Staffordshire University

Summary

History

The University of Staffordshire dates back to 1914 when the Central School of Science and Technology was opened, teaching mining and pottery. By the 1920s, the University was known for its research in ceramics, with grants from the Carnegie UK Trust, and a department established for the commercial production of Seger cones. Various extensions resulted in the North Staffordshire Polytechnic being formed in 1971 with the merger of Stoke-on-Trent College of Art, North Staffordshire College of Technology, and Staffordshire College of Technology. The polytechnic was able to develop the traditional strengths of the component institutions including ceramics (Stoke-on-Trent), computing (Stafford) and sports education (Madeley). In 1992 it was granted university status and became Staffordshire University. 

University Environment

Staffordshire is centred around two main campuses in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford approximately half an hour's drive apart:

Stoke-on-Trent

The Stoke-on-Trent campus sits across two main road locations which are within a 5-minute walk of each other, and primarily offers law, business, sciences, applied computing, engineering, arts, design, journalism and media production courses. It houses the new Science and Technology facility which opened in 2012, the School of Engineering which was refurbished in 2013, its own student nightclub “LRV” and other food, drink and socialising spaces, a library and gym. 

Stafford

The Stafford campus is also spread across two key sites, and offers technology and computing courses, nursing, midwifery and mental health on the campus. Its facilities include two libraries, a gym, and a number of socialising and eating spaces. 

The University also has sites in Lichfield, Shrewsbury, Telford, and Oswestry, which are mainly for nursing and midwifery courses.

Academics

Faculties & Schools

• Faculty of Arts & Creative Technologies

  • Faculty of Arts & Creative Technologies
  • School of Art & Design
  • School of Film, Sound & Vision
  • School of Journalism, Humanities & Social Sciences

• Faculty of Business, Education & Law

  • Faculty of Business, Education & Law
  • Business School
  • School of Education
  • Law School

• Faculty of Computing, Engineering & Sciences

  • Faculty of Computing, Engineering & Sciences
  • School of Computing
  • School of Engineering
  • School of Sciences

• Faculty of Health Sciences

  • Faculty of Health Sciences
  • School of Nursing & Midwifery
  • School of Psychology, Sport & Exercies
  • School of Social Work, Allied & Public Health

Research

Staffordshire University has a number of Applied Research Centres (ARCs), which are smaller research institutes and centres, through which the University develops highly viable and practical solutions to real-world problems. Staffordshire works hard to promote knowledge transfer, support postgraduate research, and engage with industry, commerce, the healthcare professions and local communities. The University is committed to multidisciplinary research, with activities in the field of healthcare, for example, the development of the next generation of footwear for diabetics and as well as being involved int the national strategy for dementia.

In the 2014 REF 78% of the University's research was rated as of an international standard, improving its research rating by 35% from the 2008 RAE. They did especially well in Psyhcology; Sport & Exercise Science; General Engineering; Education; and Business and Management. 

International Opportunities

Staffordshire takes part in the ERASMUS scheme allowing students to study part of their degree course in Europe for a period of 3 to 12 months. This study period is not in addition to a student’s degree but replaces a part of their study in the United Kingdom. Any student who is registered at Staffordshire University can take part in the scheme, but the University is currently not able to provide additional funding for students on Work Placements in Europe. This is expected to change from September 2014.

Fees & Finance

Scholarships & Bursaries

The University offers up to 500 bursaries to assist students from disadvantaged backgrounds with the costs of higher education. Students awarded a bursary will receive discounted residential accommodation or support with the costs of food or other institutional services to the value of £800 and a bursary of £200 paid into their bank account in year one of their studies. In years two and three students will receive  discounted residential accommodation or support with the costs of food or other institutional services to the value of £400 and a bursary of £100 paid into their bank account. 

The Team Staffs Sports Scholarship is available to those who play sport at county level or above and consists of a support package worth around £6,000 a year including free use of the sport facilties, sports therapy treatment, sports science performance testing, and a personal mentor. 

