WSS Handbook

Warwick Summer School Handbook

The Department

Warwick Foundation StudiesLink opens in a new window provides the home for the Summer School as well as academic and professional services support and student-facing support for the programme. Our Department offers a range of programmes including the International Foundation ProgrammeLink opens in a new window, Pre-sessional and In-sessional EnglishLink opens in a new window, Summer SchoolsLink opens in a new window and Short Courses.

Before You Arrive

Please make sure you have provided us with all of the pre-arrival information we have requested in advance of your visit. This includes your:

Accommodation booking if you are staying on campus
Enrolment form
pre-arrival travel form
image consent form
online IT account registration and ID card photo upload
optional trip bookings

You should also attend our Pre-departure briefing to help prepare you for your visit.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct VISA or entry clearance form for attending the summer school

Expected behaviour

The University of Warwick wants all students to benefit from the Warwick Summer School and to enjoy this new experience. The University expects that students will conduct themselves in a reasonable manner that is compliant with UK legislation. The University expects that students will act in a sensitive, considerate and responsible manner at all times. You will also be expected to show respect for the rights of other students and all staff. The University does not tolerate any verbal or physical conduct or discrimination that demeans others because of their race, age, class, gender, disability, ethnic background, religion or sexual orientation. As a student on our programme, you will be expected to adhere to our Warwick Values Link opens in a new windowand any breach of this behaviour may lead to students being removed from the programme. No portion of the programme fee will be refunded to a student who has been dismissed.

Insurance and Medical support

All students should ensure they have appropriate travel/medical insurance to cover their individual needs and health and medical requirements. If students require any medical attention they can find out more information here. You may like to read How to access NHS services in England if you are visiting from abroadLink opens in a new window from the National Health Service (NHS) for visitors to the UK.

Pre Arrival Immigration Advice

When coming to study on a summer school programme, the most suitable type of visa is a  Standard Visitor VisaLink opens in a new window. Students requiring a VISA will have been sent a VISA Support letter. Please contact us if you need help: wssadmissions@warwick.ac.uk

If you are a 'visa national', you must apply outside the UK. Visa nationals always need a visa prior to entering the UK. You can check if you are a visa national on the gov.uk websiteLink opens in a new window.

If you are a 'non visa national' you can choose to apply at the embassy in your own country for permission before you leave, or alternatively you can bring all your documents and apply at the border when you arrive in the UK. If you apply at the airport on arrival there is no charge.

Please ensure you bring your passport to registration and your VISA . You will need your passport even if you are a British Passport Holder.

What to Bring

You'll need to bring all the things you might take on holiday, such as clothes, toiletries and any medication you need. Remember the weather in the UK can be very variable even in the summer so make sure you bring some warmer clothes and waterproofs/umbrella as well as sun-cream and a sunhat/cap. You will also need to bring adequate sports clothing and trainers if you wish to take part in our sports activities or attend the gym and formal wear for our evening dinners. You will have access to the campus swimming pool so you may want to bring a swimsuit and towel too.

For your studies you will need to bring a laptop or tablet (and a UK plug adapter) and stationery. You should also bring a dictionary with you if you think you may need one as we are unable to provide bilingual dictionaries – a bilingual dictionary may be particularly helpful if English is not your first language. You will have access to IT facilities on campus including Wi-Fi. We also recommend that you bring a mobile phone and a SIM card/package that works in the UK.

A great social programme is included in your fees but you will need to bring some spending money for any trips, drinks, social activities and/or souvenirs you want to buy. Depending on your accommodation packages, you'll also need to budget for meals. We recommend that you bring a bank card/global money card that will work in the UK as lots of places are cashless.

Getting to the University of Warwick Travelling By Air

The closest airports are Birmingham and East Midlands but we are not far from the London airports either (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted or Luton). If you would like specific advice on how to get to Warwick University from London airports do get in touch and we will be happy to offer guidance on the quickest route from the airport you are arriving into. Information can be found hereLink opens in a new window

By Coach By Train On Arrival in Coventry

On arrival at the railway station or the coach station a taxi or Uber will be the simplest way to get to campus and is reasonably priced. The taxi fare is approximately between £10.00 - £16.00 one way from either the railway or coach station to the University. There are always taxis waiting outside Coventry stations too – you can just ask to be taken to The Faculty of Arts Building at the University of Warwick, where we will be registering students. Registration will be from 1 pm - 5 pm so if you are not travelling by air we recommend you aim to arrive between these times. You will be able to check into your accommodation from 3 pm if staying on campus.

