areas of
the college, for example the LRC,
refectory and corridors. This is so
that everyone has the opportunity
to learn, to do the best they can
and to feel safe and supported. Any
member of staff can challenge your
behaviour and ask you to identify
yourself by showing your college
ID card.
Respect
for Learning
Respect
Each Other
This means that you:
This means that you:
•Attend all your classes
•Are polite and do not use
language that can offend others
Here are our expectations of
your behaviour:
•Co-operate and communicate
with your teachers and other
students
•Arrive before the lesson starts,
ready tostart on time and with the
right equipment
•Will never be violent, aggressive
or intimidate others
•Meet deadlines set for your
course work
•Will not bully or discriminate
against others
•Take an active role in the class
without disrupting lessons
•Listen to your teacher and other
students and allow others to
take part
•Follow the class rules agreed with
your teacher
•Have your mobile phone off or
on silent
•Only bring water into class - no
other drinks or food should be
consumed in class
•Only take on outside work or
commitments if they do not have a
negative affect on your studies
•Look after the College
environment and equipment
•You do not have to accept
behaviour (in or outside the
classroom) that makes you
feel uncomfortable or stops
you learning
You will receive useful
and regular feedback
about your progress and
be set challenging targets
to improve.
Responsibilities
Rights
This means that you:
This means that you can expect that:
•Do the best you possibly can, in
your class and in your college work
•Your classes will be well prepared,
start on time and all students will
have the opportunity to learn
•Set yourself high targets and tough
challenges – believe in yourself
•Meet our standards, expectations
and follow the agreed rules
•Take responsibility for what you do
and say
•Find out about the facilities and
services and opportunities the
college has to offer
•Take up opportunities that
are offered
•Ask for help if you need it, take help
when it is offered
•You will receive useful and regular
feedback about your progress and
be set challenging targets
to improve
•You will be treated politely,
with respect and in a way that
recognises and values your
differences and achievements
•Any poor behaviour, in or out of
the classroom, that affects your
learning will be challenged and
dealt with
•Be proud of yourself and
encourage and support others
•You will receive positive
encouragement and support to
achieve your best
•Learn from mistakes and use them
to improve
•You will be listened to and that the
college will act on what you tell us
•Always carry your college ID card
and show it when asked by a
member of college staff
•You will have a wide range
of opportunities to try new
experiences and learn new skills
If you fail to meet the above
expectations of behaviour you
will go through our misconduct
procedure.
28
www.ccb.ac.uk/public/international
Misconduct
Misconduct Procedure
The Expectations of Student Behaviour set out the
standards we expect of you. If you don’t follow these
guidelines we have a process for managing your
behaviour. It will give you the chance to correct or
change the way you are acting.
There are three stages to the process. The information
below details each stage with examples of misconduct.
These are just examples; please note that we will
consider every case of misbehaviour individually.
If you have a learning difficulty or disability that
directly affects your behaviour, then this will be taken
into account.
Stage 1: FORMAL WARNING given to
you by any tutor or college manager
Minor misbehaviour
•Behaviour that is disruptive to
teaching and which affects your
learning and that of others
Stage 2: FORMAL REVIEW a meeting
with your tutor or Team Leader to
discuss your behaviour
Stage 3: FORMAL HEARING /
INVESTIGATION with the Director of
the curriculum area
Serious Misconduct
Major Misconduct
•No change in behaviour
following warning
•Highly offensive language or
behaviour (including bullying and
cyber-bullying) especially if of a
racist, homophobic or sexist nature
or an intolerance towards people
with disabilities
•Not following reasonable
instructions
•Use of language or behaviour that
offends others
•Using mobile phones or iPods
in class
•Breach of the IT Acceptable
Use Agreement including
inappropriate messages or images
or misuse of social network sites
•Chatting and not listening
•Low level swearing
Outcome: Up to 3 formal warnings
then you move to Stage 2.
•Minor damage to equipment/
buildings/others’ property
•Being at the college under
influence of alcohol or drugs
•Inappropriate behaviour on a
college trip or event
•Breach of College health and
safety regulations
•Refusal to follow reasonable
instructions by a member of staff
Outcome: An action plan which you
sign to agree how you will change
your behaviour. If no change then
you move to Stage 3.