Facilities

Learning Facilities

There are two main Libraries at the Stoke and Stafford campuses, together with specialist libraries for Law at Stoke and Health at Shrewsbury. The University also has partnerships with libraries at Lichfield, Oswestry and Telford, which all University students and staff can use. All libraries have experienced and friendly staff who can answer your queries, and help you to access and use resources effectively. Some libraries are open 24/7 and there is also a 24 hour help line if you have any problems. The libraries give you access to a library collection that includes a wide range of e-resources, journals, specialist and rare materials,  DVDs and CDs. Finding the book you need is made easy through the Library Catalogue which you can use to search for specific titles or subjects. The libraries use a traffic light colour system to provide different study areas that will suit different students’ needs. A Red Zone denotes a silent study area where food and mobile phones are not allowed. In an Amber Zone students may talk quietly and eat but not use their mobiles. Finally a Green Zone denotes a group study area where talking, mobile phones and food are allowed. There are a number of different rooms in all the libraries that work on this system. 

There are IT Learning Centres within all of Staffordshire’s sites. There are over 1500 computers available - some 24 hours a day - all with the essential software you need to help you study effectively. Plus at the Help Desks are experienced staff to support your learning needs and help you with any IT problems you might have.

Sports Facilities

Both Staffordshire campuses have first-class sports centres that are open from early in the morning till late in the evening, with various fitness classes open to members of the general public, as well as Staffordshire University students and staff. Facilities include floodlit all-weather sports pitches, four-court indoor sports hall, extensive sports fields, athletics training facilities and well-equipped fitness suites. There is a programme of Health and Wellbeing activities throughout the year – with each specially designed to raise awareness of healthy living and make exercise fun. Activities could be anything from Yoga and Pilates to Latin Dance classes, and when you come along to an event, you’ll be able to receive help and practical advice on all sorts of health-related issues. You can book a ‘body MOT’ (Blood Pressure, BMI and Cholesterol Check), get one-to-one advice from a dietician or try complementary therapies, such as Indian head massage and reflexology. 

Alternatively you could keep fit by joining one of Team Staffs student-led sports clubs. Membership to Team Staffs is competitively priced and many of the University teams compete at a national level. Whatever your sporting interests, at Staffordshire there is a wide variety of activities, fixtures, training sessions and social events.

Students' Union

Students’ Union

Staffordshire Students’ Union run a number of societies which you can get involved in covering a range of interests including academics, sport, music, culture. If nothing takes your fancy then you can always start your own club or society, or try the Give It a Go programme. There is One Media Group (OMG), the SU’s radio station, and Staffs TV for those who are interested in the media. Students also have the opportunity to get involved in volunteering, work for the Union or become an academic rep. 

The Lounge and Legends are Staffordshire University Students’ Union's Beaconside Campus Venues. Winner of a Silver award for Best Bar None 2012, The Lounge is a stylish bar serving great food served to table. Legends is the Stafford campus' nightclub venue where you can find Mukky Duck every Friday night. Mukky Duck is a themed club night where members are encouraged to dress up based on the theme. Legends also plays host to live events and gives members the opportunity to use the venue for events, such as jam nights and Bandeoke. Just next door to The Lounge is The Other Room, a quieter space to relax, play pool, air hockey or a number of video games. Ember Lounge is Staffordshire University Students' Union primary food and drink venue in Stoke, and has two of the biggest projection screens in Staffordshire, showing live sporting events. 

Student Support

Health and Well-Being

The Student Enabling Centre offers counsellors based at the Stafford and Stoke campuses who you can contact at any point whilst you are a student at the University. If necessary the counsellors can also refer you onto other support services, both within and external to the University. There are also specialist study advisors who are there to offer support for your mental wellbeing at any point during your time at Staffordshire University. Furthermore, Faculty Student Guidance Advisors can help you with a wide range of educational issues as, well as offering specialist information and support. The Advisors offer both a drop-in service and bookable appointments.