By Car Car parking

ANPR car parking is available for visitors on some of the Central Campus car parks. There are various ways to pay including an app, online, machine, phone or text. You can find out more information about where you can park and how to pay plus costs on this linkLink opens in a new window. If you are driving to campus and need to park for the duration of the Summer School, please let us know. Disabled parking spaces are available within all car parks and close to some accommodation areas, please inform us if you require a disabled car parking space (for blue badge holders only).

The Campus

Information about our lovely campus can be found hereLink opens in a new window. Maps of the campus can be found here: Campus Maps (warwick.ac.uk). If you are ever unsure about where a room or building is you can enter the building or room number on the interactive campus map for guidance. A printable map of the central campus can be downloaded.

Arrival

Registration and Check-in

On Sunday 14 July from 1 pm - 5 pm we will be registering students for the Summer School in The Faculty of Arts Building (FAB) on central campus. We will be able to issue your Warwick Student ID Card at registration or help you to print this at the Student Information Centre as long as you have uploaded your ID card photo in advance.

You will also be able to check-in to your accommodation from 3 pm on the 14 July. If you arrive earlier than 3 pm and need to store your luggage, this can also be arranged at The FAB building. You are welcome to leave your luggage with us from 11 am.

If you are arriving outside of these hours (1-5 pm), please let us know and we will provide you with alternative instructions as you will need to collect your room key from either Senate House (between 7 am - 10 pm Monday - Sunday) or from our Community Safety Team at the Gatehouse if Senate House is closed.

If you are arriving on Monday 15 July, there will be an additional registration period from 9 am – 10 am at Senate House Student Opportunity Hub. If you are unable to register either on Sunday or Monday morning, please contact our Summer School Team to register with us in Senate House at an alternative time. You can email us at wss@warwick.ac.ukLink opens in a new window. Students will not be allowed to begin their studies until they have registered.

If you are arriving early (prior to Sunday 14 July) and have booked additional nights accommodation, you should aim to arrive on campus after 3 pm on the day of your check-in. You can check in at Senate House with our Conferences Reception from 3 pm until 9.45 pm. They will provide you with your room key. You will not receive your induction pack or ID card until registration on Sunday 14 July. If you plan to arrive outside of these hours you should contact conferences reception to let them know and make alternative arrangements to collect your key.

Telephone: 02476528910 | Email: ccvreception@warwick.ac.uk.

Your Timetable Your ID Card

Your ID card will be issued at registration or one of our ambassadors will help you to print this at the Student Information Centre during registration if you have uploaded your photo in advance. Please keep this card with you at all times as this is your means of proving that you are a Summer School participant at the University of Warwick, it is your library card and your ‘key’ to access some of the buildings on campus. We have provided a lanyard and you should wear this at all times on campus. This card can also be loaded with credits to use for printing. There are details about this here.

Lost Cards Your IT Account

In advance of your arrival, you will be given your ID number and instructions about how to register your ITS (IT Services) account via email. Make sure you have done this, and uploaded your ID card photo using the instructions in the email in advance.

Your IT account is used for Campus Wi-Fi, Open Access Personal Computer Rooms and accessing the library. When you register your IT account prior to arrival, you will be able to set your password.

The ITS account self-service password procedure is also detailed hereLink opens in a new window

Campus Wi-Fi

You will need your user code and password to access the campus Wi-Fi using our eduroam service. You can find out more information on this website Link opens in a new windowabout how to access eduroam on various devices.

Please note that by registering as a Warwick Summer School Student you are agreeing to the University's Acceptable IT Use Policy hereLink opens in a new window

Orientation

We are hosting a Meet and Greet BBQ on Sunday 14 July in the evening after registration which will provide a nice opportunity for you to meet your fellow students. Monday 15 July is dedicated to helping you settle in and we will be providing campus tours, a library induction, welcome lecture and sports centre induction as well as a formal welcome dinner. Please see the timetable for more details.

You can find a copy of the Induction Presentation here.

Accommodation, Catering and Facilities

We are using three Halls of Residence for the Summer School. Rootes bedrooms include shared bathrooms and Arthur Vick/Jack Martin bedrooms are en-suite rooms. Bedrooms include:

Towels
Iron and ironing board*
Broadband internet
Bed linen and duvet/pillow

*Located in communal kitchens.