•Serious breach of the college IT
Acceptable Use Policy including
cyber-bullying, offensive messages
or images or breach of computer
network security
•Violence or serious threats of
violence to staff or students or
members of the public related to
the College’s business
•Taking or selling drugs
•Theft from a student, member of
staff or of college property
•Causing a serious risk to staff,
student or their own health and
safety
•Carrying or using an offensive
weapon or threatening to do so
•Actions which seriously affect the
reputation of the College and
bring it into disrepute
Outcome: An action plan for
change. Recommendation for
exclusion from the College.
At each stage you will be asked how you are going to change your
behaviour with an action plan which you agree to. If your behaviour does
not improve then you may move through the stages and finally be asked to
leave the College.
This process will be applied fairly, consistently and start from the beginning of
your course.
30
www.ccb.ac.uk/public/international
Absence Policy
Absence Policy
You are expected to attend 100%
of your classes and tutorials and to
arrive before the start of the lesson
properly equipped and prepared.
You must inform the International
Office as soon as possible if you
have genuine reasons for lateness or
absence. You must tell someone in
the International Office, NOT
your teacher.
You can inform the International
Office of your absence in these ways:
•In person: come to see us in
room PT2.12
Authorised absences may include:
Unauthorised absences include:
If you are sick:
•Sickness supported by a medical
certificate or doctor’s letter
•Any holiday taken during term time
•If you are sick on the day of
your lesson you must inform the
International Office at least 30
minutes before the start of the
lesson by phone or email
•Unavoidable medical
appointments
•Court appearances
•Appointments with government
or voluntary organisations
•Funerals
•Personal/social reasons for not
attending college
•Lateness for no good reason
•Sickness not supported by a
medical certificate
If your absence is unauthorised it will
affect your attendance.
•Religious holidays
If your absence is authorised it will not
affect your attendance.
•By phone: call us on 01273 667752
•By email: write to
intapps@ccb.ac.uk or
missclass@ccb.ac.uk
Try to keep appointments out of
College hours where possible and
ensure you do not take on any other
commitments that clash with time
at college.
We can authorise your absence
only if:
•It is agreed in advance with a
member of the International Office
•Every attempt has been made to
schedule external appointments at
non-college time
32
You must inform the
International Office as
soon as possible if you
have genuine reasons for
lateness or absence.
•If you are sick for more than one
day you must inform us every day
that you are missing class
•If you are sick for 3 days or
more you must provide a
doctor’s certificate
If you inform us of your sickness less
than 30 minutes before the start
of your lesson the absence will be
unauthorised and will affect your
attendance.
Absences due to sickness will only
be authorised at discretion of the
International Office. If we believe your
sickness is not genuine we reserve
the right to mark your absence as
unauthorised.
If your attendance
is bad:
If your attendance falls below 85%, if
you are regularly late or if we notice
a pattern in your absence or lateness
you will have go through our
warning procedure:
During every meeting you will agree
an action plan to improve your
behaviour. The Academic
Co-ordinator will also arrange a
review meeting to follow-up on your
action plan.
Type of
Warning
Member of
Staff
If your behaviour does not improve
and you continue to be absent or
late you may be excluded from the
college and no refund will be given.
Initial verbal
warning
Your tutor,
International
Academic
Co-ordinator
The International Office can, in
exceptional circumstances, make
special arrangements for students
with specific needs.
First written
warning
International
Academic
Co-ordinator
This must be agreed in writing at the
beginning of the course.
Second written
warning
International
Manager,
International
Academic
Co-ordinator
IF YOUR ATTENDANCE AT THE
END OF THE COURSE IS LESS
THAN 80% YOU WILL NOT
RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE
If you are late:
•We expect all our students to be in
class on time
•If you arrive 30 minutes after the
lesson has started you will not
be allowed into class and will be
asked to return after the break
•You will be marked absent for
that lesson
www.ccb.ac.uk/public/international
Your Visit
Making The Most
Of Your Visit
We hope that you will have
an enjoyable and rewarding
experience whilst you are here. We
have put together some information
which we hope you will find useful
and will help you settle in here in
Brighton. Please remember that we
are here to help you and if you ever
need any assistance we are happy
to talk to you in the International
Office located on the 2nd floor in
Pelham Tower, Room PT2.12.