The University provides an individually negotiated support programme for disabled students that may include academic support, help with mobility, and domestic and social support.  

NHS medical services are available to students at both Stoke and Stafford campuses with surgeries held each weekday during term-time.

Religion and Spirituality

There is a Multi-Faith Chaplaincy at the University which provides a safe, quiet space; facilities and space for faith groups; spiritual support; and engagement between the University and the local community. The Chaplaincy Team comprises of four chaplains, including a Muslim chaplain, and various Faith Advisors of different religions and denominations who are leaders in their local communities. The Chaplaincy can give information on places of worship in Stafford and Stoke, as well as providing lots of helpful information on their website, including podcasts and videos. 

Career Facilities

The Careers Centre at Staffordshire University is there to support students and graduates in the development of their employability, and with a dedicated team of careers professionals, can offer help and advice on all career-related questions. There is the option of receiving e-guidance which is more convenient for students with busy schedules. The Careers website offers a whole range of resources, including specific resources for graduates, such as a JobZone, and information on graduate paid internship. Furthermore, a number of presentations have been put together to provide information and advice about some important aspects of career planning, for example, how to fill in application forms, how to write CVs, how to write covering letters and interview techniques. As well as on-line presentations there are a number of online guides covering a range of topics, including psychometric tests, self-employment, volunteering, teaching and LinkedIn.  There is also Unitemps - a recruitment service that can help students to find part-time and temporary work, as well as provide employers with an efficient and effective recruitment service.

Accommodation

In Stoke, the Leek Road campus offers en-suite accommodation and two types of standard accommodation; traditional corridor based Halls of Residence and student houses. There are 535 single study bedrooms and 34 shared rooms provided on the main campus in Leek Road Halls with students sharing kitchen and bathroom facilities in blocks of 12 - 14 residents. Students in Clarice Cliff Court, which is situated just across the River Trent from the Leek Road campus, have their own shower and WC, and share kitchen facilities in flats of four to seven. There are, also, the Leek Road Houses in which six residents share kitchen and bathroom facilities.

There is also accommodation in Stafford with Stafford Court which has 264 en-suite single study bedrooms and 290 single study bedrooms with shared facilities. Residents are grouped in flats of between three and seven study bedrooms, and share catering facilities. 51 single study bedrooms are also provided in Yarlet, a traditional Hall of Residence on three floors, each accommodating 17 residents who share a kitchen, dining room and four shower rooms.  

Staffordshire is a very affordable place to live and if you prefer to live in the private sector, there is an Accommodation Office that will work hard to help you find safe, secure, affordable accommodation. Staffordshire University Studentpad enables you to access the details of landlords who have registered properties on the University’s Private Sector Registration Scheme. These landlords have provided safety certificates and all are accredited to the North Staffs Landlords Accreditation Scheme.

International

English Language Requirements

The University ask for an IELTS average of 6.0 or a TOEFL score of 550 (213 computer-based). 

International Support

International Student Support (ISS) is part of Staffordshire University's Student Office and provides a wide range of support for international students, including academic and cultural support, as well as specialist immigration advice. The team are staffed with highly qualified, very friendly international student advisers. There is also an ISS Newsletter with feature items, for example asking international students "How Staffordshire differs from their home country".  

There is an International Welcome put on by the University where you can participate in a range of events and activities designed to help you settle in, enrol, and find your way around. There is also a Meet and Greet service from Stoke-on-Trent Railway Station and Stafford Railway Station, and a vast amount of information provided on pre-arrival preparation and travelling to the UK. 

Intercultural Mentoring is jointly run by the International Student Centre of Staffordshire University and the Students' Union. This is a programme aimed at assisting incoming international students to overcome the pre-arrival feeling of foreignness, welcoming them to the university, and providing friendly personal advice to them on living and studying in the UK. 

Media