In en-suite Halls bedrooms and bathrooms are cleaned weekly and kitchens are cleaned once a week. In shared bathroom halls, bedrooms are cleaned weekly but shared kitchens are cleaned once per week and shared bathrooms are cleaned daily. However, it is your responsibility to clean up after yourself and ensure spaces are kept tidy. Towels are changed weekly although replacement towels can be required from the Conferences Team in Senate House. Hairdryers and clock radios can also be borrowed from the Conferences Reception.

Communal bathrooms, corridors, stairwells and entrances will be cleaned daily(excluding weekends). Communal kitchens will be cleaned every Monday. Bedrooms will be cleaned on a Wednesday.

If you want to opt out of bedroom cleaning, please complete this form.

Please note that although there are kitchens in the Halls of Residence, cutlery, crockery, pots and pans are not provided.

PLEASE NOTE THE FIRE MEET POINTS FOR LOCATIONS CAN BE FOUND ON THIS LINKLink opens in a new window

Laundry

You will be able to access laundry services during your time at the Summer School. There are several student launderettes available.

The laundries are operated by washco (Arthur Vick and Jack Martin) or Circuit (Rootes). The washco wash cycle has a pre-mixed detergent and conditioner so guests don’t need to buy any. The Circuit wash cycle does not include any detergent or conditioner. The machines are cashless.

You can find out more here Laundry (warwick.ac.uk)

There is also a launderette in between the Rootes Building and Rootes residences, opening times are available from Conference Reception for self-service washing and drying. Washing powder and softener are not provided. You can purchase this from the Rootes Grocery Store on Central Campus.

Post and parcels

If you are arranging for any post or parcels to be delivered to you during your stay in our Halls of Residence, please use your address, which you can find hereLink opens in a new window.

- It's important that all parcels received by the sorting office have this address format.

- Don't use any postcode other than CV4 7ES, all student accommodation addresses fall under this postcode.

- It's highly recommended you add your university ID number, this will allow quicker and more accurate processing of your items.

- We cannot accept perishable items: we have no facilities for storing perishable items like cakes and fresh or frozen food - we'll have to reject them.

- We cannot accept heavy items: You should not order anything weighing over 20 kg to arrive at the sorting office. Heavy items will not be accepted.

- You must only receive mail and parcels if you are staying on campus, we are unable to accept post or parcels for anyone not staying on campus.

- Please do not arrange for any parcels or mail to be delivered to campus before you arrive.

If you have arranged for a parcel to be delivered, you will be notified by email when your parcel arrives with instructions on how to collect your parcel. You will be asked to collect it from a location on campus - details on the website about collection points hereLink opens in a new window

If you are expecting letter-based post, you will be able to collect this from the local residence hub - details on the website hereLink opens in a new window

Your key fob can be used to open the mailbox belonging to your flat.

You can also arrange for Amazon deliveries to be sent to our Amazon lockers- details hereLink opens in a new window

Catering

For those on a Bed and Breakfast or Dinner, Bed and Breakfast Package, breakfast will be served daily from 7.30 – 9 am in Rootes Restaurant and a two-course self-service dinner will be served from 6 pm - 7 pm in Rootes Restaurant. Students on a Bed and Breakfast or a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast package will receive an envelope of meal coupons at registration which can be redeemed at the restaurant so that they can receive their self-service meals at Rootes Restaurant in the Rootes Building.

Please note that dinner is not included on the days where group social events are taking place including the welcome BBQ, welcome dinner, curry and disco night and film and pizza night on the piazza. This is reflected in the cost of the accommodation packages.

An early breakfast at 7 am-8 am will be offered on Wednesday 27th July for those who are attending the trip to London and are on a bed and breakfast package or a dinner, bed and breakfast package. Those on dinner, bed and breakfast packages and attending trips which return to campus will be offered a later dinner.

Eating on Campus

You can also purchase food and drink on campus without any problem. We have numerous cafés, restaurants and an on campus grocery store. Please visit:http://www.warwickretail.com/Link opens in a new window for more information and up-to-date opening hours. Please ensure when buying food and drink that you check the food hygiene ratings and only purchase from venues with a 4 or higher.

Please note: opening hours may vary during the vacation period. Sunday is usually a very quiet day on campus and there may not be many facilities open - so please bear this in mind. We will provide light refreshments during registration and we will also provide a BBQ during the Welcome Supper.