Cinemas
Theatres
Odeon Cinema
West St Brighton, BN1 2RE
0871 224 4007
Brighton Dome
29 New Road, Brighton, BN1 1UG
01273 709709
UCG Cineworld Cinema
Brighton Marina, Brighton, BN2 5UF
Theatre Royal
35 Bond St, Brighton, BN1 1SD
01273 328488
Important
numbers
Dukes at Komedia
44-47 Gardner Street, North Laine,
Brighton, BN1 1UN
Helen Kellar
International Manager
01273 667788 ext 571
Jo Cohen
International & Academic
Studies Co-ordinator
01273 667788 ext 2584
Giulia Samonati
International Student Officer
01273 667752
Paul Fawcett
International Project Officer
01273 667788 ext 422
Duke of York Cinema - Independent
Cinema
Preston Circus, Brighton, BN1 4NA
0870 755 1228
Brighton has about 400
restaurants, more per
head than anywhere
else outside London.
source: State of the City Report Summary,
Brighton & Hove City Council
The history of this beautiful Grade
II listed building dates back almost
200 years. The Prince of Wales gave
his Royal Assent for the building of a
Theatre on the New Road site in the
summer of 1806. Following this the
Theatre in its original format was built
in an unprecedented 10 months and
first opened its doors to the public
on Saturday June 27th 1807 with
a performance of Hamlet starring
Charles Kemble of Drury Lane.
Komedia Brighton
44 Gardner Street, North Laine,
Brighton, BN1 1UN
01273 647100
Libraries
The Brighton Centre
Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 2GR
01273 290131
Public Library
Brighton is very lucky to have a
well resourced, modern library.
Moreover, it is only 5 minutes’ walk
from the College:
Concorde 2
Madeira Dr, Brighton, BN2 1EN
01273 673311
Brighton’s premier live entertainment
venue presents one of the largest,
most diverse arts and entertainment
programmes in the UK.
To find out more about live music
in Brighton, see
www.whatson.brighton.co.uk
Brighton Dome
With three historic spaces
under one roof – the
concert hall, the Corn
Exchange and the Pavilion
Theatre – Brighton Dome
is one of the most versatile
and stylish venues in the
south. Built for the Prince
of Wales (later to become
George IV) and steeped in
Regency history, it is part
of the glorious Royal
Pavilion Estate.
34
Live Music
Jubilee Library
Jubilee Street, Brighton, BN1 1GE
You can borrow books, DVDs and
music CDs, audiobooks, graphic
novels and use the IT centre.
Opening times are:
Monday 10.00am - 7.00pm
Tuesday 10.00am - 7.00pm
Wednesday 10.00am - 5.00pm
Thursday 10.00am - 8.00pm
Friday 10.00am - 5.00pm
Saturday 10.00am - 4.00pm
Sunday 11.00am - 4.00pm
www.ccb.ac.uk/public/international
Helpful Websites
Helpful Websites
Here are some useful websites to
help you make the most of your time
in Brighton:
www.visitbrighton.com - The official
tourism guide to Brighton
www.welovebrighton.com - For
events, local reviews, listings, offers
and competitions
www.brightonsource.co.uk - For
events and music listings
www.theargus.co.uk - The local
newspaper
www.nationalrail.co.uk - For train
times and prices
www.buses.co.uk - For bus timetables
and live departure information
There are over 450
different sports clubs
and groups in the city
from hang gliding to
windsurfing - get involved!
source: State of the City Report Summary,
Brighton & Hove City Council
Useful Apps
Brighton and
Hove Buses
Look up live departures, timetables
and journey information within
Brighton and Hove.
Brighton
Official Visitor
App
Yell
The Trainline
Your guide to local businesses such
as taxis, restaurants, fast food and
shopping. Including maps, reviews,
opening hours and images.
This app will give you information
and prices for train journeys as well
as departure and arrival times on
scheduled trains, as well as live
information on trains across the UK.
London Tube
With this app you can navigate your
way around London on the Tube.
This app contains: Food & Drink,
What’s On, Attractions, Museums,
Shopping and Tourist Information.
36
www.ccb.ac.uk/public/international
Guide to Brighton
The International Team’s
Guide To Brighton
Favourite
Restaurant
For a tasty, healthy feast I like Foodilic,
an all you can eat buffet on Western
Road. I’m a vegetarian and there is a
lot to choose from but the restaurant
also caters for meat eaters.
Helen Kellar,
International
Manager
Favourite thing
about living in
Brighton
Having the sea on my doorstep,
being surrounded by countryside
but with all the buzz of a
cosmopolitan city.
Favourite Bar
During the summer months you can’t
beat the Fortune of War on Brighton
seafront. You can enjoy a drink in
the sun on the beachfront or if it’s
stormy then go inside and the wood
panelled walls and ropes make
you feel like you’re in a boat. For a
Sunday roast I recommend the Lion
and Lobster on Sillwood Street, a cosy
atmosphere with plenty of space for
groups and on Sunday evening they
have live jazz music.
Favourite Night
Club/Live Music
Throughout May the streets come
alive with the Brighton Festival and on
every corner you’ll find a musician,
busker and performer playing to
passers-by and it’s all free!
Favourite thing
to do on a rainy
day
Go to see a film at the Dukes in the
Komedia – a great little cinema in
the heart of the North Laine.
Favourite place
in the UK
A difficult question! I love the raw, wild
nature of Scotland and the sandy
beaches of Devon and Cornwall but
in my opinion there’s nowhere quite
like Sussex. Quaint villages, vibrant
Brighton, the rolling hills of the South
Downs and the sea, and all within
reach of London.
Favourite Event
Apple Day at Middle Farm - live
music, a country fayre, fresh farm
food and lots of apples! Just outside
Lewes in October.
Favourite
activity
around
Brighton
Exploring the city and the
surrounding countryside
by bike – from seafront
cyclepaths to forest
trails, the best way to get
around is by bike!
38
In my opinion there’s nowhere
quite like Sussex. Quaint villages,
vibrant Brighton, the rolling hills of
the South Downs and the sea
and all within reach of London.
Helen kellar, international manager
www.ccb.ac.uk/public/international
Guide to Brighton
Favourite
activity around
Brighton
I like to walk in the South Downs
National Park. It is the perfect way
to blow away the cobwebs and
there’s a huge array of scenery
right on Brighton’s doorstep, from
dramatic cliffs and valleys to tiny
market villages.
Favourite Bar
Paul FAwcett,
International
Project Officer
Favourite thing
about living in
Brighton
It has to be it’s location – a diverse,
busy town which is next to the sea
and pretty much in a National Park.
What more can you ask for?
I love a good pint, my favourite
being from the Darkstar brewery. In
Brighton you are spoilt for choice
when it comes to places to drink.
There’s a wide range, from quiet ‘old
man’ pubs to loud party pubs full
of people getting ready to have a
big one. As I’m getting on a bit now,
I prefer to take it easy in the Great
Eastern on Trafalgar Street or the
Shakespeare’s Head in Seven Dials.
Favourite Night
Club/Live Music
The Loft on Ship Street hosts some of
my favourite DJs and is a small venue
for those in the know. It’s a bit of an
older crowd and music is the key.
There’s no attitude, just good vibes
and people wanting to have a good
old rave up.
Favourite Restaurant
Firstly, let me just say I’m a big fan of eating! I love to eat
many different things from all over the world, but my
favourite place to eat in Brighton has to be BBQ Shack
at the World’s End Pub. They do THE best meat dishes in
Brighton. Everything is slow cooked, so is super tender and
juicy – amazing beef brisket, pulled pork and ribs! Plus it’s in
a pub – bonus.
40
Favourite thing
to do on a rainy
day
In Brighton we have very convenient
and quick transport links to London
– one hour by train. If it’s raining it’s
very easy to head to the museums
in central London. Tate Modern,
the V&A and the British Museum
are all free to enter and you could
spend a whole week exploring their
collections.
Favourite Event
It’s the oddest sight to see thousands
of Zombies staggering and drooling
blood on the streets of your town. But,
that is exactly what happens on the
annual Beach of the Dead Zombie
Parade around Halloween time.
Any costume goes as long as you’re
undead! You’ll see zombie golfers,
zombie flight attendants, zombie
McDonald’s workers, zombie Prime
Ministers, zombie cats and dogs...
you get the idea!
Favourite place
in the UK
I’m into the outdoors, so my
favourite place outside of Brighton
is the Scottish Highlands. It has the
most beautiful places to go camping
and hiking, if only the weather was a
little better!
The Loft on Ship Street
hosts some of my
favourite DJs and is a
small venue for those in
the know. It’s a bit of an
older crowd and music
is the key.
Paul Fawcett // International Project Officer
www.ccb.ac.uk/public/international
Guide to Brighton
Jo Cohen,
Academic
Co-ordinator
Favourite thing
about living in
Brighton
I love being so close to the sea and
having the feeling of open space.
Take a walk or cycle along the
Undercliff Walk which goes all the
way from Brighton Marina along the
coast to Saltdean.
Favourite
Restaurant
Favourite Night
Club/Live Music
The range of restaurants in Brighton
is amazing, I love wandering through
the North Laine at the weekend and
eating brunch (= breakfast + lunch)
at one of the many amazing cafes.