Facilities on Campus Sports and Wellness Hub

If you are staying on campus, gym and swim access to our fantastic sports and wellness hubLink opens in a new window is included in your accommodation fee. Our hub includes a huge gym, swimming pool, climbing walls, squash courts, badminton courts, bouldering room and many classes and activities. Some activities incur an extra cost.

If you plan to use the swimming pool whilst you are here, please remember to bring some swimwear and a towel in your luggage. Please see the website for details of activities, bookings and opening hours. You'll also be able to find out more at our induction session.

Library

The University LibraryLink opens in a new window is accessible 24 hours a day. You will have access to the library using your card and will be able to borrow up to 5 books for two weeks (subject to the usual library borrowing conditions). Unfortunately, you cannot access e-journals due to licensing restrictions. Here you will also be able to use printing facilities and computers if you need them. You will be able to print in the Library by buying printer credits. The cost varies depending on the kind of printing you are doing: https://printercredits.warwick.ac.uk/Link opens in a new window.

For further help, you can find The Library Helpdesk on the first floor of the library. The Library Helpdesk is open Monday-Sunday 08:30 am-21:30 pm

You will be provided with all the materials you will need for your course during lectures and seminars and we do not expect you to buy any textbooks. As mentioned you should bring a laptop and charging device/adapter with you.

Shops, Cafes and Pharmacy

We have a grocery store on campus and a number of cafes and restaurants. You can find out more on our Warwick Retail website. There is also a cash machine on campus but please remember that the campus is cashless. There is also a pharmacy on campus open on weekdays and a pharmacy at Boots at Cannon Park. We are also next door to Cannon Park, a retail park with lots of shops including a Tescos supermarket, Aldi supermarket and many other retail stores - you can find further information here www.cannonparkshopping.co.ukLink opens in a new window

Bike Hire Chaplaincy

At the heart of central campus, the ChaplaincyLink opens in a new window is a vibrant space for all members of the University community. It’s a popular gathering place that welcomes students and staff of any or no faith. Within the chaplaincy centre, space is provided for prayer throughout the day. The University of Warwick has one of the best resourced Islamic Prayer centres in any UK. The Chaplaincy is home to the Christian (Catholic, Anglican, Free Church), Jewish and Muslim Chaplains, who are always glad to meet students and staff socially and pastorally. As a valued part of the University’s Welfare network, the chaplains offer everyone a sympathetic ear in total confidence. Please visit The University of Warwick: Chaplaincy for information on opening times. You will be able to access the chaplaincy with your ID card.

Support during the Summer School

The Summer School team will be based in the Student Opportunity Hub (SH0.03/0.04) in Senate House (on the ground floor and turn left as you enter) during the Summer School period. Members of the team will be available to help students in the Hub between the following hours:

Monday – Thursday 9 am – 5 pm

Fridays 9 am – 4 pm

Alternatively email us at wss@warwick.ac.ukLink opens in a new window

If you have an urgent enquiry, you can also call us on 07823 524593 between those hours.

Emergency help/support out of hours

If you have an emergency or need assistance out of hours with urgent issues, please contact our Community Safety team:

University of Warwick Community Safety

24 hour control centre: +44 (0) 24 7652 2083

Emergencies (fire, police, ambulance): +44 (0) 24 7652 2222

If you are off campus and need to call the emergency services the details are below:

T: 999

T: 101 (non-urgent, press for Warwickshire or West Midlands when prompted)

Medical Assistance

All students should ensure they have appropriate travel/medical insurance to cover their individual needs and health and medical requirements. If students require any medical attention they will can be supported in seeking the appropriate care from a A&E, a local pharmacy, or an NHS walk in clinic.

There are a number of pharmacies in the vicinity which can be accessed by students on the programme for general medical advice, the nearest are the on-campus pharmacy – MW PhillipsLink opens in a new window– open Monday- Friday 9 am – 6 pm and the Boots PharmacyLink opens in a new window at Cannon Park which is open Monday – Friday 9.30 am – 5.30 pm, Saturdays, 9.30 am – 5 pm and Sundays 10 am – 4 pm.

The nearest 24-hour A&E is at University Hospital Coventry, Clifford Bridge Road, +44 (0) 24 7696 4000.