For a meal, the lively atmosphere
and yummy Spanish food at Casa
Don Carlos is great with a group
of friends and for a quick cheap
eat you can’t beat Pompoko,
Japanese food at great prices and
very popular with our International
Students.
There are many great venues for
music but why not make your own?!
Head to Lucky Voice, karaoke rooms
that let you and your friends choose
the music and sing along as loud as
you like!
Favourite Bar
I’m more of a pub person these days
and love the warm, cosy atmosphere
of an English Pub. The Earth and Stars
pub close to the College in the North
Laine is an environmentally friendly
pub with organic food and drinks
and even powered by a solar panel
in the roof. You could try a glass of
their organic cider, an alcoholic drink
made from apples that is typical of
our country.
Favourite thing
to do on a rainy
day
I love unusual small venues and
hidden away in the back streets of
Hove is The Old Market. It is a venue
that has lots of performances from
theatre, book readings and comedy
to music, gigs and dance events.
There are many great venues for music
but why not make your own?! Head
to Lucky Voice, karaoke rooms that let
you and your friends choose the music
and sing along as loud as you like!
Jo Cohen // Academic Co-ordinator
42
LO RES
I love being so close
to the sea and having
the feeling of open space.
Jo Cohen // Academic Co-ordinator
Favourite place
in the UK
I grew up in the Lake District, a
stunning National Park in the north
of England. My family still live here
so I love returning and spending
time walking on the fells or passing
the time next to one of the many
beautiful lakes where you can hire
canoes and enjoy the peace and
tranquillity.
Favourite
activity around
Brighton
On a sunny day you can take the
bus or even walk out to one of the
pitch and putt greens at Roedean
or Rottingdean. Here you can play
‘mini-golf’ and show off your putting
skills as well as having great fun
with a group of friends when the
competition gets serious!
Favourite Event
I love Bonfire night in Lewes, a lovely
English town not far from Brighton.
On Bonfire night (5th November)
the town has a number of big fires
(bonfires) and a parade with burning
torches. Wear lots of warm clothes
and treat yourself to some yummy
fish and chips as you watch the
celebrations.
www.ccb.ac.uk/public/international
Guide to Brighton
Favourite
Restaurant
Favourite Night
Club/Live Music
For a special occasion I enjoy
eating at the Giggling Squid, a Thai
restaurant in the Laines. It’s not the
cheapest in town but the food is
always fresh and delicious. I would
also recommend the pizza at
Gourmet Pizza Kitchen on Western
Road, which I believe is the best in
Brighton!
You will often find me dancing the
night away in Casablanca on Middle
Street. This basement club is a little
claustrophobic and dark, but it’s one
of Brighton’s best venues for live jazz,
funk and Motown. It’s a great place
to have a good dance and the
atmosphere is always unpretentious,
friendly and cheerful. Wednesdays
are the best for students with deals
on drinks and free entry until 11.
Giulia Samonati,
Favourite Bar
International
It has to be the Northern Lights near
Student Officer
Brighton Town Hall, a Scandinavian
Favourite thing
about living in
Brighton
I like the fact that it’s a very liberal
city and people make the effort of
seeing beyond the way you look.
It’s a great city for international
students as people are friendly and
very accepting of different cultures.
bar that offers a large selection of
vodkas, including some home-made
ones (my favourite is the fisherman’s
friend one!). It is small and quirky, they
have good food and often it hosts
art exhibitions.
Favourite thing
to do on a rainy
day
I get quite lazy on rainy days, but
I like going to a cozy pub with an
open fire and enjoy some food. I’m
particularly fond of the Lion and
Lobster and the Royal Sovereign.
It’s a great city for international
students as people are friendly and
very accepting of different cultures.
Giulia Samonati // International Student Officer
I really enjoy the Burning of
The Clocks parade, which
takes place every year on
21st December, to celebrate
the shortest day of the year.
Giulia Samonati // International Student Officer
Favourite
Event
I really enjoy the Burning
of The Clocks parade,
which takes place every
year on 21st December,
to celebrate the shortest
day of the year. The event
is free and starts with a
parade of people carrying
home-made paper
lanterns through the city
and ends on the beach
with a spectacular fire and
fireworks show. It’s a striking
display of light and fire well
worth seeing.
Favourite place
in the UK
I fell in love with the rugged coast
of the Isle of Wight, a place I always
recommend. The east of the island
is quite touristy and often busy, but
West Wight is more rural and offers
stunning deserted beaches, hidden
coves and clear waters. Walking or
cycling that unspoiled part of the
island will leave you doubting that
you are in England!
Favourite
activity around
Brighton
The countryside around Brighton
is great for walking, but what I love
doing the most on my days off is
heading down to the beach to have
a barbeque with friends. I love the
smell of meat cooking on the fire and
it’s my favourite way to relax and
catch up with friends!
44
www.ccb.ac.uk/public/international
Religion
Religion
The UK is a multi-faith society. The largest faith group is
Christian and in Brighton, there are good relationships
between the major faith communities. You are free to
practise your faith here in the UK.
City College
Quiet Room
City College has its own quiet room
which is available for students to pray.
It is located on the lower ground floor
of the Trafalgar building. As it has a
code pad on the door, to access the
room you should key in the following
code: C0258Z.
Christian
There are a large number of Christian
churches. To find a church near you,
please check these websites:
Church of England (Anglican)
www.achurchnearyou.com
Catholic
www.dabnet.org
Methodist
www.methodist.org.uk
Baptist
www.baptist.org.uk
Quakers Religious Society of Friends
Friends Meeting House, Ship Street,
Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1AF
Tel: 01273 770258
URC Christian Centre
Saunders Park Rise, Brighton,
East Sussex BN2 4ES
Tel: 01273 674611
Greek Orthodox Church
Carlton Hill, Brighton,
East Sussex BN2 0GW
Tel: 01273 675396
46
Church of Christ The King
47, New England St, Brighton,
East Sussex BN1 4GQ
Tel: 01273 747687
The Salvation Army
1-6, Park Crescent Terrace,
Brighton, East Sussex BN2 3HD
Tel: 01273 607095
Leybourne Rd, Bevendean,
Brighton, East Sussex BN2 4LT
Tel: 01273 621196
Brighton United Reformed Church
Brighthelm, North Rd,
Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1YD
Tel: 01273 821512
Christian Science Church
97, Montpelier Rd, Brighton,
East Sussex BN1 3BE
Tel: 01273 325100
Calvary Evangelical Church
72, Viaduct Rd, Brighton,
East Sussex BN1 4ND
Tel: 01273 687721
Islam
Jewish
Baha’i
Brighton Mosque /
Muslim Community Centre
150, Dyke Rd, Brighton,
East Sussex BN1 5PA
Tel: 01273 505247
www.brightonmosque.com
Brighton and Hove Progressive
Synagogue
6 Lansdowne Road,
Hove , East Sussex BN3 1FF
Tel: 01273 737223
Baha’i Faith
19 Stanford Av, Brighton BN1 6GA
Tel: 01273 505895
Al Medinah Mosque
24, Bedford Place, Brighton,
East Sussex BN1 2PT
Tel: 01273 737721 / 07778 108633
almedinahmosquebrighton.
blogspot.com/
Shahjalal Mosque
250 Portland Road, Hove,
East Sussex BN3 5QT
Tel: 01273 323990
Brighton and Hove Reformed
Synagogue
Palmeira Avenue,
Hove BN3 3GE
Tel: 01273 735343
Sikh
The nearest Sikh temple is
Sri Guru Singh Sabha
27-29 Spencer Road, West Green,
Crawley, West Sussex RH11 7DE
Buddhist
Bodhisattva Buddhist Centre
3 Lansdowne Road, Hove BN3 1DN
Tel: 01273 732 917
Others
Unitarian Church (Brighton)
New Rd, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1UF
Tel: 01273 696022
Hindu
Swaminarayana Temple
79a Trafalgar Road, Portslade,
Brighton, East Sussex BN41 1XD
Tel: 01273 420200
City College has its own quiet
room which is available for
students to pray.
Evangelical Free Church
Park Hill, Brighton,
East Sussex BN2 0BT
Tel: 01273 682788
www.ccb.ac.uk/public/international
Keep up-to-date with City College
on Facebook and Twitter
Central Campus
Pelham Street, Brighton
East Sussex BN1 4FA
Tel: 01273 667788
Email: info@ccb.ac.uk
East Campus
Wilson Avenue, Brighton
East Sussex BN2 5PB
Tel: 01273 667788
Email: info@ccb.ac.uk
City Skills & Jobs
6 Queen’s Road, Brighton
East Sussex BN1 3AW
Tel: 01273 667770
Email: advice@cityskillsandjobs.co.uk
www.ccb.ac.uk