There is also an Urgent Care Centre for minor injuries open 8 am – 10 pm daily - 2 Stoney Stanton Rd, Coventry CV1 4FS. They operate a walk-in service or can be booked by calling NHS 111. You should read this adviceLink opens in a new window about medical treatment from the National Health Service (NHS) for visitors to the UK. In emergencies, contact Warwick Community Safety, details above.

Help with your accommodation during your stay Warwick Summer School Team

Jo Hart

Rachael Brogan

Marie Ainge

Suzi Barrett

Xiaobo Wang

Jasveen Kaur-P

Tom Such

Fiona Wallace

Libby Comyn (photography and video)

Chiara Zhang (photography and video)

Teaching

On each teaching day, a summer school student will typically have four hours of teaching delivery. The mode of delivery will depend on how the course is structured, i.e. whether that is made up of lectures and seminars or workshops. On your timetable you will also see that we have provided plenty of spare time for independent study and revision as well as additional Study Group sessions, there are two student groups per week where you can go and ask questions of your seminar tutor or work together with your peers. Please ensure you are fully aware of all of your teaching sessions.

Each course is equivalent to 15 CATs (7.5 ECTs and 3 US credits). This requires 150 hours of study in total.

If you have bought your own laptop, you can access Wi-Fi across campus through ‘eduroam’ and you will receive information to set up your IT account via email prior to your arrival.

Please see here for information on how to connect to the Wi-Fi.

Also see hereLink opens in a new window for information on printing and scanning within the University.

In week one there is a 2-hour lecture on the Monday, (which will include a brief overview of the course and assessments) followed by four days of 4 hours delivery per day on Tuesday to Friday. In addition, there will be two 1-hour study groups on the Tuesday and Thursday.

In week two there is 4 hours of delivery per day on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and two 1-hour study groups on the Tuesday and Thursday.

In week three there is 4 hours of delivery per day on Monday-Wednesday, 2 hours of delivery on Thursday (revision classes) and two 1-hour study groups on Tuesday and Thursday. In addition to this there is 3 three hours of timetabled activity for Friday which is used for the end of course assessment.

Sample timetable

Subject to changes, this is an overview of the timetable for Warwick Summer School students.

Week 1

	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Teaching		Teaching 1 – 3 pm Introduction	Teaching 10 am-12 noon Teaching 1-3 pm (or 4 pm if two seminar groups) Study Group 4-5 pm	Teaching 10 am-12 noon Teaching 1-3 pm (or 4 pm if two seminar groups)	Teaching 10 am-12noon Teaching 1-3 pm (or 4 pm if two seminar groups) Study Group 4-5 pm	Teaching 10 am-12noon Teaching 1-3 pm (or 4 pm if two seminar groups)
Social and Cultural	Registration Welcome BBQ	Additional registration Welcome Talk and Orientation Tours to British Culture Sports Activities Welcome Dinner	Guest lecture and drinks reception		Pizza and Film night	Sports activities	Optional day trip to Oxford

Week 2

	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Teaching	Free day	Teaching 10 am-12noon Teaching 1-3 pm (or 4 pm if two seminar groups)	Teaching 10 am-12noon Teaching 1-3 pm (or 4 pm if two seminar groups) Study Group 4-5 pm		Teaching 10 am-12noon Teaching 1-3 pm (or 4 pm if two seminar groups) Study Group 4-5 pm	Teaching 10 am-12noon Teaching 1-3 pm (or 4 pm if two seminar groups)
Social and Cultural		Sports activities Karaoke night	Guest lecture and drinks reception	Optional London trip	Pub quiz	Sports activities	Optional day trip to the Cotswolds and Bath

Week 3

	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Teaching	Free day	Teaching 10 am-12noon Teaching 1-3 pm (or 4 pm if two seminar groups)	Teaching 10 am-12 noon Teaching 1-3 pm (or 4 pm if two seminar groups) Study Group 4-5 pm	Teaching 10 am-12 noon Teaching 1-3 pm (or 4 pm if two seminar groups)	Revision Teaching 10 am-12 noon Study Group 1-2 pm	Exam 10.30-1 pm	Departure
Social and Cultural		Sports activities	Guest lecture and drinks reception			Group photos Farewell reception

This is the master timetable for 2024. Students will be sent their individual course timetables nearer the time.

Course Changes

We strongly advise that students to make sure that they select the right course before starting the Summer School. In the event that a student wants to change courses, a maximum of one course change is permitted within the first two days of the teaching session, subject to there being space available on the new course. If you wish to change to a course with entry requirements, we will need to check that you meet these requirements before you are able to change. Due to the intensive nature of the programme, it is not possible to make changes after this because students will have missed too much material.

Attendance Monitoring and Student Absence

Due to the intensive nature of the Warwick Summer School, students are expected to attend all timetabled teaching activities, to engage with the teaching material and to spend an average of 2-3 hours per day in self-guided study. Guest lectures are part of the timetabled teaching activity and so are compulsory. 

Students registered for Warwick Summer School must attain a minimum of 75% authorised attendance of the timetabled teaching activity. If students fall short of this threshold, they will not be awarded a certificate of completion and they will not be able to sit the exam/submit final assessment. Authorised attendance includes any sickness absence during the course of the programme that has been properly notified and recorded.

An attendance register will need to be taken at the beginning of each teaching session so students need to ensure they arrive on time in order to be marked as attended. We will send out attendance registers to all teaching staff before the start of teaching.

To notify us of an absence, students should emailwss@warwick.ac.ukLink opens in a new window and they will receive an email in response confirming if the absence has been authorised.

Transcripts and Credit Transfer

All students will be awarded a certificate of attendance by the University of Warwick upon completion of the programme (if they meet the attendance threshold) and this is sent to students after the programme comes to an end. In addition to an attendance certificate, students who sit the optional course assessment will also be sent an official University of Warwick transcript of results which can often be used for credit transfer at your home institution. Students who wish to gain credit should contact their Study Abroad Office or the office at their university that deals with external credit.

It is ultimately up to a student's home institution as to how much credit is awarded but we are happy to provide any necessary information to your registry or academic advisor to help them evaluate our courses. Students in previous years who have successfully transferred credits for our courses have received 7.5 ECTS/3 US credits. It is advisable for students to ensure they check with their home institution about credit transfer prior to their arrival.

Warwick Summer School courses do not count towards a degree at Warwick, so current Warwick students are unable to seek credit for the programme.

Transcripts from Previous Years

If you have misplaced your transcript from a course taken in previous years, you can request a copy from our Summer School Office.

Please note, we will send the transcript electronically unless otherwise requested and we aim to respond to requests for transcripts within two weeks. If you require a hard copy of your transcript, this will be sent via regular post, so the postal times can vary. The following are rough estimates of postal times for some countries.  Please take this into consideration when ordering.

UK: 2-3 days
Mainland Western Europe: 1 week
Eastern Europe, Russia, Turkey: 1-2 weeks
USA: 1-2 weeks
Brazil: up to 2 weeks
India: 4-6 weeks 
China: 4-6 weeks

Teaching Spaces

The Summer School courses are being taught primarily in the Faculty of Arts Building and the Zeeman (Maths and Stats) Building. You will be in the same room for the three weeks of teaching.

You should be able to access buildings/classrooms using your student ID card. If you can’t access a building immediately, please hold your card to a card reader at the entrance to a building for 30 seconds.

Resources

Lecture notes will be provided online and we do not expect you to buy any books, you will have access to the library to photocopy, print and use a computer and can borrow up to 5 books (see the facilities section of the handbook).

Students should not expect to be able to access course content once their course has concluded. We advise students to download and save or print any materials during the programme that they would like to keep. 

Library Access for Students

Warwick Summer School students will have External Borrower membership to the Library which allows them to borrow up to 5 items at any one time and to use the Library study spaces. The Library is currently open 24 hours a day for 7 days a week.  Library Staff will be able and very willing to advise the students of their Library entitlements of membership and guide them over any other issues they may have.

The students will be able to gain access to the Library using their ID cards, library access will be already on their ID cards. 

Assessments

Assessment Brief and Criteria

The assessment brief and the criteria for each assessment will be on your course resource pages prior to the start of the Summer School.

Exam and Assessments Town Hall

The Exam and Assessment Town Hall event on 25 July 2024 will brief students fully around assessments and what to expect.

Academic Integrity

There will be a video to watch on Academic Integrity which all students are required to watch as part of their induction.

What is academic integrity?

“Academic integrity means committing to honesty in academic work, giving credit where we’ve used others’ ideas and being proud of our own achievements.” (University of Warwick, 2021)

Following the principles of academic integrity can help you gain marks in assessments and avoid the risk of plagiarism and academic misconduct.

What is expected of Warwick Summer School students?

You are expected to maintain high standards of academic integrity in all your assessments. This means:

All work submitted should be your own original work.

You must acknowledge where you have used:

(1) other people’s words or ideas.

(2) artificial intelligence e.g. ChatGPT or similar.

What is plagiarism?

Plagiarism is a form of academic misconduct. It is defined by the university as “the reproduction, and presentation as one’s own, of the words or ideas of another” (University of Warwick, 2021).

Examples of plagiarism include, but are not limited to:

Presenting someone else’s work or ideas as your own.

Presenting work or ideas generated via artificial intelligence or similar as your own*.

Self-plagiarism: submitting the same work that you have already submitted for another assessment, unless this is permitted.

*Please be aware that the university has updated its definition of academic misconduct to include work generated by artificial intelligence – if you have used ChatGPT or similar tools to generate content in an assessment, then you need to acknowledge this in your citations – e.g. (OpenAI, 2023) – and reference list – e.g. OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT. Retrieved from [URL].

What is academic misconduct?

Academic misconduct is any unacceptable academic practice, including plagiarism, where there has been a deliberate attempt to deceive or gain an unfair advantage. Other examples of academic misconduct include:

Collusion: working with one or more students in an individual examination or assessment e.g. sharing answers with classmates in an exam.

Seeking unauthorised help e.g. asking someone to write your essay for you.

What is poor academic practice?

Poor academic practice is the failure to observe principles of academic integrity. It typically (but not exclusively) occurs when referencing is inadequate, but not in a way suggesting that the student attempted to gain an unfair advantage. There is no penalty for poor academic practice: marks are not deducted, instead work is assessed under the marking criteria set out for the assessment. Judgements about poor academic practice are academic judgements against which there is no appeal.

What are the consequences of failing to meet standards of academic integrity?

If there are concerns about the academic integrity of your work (e.g. the style is indicative of work generated by artificial intelligence or there isa high level of similarity to source materials), there may be an Academic Misconduct Panel attended by the Director of the Summer School and the Academic Member of the Summer School Steering Group. You will be informed and asked to submit your case.

If you are unable to explain where you found your sources or how you produced your work, a sanction may be applied. If you do not accept the sanction, the case will be referred to the Head of Department.

How can I avoid plagiarism and practise academic integrity in my assessments?

Following the steps below will help ensure that your work meets the required standards of academic integrity:

Manage your time well (e.g. start your reading and preparation early)

Make notes using pen and paper (avoid copying and pasting!)

Summarize reading and listening notes in your own words.

Use your own words – avoid relying on ChatGPT & machine writing tools (it won’t sound like you!).

Paraphrase sources in your own words

If you need to use exact words from a source, these should be in “quotation marks”.

Whether paraphrasing or quoting a source, you should always include a citation e.g.Mulligan (2017) argues that . . .OR. . . (Mulligan, 2017).

What are acceptable and unacceptable uses of artificial intelligence (e.g. ChatGPT)?

If used responsibly, artificial intelligence (AI) can help you get started with an assessment and assist with learning and language development. However, it should never replace your own original thinking and the language through which you communicate your ideas.

Acceptable uses of AI include:

Getting started with an assessment e.g. generating initial ideas about a topic to be explored through further reading.

Checking spelling, grammar, and suggesting synonyms and paraphrases in the same way that you would use a dictionary or thesaurus.

You should always undertake further reading and research to check whether information generated by AI is reliable and accurate.

Unacceptable uses of AI include:

Using AI (e.g. ChatGPT) to generate entire sentences, paragraphs or essays (it won’t sound like you and your tutor will know!)

Using AI to fabricate citations and reference list items – you should only cite sources you have actually read.

Using AI to cheat in online assessments and open-book exams.

However, please be aware that the extent to which it is acceptable or not to use AI may vary depending on the module or assessment component. Always ask your tutor if you are unsure.

If you have any questions about Academic Integrity and how to avoid plagiarism, please ask your course tutors.

Reasonable adjustments  Mitigating circumstances 

Referencing

Include a full reference list of all of the sources you have used – these should be presented in alphabetical order by author surname. Here is an example reference list item for a book:

Mulligan, W. 2017. The Origins of the First World War. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

If you have any questions about Academic Integrity and how to avoid plagiarism, please speak to your course teachers.

Release of results

Results will be released by the end of August.

Communications

There will be a number of ways in which we will communicate with you in the lead up and for the duration of the Summer School.

We will email you with key requests and to convey important information. Please keep a check of your emails and get back to us promptly with requests.

In the lead-up to the Summer School there will be the opportunity to attend a Pre-departure briefing

There is an online Offer Holder webpage where all the key information you need is housed including the Student Handbook.

During the programme our Professional Services team are based in Senate House in person (see key staff and support)

We also ask for feedback at the end of the programme

There is a Warwick Summer School LinkedIn page for Alumni, you’ll receive an invitation to join this at the end of the programme

Of course you can also talk to us in person at social events as well.

Social Programme

One of the key parts of the Summer School is the Social Programme which provides an opportunity to socialise with peers and staff.

The following Social Programme is included in the tuition fee. There will be no additional cost to you during your stay and will include:

Meet and greet and BBQ
Induction, including an orientation tour, library tour and sports centre induction
Formal welcome dinner
Sports activities - badminton and football.
Pizza and film on the Piazza. We're watching Kung Fu Panda 4 this year!
Pub quiz
Curry, karaoke and disco night
Farewell reception and group photos

Your personal timetable which you collect at registration will show details of where and when to meet for each of these events.

Optional Trips

Optional trips are available at additional cost and will need to be booked and paid for in advance:

Oxford Visit London Visit The Cotswolds and Bath Climbing Wall Experience

Find out more information about the optional trips on offer and book your place here

When you book for a trip you will receive a confirmation email and nearer the time we will email you the details such as where and when to meet and exact timings.

As well as the opportunities we have arranged, you may also like to explore the area yourself.

Sports Activities

Included in your timetable and fee are optional sports sessions in football or Badminton. Badminton will take place in the Sports and Wellness Hub Zone A and football at the 5 aside pitches 1-3 at the Sports and Wellness Hub. Equipment will be available from The Sports and Wellness Hub reception. These free sessions are open to anyone of any ability and don't require any advance booking. Just turn up and play.

City Life and the Local Area

Right in the heart of England, close to great shopping and nightlife, with historic towns and beautiful countryside on your doorstep – the University of Warwick couldn’t be in a better location. Coventry city centre is only three miles from campus. If you hop on a train at Coventry station, you can be in Birmingham in 20 minutes – or at London Euston in an hour. And when you want to get away from it all, you’re surrounded by Warwickshire’s rolling hills, with the stunning rural landscape of the Cotswolds just a short journey away.

A 10-minute bus ride from campus, Coventry is a bustling city with award-winning attractions such as the Cathedral, the Transport Museum, the Herbert Art Gallery and Medieval Spon Street. The city’s SkyDome leisure complex has a multiscreen cinema, restaurants, bars and clubs – and there’s also an ice rink, home to the league-topping ice hockey team, Coventry Blaze.

Find out more:

Visit CoventryLink opens in a new window

Visit EnglandLink opens in a new window

Local Towns

The historic towns of Royal Leamington Spa and Kenilworth are both within easy reach of campus – so they are home to lots of Warwick students.

Popular in the 18th century for its medicinal spa waters, Leamington is a vibrant town with plenty of shops, restaurants, bars and clubs. Even closer to campus (just 10 minutes on the bus), Kenilworth is famous for its striking castle ruins and Abbey Fields parkland. It also has a good selection of shops, restaurants and pubs – and some lovely walking and cycle routes along the Greenway.

A few miles west of Leamington Spa, the county town of Warwick is steeped in history – including Warwick Castle, one of the UK’s most popular visitor attractions. Head south and you’ll come to Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace and home to the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Feedback and Photography and Video

We have a number of feedback mechanisms in place for our students and staff. Feedback is very important to us to improve the programme year on year. Each year our student feedback has been excellent with 98% of 2023 students telling us they would recommend us to a friend. We also aim to collect case studies and photography and video during the programme.

Student voice

Students are asked to complete a feedback survey in Microsoft Forms on the Thursday of the final week (1 August 2024).

Case studies, photography and video

During the programme, we will have professional photographers on campus capturing our Summer School students and activities and our marketing team will also be capturing some video footage and informal photos. Photos are used for marketing but are also shared on a Flickr album for all students to access which is a nice memento for everyone involved. We will also be interviewing willing students on camera and taking video footage throughout the programme.

We invite all students to sign an image consent form when they join the programme so we know who is happy to be photographed or videoed. Please let the photographer know if you do not wish to be photographed.

If you are happy to be in photos and videos and have not already signed an image consent form for us, please do so hereLink opens in a new window.